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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Linda Radke, Five Star Publications, Inc.
Phone: (480) 940-8182 - Fax: (480) 940-8787
E-mail: info.fivestarpublications.com


ARIZONA AUTHORS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2009 LITERARY CONTEST WINNERS
FIVE STAR PUBLICATIONS TAKES HOME FOUR CONTEST AWARDS


(CHANDLER, AZ)-Five Star Publications made an impressive showing at the 2009 Arizona Authors Association Literary Contest, bringing home four awards in multiple categories. Winners were announced on November 7, 2009 at the organization's annual banquet in Glendale. "Five Star Publications is so honored to have been recognized with these prestigious awards," said president and founder Linda F. Radke. "This contest is open to authors from around the world, and to have Five Star shine so brightly is truly a tribute to the talented authors we serve."

Since 1980, the annual AZ Literary Contest and Book Awards has recognized both authors in seven categories, including unpublished short stories, poems, essays and novels and published fiction, nonfiction and children's literature. Five Star Publications received the following 2009 awards:

Published Nonfiction
Honorable Mention-Jack & Walter: The Films of Lemmon & Matthau by Ben Costello. Costello traces the paths of Lemmon and Matthau's careers, starting in 1966 with their first screen-pairing in The Fortune Cookie and continuing through their last laugh-filled romp in The Odd Couple II in 1998. Costello's work includes complete biographies of both Lemmon and Matthau, full credits and storylines for all 11 films, more than 100 publicity and behind-the-scenes photographs and memories from some of Hollywood's biggest stars.

Published Fiction
2nd place-UNA VIDA: A Fable of Music and the Mind by Nicolas Bazan, M.D. Neuroscientist Alvaro Cruz finds himself haunted by a recurring dream of a banjo player in an elusive cornfield that leads him on a personal quest to uncover the mysterious past of a New Orleans street singer known as Una Vida. Stricken with Alzheimer's disease, Una Vida offers tantalizing clues about her past through her mesmerizing vocals, incredible recollection of jazz lyrics and the occasional verbal revisiting of a fascinating life that's fading quickly and forever into the recesses of her mind.

Honorable Mention-Power's Garden by Dianne Ebertt Beeaff. Framed in a rich historical backdrop, Power's Garden is the masterfully woven tale of two southeastern Arizona families-one Texan, one Mormon-whose cultures collide during trying economic times. With candor and courage, the Brennick and Beecham families develop an embattled but gripping relationship, navigating uncertainties, challenging traditions and ultimately learning to love.

Children's Literature
3rd Place- Clara Meets Mr. Twiddles: The Magical Adventures of Clara the Cleaning Lady by Lynette Murray-Gibson. Beautifully illustrated and philanthropically motivated, Clara Meets Mr. Twiddles is a delightful tale of a cranky tomcat who meets an unusual housekeeper. Proceeds from the book are being used to build schools for underprivileged children in Liberia.


Based in Chandler, Five Star Publications has been publishing and promoting award-winning fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, children's literature and professional guides since 1985. For more information, visit www.FiveStarPublications.com.