Thursday, June 30, 2016

2016 LITERARY CLASSICS BOOK AWARDS ANNOUNCED


NEWS
Release Date: July 1, 2016

Literary Classics
pr@clcawards.org

Literary Classics Announces Youth Media Top Book Award Recipients

Rapid City, SD - One of the most anticipated moments in the world of children’s and young adult literature has arrived. The 2016 Literary Classics Book Awards have been announced. Chosen out of entries submitted from around the globe, these distinguished honorees are recognized for their contributions to the craft of writing, illustrating, and publishing exceptional literature for a youth audience. In this highly competitive industry these books represent the best of the best.
The competition this year was steep, and we congratulate all of the finalists for their tremendous and inspiring work. To follow are the final award categories and levels. All silver, gold and Top Honors award recipients will be invited to attend a round-table discussion, awards ceremony, formal gala, and authors’ book signing in Las Vegas October 13 through 15, 2016. 


TOP HONORS BOOK AWARDS

The Enchanted Page Book Award
A Peacock among Pigeons  
Written by Tyler Curry  
Illustrated by Mascot Publishing

The Eloquent Quill Book Award
Foulsham  
Written and illustrated by Edward Carey  
The Overlook Press

Words on Wings Book Award
Grendel’s Mother  
Susan Signe Morrison  
Top Hat Books/ John Hunt Publishing

Lumen Award for Literary Excellence
I would, but my DAMN MIND won’t let me  
Jacqui Letran  
A Healed Mind



YOUNG AUTHOR AWARD

(Published and penned by an author under 21 years of age):
GOLD
Eventyr  
Ellias Quinn
Second March, LLC

SILVER
The Rain of Blood
Sahana Kumar  
Telemachus Press



BEST IN CATEGORY – GOLD

Best Illustrator
Annie’s Plaid Shirt  
Written by Stacy Davids  
Illustrated by Rachel Balsaitis
Upswing Press

Best First Picture Book
Are You Eating My Lunch? Manges-tu mon lunch?  
Written by Nicole Audet  
Illustrated by Kathy Kerber
AuthorHouse

Best First Middle Grade Novel
The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman  
Robin Gregory  
Mad Mystical Journey Press

Best First Novel
Kingdoms Fall  
Edward Parr  

Best Short Story
The Darkness  
Justine Avery  




SPECIAL INTEREST - GOLD 

Cultural Issues
Second Chances  
Lincoln Cole  
LC Publishing

Environmental Issues
KABOOM!  
Brian Adams  
Green Writers Press
                                                 
Faith Based Early Reader
The Veterans’ Clubhouse  
Written by Kristen Zajac  
Illustrated by Jennifer Thomas Houdeshell
Guardian Angel Publishing

​Gender Specific - Female Audience
Certainly Sensible
Pamela Woods-Jackson  
The Wild Rose Press
READ OUR REVIEW    

Historical Fiction
Jacqueline
Jackie Minniti  
Anaiah Press

​Historical Nonfiction 
Aunt Phil’s Trunk  
Laurel Downing Bill  
Aunt Phil’s Trunk LLC

Instructional
Little Music Masters, Meet the Notes  
Written by Elias Berlinger  
Illustrated by Maryana Kachmar
My Music Workshop

​Nonfiction Series
Aunt Phil’s Trunk  
Laurel Downing Bill  
Aunt Phil’s Trunk LLC
READ OUR REVIEW     




GENERAL CATEGORIES – GOLD

General Preschool
Ice Dream’s Wish  
Written by Nasrin Mottahadeh  
Illustrated by Mehri Dadgar
Nasrin Mottahadeh

Picture Book / Preschool
Daniel and His Starry Night Blanket  
Written and illustrated by Sally Loughridge  
Maine Authors Publishing​

Picture Book Early Reader
The Growing Sweater  
Written by Jason Marchi  
Illustrated by Ben Quesnel
Fahrenheit Books

Rhyme Book Early Reader
The Stumps of Flattop Hill  
Written and illustrated by Kenneth Kit Lamug  
One Peace Books

Cultural Issues Early Reader
A Peacock among Pigeons
Written by Tyler Curry  
Illustrated by Clarione Gutierrez
Mascot Publishing

Educational Early Reader
Are You Eating My Lunch? Manges-tu mon lunch?  
Written by Nicole Audet  
Illustrated by Kathy Kerber
AuthorHouse

Inspirational / Visionary Early Reader
A Peacock among Pigeons  
Written by Tyler Curry  
Illustrated by Clarione Gutierrez
Mascot Publishing

General Early Reader
Avian Kingdom Feathered Tales
Neither Night nor Day
Written by Karen Chacek  
TechStudios, LLC

Self Esteem Early Reader
My Wish for You  
Written and illustrated by 
Nicole Henning  
Anima Readers Publishing

Chapter Book
Posie Pixie and the Fireworks Party
Written by Sarah Hill 
Abela Publishing

Children’s Series
Avian Kingdom Feathered Tales  
Written by Karen Chacek  
TechStudios, LLC

