NCPA Annual Publishing Awards

Since 1994 NCPA has honored the work of Northern California independent publishers and authors by presenting awards for overall excellence and quality book production, from cover illustration to interior design. Marketing materials are also eligible for awards. Past winners have successfully used their NCPA awards to increase bookstore and media interest, thus increasing sales.

“Putting that little gold foil award sticker on my books has certainly helped the books sell! Watch people as they browse: they pick up a book, look at the front and back cover, then either put it back (if it didn’t pique their interest) and walk away, or open it (if it did). Invariably, browsers notice the little sticker, raise their eyebrows, then open it to read more. The award is like a flag, telling them this book already passed muster with lots of other readers. It’s like an invitation from a trusted friend to come in and enjoy.”
– Dierdre Wolownick, Wordswrights International, winner in 1995, 1996 & 1997

Awards FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about the NCPA Annual Awards

“The awards I received from NCPA were a great jump start to promoting my books. Thanks to NCPA I am an award-winning author, which gives me confidence and credibility when selling my books.”
– Stephen Burrows, Windmill Publishing

• What is the purpose of the annual NCPA Awards? The annual awards recognize NCPA members who publish or write outstanding books
  
• Who can enter? Anyone may enter. NCPA members pay a discounted entry fee.
  
• Who is the publisher? The publisher is the person or company who owns the ISBN.
  
• What are the awards categories? Please see the entry form or the rules form for this year’s categories.
  
• What books are eligible? Books published the previous calendar year may be entered. Revised editions are eligible. For all entries, the copyright date must match the publication year. To be considered “published,” copies of the book in its published form (not as an ARC) must have been on hand and available for sale to retail customers before December 31 and not have been available for sale earlier than January 1 of the publication year.
  
• Will every category or entry produce a winner? No. Entry into the contest does not guarantee that a book will be a winner. Neither does being the sole entry for a category. Books and materials are evaluated according to quality.
  
• Who judges the publications? Judges are drawn from NCPA’s membership, the community, and publishing professionals including local news media.
  
• What do winners receive? Winners receive certificates or plaques and labels which they may use on their book covers. Winners may use supplied label art in marketing and promotional materials. Past winners have successfully used their NCPA awards to obtain media interest and increase sales.
  
• How long has the NCPA awards program been in existence? The awards program began in 1994 and, as of 2008, NCPA has presented over 150 awards.

Congratulations, NCPA Book Award winners!

Press Release

Northern California Publishers and Authors, a professional association of small, independent, and self-publishers, is pleased to announce the winners of its 2020 Book Awards competition, who were honored via Zoom and a live ceremony in Sacramento on Sunday, September 27, 2020.

CATEGORY	BOOK	AWARD	AUTHOR/PUBLISHER
Poetry	Painting Trees Moon-Maze On Valencia Street	Gold Silver Silver	Linda Collins Barbara A. Barrett Jack Micheline
Children's Books	Will You Still Love Me? A Puppy Haiku Story The Word Dancer	Silver Silver	Christine L. Villa Maxine Rose Schur
Young Adult	Eddie's Choice	Gold	Marilyn Reynolds
General Non-Fiction	Tending the Spark, Lighting the Future for Middle School Students From the Deep South to the Promised Land	Gold Silver	Betty Staley Kathy Lynne Marshall
Non-Fiction: Memoir	Echoes of Kapoho Gray is the New Black Helping Yourself Grow Old: Thing I Said to Myself When I Was Almost 90	Gold Silver Silver	Frances H. Kakugawa Dorothy Rice Frances Fuller
General Fiction	April Between Now and Forever Strive and Protect The Love Story of Pinky Wollerman	Gold Gold Silver Silver	M.L. Hamilton Margaret Duarte Sharon Darrow Ed Cole
Trade Publications	A Prayer for Travelers Clover Blue	Gold Silver	Ruchika Tomar Eldona Edwards
Cover & Design	The Illustrated Hen Black Cat and the  Secret in Dewey's Diary In Violation of Human Rights Panda, the Ghost Kitten Will You Still Love Me? A Puppy Haiku Story	Gold Silver Silver Silver Silver	Scott Charles Elaine Fabel Pamela Johnson M.L. Hamilton Christine L. Villa

Press Release

Northern California Publishers and Authors, a professional association of small, independent, and self-publishers, is pleased to announce the winners of its 2019 Book Awards competition, who were honored at a gala banquet in Sacramento on Saturday, April 20, 2019.

