Friday, November 15, 2019

Author Vivian Zabel on her Award Winning Book



HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?
My cat Panther and I played a game where he would hind behind the shower curtain and I would sing “Where, oh, where did Panther go?” to the tune of a song from my childhood, “Where, oh, where did my little dog go?” He would jump from behind the curtain, and I would clap my hands and say, “There’s my Panther.” Panther slipped out of the house late one evening and never came home. By noon the next day, I was worried. I stood in my backyard and sang the Panther song at the top of my lungs. Far away I heard him answer. I sang some more, and he would answer. Finally, he rounded the house to me. He had gotten lost. I used one of my great-granddaughter’s name as Panther’s owner, and a book was born.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK AND WHY?
Panther hid behind a curtain. “Where is Panther?” Katie called before singing, “Where, oh, where did my Panther go? Where could Panther be? With his ears so short and his tail so long, where could Panther be?”
With a “Meow,” Panther jumped from behind the curtain.
Katie petted him and laughed. “There’s my Panther.”
That selection is my favorite because Katie's game sets the stage for the rest of the story.
WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE DO YOU BELIEVE IS MOST LIKE YOU AND WHY?
Katie in the story is most like me since I based her on my real great-granddaughter. She and I have many similar characteristics.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GLEAN FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?
The message I hope readers take from the book is people and animals can be close friends, just as the real Panther is my closest companion.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A WRITER?
I’ve always been a storyteller, according to my mother, since I could talk. I loved hearing stories and reading. My mother was an avid reader and taught me to enjoy stories. The next step was to write the stories my imagination created.
WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR WRITING STYLE? - PLEASE ELABORATE:
This question is difficult to answer because so many writers influenced me, from the authors of the Nancy Drew series, to Dr. Suess, to William Bernhardt, to Carolyn Hart, to J.A. Jance … so many over the years. I write for children, tweens and teens, young adults, and adults. I write poetry, articles, short stories, and novels. I have a wide range of interests and sample most types of writing.
TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:
Once in the middle of a novel, one of the murder victims refused to be a victim. No matter how I tried to write the scene, it would not work. Finally, I gave up and made her one of the main characters. One of these days, I will even complete the novel.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR WRITING PROCESS:
The idea for a story becomes a “movie” in my brain, the whole story. I begin writing the story as it is in my mind. Oh, a few small details may change, but the main plot and characters stay the same.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE AS A WRITER?
My greatest challenge is finding time. I also run a small publishing company, have poor health, and edit for other authors.
IF YOU COULD BE COMPARED TO A WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR WHO WOULD YOU MOST WANT THIS TO BE AND WHY?
I would love to be positively compared to J.A. Jance. She “showed” the people who ridiculed her desire to become an author, and boy, oh, boy, did she ever prove them wrong.
HOW DID YOU GET PUBLISHED?
I submitted to 4RV Publishing like all submitters do. I may be the head of the company, but I don’t receive any special attention or benefits. My submission went to an acquisition editor anonymously (and, in the past, I was rejected – twice). The acquisition editor recommended I be offered a contract. Nearly three years later, Where Did Panther Go? became a book.
CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?
Of course, social media is a way to build a platform. Volunteer to read your book at local libraries and schools. Attend craft fairs and book festivals, pay for a booth (maybe go together with other authors) and sell books. Join local writing and book groups. All help authors promote their books.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Many of my books have earned honors, but the Literary Classics honors have been the top of the list so far.
WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ASPIRATIONS?
I hope to have a book nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY MIGHT FIND INTERESTING:
I’m an Air Force brat. I traveled all over the place with my father, an enlisted man in the USAF. I changed school twenty-two times from kindergarten on Randolph AFB until graduation from high school in Limestone, Maine, from part of second and part of third grades on Guam to part of eighth and ninth grades in Morroco.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?
I can’t stress enough the importance of reading. Writers become better writers by reading good and bad material. Yes, we learn from badly written books, too: We learn what not to do.
WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?
Children’s books:
I Like Pink (earned a silver CLC seal)
Wave Excitement: A Louie the Duck Story
A Baby Doll from Santy Clause (children’s picture books)
The Base Stealers Club and Case of the Missing Coach (for young teens)
Prairie Dog Cowboy (young adult)
Novels:
Stolen
Midnight Hours
Burnt Offering
All books can be purchased from
and from other online bookstores such as Amazon.com.
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?
Panther’s Snowy Christmas
The real Panther had a unique reaction to his first snow: He reached a paw through the cat door and reached to his right. Pat, pat, pat with his paw. He reached straight out. Pat, pat, pat with his paw. He reached as far as possible to his left. Pat, pat, pat with his paw. That will be part of Panther’s Snowy Christmas, out in September. It will be available on the 4RV online bookstore, Amazon, and other online stores.
Another possible release next year will be a sequel to Midnight Hours titled Darkest Before Dawn.

