Thank you to all our authors for a fantastic 2018

It’s the season of thanks, so we would like to take a moment to acknowledge a handful of our authors with a heartfelt thank you for all they accomplished in 2018. We publish over a thousand books every year and have hundreds upon hundreds of successful authors worthy of commendation. But that would make this article hundreds of pages long, so if we’re not able to mention you personally, please know our thanks and appreciation extend to you, as well. Keep up the great work in 2019!

January

In January, the spotlight was on Katherine S. Egan, author of Genetics Isn’t Everything. She went on to win a first place EVVY Award in August, which she was able to accept in person at the banquet in Denver, Colorado. She subsequently became one of three finalists in the 2018 Outskirts Press Best Book of the Year Awards. Thank you, Katherine!

February

In February, Jackie Fischer won first place (and a new laptop computer) in our annual “Show Us Your Love” video contest, which celebrates both Valentine’s Day and self-publishing. Not only is she the author of The Lost Branch but, as she demonstrates in her video, she’s quite adept at rhyme, as well! Thank you, Jackie, for the fantastic video and the fantastic book!

March

Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Wineberg hit our Top 10 Bestsellers List in March with her inspiring and triumphant autobiography, Unwavering Perseverance. Even more impressive, she earned a Gold Medal in the 2008 Olympic Games in the 4×400 relay after overcoming obstacle after obstacle. “Always strive for your dreams,” she encourages. Thank you for the words of motivation, Mary! You’re a true inspiration!

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April

The Annual Benjamin Franklin Awards are notoriously competitive, so it was no small feat when Dr. Jeanne Blanchet won a Silver Medal Award for Historical Fiction in April with her novel Man at the Cross Road. Proving herself to be anything but a one-trick pony, she quickly followed that up with an EVVY Award for her following book, Cursed. Thank you, Jeanne, for making the trip to Denver to accept your award in person and meeting some of our executive team.

May

We acknowledged the writing career of one of our most prolific authors in May when Jerry Snodgrass stepped into our monthly spotlight. Jerry has published 10 books with Outskirts Press (so far!) and was born in Butler, Missouri, in 1938. He was raised and went to school in Indianola, Iowa. He entered the military after graduating from high school in 1957 and fulfilled his dreams of serving in the military and traveling to exotic locations. He married Elizabeth Fleming in the 1960s and they had two children. The family traveled extensively during his military career before settling down in Killeen, Texas, in 2002. Thank you, Jerry, for your service and your books of valor.

June

Kevin I.J.A. Barnett Sr. went on a whirlwind virtual book tour in June for his debut book, a provocative and autobiographical examination of the United States Foster Care and Adoption System. As the author of Living My Shadows, Kevin is a retired, noncommissioned officer in the United States Army. He has served in Germany, Afghanistan and in many stateside tours during his career. He is married to Sharon F. Pelham and does motivational speaking when time permits. Thank you, Kevin, for your service and for having the courage to share such significant moments of your life for the assistance of others.

July

In July, prolific novelist Gabriel F.W. Koch learned that he was once again a finalist in the Colorado Independent Publishers Association EVVY Awards. He walked away with a Second Place EVVY Award a couple years ago for his science fiction novel Paradox Effect (not to mention an Outskirts Press Best Book of the Year nomination). This year he picked up an EVVY Merit Award for Emma and the Dragon Tooth Sword. He has published four books thus far with Outskirts Press, including his latest: And Come Day’s End. Thank you, Gabriel, for all your wonderful, award-winning books.

August

Speaking of science fiction, C.R. Norris discovered that she won First Place in the Science Fiction category, for her book Wasp on the Wind, when the EVVY Awards Banquet took place in Denver on August 25, 2018. Wasp on the Wind is Book 2 in her Wasp Chronicles Series. She subsequently was nominated to be one of three finalists in the highly coveted Best Book of the Year Awards. C.R. Norris is a perpetual student of science and mathematics. Born in Salina Kansas, her varied career has included experience as a musician, a blood banker, and an electrical engineer in the semiconductor industry. She currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she indulges her passions for green chile, playing music and writing.

September

And it all led up to this, when the 2018 Outskirts Press Best Book of the Year was announced. This year, the honor, the award and the $1,500 Grand Prize went to T.D. Arkenberg for his biographical take on the events leading up to, and following in the shadows of, September 11. Two Towers is his fourth book but his first memoir. Thank you, T.D., for letting us experience this tragic event from such an unfiltered perspective.

