B. B. LeClere's Novel Recognized as Distinguished Favorite in Independent Press Award

The Secret War of 1834 wins cross-genre category in prestigious international book competition

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:39pm

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The 2026 Independent Press Award recognized B. B. LeClere's novel "The Secret War of 1834" as a distinguished favorite in the cross-genre category. The competition is judged by experts from across the publishing industry, including publishers, writers, editors, and librarians. LeClere's book was selected from thousands of entries submitted by authors and publishers worldwide.

Why it matters

The Independent Press Award celebrates excellence in independent publishing, highlighting authors and works that may not receive recognition from mainstream publishing channels. LeClere's recognition demonstrates the growing influence and quality of work being produced by independent voices in the literary world.

The details

"The Secret War of 1834" is set in the early days of the United States, when a virulent outbreak sweeps through the young nation. The story follows a diverse group of defenders who must come together to combat the mysterious threat. The book blends elements of historical fiction, science fiction, and horror as the characters race to find a way to stop the deadly outbreak.

  • The 2026 Independent Press Award winners were announced in January 2026.
  • The awards ceremony will take place on April 25, 2026 as part of the BookCAMP publishing industry conference.

The players

B. B. LeClere

The author of "The Secret War of 1834", which was recognized as a distinguished favorite in the 2026 Independent Press Award competition. LeClere hails from northeast Florida and has a passion for history, science, and adventure fiction.

Independent Press Award

An annual book awards program that honors excellence in independent publishing. The competition is open to self-published authors, small presses, and university presses worldwide.

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What they’re saying

“The 2026 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD recipients reflect the incredible momentum within the independent sector. Independent voices are no longer just an alternative; they are leading the way in literary innovation. By highlighting these winners, we are celebrating a global community that refuses to be sidelined and continues to set new benchmarks for excellence.”

— Gabrielle Olczak, INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD President and Award Sponsor

What’s next

The awards ceremony for the 2026 Independent Press Award will take place on April 25, 2026 as part of the BookCAMP publishing industry conference in the New York metro area.

The takeaway

The recognition of B. B. LeClere's novel "The Secret War of 1834" as a distinguished favorite in the Independent Press Award competition underscores the growing influence and quality of work being produced by independent authors and publishers. This award celebrates the literary innovation and global community of voices that are no longer just an alternative, but are leading the way in the publishing industry.