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

The 2019 Literary Classics International and Top Honors Award Recipients Have Been Named!



NEWS
Literary Classics Announces 2019 Youth Media Book Awards

Release Date: November 15, 2019
Literary Classics
pr@clcawards.org


SOUTH DAKOTA – The 2019 Literary Classics International Book Award recipients have been announced.  Selected from submissions by entrants 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 foremost in literature in their respective categories.

The competition this year was tremendous, and we congratulate all honorees for their outstanding and inspiring work.  Literary Classics is proud to recognize this year’s award-winning titles which exemplify the criteria set forth by the Literary Classics selection committee.


2019 LITERARY CLASSICS BOOK AWARDS


TOP HONORS AWARDS

The Enchanted Page Book Award
Kena Sosa
Alexis Braud (Illustrator)
The Unhuggables
River Road Press

The Eloquent Quill Book Award​
Jackie Minniti
One Small Spark
Anaiah Press

Words on Wings Book Award
Susan Morrison
Home Front Girl
Chicago Review Press

Lumen Award for Literary Excellence
Annie Boochever
Fighter in Velvet Gloves
University of Alaska Press


YOUNG AUTHOR AWARD

Navya Sarikonda, The Enchanters’ Child, Ingramspark

Picture Book /Early Reader 
Adventure - GOLD
Sonya Song, Javier Giménez Ratti (Illustrator), Pirate Bear, Chinchilla Books
Adventure - SILVER
Joseph W. Ruder, Daydreaming Danny and the Pirate Treasure, CreateSpace Independent Publishing

Animals - GOLD
M.J. Evans, Gaspar Sabater (Illustrator), PERCY - The Racehorse Who Didn’t Like to Run, Dancing Horse Press
Animals - SILVER
Gloria Lintermans, Kristina Tosic (Illustrator), SAM: The Cat Without a Tail, Blooming Twig Books

Educational - GOLD
Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw, I Campaigned for Ice Cream, Warren Publishing
Educational - SILVER
Gloria Lintermans, Kristina Tosic (Illustrator), SAM: The Cat Without a Tail, Blooming Twig Books

General - GOLD
Lisa Calhoun-Owen, Matthew Scott Reilly (Illustrator), The Moonlight Dancer, Warren Publishing
General - SILVER
Barbara Freeman, Ruth Araceli Rodríguez (Illustrator), Mirror Mirror, Laredo Publishing Company

Rhyme - GOLD
Sonya Song, Daniel Howard (Illustrator), City of More, Chinchilla Books
Rhyme - SILVER
Laura Bullock, Rondi Kutz (Illustrator), The Traveling Javelinas, Create Space Independent Publishing

Chapter Book / Middle Grade/Upper MG                

Adventure - GOLD
C.R. Stewart, Britfield and the Lost Crown, Devonfield Publishing
Adventure - SILVER
Connie Huddleston, Greg’s Fourth Adventure in Time, ITP Press

Fantasy - GOLD
A. M. Robin, Hidden Scales, A.M. Robin
Fantasy - SILVER
Chad-Michael Simon, Yellowstone: The Bears of Caldera, Hyphenated Press

