When former Vernon resident Irish Beth Maddock (née Fell) wrote her first children’s book, she had no idea that her fish “tail” about Okanagan Lake was going to swim into bigger waters.
The Great Carp Escape has just earned Maddock another award - her seventh since her book was published last year.
The latest is a gold medal with the 2016 Illumination Awards in the enduring light children’s picture book category.
“I applied for every award that I could with my book in small hopes it might just win one placement,” said Maddock, a former Queen Silver Star who is now based in Calgary.
“The competition is quite fierce in the children’s publishing industry, so it truly blows me away that my story has received such incredible recognition.”
In 2015, The Great Carp Escape placed as a finalist in The International Book Awards, the U.S.A. Best Book Awards, and with the National Indie Excellence Awards in its children’s religious picture book categories.
In addition, the book’s illustrator, Lucent Ouano, was recognized with the Reader's Favorite Award for best illustrated book in the Christian category.
The Great Carp Escape is based on the true story of a childhood adventure Maddock experienced while growing up on Okanagan Lake during the mid-1980s.
Publicity from media venues such as Publisher’s Weekly, 100 Huntley Street, and CBC Radio has also brought attention to Maddock’s story.
The author has been using her award winning book as a fundraiser for schools, churches, charities and ministries, so far raising more than $1,000 for various causes.
More information about The Great Carp Escape is available at irishbethmaddock.com.
The book is available locally at Vernon Teach and Learn, Coles/Chapters, or online.