CATEGORY	BOOK	AWARD	AUTHOR/PUBLISHER
Poetry	Seaworthy Woman Song For Better and For Worse	First Place Second Place	Marie Reynolds June Comarsh Gillam
Children's Books	Zoobooloo: With Filipino Translation Daisy and the Dirty Dozen	First Place Second Place	Christine L. Villa Brian Wallace
Young Adult	Crow's Rest Faerie Crossed Book 1 Merlin's Stronghold: Faerie Crossed Book 2 The Case of the Bent Spoke	Honorable Mention Honorable Menton Honorable Mention	Angelica R. Jackson Angelica R. Jackson Patricia E. Canterbury
General Non-Fiction	And Then They Were Gone: Teenagers of Peoples Temple from High School to Jonestown Finding Otho: The Search for Our Enslaved Williams Ancestors Science in the Neighborhood	First Place Second Place Third Place	Judy Bebelaar & Ron Cabral Kathy Lynne Marshall  Amy Rogers
Trade Publication Non-Fiction Trade Publication Fiction Trade Publication Poetry	Without Precedent Farsighted Almost Everything This I Know  Nothing Forgotten The Incendiaries  Terrible Blooms	First Place Second Place Third Place First Place First Place Third Place Third Place	Joel Richard Paul Steven Johnson Anne Lamott Eldonna Edwards Jessica Levine R.O. Kwon Melissa Stein
Fiction Foreign Publication Cover Design Judge's Choice	She Survives Angel’s Truth - One Teenagers Quest for Justice Mrs. Odboddy and Then There Was a Tiger Between Yesterday and Tomorrow You Can’t Save 80 Million Filipinos! But You Can Build Me a Park Between Yesterday and Tomorrow Zoobooloo: With FilipinoTranslatioin This I Know Murder in Costa Rica Without Precedent	First Place Second Place Second Place Honorable Mention Second Place First place Second Place Third Place Honorable Mention Judge's Choice	Sharon S Darrow Bob Irelan Elain Faber Margaret Duarte Roberto E Aboitiz & Matthias Mendezona Margaret Duarte Christine L. Villa Eldonna Edwards L.D. Markham Joel Richard Paul

Press release

Northern California Publishers and Authors, a professional association of small, independent, and self-publishers, is pleased to announce the winners of its 2016 Book Awards competition, who were honored at a gala banquet in Sacramento on Sunday, April 23, 2017.

CATEGORY	BOOK	AWARD	AUTHOR/PUBLISHER
Children's Books	Sam and Sue’s Space Adventure Genevieve Has a Very Very Periwinkle Day	First Place   Second Place	Ronald Javor   Karlene Kay Ryan
Young Adult	Martin McMillan and the Sacred Stones	Second Place	Elaine Russell
	Kisses for Cash (book 3)	Honorable Mention	A.K. Buckroth
General Non-Fiction	Snowbound! Legendary Winters of the Tahoe Sierra	First Place	Mark McLaughlin
	Body Intelligence: A New Paradigm	Second Place	John L. Mayfield, DC
Fiction	Mrs. Odboddy, Hometown Patriot	First Place	Elaine Faber
	Everest Rising	Honorable Mention	M.D. Kambic
Memoir	Coming to America: An Immigrant’s Voyage	First Place	Mary M. Roy
	The Space Between: Mother-Daughter Love at the End of Life	Second Place	Virginia A. Simpson
Cover & Design	Sam and Sue’s Space Adventure	First Place	Ronald Javor
	The Space Between	Second Place	Virginia A. Simpson
	Snowbound	Third Place	Mark McLaughlin
	Sinking	Honorable Mention	Sarah Armstrong-Garner

Press release

April 25, 2016  Northern California Publishers and Authors, a professional association of small, independent, and self-publishers, is pleased to announce the winners of its 2016 Book Awards competition, who were honored at a gala banquet in Sacramento on Sunday, April 24.

CATEGORY	BOOK	AWARD	AUTHOR/PUBLISHER
Poetry	Orbital Paths	First Place	Richard Meyer ScienceThrillers Media
Children's Books	Wordsworth, It’s In Your Pocket	First Place	Frances Kakugawa
Young Adult	Kidding Around NYC	Second Place	Suzanne Roche
	Making It Home	Honorable Mention	Suzanne Roche
General Non-Fiction	When Your Child Has Lyme Disease	First Place	Dorothy K. Leland  & Sandra K. Berenbaum
	Hazim Beg Shemdin Agha	Second Place	Hazar Shemdin Bazirgan
Fiction	Between Will and Surrender	First Place	Margaret Duarte
	Hot Trail	Second Place	Katie Yaranon
Trade Publications	A Small Indiscretion	First Place	Jan Ellison/Random House
Cover & Design	A Small Indiscretion	First Place	Jan Ellison/Random House
	Kidding Around NYC	Second Place	Suzanne Roche
	Orbital Paths	Third Place	Richard Meyer/STM
	Wordsworth, It’s In Your Pocket	Honorable Mention	Frances Kakugawa
Judges’ Choice	A Small Indiscretion	Special Award	Jan Ellison/Random House

2015 Awards (for books published in 2015; awarded April 2016)

First place: Between Will and Surrender, by Margaret Duarte
Second Place: Hot Trail by Katie Yaranon

