On Saturday night, August 8, the
Florida Authors & Publishers Association (FAPA) gave out its
prestigious annual President’s Awards for the best books of 2014 and the
first half of 2015 by authors and publishers in Florida and throughout
the United States. The event, which took place at the Hilton
Orlando/Lake Buena Vista Resort, recognized outstanding books by
awarding gold and up to two silver medals in categories ranging from
children’s books to adult fiction, from memoirs to self-help, from
business books to e-books.
“The 2015 award winners elevate publishing both regionally and nationally. The awards continue to command the attention of industry professionals and readers!” said Mark Wayne Adams, FAPA President.
The following winners were selected in the following categories by the competition’s 31 judges – 27 national state librarians and four publishing professionals:
Press Release Link
CHILDREN’S FICTION
SILVER:Liesel’s Ocean Rescue, Barbara Krasner, Avi Katz, Gihon River Press
SILVER:Lost Loot, D.G. Stern, Deborah Allison, Neptune Press
GOLD:Lost in Boston, Jane R. Wood, Florida Kids Press
CHILDREN’S NON-FICTION
SILVER:Same is Lame, Jimmy Vee, Mike Motz, Atlas Press
SILVER:Pelican Pete's Backyard Adventures: Nature Discoveries And Outdoor Fun, Frances Keiser, Hugh Keiser, Sagaponack Books
GOLD:Sea Slime: It's Eeuwy, Gooey and Under the Sea, Ellen Prager, Shennen Bersani, Arbordale Publishing
FLORIDA YOUNG CHILDREN’S BOOK
SILVER:Goodnight Gators, Patricia Baloyra, Ampersand, Inc
SILVER:Baby Animals of Florida, Kathleen King, South Bay Publishing
GOLD:Eli’s Balloon, Candace Ruffin, Mark Wayne Adams, The Writing Cane
CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK
SILVER:Laura and Grandpa: Discovering Science Together, Book 3, Dr. Robert H. Krupp, Kristina Edstrom, Simple Science Books
SILVER:Lea the Christmas Angel, Brenda Sue Boulden Thompson, Kayla Lynn Olson, Middle River Press
GOLD:X’s and O’s for Gabby Ann, Petrell Marie Ozbay, Mike Motz, Adorn, Inc.
GOLD:Fast Freddie, Lee Ann Mancini, Dan Sharp, GLM Publishing
FLORIDA CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK
SILVER:X’s and O’s for Gabby Ann, Petrell Marie Ozbay, Mike Motz, Adorn, Inc.
SILVER:You’re a Crocagator, Kenny Rager, Patti Brassard Jefferson, Halo Publishing
GOLD:Sometimes I Dream, Jose Colon, Jennifer Schmucker, Making Memories Portraits, Halo International
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
SILVER:The Sparks, Kyle Prue, Barringer Publishing
SILVER:FreeK Week, Steve Burt, Steve Burt Books
GOLD:An Unrequited Fall, Leslee Horner, CalBel Productions, LLC
FLORIDA YOUNG ADULT (FICTION & NON-FICTION)
SILVER:The Izzy Story, Ddwlem, Chalice Mitchell, Ddwlem, LLC
SILVER:John Horse, Florida’s First Freedom Fighter, Betty Turso, CreateSpace
GOLD:The Sparks, Kyle Prue, Barringer Publishing
EDUCATION
SILVER:The Magic Ice Cream Palace, Jose Colon, Amy Rottinger, Halo International Publishing
SILVER:Sometimes I Dream, Jose Colon, Jennifer Schmucker, Making Memories Portraits, Halo International Publishing
GOLD:Parts of Speech Parade, New York City, Irina Gonikberg Dolinskiy, Mark Wayne Adams, Mark Wayne Adams, Inc.
