2007 EPPIE and QUASAR Finalists Announced

Virginia Beach, VA (PRWEB) January 10, 2007

EPIC, The Electronically Published Internet Connection, is proud to announce the finalists for the 8th annual EPPIE Awards and its cover art component, the QUASAR. Culled down from 611 entries in 23 book categories and 186 entries in 8 cover art categories, this has been EPIC's biggest year yet for the awards.

"Despite the jump in entries, we think we've accommodated the e-publishing world pretty well," states Carol MacLeod, 2007 EPPIEs Chair. "With a larger contest comes the usual problems like getting enough judges. But that comes with the territory."

The problems didn't seem to deter MacLeod, as she forged on to get her job done. "The committee this year has gone above and beyond anything I've ever seen. We all stepped in and did double and triple duty in some cases. We also had many discussions on where we see this contest going and how to get things done in a more efficient manner in future years, like getting more judges."

"The contest changes every year, becoming more streamlined and inclusive" Brenna Lyons, EPIC president inserts. "When we see a way to simplify, we take it. When we see a need for new categories, we look into how feasible it would be to add them."

Adds, MacLeod, "We've started using new and innovative techniques to get the e-books to everyone. Well, I should say new to us, as they've been used by computer groups for years. In past years we emailed each individual book. But not so this year." MacLeod goes on to explain that each e-Book was uploaded to a secure server and then links were provided to judges to download files at their leisure. While she freely admits that took a lot of time, the benefits outweighed the effort, both in convenience and protection for the entered books. "It was so easy this year. True, sometimes the links had to be fixed, but overall the operation ran the smoothest I've ever seen in a contest this large and I've run a lot of them."

The winners are to be announced at the EPPIE banquet at EPICon, March 10, 2007 in Virginia Beach, VA. Grinning, MacLeod admits that getting the books entered and the EPPIE judging done is only half the work of the contest. The rest will start somewhere around March 8th, when the convention opens for business.

Lyons finishes by applauding both the EPPIE committee and the finalists in the contests. "With a target of 10% finalists, these really are the cream of the crop entered this year. The competition is fierce every year, but this year saw an incredibly good field of entrants."

This year's EPPIE finalists are:

Action/Adventure:

*Fire Owl- Gerald Mills- Twilight Times Books

*Mindwar- Darrell Bain- Doubble Dragon Publishing

Children/YA:

*A Partner's Promise- Fran Shaff- Wings ePress

*Other People's Secrets- Stacey Lee- Wings ePress

*Rickie the Raccoon Learns about Recycling- Giovanna Lagana- Writer's Exchange e-Publishing

*The Angel of St Thomas- Peter Prellwitz- Double Dragon Publishing

*White Odyssey- Darrell Bain- Double Dragon Publishing

Contemporary Romance:

*East of Easy- Linda Bleser- Cerridwen Press

*Honeymoon for One- Stephanie Bedwell-Grime- New Concepts Publishing

*I'll Be There for You- ????Ellen Fisher- Samhain Publishing

*I'll Do Anything- Chrystal Kincaid- Triskelion Publishing

*Joys of Home- Bonnie Hamre????- Whiskey Creek Publishing

*Meant To Be- Denise A. Agnew- Cerridwen Press

*The Nerd Prince- Ellen Fisher- Samhain Publishing

Erotica:

*Fine Flickering Hungers- Alessia Brio- Phaze

*Second Sight- Ann Regentin- Midnight Showcase

*Sequestered Passion- Adrianna Dane- Amber Quill Press

Erotic Romance Contemp/Suspense/Mystery:

*Ice Queen- Joey W. Hill- Ellora's Cave

*Just the Bare Facts, Ma'am- Adrianna Dane, Chevon Gael, Selah March, Carolina Valdez, Deirdre O'Dane- Amber Quill Press

*Losing It- Kate Willoughby- Liquid Silver Books

*Mirror of My Soul- Joey W. Hill- Ellora's Cave

*Take It on Faith- M. L. Rhodes- Amber Quill Press

*Wish List- Sylvia Day- Ellora's Cave

Erotic Romance Historical Fiction:

