Local Book Publishers Honored for Publishing Excellence

HIGHLAND CITY, FL – October 12, 2009 – On Saturday, September 26, 2009, the Florida Publishers Association (FPA) presented its 2009 President’s Book Awards to members whose books were chosen as best in 16 different categories and one special category, President’s Pick, chosen by FPA’s President, Chris Angermann, of New Chapter Publisher, Sarasota, FL.

FPA Book Awards Chair, Betsy Lampe, president of Rainbow Books, Inc., Lakeland, FL, was the mistress of ceremonies for the President’s Book Awards Banquet at The Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel on Lido Beach, Sarasota.

“While it’s quite an honor for the publishers, authors, illustrators and designers whose books won gold and silver medals” says Lampe, who also acts as the group’s association executive, “the awards also provide a new platform from which the publishers can launch new marketing efforts. Publishing is a business, and receiving industry recognition, such as winning in the FPA 2009 President’s Book Awards, can help reviewers, retailers and readers identify some great and, perhaps, previously undiscovered books.”

The evening awards banquet was part of the two-day FPA 2009 Publishing Ed-U-Conference, the theme for which was “Strategies for Success.” Participants attended presentations by nationally recognized book experts and successful independent publishers in Florida.

The following gold and silver medal winners were selected by the competition’s 22 judges (19 Florida librarians and 3 members of an award-winning, nationally recognized book design firm):

PICTURE BOOK

Gold Medal Winner — Adventures of Countess Pigula: "Up, Up and Away!" written and illustrated by Karen Freysinger, published by "A-Ha!" Elora Danan Productions, Inc. (Estero, FL)

Silver Medal Winners — Airport Mouse Explores on Opening Day by Ruth E. Clark, illustrated by Phil Jones, published by Hibiscus Publishing (Naples, FL); Airport Mouse Becomes a VIP/VIM World Traveler by Ruth E. Clark, illustrated by Phil Jones, published by Hibiscus Publishing (Naples, FL); and, Kersplatypus by Susan Mitchell, illustrated by Sherry Rogers, published by Sylvan Dell Publishing (Mount Pleasant, SC)

FLORIDA FICTION FOR CHILDREN

Gold Medal Winner — Florida Santa: Is He Real? How Do We Know It? by Ruth E. Clark, illustrated by Sarah Caterisano, published by Hibiscus Publishing (Naples, FL)

YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION

Gold Medal Winner — Unlock Your Educational Potential by Dr. Brian R. Haig and Jeffrey D. Haig, published by Maximize Your Education (Irvine, CA)

YOUNG ADULT FICTION

Gold Medal Winner — A Cord of Three Strands by Holly Moulder, published by White Pelican Press (Sharpsburg, GA)

CHILDREN’S FICTION

Gold Medal Winner — The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase: A Bailey Fish Adventure by Linda Salisbury, published by Tabby House (Mineral, VA)

Silver Medal Winners — Jonathan's Journey to Mount Miapu by Ellen Wolfson Valladares, illustrated by Maureen Burdock, published by Argami Productions, LLC (Weston, FL); and Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater: A Bailey Fish Adventure by Linda Salisbury, published by Tabby House (Mineral, VA)

CHILDREN’S NONFICTION

Gold Medal Winner — Kiddish Yiddish: Jewish Traditions & Culture in Rhyme by Barbara Feltquate, illustrated by Tom Post, published Bardolf & Co. (Sarasota, FL)

Silver Medal Winner — Isabelle's Dream: A Story and Activity Book for a Child's Grief Journey by Betsy Bottino Arenella, published by Quality of Life Publishing Company (Naples, FL)

ADULT NONFICTION

Gold Medal Winner — Everyday Symbols for Joyful Living by Dianne Durante, Ed.S., published by of Life Publishing Company (Naples, FL)

Silver Medal Winners — The Half-Life of a Nuclear Battery by Philip H. Talbert, published by Astral Publishing (Fort Lauderdale, FL); and Real Men Do Cry: A Quarterback's Inspiring Story of Tackling Depression and Surviving Suicide Loss by Eric Hipple, published by Quality of Life Publishing Company (Naples, FL)

MEMOIRS

Gold Medal Winner — Captured Horizons: An Artist's Journey by Michael Judge, published by New Chapter Publisher (Sarasota, FL)

Silver Medal Winners — The Journey Less Traveled: Choose to Turn Your Tragedy Into Triumph by Loretta "Faith" Harris, published by Children's Heart Publishing Company (Orlando, FL); and, The Half-Life of a Nuclear Battery by Philip H. Talbert, published by Astral Publishing (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

FLORIDA FICTION FOR ADULTS

Gold Medal Winner — Promise to Poppy: A Bath Pond Book by Lowell Teal (Windermere, FL)

FLORIDA NONFICTION FOR ADULTS

Gold Medal Winner — Treasured Waters: The Indian River Lagoon by Richard A. Kelly and Camille S. Yates, published by Pioneer River Press (Fort Pierce, FL)

