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Reader Views Literary Award Winners in Self-Publishing Announced

Reader Views Literary Award Winners in Self-Publishing Announced

The Reader Views 2010 Literary Award Winners have been announced!

Congratulations to all Outskirts Press authors who won.  Here is the full list by category:

Early Reader (6-8)

The Adventures of PJ and Pea, Vol II, by S.D. Moore – 1st Place

PJ and Split Pea

Young Reader (8 to 12)

Queen Vernitas Meets Sir Healthy Bean the Astronomer, by Dawn Menge and Heath Rhoades – 1st Place

Queen Vernita Meets Sir HeathyBean the Astronomer

Same Ol’ Moon, by Pamela Noel – 1st Place

Same Ol Moon

Body/Mind/Spirit

Tearing Down The Wall, by Sharon M. Katzman- 2nd Place

Tearing Down the Wall

Fantasy

The Keya Quests, by Glen Skinner – 2nd Place

Keya Quests

General Fiction/Novel

The Union, by Rowena Portch – Honorable Mention

The Union

The Valley of Ashes, byEli Thorpe – 1st Place

The Valley Of Ashes

Historical Fiction

Behind the Columns, by Arlette Gaffrey – 2nd Place

Behind the Columns

History/Science

Command Influence, by Robert A. Shaines – Honorable Mention

Command Influence

Humor

Letters from Wheatfield, by Patrick Shannon – Honorable Mention

Letters from Wheatfield

Stalking the Dragon, by Kregg P. J. Jorgenson – 1st Place

Stalking the Dragon

Poetry

Philosophy: Back to Basics, by Ronnie Lee – Honorable Mention

Philosophy Back to Basics

Religion (Eastern/Western)

Outlook for a Better Life, by Haile Gebre Egziabher – 2nd Place

Outlook for a Better Life

Self-help

He Blew Her a Kiss, by Angie Pechak Printup & Kelley Stewart Dollar – Honorable Mention

He Blew Her a Kiss

Reflective Empowerment, by Philip Guy Rochford – 2nd Place
*plus Walsh Seminar Award for Best Personal Growth Book

Reflective Empowerment

One additional special award – Sworn to Secrecy by Charles Joseph Fickey – won the Richard Boes Award

Sworn to Secrecy

Also, Rambling Squirrel by Wendy Laird won 1st Place in the Early Reader category (6-8) and the Feather Quill Be Kind to Animals Award.  This cover will be featured soon as the author is currently revising the book to perfection.

Congratulations to all our winners! Since Outskirts Press publishes so many award-winning books, we make it easier than ever to promote your award with our Award Recognition Cover Enhancement option. For details and to order, visit the Marketing Options screen of your author’s center, or click the link above or the icon to the right.

Ready to publish your own award-winning book? Click here for free publishing guides to help you get started.

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Posted by on March 8, 2011 in Awards, Uncategorized

 

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Excellence in Self Publishing – 2011 EVVY Awards

Here is everything you ever wanted to know about the EVVY Book Awards…

What are the EVVY Awards?

The EVVY Awards recognize excellence in self-published books. Each year, 5% of the books published by Outskirts Press become finalists for official Outskirts Press nomination by receiving an invitation to participate from Outskirts Press.

When are books nominated by Outskirts Press?

Exemplary Outskirts Press books are nominated by the Author Support Department and OP Executive Team for submission to the EVVY Awards in the fall of the year of their copyright. For example, books with a copyright date of 2010  are invited to participate in the 2011 EVVY Awards by receiving an invitation via email in the fall of 2010.

The Outskirts Press Author Support Department will be notifying select authors of 2010 copyright books throughout the week of November 8th via email.  If you receive an invitation from Outskirts Press, you have a limited amount of time to accept the nomination and take the steps outlined in the email.

Where are the EVVY Awards held?

The EVVY Awards Banquet and Awards Ceremony are held in Denver, Colorado in March of each year.

Who sponsors the EVVY Awards?

The EVVY Awards are named in honor of the first president of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association; and CIPA continues the tradition of recognizing excellence in self-published books with their annual EVVY Book Awards.

