iUniverse Authors Win Literary Awards

Lincoln, Neb. - Nov. 4, 2003 - iUniverse, one of the largest publishers in the United States, today announced that four of its authors have recently received significant awards for literary achievement.

Recent awards given to iUniverse authors include:

• Ulysses Award - The Independent Literature Institute selected the iUniverse title An Awful Intimacy by Elizabeth Von Vogt for its 2003 Ulysses Award for Superior Independently Published Fiction. The award is named after the most famous independently published novel of all time, James Joyce's Ulysses. According to the Institute, An Awful Intimacy was chosen from among several hundred titles because of its "unique form, artistic timbre, and grace."
• StoneWall Society Literary Awards - Two iUniverse authors have won the StoneWall Society 2003 Pride in the Arts Literary Awards: Kelly Ann Zarembski, winner of the Ethos Award for the best cultural book, Embers in the Sky; and Duane Simolke, winner of the Imagination Award for the best Sci-fi/Horror book, Degranon.
• Royal Palm Award - Waking Walt by Larry Pontius won the 2003 Royal Palm Award for best Sci-fi/Horror/Speculative Fiction book of the year. The Royal Palm Awards are bestowed annually by the Florida Writers Association.

"Many talented authors choose iUniverse to publish their works," says Susan Driscoll, president and CEO of iUniverse. "These awards demonstrate the level of success that authors can achieve through our publishing programs, as well as through following the 'iUniverse Roadmap to Publishing Success.'"

The iUniverse Roadmap to Publishing Success is a step-by-step process to help authors succeed by progressing through a series of clearly defined achievements, or "milestones." The Roadmap includes: an Editorial Review process to enhance the book's quality and salability; a Reader's Choice program for authors whose books meet quality and preliminary sales goals; and the Star Program for authors whose books meet higher sales goals and demonstrate exceptional market potential. The most successful Star authors qualify for assistance in moving on to even greater levels of success, such as submission to the Barnes & Noble in-store book placement program and introductions to traditional publishers.

About iUniverse, Inc.

iUniverse helps individuals publish, market, and sell their books. The company is one of the largest publishers in the United States, with more than 12,000 titles in its backlist, and publishes 400 new fiction and non-fiction titles each month. iUniverse partners with industry leading author organizations, including the Authors Guild, ASJA, and the Mystery Writers of America, to bring innovative publishing programs to their members. In May 2003, PC Magazine awarded iUniverse its coveted "Editors' Choice" designation, along with five of five stars, setting it far above all other publishers that utilize print on demand (POD) technology.