BUSINESS
SILVER:2015 Weird & Wacky Holiday Marketing Guide, Ginger Marks, DocUmeant Publishing
SILVER:The CEO and I.T. Department, Donald J. Burchell, South Bay Publishing
GOLD:Protecting Your Nest Egg, Page Cole
REFERENCE
SILVER:Captivate Your Readers: An Editor’s Guide to Writing Compelling Fiction, Jodie Renner, Cobalt Books
SILVER:The Plan that Launched a Thousand Books, Tara R. Alemany, Emerald Lake Books
GOLD:The Little Red Writing Book, Brandon Royal, Maven Publishing
GOLD:The Weekend Book Proposal, Ryan G. Van Cleave, Writer’s Digest Books
RELIGION
SILVER:A Taste of Chocolate for the Soul, Dr. Carol Kennedy, Westbow
SILVER:Shiloh Unveiled, Walter Joseph Schenck, Jr., iUniverse, LLC
GOLD:Still Wearing My Heels, Michelle Frazzetto, Peppertree Press
SPORTS & RECREATION
SILVER:Reeling in Time with Fish Tales, Capt. Brian E. Smith, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
GOLD:A Secret History of the Ollie: Volume 1: The 1970’s, Craig B. Snyder, Black Salt Press
E-BOOK ADULT
SILVER:Immigration: Obama Must Act Now, Leonard Birdsong, Winghurst Publications
SILVER:Jupiter and Gilgamesh, Scott Archer Jones, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
GOLD:The Big Wheel, Scott Archer Jones, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
E-BOOK CHILDREN
SILVER:My Pink Airplane, Tracy Bryan, Tracy Bryan
SILVER:Lift, Tracy Bryan, Tracy Bryan
GOLD:My Silly Dog Gus, C. K. Carter, Ricardo J. Rodriguez, C. K. Carter
SHORT FICTION
SILVER:The Day the Mirror Cried, Saundra Kelley, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
SILVER:History and Mystery Oh My!, Sarah E. Glenn, Mystery & Horror, LLC
GOLD:Now We Will Be Happy, Amina Gautier, University of Nebraska Press
ADULT FICTION: GENERAL
SILVER:Iron Butterfly, Lisa Wainland, Twin Tree Press
SILVER:Lost Twin, D. W. Harper, HayMarBooks, LLC
GOLD:The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky, David Litwack, Evolved Publishing
ADULT FICTION: GENRE
SILVER:Iron Butterfly, Lisa Wainland, Twin Tree Press
SILVER:Memory House, Bette Lee Crosby, Bent Pine Publishing
GOLD:The Farber Legacy, George Encizo, CreateSpace
GOLD:Good Sam, Dete Meserve, Melrose Hill Publishing
ADULT FICTION: ACTION/SUSPENSE
SILVER:Shark Fin Soup, Susan Klaus, Oceanview Publishing
SILVER:Murder in Nice, Susan Kiernan-Lewis, San Marco Press
GOLD:The Care Card, Darryl Bollinger, JNB Press
ADULT FICTION: HISTORICAL
SILVER:Over Here, James Hockenberry, HN Books
SILVER:Callie Kinser of Brush Creek, Ron Miller, Antebellum Press
SILVER:Not Just Another War Story, Wayne G. MacDowell, DocUmeant Publishing
GOLD:Fate & Freedom, Book 1 - The Middle Passage, K. I. Knight, First Freedom Publishing
ADULT: NON-FICTION
SILVER:Hadrian's Wall Path, Jane V. Blanchard, Jane V. Blanchard
SILVER:Oh My God, I’m Feeling Older and So Is My Mom, Scott Greenberg, Star Group Books
GOLD:Unbroken Circles for Schools, Ken Johnson, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
POETRY
SILVER:Just One Scent: The Rest is God, Piero Rivolta, Bardolf & Company
SILVER:Kinyamaswa: An Epic Poem, Andreas Morgner, Apprentice House Press
GOLD:Dinosaurs Living in My Hair, Jayne M Rose-Vallee, Anni Matsick, Rosevalle Creations
FLORIDA FICTION FOR ADULTS
SILVER:The Care Card, Darryl Bollinger, JNB Press
SILVER:Mercedes Wore Black, Andrea Brunais, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
SILVER:Mosquito County, Lucinda Waldron, Outskirts Press
GOLD:Save My Place, Olivia deBelle Byrd, Mercer University Press
FLORIDA NON-FICTION FOR ADULTS
SILVER:Shade in the Sunshine State, Liz Coursen, First Person Publications
SILVER:Right Smart to Say, Robert H. Gore, III, Middle River Press
GOLD:Images of America: Key Biscayne, James Kushlan and Kirsten Hines, Arcadia Publishing
BIOGRAPHY
GOLD :Women of Valor, Joanne D. Gilbert, Gihon River Press
AUTOBIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
SILVER:Walking to Woot: A Photographic Narrative Discovering New Dimensions for Parent/Teen Bonding, Jackie Chase, Adventure Travel Press
SILVER:How We Said Goodnight, Rachel Silsdorf, Bardolf & Company
GOLD:Blasted By Adversity: The Making Of A Wounded Warrior, Luke Murphy with Julie Bettinger, Inkshares, Inc.
