Winners of Purple Dragonfly Book Awards Announced

CHANDLER, AZ (November 6, 2010) – The judges of the first annual Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest, which recognizes excellence in children's literature, have spoken, and the surprising results are in. Though God’s Promise by Maureen Moss, a beautifully illustrated children’s book that, according to judges, instills spiritual faith, security and love in the hearts of young and old readers alike, ran away with the $300 Grand Prize with a perfect score, Travel with Gannon & Wyatt: Botswana by Patti Wheeler and Keith Hemstreet swept four first-place “Best” categories: Charity, Outdoor Recreation, Cover Design, and Educational/Instructional; and a second-place award for the General category.

“One judge commented that the book was so well-written and exciting for young readers that its lessons ‘go down like smooth, melting chocolate,’” says Linda Radke, president of Five Star Publications, the sponsor of the Dragonfly Book Awards.

Additional first-place winners, who all received $75, are: Chippy Chipmunk Parties in the Garden by Kathy M. Miller for Best Animal/Pet book, Little Rockin’ Roger and the Magic Glass Guitar by Benjamin Moores for Best Arts/Music, Hey Dad! Let’s Have a Catch by Harold Theurer, Jr. for Family Matters, Roonie B. Mooney: Lost and Alone by Janan Cain for Family Matters, Living on Sisu: The 1913 Union Copper Strike Tragedy by Deborah K. Frontiera for Historical Fiction, Morning Rain by Sheila Cayolle for Interior Design. A complete list of winners including all second-place and honorable mention recipients can be found at www.FiveStarBookAwards.com.

The second annual Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest is already underway. Submissions postmarked March 1, 2011 or earlier are eligible for the Early Bird reward: a free e-copy of The Economical Guide to Self-Publishing or Promote Like a Pro: Small Budget, Big Show. Final deadline for submissions is May 1, 2011. The Royal Dragonfly Book Awards Contest has also launched with Submissions postmarked December 1, 2010 or earlier eligible for the Early Bird reward and the final deadline for submissions on February 1, 2011. In order to maintain the integrity of the Dragonfly Book Awards, a minimum score of 55 out of 80 must be earned for a place to be awarded to the entrant – even if it is the sole entry in a category. For complete rules and submission forms, visit www.FiveStarBookAwards.com.

The Purple and Royal Dragonfly Book Awards are part of the family of Five Star Dragonfly Book contests, which include the Chocolate Dragonfly Book Awards, honoring food-related publications; the Green Dragonfly Book Awards, saluting books that create awareness of the environment and eco-friendly living; and Dragonfly eBook Awards, which celebrate eBooks. For more on Five Star Dragonfly contests, access www.FiveStarBookAwards.com. Five Star Publications can be reached at info@FiveStarPublications.com or by calling 480-940-8182.

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Finalists of Purple Dragonfly Book Awards Announced

CHANDLER, AZ (September 21, 2010) – Judging for the first annual Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest, which recognizes excellence in children's literature, has concluded, and a list of finalists revealed. The finalists will learn the details of which category they placed in and whether they will receive first, second or third place, or an honorable mention at or after the Arizona Authors Association Awards Banquet, which begins at 5 p.m. on Sat. Nov. 6, 2010. The event is held at the Glendale Civic Center at 5750 W. Glenn Drive in Glendale, Ariz.

One exceptional entry will win the $300 Grand Prize, while all first place entries receive $75 each.

“Winning any place in the Purple Dragonfly Contest is a huge honor because in order to maintain the integrity of the Dragonfly Book Awards, a minimum score of 55 out of 80 must be earned for a place to be awarded to the entrant – even if it is the sole entry in a category,” explains Linda Radke, president of Five Star Publications, the sponsor of the Dragonfly Book Awards. “Competition is steep, too, because there is no publication date limit as long as the book is still in print.”

