I checked my email today expecting a whole lotta nothing, and what I found instead was a note telling me The Ideal Countess is one of four finalists in the National Indie Excellence Awards!
Here’s a little about the awards, as per the press release:
“The National Indie Excellence® Awards celebrate independent publishing as a strong and vital sector of [book publishing]. Recognizing excellence in all aspects of the final presentation, NIEA champions self-publishers and the independent presses who produce the highest quality books across a spectrum of metrics. Established in 2005, NIEA’s entrants are meticulously judged by experts from various facets of the book industry profession including publishers, writers, editors, and designers.
Winners and Finalists are determined on the basis of superior written matter coupled with excellent presentation in every facet of the final published product. Jurors value the synergy of both content and form as they review entries spanning multiple genres.”
I’m so honored that The Ideal Countess made it to the top 5 romance novels submitted this year!
I worked hard to craft The Ideal Countess as carefully as any publishing house. For the actual written matter, I pooled my talent with Jenny Proctor at Midnight Owl Edits (plus some feedback from my sister, mother, and father) to polish the story. The cover was designed by my friend, the incredibly talented Julia Gerbach. Meanwhile, I relied on the talent and skill of Asya Blue to design the interior layout so that the paperback book feels professional. Every time I pick up the book, I feel a huge sense of pleasure and pride, so it is incredibly rewarding that Judges and Juries agree.
Congratulations to my fellow romance authors:
Winner
Everybody Lies by Melanie A. Smith
Finalists
The Portrait by Cassandra Austen
The Ideal Countess by Katherine Grant (me!)
Between Scenes by Susan Schussler
The Ex-Princess by Fiona West
See what the fuss is about by ordering a paperback of The Ideal Countess from your favorite bookstore, or www.bookshop.org.
Excuse me while I go have a cup of Ideal Countess tea to celebrate!