HEALTH & FITNESS
SILVER:Things I Wish I’d Known: Cancer and Kids, Deborah J. Cornwall, Bardolf & Company
GOLD:Surviving Cancer: Our Voices & Choices, Marion Behr, WWH Press
HOME AND GARDEN
GOLD:Attracting Birds to South Florida Gardens, James A. Kushlan & Kristen Hines, University Press of Florida
COOKBOOK
GOLD:The Air Diet: Recipes & Tips for Success in Your Allergy-free Kitchen, Laura Merrill Godfrey, Jigsaw Living
POLITICAL
GOLD:Unbroken Circles for Schools, Ken Johnson, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
HOW TO/SELF-HELP
SILVER:The Plan that Launched a Thousand Books, Tara R. Alemany, Emerald Lake Books
SILVER:Traveling Stories: Lessons from the Journey of Life, Terri Clements Dean, LifeStory Publishing
GOLD:Elderly Parents With All Their Marbles (A Survivial Guide for the Kids), Pamela Carey, Barking Cat Books - Imprint of New River Press
COFFEE TABLE BOOK
SILVER:Walkabout Europe, Cliff Roles, Bardolf & Company
SILVER:Coastal Dune Lakes: Jewels of Florida’s Emerald Coast, Nick Stoltzfus, Live Oak Production Group
GOLD:Birds of Fairchild, Kristen Hines, James A Kushlan Photographer, Acclaim Press
HUMOR
SILVER:Shorts for the Beach, J. M. Fisher
SILVER:Mark Taylor’s Checkered Past: S.S. Guilt Trip, Angelina Assanti, City of Palms Publishing Co.
GOLD:Oh My God, I’m Feeling Older and So Is My Mom, Scott Greenberg, Star Group Books
COVER DESIGN: SMALL FORMAT
SILVER:The Big Wheel, Scott Archer Jones, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
SILVER:The Lost Twin, D. W. Harper, HayMarBooks, LLC
GOLD:Save My Place, Olivia deBelle Byrd, Mercer University Press
COVER DESIGN: LARGE FORMAT
SILVER:Dinosaurs Living in My Hair, Jayne M Rose-Vallee, Anni Matsick, Rosevalle Creations
SILVER:Flight of the Golden Harpy, Susan Klaus, Tom Doherty Associate Book
GOLD:Fate & Freedom, Book 1 - The Middle Passage, K. I. Knight, First Freedom Publishing
FOUNDERS AWARD
Patricia Charpentier, Writing Your Life
“The 2015 award winners elevate publishing both regionally and nationally. The awards continue to command the attention of industry professionals and readers!” said Mark Wayne Adams, FAPA President.
The following winners were selected in the following categories by the competition’s 31 judges – 27 national state librarians and four publishing professionals:
Press Release Link
CHILDREN’S FICTION
SILVER:Liesel’s Ocean Rescue, Barbara Krasner, Avi Katz, Gihon River Press
SILVER:Lost Loot, D.G. Stern, Deborah Allison, Neptune Press
GOLD:Lost in Boston, Jane R. Wood, Florida Kids Press
CHILDREN’S NON-FICTION
SILVER:Same is Lame, Jimmy Vee, Mike Motz, Atlas Press
SILVER:Pelican Pete's Backyard Adventures: Nature Discoveries And Outdoor Fun, Frances Keiser, Hugh Keiser, Sagaponack Books
GOLD:Sea Slime: It's Eeuwy, Gooey and Under the Sea, Ellen Prager, Shennen Bersani, Arbordale Publishing
FLORIDA YOUNG CHILDREN’S BOOK
SILVER:Goodnight Gators, Patricia Baloyra, Ampersand, Inc
SILVER:Baby Animals of Florida, Kathleen King, South Bay Publishing
GOLD:Eli’s Balloon, Candace Ruffin, Mark Wayne Adams, The Writing Cane
CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK
SILVER:Laura and Grandpa: Discovering Science Together, Book 3, Dr. Robert H. Krupp, Kristina Edstrom, Simple Science Books
SILVER:Lea the Christmas Angel, Brenda Sue Boulden Thompson, Kayla Lynn Olson, Middle River Press
GOLD:X’s and O’s for Gabby Ann, Petrell Marie Ozbay, Mike Motz, Adorn, Inc.
GOLD:Fast Freddie, Lee Ann Mancini, Dan Sharp, GLM Publishing
FLORIDA CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK
SILVER:X’s and O’s for Gabby Ann, Petrell Marie Ozbay, Mike Motz, Adorn, Inc.
