Kilpack Wins Second Firebird Book Award

West Jordan, Uta. — Speak Up Talk Radio announced the winners of the most recent Firebird Book Awards competition. Finishing first in the Fantasy category was Utah author W.D. Kilpack III for his epic-fantasy novel, Order of Light: Book Two of New Blood.

Order of Light is the second of the eight-book New Blood Saga, which centers around Natharr, the Guardian of Maarihk. He is one of a long line of protectors dating back to the Firstborn Age, before the Aa Conquest. Natharr's is an ancient role, rooted in his Firstblood, giving him Sight to see what is yet to be. Natharr stands guard over all men, Aa or Firstborn, Seeing what will come to pass, deciding what is unavoidable and what is not. In Order of Light, Natharr emerges from hiding to find that the Guardian of Maarihk has been condemned as anathema, and his very existence relegated to legend. He resumes his ancient responsibilities as Mankind's protector and joins with a mysterious Firstborn companion, Ellis the Elder. They journey into the snow reaches of Biraald, where his Sight promises he will find those who secretly adhere to the ways of the Olde Gods. Despite Biraaldi bloodlines showing their Firstborn heritage more clearly than even in Maarihk itself, the two nations have never enjoyed peace. It has been far worse since the rise of Brandt the Usurper to Maarihk's throne. Natharr and Ellis must navigate the threats not only against the Firstborn, but the Maarihkish, as they seek out the sympathizers he Saw who are brave enough to resist Maarihk's tyranny. Only then can the damage be repaired from when Natharr chose personal happiness with Darshelle and the young crown prince over his weighty responsibilities as Guardian of Maarihk.

The Firebird Book Awards competition received submissions from authors and publishers from around the world. Two judges from a select panel of 17 read each book in its entirety and independently scored each entry. All judges committed to a set of standardized criteria to evaluate the quality of the writing as well as production aspects. Only entries with the highest of scores were awarded the coveted Firebird.

This is the first award Kilpack has received for Order of Light, although Crown Prince (book one) has received three awards to date. Kilpack's recently published science-fiction novella, Pale Face, received special recognition from the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest.

According to RedHeadedBookLover.com, Order of Light is "a brilliant followup to an amazing first book ... One of the most well-written and well-developed stories I have ever come across ... A poignant, sensational, and captivating novel that will take [you] on a turbulent-but-fantastic journey full of ups and downs and shocks and thrills galore!Order of Light is compelling thanks to the enthralling moments as well as the unpredictable nature of the book that will have you turning the pages with haste from beginning to end ... The reader is taken on an exceptional journey that is continuously evolving and changing ...Order of Light is a remarkable, fascinating, and addictive read with a unique premise as well as the excellent literature ... A phenomenal novel that captivated me ... W.D. Kilpack III is an incredibly talented author who clearly knows how to write unique-but-engaging stories ... What I loved the most about Kilpack's writing is his remarkable descriptions because they genuinely amazed me! Order of Light is a marvelous, stellar, and supreme book that will entertain, delight readers from start to finish!"

According to Sinister Soup podcast co-founder, Clay Vermulm, "Bill [Kilpack] is a wonderful man who works extremely hard on his craft. Kilpack delivers a stunning blow to the belief that Indie-Fantasy is worth any less that its salt [with] well-crafted epic[s] with unique plot mechanisms, well-developed and believable characters, and a world grounded in the visceral and the real."

In a prepared statement, Patricia J. Rullo, founder of the Firebird Book Awards, said, "Our judging panel includes a diverse group who represent a cross-section of ages, cultural heritage, race, religion, gender, and experience. At Speak Up Talk Radio, our mission is to offer authors a welcome place to promote themselves and their books via book awards, radio interviews, audiobook production, and podcasting services. We want to support those dare who share themselves with the world through their written words."

Kilpack is an award-winning and critically acclaimed internationally published writer, with works appearing in print, online, radio and television, starting with his first publication credit at the age of nine, when he wrote an award-winning poem. He has been editor and/or publisher of 19 news and literary publications, both online and in print, with circulations as high as 770,000. He is an accomplished cook and has cooked nearly every type of food on a grill. He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Westminster College of Salt Lake City. As an undergrad, he double-majored in communication and philosophy, while completing the Honors Program. As a graduate student, he earned a master of professional communication with a writing emphasis. He was also a high-performing athlete, qualifying for international competition in Greco-Roman wrestling. He is a communication professor and a nationally recognized wrestling coach. He is happily married to his high-school sweetheart and is father to five children, as well as helping to raise five step-children. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he continues to live, coach and teach. For more information.

Rullo said, "We saw a huge increase in the number of categories ... [which] allowed us to send even more pillowcases and other handmade gifts to the homeless shelters. The charitable component to our awards allows all entry fees to be tax-deductible to the author. In return, we personally make and send handmade fun and colorful pillowcases to women and children in homeless shelters via Enchanted Makeovers, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. In this way, authors get notoriety for their work while helping to transform homeless shelters into bright and happy homes. It is a rewarding venture for everyone."

The Firebird Book Awards welcomes author submissions from all genres; mainstream, independent, and self-published are welcome. For more information.