What’s better than a Kid Beowulf book? How about an award-winning Kid Beowulf book? Kid Beowulf and the Song of Roland took home a silver award in the 2011 PubWest Design Awards, which recognizes “excellent design and outstanding production quality of books from independent publishers.” See the full press release below.

UPDATE: The category in which Kid Beowulf and the Song of Roland was entered is Graphic Album – New Material. The gold award in that category went to  Wondermark Volume 3: Dapper Caps & Pedal-Copters by David Malki!

PubWest Announces 2011 Book Design Award Contest Winners

Independent Publishing Association Receives Record Number of Entries for 2011 Contest

Lake Oswego, Oregon — April  21, 2011 — PubWest, the leading trade association of independent publishers, has announced the winners of its 2011 Book Design Awards contest. Recognizing excellent design and outstanding production quality of books from independent publishers, the PubWest Book Design Award contest is the longest running and most prestigious design awards contest in the independent publishing industry. The 2011 PubWest Design Awards contest  received more entries than ever before in its history, judging  160 entries  from 74 publishers  in 20 categories  on typography, jacket/cover design, interior design, format, selection of materials used, and printing and binding production quality. The list of winning titles is now available at pubwest.org.

“I was  delighted with the high quality of books entered into this year’s Book Design Awards contest. With a record number of entries this year, the competition was extremely intense,” said program chair Julie T. Houk of the Boone and Crockett Club. “This was one of the best groups of books we’ve seen in recent years.” Houk added, “We thank the publishers who submitted their titles. Their participation is key to allowing us opportunity to recognize the excellent design and production of today’s independent book publishing industry. Browse through  the list of winning titles  at pubwest.org  and you’ll find  a fascinating variety of successful designs and production qualities.”

Publishers enter the PubWest Book Design Awards to showcase their strongest designs, to recognize the hard work of their editorial production staff and freelancers, and for the unique opportunity to receive critical design feedback from an expert panel of judges.

Winners will be recognized at the  2011 PubWest Conference to be held November 3-5 in Henderson, Nevada at the Green Valley Ranch Resort. For more information on the PubWest Conference program and registration, please visit pubwest.org.

PubWest is  North America’s leading trade association for independent publishers and related service organizations. Comprised of book publishers, printers, graphic designers, editors, binderies, and freelancers, PubWest offers a community of the most dynamic and  innovative professionals in book publishing. Please learn more about PubWest at pubwest.org.

Contact:

Kent Watson

Executive Director

PubWest

Phone: (503) 635-0056

E-mail: executivedirector@pubwest.org

Bowler Hat Comics Debuts in Previews with
Kid Beowulf and the Blood-Bound Oath

Portland, Oregon-Continuing its upward momentum, Bowler Hat Comics makes its Direct Market debut in Diamond’s December issue of Previews with the initial listing of Kid Beowulf and the Blood-Bound Oath.

Already a hit with teachers, librarians, and classics scholars through a successful national launch in the general book trade, Bowler Hat is excited to present this all-ages graphic novel to readers of another classical nature-classic cartooning.

Created by Alexis E. Fajardo, Kid Beowulf and the Blood-Bound Oath debuts an ongoing original graphic novel series of epic proportions that follows the adventures of 12-year-old twin brothers Beowulf and Grendel. Written and illustrated by Fajardo, this first book in the series uses wit and unique twists to introduce new characters inspired by old heroes and to transform classic literature into a vivid world rooted in classical cartooning.

The Kid Beowulf series will continue to follow the journey of Beowulf and Grendel on their world tour as they travel to foreign lands and meet epic heroes therein. From Charlemagne’s court in France to the island nation of Japan, Beowulf and Grendel will encounter all types of heroes on their odyssey.

Fans of all ages can now find Kid Beowulf and the Blood-Bound Oath at their local comics shop, or by contacting the Comic Shop Locator Service toll free at 1-888-COMICBOOK (1-888-266-4226) or online at http://www.comicshoplocator.com.

Alexis E. Fajardo is a student of the classics-whether Daffy Duck or Damocles-and has created a unique blend of the two in Kid Beowulf. Alexis has taught cartooning throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and currently resides in Santa Rosa, where, when not penning Kid Beowulf, he “works for Peanuts” at the Charles M. Schulz Studio.

Bowler Hat Comics brings a fresh perspective to the world of comics by exploring storytelling techniques that push the boundaries between words and pictures. Whether it be graphic novels or illustrated novels, expect a sense of sophisticated whimsy from Bowler Hat. Bowler Hat Comics is an imprint of Ink & Paper Group, LLC. For more information contact marketing@bowlerhatcomics.com.