It’s been a busy month and I’m excited to announce my NYC Big Book Award press release. I hope you consider buying a book for a friend or family member to share Violet’s legacy of hope.

Best,

Violet

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Frances R. Schmidt/francesrschmidt.com

Frances R. Schmidt & James A. Costa receive national recognition through the NYC BIG BOOK AWARD®!

Buffalo, New York: The NYC Big Book Award recognized ‘Forever Violet’ in the category of Young Adult Fiction as a Distinguished Favorite.

The competition is judged by experts from different aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, designers, booksellers, librarians and professional copywriters. Winners and distinguished favorites are based on overall excellence.

Forever Violet

‘Forever Violet’ is the story of Violet Sheehan growing up in the Great Depression in Stony Hill, a poor neighborhood section of New London, Connecticut. Raised in a loveless home, she endures years of cruelty and indifference from an alcoholic father and a mentally unstable mother.

Violet vows to escape the trappings of her bleak existence and fulfill her ambition to become a professional writer. Her journey to Broadway is fraught with traumatic experiences and setbacks, which leaves open the questions of life and the role fate and destiny play in it.

This original novel reflects Violet’s unquenchable spirit and her belief that life is a gift to be lived fully, regardless of outcome.

NYC Big Book Award received book submissions worldwide. Journalists, well established authors, small and large press, and first-time indie authors participated in record numbers. Entries this year were received from the United States as well as countries such as Australia, Canada, China, Cyprus, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Cities represented included Asheville, Beijing, Colorado Springs, Dublin, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Melbourne, New York, Portland, San Francisco, Singapore, Tel Aviv, and Vancouver were among the entries.

Publishers included Atmosphere Press, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Beaufort Books, Beyond Words Publishing, Blackstone Publishing, Familius Publishing, Flatiron Books, Hachette Go, HarperCollins Leadership, Oceanview Publishing, Old Stone Press, Rowman & Littlefield, Simon & Schuster, Ulysses Press, Watkins Publishing, Westminster John Knox Press to name a few.

“We were delighted to see so many quality publishers and authors from around the world participate this year. I can’t wait to share these books with a global readership,” said awards sponsor Gabrielle Olczak.

To view the list of NYC Big Book winners and distinguished favorites, please visit: https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/