Local Author Wins 2nd Place for Novel of the Year

Schaumburg resident and author Susan Miura was awarded second place for Christian Market Novel of the Year from the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) for her novel, Surviving Carmelita, which released in April from Cross River Media. The book was also a finalist in the American Book Fest's 2021 American Fiction Awards. Miura will be selling and signing Surviving Carmelita and her other books during the Local Author Fair from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23 at Schaumburg Library, 130 S. Roselle Rd.

"This award is an incredible honor, and I appreciate all the people that helped make it happen," Miura said. "In researching this book, I interviewed the head of a human trafficking organization and someone from the Turtle Hospital in the Florida Keys, and asked Cookbook Author Nancie McDermott to be included as a friend to one of my characters. She agreed to that, and even contributed a recipe that appears at the novel's conclusion."

In addition to the awards, Surviving Carmelita received the following review from Midwest Book Review: "Susan Miura crafts a compelling story of a loving mother who has many skeletons in her closet and many spiritual hurdles to overcome in the course of coming to grips with past and present realities," said Diane Donovan, senior reviewer for Midwest Book Review. "Her journey vibrantly demonstrates how the presence of God and the devil and lies and secrets intersect to provoke transformation and change."

Miura leads writing workshops, gives travel presentations, and is on the faculty for the 2022 Write to Publish conference taking place in Wheaton, IL. Her previous novels, Signs in the Dark, Healer, and Shards of Light, have received multiple book awards. More information on her presentations and books is available at susanmiura.com.