RV Traveling Tales: Women’s Journeys on the Open Road named as finalist in the 21st Benjamin Franklin Awards from Publishers Marketing Association in "Recognition of Excellence in Independent Publishing." More than sixteen-hundred entries were received, and the award was presented in Chicago, on the eve of the annual Book Expo America (BEA) conference.

RV Traveling Tales ($14.95, March, 2003) was highlighted for its editorial content. Comments by the judges include:

RV Traveling Tales: Women’s Journeys on the Open Road, the only RV-related book nominated, is an anthology of short writings by fifty-two women, who answer the question: What is it like to be a female nomad on the open road, leaving family, community, and possessions to head into the unknown in an RV? The Ben Franklin award recognizes that RV Traveling Tales was among the most successful in achieving its purpose and meeting its intended audience's needs.

Judged by a panel of book industry experts including buyers at wholesale and retail levels, librarians, book critics, design experts and independent publishing consultants, all entries were scrutinized by individuals involved in the very markets in which the books are competing.

Named in honor of America's most cherished publisher and printer, the Benjamin Franklin Award recognizes excellence in independent publishing. Publications, grouped by genre, are judged on editorial and design merit by top practitioners in each field. A panel of more than 150 judges from throughout the publishing industry weighed and evaluated more than 1,600 submissions in 54 categories to create the list of more than 160 finalists for the 2003 publishing year. Publishers large and small from across the nation, Canada and Mexico competed for the coveted Benjamin Franklin Awards.

PMA, with more than 3900 members, is the largest non-profit trade association representing independent publishers. Founded in 1983, its mission is to advance the professional interests of independent publishers.

For more information, contact Jaimie Hall at Pine Country Publishing, 928-607-3181 or jaimie@rvhometown.com. For a complete listing of finalists and to view the award winners in each of the 54 categories, check out the PMA website at PMA-online.org.