ADULT FICTION

Gold Medal Winner — MillTown by P.D. LaFleur, published by RGI Press (Punta Gorda, FL)

Silver Medal Winner — Alex and the Color of the Wind by Piero Rivolta, published by Chapter Publisher (Sarasota, FL)

INTERIOR DESIGN

Gold Medal Winner — Tastefully Small Finger Sandwiches: Easy Party Sandwiches for All Occasions by Kim Hendrickson, published Atlantic Publishing Company (Ocala, FL)

Silver Medal Winner — ColorAlchemy: Self-Mastery with the Endless Supply of Color written and designed by Jami Lin, published by Earth Design, Inc. (Venice, FL)

COVER DESIGN

Gold Medal Winner — Tastefully Small Dessert Canapés: Bite-Sized Sweets for Easy Entertaining by Kim Hendrickson, published by Atlantic Publishing Company (Ocala, FL)

Silver Medal Winners — Jazz from Row Six: Photographs 1981–2007 by Jean Germain, published by New Chapter Publisher (Sarasota, FL); and, Promise to Poppy: A Bath Pond Book by Lowell Teal (Windermere, FL)

COFFEE TABLE BOOK

Gold Medal Winner — Jazz from Row Six: Photographs 1981–2007 by Jean Germai, published by Chapter Publisher (Sarasota, FL)

Silver Medal Winner — Treasured Waters: The Indian River Lagoon by Richard A. Kelly and Camille S. Yates, published by Pioneer River Press LLC (Fort Pierce, FL)

BUSINESS BOOK

Gold Medal Winner — The Complete Guide to Robert's Rules of Order Made Easy: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply by Rita Cook, published by Atlantic Publishing Company (Ocala, FL)

Silver Medal Winners — The Complete Guide to Understanding, Controlling and Stopping Bullies & Bullying at Work: A Complete Guide for Managers, Supervisors, and Co-Workers by Margaret R. Kohut, MSW, published by Atlantic Publishing Company (Ocala, FL); and, The Secret Power of Blogging by Bruce C. Brown, published by Atlantic Publishing Company (Ocala, FL)

POETRY BOOK

Gold Medal Winner — East of Pouring by William Drew Weinbrenner, published by Ahewlu Productions LLC (Orlando, FL)

PRESIDENT’S PICK

Gold Medal Winner — Real Men Do Cry: A Quarterback's Inspiring Story of Tackling Depression and Surviving Suicide Loss by Eric Hipple, published by Quality of Life Publishing Company (Naples, FL)

In addition to medals to commemorate their awards, winners and finalists in each category received an award certificate and President’s Book Awards labels for their book covers.

Florida Publishers Association, Inc., now in its 27th year, is a non-profit, statewide professional association of publishers, self-publishers, authors and others interested in book publishing in Florida. It conducts numerous educational conferences, seminars and workshops throughout Florida and is affiliated with the Association of American Publishers, the Independent Book Publishers Association, the Small Publishers Association of North America and the Florida Center for the Book. It is also a member of the Florida Library Association and the Florida Association for Media in Education. Florida Publishers Association members are primarily located in Florida but includes members nationwide and internationally.

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Winning companies by city:

—ESTERO—

"A-Ha!" Elora Danan Productions, Inc., publisher of the Picture Book Gold Medal Winner, Adventures of Countess Pigula: "Up, Up and Away!" written and illustrated by Karen Freysinger (Contact: Karen Freysinger, 239-466-2747, countesspigula@comcast.net)

—FORT LAUDERDALE—

Astral Publishing, publisher of both the Adult Nonfiction Silver Medal Winner and the Memoirs Silver Medal Winner, The Half-Life of a Nuclear Battery by Philip H. Talbert (Contact: Philip Talbert, 954-298-0906, ptalbert@bellsouth.net)

—FORT PIERCE—

Pioneer River Press, publisher of both the Florida Nonfiction for Adults Gold Medal Winner and Coffee Table Book Silver Medal Winner, Treasured Waters: The Indian River Lagoon by Richard A. Kelly and Camille S. Yates (Contact: Monique Walker, 772-462-7242, mwalker@ircc.edu)

—NAPLES—

Hibiscus Publishing, publisher of Florida Fiction for Children Gold Medal Winner, Florida Santa: Is He Real? How Do We Know It? by Ruth E. Clark, illustrated by Sarah Caterisano, and Picture Book Silver Medal Winners Airport Mouse Explores on Opening Day by Ruth E. Clark, illustrated by Phil Jones, and Airport Mouse Becomes a VIP/VIM World Traveler by Ruth E. Clark, illustrated by Phil Jones (Contact: Ruth E. Clark, Ed.D., 239-514-1373, hibiscus311@comcast.net)

