Press Releases
April 18, 2004
For Immediate Release
Contact: Andrea W. Patterson, (916) 730-1081
awards@norcalpa.org
History Comes Alive: Historical Fiction Drama Wins Top Award at NCPA's Annual Book Awards
Sacramento (April 18, 2004) -- The standout winner at the tenth annual Northern California Publishers & Authors Book Awards, The Others at Monticello, Vol. 1, opens a window to the largely unexplored relationships between Thomas Jefferson and his slaves, especially Sally Hemings and her children. The Others at Monticello, Vol. 1, by Esther Franklin (Xlibris Publishing, Inc., ISBN 1-4010-6680-1) captured two of this year's 23 awards: Best Book Overall/Gold Award and Best Historical Fiction Drama.
Franklin, a resident of Sacramento has held library-related faculty positions in several universities. "My years of research and writing have produced a novel with special appeal for persons of mixed heritage," Franklin said.
Best Book Overall/Silver Award, Best Cover-Child, Best Children-Illustrated, Best Illustrated-Interior Child, Best Illustrated Cover, and Best Web Site went to The Gorilla Who Wanted to Dance by Linda Marchus (Wee Read Publishing, ISBN 0-9723122-1-8). This book tickles the imagination of children while at the same time teaching them how to follow their dreams through a whimsical rhyming story about a young gorilla who follows her passion in spite of daunting challenges. A previous book by Marchus, Hoot'n Annie, won three awards in 2003.
California's Arab Americans by Janice Marschner (Coleman Ranch Press, ISBN 0-9677069-7-1) took Best Book Overall/Bronze Award and tied with The History of the Paso Robles Inn for Best Nonfiction History. California's Arab Americans richly provides information summarizing geographical, sociological, and historical facts about the Arab world and Arab immigration, providing an understanding about why and when immigration occurred as well as family histories corresponding to the customary regional divisions. A previous book by Marschner, California 1850: A Snapshot in Time, won five NCPA awards in 2001.
We'll Give Him a Hearty Welcome, Then... by Elizabeth A. Martin (1st Books, ISBN 1-4107-6943-7) won awards for Best First Book, Best Bookmark, and Best Postcard.
Other winners were Best Fiction/Drama Award for Fool Me Once (Pacific Slope Press, ISBN 0-97402150-4); Best Fantasy Award for Ten Dragon Tails by Candy Taylor Tutt (Libris Draconis Press, ISBN 0-9728124-0-7); Best Spiritual Book Award for The Death of Thomas Merton by Paul Hourihan (Vedantic Shores Press, ISBN 1-931816-01-8); Best Romantic Book Award for A Yellow Cotton Dress by H. L. Osteen (Oz-Osteen Zalar Publishing, ISBN 0-9716437-4-1); Best Action Book Award for Gold Raid by Ed Mitchell (California Coast Publishing, ISBN 0-9668447-9-3); Best Nonfiction History Book Award for The History of the Paso Robles Inn by Ann Martin Bowler (Oak Lake Press, ISBN 0-9744115-0-7) and California's Arab Americans by Janice Marschner (Coleman Ranch Press, ISBN 0-9677069-7-1); Best Nonfiction General and Best Self-Help Awards for Your Life in Print by Pat Cuellar (LifePrints Publishing, ISBN 0-9729910-0-X); Best Health Award for Weight Lost Forever by Henry K. Chang, M.D. (Long Bow Publishing, ISBN 0-9729368-0-7); and Best Christian Award for Recipes for a Happier Marriage by Marlys J. Norris and Joe Baginski (Pleasant Word Publishing, ISBN 1-57921-639-0).
Presenters at the April 17 gala held at the Embassy Suites Hotel were The Sacramento Bee's former managing editor Bill Endicott, who also emceed, and publicist Alice B. Acheson, a Literary Market Place award winner.
Acheson, a former publicity director at McGraw-Hill, Simon & Schuster, and Crown Publishers, was in Sacramento to speak at NCPA's annual conference held in conjunction with the awards gala. Publisher Ruth Gottstein of Volcano Press was the bonus conference speaker.
Since 1994, Northern California Publishers & Authors has rewarded excellence in Northern California small presses and independent publishers. Formerly known as Sacramento Publishers Association, NCPA changed its name in recognition of the many authors who also benefit from NCPA's educational meeting programs.
Winners are available for interview.
Book photos and additional contact information are available at www.norcalpa.org/awards/2003_awards.shtml.
Jan. 27, 2004
For Immediate Release
For more information: awards@norcalpa.org
Marketing Seminar for Writers and Publishers
Writers! Publishers! Take the next step to success of your book: deliver it to the reading public with smart marketing techniques and strategies. Plan now to celebrate Spring by attending the 10th annual seminar and book awards event of the Northern California Publishers & Authors.
Publicity and marketing specialist Alice B. Acheson, with wide experience in the literary marketplace, will be the featured conference speaker at the 10th annual awards gala of the Northern California Publishers & Authors on April 17.
The conference is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon, with the Awards luncheon to follow. Awards in more than 25 categories will be given for outstanding works by independent publishers and authors. A cocktail reception is slated for 7 p.m. April 16.
Mighty Marketing Mantra is the topic of Acheson's address. A successful publicity and marketing specialist, Acheson is a former publicity director at McGraw Hill, Simon and Schuster, and Crown Publishers. Her efforts have resulted in four simultaneous New York Times bestsellers.
This seminar is for all writers, publishers and speakers. "It will answer a key question: why do so many small publishers and individual authors get 'taken' by unscrupulous publicists who don't perform after taking the money?" Acheson says.
In this information-packed seminar, Acheson will shed light on such topics as the difference between publicity and marketing--is there one; why is publicity necessary, and what does it typically cost. She will also disclose the most important piece of paper a publisher can provide to the author, explore various marketing mediums such as book release vs. press release. vs. postcard vs. letter, and the all important bottom line--major publisher vs. independent publisher. In addition, she will share tips on the marketing direction of the book industry.
At a bonus session, Ruth Gottstein, publisher of more than 30 books, will share her insights about the history of independent publishing, including e-books and books on demand, and how it changed what used to be conventional publishing. At the conclusion of the conference, there will be a drawing for a half-hour consultation with Alice B. Acheson.
Bill Endicott, former deputy managing editor, Sacramento Bee, will emcee the Northern California Publishers & Authors book awards luncheon.
Conference fees, $95 ($105 after March 26) include an invitation to a reception April 16 at 7 p.m. Registration forms may be obtained from the NCPA Web site, www.norcalpa.org.