The list of finalists include: God’s Promise by Maureen Moss of Ashland, OR; Chippy Chipmunk Parties in the Garden by Kathy M. Miller of New Ringgold, PA; Ramdas: The One-Eyed Turtle by Robert Goerman & Dinesh Patel of New Kensington, PA; Little Rockin’ Roger and the Magic Glass Guitar by Benjamin Moores of Manchester, England; Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Botswana by Patti Wheeler & Keith Hemstreet of Rochester Hills, MI; Danny the Dragon by Tina Turbin of Dunedin, FL; Hey Dad! Let’s Have a Catch by Harold Theurer, Jr., Brooklyn, NY; Where Do We Go? By James F. Weinsier of Fernandina Beach, FL; Princess Sally and Prince Tommy in the Kingdom Always by Jennifer L. Gray, Ph.D. of Federal Way, WA; Roonie B. Mooney: Lost and Alone by Janan Cain of Riverside, IL; Hip Hip Hooray, It’s Monsoon Day! By Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford of Tucson, AZ; Living on Sisu: The 1913 Union Copper Strike Tragedy by Deborah K. Frontiera of Houston, TX; Morning Rain by Sheila Cayolle of Slpharetta, GA; Your Preteen Apostolate by Nicholas J. Bottesi and Michele E. Bondi of Rochester Hills, MI. Several of the finalists placed in multiple categories.

The second annual Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest is already underway. Submissions postmarked March 1, 2011 or earlier are eligible for the Early Bird reward: a free e-copy of The Economical Guide to Self-Publishing or Promote Like a Pro: Small Budget, Big Show. Final deadline for submissions is May 1, 2011. The Royal Dragonfly Book Awards Contest has also launched with Submissions postmarked December 1, 2010 or earlier eligible for the Early Bird reward and the final deadline for submissions on February 1, 2011. For complete rules and submission forms, visit www.FiveStarBookAwards.com.

The Purple and Royal Dragonfly Book Awards are part of the family of Five Star Dragonfly Book contests, which include the Chocolate Dragonfly Book Awards, honoring food-related publications; the Green Dragonfly Book Awards, saluting books that create awareness of the environment and eco-friendly living; and Dragonfly eBook Awards, which celebrate eBooks. For more on Five Star Dragonfly contests, access www.FiveStarBookAwards.com. Five Star Publications can be reached at info@FiveStarPublications.com or by calling 480-940-8182.

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Five Star Publications Unveils New Literary Contest: Purple Dragonfly Book Awards Take Flight

CHANDLER, AZ (December, 2009)—With nearly 25 years of experience under its belt, Five Star Publications knows award-winning books. Its own titles recognized in numerous national writing contests, the Arizona-based publisher is taking its industry expertise to new heights by honoring the work of others. Preparing for its first annual Purple Dragonfly Book Awards competition, Five Star Publications is raising the bar for children's books in 19 categories-from stories about families, hobbies and pets to tales about the environment, religion and health. Five Star will begin receiving submissions for its 2010 contest this month, with all submissions due by June 14, 2010. Winners will be announced at the Arizona Literary Awards Banquet on November 6, 2010 in conjunction with Arizona Authors Association Literary Contest and Book Awards.

"Five Star Publications is proud to announce the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards," said Linda F. Radke, Five Star founder and president, "because we want to help parents give their children only the best in reading excellence. Geared toward stories for children between the ages of four and 10, the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards are designed to bring families together with great children's literature, and a Purple Dragonfly seal on a book's cover lets parents choose new titles for their bookshelves with confidence."

The Purple Dragonfly Book Awards are currently open to children's books published between the 2006-2010 calendar years. Exceptions include titles by Five Star's employees and their immediate family members; contributing editors and writers; affiliated authors; and close acquaintances and relatives of contest judges. Participation is open to authors of both traditionally published and self-published books from any press except Five Star Publications. A Grand Prize winner and First and Second Place Winners in each category will be selected based on content, originality and overall readability, with emphasis on innovation and creativity. The Five Star judging panel will include experts from the fields of editing, reviewing, bookselling and publishing. "Being honored with a Purple Dragonfly Award will confer credibility upon each winner, as well as provide extra positive publicity to further their success," said Radke.

For more information, visit www.PurpleDragonflyBookAwards.com.