Dear Friends,
Last week I cried. I cried hard.
But they were happy tears. Validating tears.
I found out that my debut novel, Tiger Drive, has been nominated for the Benjamin Franklin Award:
“The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards™, which include over fifty categories recognizing excellence in book editorial and design, are regarded as one of the highest national honors for independent publishers…Gold winners will be announced April 5, 2019, during a gala dinner ceremony held in conjunction with IBPA Publishing University in Chicago, Illinois.”
Why is this recognition so important to me when it’s already been so rewarding and gratifying to see how readers have responded to–even related to–the Sloan Family’s determination to change after generations of family secrets, addiction, and trauma? Why am I thrilled at this ‘shout out’ and pleased with the silver Benjamin, or still possible, gold Benjamin?
Because the publishing world is noisy. There are thousands of publishers and authors adding hundreds of books into the mix every day, and just as I had to fight stereotypes as a child (trailer trash, white trash, poor, rough, unfortunate), I’ve had to fight stereotypes as an indie author (you’re not traditionally published, you don’t have an agent, your book must not be good, you’re not in bookstores . . . ).
Because, as a subscriber, you have shown up week after week(some, for years now) supporting this book. Thank YOU. And to show my thanks, I’m going to raffle off a free signed copy of my new novel coming on April 16th to my current subscribers: In the Doghouse: A Couple’s Breakup from Their Dog’s Point of View. Email me if you want to be included: teri@tericase.com
Because it takes a village to write and publish a novel and this award, silver or gold, is for them! The video below shows each contributor’s beautiful face:
And because I’m honored to be a finalist with the following three authors.All three have a wealth of experience. One was an American journalist and assistant editor at The Capital, a newspaper published in Annapolis, Maryland. He also taught at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Another has been a USA TODAY bestselling author. And still, another is a psychotherapist, working with children, teens and their families. I cannot wait to read their books, and I will be reading them as soon as I finish a book I’m reading now, Peter B. Mire’s Lost Carson City (the Nevada town I grew up in).
More importantly, I can’t wait to post a review for each of their books, because reviews help readers decide if the purchase is right for them. I’ll be sure to share my reviews with you in the future. But for now, don’t we look great together?
Please join me in congratulating Cathy Zane, Rob Hiaasen, and Dave Edlund on their silver or gold BFA!And before I go, thank you so much IBPA for all that you do for the independent book publishing industry. You are making a difference, every day. Thank you, judges!
Until next time, thanks for being you and for your support. And feel free to share this post.
Teri