October

In October we recognized our 50 bestselling authors for 2018. It takes more than a marvelous literary work to achieve success as an author; it takes the gumption and drive to promote that work to readers! To you, we extend not only our congratulations but our thanks for allowing Outskirts Press to help you reach this successful milestone!

Kevin Muldowney Aage Nost
Will Kautz Rasha Pecoraro
Michael McNamara Tui Rose
Lisa A. Romano Mohamed Elgendy
Mary Casey Asif Anwar
Vil Mirzayanov Brian Petit
L. Veach Bill McClain
Mike Gillette Tom Bisio
Mirtha Castro Mary Allison
Matthew DiGeronimo Rebecca Janes
Amy Pierotti Halo Lewis
Jane McConnell Jane Ostrow
Jill Jackson Bernard Nebel
Don Petterson Alex Cuoco
Ed Robinson Adrienne Anderson
Scott Imhoff Diana Arcieri
Patrick O’Connor Tiffany Anderson
Joseph Adegboyega-Edun Kathryn M. Mora
Bernard Nebel Jeffrey Howe
Magdaline DeSousa Steve Kelley
Michael Goodroe Hal Perkins
Jokima Hiller Rodney DuBose
Lisa Cicero Amy Meadows
Heidi Herman Paul Kotz
Luis Roman Seth Spreiter

And the year isn’t over yet. November and December are the biggest months of the year for book sales, so keep those marketing efforts going! And “Thank You” to all our amazing authors for making 2018 another banner year for self-publishing.

Want your book to be the next big prize-winner? Find out more about marketing, promoting and submitting your book for awards and reviews.

 

Living My Shadows: Dreams Do Come True by Kevin I.J.A. Barnett Sr.

Technology has made it easier than ever to reach wider audiences no matter where they are in the world. All it takes is a little thinking outside the box and you can market a self-published book in creative ways, affordably and impactfully. This is where book tours come in: Tours are a great way to connect with your readers and technology has made them easier and cheaper than ever!

Author Kevin Barnett Sr. is taking his latest book, Living My Shadows: Dreams Do Come True, on tour—a Virtual Book Tour with Outskirts Press. What this means is that Kevin will get his book into the far corners of the globe, all from the comfort of home! Keep an eye out for Kevin’s book as he will be featured on several blogs over the weeks and months ahead so keep your eyes peeled to learn more about him and his book.


Luckily for us, Kevin was kind enough to answer a few questions as the tour was getting started so we could give you a sneak peek into the mind of the creator of Living My Shadows: Dreams Do Come True.

OP: Tell us a little bit about Living My Shadows: Dreams Do Come True. What is it about?

Kevin: It’s about my journey growing up in foster care and the adoption system, and ultimately about joining the Armed Forces and finding my birth parents at the age of 56.

OP: Why did you decide to write this story?

Kevin: I did this for therapeutic reasons and to help others have hope of finding out who they are—and to never give up their dreams, no matter how big or small they might be.

OP: How did you get your book published?

Kevin: I used Outskirts Press to self-publish as well as market.

OP: What types of readers would be interested in this story?

Kevin: Individuals who would like to adopt or enroll in a foster care parent program, adoptees, foster care children—both adults and youths. Individuals who are searching for parents, or veterans or folks thinking about joining the Armed Forces will also benefit.

OP: What is special about your book?

Kevin: It is written from the heart. The is book is based on real events and it will take one through many emotions.

OP: What differentiates it from other books in the same category?

Kevin: The book is small but packs a big punch of emotions and you can’t put it down.

OP: Have you published any other books?

Kevin: No, this is my first book.

OP: Do you plan to publish more?

Kevin: Yes, I plan to do this again.

OP: Thanks for your time, Kevin! We look forward to learning more about you as you visit other bloggers!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kevin I. J. A. Barnett Sr. is a retired non-commissioned officer of the United States Army. He has served in Germany, Afghanistan and many stateside tours during his career. He is married to Sharon F. Pelham and does motivational speaking when time permits.

For more information or to contact the author, visit https://www.outskirtspress.com/livingmyshadows

This author purchased the Virtual Book Tour marketing option, which allows self-publishing authors to connect with bloggers and harness the power of the blogosphere by taking their book on the “virtual road.” Learn more about this service by visiting your Publishing Center and reviewing the available marketing options.

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