Four Down East books are winners in the Independent Publisher Book Awards this year. Popularly known as The IPPY Awards, the prizes are open to all members of the independent publishing industry, nationally and internationally, who produce books written in English that reach the North American market.
Down East’s prize-winning books fall into four categories. Carole Lambert’s lavish book, A Passion for Sea Glass — about the romance of collecting and creating beautiful things with sea glass — won the Gold award in the How-To (Crafts/Hobby) category. The book’s photographer is Amy Wilton.

Richard Russo’s book, A Healing Touch: True Stories of Life, Death, and Hospice, garnered a silver award in the Aging/Death & Dying category. The book features moving essays by Russo, Gerry Boyle, Wesley McNair, Bill Roorbach, Susan Sterling, and Monica Wood.

In the regional category for North-East: Non-Fiction, Alan Nyiri’s volume of stunning panoramic photos, Acadia Panorama, won a Silver award, while Lynn Plourde’s picture book about the importance of community and of literacy, The Dump Man Treasures, received a bronze award. Plourde’s book is illustrated by Mary Beth Owens.

Down East's Publisher John Viehman said, "We are proud to see so many of our books win these awards. Not only are we happy to celebrate the honors our authors and photographers have received, but we see these awards as a vote of confidence in the fact that regional publishing, particularly Maine-based subjects and values, remains strong even today."

Located in Rockport, Down East Books is a division of Down East Enterprise, publishers of Down East, Shooting Sportsman, and Fly Rod & Reel magazines, and of the interactive website downeast.com.