SILVER:You’re a Crocagator, Kenny Rager, Patti Brassard Jefferson, Halo Publishing
GOLD:Sometimes I Dream, Jose Colon, Jennifer Schmucker, Making Memories Portraits, Halo International
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
SILVER:The Sparks, Kyle Prue, Barringer Publishing
SILVER:FreeK Week, Steve Burt, Steve Burt Books
GOLD:An Unrequited Fall, Leslee Horner, CalBel Productions, LLC
FLORIDA YOUNG ADULT (FICTION & NON-FICTION)
SILVER:The Izzy Story, Ddwlem, Chalice Mitchell, Ddwlem, LLC
SILVER:John Horse, Florida’s First Freedom Fighter, Betty Turso, CreateSpace
GOLD:The Sparks, Kyle Prue, Barringer Publishing
EDUCATION
SILVER:The Magic Ice Cream Palace, Jose Colon, Amy Rottinger, Halo International Publishing
SILVER:Sometimes I Dream, Jose Colon, Jennifer Schmucker, Making Memories Portraits, Halo International Publishing
GOLD:Parts of Speech Parade, New York City, Irina Gonikberg Dolinskiy, Mark Wayne Adams, Mark Wayne Adams, Inc.
BUSINESS
SILVER:2015 Weird & Wacky Holiday Marketing Guide, Ginger Marks, DocUmeant Publishing
SILVER:The CEO and I.T. Department, Donald J. Burchell, South Bay Publishing
GOLD:Protecting Your Nest Egg, Page Cole
REFERENCE
SILVER:Captivate Your Readers: An Editor’s Guide to Writing Compelling Fiction, Jodie Renner, Cobalt Books
SILVER:The Plan that Launched a Thousand Books, Tara R. Alemany, Emerald Lake Books
GOLD:The Little Red Writing Book, Brandon Royal, Maven Publishing
GOLD:The Weekend Book Proposal, Ryan G. Van Cleave, Writer’s Digest Books
RELIGION
SILVER:A Taste of Chocolate for the Soul, Dr. Carol Kennedy, Westbow
SILVER:Shiloh Unveiled, Walter Joseph Schenck, Jr., iUniverse, LLC
GOLD:Still Wearing My Heels, Michelle Frazzetto, Peppertree Press
SPORTS & RECREATION
SILVER:Reeling in Time with Fish Tales, Capt. Brian E. Smith, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
GOLD:A Secret History of the Ollie: Volume 1: The 1970’s, Craig B. Snyder, Black Salt Press
E-BOOK ADULT
SILVER:Immigration: Obama Must Act Now, Leonard Birdsong, Winghurst Publications
SILVER:Jupiter and Gilgamesh, Scott Archer Jones, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
GOLD:The Big Wheel, Scott Archer Jones, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
E-BOOK CHILDREN
SILVER:My Pink Airplane, Tracy Bryan, Tracy Bryan
SILVER:Lift, Tracy Bryan, Tracy Bryan
GOLD:My Silly Dog Gus, C. K. Carter, Ricardo J. Rodriguez, C. K. Carter
SHORT FICTION
SILVER:The Day the Mirror Cried, Saundra Kelley, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
SILVER:History and Mystery Oh My!, Sarah E. Glenn, Mystery & Horror, LLC
GOLD:Now We Will Be Happy, Amina Gautier, University of Nebraska Press
ADULT FICTION: GENERAL
SILVER:Iron Butterfly, Lisa Wainland, Twin Tree Press
SILVER:Lost Twin, D. W. Harper, HayMarBooks, LLC
GOLD:The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky, David Litwack, Evolved Publishing
ADULT FICTION: GENRE
SILVER:Iron Butterfly, Lisa Wainland, Twin Tree Press
SILVER:Memory House, Bette Lee Crosby, Bent Pine Publishing
GOLD:The Farber Legacy, George Encizo, CreateSpace
GOLD:Good Sam, Dete Meserve, Melrose Hill Publishing
ADULT FICTION: ACTION/SUSPENSE
SILVER:Shark Fin Soup, Susan Klaus, Oceanview Publishing
SILVER:Murder in Nice, Susan Kiernan-Lewis, San Marco Press
GOLD:The Care Card, Darryl Bollinger, JNB Press
ADULT FICTION: HISTORICAL
SILVER:Over Here, James Hockenberry, HN Books
SILVER:Callie Kinser of Brush Creek, Ron Miller, Antebellum Press
SILVER:Not Just Another War Story, Wayne G. MacDowell, DocUmeant Publishing
