SBPRA Authors Win Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 27, 2011 – COTTAGE GROVE, Oregon – Each year, for the past twenty-six years, the North American  Bookdealers Exchange (NABE) honors some of the finest work published by its member. This summer, Strategic Book Publishing and Rights Agency has an impressive fourteen authors and fifteen titles selected as winners. The SBPRA authors are Stuart Bramhall, Sherrill Cannon, Allyson L. Giles, Keith Graham, Ettore Grillo, Peggy L. Headlund, Nannette Holliday, Alma Hudson, Karen Kearney, Karen Macik, Kate Nevermore, Kim Nga Nguyen, Raine and Mike Saxton. The authors and their work will be featured in the next issue of Book Dealers World as well as at upcoming book trade show exhibits.

Sherrill S. Cannon was a winner in the Children’s Interest category for The Magic Word, the delightful rhyming tale of a little girl who needs to learn some manners. Little Kim, by author Kim Nga Nguyen, won in the Children’s Bilingual category for its inspirational account of a child forced to leave her country in 1975 after losing her father and home during the Vietnam War.

The best books in Juvenile Fiction included Stuart Bramhall’s The Battle for Tomorrow, a fable that speaks cogently to the urgent issues of today, as well as Peggy L. Headlund’s Common Sense: Listening to the Spirit, the fourth book in her acclaimed Lillia Faith Christian series. Headlund was a two-time winner, also selected in the Health category for Sexy at Sixty: Live Well & Happy Men & Women Over Fifty!    

Karen Kearney’s Mystery on Sprite Island won the Young Adult Mystery award for a tale that speaks to the need in all of us to discover who we are and can become with a little help from our friends – on both sides of the grave!  

Karen Macik won Best Novel for her Dear Daddy David, a sweeping saga of love lost and then found while the Adventure-Romance award went to Nannette Holliday for The Sting of Fate, a sweeping love story that spans three continents and changes the lives of two people forever. In the category of Women’s Literature, Alma Hudson’s moving story of domestic violence, The Trouble With Change, was the winner.

The best book award in the New Age category went to Allyson L. Giles’ Believe: A Tale of Faye, a magical story that will make you believe in fairies. Mike Saxton, with his epic and much heralded sci-fi adventure 7 Scorpions: Rebellion, was a winner in the Science Fiction category. And Kate Nevermore nailed the Vampire Science Fiction prize for her Blood for the Living, a dark yet exciting look at a future where sects of vampires rule society.

Ettore Grillo’s Travels of the Mind was chosen in the Non-Fiction category; the author’s self-healing autobiography is about his journey back from paranoid schizophrenia. Medium Raine, who found self-empowerment through spiritual development, was a winner for her autobiography as well; And Rainedrops Fall Down My Cheeks was the best book in the Spiritual category.

The award in the Humor category went to Keith Graham’s A POV’s Guide to Overseas Travel. This tongue-in-cheek memoir will have you laughing out loud as well as gleaning tips on how to travel the world on a budget.

Strategic Book and Publishing Rights Agency congratulates all of its authors for a job well done. For more on the Pinnacle Achievement Awards, go to: http://www.bookmarketingprofits.com/PinnacleAwardsSummer ...

Strategic Book Publishing and Rights Co, LLC
www.AuthorMarketingIdeas.com   www.SBPRA.com  www.StrategicBookClub.com www.PublishOnDemandGlobal.com

ABOUT: Strategic Book Group provides book publishing, book marketing, and ebook services to over 10,000 writers around the world, employing 150 people who live throughout the US and work virtually through telecommunication. Strategic Book Group is experiencing over 30% growth per year, having published approximately 3000 authors with almost 100 new releases per month. Our books are available through Ingram, the largest book distributor in the world, as well as in bookstores, through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and all online channels. Strategic Book Group attends and exhibits at the major book expositions in London, New York, China, and Germany each year.

To follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Strategic-Book-Group-Maste ...
To follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StrategicBook
To follow us on Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3690863

Strategic Book Group, LLC
www.StrategicBookGroup.com    www.StrategicBookClub.com  
www.StrategicBookPublishing.com     www.SBPRA.com    www.StrategicBookMarketing.com  www.StrategicBookAgency

ABOUT: Strategic Book Group provides book publishing, book marketing, and e-book services to over 10,000 writers around the world, employing 150 people who live throughout the US and work virtually through telecommunication. Strategic Book Group is experiencing over 30% growth per year, having published approximately 3,000 authors with almost 100 new releases per month. Our books are available through Ingram, the largest book distributor in the world, as well as in bookstores, through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and all online channels. Strategic Book Group attends and exhibits at the major book expositions in London, New York, China, and Germany each year.

To follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Strategic-Book-Group-Master-Launch-Page/142893595758147?v=wall
To follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StrategicBook
To follow us on Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3690863

Strategic Book Group specializes in promoting the works of new and previously undiscovered writers. We make books available to bookstores and Internet distributors throughout the United States and Europe. SBG is aggressively seeking new talent.

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New Author Sophia A. Nelson Nominated for African-American Literary Awards

SophiaANelson-BlackWomanRedefinedBookCoverPRLog (Press Release) – Jul 26, 2011 – The African-American Literary Awards has nominated Sophia A. Nelson, author of "Black Woman Redefined: Dispelling the Myths and Discovering Fulfillment in the Age of Michelle Obama", for two awards: “Author of the Year” and “Book of the Year” in the Non-Fiction category.

The awards, first established in 2004 by Yvette Hayward, recognize the best African-American authors in the country.  Voting will take place online on Thursday, July 28 at the African-American Literary Awards website: http://www.literaryawardshow.com/index.html.  Winners will be announced in September.

Released on May 31st, 2011, Nelson’s 1st non-fiction book release, "Black Woman Redefined: Dispelling the Myths and Discovering Fulfillment in the Age of Michele Obama” became an instant Amazon & Barnes and Noble best-seller, selling more than 10,000 books nationwide. At a time when the black-white wealth gap is at its highest ever and the image of black women is constantly under attack in media ad campaigns (http://summerseve.com/vpower/ad-campaign/lady-wowza), the book has touched the souls of readers around the country who are celebrating the book’s groundbreaking research – and honesty.

“This is a great honor,” Nelson said. “I’ve always said that Black Woman Redefined is more than a book, it is a movement. Everywhere I go, I’m discovering that I’ve touched a raw nerve about how we as black women are damaged by stereotypes and reality TV portrayals. Despite being virtually ignored by mainstream media outlets (newspapers, network TV shows, etc.) I’m so glad others are recognizing the importance and impact of my message.”

Nelson is preparing for a national speaking tour in the fall where she will be discussing some of the findings from the proprietary national research. She also will share real-life stories that reveal what drives and perpetuates common myths and misconceptions of black women, and how the current economy is playing havoc on the black family emotionally. Among the research’s findings is that nation’s struggling economy is taking its toll on Professional Black Women who suffer from hypertension, obesity, Fibroids, and depression at a higher rate than others. In the workplace, black women also face limited opportunities for career advancement, and more racial bias than their white counterparts. (Summary of key findings are listed below.)

Celebrity guest contributors to the book include CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, Tom Joyner Morning Show’s Roland S. Martin & Jeff Johnson, Academy award nominated actress Taraji Henson, and For Colored Girls’ Kimberly Elise along with Dr. Lamont Hill, ABC’s The View Co-host Sherri Shepherd, Congressmen Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D-IL) and Terri Sewell (D-Alabama), and many more.

Nelson, recognized for the past decade for her passionate, but “common sense approach” to politics and issues as an On-Air analyst for MSNBC, CNN, FOX, BET and other cable networks is available for interviews and commentary to set the record straight on this very important issue to the longevity of the black family.

Nelson who is a life-long moderate Republican, attorney, former lobbyist, turned journalist and commentator currently serves as Chairman of the Board of “I Am My Sister’s Keeper, Inc.”, a 7-year-old professional black women’s advocacy organization that provides life skills support to more than 3,000-women around the world (see www.iaskinc.org ). Nelson is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. sorority, the oldest Greek lettered organization for African-American women in the world.

Black Woman Redefined is available online, at bookstores nationwide, and through Perseus Distribution. Orders only, please call toll-free 1-800-343-4499 or email orderentry@perseusbooks.com.

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Sophia A. Nelson – Black Woman Redefined: Dispelling the Myths and Discovering the Fulfillment in the Age of Michelle Obama
Snapshots of the study’s Key Findings

* Black Women & Money: Financial pressures or debt were the leading factors that negatively influenced Professional Black Women’s (PBW) mental health, including causing depression, for 60% of respondents.  

* Mrs. Obama’s Positive Impact: Professional Black women admired First Lady Michelle Obama for her intelligence (40%) and accomplishments (35%), and many identified her as a role model or inspiration.  In total, 87% credited Michelle Obama with dispelling stereotypes about the achievements of Black women in America.

