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Scholarship

 
The IBPA Publishing University Scholarship Program provides members of the independent book publishing community interested in advancing their publishing program the opportunity to apply for a complimentary ticket to IBPA Publishing University 2025.
IBPA awards five (5) complimentary tickets to applicants from IBPA's membership and regional publisher associations. IBPA has full discretion over the awarding of a scholarship to IBPA Publishing University.

APPLICATION DEADLINE = December 31, 2024
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS NOTIFIED = January 15, 2025
 
2019

IBPA Publishing University 2024 Scholarship Winners

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS


The IBPA Publishing University Scholarship is intended for individuals working in the independent publishing industry who need assistance in growing their publishing program. When the conference is held in-person, IBPA encourages regional publisher associations to provide a stipend to help cover their scholarship recipient’s travel and accommodation costs. Please check with your local affiliate association to see if this is being offered.

In evaluating applicants, IBPA considers how the scholarship will assist the individual to become a successful publisher. IBPA also requires that the recipient share what they learned at IBPA Publishing University through an article published on the IBPA website and, if applicable, with their regional publisher association members.
Each applicant must be:
  • A member of IBPA.
  • Actively participating in the publishing process as a publisher of their own or others' work.
  • In a position to benefit immediately from the scholarship.
 
QUALIFYING QUESTIONS
 
IBPA considers the following questions when reviewing each applicant:
  • How will attendance at IBPA Publishing University assist the individual in their publishing career?
  • How will attendance at IBPA Publishing University be translated into the day-to-day operations of the individual’s business?
  • How will the scholarship winner share the information learned at IBPA Publishing University with their regional publisher association or the IBPA community at-large? This sharing may take various forms, such as a published blog post, presentations at meetings, and mentoring of others throughout the year.
  • Did the applicant win an IBPA Publishing University scholarship in 2024? To serve as many members as possible, a scholarship cannot be awarded to the same member two years in a row. After two years, scholarship winners are welcome to reapply.
The scholarship includes:
  • Complimentary ticket to IBPA Publishing University 2025.
  • Complimentary ticket to the 37th annual IBPA Book Award Dinner & Ceremony on Friday, May 16 at the Intercontinental Saint Paul Riverfront.
  • In-person networking opportunities with peers and mentors.
  • Does not include complimentary access to the Thursday pre-conference workshops or the Friday morning small group breakfasts.
  • Does not include travel or hotel expenses.
 
Scroll down to meet our 2024 winners!
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PEARL ALIMO

Pearl Alimo Books

Pearl G. Alimo is a military spouse, an award-winning author and publisher of books that delight military children and help military families thrive. 

 

Pearl began her publishing journey in the year 2020 during COVID-19. Her main goal was to share her story with fellow military families as her way of helping military connected communities thrive.

 

Pearl's popular titles - Growing Your Family: Learn How to Flourish and Thrive as a Military Family and Maya Moves to a New Country have won several awards in the publishing industry. You can see all of Pearl's Books here.

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SCOTT MUBARAK

South Pacific Dreams 

Scott Mubarak (penname C.J. Cook) is an author and publisher of biographies of South Pacific artists, primarily Hawaii and Tahiti. His first biography, Tyree, Artist of the South Pacific (2017), was an incredible success, winning two Ben Franklin Golds for Best Cover and Best Biography from the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) in April 2018.

His second book about Edgar Leeteg, the Rascal in Paradise, entitled Leeteg, Babes, Bars, Beaches, and Black Velvet Art, was equally successful, winning a Ben Franklin Gold for Biography from the IBPA in April 2022. His last book was released in November 2023, Beauty in the Beast, Flora, Fauna, and Endangered Species of Artist Ralph Burke Tyree

His next book, Edithe Beutler, Beautifying Hawaii with Color, should be released in late summer.

Mubarak is a lifelong manuscript collector interested in art and the South Pacific. He is a board member of the Manuscript Society, which is dedicated to preserving and studying historical documents. More information can be found on his website, www.SouthPacificDreams.com.

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DR. ARTIKA R. TYNER

Planting People Growing Justice Press and Bookstore

Dr. Artika R. Tyner is a passionate educator, author, sought after speaker, and advocate for justice. Tyner is the CEO of Planting People Growing Justice Press and Bookstore (PPGJ). PPGJ publishes and promotes books that encourage and empower children to find joy in reading. In recognition of her leadership and service, she is the recipient of more than two dozen awards that include: Women in Business, American Small Business Champion, International Educator Citizen, Attorney of the Year, and American Bar Association Difference Makers.

 

She has been featured in a variety of media outlets. She is a prolific, award-winning author of adult and children’s books that includes: Amazing Africa: A to Z, and The Inclusive Leader: Taking Intentional Action for Justice and Equity. She serves as a global citizen by supporting education, entrepreneurship, and women’s leadership initiatives in Africa. In furtherance of her philanthropic efforts, she created Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting literacy and diversity in books.

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ARIANE ERICKSON

Norse-Gael Books

Ariane Erickson, along with her husband Todd, is an author-publisher of children’s books. They founded Norse-Gael Books in 2023 when they returned to writing after raising kids and discovered that indie publishing had developed and matured alongside their newly grown children.

Ariane and Todd are committed to creating children’s books that root for the underdogs, promote kindness and empathy, welcome and affirm all readers, embrace characters that are flawed but lovable, create feelings of satisfaction, security, and belonging, elicit uproarious laughter from children and adults alike, and are worth reading again and again. 

 

Ariane discovered IBPA when searching for indie publishing podcasts to listen to on her daily walks with her dog. Many dog walks later, having soaked up the wealth of information provided by these podcasts and other member resources, she credits IBPA for helping her find her way along the path to children’s book publishing. 


Norse-Gael Books debuted its first picture book, Baxter and Jeffrey, in January 2024. Its second book, Freya the Friendly, will be released in September 2024. Follow Ariane and Todd @norse_gael_books.

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JOAN T. RANDALL

Victorious You Press

Joan T. Randall is the founder of Victorious You Press. She is a highly accomplished, award-winning independent publisher, internationally recognized speaker, and multi-best-selling author.

 

Her "Books 2 Business & Beyond® Bootcamp" is an essential resource for authors seeking to unlock the potential of their books and generate multiple income streams. As an "author's midwife," Joan helps mission-driven career professionals, faith leaders, and entrepreneurs turn their stories into powerful tools for impact and influence. Her exceptional work has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including recognition as an outstanding community leader, entrepreneur of the year, and women's leadership advocate. Joan has been featured on major networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, and has been listed as a Career-Mastered Top Entrepreneurial Woman to Watch in 2023.

 

Joan is a recipient of the Women's Entrepreneurship Certificate from Cornell University. She has also earned a certificate in Homiletics from Howard University and a certificate in Christian Leadership from Global Impact University. Additionally, she is a certified Life and Business Coach.

 

In 2023, Joan established the Tricia Wynn Payne scholarship fund to support Title 1 schools in underserved communities in Charlotte and abroad. The scholarship fund aims to help these schools establish a literary department and introduce young minds to the creative world of The Power of The Pen.

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TAYLOR REFFE

Author

Taylor Reffe is an author based in New York City. They work primarily in the mystery and New Journalism genres.

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