The prestigious NYC Big Book Award 2025 has honoured When It All Falls Down by Chinedu Achebe as the winner in the African American Fiction category.
Evaluated by a diverse panel of industry professionals-including publishers, authors, editors, designers, booksellers, librarians, and seasoned copywriters-the award recognises outstanding literary achievements. When It All Falls Down stood out for its exceptional storytelling and thematic depth.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Houston, Texas, this compelling follow-up to The Miseducation of Obi Ifeanyi chronicles the lives of Obi and Nkechi Ifeanyi and their children, Ikechukwu and Chimamanda, as they confront the challenges of contemporary American life. Amid the global turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic, the family grapples with rekindling their relationship while navigating the societal tensions sparked by racial injustice and political unrest. Their journey unfolds during the heated 2020 U.S. presidential election, illustrating the enduring strength of familial bonds, the intricacies of cultural identity, and the relentless quest for joy despite adversity. This narrative is a heartfelt exploration of love, perseverance, and the ties that keep us united when everything seems to unravel.
For a full list of winners, visit the NYC Big Book Award official site. This year’s competition attracted submissions from across the globe, including entries from the United States, Australia, Canada, China, Dubai, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Cities represented among the submissions included Chicago, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Melbourne, New York, Quebec, Rome, San Francisco, Seattle, Singapore, and Victoria. Notable publishers participating were Berrett-Koehler, Brown Books Kids, Central Avenue Simon & Schuster, Forbes, alongside others such as Muse Literary, New Harbinger Publications, New York University Press, Oxford University Press, Pegasus Books, She Writes Press, and University of Massachusetts Press.
Highlighted winners from this year’s roster include:
- What is My Legacy? by Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, Marc Kielburger, and Craig Kielburger
- Mikhail Gorbachev – How He Changed Our Lives by Bettina Schaefer (Berrett-Koehler)
- From Founder to Future: A Business Roadmap to Impact, Longevity, and Employee Ownership by John Abrams
- Modernist Bread at Home by Nathan Myhrvold from The Cooking Lab
- Wild Fox Ridge by Xue Mo
“With such a remarkable array of authors and publishers worldwide, I’m thrilled to bring these exceptional works to readers everywhere,” remarked awards sponsor Gabby Olczak.
About the Author
Chinedu Achebe, a Nigerian American writer born in Richmond, Virginia, has earned acclaim for his literary contributions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Houston. Achebe debuted with Blunted on Reality in 2012, followed by The Miseducation of Obi Ifeanyi in 2017, which won the 2023 Independent Press Award for African American fiction. His writings have also appeared in prominent outlets such as the Huffington Post, Medium, and Bella Naija. Currently, he resides in Houston, Texas, with his family.
Connect with Chinedu Achebe on social media via Twitter/X @chineduachebe and Instagram @chineduachebe.
When It All Falls Down is available for purchase on Amazon.
The NYC Big Book Award is announced annually each fall and welcomes submissions from authors, publishers, and illustrators worldwide, including entries from the Big Five publishing houses: Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette, Macmillan, and Simon & Schuster.
For independent authors and publishers, the Independent Press Award offers another opportunity, with submissions due every December and winners announced in spring. More details can be found on their website.
Celebrate the achievements of award recipients at the Awards Dinner on April 25th, part of the BookCAMP conference-a key event for the publishing industry held in the New York metropolitan area from April 24-25, 2026.
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