Published: July 22, 2008 02:15 am      

LITERATURE: Author with local ties wins prestigious award

By KEELEY SHEEHAN

Special to the US&J

For Susan Jones, the road from school teacher to published author was a long one. Recently, her work paid off when her book, “Until We Meet Again,” was honored as a runner-up for a Ben Franklin Award for children’s picture books.

The Lockport native received the award at a presentation ceremony in Los Angeles, along with the book’s illustrator, Shirley Antak, and layout designer, Tom Heller.

“It was really an honor,” Jones said. “It was a very active collaboration to bring home this nomination. It’s nice to see that all our talents are being recognized.”

Jones traveled to California at the end of May to attend the ceremony at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles, where all finalists’ books from 47 categories were on display. Jones found herself both excited and nervous at the ceremony.

“You’re sitting there, getting ready for them to announce the winner, and everything just kind of stops, and you hold your breath and hope,” Jones said.

The award ceremony took place on the last evening of Publishing University, a series of seminars and lectures leading up to the opening of the 2008 Book Expo America. Books from across the country were on display, and authors were there doing book signings.

“The expo was very interesting, with all the booths set up and celebrities there doing book signings. I took business cards and tried to make some contacts,” Jones said.

Jones, originally from Lockport, currently lives in Connecticut. “Until We Meet Again” is her first book, telling the story of a grandfather and his young grandson whose time together is coming to an end. The book focuses on their love for each other and the memories they share.

“Although the book is a children’s book, it resonates with all generations. Children hear the story and in their innocence, they get busy with the memory making. Adults are touched on a different level, and that depends on where they’ve been, where they are and where they’re heading,” Jones said.

The book will now display a silver award seal on the front cover, marking its status as a runner-up.

“It makes it stand out, that it was recognized for something. People may not know what the award is, but they may pause to give it a second glance,” she said.

The Ben Franklin Award is given out by PMA, the Independent Book Publishers Association, to recognize excellence in independent publishing.

“To have the book move outside your circle of friends and have it be recognized on a national level is really a gift. We’re all just waiting to see what will happen next with ‘Until We Meet Again,’ ” Jones said.

Jones has plans to publish an inspirational book, but is now focusing most of her time on promoting “Until We Meet Again.”

“My day is pretty full with marketing this book to get it where it needs to be, to touch the hearts of those who can benefit from the story,” she said.