General Non-Fiction

First place: When Your Child has Lyme Disease, by Dorothy K. Leland & Sandra K. Berenbaum

Second Place: Hazim Beg Shemdin Agha by Hazar Shemdin Bazirgan

Poetry

First place: Orbital Paths by Richard Meyer (ScienceThrillers Media)

Children's

First place: Wordsworth, It's In Your Pocket by Frances Kakugawa

Young Adult

Second place: Kidding Around NYC by Suzanne Roche

Honorable Mention: Making it Home by Suzanne Roche

Trade Publications

First place: A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison (Random House)

Cover & Design

First place:  A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison (Random House)

Second Place:  Kidding Around NYC by Suzanne Roche

Third place:  Orbital Paths by Richard Meyer (ScienceThrillers Media)

Honorable Mention: Wordsworth, It's In Your Pocket by Frances Kakugawa

Judges' Choice

A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison (Random House)

First place:  In Borrowed Houses by Frances Fuller
Second Place:  Rumination by Pretty Road Press

Third place:  The Red Chair by Pretty Road Press Honorable Mention: Confetti by Pat Morin Honorable Mention: Front Office Mastery by Great Little Book Publishing Honorable Mention: Support and Service Delivery by Great Little Book Publishing Honorable Mention: Employees and Internal Processes by Great Little Book Publishing Honorable Mention: Running the Service Department by Great Little Book Publishing

2013 Awards (for books published in 2013)

The following awards were announced at the NCPA Awards Banquet held in April 2014.

Fiction

First place: Smelling Herself, by Terris McMahan Grimes (CreateSpace)
Second Place: River of Red Gold, by Naida West (Bridge House Books)
Third Place: Dying for a Daiquiri, by Cindy Sample (CreateSpace)
Honorable mention: This Side of Forever, by Jo Chandler (CreateSpace)

General Non-Fiction

First place: Relax, Focus, Succeed, by Karl W. Palachuk (Great Little Book Publishing Co.)
Honorable mention: Dictionary of Publishing Terms, by Ingrid Lundquist (TLC Publishing)
Honorable mention: Bottlekatz: A Complete Care Guide for Orphaned Cats, by Sharron S. Darrow (Lulu.com)

Memoir Non-Fiction

First place: From Tears to Triumph, by Linda Bellow-Ruiz (Mariah Publishing)
Second Place: PTSD’s Stealth Attack on a Vietnam War Veteran, by William J. Blaylock (Pretty Road Press)
Third Place: From Above the Golden Gate, by Thea Hohlmdahl (CreateSpace)

Poetry

Honorable mention: Japalino: Biography of a Japanese-Filipino in Poetry, by Doreen Amy Beyer (Pretty Road Press)

Children's

First place: Bart, the Pear Tree that Grew an Apple, by H. R. Barrera (Gold Seal Publisher)
Second Place: Animal Symphony, by Terry Burke Maxwell (Earth Patch Press)

Cover/Design/Layout

First place: From Tears to Triumph: My Journey to The House of Hope, by Linda Bello-Ruiz (Mariah Publishing)
Second Place: The Crystal Ball: A Micki Michaels Mystery, by Joyce Mason (New Inkarnation)
Third Place: Invisible: PTSD’s Stealth Attack on a Vietnam War Veteran, by William J. Blaylock (Pretty Road Press)
Honorable mention: Animal Symphony, by Terry Burke Maxwell (Earth Patch Press)
Honorable mention: Bart, the Pear Tree that Grew an Apple, by H. R. Barrera (Gold Seal Publisher)

2012 Awards

The following awards were announced at the NCPA Awards Banquet held on April 27, 2013.

Fiction

First place: Flint House, by Kathleen L. Asay
Second Place: The House's Memory, by Owen Sullivan
Third Place: The Brother-in-Law, by F. X. Biasi, Jr. 
Honorable mention: Through Phantom Eyes, Volume 5, by Theodora Bruns

Non-Fiction

First place: I Can Dance: My LIfe with a Disability, by Laurie Hoirup
Second Place: The Seasoned Gardner, by Carolyn Singer
Third Place: Disaster & Triumph, Sacramento Women, Gold Rush through the Civil War, by Cheryl Anne Stapp
Honorable mention: Eye from the Edge, by Ruben Llamas

Children's

First Place: Wordsworth! Stop the Bulldozers!, by Frances H. Kakugawa

Best Design/Layout/Cover

First place: Terry Burke Maxwell, Earth Patch Press, for Eye from the Edge, A Memoir of West Oakland, California
Second Place: Carolyn Singer, Garden Wisdom Press, for The Seasoned Gardner
Third place: Wordsworth! Stop the Bulldozers!, by Frances H. Kakugawa

2011 Awards

The following awards were announced at the NCPA Awards Banquet held on April 29, 2012.

