2011 Awards Ceremony at the Plaza Hotel
in New York

Winners and Finalists of the fourth annual Next Generation Indie Book Awards were invited to attend the gala awards ceremony held in the Rose Club at the world famous Plaza Hotel in New York City on May 24, 2011. A fun, rewarding and memorable time was had by all who attended! (Photo courtesy of Denny Stockdale)
Authors, publishers, agents and guests mingle and network during the 2011 awards ceremony reception.
Marilyn Allen (Co-Founder and Literary Agent), Jennifer Collins Taylor (Winner and Finalist), Catherine Goulet (Co-Founder and Chairperson), and Gareth Esersky (Advisor and Judge) celebrate the win of Jennifer Collins Taylor
The organizers of the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards were honored to share such a memorable evening with so many of the Winners and Finalists at the 2011 gala awards ceremony at the Plaza Hotel. (Click on a thumbnail below to view a larger image)
I cannot express how significant and impressive the Award Ceremony at the Plaza Hotel Rose Club was for me. I have received a total of 16 Book Awards to date and your ceremony and the beautiful gold medal was simply outstanding and first-class. The venue was spectacular: the hotel, the Rose Club, the hors d’oeuvres, the wine, the Next Generation Indie photo area, the presentation speeches and opportunity to meet the gifted, dedicated organizers. You provided the winners and finalists the perfect, intimate environment to meet and bond with each other. The friendships I formed will last for a very long time. All in all, it was one of the most exciting experiences in my life and I will cherish it in my heart. Blessings to you all for this wonderful gift. I hope to meet you again in the future. Judith Anne Desjardins, Author and Winner - Relationships of the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Creating A Healthy Life and Marriage; A Holistic Approach: Body, Mind, Emotions and Spirit (Spirit House Publishing)
In May my wife and I attended the reception for winners and finalists in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Awards held at the Plaza Hotel in NYC. Except for an opening welcome, the reception was informal, which gave us all a chance to network with other authors, publishers and agents. I was personally rewarded with two medals, one for winning the category of best general fiction under 80,000 words and another for the Grand Prize in Fiction. For an author who has published his or her work with a small, independent publisher, this is just about the highest award possible. I feel very lucky to have won. Once again I wish to thank you and your staff for all the kindness you showed me and all the other authors in attendance. I had a great time meeting and sharing stories with so many wonderful people. The reception itself was beautifully handled, and the entire evening, while very professional, possessed an intimate feel. Jim Hitt, Author and First Place $1,500 Grand Prize Winner - Fiction of the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Carny: A Novel in Stories (Aberdeen Bay Press)
2011 Winners and Finalists Judith Desjardins, Kevin Cohen, Jo Ann Darby and Radcliff Lance (from left to right) celebrate their wins with Catherine Goulet, Chair of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
It was a true honor to receive and experience such an AMAZING evening at the Plaza Hotel in New York! Thank you to all the coordinators and judges for taking time to organize such an event honoring independent authors! Being able to post pictures from this FIRST CLASS event has created excitement for The Girlfriend Book fans! A major motion picture company was already interested in producing a movie based off of the book, this award has helped increase their interest! Networking, exchanging ideas and concepts with other devoted authors was PRICELESS! Certainly planning to enter The Girlfriend Book Series next release MGFL...Much Girlfriend Love for 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards! Jo Ann Darby, Author and Finalist - Women’s Issues of the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. The Girlfriend Book (Warren Publishing)
My deepest thanks to everyone involved in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. What a remarkable experience. I am grateful for the recognition, which has helped my book gain attention, and has allowed me to meet experts in the publishing field I would otherwise never know. The awards reception was lovely. Everyone I met was tremendously enthusiastic and clearly believed in what the awards are all about. The seals are beautiful -- it feels wonderful to place them on the cover. I cannot thank you enough, and I firmly believe I've met people I will keep in touch with for many years to come. Barbara Vance, Author and Finalist - Children's Picture Book of the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Suzie Bitner Was Afraid of the Drain (Copperplate Publishing)
Judith Desjardins and Jo Ann Darby, each Winners in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, celebrate their win in front of the legendary Plaza Hotel in New York City
Click here to see the video Testimonial from Winner Radcliff Lance (opens in a new window) Radcliff Lance, Author and Winner - Action/Adventure of the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.. Suicide Run: Love & Bullets (Outskirts Press)