*A Knight in the Dungeon- Sarah Winn- Whiskey Creek Press

*Ask For It- Sylvia Day- Kensington Publishing

*Incomparable????- Emma Wildes- eXtasy Books

*Savage Shores- Emma Wildes- Venus Press

Erotic Romance Fantasy/Paranormal:

*Animal Dreams- Jeanne Laws- Loose Id

*Blind Devotion- Lucynda Storey- Triskelion Publishing

*Immortality's Caress: Eloise's Awakening Book 2- Monica M. Martin- eXtasy Books

*Knights of the Magical Realm: Warriors Gone Wild- Tina Gerow, Linda Wisdom, Dakota Cassidy, Brit Blaise- Triskelion Publishing

*Let Them Eat Cake- ????Ravyn Wilde- ????Ellora's Cave

*Potions, Elixirs, and Brews? Oh, My!- Lacey Savage, Cassandra Curtis, Caitlyn Willows, Adrianna Dane, Brit Blaise- Amber Quill Press

*Shifting Sands- Lacey Savage- Loose Id

*The Distressing Damsel- Shelly Laurenston????- Samhain Publishing

*The Ice Dragon- Bianca D'Arc- Samhain Publishing

Erotic Romance Science Fiction/Futuristic:

*Celestial Passions: Sheala- Judy Mays- Ellora's Cave

*Deadworld- Lorie O'Clare- Ellora's Cave

*Shadow Warrior- Layla Chase, Delilah Devlin, Betty Hanawa, Myla Jackson- Triskelion Publishing

*The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Talyss- Rayne Forrest- Loose Id

Fantasy:

*Dragon's Gold- Piers Anthony and Robert E. Margroff- Mundania Press

*Hierath- Joanne Hall- e-Press Online

*River- Skyla Dawn Cameron- Mundania Press

Fantasy/Paranormal Romance:

*A Griffin's Treasure- Lynne Connolly- Triskelion Publishing

*Missing in Action- Pam Champagne- Triskelion Publishing

*Song Weaver- Michelle L. Levigne- Amber Quill Press

*Supernatural Love- Jeanine Berry- Mundania Press

*The Beast Within- Kelly Ethan- Samhain

*The Taste of Magic- ????Gina Rosavin- Love Struck Books

GLBT:

*A Year and a Day- Willa Okati- Samhain

*Details of the Hunt- Laura Baumbach- Loose-ID

*Ransom- Lee Rowan????- Linden Bay Romance

*The Broken Road- Sean Michael- Torquere Press

Historical and Western:

*Hudson Lake- Laura Mazzuca Toops- Twilight Times Books

*The Centurion- Alex Domokos and Rita Y. Toews- Hard Shell Word Factory

Historical Romance:

*Captain Sinister's Lady- Darlene Marshall- ????Amber Quill Press

*Pirate's Price- Darlene Marshall- Amber Quill Press

*The Irish Countess- Janet Quinn- Whiskey Creek Press

Horror:

*Fear: Anthology of Horror and Suspense- Louise Bohmer, Vickie Britton, John Everson, Loretta Jackson, Nancy Jackson, Giovanna Lagana, Linda L. Lattimer, Janet Mills, Susan M. Sailors, Richard A. Satterlie, Katherine Smith- Whiskey Creek Press

*Rhiannon's Run and Other Tales- Chris Neeley- Titan Press

Inspirational Fiction:

*Begin With Me- Mike Ryan- Whiskey Creek Press

*Outlaw's Daughter- Sherry Derr-Wille- Awe-Struck Books

Mystery:

*Falcon's Bend Case Files, Volume I- Karen Wiesner & Chris Spindler- Hardshell Word Factory

*Just Add Water- Jinx Schwartz- WhoooDoo Mysteries

*Malpractice- Louise Titchener- Hardshell Word Factory

*Rio Star- Pepper Smith- Whiskey Creek Press

Nonfiction: General:

*The Last Boat Out: Memoirs of a Triumphant Vietnamese-American Family- Truong-Nhu Dinh and Tran Thi Truong Nga- Gaslight Publishing

*Hypnosis in Healthcare- Stephen LaFevers- Whiskey Creek Press

Nonfiction: Self Help:

*Cribbage Reinvented, Second Edition- J. T. Best- Boson Books

*Hasty Tasty Meals in the RV- Cheryl Norman- Paw Prints POD

*Woodworking for Idiots Like Me- Dr. Bob Rich- Anina's Book Company

Poetry:

*The Real Reason the Queen Hated Snow- Annette Marie Hyder- Twilight Times Books

*What Will Suffice- Barri Bryan- Hard Shell Word Factory

Romantic Suspense:

*Lycan Instinct- Brandi Broughton- Cobblestone Press

*No Ordinary Love- Karen Wiesner- Whiskey Creek Press

*Point Blank- Julie Cambria- ????Whiskey Creek Press

*Watch Over Me- Gail R. Delaney- Triskelion Publishing

Science Fiction:

*Infinite Space, Infinite God- Karina and Robert Fabian- Twilight Times Books

*Needle- L. L. Whitaker- e-Press Online

Science Fiction/Futuristic Romance

*Nuworld: The Saga Begins- ????Lorie O'Clare- Ellora's Cave

*The Phoenix Rebellion Book III: Gaining Ground- Gail R. Delaney- Triskelion Publishing

*The Phoenix Rebellion Book IV: End Game- Gail R. Delaney- Triskelion Publishing

Single Title/Mainstream:

*Mirror in a Blade- Eugen M. Bacon- INTERBAC

*Out of Time- Pauline Baird Jones- Hard Shell Word Factory

*Yellow Mountain- Rhiannon Neeley- Titan Press

Cover art winners:

ARIANA AWARD:

The eight Ariana Winners received the top number of votes in their categories. From the eight, the EPIC membership will vote to award the QUASAR for the Best Cover of 2007.

*Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, and Paranormal Romance

River- cover artist Trace Edward Zaber- Mundania Press LLC

*Historical and Western

Widow's Walk- cover artist Nikki Leigh- Write Words, Inc - Cambridge Books

*Horror

Fear: Anthology of Horror and Suspense- cover artist Jinger Heaston- Whiskey Creek Press

*Mainstream, Single Title, Nonfiction, and Poetry

Lipstick and Other Stories- cover artist Stacey L. King- Phaze Books

*Mystery, Suspense, Action-Adventure, and Thriller

A Circle of Crows- cover artist Jinger Heaston- Whiskey Creek Press

*Romance, Contemporary Romance, and Historical Romance

Bone Deep- cover artist April Martinez- Liquid Silver Books

*Science Fiction and Science Fiction Romance

Jigsaw- cover artist Trace Edward Zaber- Mundania Press LLC

*Young Adult and Children's

Valley of the Raven- cover artist Kurt Ozinga- Twilight Times Books

DIRK A. WOLF AWARD:

The eight Dirk A. Wolf Winners received the second highest number of votes in their categories in the first round of judging.

*Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, and Paranormal Romance

Of Water and Dragons- cover artist Ruth Bochte- Awe-Struck

*Historical and Western

Lies That Bind- cover artist Nancy Donahue- Whiskey Creek Press

*Horror

Return To Deville's Crossing- cover artist Gin E L Fenton- Chippewa Publishing LLC

*Mainstream, Single Title, Nonfiction, and Poetry

Song of Cy: Understanding Grief- cover artist Jinger Heaston- Whiskey Creek Press

*Mystery, Suspense, Action-Adventure, and Thriller

Point Blank- cover artist Jinger Heaston- Whiskey Creek Press

*Romance, Contemporary Romance, and Historical Romance

Chase for an Angel- cover artist Jinger Heaston- Whiskey Creek Press

*Science Fiction and Science Fiction Romance

The Moses Probe- cover artist Trace Edward Zaber- Mundania Press LLC

*Young Adult and Children's

Trapped in Devil's Cavern- cover artist Deb Lee Nurmi- Books Unbound

###

More Dungeons And Dragons Press Releases

Admiralty and Maritime Law "Best Firm in Baltimore" and "Best Lawyer" Rankings Announced for Wright, Constable & Skeen by The Best Lawyers in America?