How do you win an EVVY Award?
In order to be considered for an official 2011 Outskirts Press EVVY Nomination, your book must be published with either the Diamond Publishing Package (for black/white) or the Pearl Publishing Package (for color) and have a copyright date of 2009. Having a custom cover and professional editing services significantly increases your chances.

 

Why should eligible authors accept their EVVY Award nomination and participate in the Awards?

Winning any kind of book award is one of the most recognized and effective methods of differentiating your book from the masses. The EVVY Awards improve the chances of your book winning an award because just being nominated to participate indicates your book is in the top 5%.  In fact, recipients of the EVVY Invitation should strongly consider entering their book in additional book award contests.  Details about saving 25% with the Book Awards Submission Package can be found by clicking here.

Furthermore, unlike many other national contests, the EVVY Awards typically involve less than 250 total books, among numerous categories.  Plus, the CIPA EVVY Awards are nationally recognized as being indicative of excellence.

Along with the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes from winning the EVVY Award, Outskirts Press Officially Nominated EVVY Award-winning authors receive a variety of marketing and promotional materials, opportunities, and prizes. Depending upon the placing of your book among the winners, you may receive some or all of what is listed below:

  • Marketing materials like bookmarks and placards (all winners)
  • A framed award featuring the cover of your book (1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners)
  • Bonus blog and newsletter exposure (all winners)

Framed awards for the 6 First Place Outskirts Press Books from the 2009 Awards
 

Watch the video featuring 2009 EVVY Award Winners from Outskirts Press
Ready to publish your own award-winning book?

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*originally posted in 2009 and revised in 2010 for the 2011 awards

 
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Posted by on November 2, 2009 in EVVY Book Awards

 

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The National Best Book Awards and Self-Published Books


Every year USA Book News honors outstanding mainstream and independent books with their National Best Books Award.

WINNERS & FINALISTS IN EACH CATEGORY RECEIVE:

USA Book News Exposure: A six-month book listing which includes your color book cover, a brief paragraph about your title and a hyperlink to your website. Fantastic coverage for the busy 2009 holiday season! Additional coverage in the USABN E-zine, sent to thousands of book buyers.

National Media & Industry Exposure: Coverage of results from the USA Book News network of media outlets and industry contacts for exposure to over 500,000+ subscribers. In addition, the USA Book News national media campaign highlighting the winners and finalists runs from October through January.

The registration deadline is August 14, 2009.  Click here to access your Author’s Center and register now.  Here are a few of the Outskirts Press titles that have already registered:

 

 

Don’t forget, you can save 25% with our Book Award Submissions package and submit your book to all six major book awards. Click here to access your Author’s Center and learn more about these optional marketing services from your Marketing Options screen.



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Posted by on August 1, 2009 in Marketing Options

 

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Previous Award Nominees

One tactic of successfully published authors is submitting your published book to awards and contests.  But winning a nomination or award is only the beginning. It’s important to keep reminding readers and the public that your book is at the top of the heap.

With that in mind, let’s shine the spotlight on some of our EVVY Award Nominated Books from the past. After all, a good book is a good book, regardless of when it was published:

Autobiography/Memoirs
Adios, Havana
A Memoir
by Andrew Rodriguez 
 
Yellowstone to Denali
Bears, bison, poachers,
thieves and other characters

by Clay Cunningham 
Biography/History
Loving Larry
A Tribute to the Lady Who Named Peptoboonsmal
by Penny Wormet with Elaine Hall
Plains Bound: Fragile Cargo
Revealing Orphan Train Reality
by Charlotte M. Endorf, Illustration by Sarah M. Endorf
Business/Finance
I Want to Make Money in the Stock Market
Learn to begin investing without losing your life
savings!

by Chris M. Hart, Sr.
Children’s/Juvenile
Sneezy Neezy
by Rick HandloserIllustrated by Shawn Byous 

 
Diet/Health/Fitness
How to Turn Your Body Into the Ultimate Fat-Burning MachineReprogram Your Body to Stop Storing Fat and Start Burning It…
by Julie Arnold, M.A., C.P.T.
 
