Nipomo resident Melinda Marchiano’s memoir, Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery, is one of three finalists in the 2011 Benjamin Franklin Awards: The Bill Fisher Award for Best First Book (Nonfiction). Winners will be announced at a gala award ceremony in New York City on May 23. On the same evening, Melinda and her mom, Lee, will receive a second honor—the 2011 Silver Medal Independent Publisher Book (IPPY) Award: Juvenile-Teen Young Adult Nonfiction for their publishing company Happy Quail.
Named in honor of America’s most cherished publisher/printer, the Benjamin Franklin Awards recognize excellence in independent publishing. Publications are grouped by genre and judged on editorial and design merit by top practitioners in each field. The trophies are awarded to the best books in several categories and are presented to the publishers during a gala awards ceremony.
The IPPYS were conceived in 1996 as a broad-based, unaffiliated awards program open to all members of the independent publishing industry. The awards are intended to bring increased recognition to the thousands of exemplary independent, university, and self-published titles produced each year, and reward those who exhibit the courage, innovation, and creativity to bring about change in the world of publishing.
Melinda Marchiano is a 16-year-old author, speaker, dancer, cancer survivor, and childhood cancer advocate. After investigating many publishing paths for her 90,000 written words about her cancer journey, Melinda and her mom chose to establish their own publishing company to ensure the integrity of Melinda’s story.
This article appears in May 19-26, 2011.