Fiction

First place: Dying for a Dance, by Cindy Sample

Non-Fiction

First place: Kapoho, Memoir of a Modern Pompeii, by Frances H. Kakugawa 
Honorable mention: Dreaming in English, by Jeannie Johng-Nishikawa 
Honorable mention: When Spirits Speak: Messages from Spirit Children, by Jeri K. Tory Conklin

Children's

Honorable mention: Where’s Wiley? The Mystery of the Canine Triangle, by John Westlund

Open Category

Nonfiction/Gift, first place: Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life, by Margie Yee Webb
Nonfiction/General, first place: History of a Place Called Rescue, by William C. Teie and Francis M. Carpenter 
Nonfiction/General, second place: Skiing at Lake Tahoe, by Mark McLaughlin

Best Design/Layout/Cover

First place to William C. Teie for History of a Place Called Rescue
Second place to Margie Yee Webb for Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life

 

Past Awards

“Winning three NCPA awards was more valuable than gold stickers on my book covers. Media mention was useful but, for a speaker and bookseller, it has been dynamite promo to tell prospective buyers ‘This book received three major California publishing awards.’ In a speech, this usually gets a round of applause. In a selling situation, it often seals the deal.”
– Susan Maxwell Skinner, author of Carmichael, Americana on the Move

2009 Awards	2010 Awards
2008 Awards	2007 Awards	2006 Awards	2005 Awards	2004 Awards
2003 Awards	2002 Awards	2001 Awards	2000 Awards	1999 Awards
1998 Awards	1997 Awards	1996 Awards	1995 Awards	1994 Awards

2010 Awards

The following awards were announced at the NCPA Awards Banquet held on April 30, 2011.

Fiction

No awards

Non-Fiction

Gold: Longboards to Olympics by Mark McLaughlin
Honorable Mention: Your Life & Your Money by Scott Feher
Honorable Mention: Earn It: Empower Yourself for Love by Bob Quinlan
Honorable Mention: Savvy, Sassy and Bold after 50! by Vicki Ward

Poetry

Gold: Paper House by Jessie Carty
Honorable Mention: Breaking the Silence by Frances Kakugawa

Children's

Honorable Mention: Hatless by John Witt

Best Design/Layout/Cover

Gold: Hatless by John Witt
Silver: Right Now Is Perfect by Carol Ryan

Best Marketing/Media Package

Gold: Your LIfe & Your Money by Scott Feher

2009 Awards

The following awards were announced at the NCPA Awards Banquet held on April 24, 2010.

Non-Fiction:

Gold        The Network Migration Workbook, by  by Karl W. Palachuk and Manual L. Palachuk (Great Little Book Publishing Co, Inc.)
Silver       Successfully Start/Buy/Sell Your Business/Franchise (four book set), by Andrew Rogerson (Great Little Book Publishing Co, Inc.)
Bronze     Body Intelligence,  by John Mayfield, D.C. (Nubalance Publishing Company)

Fiction:

Gold        Through Phantom Eyes by Theodora Bruns (iUniverse)
Silver       Emma Snow  by Joaquin Peralta (Balona Books)
Bronze     Heart of a Pirate by Pamela Johnson (Stone Harbour Press)

Children’s:

Gold        Bumper Hippos by Linda Marchus (Wee Read Publishing)
Silver       Buster & Joe by Linda Marchus (Wee Read Publishing)
Bronze     Dandy Dooley by Linda Marchus (Wee Read Publishing)

Best New Voice: Couldn’t Happen to Me: A Life Changed by Paralysis and Traumatic Brain Injury by Jill C. Mason (BookSurge)

Best Layout/Design: Successfully Start/Buy/Sell Your Business/Franchise by Andrew Rogerson (Great Little Book Publishing Co, Inc.)

Best Illustration: Bumper Hippos by Linda Marchus (Wee Read Publishing)

Best Young Adult Fiction: Desperado Moon by Sheila M. Keller (Shalako Press)

Best Autobiography/Memoir: Couldn’t Happen to Me: A Life Changed by Paralysis and Traumatic Brain Injury by Jill C. Mason (BookSurge)

Best Photography: B is for Bufflehead by Steve Hutchcraft (Photo Hutch Publishing Co.)

 

2008 Awards

Northern California Publishers & Authors Books Published in 2008

The following awards were announced at the April 24, 2009, NCPA awards dinner.