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) November 29, 2011

Wright, Constable & Skeen (WC&S) has been selected by The Best Lawyers in America? as a Tier One Best Law Firm in Baltimore, Maryland for Admiralty and Maritime Law for 2011-2012.

Best Lawyers?? mission is to guide other lawyers and clients?from the country?s largest companies needing legal advice to individuals needing advice on personal matters?to lawyers who can produce a high level of legal work on complex issues in various legal specialties.

WC&S' Maritime Law practice group is comprised of Partners David W. Skeen, Esq. and Stephen F. White, Esq., who are both "Proctors-in-Admiralty" with the Maritime Law Association of the United States. Mr. Skeen also was recognized individually in Best Lawyers 2012 survey of leading attorneys for Admiralty & Maritime law and Mediation law. He has been named to Best Lawyers every year since 1989. Mr. White also was recognized individually in Best Lawyers' 2012 survey of leading attorneys for Admiralty & Maritime law. He has been named to Best Lawyers since 2008. Meighan Griffin Burton, Esq., is an associate in the Maritime Law practice.

Wright, Constable & Skeen and its predecessors have served the maritime and transportation community in the Mid-Atlantic region from the firm's Baltimore, Maryland offices for more than one hundred years. The WC&S Maritime Law practice group handles matters for domestic and international clients related to the commercial shipping industry and the recreational boating industry, including

Vessel arrests and attachments

Maritime liens

Commercial disputes relating to charters, contracts, marine insurance, trucking railroad and Warehouse claims

Claims under the Jones Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act

Personal injury and death claims

Towing and salvage

Mortgage foreclosures

Maritime claims in bankruptcy, collision, products liability, cargo and property damage

Marine insurance subrogation

Marinas, repair yards, slip rental agreements

U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers? announced the national and metropolitan rankings in U.S. News & World Report?s Money issue (November 15, 2011) and in a ?Best Law Firms? standalone publication distributed to 30,000 general counsel and 58,000 private practice lawyers worldwide.

About Wright, Constable & Skeen, L.L.P.

http://www.wcslaw.com

100 N. Charles Street, 16th Floor

Baltimore, MD 21201-3812

Phone: 410-659-1300

Fax: 410-659-1350

Baltimore-based Wright, Constable & Skeen (WC&S) is a full service law firm meeting the legal needs of Maryland businesses and residents for over a century. Along with the Maritime and Transportation practice group, the firm?s diverse practice areas include Bankruptcy & Creditors? Rights, Construction Law, Corporate & Business, Employment & Labor Law, Estates & Trusts, Family Law, Government Contracts, Insurance Defense, Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration, Non-profits, Real Estate, and Surety & Fidelity Law. WC&S is a member of The Harmonie Group, a national network of vetted, invitation-only independent law firms.

###

2011 Brinks Innovation Competition Finalists Announced

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) August 15, 2011

Intellectual property law firm Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is pleased to announce the five finalists for its 3rd Annual Brinks Innovation Competition, a leading Midwest competition for entrepreneurs in clean and green technology. The five finalists are AquaMost Inc.; Catacel Corporation; cycleWood Solutions LLC; Ecologic Tech; and Lightweight Structures LLC.

Companies submitting entries in the Brinks Innovation Competition, held annually in conjunction with the Midwest Clean Tech Conference, are required to provide solutions to global challenges in such areas as environmental technologies, renewable and alternative energy, infrastructure and community improvements, or green building science, and must offer competitive returns for investors and customers. Products, services and processes eligible for entry must improve and promote the productive and responsible use of natural resources, reduce or eliminate negative ecological impact and provide superior performance at lower costs compared to other approaches. Each entry was evaluated by a panel of experts representing regional universities, venture capitalists and business executives familiar with clean technology.

