Hands at Work Named Outstanding Book of the Year

Hands at Work— Portraits and Profiles of People Who Work with Their Hands

Iris Graville, author ~ Summer Moon Scriver, photographer

Independent Publisher Book Awards just announced winners of its 13th annual competition and named Hands at Work— Portraits and Profiles of People Who Work with Their Hands, an Outstanding Book of the Year. The 144-page coffee-table book includes photographs by Summer Moon Scriver and stories by Iris Graville, both from Lopez Island. Hands at Work was one of 3,380 books entered in the national contest, and it was awarded a gold medal in the “Most Life-Changing Book” category.

Released in November 2008 by Iris’s publishing company, Heron Moon Press, Hands at Work offers profiles and images of people passionate about working with their hands; many of them are from Lopez Island. The stories and photographs of a boat builder, potter, chef, reef net fisherman, quilter, physical therapist, blacksmith and others portray the mystical rightness of deeply fulfilling work. “We’re thrilled that Hands at Work was selected as a life-changing book,” says Iris. “The people presented in it are such models of the rewards that come from doing work that is meaningful.”

For 26 years, the mission at Independent Publisher has been to recognize and encourage the work of publishers who exhibit the courage and creativity necessary to take chances, break new ground, and bring about change, not only to the world of publishing, but to society. The organization will present its IPPY Awards in New York on Friday, May 29th, the first evening of this year’s BookExpo America convention.

Hands at Work is available at Islehaven Books, Chimera Gallery, and a variety of local businesses on Lopez including Vita’s and Lopez Island Vineyards and Winery. It also will be on sale at the Farmers’ Market as well as online at www.handsworking.com.