Gold AwardDeer in My Garden, Vol. 2 Groundcovers, by Carolyn Singer (Garden Wisdom Press)Silver AwardFeather River Country Adventure Trails by Tom DeMund (Know DeFeet Publishing Company)Bronze AwardLiberty’s Quest by Liberty Kovacs (Robert Reed Publishing)Best General NonfictionDeer in My Garden, Vol. 2 Groundcovers by Carolyn Singer (Garden Wisdom Press)Best First BookThe Take-Us by John Raymond Takacs (Age Publishing Company)
Best Nonfiction How-To Book30 Things You Should Know About Media Relations by Tim Herrera (Create Space)Best Reference/DirectoryFeather River Country Adventure Trails by Tom DeMund (Know DeFeet Publishing Company)Best Self-HelpThe Wealth Manifesto by Mark Rafter (New Knowledge Press)Best Young AdultAndi the Bee by Phil Silver (PBJ Books)Best Illustrated Children’s BookBigfoot and Joshua by Bob and Peggy Bishop (John Hinde USA)Best Spiritual BookChildren of Immortal Bliss by Paul Hourihan, edited by Anna Hourihan (Vedantic Shores Press)
Best Media/MarketingThe Take-Us, by John Raymond Takacs (Age Publishing Company)Best Exterior Soft Cover DesignAndi the Bee, written by Phil Silver and illustrated by Barbara Lyon (PBJ Books)Best Exterior Hard Cover DesignLiberty’s Quest, written by Liberty Kovacs and illustrated by Cleone Lyvonne (Robert Reed Publishing)Best Interior Photo/Photo LayoutFeather River Country Adventure Trails, by Tom DeMund (Know DeFeet Publishing Company)Best Interior Text/Images/GraphicsDeer in My Garden, Vol. 2, Groundcovers, by Carolyn Singer (Garden Wisdom Press)

Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to Awards Director Bradley Simkins and to the judges.      Return to top

2007 Awards

Northern California Publishers & Authors Books Published in 2007

Award results were announced at the banquet held April 25, 2008, at Luau Garden in Sacramento.

Gold Award, Best First BookDandelion Through the Crack, By Kiyo Sato, Willow Valley PressSilver Award, Best Nature Photography Book, Best Interior Photos/Photo Layout, Best Exterior Hard CoverYuba Seasons by David McKay, Mountain Images PressBronze Award, Best Illustrated Children’s BookWordsworth Dances the Waltz by Frances H. Kakugawa, Watermark PublishingBest General Fiction Book, Best Media PackageThe Afterlife of Charlotte Browning by Christine B., Lighthouse ProductionsBest General NonfictionWhen We Were Colored: A Mother’s Story by Eva Rutland, IWP Book PublishersBest Exterior Hard Cover – Children’s Book, Honorable Mention – Best Illustrated Children’s BookDelta & Dawn: Mother and Baby Whales’ Journey by Stefanie Cruz, Big Tomato PressBest Nonfiction How-To Book, Best Interior Text LayoutStay Healthy, Live Longer, Spend Wisely by Davis Liu, M.D., Stetho PublishingBest Sports Reference Book, Best Interior Text & Images/GraphicsGold on the Diamond: Sacramento’s Great Baseball Players 1886-1976 by Alan O’Connor, Big Tomato PressBest Poetry Book, Best Exterior Soft CoverThe Petrified Heart by Charles E. Patterson, Corps ProductionsBest Juvenile/Young Adult – FictionServing Humanity: Exercises in Tasteful Philanthropy by Jonathan Pearce, BalonaBooksBest Juvenile/Young Adult – NonfictionFrom Slave to Superstar of the Wild West by Tom DeMund, Legends of the West Publishing CompanyBest Educational Children’s BookWhat Time Is It? by Virginia “Honey” Carter, AuthorHouseBest Reference DirectorySacramento Street Whys: The Whys Guy’s Guide to Sacramento Street Names by Carlos Alcalá, Big Tomato PressBest Alternative Media BookThe Super-Good Project Planner for Technical Consultants by Karl Palachuk, Great Little Book Publishing CompanyBest Spiritual/Self-Help BookRelax Focus Succeed by Karl Palachuk, Great Little Book Publishing CompanyHonorable Mention – Best Fiction, Honorable Mention – Best Media PackageThrough Phantom Eyes, Vol. 1 — A Child’s Guidance by Theodora Bruns, iUniverseHonorable Mention – Best FictionVirgin Trail by Var’Tus, published by Bill ZacconeHonorable Mention – Best Illustrated Children’s BookPlay Hopscotch on Saturn’s Rings by Nancy Hayden Curry, Corps ProductionsHonorable Mention – Best Reference BookIt’s In the Bag: Your Custom Business and Travel Wardrobe by Barbara DesChamps, Château PublishingHonorable Mention – Best Inspirational BookStems of Life Picked from the Garden of Survival by Virginia E. Hansen, Llumina Press     
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2006 Awards

Northern California Publishers & Authors Books Published in 2006

The NCPA Awards 2007 banquet was held April 27, 2007, at Coco’s Bakery Restaurant in Citrus Heights.

