#Press Release The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name: Short Stories places in the 2018 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards

For Immediate Release:
Place: Mumbai, INDIA
Date: June 22, 2018
There is nothing more exhilarating and uplifting to an author than her book being recognized either with a good review from a trade reviewer or placing in prestigious competitions. It is an even more humbling experience when the same book is recognized as being suitable for children to read.
In 2009, the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards were conceived with children in mind. As mentioned on the Story Monsters LLC website: “Not only do we want to recognize and honor accomplished authors in the field of children’s literature, but we also want to highlight up-and-coming, newly published authors, and younger published writers.
“Divided into 56 distinct subject categories ranging from books on the environment and cooking to sports and family issues, and even marketing collateral that complements a book, the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards are geared toward stories that appeal to children of all ages. We are looking for books that are original, innovative and creative in both content and design. A Purple Dragonfly Book Awards seal on your book’s cover, marketing materials, or website tells parents, grandparents, educators, and caregivers that they are giving children the very best in reading excellence. Our judges are industry experts with specific knowledge about the categories over which they preside.
“Being honored with a Purple Dragonfly Book Award confers credibility upon the winner and gives published authors the recognition they deserve and provide a helping hand to further their careers.”
I am therefore honored to announce that my book The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name: Short Stories placed in the 2018 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards which is sponsored by Story Monsters LLC ® home to the award-winning Story Monsters Ink® magazine, the literary resource for teachers, librarians, and parents — selected by School Library Journal as one of the best magazines for kid and teens.

My book was a Second Place Winner in the “E-Book/LGBT” category and received Honorable Mention in “Family Matters.”
I congratulate all the authors who placed in the competition. I also wish thank to Story Monsters LLC for recognizing my book as being suitable for children to read. I hope that many teens, Young Adults, librarians, parents, and teachers pick up my book and learn to be more accepting of the LGBT community. My book is available in Hardcover, Paperback, and E-Book and can be purchased from Amazon. My book is being distributed worldwide through Ingram. Booksellers, wholesalers, librarians, and Corporates can approach Ingram for bulk buying at huge discounts but on a Firm Sale Basis. Or they can email us directly with their requirements at fizapathan@fizapathanpublishing.com seeking our terms and conditions.
Further, Librarians please note for your reference, my book is registered with the United States Copyright Office under Registration Number TX 8-531-285 – Effective date of Registration January 27, 2018.
It will not be out of place to mention here that my book has placed in the below mentioned awards, either as Finalist or Winner:
2018 Montaigne Medal Finalist (Eric Hoffer Book Award)
2018 Shelf Unbound Competition for Best Independently Published Book – Notable Indie
2018 Independent Press Award – Distinguished favorite in LGBTQ Fiction
2018 San Francisco Book Festival – Winner in category Gay
2018 International Book Awards – Finalist in Fiction – LGBTQ category
2018 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards – 2^nd Place Winner – LGBT (E-Book)
2018 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards – Honorable Mention – Family Matters (E-Book)
The following are the reviews received from Trade reviewers:
“In The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name, Pathan expertly writes of suppression and love on such a deep level the reader may feel they are learning about her own life. The intimacy of language pulls the reader in page by page, diving in to 21 emotionally rich stories bringing to life social hardships the LGBT community face every day. From hopelessly single 58-year-old drag queens to a culture that believes arranged marriages are more vital than how you feel, it’s easy to see Pathan genuinely understands pain and acceptance. Besides the range of emotions created for her characters, Pathan also succeeds to speak through her characters in a breezy conversational tone that would make it easy for anyone to read and enjoy. With her shift from different time eras and cultures, The Love That Dare Not Speak its Name is not only for people struggling with their sexuality but people old and young that can easily connect to each and every story.” ~Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Award Nominee Review by Britany Menken
” . . . examines the diversity of global LGBTQ communities and their common challenges . . .incredibly varied collection of 21 stories covers the gamut of LGBTQ issues and the hurdles individuals face. . . highlights the somewhat lesser-known topics of asexuality and intersex identities . . . tackles one of the most volatile topics for not just LGBTQ communities, but also the entire world . . . this volume’s exhaustive approach to elevating queer issues remains commendable.”
~Kirkus Reviews
“Each story in The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name resounds a call for the cultural acceptance of LGBTQ+ people . . . A tender and enlightening collection of stories focused on modern sexuality and related through a diverse cast of characters . . . Heartfelt and at times shocking, the stories in this collection shine a light on hate, prejudice, and whirlwind of emotions that LGBTQ+ people and their allies face . . . The book is careful with details and terminology, resulting in respectful and informative writing that helps drive each story and deliver appropriate impact. Many of the stories focus on intersex children and adults, and the confusion of the characters is tangible as they navigate love and sexuality in ambiguous terms. It is tragic to watch these characters, many of whom feel “born in the wrong body,” struggle with their shame and self-esteem, as well as with the nefarious forces of the outside world . . . These stories are not light. In addition to sexuality, they draw on themes of religion, friendship, family, justice, and self-worth. As the grandfather of one intersex child says, “I will say that equality exists beyond the boundaries of what is between someone’s legs.” The collection a testament to this statement. Another grief-stricken character laments, “My sister died in anonymity,” a silence that the collection works to reverse. Stories follow a thought-provoking arc, while each elicits empathy and sadness. Fictional newspaper articles echo the all-too-real horrors of homophobic bullying, rage, and murder, emphasizing that the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community should not be ignored.” ~Meredith Hardwicke for Foreword Clarion Reviews
“THE LOVE THAT DARE NOT SPEAK ITS NAME is, at its core, a series of loving arguments, making a case for the acceptance and support of people as human beings, whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity. . . Each individual’s story, however, is their own, and in the end it’s the people whose relationships matter – the troubled nephew taken in by his drag queen uncle, the mother who chooses to have a living daughter instead of a dead son, the bookstore owner who connects deeply with a customer – and it is they who make the stories come alive.” ~Catherine Langrehr for IndieReader
“Pathan’s stories are notable for their sympathetic characters and strong message of tolerance.” ~BlueInk Review
“A sublime collection of short stories that tug at your heartstrings Fiza Pathan delivers an exquisite work of literature. . . . powerful and poignant.” ~BookViral
” . . .hopefully, it is books like these that will ultimately enable true recognition and acceptance of this much alienated and shunned community, and eventually enable them to get to a place where being LGBTQIA is regarded just as normal and ordinary as being heterosexual or anything else in the world today. This is a must-read book!”~Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers’ Favorite
“Each story in this collection is cleverly constructed to force the reader to think about LGBTQ issues from a different perspective. The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name by Fiza Pathan is a powerful book that everyone should read, regardless of what community they identify with.” ~Authors Talk About It
 
 
https://www.amazon.com/Love-That-Dare-Speak-Name/dp/8193290658/
https://www.storymonsters.com/book-briefs/2018-purple-dragonfly-book-awards-winners-announced