Saturday, April 17, 2010

Confessions receives Oklahoma Book Award in fiction

Tonight was the BIG night, the Oklahoma Book Awards dinner and award announcements. Confessions of a Former Rock Queen by 4RV author Kirk Bjornsgaard was one of the fiction finalists. Jacque Graham, Kirk's widow Noma Krasney, Kirk's daughter Kelsey and her friend Kaleb, and I attended, representing Kirk.


The finalist for the fiction division included Nemesis:The Final Case of Eliot Ness by William Bernhardt, publisher Ballantine Books, New York; The Sound of Honor by Jim Stovall, Hawk Publishing, Tulsa, Oklahoma; The Yard Dog by Sheldon Russell, Minotaur Books, New York; The Wind Comes Sweeping by Marcia Preston, Mira Books, Ontario, Canada; The Sky Took Him by Donis Casey, Poisoned Pen Press, Scottsdale Arizona; and Confessions of a Former Rock Queen by Kirk Bjornsgaard, 4RV Publishing, Edmond, Oklahoma.


First special awards were presented. Those of us at our table (number 24) relaxed and didn't really hope. Children/Young Adult winners were announced. We clapped for the winners: Tammi Sauer (who attended the Heartland New Day BookFest in Edmond a week ago) with her children's book Chicken Dance and George Edward Stanley with his young adult book Night Fires. Both books with New York publishers.

Next came the fiction category. All the finalists were listed. We still relaxed. Then the envelope with the winner's name. "The Oklahoma Book Award for fiction goes to Confessions of a Former Rock Queen by Kirk Bjornsgaard." The shock on all our faces must have shown for all to see. Noma and Kelsey went to accept the medal; I cried.

Vivian, Noma with medal, and Kelsey



Somewhere Kirk Bjornsgaard is grinning from ear to ear. He knew his book could do it.
The medal for Confessions





Special appreciation goes to Aidana WillowRaven who did the cover art and designed the book and to Jacque Graham who did the first edit on Confessions.



.




19 comments:

Holly Jahangiri said...

Congratulations to Kirk's family, and to 4RV Publishing, and to you, Vivian. What a magical night, and what a special honor.

Budroe said...

Excellent! It is a fitting result.

Beth Bence Reinke said...

What a fabulous honor for Kirk, his family and 4RV. I'm thrilled for all of you! It must have been a very emotional evening and you all must be so proud of Kirk.

Aidana WillowRaven said...

Wow.

Just ... WOW.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

That's awesome! What a moment.

Unknown said...

Congrats to 4RV and to Kirk's family. It's a great way to remember an author. You all must have been proud!

Vivian Zabel said...

We are all so thrilled.

I have now finished my post with embedded links and the rest of the information I was too tired to add last night.

vehoae said...

Sunday Afternoon, 18 April 2010


My best wishes and loving congratulations to everyone who was involved in the making of Kirk's book. The OK Book Award was a fitting culmination of all of your efforts.


Blessings....


vehoae

Vivian Zabel said...

Shirl, vehoae's book will be in the nonfiction category after it's published. Just wait and see. I have faith.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Fantastic. Congratulations to Kirk,(who must know) his family, 4RV, Aidana, Jacque, and everyone involved in the production of this lovely book.

Sheila Deeth said...

Cool! Congrats to all of you!

Janet said...

That's great. We all hope some day that our books will receive awards. Congratulations to Kirk, his family and 4RV Publishing.

Ginger*:) said...

What a touching post and what a gracious tribute to and of Kirk Bjornsgaard's work.

Katie Hines said...

Wow, what an honor! Congratulations to Kirk's family and 4RV publishing.

Mayra Calvani said...

Congrats, Vivian! That's a major accomplishment for your company!

Rena Jones said...

That's awesome. Congratulations to Kirk's family and 4RV Publishing.

Stephanie Burkhart said...

Vivian,
Congrats to you, 4RV and Kirk. It's well earned.

Smiles
Steph

Anonymous said...

Congrats going out to 4RV and Kirk's family.

sally brown said...

Congratulations!