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Celebrating Books for Better Living Since 2008

Launced in 2008, the Living Now Book Awards honor the year’s most impactful lifestyle books and their creators. As we strive for healthier, more fulfilling, and productive lives, books offer essential tools to help us grow, connect, and thrive. Whether it’s strengthening relationships, enhancing well-being, or promoting sustainability, these awards celebrate the creativity and innovation behind titles that inspire positive change.

We invite authors, publishers, and illustrators to submit their books and join us in recognizing stories that enrich our lives and make the world a better place.

Our Mission

The Living Now Book Awards celebrate books that make life better—“books for better living.” From cooking and entertaining to fitness, travel, and personal development, these awards honor titles that inspire readers to live with purpose and joy. Medalists are recognized not only for their content but for their ability to promote personal growth, community engagement, and global sustainability.

By honoring books that guide us through life’s challenges and help us grow, connect, and thrive, the Living Now Book Awards spotlight works that foster well-being, spark hope, and inspire positive change.

Our Entrants

Each year, books in English or bilingual editions are submitted across lifestyle categories like health, wellness, family, and sustainability. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded for creativity, quality, and the impact these books have on readers’ lives. The dedication of authors and publishers makes the Living Now Book Awards a powerful celebration of creativity and purpose. From small presses to established publishers, entrants submit books that inspire change and provide practical solutions for improving everyday life. Each book reflects the hard work, talent, and vision of creators striving to uplift their readers and promote positive living.

Our Staff

Emily Slater

Book Awards Director
231.360.2954

Emily has been with Jenkins Group since 2021, working in both Book Awards and Book Distribution. Her degree in communications, coupled with a lifelong love of books, drives her passion for connecting people and their stories to a broader audience.

She enjoys spending time with family and friends and connecting with her local community through volunteer work. She and her husband are co-circus wranglers of four kids and three pony-sized dogs.

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Allison Hunter

Book Awards Specialist
231.933.0445

Fueled by a passion for reading and over a decade of experience as a production art manager and designer, Allison Hunter brings a keen eye for detail to her role as a Book Awards Specialist. She helps manage submissions and evaluate our book award entries. When not immersed in books, she enjoys spending time with her family and working in her garden.

Allison holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design from the University of Michigan.

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Jerrold Jenkins

Founder & CEO
231.883.5365

In 1988, Jerrold founded Jenkins Group, a leading publishing services firm that assists individuals and corporations with custom solutions tailored to fit a variety of budgets and timelines.

Driven by a passion for honoring the year’s best books, Jerrold launched a series of book awards programs in 1996. Today, Jenkins Group proudly presents six prestigious book award contests: the Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Awards, Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, Living Now Book Awards, Axiom Business Book Awards, eLit Book Awards, and Living Now Christian Book Awards.

A graduate of Alma College, Jenkins worked as a financial and investment management group account executive before his publishing career.

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Jim Kalajian

President & COO
231.933.0445 ext. 1006

Jim oversees the daily operations at Jenkins Group, ensuring seamless workflows across both customer-facing and back-office functions, with a focus on the custom book publishing and book awards divisions.

He joined the company in 1999, bringing over a decade of operational and organizational change experience from his time at the leading consulting firm, Accenture. Jim applies his expertise in finance, IT, process management, human resources, and communication across all teams within Jenkins Group. His skills in problem-solving, project planning, change management, and quantitative analysis drive continuous improvement for both clients and employees.

Jim holds a B.S. in Engineering Arts from Michigan State University.

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