* Black Women & Relationships: The majority of PBW (66%) reported they would rather be alone than in a relationship with someone who was below their standards for the sake of companionship.  More than three-quarters of PBW (78%) believed “finding a ‘suitable’ husband” was a challenge faced by Black women more so than their White counterparts.  Intimidation was pegged by 67% of PBW as the main impediment to Black women’s ability to start and sustain healthy relationships with Black men.  For the words or phrases that they believed Black men would use to describe them, PBW selected those that expressed their ability to be successful on their own (“independent,” 70% or “self-sufficient,” 70%) or those that negatively describe their attitudes or personalities (“standoffish,” 51%; “arrogant,” 48%; “snob,” 46%; “distant/aloof,” 32%; and “angry,” 30%).

* Black Women & Workplace: In the workplace, PBW pointed first to limits on opportunities for advancement (38%) and next to racial (29%), more so than gender, (10%) discrimination as hampering their ability to succeed.  In fact, women in professional or executive positions were more apt than white collar workers to have perceived prejudicial behavior based on race in their work environment (32% vs. 19%, respectively). White collar workers were also 21 points more likely than professional or executive Black women to highlight a lack of opportunities to be promoted (53% vs. 32%).

* Black Women & Racial Challenges: PBW recognized many challenges faced by Black women in the workplace beyond that experienced by their White counterparts, including getting ahead in the office (68%), earning respect from male colleagues (58%), being viewed as competent (54%), and hitting the “glass ceiling” professionally (52%).  Exploring the social implications of these difficulties in the workplace, the majority of PBW believed Black women disproportionately confront the challenge of providing for their families (66%).

* African American Men Suffering in Silence:  An unexpected percentage of professional Black men identified work-related stress (hypertension) at 72% as major challenge confronting them in the workplace.  This is a ground breaking revelation that has not been discussed in mainstream media and reflects the silent agony experienced by many Black men in society.

* Descriptions of African American Professional Women:  The descriptions selected by the male respondents to describe Black professional women reinforced their experiences, perceptions, and some stereotypes.  The most frequent words used to describe the women accentuated their success, such as independent (72%) and accomplished (66%).  This contrasts with the second set of descriptors focusing on less than flattering personality traits such as controlling (39%) and angry (22%).

Foote Communications LLC is a Dallas, TX multi-media company, specializing in public relations, website solutions, multicultural marketing and political strategy and messaging.

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WeddingWire awards JC Image Design with 2011 Rating and Bride's Choice Award

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 22, 2011 – JC Image Design is now WeddingWire Rated for 2011, and also awarded the prestigious Brides Choice Award 2011.

{San Francisco Bay Area, CA} - {July 22, 2011} - WeddingWire, one of the nation's leading wedding channels, is pleased to announce that JC Image Design is WeddingWire Rated 2011 for wedding photography, and has also bestowed its prestigious Brides Choice Award 2011 on the studio.  WeddingWire Rated is an annual award program that distinguishes wedding vendors across the country for their excellence.  Based on hundreds of thousands of recent wedding reviews, WeddingWire Rated is the most recognized and trusted brand among modern couples today.

Reviews of JC Image Design have poured in from satisfied clients from across the nation, providing insightful feedback on the consistently high quality of JC Macalino's professional images and client relationships.

"We are delighted to unveil the 5th annual WeddingWire Rated program," said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire, Inc. "JC Macalino of JC Image Design has made a commitment to capturing his clients' experiences on the nation's leading wedding review site."  Artistry That Rocks is skyrocketing in popularity.

As the largest site for wedding reviews, WeddingWire empowers engaged couples with the most comprehensive and trusted review system available.  We would like to thank our newlyweds for our WeddingWire Rated 2011 recognition.

For more information on JC Image Design, please visit http://www.jcimagedesigns.us.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire, is a leading company serving the $70 billion wedding industry.  Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including ProjectWedding.com, MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Weddingbee.com, and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

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Big Lottery Fund awards Action Duchenne £500,000 for new community programme

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 19, 2011 – Young men living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy will benefit from a new programme called ‘Takin’ Charge’ designed to help them prepare for adulthood.  The pioneering project has been made possible by a generous grant of nearly £500,000 awarded over five years to Action Duchenne, the UK charity for Duchenne by the Big Lottery’s ‘Reaching Communities’ Fund. Duchenne is a life limiting disease that is caused by damage to the dystrophin gene and affects 1 in 3,500 male births in the UK.

The availability and quality of care for young people with Duchenne during later teenage years, a critical period of life when preparing for adulthood, is often poor or non-existent in many areas of the country.  Action Duchenne’s ‘Takin’ Charge’ project is aimed at 14-19 year-old young people who are going through ‘Transition to Adulthood’, preparing them to reach their full potential in their twenties and beyond.

Nat Sloane, Big Lottery Fund’s England Chair, said: “Action Duchenne is giving young men living with this rare muscle wasting disease the chance to take control over their lives and reach their full potential. I am delighted that the Big Lottery Fund can help groups like this make such a difference to individual lives.”