GOLD:Fate & Freedom, Book 1 - The Middle Passage, K. I. Knight, First Freedom Publishing
ADULT: NON-FICTION
SILVER:Hadrian's Wall Path, Jane V. Blanchard, Jane V. Blanchard
SILVER:Oh My God, I’m Feeling Older and So Is My Mom, Scott Greenberg, Star Group Books
GOLD:Unbroken Circles for Schools, Ken Johnson, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
POETRY
SILVER:Just One Scent: The Rest is God, Piero Rivolta, Bardolf & Company
SILVER:Kinyamaswa: An Epic Poem, Andreas Morgner, Apprentice House Press
GOLD:Dinosaurs Living in My Hair, Jayne M Rose-Vallee, Anni Matsick, Rosevalle Creations
FLORIDA FICTION FOR ADULTS
SILVER:The Care Card, Darryl Bollinger, JNB Press
SILVER:Mercedes Wore Black, Andrea Brunais, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
SILVER:Mosquito County, Lucinda Waldron, Outskirts Press
GOLD:Save My Place, Olivia deBelle Byrd, Mercer University Press
FLORIDA NON-FICTION FOR ADULTS
SILVER:Shade in the Sunshine State, Liz Coursen, First Person Publications
SILVER:Right Smart to Say, Robert H. Gore, III, Middle River Press
GOLD:Images of America: Key Biscayne, James Kushlan and Kirsten Hines, Arcadia Publishing
BIOGRAPHY
GOLD :Women of Valor, Joanne D. Gilbert, Gihon River Press
AUTOBIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
SILVER:Walking to Woot: A Photographic Narrative Discovering New Dimensions for Parent/Teen Bonding, Jackie Chase, Adventure Travel Press
SILVER:How We Said Goodnight, Rachel Silsdorf, Bardolf & Company
GOLD:Blasted By Adversity: The Making Of A Wounded Warrior, Luke Murphy with Julie Bettinger, Inkshares, Inc.
HEALTH & FITNESS
SILVER:Things I Wish I’d Known: Cancer and Kids, Deborah J. Cornwall, Bardolf & Company
GOLD:Surviving Cancer: Our Voices & Choices, Marion Behr, WWH Press
HOME AND GARDEN
GOLD:Attracting Birds to South Florida Gardens, James A. Kushlan & Kristen Hines, University Press of Florida
COOKBOOK
GOLD:The Air Diet: Recipes & Tips for Success in Your Allergy-free Kitchen, Laura Merrill Godfrey, Jigsaw Living
POLITICAL
GOLD:Unbroken Circles for Schools, Ken Johnson, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
HOW TO/SELF-HELP
SILVER:The Plan that Launched a Thousand Books, Tara R. Alemany, Emerald Lake Books
SILVER:Traveling Stories: Lessons from the Journey of Life, Terri Clements Dean, LifeStory Publishing
GOLD:Elderly Parents With All Their Marbles (A Survivial Guide for the Kids), Pamela Carey, Barking Cat Books - Imprint of New River Press
COFFEE TABLE BOOK
SILVER:Walkabout Europe, Cliff Roles, Bardolf & Company
SILVER:Coastal Dune Lakes: Jewels of Florida’s Emerald Coast, Nick Stoltzfus, Live Oak Production Group
GOLD:Birds of Fairchild, Kristen Hines, James A Kushlan Photographer, Acclaim Press
HUMOR
SILVER:Shorts for the Beach, J. M. Fisher
SILVER:Mark Taylor’s Checkered Past: S.S. Guilt Trip, Angelina Assanti, City of Palms Publishing Co.
GOLD:Oh My God, I’m Feeling Older and So Is My Mom, Scott Greenberg, Star Group Books
COVER DESIGN: SMALL FORMAT
SILVER:The Big Wheel, Scott Archer Jones, Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
SILVER:The Lost Twin, D. W. Harper, HayMarBooks, LLC
GOLD:Save My Place, Olivia deBelle Byrd, Mercer University Press
COVER DESIGN: LARGE FORMAT
SILVER:Dinosaurs Living in My Hair, Jayne M Rose-Vallee, Anni Matsick, Rosevalle Creations
SILVER:Flight of the Golden Harpy, Susan Klaus, Tom Doherty Associate Book
GOLD:Fate & Freedom, Book 1 - The Middle Passage, K. I. Knight, First Freedom Publishing
FOUNDERS AWARD
Patricia Charpentier, Writing Your Life