 
 
 
Humor
 
Son of Orbiting Death-Ray Platform
by
Dr. Heinrich Heildmon
Inspirational/Self-Help
 
Making a Difference
Changing the World One Penny and One Minute at a Time
by Dr. Rhonda Hackett
My Journey to Know the Truth
Healing the Broken Heart
by Tony Kent
Senior Moments
Getting the Most Out of Your Golden Years
by David Wayne Silva
 
 
 
 

All our Diamond and Pearl books are automatically eligible for EVVY Award Nominee Consideration. What makes a good EVVY Award Nominee? The same thing that makes any good award-winning book:  A fantastic cover, strong, well-written content, and copyediting. These are the cornerstones of any book.

Ready to publish your own book?
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Indie Book Award Winners in Self-Publishing

The 2009 Indie Book Award Winners and Finalists have been announced.  Congratulations to the following Outskirts Press titles and authors:
My Momma Raised Ugly Children...Not Stupid Ones, by Bud Wright

My Momma Raised Ugly Children...Not Stupid Ones, by Bud Wright, Winner in the Humor/Comedy Category

A Pawn of Fate, by Rita Keeley Brown, Finalist in the Biography Category

A Pawn of Fate, by Rita Keeley Brown, Finalist in the Biography Category

Stella Ducktropolis, by Charlotte Barnes, Finalist in the Childrens Picture Book Category

Stella Ducktropolis, by Charlotte Barnes, Finalist in the Children's Picture Book Category

The Political Campaign Desk Reference, by Michael P. McNamara, Finalist in the Current Events/Political Category

The Political Campaign Desk Reference, by Michael P. McNamara, Finalist in the Current Events/Political Category

KnorraSky, Volume 1, by R.A. Knowlton, Finalist in the Fantasy Category

KnorraSky, Volume 1, by R.A. Knowlton, Finalist in the Fantasy Category

The Wizards Legacy, by Ashley Simmons, Finalist in the Fantasy Category

The Wizard's Legacy, by Ashley Simmons, Finalist in the Fantasy Category

A Crucible of Innocence, by Roger W. Forsythe, Finalist in the First Novel Category

A Crucible of Innocence, by Roger W. Forsythe, Finalist in the First Novel Category

The Business Black Belt Training Manual for Leaders and Managers, by Stephen Iacullo, Finalist in the How To Category

The Business Black Belt Training Manual for Leaders and Managers, by Stephen Iacullo, Finalist in the How To Category

The Political Campaign Desk Reference, by Michael P. McNamara, Finalist in the How To Category

The Political Campaign Desk Reference, by Michael P. McNamara, Finalist in the How To Category

The PTA, by Carol Olson and Cherie Rodgers, Finalist in the Humor/Comedy Category

The PTA, by Carol Olson and Cherie Rodgers, Finalist in the Humor/Comedy Category

er Street, by Daniel Paul Johnson, Finalist in the Myster/Suspense/Thriller Category

Baker Street, by Daniel Paul Johnson, Finalist in the Myster/Suspense/Thriller Category

Far From the Trees, by Michael Wellman, Finalist in the Regional Non-Fiction Category

Far From the Trees, by Michael Wellman, Finalist in the Regional Non-Fiction Category

Well See the World from My Harley, by Dennis Miner, Finalist in the Relationships Category

We'll See the World from My Harley, by Dennis Miner, Finalist in the Relationships Category

Gift Out of Africa, by Karen Kossie-Chernyshev, Ph.D., Finalist in the Religion/Religious Non-Fiction Category

Gift Out of Africa, by Karen Kossie-Chernyshev, Ph.D., Finalist in the Religion/Religious Non-Fiction Category

What DID Jesus do?, by A. Maclochlainn, Finalist in the Religion/Religious Non-Fiction Category

What DID Jesus do?, by A. Maclochlainn, Finalist in the Religion/Religious Non-Fiction Category

