The Search for the Unnamed One Wins Gold!

On Tuesday, March 4, 2008, The Search for the Unnamed One, Book Two of the Souls of Aredyrah Series, was named the Gold Medal Winner for Young Adult Literature by the Florida Book Awards. This prestigious awards program is coordinated by the Florida State University Program in American & Florida Studies, and co-sponsored by the Florida Center for the Book, the State Library and Archives of Florida, the Florida Historical Society, the Florida Humanities Council, the Florida Literary Arts Coalition, the Florida Library Association, "Just Read, Florida!," the Governor's Family Literacy Initiative, the Florida Association for Media in Education, the Florida Center for the Literary Arts, Friends of the Florida State University Libraries, and the Florida Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America. It is an annual awards program that "recognizes, honors, and celebrates the best Florida literature published in the previous year."

On April 2, all of the Gold Medal Book Award Winners will be presented their medals
in Tallahassee at the Florida Heritage Month Awards Ceremony and Reception, which is sponsored by the State of Florida's Division of Cultural Affairs. It is expected that the awards will be presented by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Florida. Winners will also be recognized at a banquet on April 24 as part of the annual Florida Library Association Conference at St. Pete Beach, Florida.

The Florida Book Awards is unique in that it celebrates its winning authors not only in person, but through the promotional opportunities it provides afterward. Ms. Akers is proud to be a Floridian and thanks the Florida Book Awards for recognizing her work for Young Adults, and for the honor and support it gives to all of the participating authors.

The Fire and the Light Wins Editor’s Choice Award

On January 26, 2008, The Fire and the Light was named the Editor’s Choice Award
Winner by Allbooks Review in the Young Adult Children’s category. Allbooks reviews
books from all over the world, including North America, Australia, France, South Korea, Israel, China, and Great Britain. Editor’s Choice Award categories include
Young Adult/Childrens; Health; Memoirs; Short Stories; Mystery/Thriller; Paranormal/
Fantasy; Fiction; Historical Fiction; and Poetry. For additional information about
Allbooks Review, visit their website at:
http://www.allbookreviews.com/

Tracy A. Akers Honored at Florida Writers Association 2007 Annual Conference

On November 10, 2007, Tracy A. Akers was awarded the FWA Vice President's
Award for her ongoing work with Young Writers of East Pasco, a group established by
the author for writers grades 6-12. During a luncheon attended by hundreds of FWA
members and guests, Chrissy Jackson, Vice President of the Florida Writers
Association, described the author's many literary accomplishments, and presented her
with a beautiful plaque. Ms. Akers was surprised and humbled by the award, and took
a moment to thank Ms. Jackson and FWA, and to encourage volunteerism within the
organization.

The Fire and the Light Recognized by Writers Digest!

Tracy A. Akers is proud to announce that The Fire and the Light has been awarded an Honorable Mention for Middle Grade/Young Adult by the 15th annual Writers Digest International Self-Published Book Awards. Books eligible for this competition must have had the costs of publication paid in full by the author, or the cost of printing paid for by a grant or as part of a prize. Because Ruadora Publishing (an independent publisher) is owned by the author, and she paid the full cost of publication, The Fire and the Light is considered self-published as well as independently published. Winners and Honorable Mentions will be highlighted in the March/April 2008 edition of Writers Digest Magazine.

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