Terrorism expert and author, Craig O. Thompson, was recently awarded the 2002 International Benjamin Franklin Awards™ Silver Award for "Best New Voice--Fiction" for his book on global terrorism, OMAR: A Novel (Brightwater Publishing / StrataGem Press™; August, 2001; 624 pp)

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Global Terrorism Novel Wins International Award

INDIANAPOLIS -- OMAR: A Novel, by Craig O. Thompson (Brightwater Publishing Company / StrataGem Press™), was a recipient of the Silver Award for Best New Voice--Fiction--at the 18th International Benjamin Franklin Awards™ gala ceremony held in New York. The Publishers Marketing Association bestows the award, each year, in Recognition of Excellence in Independent Publishing.

Publishers Marketing Association (PMA) recently honored the best books, in 54 categories, at the Benjamin Franklin Awards™--that preceeded the annual BookExpo America (BEA) conference--the largest gathering of its kind in the world. Over 25,000 publishers, booksellers, and authors participated at BEA. Publishers and authors from the U.S., Canada and Mexico competed for the coveted awards.

Named as the Silver Award winner in the Best New Voice--Fiction category (First- edition; August, 2001; 624 pp; ISBN: HC#0-9675207-0-3, $24.95; SC#0-9675207-1-1, $14.95)--OMAR: A Novel was highlighted as a well-paced book, taut with suspense. The Ben Franklin award recognizes OMAR: A Novel among the most successful in achieving its purpose and meeting its intended audience’s needs.

Published by StrataGem Press™, an imprint of Brightwater Publishing Company™, Indianapolis, and based on historical fact, OMAR is a literary novel of global terrorism, intrigue, greed, pride, and world politics. Midwest Book Review called OMAR “...a suspenseful and thrilling novel of escalating global terrorism...OMAR is a shocking, action-packed, highly recommended page-turner filled with suspense and plot-twists to the end.”

Author-keynoter and terrorism expert, Craig O. Thompson, is an authority on “CBNRW” (Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, Radiological Warfare). Years of research and study about terrorism and “CBNRW” made him the expert. But the more he learned, over the course of a dozen years, the more the subject began to alarm and startle him. And Thompson, the novelist and keynote speaker, has been on a mission to inform the public ever since.

The first-edition of OMAR--a book that predicted terrorism on America’s homeland--was ironically introduced during a keynote speech broadcast on C-SPAN, August 11th, 2001, one month to-the-day prior to the Attack on America. In his speech, “A Terrorist Cell Game,” Thompson spoke of terrorist attacks, led by al Qaeda suicide bombers, that would cause large numbers of deaths in America.

Thompson’s new work is so real that it is refered to as “more faction than fiction.” The reality of the book prompted U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar to comment, “OMAR forecasts tomorrow’s headlines ....This well-researched fiction is a timely window into potential disasters for unprepared nations.” Senator Lugar resides on the Senate’s Select Committee on Intelligence. He was responsible, as a co-author, for introducing, writing, and passing the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Act on domestic preparedness for terrorism employing weapons of mass destruction.

Thompson holds a B.S. and M.A. in Education from Northern Arizona University. He is the primary spokesperson for the International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals. As a marketing and advertising professional, and arts management consultant, he has been writing for over 25 years. Currently, Thompson is working on two new novels, a non-fiction work on terrorism, and the adaptation of a screenplay. As a member of the National Speaker's Association and International Platform Association, he was also published in an anthology titled “Star Spangled Speakers. “

The hardbound and softbound versions of OMAR are designed with acid-free paper, a beautiful dust-jacket (HB) or cover (SB), with embossed letters, gold-stamping, and sturdy lamination for years of reading and re-reading. A re-designed cover will include the emblem for the Benjamin Franklin award.

OMAR, by Craig O. Thompson, is available at quality bookstores or direct from the publisher 24/7 by calling Customer Service toll-free at 800-BOOKLOG (800-266-5564). OMAR/ sells for $24.95 for the First Edition Hardbound and $14.95 for Softbound, plus tax and shipping where applicable (624 pp; adult historical fiction>suspense-thriller). Or write, Brightwater Publishing / StrataGem Press P.O. Box 503, Greenwood, IN 46142-0503.

Related web sites of interest include the publisher’s site at www.BrightwaterPublishing.com or www.keynoteR-central.com (Craig O. Thompson’s national speaking web site).

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OMAR: A Novel by Craig O. Thompson. First edition 5.5 X 8.5, 624 pp. ISBN: (Hardcover) #0-9675207-0-3 (Softcover) #0-9675207-1-1 ; CIP/LCCN: #00-191553. $24.95 (Hardbound) / $14.95 (Softbound). Publication: Aug., 2001