SneakyArt wins Publishing Awards!
Even as COVID19 casts its gloomy influence over the world + my book sales, I received two pieces of wonderful news. SneakyArt of Eau Claire won awards with two independent publishing associations!
The first news came in late April from the 2020 IPPY Awards. The IPPY Awards celebrate achievements in independent publishing in the US, selecting 419 winners from 4750 entries over 80+ categories. ‘SneakyArt of EC’ won a Bronze in Cover Design!
The second news arrived in the end of June, from the Midwest Book Awards 2020. Due to COVID19, the award ceremonies was organized virtually by the Midwest Independent Publishing Association live on Facebook. I was thrilled to follow along as ‘SneakyArt of EC’ won the Gold Medal in Total Book Design!
This is the first book I have published, and the first time I have won a publishing award. I am unsure what comes after this, but I am excited to get some institutional reward for my work. I chose these two awards on the recommendation of the publishing agency I worked with - Beaver’s Pond Press in Edina (MN).
I am especially pleased to have won in two categories that reflect creative decisions I took in making the book.
The Cover Design IPPY Award validates my decision to choose this State Theater image, and the simple, minimal font on the cover page. I discussed choosing a subtitle with my graphic designer (Ryan at Mayfly Design), but decided against it. For a long while, I was unsure if I had made the best choice.
The MIPA Award for Total Book Design instils confidence in me as well. The orientation of art, the clean look, and the usage of white space were design decisions made with a specific vision for this book. I did not know if it would go down well - not even with customers, let alone an awards jury. But in the months since I began selling my book, I received a lot of positive feedback of the reader experience and book design. Over 300 people have bought and enjoyed my book at this point, but the award from MIPA is nonetheless a wonderful feeling. I also received detailed comments from the jury in a separate email, and they are insightful as well as positive.
There is a lot of online debate about the efficacy and value of such awards. Notoriously, they do not have a profound impact on book sales. I am a little disappointed by the lack of social media reach on the parts of both award ceremonies. But I believe there is still a lot of value in institutional validation. I will be proud to carry these awards in my CV. And I am sure it will speak positively for my book that it held its own on a formal, juried decision-making process.
I am grateful to the judges and organizers at IPPY and MIPA for recognizing my work. And equally thankful to Beaver’s Pond Press for taking me through the process of self-publishing my first book.
Grab your copy!
(and request a free portrait inside!)