“We are proud to announce this year’s winners who truly embody the excellence this award was created to celebrate. We had a record number of entries this year. Competition was stiff! We salute all of our winners for their fine work,” said FAPA’s President, Terri Gerrell.

The Florida Authors & Publishers Association is an organization for authors, publishers, independent publishers, illustrators, editors, printers, and other professionals involved in the publishing industry. It focuses on providing the highest quality of information, resources, and professional development to members and others interested in the writing and publishing profession.

About Shadows & Teeth
Now in its third volume, this horror anthology series offers readers an international perspective on horror and features such names as the UK's legendary Guy N. Smith and the Croatian Queen of Horror Viktoria Faust. The series is a favorite among readers and critics alike, having earned seven accolades since its inception in 2016.

About Darkwater Syndicate
Darkwater Syndicate is the publishing company with a defense contractor's name, and that sums up their approach to books: they refuse to be mainstream, and are not afraid to push boundaries or buck trends on their mission to promote uncommonly good reading. Founded in 2008, Darkwater began as an outlet for short stories. The company really took off in 2014 following the rampant success of The Gullwing Odyssey, its first full-length novel to hit #5 on Amazon's best-sellers list. Thereafter, the indie press has released between one and three titles a year. Ever one to punch above its weight, between January and July of 2017 the company released ten new titles by authors at home and abroad, making this its most ambitious year yet. They are headquartered in Miami Lakes, Florida.

Courtesy of the Florida Writers Association:

The Florida Writers Association, Inc., (FWA) has announced that Antonio Simon, Jr. of Miami, FL won a prestigious Royal Palm Literary Award (RPLA). Mr. Simon's winning entry, "Lilith", won First Place in the category of Published short stories.

The award was announced at FWA’s recent four-day annual conference in Altamonte Springs, Florida. This annual competition, which received 393 submissions, was RPLA’s fourteenth.

“This is the most comprehensive and competitive RPLA we’ve ever had,” said Chris Coward, RPLA chairperson. “The RPLA administrative team, judges, and entrants all did an amazing job.”

In all, the competition covered 30 adult genres and 15 Youth genres, with published and unpublished entries considered separately. There were four grand awards, as well.

The top award for youth, the Candice Coghill Memorial Award, was given for "Asleep," a book-length work of fiction by Mikaela Bender. For adults, the Dahris Clair Memorial Award for plays went to C.J. Godwin and Marie Vernon for "Graceland Express."
The Published Book of the Year was "Out of Sight, Out of Mind: A Writer’s Guide to Mastering Viewpoint," an educational / informational submission by Ken Pelham.

The Unpublished Book of the Year was "Adrift," a mystery, by Micki Browning. Micki received more than a trophy. She also received a guaranteed reading by one of the fastest growing independent publishers in the U.S. and preeminent publisher of original mystery, thriller, and suspense titles: Oceanview Publishing.

"A win at any level can help any writer market their manuscript or published book, and the detailed feedback from the judges is invaluable for all entrants," Ms. Coward said.

The Florida Writers Association, 1,500 members strong and growing, is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization that supports the state’s established and emerging writers. Membership is open to the public. The Royal Palm Literary Awards competition is a service of the Florida Writers Association established to recognize excellence in members’ published and unpublished works while providing blind, objective, and constructive written assessments for all entrants.

For additional information, visit the FWA website: floridawriters.net, where you’ll also find more about RPLA and the complete list of 2015 winners, and www.DarkwaterSyndicate.com for details about Antonio Simon, Jr.

Courtesy of the Pacific Book Review:
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PACIFIC BOOK REVIEW ANNOUNCES WINNERS & FINALISTS IN 2015 PACIFIC BOOK AWARDS

Much Anticipated Award Contest Gains Recognition for Acclaimed Authors and New Authors Alike

JUNE 3, 2015: The Second Annual Pacific Book Awards Winners & Finalists were announced on www.pacificbookreview.com on May 27th, 2015. Among the genres new for this year included categories for cover design and various children’s groupings. The award contest was open to all authors whether or not they had their book reviewed and promoted by Pacific Book Review.

“This has been an exciting event and frankly lots of fun for the judges as well as the authors,” said Nicole Sorkin, Founder of Pacific Book Review and Pacific Book Awards. “We congratulate all of the entries this year and look forward to their participation in future contests.”

Winners & Finalists for 2015 Pacific Book Awards:

 * * *
​
Winner (Humor) Title:  The Gullwing Odyssey
Author:   Antonio Simon, Jr.

