IBPA Seeks Second 'Innovative Voices' Cohort

Until June 16, the Independent Publishers Association will accept applications for its second Innovative Voices Program, an initiative begun in May 2023 in support of publishers who come from and who serve historically underrepresented communities. In its inaugural year, the Innovative Voices Program awarded Sambasivan & Parikh, Sawaga River Press, Shout Mouse Press, Taevo Publishing, and Thinking Ink Press. Five new grant recipients will be chosen for IBPA's 2024-2025 cohort. 

According to IBPA, qualified applicants must "be from a marginalized community as related to their race, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, caste, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, language, disability, or age" and "demonstrate a long-term plan for building a publishing business." To better assist innovative publishers who most need support, "the program only accepts publishing companies who have made less than $50,000 per year in net profit." 

Principal sponsor IngramSpark offers grantees $750 in financial support, provides a print run of 250 books, and covers registration, flight, and hotel fees for IBPA Publishing University 2025, to be held in Minneapolis–St. Paul. "Participants receive a package comprising cash donation, education, mentoring, IBPA membership, and deep discounts on book printing, publishing products, and services to help them elevate their publishing program," IBPA organizers said.