General - GOLD

Jessica Renwick, The Book of Chaos, Starfell Press
General - SILVER
Christina M Pages, The Woodland Adventures of Lucy and Will, Waldorf Publishing

Historical - GOLD
Jackie Minniti, One Small Spark, Anaiah Press
Historical - SILVER
Wendy Leighton-Porter, The Shadow of Camelot, Silver Quill Publishing

Young Adult / New Adult

Adventure - GOLD
Geanna Culbertson, Crisanta Knight: Inherent Fate, BQB Publishing
Adventure - SILVER
John Egenes, Man & Horse: The Long Ride Across America, Delta Vee

Coming of Age - GOLD
Patrick Garry, In the Shadow of War, Kenric Books
Coming of Age - SILVER
J.W. Garrett, Remeon’s Destiny, BHC Press

Fantasy - GOLD
Alison McBain, The Rose Queen, Fairfield Scribes
Fantasy - SILVER
Astrid V.J., Aspiring, Part 1 of the Siblings’ Tale, New Wings Press

General - GOLD
Jessica Reed, Running with the Wolves, BHC Press
General - SILVER
John Egenes, Man & Horse: The Long Ride Across America, Delta Vee

Historical - GOLD
Susan Morrison, Home Front Girl, Chicago Review Press
Historical - SILVER
Diana Forbes, Mistress Suffragette, Penmore Press LLC

Paranormal - GOLD
Mutch Katsonga, The Melancholy History of Mayfly, Self-Published
Paranormal - SILVER
V. A. Givens, Sealed with a Twist, Eclectic Quill Publishing

Romance - GOLD
Geanna Culbertson, Crisanta Knight: Inherent Fate, BQB Publishing
Romance - SILVER
Diana Forbes, Mistress Suffragette, Penmore Press LLC

Science Fiction - GOLD
​Jessica Reed, Running with the Wolves, BHC Press
Science Fiction - SILVER
Bon Blossman, Behind the Mirror, My Mystery Party

BEST IN CATEGORY

BEST ILLUSTRATOR
Sonya Song, Pirate Bear, Chinchilla Books

BEST FIRST BOOK
A. M. Robin, Hidden Scales, A.M. Robin

SPECIAL INTEREST CATEGORIES

Activitiy
Jeannie Panchal, Oregon Trail Activity Guide, Self-Published
Contemporary
Patrick Finegan, Cooperative Lives, Two Skates Publishing LLC
Cultural
Sylvia Sanchez Garza, Cascarones, Floricanto Press
Drama
Patrick Garry, In the Shadow of War, Kenric Books
Environmental
Lori Harrison, Jon Harrison (Illustrator), Why Water’s Worth It, Water Environment Federation
Fairy Tale
Astrid V.J., Aspiring, Part 1 of the Siblings’ Tale, New Wings Press
Faith Based
Ndaa Hassan, Azra Momin (Illustrator), Ramadan Around the World, Self-Published
Folklore
Wendy Leighton-Porter, The Shadow of Camelot, Silver Quill Publishing
Health & Wellness
Edy Nathan, It’s Grief: The Dance of Self Discovery, As I Am Press
Holiday
Ndaa Hassan, Azra Momin (Illustrator), Ramadan Around the World, Self-Published
Humor
Tracy Detz,  No Fish For Charles, Warren Publishing
Inspirational
Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw, I Campaigned for Ice Cream, Warren Publishing
Literary
Daniela I Norris, Premonitions, Roundfire Books
Mystery
Courtney Leigh Pahlke, Life Force Preserve, EBooks2Go
Social Issues
Lester Aradi, Darwin Marfil (Illustrator), Tricycle and Friends, Post Hill Press
Sports
Melanie Hooyenga, The Edge Rules, Left-Handed Mitten Publications
Thriller
Bon Blossman, Behind the Mirror, My Mystery Party