General Preteen
Greg’s First Adventure in Time  
C.M. Huddleston  
Interpreting Time’s Past, LLC

Fantasy Preteen
The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman  
Robin Gregory  
Mad Mystical Journey Press

Mystery Preteen
The Ghosts of Pebble Brook Lodge  
Linda Covella  
Beau Coup Publishing

Fiction Preteen
The Cemetery Sleeper  
Susan Griner  
Saguaro Books

Fiction Teen
Cryptogram Chaos, a Virtual Reality Adventure  
Linda Covella  
Linda Covella

General YA
In the Heart of a Mustang  
M.J. Evans  
Dancing Horse Press

Fantasy Fiction YA
Ptaath’s Hammer  
Wim Baren  
Self-published

Science Fiction YA
Reset  
William Jones  
Self Published

Mystery YA
Don’t Forget To Breathe  
Cathrina Constantine  
Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly

Fiction YA
Trinity Icon  
Steve Wilson  
White Feather Press
READ OUR REVIEW      

Series YA
The Gateway Chronicles  
K. B. Hoyle  
The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House

Historical Fiction YA
Kingdoms Fall  
Edward Parr  
Edward Parr

Faith Based YA
Trinity Icon
Steve Wilson  
White Feather Press

Nonfiction YA
I would, but my DAMN MIND won’t let me
Jacqui Letran  
A Healed Mind

​Health / Self Esteem
Navigating Your Cancer Journey  
Jennifer Thietz  
Dog Ear Publishing




GENERAL CATEGORIES – SILVER

General Preschool
“Guess Who, Mr. Dinosaur?”  
Written by Christopher Smith  
Illustrated by Brandon Frazier and Mike Motz
Create Space

Picture Book / Preschool
White Butterfly and Her Wings of Many Colors  
Story by Arnold Bustillo  
Written and illustrated by Susan Andra Lion
Mariposa Blanca Publishing​

Picture Book Early Reader
The Reading Promise  
Written by Troy Kent  
Illustrated by Elisa Moriconi
Mascot Books
READ OUR REVIEW    

Rhyme Book Early Reader
The Golden Rule  
Written by Sherrill Cannon  
Illustrated by Kalpart
SBPRA

Cultural Issues Early Reader 
What’s for Dinner?  
Written by Penelope Anne Cole 
Illustrated by Samantha S. Bell
Magical Book Works
READ OUR REVIEW    

Educational Early Reader
Strike at Charles’ Farm/Grève à la ferme de Charles  
Written by Nicole Audet 
Illustrated by Mylène Villenueve 
AuthorHouse

Inspirational / Visionary E.R.
Destiny  
Written by Sonya Wadhera and Priya Wadhera  
Double Infinity International Incorporated

General Early Reader
Avian Kingdom Feathered Tales 
The Hollow in the Hill 
Written by Karen Chacek  
TechStudios, LLC​

Self Esteem Early Reader
Red Socks Go With Absolutely Anything  
Written by Darla Woodley  
Illustrated by Evan Munday
SonShine Design (Self Published)
READ OUR REVIEW    

Chapter Book
Topaz and the Green Fairies  
Written by Pat Frayne  
Create Space

Children’s Series
Penny the Palomino Quarter Horse 
Written by Gary Scogin  
I llustrated by Alex Ray
Sarah Book Publishing

General Preteen
Star Sapphire and the Land of Gems 
Anthony Pardoe  
Anthony and Suzanne Pardoe

Fantasy Preteen
Dotty and the Calendar House Key 
Emma Warner-Reed  
Createspace/Smashwords

Mystery Preteen
Crime Cats: Missing  
Wolfgang Parker  
Rogue Agent Publishing
READ OUR REVIEW       

Fiction Preteen
A Place to Call Home: Toby’s Tale 
Gail Whitmore  
Outskirts Press

Fiction Teen
Under a Purple Moon  
Beverly Stowe McClure  
Freedom Fox Press
READ OUR REVIEW

General YA
A Secret Music
Susan Doherty Hannaford  
Cormorant Books

Fantasy Fiction YA
Select  
Patricia Reding  
CreateSpace
READ OUR REVIEW    

Science Fiction YA
Tallas  
Cathrina Constantine  
Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly
READ OUR REVIEW            

Mystery YA
Fiona Frost: Blood Dolls  
Bon Blossman  
Create Space

Fiction YA
Tempest of Fire  
Steve Wilson  
White Feather Press

Historical Fiction
A Long Way Back  
James Prewitt  
Northland Publishing Co

Faith Based
Seventh Dimension - The City  
Lorilyn Roberts  
CreateSpace

Nonfiction YA
A Cluster of Cancers  
Sherry L. Meinberg  

Health / Self Esteem
A Cluster of Cancers
Sherry L. Meinberg  
AuthorHouse

The 2016 Literary Classics book award recipients will be recognized during an awards presentation to be held October 14, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  A complete list, including links to Literary Classics' reviews of all award winning books, may be found at clcawards.org.

