Blue Violet Wins Bronze at the IPPYs!!!

I am thrilled to announce that Blue Violet – my debut novel and the first book of the Svatura series – won Bronze in the Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror eBook category at the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs) for 2013!!!!!

I am beyond thrilled and honored to have placed!

Click here to see more details: http://www.independentpublisher.com

Almost 2,500 independent authors and publishers participated, submitting over 5,300 entries this year. IPPY gold, silver and bronze medallions are awarded in 77 national, 22 regional, and ten e-book categories. Per their press release… “Conducted each year to honor the year’s best independently published books, the “IPPY” Awards recognize excellence in a broad range of subjects and reward authors and publishers who “take chances and break new ground.” Independent publishers, along with independent booksellers, have long held an important role in the world of books, offering an alternative to “the big five” conglomerated media publishers.”

The IPPYs is the first writing contest I have ever entered. I had received good feedback from a majority of readers of Blue Violet since I released it in August 2012 and thought I’d take a shot. As I researched writing contests, I discovered that they are very competitive, and also very pricey. For each contest, you can enter your book in multiple categories. But for each category you pay between $50 and $100. That adds up fast. So I was very selective with the contest I decided to enter.

After quite a bit of research, I decided to enter one category in the IPPYs. I debated between entering print or eBook. I also debated between entering Blue Violet – a paranormal romance – in the Fantasy, Romance, or Young Adult category, or in general fiction. Finally I decided on Fantasy eBook, feeling it was the best fit for my book.

And I won bronze!!!! I can hardly believe it. Cloud nine doesn’t even come close. I would like to thank the judges for this honor. I would also like to congratulate all the other medalists including my fellow category winners Joshua Viola and Janine A. Southard!