Hebden Bridge author Phil Earle scoops major national prize at Indie Book Awards
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Hebden Bridge children's author Phil Earle takes home a major national title at the Indie Book Awards 2026, alongside a vital judging role for a standout Leeds independent bookshop
West Yorkshire has enjoyed a major double triumph at the Indie Book Awards 2026, with a local author taking home a top prize and a Leeds bookseller helping choose the winners.
Hebden Bridge-based author Phil Earle, who was born in Hull, has won the prestigious Children’s Fiction category for his hit book Finn’s Epic Fails.
In keeping with the spirit of the awards - which are the only literary prizes judged exclusively by independent booksellers - Earle was presented with his trophy at Book Corner in Halifax.
The win lands during a milestone 20th anniversary year for Independent Bookshop Week, a campaign celebrating the cultural value of local indie stores.
Reacting to the win, author Phil Earle said: "Well, my gob is well and truly smacked, thank you. The absolute opposite of an epic fail!
“It's truly flattering to be recognised by people whose shops are not just businesses, but a way of life. Independent booksellers aren't even booksellers; they are curators and alchemists."
The region’s influence on this year's awards extended behind the scenes, too. Alison Brumwell, from The Little Bookshop in Leeds, served as one of just five expert judges on the panel tasked with deciding the UK's best children's titles.
Emma Bradshaw, Head of Campaigns at the Booksellers Association, praised the vital role of indie stores, stating: "The Indie Book Awards showcase the titles that booksellers are most passionate about recommending, and reflect the expertise and enthusiasm found in independent bookshops across the UK and Ireland."
The Indie Book Awards 2026: Full List of Winners
- Fiction: The Names by Florence Knapp (Orion)
- Non-Fiction: Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy (Hamish Hamilton)
- Children's Fiction: Finn's Epic Fails by Phil Earle, illustrated by A.L. Murphy (Simon & Schuster Children's Books)
- Picture Book: Fox and the Mystery Letter by Alex G Griffiths (Frances Lincoln Children's Books)
- Highly Commended: Like a Brother by Nathanael Lessore
For full details on the winning authors, book recommendations, and future indie awards, visit the official hub or to discover more independent bookshops across West Yorkshire, follow the year-round campaign on social media via Books Are My Bag or the #ChooseBookshops hashtag.