It almost knocked my socks off to learn that my most recent baby, Fog Valley Winter, Pioneer Heritage, Backroad Rambles & Vintage Recipes scooped a coveted silver medal in the 2018 international Independent Publishers Book Awards, best known in the book world, as the Ippy Awards.
I've been so encouraged by reader feedback on this, my second non-fiction book on the rich, cultural farming history of my adopted beat, southern Sonoma County & coastal west Marin, aka Fog Valley, I decided it was worthy of an entry into these annual awards which attract thousands of books from around the world appealing to a north American market. And so I submitted it into the Holiday category, for want of pigeonholing it given its regional, historic, cultural appeal.
I was pretty darn thrilled to receive a phone call letting me know of its success.
More to follow, but I thought I'd share now, as I hope it makes you smile to think of this little local book winging its way to New York and around the world, as it has proved itself a sufficiently entertaining, educating and enjoyable read.
Such accolades have certainly served to spur me on in my current project, my first work of non-fiction. It's no sleeper, so get ready!
And I have to say a huge thank you to my collaborative team of wonder women who brought this book to life, editor Elaine Silver, cover designer and recipe illustrator, Nicky Ovitt and print maven Lorna Johnson, without whose energy and enthusiasm and extra hours of love and talent and dedication, this book would never have made it into print.
And thanks to all who have read and shared my Fog Valley musings over the past few years. You're the best!
The IPPY Awards reward those who exhibit the courage, innovation and creativity to bring about change in the world of publishing. Independent spirit and expertise comes from publishers of all sizes and budgets and books are judged with that in mind. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to winners in national subject categories, regional categories, and e-book categories. Winners are celebrated at a ceremony on the eve of BookExpo.
The awards are intended to bring increased recognition to the thousands of exemplary independent, university and self-published titles published each year.
OMGosh Frances, that is AMAZING! SO well deserved!
A HUGE congratulations to you on this very prestigious recognition!
Blessings,
Anastasia
Posted by: plus.google.com/102207717595710136931 | Monday, April 23, 2026 at 08:53 AM