January 24, 2013

Dude, how cool are the IPPY’s?

Wow!

Wait … breathe …

You all have been so wonderfully supportive, I have to share this with you!!!

Okay, so I get home from work, open my laptop and read an email sent from my editor at J Taylor Publishing.

‘We want to let you know that Crux was selected as our book to submit to the Independent Book Publisher (IPPY) Award for 2013. It’s heading out into the mail now, to represent our company and you and the book itself as a whole for the national award.’

I’m pretty sure my chin dropped in one of those unattractive, slack jawed moves where you’re thankful no one was watching. Yeah.

Then the smiling started.

Now you may be asking yourself, what the heck is an IPPY? It’s okay, I asked that, too. I have no pride about being a newbe. We’ll learn together.

The “IPPY” Awards were conceived as a broad-based, unaffiliated awards program open to all members of the independent publishing industry, and are open to authors and publishers worldwide who produce books written in English and intended for the North American market. We define “independent” as 1) independently owned and operated; 2) operated by a foundation or university; or 3) long-time independents that became incorporated but operate autonomously and publish fewer than 50 titles a year.

Thank you Google. 🙂 <<< Note: I’m still smiling.

There is no monetary prize, but is recognition at an annual banquet and labels and “gold stars” for the book, cover and press.

How freaking cool is that? How freakin’ cool is it I’m nominated? I am so honored and humbled and excited it’s not even funny!

Here are the IPPY Gold, Silver and Bronze Young Adult Fiction Winners from last year:

In Trouble (Carolrhoda Lab) Anteater-Boy King of Angels, A Novel About the Genesis of Identity and Belief

Man! Would I ever LOVE to see Crux in the 2013 line up of winners. I have to be honest though, the fact that my publisher nominated my book at all makes me feel like I’ve already won. It’s nice to know they believe in the story so strongly. >>> 🙂 <<<< makes me do a lot of stupid smiling.

If you’re curious you can see all of category winners here: http://astore.amazon.com/independpublis2012-20?node=4&page=4

And check out the contest itself here: www.independentpublisher.com/ipland/IPAwards.php

If you haven’t heard of my debut book, here’s the skinny on that, too.

http://www.jtaylorpublishing.com/books/13

She should have run. Now, she’ll have to fight. Eighteen year old Birdie may be homeless, but she’s surviving, that is until a mysterious guy throws money in the air like a crazy game show host and she grabs some with the idea she’ll be able to buy dinner that night. In that singular moment, unassuming Birdie becomes the girl in everyone’s viewfinder. Thugs want to kill her. Money-guy wants to recruit her. The very hot, very rich and very out of her league Grey Mathews wants to save her. Birdie, though, wants nothing to do with any of them until she realizes fate didn’t bring them all together. Her heritage did. Now, with only twenty-one days left, she’s got to decide whether to follow in the footsteps of those before her or risk her life for people she’s only just met.

I just want to thank the folks at J Taylor Publishing again for taking a chance on me in the first place, for all their help and support, and for the nomination. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for the opportunity. And I’m sending out a HUGE thanks and (((cyber hugs))) to my writing buddies, readers and fans for all of your crazy encouragement and support. You really are the best of the best! ♥