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

Friday, November 1, 2019

2019 Book Award Finalists Announced

For Immediate Release
Literary Classics
pr@clcawards.org
11/01/19
Rapid City, South Dakota
Tradition continues with the arrival of one of the most anticipated moments in the world of children’s and young adult literature. The 2019 Literary Classics Book Award Finalists and Top Honors Book Awards Finalists have been announced. Selected from submissions by entrants 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 foremost in literature in their respective categories.
The competition this year was quite impressive, and we congratulate all the finalists for their outstanding and inspiring work. Final awards, categories, and levels will be announced on November 15, 2019. 
The Literary Classics selection committee is proud to recognize this year’s titles in literature which exemplify the criteria set forth by the Literary Classics award selection committee. 
Lester Aradi, Tricycle and Friends, Post Hill Press 
Bon Blossman, Behind the Mirror, My Mystery Party
Annie Boochever, Fighter in Velvet Gloves, University of Alaska Press
Laura Bullock, The Traveling Javelinas, Create Space Independent Publishing
Lisa Calhoun-Owen, The Moonlight Dancer, Warren Publishing
Geanna Culbertson, Crisanta Knight: Inherent Fate, BQB Publishing
Tracy Detz, No Fish for Charles, Warren Publishing
John Egenes, Man & Horse: The Long Ride Across America, Delta Vee
M.J. Evans, PERCY - The Racehorse Who Didn’t Like to Run, Dancing Horse Press
Patrick Finegan, Cooperative Lives, Two Skates Publishing LLC
Diana Forbes, Mistress Suffragette, Penmore Press LLC
Barbara Freeman, Mirror Mirror, Laredo Publishing Company
J.W. Garrett, Remeon’s Destiny, BHC Press
Patrick Garry, In the Shadow of War, Kenric Books
V. A. Givens, Sealed with a Twist, Eclectic Quill Publishing
Lori Harrison, Why Water’s Worth It, Water Environment Federation
Ndaa Hassan, Ramadan Around the World, Self-Published
Melanie Hooyenga, The Edge Rules, Left-Handed Mitten Publications
Connie Huddleston, Greg’s Fourth Adventure in Time, ITP Press
Mutch Katsonga, The Melancholy History of Mayfly, Self-Published
Courtney Leigh Pahlke, Life Force Preserve, EBooks2Go
Wendy Leighton-Porter, The Shadow of Camelot, Silver Quill Publishing
Gloria Lintermans, SAM: The Cat Without a Tail, Blooming Twig Books
Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw, I Campaigned for Ice Cream, Warren Publishing
Alison McBain, The Rose Queen, Fairfield Scribes
Jackie Minniti, One Small Spark, Anaiah Press
Susan Morrison, Home Front Girl, Chicago Review Press
Edy Nathan, It’s Grief: The Dance of Self Discovery, As I Am Press
Daniela I Norris, Premonitions, Roundfire Books
Christina M Pages, The Woodland Adventures of Lucy and Will, Waldorf Publishing
Jeannie Panchal, Oregon Trail Activity Guide, Self-Published
Jessica Reed, Running with the Wolves, BHC Press
Jessica Renwick, The Book of Chaos, Starfell Press
A. M. Robin, Hidden Scales, A.M. Robin
Joseph Ruder, Daydreaming Danny and the Pirate Treasure, CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Sylvia Sanchez Garza, Cascarones, Floricanto Press
Navya Sarikonda, The Enchanters’ Child, Ingramspark
Chad-Michael Simon, Yellowstone: The Bears of Caldera, Hyphenated Press
Sonya Song, Pirate Bear, Chinchilla Books
Sonya Song, City of More, Chinchilla Books
Kena Sosa, The Unhuggables, River Road Press
C.R. Stewart, Britfield and the Lost Crown, Devonfield Publishing
Astrid V.J., Aspiring, Part 1 of the Siblings’ Tale, New Wings Press
Final award levels & categories will be announced on November 15, 2019
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 encouraging positive values in the impressionable minds of future generations. To learn more about Literary Classics, you may visit their website at www.clcawards.org or www.childrensliteraryclassics.com

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