The judging was open to books for submittal in which an entry scoring sheet was developed for quantifying the rating of the book on a point system from 40 to 70. Judging was in areas of originality, character development, structural underpinnings and plot machinations, as well as cover design. Other genres, for example poetry and children’s books, had qualifying criteria pursuant to excellence in those groupings.

“We’re very thankful for all the participants and judges this year,” said Beth Adams of Pacific Book Awards. Ms. Adams headed up the judging of the event.

The close of the 2015 Awards begins the opening of the 2016 Awards Contest – details and entry applications are available on the website.

Winners & Finalists received a Certificate Award with their book information signed by PBR, Winner or Finalist stickers for placement on their books (as well as a JPG format for their website), and other Internet promotion.

For a full list of the Winners & Finalists please visit: http://www.pacificbookreview.com/pacific-book-awards-contest/

ABOUT PACIFIC BOOK REVIEW:
Founded in 2005, Pacific Book Review is a recognizable name in the business for publishers, authors, literary agents and the media. They specialize in authoritative, objective book reviews, written by specialists selected for their knowledge and expertise in each genre. Its reviews have received accolades from all aspects of the publishing industry, e-Commerce recognition, scholastic recognition, news media and personal praise from most every author. For more information, please visit www.pacificbookreview.com

About Pacific Book Awards:Founded by Nicole Sorkin in 2013 an entrepreneur who has helped countless authors.  We have listened  to our colleagues talk about the ever-growing challenges when promoting books, we decided that since there were so many books being done well, we wanted to celebrate the physical book in print.  We consider cover and interior design, promotional text, aesthetic components and other factors that demonstrate outstanding presentation, in addition to the writing. We accept fiction and non-fiction books in a wide range of topics and categories including mystery, romance, business, self-help, memoirs, inspiration, and many more.

Nicole Sorkin adds, “Pacific Book Awards success begins with the enthusiastic participation of authors and publishers and continues with our distinguished panel of industry judges who bring to the table their extensive editorial, PR, marketing, and design expertise.”

Pacific Book Awards/Pacific Book Reviews covers books from all sections of the publishing industry—mainstream, independent, & self-published. More information can be found at: http://www.pacificbookreview.com

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Text courtesy of and Copyright © 2014 Pacific Book Review.
http://www.pacificbookreview.com/2015-press-release/

There you have it: Miami Is Missing, my work on Miami's abandoned, forgotten, and little-known historic places, was featured in The Miami Laker newspaper on January 16, 2015 - just in time for my presentation at Books & Books.

Here's some news that can't wait for the regular Friday update: today, September 15, 2014, The Gullwing Odyssey topped out at #5 on Amazon's best sellers list.

Today sets the new high water mark -- the novel hit #7 on December 17, 2013 (see post) and #6 on February 28, 2014 (see post).

This all wouldn't have been possible without you, the readers. As always, I sincerely appreciate your support.

Back on December 6, 2013, I shipped a copy of The Gullwing Odyssey to President and Mrs. Obama. (See: Marco Goes To Washington). It wasn't lost on me then that the first family are busy people, and so I wasn't expecting a response. So imagine my surprise when their Thank-You note came in the mail last week. Yes, I'll admit it is a form letter -- the president has more important things to do than to write to a humorist like me -- but it was a nice gesture either way.

See that big silver medal? That's the symbol of literary excellence the judges at Readers' Favorite affix to books they give a perfect five-star rating. And it's going right on the front cover of The Gullwing Odyssey.

What does that make me? Really proud and really flattered.

Readers' Favorite is the fastest growing book review and award contest site on the Internet. It is a recipient of the "Honoring Excellence" and "Best Websites for Authors" awards by the Association of Independent Authors.

On March 10, 2014, the judges at Readers' Favorite published this sterling five-star review of The Gullwing Odyssey:

Source: Readers' Favorite. Emphasis mine.

If you're late to the party and want to know what all the buzz is about, you can get your copy of The Gullwing Odyssey right here. It's available in all ebook formats as well as in paperback, with free shipping on the latter if you purchase your copy from this site.

Want to try before you buy? Sample the first three chapters for free.

Want to meet the characters first? Check out these full color portraits and interviews.

And as always, enjoy!

A milestone. A watershed. A landmark. Call it what you will, The Gullwing Odyssey has reached another.

Back on December 17 of last year, I was ecstatic to share with you the news that my novel broke into Amazon's top ten list, peaking out at #7. Have a look at the screenshot below. As of 3:45 p.m. this past Wednesday, the novel has jumped up another rung to #6.

Once again, I'm flattered and honored. This all wouldn't have been possible without you, the readers, and I sincerely appreciate your support. I'm also a bit intimidated -- though just a bit -- as you've set the bar pretty high. Now worries, though. I won't let you down.