Wednesday morning, Joanna Carolan hopped onto her computer to check the final results of the Independent Publisher Book Awards. “We were really excited because it’s a national award. In the publishing world, any award is worth bragging about, but this
Wednesday morning, Joanna Carolan hopped onto her computer to check the final results of the Independent Publisher Book Awards.
“We were really excited because it’s a national award. In the publishing world, any award is worth bragging about, but this is a national award,” she said.
She and her husband pediatrician Dr. Terry Carolan were one of 12 semifinalists for the awards in the Children’s Picture Books category for their book “Where Are My Slippers?” Finalists and winners were to be announced that morning.
“I went to check and there was nothing. So I said, OK we’ll just have to wait till the afternoon,” she said.
As soon as the results were in, she started sending out e-mails announcing that she and her husband had been chosen as one of four finalists. The children’s book “Upside Down,” by Jill Lamere, however, won the top prize.
“We could go to Washington, D.C. for the awards ceremony,” she said. “We probably won’t though. I think they have some sticker we can stick on the book or something.”
Their book “Where Are My Slippers?” was published by the Banana Patch Press where Joanna works.
“Banana Patch tries to send the book to as many things as possible,” she said.
“Where Are My Slippers?” is a book that helps children learn their colors. The book can be found locally at the Borders Books, Music & Cafe in Lihu‘e, Sand People, the Kaua‘i Products Store and both Banana Patch Studios in Hanapepe and Kilauea.
The Independent Publisher Book Awards are designed to increase recognition of the deserving but often unsung titles published by independent authors.
For more information on the Carolans and the book, visit bananapatchpress.com.
• Lanaly Cabalo, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
