ForeWord Magazine named Kunati Books the first Independent Publisher of the Year at BEA, this year in L.A. "The new honor was created to celebrate ForeWord's tenth anniversary and to recognize Kunati's innovation and fearlessness."

LARGO — For Immediate Release— To celebrate its tenth year, ForeWord named Kunati Books as the first "Independent Publisher of the Year" at its prestigious Book of the Year Awards at BEA in L.A. ForeWord's Publisher Victoria Sutherland said, "In a word, or eight, Kunati inspired us to create this award. I hope the recognition inspires others to follow in their new but large and welcoming footsteps."

Kunati Books—a publisher of provocative, bold and controversial fiction and nonfiction released its first titles just over two years ago—is the first recipient of this title. Kunati is one of today's most innovative independent publishers. Its principals pioneered book trailers and blog tours and they foster an open partnership with authors who enthusiastically participate in marketing their books through blogs, book signings, interactive online events and social marketing. Kunati currently has several movie deals in the works, and its roster of authors includes Pulitzer Prize-winner John E. Mack, popular thrillers such as MADicine and Hunting the King, real crime sensations, memoirs, and even a bestselling tarot deck in Quantum Tarot, and the forthcoming Touchstone Tarot from the bestselling Kat Black.

The award was kept "top secret," Kunati Publisher Derek Armstrong said. "We had no idea this award was in the works. We were surprised and delighted at the recognition, and credit most of our success to our authors."

Victoria Sutherland explained the rationale for this important award: "The convergence in the industry led to the independent press community, where interesting and extraordinary moments still happen because creativity and provocativeness are allowed to flourish without beaucratic overhead. We felt those publishers should be recognized for their vitality and entrepreneurialism in spite of overwhelming odds not to get involved in the business. And who better to recognize them than the magazine created to cover them exclusively?"

Kunati has been called "a publisher to watch" by Booklist and "impressive" by Publishers Weekly for innovative marketing, stunning book covers, daring online initiatives and very provocative and controversial titles. "We hope the Independent Publisher of the Year award will inspire other innovative small presses to take on debut authors, fight for good memoirs and fiction, and challenge readers with provocative non-fiction," said Armstrong.

 About Kunati

Kunati Books has been described as "a publisher to watch" by ALA's Booklist and "what a publisher looks like if the marketing department runs things" by Quill and Quire. It is now the Independent Publisher of the Year 2007 Recipient from ForeWord Magazine. With nearly one hundred authors signed, a Pulitzer Prize-winner, and movie deals for books, Kunati is a major force in independent publishing.

Kunati, a traditional royalty- and advance-paying publisher, became an instant hit with its "authors-first approach." Founded by published authors, Kunati receives thousands of submissions per year. Careful selection led to critical acclaim for all published titles. Distributed internationally through Independent Publishers Group, Canadian Manda and other groups, and through all major wholesalers, Kunati quickly became popular with booksellers, and in particular the independents. Kunati is now distributed in 22 countries in English.

About Derek Armstrong

Best known for historical thrillers and mystery thrillers, Derek Armstrong is also a screenwriter, publisher and well-known marketing guru. His defining signature style was described by Booklist as "brilliance in which Armstrong blends comedy, parody, and adventure in genuinely innovative ways." Armstrong is the creator of Alban Bane, featured in the Alban Bane thrillers The Game and MADicine, a character affectionately compared by critics to House M.D., the TV character. He is the author of the popular Song of Montségur historical trilogy, including The Last Troubadour and The Last Quest.  He is also author of two non-fiction titles: Blogertize-A Leading Expert Shows How Your Blog Can Be A Money-Making Machine and The Persona Principle: How to Succeed in Business with Image-Marketing. Forthcoming in 2009 is a breakthrough Harry Potter competitor: Magick Inc.

Derek Armstrong has won many awards for advertising copywriting internationally and wrote The Persona Principle (Simon & Schuster) with co-author Kam Wai Yu, now translated into five languages.