Saints in the City, by Andie Andrews, Finalist in the Religious Fiction Category

Saints in the City, by Andie Andrews, Finalist in the Religious Fiction Category

Saints in the City, by Andie Andrews, Finalist in the Romance Category

Saints in the City, by Andie Andrews, Finalist in the Romance Category

For Corys Sake, by Carolyn Wada, Finalist in the Science Fiction Category

For Cory's Sake, by Carolyn Wada, Finalist in the Science Fiction Category

Haints, by Nash Black, Finalist in the Short Story-Fiction Category

Haints, by Nash Black, Finalist in the Short Story-Fiction Category

Little Stories, by Jeff Roberts, Finalist in the Short Story-Fiction Category

Little Stories, by Jeff Roberts, Finalist in the Short Story-Fiction Category

Business Revolution through Ancestral Wisdom, by Tu Moonwalker and JoAnne OBrien-Levin, Ph.D., Finalist in the Social Change Category

Business Revolution through Ancestral Wisdom, by Tu Moonwalker and JoAnne O'Brien-Levin, Ph.D., Finalist in the Social Change Category

Saints in the City, by Andie Andrews, Finalist in the Social Change Category

Saints in the City, by Andie Andrews, Finalist in the Social Change Category

Business Revolution through Ancestral Wisdom, by Tu Moonwalker and JoAnne OBrien-Levin, Ph.D., Finalist in the Spirituality Category

Business Revolution through Ancestral Wisdom, by Tu Moonwalker and JoAnne O'Brien-Levin, Ph.D., Finalist in the Spirituality Category

Writing as a Small Business, by Nash Black, Finalist in the Writing and Publishing Category

Writing as a Small Business, by Nash Black, Finalist in the Writing and Publishing Category

Several books won in multiple categories, which is why the cover appears multiple times. Congratulations to all our winners. We already know Outskirts Press helps our authors publish award-winning books, and now it is easier than ever to promote your award with our Award Recognition Cover Enhancement option. For details and to order, visit the Marketing Options screen of your author’s center.

Ready to publish your own award-winning books? Click here to visit the Outskirts Press website.

 
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Posted by on May 26, 2009 in Author Spotlight, Awards

 

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Self Publishing Book Marketing – Book Award Submissions

Save 25% by having your book
conveniently submitted to the six
renowned book contests listed below.


It used to be that simply having a published book was indicative of supremely high quality, but now that self-publishing is available for everyone, winning a book award is one of the most powerful and effective ways you can make your book stand above the crowd. With so many book awards and contests available, Outskirts Press has pre-screened and vetted 6 contests. Outskirts Press can facilitate the submission details to all these contests for you. With your purchase of this package and your eligible book, we will handle all the details, including:

  • the award submission fee
  • registering your book with the contest
  • sending them each the necessary review copies of your book
  • accurately and completely filling out the necessary entry forms
  • selecting the most appropriate category for your book (if we’re not sure, we’ll ask you)
  • shipping and handling costs of your book to each of the contest’s multiple judges

Outskirts Press authors can order any of the following submission options or the Book Award Submissions package at any time conveniently from within their Author’s Center.


 

The Writer’s Digest International Self-Publishing Book Awards

You could win $3,000 cash and promotion in Writer’s Digest and Publisher’s Weekly!

Outskirts Press is already the sponsor and publisher of Writer’s Digest’s annual Writing Competition Collection, which is one of the most renown short story contests in the country. Now Outskirts Press can help you participate in the Writer’s Digest International Self-Publishing contest for books. You may be eligible to receive your part of over $17,000 in cash and prizes.

We can take care of all the submission details for you, including the completion of the necessary forms, the entry fee, and the required copies of your book. We will select the most appropriate category for submission from among the category choices listed below.

This contest is one of six confirmed and vetted awards Outskirts Press recommends and it available as part of its Spring Season Book Awards Submissions.

