I am incredibly honored that my children’s picture book Mama’s Purse won first place in the Best Children’s Book category at the Top Idaho Author and Books Awards hosted by the Idaho Book Extravaganza. This is the sixth award Mama’s Purse has won!
Top Idaho Author and Book Awards Reception
November 21, 2013
5:30 – 8:00
Beside Bardenay (612 Grove St., 83702)
The Top Idaho Author and Book Awards reception honors Idaho’s best books and most talented authors. Don’t miss this opportunity to network, celebrate local talent, and support the Idaho writing community!
The awards reception is open to the public and will take place on November 21 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Beside Bardenay (612 Grove St., 83702). There will be live music by Boise musician Yvonne Rousseau, and event co-director Stacy Ennis will MC this must-attend event. Appetizers will be provided, and drinks will be available to purchase.
Get your tickets: http://idahoawards.eventbrite.com/
Questions? Contact: idahobookawards@gmail.com
2013 Top Idaho Author and Book Awards Winners
Top 10 Idaho Books – Nonfiction
Nathan Barry, Authority
Dale Dixon, Sweating Bullets
Angela Young, Spoiled Milk
Catherine Owens, Be Your Own Hero
Michele de Reus, Daring to Choose
Jill Skeem, Comfort Food Gets a Vegan Makeover
A. K. Turner, This Little Piggy Went to the Liquor Store
Whit Mitchell, Working in Sync
Walt Hampton, Journeys on the Edge
Bob Faw, Energize
Top 10 Idaho Books – Fiction
Judith McConnell Steele, The Angel of Esperança
Joanne Pence, Ancient Echoes
Donna Cook, Gift of the Phoenix
Jack Patterson, Triple Cross
Russell Elkins, Sparks the Matchmaker
Joel Lund, The Temple of Kahrnahrgx
Kathy McIntosh, Mustard’s Last Stand
Kristine McCord, The Santa Society
Angela Ruth Strong, Lighten Up
Rebecca Carey Lyles, Winds of Freedom
Honorable Mention: Oliver Dahl, The Dreamers
Best New Idaho Author – Nonfiction
1st Place: Nathan Barry, Authority
2nd Place: Dale Dixon, Sweating Bullets
3rd Place: Angela Young, Spoiled Milk
Honorable Mentions: Jill Skeem, Comfort Food Gets a Vegan Makeover; Catherine Owens, Be Your Own Hero; Kurt Koontz, One Million Steps
Best New Idaho Author – Fiction
1st Place: Donna Cook, Gift of the Phoenix
2nd Place: B. D. Riehl, The Earth Is Full
3rd Place: Kathy McIntosh, Mustard’s Last Stand
Best Children’s Book:
1st Place: A.J. Irving, Mama’s Purse
2nd Place: Mike Sanders, Jabbers
Best Interior Design – Nonfiction
1st Place: Angela Young, Spoiled Milk, designed by Shiloh Schroeder, Fusion Creative Works
2nd Place: Catherine Owens, Be Your Own Hero, designed by Shiloh Schroeder, Fusion Creative Works
3rd Place: Whit Mitchell, Working in Sync, designed by Nick Zelinger, NZ Graphics
Honorable Mention: Jill Skeem, Comfort Food Gets a Vegan Makeover, designed by Jason Lugo
Best Interior Design – Fiction
1st Place: Judith McConnell Steele, The Angel of Esperança, designed by Sarah Tregay
2nd Place: Joel Lund, The Temple of Kahrnahrgx, designed by Shiloh Schroeder, Fusion Creative Works
3rd Place: B. D. Riehl, The Earth Is Full, designed by Mike Sloane; Russell Elkins, Sparks the Matchmaker, designed by Russell Elkins
Honorable Mention: Donna Cook, Gift of the Phoenix, designed by Donna Cook
Best Cover Design – Nonfiction
1st Place: Angela Young, Spoiled Milk, designed by Cari Campbell Design
2nd Place: Catherine Owens, Be Your Own Hero, designed by Cari Campbell Design
3rd Place: Dale Dixon, Sweating Bullets, designed by Cari Campbell Design
Honorable Mention: Cynthia Fackrell, Gravity’s Embrace, designed by Cari Campbell Design
Best Cover Design – Fiction
1st Place: Judith McConnell Steele, The Angel of Esperança, designed by Sarah Tregay
2nd Place: Elaine Ambrose and A. K. Turner, Drinking with Dead Women Writers, designed by Ward Hooper
3rd Place: B. D. Riehl, The Earth Is Full, designed by Mike Sloane
Honorable Mention: Donna Cook, Gift of the Phoenix, designed by Kevin McCain
The Top Idaho Author and Book Awards honor Idaho’s best books and most talented authors and are based on five categories: Top 10 Books, Best New Author, Best Children’s Book (middle-grade and picture books), Best Cover Design, and Best Interior Design. Awards are open to Idaho residents, or authors whose books have been published through an Idaho publishing company, who have released titles in the last three years.
Award Categories
Fiction and nonfiction entries will be judged by separate panels. Some categories will be awarded to both nonfiction and fiction. For example, ten Top 10 Books Awards will be awarded to nonfiction authors, and ten Top 10 Books Awards will be awarded to fiction authors. Categories are also included on entry form.
Top 10 Books (Nonfiction/Fiction) – Awarded to select books of exceptional quality in any nonfiction and fiction genre, criteria for this award includes: quality of content and design; success of book, including other national, regional, and local awards received; and what makes the title unique in its genre. To be considered, authors must fill out an entry form and send copies of the title (book must have been published in the last three years).
Best New Author (Nonfiction/Fiction) (ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd) – A prestigious award given to new authors who have published a first book in the last year, this award honors three outstanding nonfiction writers and three outstanding fiction writers. Criteria for this award includes: quality and expertise of author, including writing skill, expertise in subject area, and the strength of his or her bio/resume; success rate of book(s); other national, regional, or local awards received; and the quality/production of the book submitted. To be considered, authors must fill out an entry form and send copies of the debut title (first book must have been published between Sept. 1, 2012, and Sept. 9, 2013).
Best Children’s Book (Fiction) (ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd) – A first of its kind in Idaho, this award recognizes three exceptional children’s middle-grade and picture books. Criteria for this award includes: quality of writing and illustrations; success of book, including other national, regional, and local awards received; and what makes the title unique in its genre. To be considered, authors must fill out an entry form and send copies of the title (book must have been published in the last three years).
Best Cover Design (Nonfiction/Fiction) (ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd) – Honoring books that have outstanding cover design, criteria for this award includes: aesthetic quality, uniqueness, and strength of title/subtitle. To be considered, authors must fill out an entry form and send copies of the title (book must have been published in the last three years).
Best Interior Design (Nonfiction/Fiction) (ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd) – An award based on exceptional interior design, the criteria for this award includes: aesthetic quality, including typography and illustrations/graphic elements.
Paint with Words 
Congratulations – well deserved 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
🙂
Congratulations! It’s a wonderful book for small people!
Thank you!
Congratulations, AJ. You deserve it. I’m sure you’ll entertain many children with it.
Thank you, Cathy!