GOLD, Best Interior/Text, Images and Graphics, Best Exterior/HardcoverHubie and the Fire Service by William C. Teie, Deer Valley PressSILVER, Best First Book, Best Exterior/SoftcoverDeer in My Garden, Vol. 1, by Carolyn Singer, Garden Wisdom PressBRONZE, Best Interior/Photos/Photo LayoutCarmichael: Americana on the Move by Susan Maxwell Skinner, Betty Milner ProductionsBest Nonfiction/GeneralThe Donner Party: Weathering the Storm by Mark McLaughlin, Mic Mac PublishingBest Nonfiction/Political CommentaryBushopedia by Bill Potts, Potts PublishingBest Nonfiction/Business/TechnicalService Agreements for SMB Consultants by Karl Palachuk, Great Little Book Publishing Co. Inc.Best Juvenile FictionGreeHee: The Journey of Five by Michele Avanti, GreeHee PublishingBest Children’s BookBuz Words: Discovering Words in Pairs by Maria Felicia Kelley, April Arts Press & ProductionsBest Media PackageThe Huna Warrior: The Magic Begins by Jennifer Martin, Prairie Angel PressSpecial Award for InnovationThe High Rider y Otros Cuentos by Hector R. Barrera, Gold Seal PublisherHonorable Mention/EssaysChatter to Flatter Your Platter by Moj Dehghan, iUniverseHonorable Mention/Humorous EssaysDad, You Are NOT Going Out Wearing That! by Tim Herrera, iUniverseHonorable Mention/General FictonBeloved Vagabond by Lew Osteen, Osteen-Zalar Publishing       
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2005 Awards

Northern California Publishers & Authors Books Published in 2005

The Awards Gala was held April 28, 2006, at the Oriental Buffet in Citrus Heights.

GOLD, Best Juvenile/Young Adult, Best Exterior HardcoverThe Balloon Boy of San Francisco by Dorothy Kupcha Leland, Tomato EnterprisesSILVER, Best General Fiction, Best Interior Text Layout, Best Exterior SoftcoverMurder on the Middle Fork by Don Ian Smith and Naida West, Bridge House BooksBRONZE, Best Nonfiction How-To, Best Interior Text Images and GraphicsFirefighter’s Handbook on Wildland Firefighting, 3rd edition, by William C. Teie, Deer Valley PressBest General Nonfiction, Best First BookDon’t Get Thin Get Healthy by Loraine Holden, Golden Green Press
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2004 Awards

Northern California Publishers & Authors Books Published in 2004

The Awards Gala was held April 9, 2005, at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza, Sacramento.

GOLD, Best First Book, Best Nonfiction/How-ToKeepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting by Laura M. Ramirez, Walk in Peace ProductionsSILVER, Best Illustrated Children’s, Best Interior Text Layout, Best Interior Text & Images/Graphics Layout, Best Exterior/HardcoverShy Sherman by Linda Marchus, Wee Read PublishingBRONZE, Best General Nonfiction, Best Spiritual/Self-HelpMysticism in American Literature: Thoreau’s Quest and Whitman’s Self by Paul Hourihan, Vedantic Shores PressBest General Fiction, Best Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction, Best Media/Marketing PackageOne Nation Under God by Vincent M. Wales, DGC PressBest PoetryTraveler Maps: Poems by Ko Un by Ko Un, Tamal Vista PublicationsBest Exterior/SoftcoverCoffee and Ink: How a Writers Group Can Nourish Your Creativity edited by Anne Da Vigo, Quill Driver Press

Thank You to Our Sponsors

• Thompson-Shore, Inc.
• Adams-Blake Company, Inc.
• Binding Plus
• Neil Wilkinson, Delta Printing Solutions
• Ellen Reid, The Book Shepard
• Mendocino Graphics / Cypress House Press
• Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN)

Special thanks to:

• Gary Chew for emceeing and presenting

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2003 Awards

Sacramento Publishers & Authors Books Published in 2003

The Awards Gala was held April 17, 2004, at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Sacramento.

GOLD, Best Historical FictionThe Others at Monticello by Esther Franklin, XlibrisSILVER, Best Children Illustrated, Best Cover/Child, Best Illustrated (Interior)/Child, Best Web SiteThe Gorilla Who Wanted to Dance by Linda Marchus, Wee Read PublishingBRONZE, Best Nonfiction/HistoryCalifornia’s Arab Americans by Janice Marschner, Coleman Ranch PressBest Nonfiction/History, Best Text and LayoutThe History of the Paso Robles Inn: More Than a Century of Pride by Ann Martin Bowler, Oak Lake PressBest Nonfiction/General, Best Self-HelpYour Life in Print by Pat Cuellar, LifePrints PublishingBest First Book, Best Bookmark, Best PostcardWe’ll Give Him a Hearty Welcome, Then . . . by Elizabeth A. Martin, 1st Books LibraryBest Fiction/DramaFool Me Once by Bill Pieper, Pacific Slope PressBest FantasyTen Dragon Tails by Candy Taylor Tutt, Libris Draconis PressBest Action NovelGold Raid by Ed Mitchell, California Coast PublishingBest Romantic NovelA Yellow Cotton Dress by H. L. Osteen, Osteen Zalar PublishingBest Health & FitnessWeight Lost Forever by Henry K. Chang, M.D., Long Bow PublishingBest SpiritualThe Death of Thomas Merton by Paul Hourihan, Vedantic Shores PressBest ChristianRecipes for a Happier Marriage by Marlys J. Norris and Joe Baginski, MSW, Pleasant Word Publishing
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2002 Awards

Sacramento Publishers & Authors Books Published in 2002

The Awards Gala was held April 5, 2003, at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Sacramento.