THE PRIZES:

  • ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be awarded $3,000 cash and promotion in Writer’s Digest and Publishers Weekly. The editors of Writer’s Digest will endorse and submit 10 copies of the Grand Prize-Winning book to major review houses such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. In addition, Book Marketing Works, LLC will provide a one-year membership to the Independent Book Publishers Association, guaranteed acceptance in a special-sales catalog providing national representation through 1800 salespeople selling to non-bookstore markets, guaranteed acceptance by Atlas Books (a top distributor to wholessalers, chains, independents and online retailers), six hours of book shepherding from Poynter Book Shepherd Ellen Reid and guaranteed review in Midwest Book Review.
  • 10 FIRST-PLACE WINNERS will receive $1000 cash and promotion in Writer’s Digest. In addition, Book Marketing Works, LLC will provide a guaranteed review in Midwest Book Review, a one-year membership to Book Central Station, the eBook Beyond the Bookstore, a Publishers Weekly book by Brian Jud and a copy of Grassroots Marketing for Authors and Publishers by Shel Horowitz. Plus, all Grand Prize and First Place winners will receive book-jacket seals to promote the award-winning status of their book, promotion on the Writer’s Digest Web site at writersdigest.com, a copy of The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing, 4th Edition by Tom and Marilyn Ross, $100 worth or Writer’s Digest Books and a Notable Award Certificate.
  • HONORABLE MENTION WINNERS will receive promotion at www.writersdigest.com, $50 worth of Writer’s Digest Books and a Notable Award Certificate. All other entrants will receive Certificates of Participation, a brief judge’s commentary and a listing with a link on the Writer’s Digest Web site, provided an accurate URL is provided.

 


 

Every year USA Book News honors outstanding mainstream and independent books with their National Best Books Award.

WINNERS & FINALISTS IN EACH CATEGORY RECEIVE:

  • USA Book News Exposure: A six-month book listing which includes your color book cover, a brief paragraph about your title and a hyperlink to your website. Fantastic coverage for the busy 2010 holiday season! Additional coverage in the USABN E-zine, sent to thousands of book buyers.
  • National Media & Industry Exposure : Coverage of results from the USA Book News network of media outlets and industry contacts for exposure to over 500,000+ subscribers. In addition, the USA Book News national media campaign highlighting the winners and finalists runs from October through January.

The Next Generation Indie Book Awards The Next Generation Indie Book Awards submission service through Outskirts Press is open for English-language books. Double-check your copyright date to ensure eligibility. 

In the past, the top 70 books have been reviewed by New York literary agent Marilyn Allen of Allen O’Shea Literary Agency or one of Ms. Allen’s co-agents for possible representation in areas such as distribution, foreign rights, film rights, and other rights (unless an entrant prefers not to have the book forwarded to an agent). Ms. Allen has over 25 years of sales and marketing experience, including serving as Senior Vice President, Associate Publisher, and Director of Marketing for Harper Collins and directing sales and marketing teams for Simon & Schuster, Penguin Books and Avon Books. Ms. Allen has had the pleasure of working with many best-selling authors including Stephen King, Ken Follett, Barbara Kingsolver, John Gray, Mary Higgins Clark, and many more.

All Finalists and Winners for the 2010 Indie Book Awards are selected and notified in the late spring/early summer.

Awards provided by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards typically are::

  • $1,000 Cash Prize and trophy awarded to the best Fiction Book
  • $1,000 Cash Prize and trophy awarded to the best Non-Fiction Book
  • $500 Cash Prize and trophy awarded to the second best Fiction Book
  • $500 Cash Prize and trophy awarded to the second best Non-Fiction Book
  • $250 Cash Prize and trophy awarded to the third best Fiction Book
  • $250 Cash Prize and trophy awarded to the third best Non-Fiction Book
  • $250 Cash Prize and trophy awarded to the Best Cover Design Book entry
  • A Gold Medal awarded to the winner of each of the 70 categories
  • Finalist Certificates will be awarded to up to 10 finalists in each of the 70 categories

Finalists and Winners will also receive:

  • A listing in the 2010 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Catalog which will be distributed to book buyers, media, and others!
  • Extra exposure for your book on websites and blogs.
  • The opportunity to display Finalist or Winner stickers on your book.

 

The Reader Views Literary Awards

How would you like to become eligible to win thousands of dollars in marketing support AND a Literary Award at the same time? The annual Reader Views Literary Awards were established to honor writers who self-published or had their books published alternatively by a self-publishing company. In years past, winners of the Reader Views Literary Award have received $1000s of dollars of expert marketing assistance from renown marketing experts like:

  • The Kick-Start Guy
  • Herman University
  • Pump Up Your Book Promotion
  • and others.

