AmericanBookFest.com was launched in 2014 with the intention of becoming not only an online presence but also eventually offering workshops and live events throughout the United States. American Book Fest is now the main sponsor of our family of book award contests and publishing-related websites. And, as the name implies, we celebrate the written word in all genres, fiction and non-fiction.

In November 2021, Brain Dance was awarded Number 1 Non-Fiction Book of the Year and received a substantial cash award for the first place position. The Independent Author Network (IAN) is a community of authors who are self published or published by a small indie press. IAN is a partner member of the Alliance of Independent Authors, a standard for publishing ethics.

Since its inception in December 2010, the Independent Author Network (IAN) has become an important resource for independent authors who count on the site for effective and affordable book promotion. More than 5,000 readers visit IAN each day to find great books by our talented authors.

Nautilus Books is a prestigious awards program dedicated to recognizing and celebrating books of literary significance that contribute to making the world a better place. Diane's dream from the beginning was for Brain Dance to be acknowledged by this program, as her goal in writing it was to create positive change. Her first book, Back in Control, was a finalist in the Business Books category in 2005. In 2022, Brain Dance was a finalist in the Memoir category for small presses. Nautilus reviews books from large and small publishers worldwide.

The excitement of a lifetime. Brain Dance was a finalist for Non-Fiction Book Cover Design (artist Duy Huynh) and with other winners and finalists was honored June 24, 2022 at a gala event at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, coinciding with a Book Signing event the American Library Association Annual Conference. Thanks, Next Gen and Cathy Teets for your support of authors! Next Gen is the largest international award program for indie authors and Independent Publishers.

In March, 2022, Brain Dance won the top prize, Gold Award for the Book Cover Design - Nonfiction category from The Independent Publisher Book Awards, also styled as the IPPY Awards. They are the longest-running unaffiliated contest open exclusively to independent presses. Thanks, Artist Duy Huynh and Designer Sandy Snead for your gifts in creating this special cover.

Brain Dance won the Gold award in the category of Science Books in 2021-2022. The Reader Views Literary Awards program recognizes the most creative and exciting new books in the industry. It’s awards program is recognized industry-wide as a top program for independent authors.

JM Northern Media LLC is a company focused on media and the people who make it. Founded in 1999, we produce annual events and report on the people who are making things happen in the world of digital media and beyond.