Quality of Life Publishing, publisher of the President’s Pick and Adult Nonfiction Silver Medal Winner Real Men Do Cry: A Quarterback's Inspiring Story of Tackling Depression and Surviving Suicide Loss by Eric Hipple; the Adult Nonfiction Gold Medal Winner, Everyday Symbols for Joyful Living by Dianne Durante, Ed.S.; and the Children’s Nonfiction Silver Medal Winner, Isabelle's Dream: A Story and Activity Book for a Child's Grief Journey by Betsy Bottino Arenella (Contact: Karla Wheeler, 877-513-0099, kwheeler@QoLpublishing.com)

—OCALA—

Atlantic Publishing Company, publisher of the Interior Design Gold Medal Winner, Tastefully Small Finger Sandwiches: Easy Party Sandwiches for All Occasions by Kim Hendrickson, designed by Meg Buchner; the Cover Design Gold Medal Winner, Tastefully Small Dessert Canapés: Bite-Sized Sweets for Easy Entertaining by Kim Hendrickson, designed by Meg Buchner; the Business Books Gold Medal Winner, The Complete Guide to Robert's Rules of Order Made Easy: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply by Rita Cook; and the Business Books Silver Medal Winners, The Complete Guide to Understanding, Controlling and Stopping Bullies & Bullying at Work: A Complete Guide for Managers, Supervisors, and Co-Workers by Margaret R. Kohut, MSW, and The Secret Power of Blogging by Bruce C. Brown (Contact: Doug Brown, 352-622-1825, dbrown@atlantic-pub.com)

—ORLANDO—

Children’s Heart Publishing Company, publisher of the Memoirs Silver Medal Winner, The Journey Less Traveled: Choose to Turn Your Tragedy Into Triumph by Loretta "Faith" Harris (Contact: Loretta Harris, 407-232-3992, ms_Harris98@hotmail.com)

Ahewlu Productions LLC, publisher of the Poetry Book Gold Medal Winner, East of Pouring by William Drew Weinbrenner (Contact: William Drew Weinbrenner, 407-488-5054, dweinbre@yahoo.com)

—PUNTA GORDA—

RGI Press, publisher of the Adult Fiction Gold Medal Winner, MillTown by P.D. LaFleur (Contact: Suzanne Lancaster, 941-916-4218, slancaster@rgipress.com)

—SARASOTA—

Bardolf & Co., publisher of the the Children’s Nonfiction Gold Medal Winner, Kiddish Yiddish: Jewish Traditions & Culture in Rhyme by Barbara Feltquate, illustrated by Tom Post (Contact: Chris Angermann, 941-954-4690, c.angermann@comcast.net)

New Chapter Publisher, publisher of the Memoirs Gold Medal Winner, Captured Horizons: An Artist's Journey by Michael Judge; the Coffee Table Book Gold Medal Winner and Cover Design Silver Medal Winner, Jazz from Row Six: Photographs 1981–2007 by Jean Germain; and the Adult Fiction Silver Medal Winner, Alex and the Color of the Wind by Piero Rivolta (Contact: Chris Angermann, 941-954-4690, c.angermann@comcast.net)

—SHARPSBURG, GEORGIA—

White Pelican Press, publisher of the Young Adult Fiction Gold Medal Winner, A Cord of Three Strands by Holly Moulder (Contact: Holly Moulder, fishermoulder@aol.com)

—WESTON—

Argami Productions, LLC, publisher of the Children’s Fiction Silver Medal Winner, Jonathan's Journey to Mount Miapu by Ellen Wolfson Valladares, illustrated by Maureen Burdock (Contact: Ellen Valladares, 954-384-2731, ellenwv@aol.com)

—VENICE—

Earth Design, Inc., publisher of the Interior Design Silver Medal Winner, ColorAlchemy: Self-Mastery with the Endless Supply of Color written and designed by Jami Lin (Contact: Jami Lin, 941-276-8689, gp@jamilin.com)

—WINDERMERE—

Lowell Teal, publisher of the Florida Fiction for Adults Gold Medal Winner and Cover Design Silver Medal Winner, Promise to Poppy: A Bath Pond Book by Lowell Teal (Contact: Lowell Teal, 407-876-2377, lowellteal@aol.com)

OUT OF STATE

—IRVINE, CA—

Maximize Your Education, publisher of the Young Adult Nonfiction Gold Medal Winner, Unlock Your Educational Potential by Dr. Brian R. Haig and Jeffrey D. Haig

—MINERAL, VA—

Tabby House, publisher of the Children’s Fiction Gold Medal Winner, The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase: A Bailey Fish Adventure by Linda Salisbury, and the Children’s Fiction Silver Medal Winner, Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater: A Bailey Fish Adventure by Linda Salisbury

—MOUNT PLEASANT, SC—

Sylvan Dell Publishing, publisher of the Picture Book Silver Medal Winner, Kersplatypus by Susan Mitchell, illustrated by Sherry Rogers