Only English language books with an eligible copyright date are eligible.

All initial judging will be done by reviewers from Reader Views. They are experts in their fields as well as avid readers. Consider them your reading audience. Criteria for judging is content/originality, presentation/design, innovation, social relevance, and production quality. Five semi-finalists in each category will be determined by a point system. Final judging will be determined by a jury of judges. Three semi-finalists will be chosen in each fiction and non-fiction category. First and second place winners will be awarded in each category. Third place will receive an honorable mention. Each finalist will receive a certificate. Winners will be announced in the spring.


 

Only English language and Spanish language books with an eligible copyright date will be accepted.

The Benjamin Franklin Awards are among the most respected Book Awards in the country. The awards recognize excellence in both editorial and design. The specific genre categories are judged by three industry professionals, coming from the library, bookstore, reviewer, designer, publicity and editorial markets.

All finalists will be notified in the late spring, early summer.

The winners in each category will be announced at the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards presentation during the Publishing University at the Book Expo of America. Finalists will receive a certificate of excellence; winners will receive the Benjamin Franklin Award trophy. All finalists will be displayed during the Publishing University and at the Awards Ceremony and all winners will be displayed in a special booth at Book Expo America. Winners and finalists will also be featured on the IBPA website, among other places.


Win $1,500 in Cash! 

ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Awards were established to bring increased attention from librarians and booksellers to the literary achievements of independent publishers and their authors. Our awards process is unique because we ask a jury of our readers, librarians and booksellers, to select their top categories as well as choose the winning titles. Their decisions take into consideration editorial excellence, professional production, originality of the narrative, author credentials relative to the book and the value the book adds to its genre.

All finalists and winners will be notified via email. Finalists are announced by April 2010. Winners in each category and overall for fiction and non-fiction will be announced at the Book Expo of America. First, second, and third place winners will be awarded in each category. A $1,500 cash prize will also be awarded to Best Fiction and Best Nonfiction as determined by the editors of ForeWord Magazine. ForeWord Magazine reserves the right to withhold an award in any category should submissions not meet criteria outlined by editorial and professional production standards mentioned above. All cash prizes are solely at the discretion of ForeWord Magazine.

Winners and finalists will also be featured in ForeWord Magazine and elsewhere.

Ready to get published so you can have an award-winning book?

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1st and 2nd Place Award Comparison

In the 2009 EVVY Book Awards, Outskirts Press authors won First and Second Place in the Humor Category. First Place was won by J. L. Durnin, for the book The Shady Nook Pageant.

The Shady Nook Pageant by J. L. Durnin

The Shady Nook Pageant by J. L. Durnin

And Second Place was won by The PTA: Sex, Intrigue, and Designer Handbags, by Carol Olson & Cherie Rodgers.

The PTA by Carol Olson & Cherie Rodgers

The PTA by Carol Olson & Cherie Rodgers

In the interest of helping all authors understand what comprises an award-winning book, let’s take a closer look at comparing these two wonderful award-winning Outskirts Press publications:

Shady Nook The PTA
EVVY Award 1st Place 2nd Place
Category Humor Humor
Author Representative Jennifer J. Lisa H.
Title Production Supervisor Lora G. Michele C.
Custom Cover Yes Yes
Custom Cover Designer Melanie S. Melanie S.
Publishing Package Diamond Diamond
Page Count 164 153
Black/White or Full Color Black/White Black/White
Retail Price $13.95 $12.95

 

J.L. Durnin, award-winning author of The Shady Nook Pageant, had this to say when notified of the award:

“Thank you for your congratulatory message.  I am extremely gratified and honored to have won a 1st place award from the Colorado Independent Publishers Association in the prestigious 2009 EVVY Book Awards competition.  I’m sure it would not have been possible, without help and support from Outskirts Press.  It has be a pleasure to work with your organization, I will not hesitate to avail myself of your services for my next literary effort. From my personal experience, I recommend your services to any writer, neophyte or veteran, as a wise choice for self publishing authors.”

