Foreword Reviews, a book review journal, has announced the winners of its 20th annual INDIES Book of the Year Awards. The INDIES awards recognize the best books published in 2017 from small, indie, and university presses, as well as self-published authors. Thousands of books are entered each year, with Foreword’s editors choosing the finalists and a panel of over 150 librarians and booksellers acting as judges to pick the winners in over 60 categories.

“Everyone involved finds it a great honor to recognize all these great books,” said Matt Sutherland, Foreword Reviews’ editor-in-chief. “While they don’t have major PR machines or corporate budgets, these indie publishers are passionate about what they do, take chances, and produce a wide range of thought-provoking books.”

Trial by Fire: A Personal Journey of Consciousness, Power & Freedom, by Kaia Anderson, was awarded the silver medal in True Crime (Adult Nonfiction). “I’m thrilled and hopeful that this recognition will help Trial by Fire reach more readers drawn not only to a mind-bending true crime story but, following my footsteps, to an intriguing and powerful pathway through these deeply troubled times,” the author said.

All the 2017 INDIES winners can be viewed at https://www.forewordreviews.com/awards/winners/2017/