Why I Am Thrilled To Be a 2020 NIEA Finalist

Insight Institute Press is the imprint of author and publisher, Myra Mossman.

My thirst for knowledge and understanding goes hand in hand with reading, and my love of books. It goes all the way back to when I was a little kid standing in front of the stationary and journals section of our local department store. I fantasied about being an author. Eventually, I grew up to become a hand bookbinder, a paper restorer, and then write legal briefs as an attorney in my federal criminal appeals practice. But writing a memoir is different, which drove me to study and take creative non-fiction writing classes. After many drafts, I worked closely with my editor. Then I was ready.

I knew what I wanted. Thoughts of handing over my voice to a book agent, or creative control of the cover designs and interior aspects of my memoir made me feel unwell. Nor did I want to let a publishing house define the marketing content and strategy. So I collaborated with professionals and became an independent book publisher.

This is why being a Finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards is such a honor. It recognizes high-quality writing plus the whole look of the book, "excellent presentation in every facet of the final published product." Also, I am thrilled my memoir is a 2020 NIEA Finalist in the true crime category. It is a highly competitive genre these days.

My Random Death-A Memoir is a 2020 NIEA Finalist -True Crime Category