 

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2nd Place Award-Winning Comparison

In the 2009 EVVY Book Awards, Outskirts Press author Barbara Hanks won 2nd place in the How-To category for her insightful (and timely) book Winning Strategies to Ace the Job Interview.

Winning Strategies to Ace the Job Interview by Barbara Hanks

Winning Strategies to Ace the Job Interview by Barbara Hanks

This is the 2nd year an Outskirts Press publication has received the 2nd Place EVVY Award in the How-To category. In 2007, Ruthy Sturgill won for her informative (and colorful) book Christmas Tree Advent Calendar.

 

Christmas Tree Advent Calendar by Ruthy Sturgill
Christmas Tree Advent Calendar by Ruthy Sturgill
In the interest of helping all authors understand what comprises an award-winning book, let’s take a closer look at comparing these two wonderful award-winning Outskirts Press publications:
  Winning Strategies Christmas Tree
EVVY Award 2nd Place 2nd Place
Category How-To How-To
Author Representative Elizabeth J. Michelle C.
Title Production Supervisor Cheri B. Cheri B.
Custom Cover Yes No
Publishing Package Diamond Pearl
Page Count 128 96
Black/White or Full Color Black/White Full Color
Retail Price $10.95 $24.95
Barbara Hanks, award-winning author of Winning Strategies to Ace the Job Interview had this to say when she was notified of her exciting award:
“Thanks for sharing the good news!  I admit that I was on the Outskirts Press website this weekend hunting for the results, even though I knew they wouldn’t be posted until this morning!  I wanted to pass along my thanks to all of you at Outskirts for giving my book such a professional edge.  I’m so proud of the finished product!”
Congratulations, Barbara, from all of us at Outskirts Press.
 

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1st Place Award-Winning Comparison

In the 2009 EVVY Book Awards, Outskirts Press author Dawn Menge won 1st place in the Children’s Book category for her wonderful and educational book Queen Vernita’s Visitors, which also recently won a Reader Views Literary Book Award.

Queen Vernitas Visitors by Dawn Menge

Queen Vernita's Visitors by Dawn Menge

This is the 2nd year in a row an Outskirts Press publication has received the 1st Place EVVY Award in the Children’s Book category. Last year, Michael Willert won for his playful and fantastic book Long Neck.

Long Neck by Michael Willert

Long Neck by Michael Willert

In the interest of helping all authors understand what comprises an award-winning book, let’s take a closer look at comparing these two wonderful award-winning Outskirts Press publications:

  Queen Vernita Long Neck
EVVY Award 1st Place 1st Place
Category Children’s Children’s
Author Representative Laura Y. Michelle C.
Title Production Supervisor Jackie B. Lora G.
Original Illustration Package Yes Yes
Illustration Style Dandelion Violet
Publishing Package Package Pearl
Page Count 36 32
Black/White or Full Color Full Color Full Color
Retail Price $12.95 $11.95

Michael Willert, award-winning author of multiple Outskirts Press books including Long Neck, Wanted: Billy the Bear, and The Pirates From Sunrise Cove, has this to say about his decision to publish with Outskirts Press.

“Outskirts Press made the most sense to me. They had the most publishing options to choose from, and when my book was published, it fulfilled all my expectations.”

 

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A Closer Look at the 2009 EVVY Winners

 

Here are more details about the 9 First Place and Second Place EVVY Winners from Outskirts Press, including details about their authors and their book publishing production teams.

FIRST PLACE – Workbook
Award-winning Outskirts Press production team: Deni S. (Author Rep) and Nate M.(Cover Design)
About the Author:Susan Mercer is currently an intermediate math curriculum specialist for nine middle schools in Santa Ana, California. She has spent the last fourteen years teaching, presenting, writing, and developing math resources specifically for English Language Learners, special education and low math skill students in grades 5 through 8. She has presented at national, state, and regional math conferences, and has conducted numerous site-specific professional development seminars for the teachers she serves. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mercer received her B.S. in Computer and Information Science from the University of Buenos Aires. She moved to California to work on her Masters in Education and teaching credential at Chapman University.