The five finalists come from across the Midwest and are a showcase of diverse clean technologies in a variety of industries:

AquaMost, based in Madison, Wis., has developed a unique water purification device based on a patented technology developed by University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists. The AquaMost device rapidly, economically and effectively destroys a variety of pathogens in water, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. The device also destroys harmful chemicals that contaminate drinking water, including hormone mimics, pharmaceuticals and industrial contaminants.

Catacel Corp., based in Garrettsville, Ohio, engineers and manufactures novel, proprietary catalytic materials that significantly increase process output and improve energy and operating efficiencies by combining and improving heat transfer and catalytic functions. The reactors are smaller, lighter, lower-cost and more energy efficient than alternatives.

cycleWood Solutions, based in Fayetteville, Ark., has created a biodegradable and compostable thermoplastic that provides an environmentally and socially responsible alternative to today's single-use grocery bag. The company converts its thermoplastic into an everyday-use plastic bag, called the Xylobag, which is made primarily from lignin, the second most abundant organic material on earth.

Ecologic Tech, based in Columbia, Mo., focuses solely on green technologies, utilizing fly ash and other innovative materials to create new products. The company is currently concentrating on solving problems in the building materials and biomass sectors. About 40 percent of the fly ash generated nationwide is used as a concrete ingredient or for constructing roadbeds, but the remaining 60 percent is unused and disposed of in landfills. Ecologic Tech manufactures bricks out of fly ash removed from the smoke of coal-fired power plants, and the new brick technology will significantly increase fly ash recovery rates.

Lightweight Structures, based in Hartland, Wis., has developed FORTECO, a lightweight composite framing system that combines light-gauge steel, insulation decking and concrete to form a cost-effective, easily installed and eco-friendly building system. FORTECO framing can reduce construction costs by 15% and shorten construction time by 30% while creating a super-insulated building. The technology offers a platform for emerging green building technologies and extra LEED credits.

This year's finalists will present their clean technologies to an international audience of early-stage investors, researchers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and financiers focused on clean technologies, and corporate research and development and business development executives. Presentations are at Midwest Clean Tech on September 14, 2011, at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. To learn more about the conference, visit http://www.midwestcleantech2011.com.

The Brinks Innovation Competition is presented by the Global Midwest Alliance and jointly sponsored by Brinks, the Midwest Research University Network and the Economic Development Council. For more information, please visit: http://www.brinkshofer.com/practice_areas/brinks-innovation-competition.

About Global Midwest Alliance

The Global Midwest Alliance (GMA) is the only business-led economic development group for the Midwest region. GMA facilitates collaboration among key stakeholders to provide access to global business opportunities to the Midwest and realize economic value from existing world-class assets in the Midwest. GMA focuses on programs and platforms that help high growth companies develop and expand markets for businesses based in the Midwest, encourage and assist international business activities in the region, and integrate business, financial and scientific resources for successful commercialization of technology in the Midwest. For more information, visit http://www.globalmidwestalliance.org.

About Midwest Research University Network (MRUN)

The Midwest Research University Network (MRUN) is an alliance of university business development professionals focused on start-up enterprise development as a means to promote university research. MRUN works closely with patent and licensing officers to assist the growth of start-up companies in the Midwest, assisting them with financing and collaboration opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.mrun.us.

Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the United States and serves the intellectual property needs of clients around the world. Brinks has 150 attorneys, scientific advisors and patent agents who specialize in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark and copyright law. The firm also advises on issues relating to intellectual asset management, trade secret, unfair competition, and technology and licensing agreements. Brinks routinely handles assignments for companies in the electrical, chemical, and mechanical engineering sectors; the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and nanotechnology industries; and for companies whose work relates to Internet and computer technology law. The firm?s trademark practice works on behalf of clients who deal in a wide variety of products and services. Brinks is based in Chicago and has offices in Ann Arbor, Mich., Indianapolis, Ind., Research Triangle Park, N.C., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Washington, DC. More information is available at http://www.usebrinks.com.

###