Speak Up Talk Radio announced the recent Firebird Book Awards contest winners.
One of the winning entries was from Mendon, NY author Christopher Carosa, whose book titled Hamburger Dreams: How Classic Crime Solving Techniques Helped Crack the Case of America’s Greatest Culinary Mystery won first place in the Food History and Popular Culture categories.
Buffalo, NY native Chris Carosa spent years thoroughly researching the various claims of who sold the first hamburger. Based on this research, Carosa concludes brothers Akron, Ohio Charles and Frank Menches were the first to sell a “hamburg sandwich” on Friday, September 18, 1885, from their stand near the grandstand at the Erie County Fair in the Town of Hamburg, NY.
“I’m honored to receive the recognition,” says Carosa, who is also Publisher of the MENDON-HONEOYE FALLS-LIMA SENTINEL. “The book represents a lot of hard work, so I greatly appreciate the acknowledgement from such a prestigious organization.”
Authors and publishers worldwide submitted their work to the International Firebird Book Awards. Two judges from a select panel of 27 read each book and independently scored each entry. All judges commit to a set of standardized criteria that evaluates the quality of the writing as well as production aspects. Only entries with the highest scores are awarded the coveted Firebird.
Patricia J. Rullo, the founder of the Firebird Book Awards, says, “The Firebird Book Awards adds a charitable twist that allows the author’s entry fee to be tax-deductible. In return, we make handmade fun and colorful pillowcases and send them with children’s books to women and children who are experiencing homelessness, including the shelter Enchanted Makeovers, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. In this way, authors get notoriety for their work while helping to transform homeless shelters into bright and happy homes. While it feels good to win a book award, it feels even better to do good and serve others.”
The Firebird Book Award judging panel includes a diverse group who represent a cross-section of ages, cultural heritage, races, religions, gender, and experience. The Firebird Book Awards run quarterly contests so authors can receive recognition on a timely basis. Authors from all genres, mainstream, independent, and self-published, are welcome.