FIRST PLACE – Autobiography
Award-winning Outskirts Press production team: Jennifer R. (Author Rep) and Melanie S. (Cover Design) and Barbara W. (Interior)
About the Author: M.A. Cary is an economic and financial management consultant to the private sector and U.S. federal government. From 2003–2007, she worked in central Baghdad. Cary holds a B.S. in International Business from Ithaca College and will receive her M.B.A. from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School in Chapel Hill, NC in 2009.

FIRST PLACE – Humor
Award-winning Outskirts Press production team: Jennifer J. (Author Rep) and Melanie S.(Cover Design) and Barb W. (Interior)
About the Author:The author J. L. Durnin is a World War II veteran who served in Africa, Italy, the Philippines and Japan. He graduated from Carlisle Commercial College and was a career accountant for a major electronic manufacturing firm. After his retirement, he wrote his memoir, Walking the Big Valley. J. L. Durnin is an avid golfer and outdoor sportsman; earlier he was active in local politics. He likes to travel and winter in Florida; he is the father of two and his only grandson is a student in middle school.

FIRST PLACE – Children’s
Award-winning Outskirts Press production team: Laura Y. (Author Rep) and Barbara W.(Interior) and Bobbi S (Illustrator, Style
Dandelion
)
About the Author:Dawn Menge has a Masters Degree and clear credential in Special Education. She has worked with the severely handicapped population for eleven years. She is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. She combines imagination with practical skills to make learning fun. Dawn used her experiences within her life to create Queen Vernita’s characters and her kingdom. Queen Vernita’s Visitors is a story that is woven around Dawn’s friends and family.

FIRST PLACE – Memoir
Award-winning Outskirts Press production team: Colleen G. (Author Rep)
About the Author:Eric Jensen is a retired high school teacher with 26-years experience in the classroom. Teaching was one of the greatest challenges in his life and one of the most rewarding. After ending one career in 1994, he began another as a writer. He now shares his latest effort in story telling–the Jensen family’s journey and that of this nation through World War II.

FIRST PLACE – Biography
Award-winning Outskirts Press production team: Lisa H. (Author Rep) and Monica D.(Interior)
About the Author:Evie Sweet-Hurd holds degrees from Duke University, the University of Richmond, and Baylor University, but sometimes she still feels like the little girl in pigtails who idolized her older brother. In the decades after his death in Vietnam, she took tiny steps to absorb the reality: She tried to watch Saving Private Ryan, but she couldn’t get past the first three minutes; she visited the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C., but her husband had to carry her out.

SECOND PLACE – How-To
Award-winning Outskirts Press production team: Elizabeth J. (Author Rep) and Nate M.(Cover Design) and Barbara W. (Interior)
About the Author:Barbara Hanks is a communications writer who enjoys dabbling in the art of human resources. She continues to pursue freelance writing and has been published in multiple regional and national magazines.

SECOND PLACE – Biography
Award-winning Outskirts Press production team: Lisa H. (Author Rep) and Melanie S. (Cover Design) and Barbara W. (Interior)
About the Author:Rita Keeley Brown was born and raised in Nebraska, the youngest of six children. After majoring in music at UCLA in sunny southern California she changed careers to education and business while raising six children of her own. She still lives in California and, now retired, she has begun yet another career as a writer. This is her first published work although she has others soon to be published.

SECOND PLACE – Humor
Award-winning Outskirts Press production team: Elizabeth J. (Author Rep) and Nate M.(Cover Design) and Barbara W. (Interior)
About the Authors:Cherie Rodgers & Carol Olson are escapees from the film business. Both are recovering PTA Recording Secretaries, and serial volunteers (especially Carol, who is now in therapy: “Stop me before I volunteer again!”)

“We’re delighted with how our book is selling on Amazon and elsewhere. In this day and age, with access to the public so readily available, we don’t know why anyone would choose traditional publishing. Outskirts provides all the services of a turn-key publisher; the difference is that we keep the profits, and pay only for the services we decide we need.” – Cherie Rodgers & Carol Olson

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