GOLD, Best Cover, Best Text and Layout, Best Reference/Resource Directory, Best TravelBackCountry Adventures: Northern California by Peter Massey and Jeanne Wilson, Swagman Publishing, Inc.SILVER, Best Nonfiction: HistoryWestern Train Adventures: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly by Mark McLaughlin, Mic Mac PublishingBRONZE, Best Fiction/DramaRoots of the Blackthorn Tree by Basil S. Douros, Five and Dot CorporationBest First Book, Best Children’s Illustrated, Best Illustrator (Interior)/ChildHoot’n Annie by Linda Marchus, Wee Read PublishingBest Illustrator (Cover)/Adult, Best Mystery, Best Brochure, Best PostcardSpice: An Island Intrigue by Dan O’Connor, Waterton PressBest WesternThe Joshua Trail by Early Santee, Osteen Zalar Publishing Co.Best Poetry/CreativeUninhibited & Still Holding Back by Sandy Martin, Sweet-Rock Publications & EnterprisesBest SpiritualRamakrishna and Christ by Paul Hourihan, Vedantic Shores PressBest Other Materials/CDHappy Thoughts by Holly Scarabosio, Dandelion Productions

Thank You to Our Sponsors

• Don DeHart, DeHart’s Printing Services Corporation
• Alan Canton, Adams-Blake
• Tamara Dever, TLC Graphics
• Neil Wilkinson, Arvato Services Bertelsmann
• Dan O’Connor, Waterton Press
• Office Depot
• Safeway

Special Thanks to:

• Jeff Bell, KFBK Radio, for emceeing and presenting
• John Kremer for presenting
• Devin Kelly for presenting
• Andrea Patterson, Awards Chair, for organizing and publicizing the event
• Terry Prince, Chief Judge, for managing the juried book awards
• Aysha Sheppard for custom certificates
• Sandy Martin for her poetry reading
• Show Biz Kids for entertainment
• Lana Wong for entertainment

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2001 Awards

Sacramento Publishers & Authors Books Published in 2001

GOLD, Best BiographySymon’s Daughter: A Memoir of Elizabeth Symon Smith by Don Ian Smith, Bridge House BooksSILVER, Best Cover, Best Poetry/Creative BookFrom Hell to Jackson Hole: A Poetic History of the American West by Michael L. Johnson, Bridge House BooksBRONZE, Best Text and Layout, Best TextbookTurning the Corner: Energy Solutions for the 21st Century by Dohn Riley and Mark McLaughlin, Alternative Energy Institute, Inc.Best Children’s Illustrated, Best Illustrated Interior, Best Bookmark, Best Trade CatalogIf the World Were Blind: A Book About Judgment and Prejudice by Karen Gedig Burnett, GR PublishingBest Fiction/Drama/Juvenile, Best Juvenile, Best Science FictionThrough the Wormhole by Robert J. Favole, Flywheel PublishingBest Nonfiction/General, Best Self-Help, Best SpiritualMagical Living: Essays for the New Age by Bob Makransky, Dear Brutus PressBest Business Book, Best Computer BookNetwork Consulting in the Real World by David V. Grainger, CNE; JT Grainger Co.Best Fantasy, Best Fiction/Drama (Adult)Wish You Were Here by Vincent M. Wales, 1st Books LibraryBest First BookTrolling on the Edge: The Story of a Noyo Fisherman by Jeanne Duncan, Trafford Publishing CompanyBest AutobiographyFrom Communism to Capitalism by Gordon S. Riess, Four Continents Press

Special Thanks to:

• Jeff Bell
• Sheryl Counter
• Devin Kelly
• Sandy Martin-Dodds
• Dan Poynter
• Lana Wong

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2000 Awards

Sacramento Publishers Association Books Published in 2000

GOLD, Best Text and Layout, Best Nonfiction/History, Best Reference/Resource Directory, Best First BookCalifornia 1850: A Snapshot in Time by Janice Marschner, Coleman Ranch PressSILVER, Best Illustrator (Cover)/Adult, Best Fiction/DramaEye of the Bear: A History Novel of Early California by Naida West, Bridge House BooksBRONZE, Best Illustrator (Interior)/Adult, Best Travel BookEarth-Friendly Inns and Environmental Travel Northeast: A Green Guide to the Northeastern United States by Dennis Dahlin, WPM, Inc.Best Illustrator (Cover)/Child, Best Illustrator (Interior)/Child, Best Cover/Child, Best Children’s Illustrated, Best BookmarkKatie’s Rose: A Tale of Two Late Bloomers by Karen Gedig Burnett, GR PublishingBest Cover/Adult, Best PostcardTending Your Money Garden, 2nd Ed. by Bob Dreizler, Rossonya BooksBest Nonfiction/GeneralThe Hanging of Arthur Hodge: A Caribbean Anti-Slavery Milestone by John Andrew, XlibrisBest TextbookWhat’s The Rule? A Simple Guide to Perfect Punctuation, Great Grammar, and Superb Sentences and Style by Kathleen Sole, Real World Publications