Literary Classics, an organization dedicated to furthering excellence in literature, takes great pride in its role to help promote classic literature which appeals to youth, while educating and encouraging positive values in the impressionable young minds of future generations.  Judging is based upon the criteria set forth by Literary Classics’ highly selective awards committee which honors books promoting character, vision, creativity and learning, through content which possesses key elements found in well-crafted literature.

The Literary Classics judging committee is comprised of experts with backgrounds in publishing, writing, editing, design, illustration, and book reviewing.   To learn more about Literary Classics, visit their website at www.literaryclassicsawards.com.



LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Hammer and Nails, by Josh Bledsoe, earns the CLC Seal of Approval


When Darcy's best friend gets sick and can't come over to play she's sure her day is ruined.  Crumpling her list of plans for the perfect play-date she's resigned to having a miserable day.  But when her dad offers to share her play-date-to-do-list if she will join him in checking off his own list of chores their day becomes a delightful melding of princess-play and daddy-projects.  This wonderful children's picture book is one that every father and daughter team are sure to love.
Author Josh Bledsoe's preciously penned book is perfectly paired with adorable illustrations by Jessica Warrick, which are the ultimate finishing touch for this priceless children's book.

Highly recommended for home and school libraries, Hammer and Nails, by Josh Bledsoe, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Monday, June 27, 2016

Author Spotlight - Linda Covella on her award winning books




WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER AND WHY?
I loved writing since I was 8 years old and always wrote and took creative writing classes, but didn’t pursue it professionally until later in life. I write as an outlet for creativity; I love words and coming up with that perfect word or phrase. And as a writer of children’s books, I want to share my love of reading I’ve had my entire life.


AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU ASPIRE TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
I had many aspirations at different times in my childhood, including teaching and nursing, which at that time were typical career choices for girls. I’m happy that since I was young so many choices have opened up for girls and women. I also aspired to be an artist and started out in college as an art major. I still dabble in drawing and painting as a hobby.


HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLES?
For Yakimali’s Gift, I wanted to tell the story of this little-known part of U.S. history—the first Mexican settlers to come to California. And I wanted to tell it from the perspective of the women and children who made up more than half of the colonists who journeyed from Mexico to California led by Juan Bautista de Anza.


For The Castle Blues Quake, my initial inspiration came from experiencing earthquakes in California, particularly in Santa Cruz where I live and where the story takes place. I’ve also always loved ghost stories, so I enjoyed researching and writing that aspect of the book.
WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED? 
The Ghost Whisperer Series Book 2 was published in October 2015. The title is The Ghosts of Pebble Brook Lodge, and continues the adventures of Pepper Connelly, now 13. In this story, she’s moved temporarily to the rainy forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains. She has only two weeks to prove her friend Willy’s innocence, and the key lies with four ghosts who have their own haunting agenda.
TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:
My mother was a school librarian and gave me my love of reading and, consequently, writing. My first book, Yakimali’s Gift, was dedicated to her. I was so grateful she held that in her hands before she passed away several months later. She always believed in me and “just knew” that someday my dream of being published would come true!
WHICH AUTHOR HAS MOST GREATLY INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING STYLE?
It’s always difficult to choose just one author. As far as authors of children’s books, I enjoy books by Markus Zusak, Donna Napoli, and Margaret Downing Hahn. I loved reading Edgar Allan Poe when I was young.
WHAT BOOK HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?
Again, it’s difficult to choose one book. But ones that really made an impact on me when I was young are A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Though I love my Ghost Whisperer books, I’d have to say the writing and publication of Yakimali’s Gift. One, because of the extensive research I did to get the facts and atmosphere of the time period correct (everything from people, clothing, utensils to the terrain, plants, and wildlife). Two, because I’m happy to have made the story of the expedition known to more people, young and old.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF BECOMING PUBLISHED AND ANY TIPS YOU MIGHT OFFER FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS?
It can be a long process; it certainly was for me: writing, rewriting, submitting, facing rejection, and more rewriting. I think it’s vitally important to be part of a critique group. It took me a while to put myself out there, let others read and critique my work, but it was the best thing I did to improve my writing. My other advice, though it may sound like a cliché, is to never give up. If you love writing, if you believe in what you write, if you’re passionate, you will be published!
CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?
There are so many promotion opportunities these days. One is to submit your book for review and for award consideration. Another is to join Facebook groups that are specific to your genre/style. That’s a good way to network and learn about other promotion avenues. Pursue getting your book in local bookstores and libraries as well as nationally. There are also book marketing classes and newsletters that can be helpful.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?
Readers, you are the reason I spin my stories. I appreciate readers so much. Just that you are reading books, no matter the genre, is wonderful. Books can open so many doors to you, new worlds, new ways of thinking, and simply entertain. And you all get that. Happy, happy reading!
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?
I’m working on a few different projects: the third Ghost Whisperer and two historical non-fiction books.

In the third Ghost Whisperer (as yet untitled), Pepper will be back in Santa Cruz. Her friend Chrissy from New York will come to visit. Pepper, Chrissy, and Ally will experience some ghostly adventures when Pepper time travels to the late 1800s of Santa Cruz. And there might be a touch of romance in store for Pepper! I hope to see it published later in 2016.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org