EVERY YEAR THE readers of the High Country Book Club, based at The Makers Shed, vote on an award recognising the best book from a selection of finalists, read and discussed at a meeting on the third Saturday of every month. The club selects titles published by independent publishing presses, or independently-published authors.

The winner is announced during the festival, with the awarding on an annual trophy is handmade by resident silversmith at The Makers Shed, Richard Moon.

The 2020 winner of the High Country Indie Book Award was You Had Me At Hola by Australian author Leigh Robshaw. Runner-up was The House of Youssef by Yumna Kassab. The 2019 winner was Lady Bird & The Fox by Kim Kelly.