An IPPY!

Linda Burton posting from Edmonds, Washington Fifty State Capitols has an IPPY now! I’m talking about the book, Fifty State Capitols, The Architecture of Representative Government, authored by Jim Stembridge and published by Coho Publishing. Jim stopped by yesterday on his way back to Salem from New York, where he accepted the award, and I got to meet his wife Joan, and the big black dog that helped him research the capitols, Ruth. I was glad to be able to congratulate Jim in person on such an accomplishment, and pleased that he brought me a copy of the newly bronze-stickered book. An IPPY! Jim’s book received the 2012 Bronze Medal in the Architecture category by the Independent Publishers Book Awards. It was an event that involved the best of independent published works internationally; just look at the photo of Jim accepting the award; blue ribbons around his neck and a big smile on his face. Something to be proud of!

The IPPY Awards, launched in 1996, are designed to bring increased recognition to the deserving but often unsung titles published by independent authors and publishers. It was the first awards program open exclusively to independents; over 2,800 IPPY’s have been awarded to authors and publishers around the world since it began.

Independent publishers are extremely diverse, in both style and geography. This year’s competition attracted 3,741 entries in the national categories, 1,072 regional entries, and 390 e-book entries. That means 5,203 entries for the 372 medals awarded. The winners represent 44 US states and the District of Columbia, seven Canadian provinces, and ten countries overseas.

Awards director Jim Barnes made this statement at the ceremony: “Independent publishers are growing in number, and the quality of their work is increasing. One element driving the high rate of excellence is participation from university presses. This year, 29 medalists came from university presses and 9 came from museums. Their elevated level of writing, editing, design and production raises the bar and inspires us all.”

Thanks Jim, for having the vision (and the energy!) and using your talents to create such an important book. And thanks too for serving on the Board of Capital Cities USA, and supporting the Journey Across America. I’m very proud of you.

About the IPPY Awards http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1534

For more information about the book, contact Jim Stembridge at stembrij@yahoo.com