Special Thanks to:

• Aysha Sheppard for certificates and Chris O’Connor for programs
• Jan Nathan, PMA, for presenting awards and Gary Chew, KXPR, for serving as MC
• Sandy Martin-Dodds for her poetic dramatization
• George Raley and Wendell Fishman for the jazz combo

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1999 Awards

Sacramento Publishers Association Books Published in 1999

GOLD, Best Illustrator (Cover)/Adult, Best Illustrator (Interior)/Adult, Best Text and Layout, Best Fiction/Drama, Best Cover, Best First BookCarved in Stone: The Greek Heritage by Basil Douros, Five and Dot CorporationSILVER, Best Nonfiction (General), Best Self-Help, Best Bookmark, Best PostcardThe Two Headed Dragon: Exploring the Gifts of AIDS by Sean Hoag, LCSW, Ravenwood PublishingBRONZE (shared honor)Simon’s Hook: A Story About Teases and Put-downs by Karen Gedig Burnett, GR PublishingPay Out and Pay Back by Barbara Scott, Zenar BooksBest Illustrator (Cover)/Child, Best Illustrator (Interior)/Child, Best Children’s Illustrated, Best HumorSimon’s Hook: A Story About Teases and Put-downs by Karen Gedig Burnett, GR PublishingBest MysteryPay Out and Pay Back by Barbara Scott, Zenar BooksBest CD, Best Trade Poster, Best Poetry/CreativeAromatic Blend: The Book of Coffee Poems by Don Anawalt, Abongold BooksBest First Endeavor (Other), Best PosterStretching the Drum by Sanaga Sardis/Art Roost PublishingBest AudioThe Crystal Palace: A Tale from the Gold Country by Paula Bonnier Anawalt, Abongold BooksBest SpiritualRemember the 10 Commandments Easy as 1,2,3 by Stephen E. Burrows, Evans Books

Special Thanks to:

• Aysha Sheppard for designing and framing the plaques
• Dale Schornack, KXTV, and Gary Chew, KXPR, for announcing
• Darlene Smith for her Prairie Rose dramatization
• Don Anawalt for his poetry reading

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1998 Awards

Sacramento Publishers Association Books Published in 1998

GOLD, Best First BookTending Your Money Garden by Robert Dreizler, Rossonya BooksSILVER, Best CoverA First-Year Teacher’s Guidebook by Bonnie Williamson, Dynamic Teaching CompanyBRONZEThe Red Bluff Navy by Arla Gridley Farmer, Ravenwood Publishers
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1997 Awards

Sacramento Publishers Association Books Published in 1997

GOLD, Best First BookGetting Thru to Kids: Problem Solving With Children Ages 6 to 18 by Phillip Mountrose, Holistic CommunicationsSILVERGold Country by Deirdre Wolownick Honnold, Wordwrights InternationalBRONZEBuilding Your Financial Portfolio on $25 A Month (Or Less) by E. S. Christensen & B. R. Christensen, Effective Living PublishingBest CoverA Traveler’s Guide to Caribbean History by Don & Dene Dachner, Traveler’s Press, Inc.
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1996 Awards

Sacramento Publishers Association Books Published in 1996

GOLDRiver of Red Gold by Naida West, Bridge House BooksSILVER, Best Cover, Best First BookGrandmother’s Bell and the Wagon Train 1849 by Joan Barsotti, Barsotti BooksBRONZEEnglish With Ease by Dierdre Wolownick Honnold, Wordwrights International
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1995 Awards

Sacramento Publishers Association Books Published in 1995

GOLD, Best CoverThe Silver Pen by Alan Canton, Adams-Blake PublishingSILVERWhere to Have Affairs by Carol Cullen Nelson, Riba CommunicationsBRONZE, Best First BookSan Jose With Kids by Deirdre Wolownick Honnold, Wordwrights International
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1994 Awards

Sacramento Publishers Association Books Published in 1994

GOLD, Best First BookHow to Guarantee Your Child’s Success . . . and Your Own, Too! by Richard W. Dehaven, Mayaland PressSILVERMilemarking I-80: San Francisco to New York by Mary Lou Kost, Mile PublicationsBRONZESacramento With Kids: A Family Guide to the Greater Sacramento Region by Dierdre Wolownick Honnold, Wordwrights InternationalBest CoverEncyclopedia of Sauces for Your Pasta by Charles A. Bellissino, Marcus Kimberly Publishing
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