AWARDS
Christian Hurst's debut novel, Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander, has won the 2026 IPPY Gold Medal for Best First Book (Juvenile/Young Adult) at the Independent Publisher Book Awards, one of the oldest and largest honors in independent publishing.
Honors & Literary Awards
Readers' Favorite Book Awards
Honor: Silver - YA Sci-Fi
Work: Lily Starling and the Storm Riders
Year: 2026
Official Announcement: Readers' Favorite Official Listing
PenCraft Book Awards
Honor: Summer 2026 Best Book - YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Work: Lily Starling and the Death Machine
Year: 2026
Official Announcement: PenCraft Award Listing
Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY)
Honor: Gold Medal – Best First Book (Juv/YA)
Work: Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander
Year: 2026
Official Announcement: IPPY Awards 2026 Medalists
National Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA)
Honor: Finalist - Science Fiction, & YA Fiction
Work: Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander
Year: 2026
Official Announcement: National Indie Excellence Awards Winners & Finalists
Indies Today Awards
Honor: Finalist
Work: Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander
Year: 2026
Official Announcement: Indies Today Awards Listing
The BookFest Awards
Honor: First Place (LGBTQ+ Sci-Fi, Space Opera, & YA Sci-Fi)
Work: Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander
Year: 2026
Official Announcement: The BookFest Honors Announcement
Readers' Favorite Book Awards
Honor: Bronze – YA Sci-Fi
Work: Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander
Year: 2025
Official Announcement: Readers' Favorite Official Listing