Nick Catlin, CEO of Action Duchenne commented, “Advances in Standards of Care and medical breakthroughs have extended the life expectancy of young men living with Duchenne from late teens to 30/40 years. However, support for the learning and education of these young men has not kept up and our ground-breaking new programme is designed to help them become better prepared for life after school.”

He added “Achieving Lottery funding marks a significant milestone in our history by recognising the value of our services and the magnitude of our efforts in the community.  ‘Takin’ Charge’ is the next step to giving our boys independent, rewarding lives and we are truly grateful to BIG for making our project a reality.”

Action Duchenne’s project promotes self-advocacy and independent living and covers important areas such as employment and sexual health.  Working closely with the Centres of Excellence, the project aims to offer an accredited e-learning programme that will help equip young people with Duchenne to become advocates for themselves, opening the door to  new opportunities in education and employment.

Mark Silverman, a trustee of Action Duchenne said, “We are absolutely delighted to win this funding for the Takin’ Charge programme.  It is not so long ago that the outlook for Duchenne patients was pretty bleak with no hope, now at last we are seeing recognition of the changed expectations for young people with Duchenne.  They are increasingly living much longer and whilst variations in standards of care still exist across the United Kingdom, people living with Duchenne can reasonably expect to have an adult life where they take their place in the community and make a positive contribution.”  

Two other programmes will run  in parallel with ‘Takin’ Charge’ :  ‘Letting Go’ will support parents of young people going through Transition to Adulthood, giving advice and strategies on how to best to promote independence, and ‘What about Us?’ will support  siblings of young people with Duchenne aged 14-19 years.  

-ends-

Notes to Editors

About the Big Lottery Fund
The Big Lottery Fund is the largest distributor of Lottery money to good causes.  It is responsible for delivering 46 per cent of all funds raised for good causes (about 13 pence of every pound spent on a Lottery Ticket) by The National Lottery.

Since June 2004, BIG has awarded over £3.6bn to projects supporting health, education, environment and charitable purposes. Most of its funding is awarded to voluntary and community sector organisations.

BIG delivers funding throughout the UK, mostly through programmes tailored specifically to the needs of communities in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland as well as some programmes that cover the whole UK.

BIG is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

For more information, please visit: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

About Action Duchenne
Established in 2001 Action Duchenne aims to support and promote innovative research into a cure and effective medicines for Duchenne/Becker Muscular Dystrophy.  The charity, which is led by Duchenne families, aims to promote awareness of the condition, to improve care services, and provide access to a range of educational and support/development programmes for people living with Duchenne at every stage of the condition.  This is achieved by working in partnership with government agencies, NHS and care organisations, other charities, academic, scientific and research groups, and biotech companies worldwide.

Action Duchenne is actively campaigning for best practice in care for Duchenne based on the publication of an international consensus document in Lancet Neurology in Jan/Feb 2010.   The published article was the product of an extensive review by 84 international experts in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy diagnosis and care, and was supported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the US.  It provides an expert guide to recommendations on the multidisciplinary care that should be available to all individuals with Duchenne.  Several Duchenne patient organisations including Action Duchenne and the TREAT-NMD network have helped to produce a ‘Guide for Families’, based on the original academic article, which is written in language accessible to all without a medical background.

Since 2003 Action Duchenne has provided £4m for research projects and partnerships.  

The charity has worked with the MDEX consortium, Department of Health, and the Medical Research Council to deliver new clinical trials for Duchenne drugs.  In addition, it has been instrumental in developing projects with biotech companies both in the UK and US including key projects with AVI Biopharma and Summit.

In 2005 Action Duchenne launched the DMD Patient Registry, a national database that holds gene information of people living with Duchenne that is used to speed up the recruitment of patients for clinical trials.  For 1916338565  more information please visit: www.dmdregistry.org

In 2008 Action Duchenne launched the Include Duchenne project in partnership with Decipha.  This programme addresses the learning and behaviour needs of those living with Duchenne.  For more information please visit: www.decipha.org
Action Duchenne promotes social inclusion within the community for young men living with Duchenne through its Genius programme.  For more information please visit: www.actionduchenne.org/geniusproject

In 2010 the National Advocacy Council was launched to spearhead the lobby for government funding for research into Duchenne and to improve access to Standards of Care.  www.actionduchenne.org/NAC

For more information please visit: www.actionduchenne.org

Editors Contacts

Nick Catlin
CEO, Action Duchenne  
Tel: 0208 556 9955                                            
Email: nick@actionduchenne.org      

Andreina West
PR Artistry Limited
Tel: 01491 639500
email: Andreina@pra-ltd.co.uk

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