ABOUT US
MISSION STATEMENT
The founders of the FIRE & Embers Book Awards have over 100 years of combined experience in the publishing industry. It is our sincere goal to utilize this knowledge to provide authors with the necessary platform to expand their marketing awareness and to honor the talent that we have observed in the world of independent publishing. It is our objective to recognize the ever-growing world of indie writers so their work lives on for future generations to enjoy!
MEET THE TEAM
Rita Mills
An Advocate for Literacy and
Champion of the Indie Author
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Rita Mills is a luminary in the world of independent publishing, known for her innate ability to forecast trends and envision the "big picture" of the literary landscape. A staunch advocate for literacy, Rita has been at the forefront of the movement to put power in the hands of the writers versus the publishers, ensuring their stories reach an audience. Her dedication to the indie author community is evidenced by her involvement in five nonprofit boards, including the Texas Writers Guild, Storytime, and the Authors & Publishers Association, where she was instrumental in shaping the direction of independent publishing.
With a 20-year career at The Houston Post, a major metropolitan newspaper, ink set up residence permanently in Rita’s veins. She solidified her credentials in the book publishing world as the Managing Editor of Arte Publico Press at the University of Houston, the largest publisher of Hispanic literature in the U.S. There she managed a half-million dollar print budget and oversaw the launch of their bi-lingual children’s book imprint, Pinata Books.
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In 1996, Rita founded The Book Connection, a consultancy dedicated to teaching small presses and indie authors the complexities of the publishing industry. Her role as a print broker has seen her collaborate across the US, Canada, Italy, and Hong Kong, packaging over 700 books since 1992 and cementing her position as a leading figure in the global publishing arena.
With her newspaper background, Rita ventured into digital publishing with The New Era Times, an online newspaper that blended her traditional and digital media expertise. Her entrepreneurial spirit also led her to launch The ABC’s, a children's book imprint, further contributing to the tapestry of her endeavors.
Rita Mills' unparalleled vision and relentless advocacy for literacy and indie authors have made her an indispensable part of the publishing community, continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of books.
Sandy Lawrence
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Publishing Visionary and Marketing Guru
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With over two decades of entrepreneurial spirit fueling her journey, Sandy Lawrence stands at the forefront of the independent publishing world as a bright light for authors and publishers alike. As the founder of Perceptive Marketing, a distinguished marketing and public relations company, Sandy has dedicated her career to amplifying voices within the literary community and transforming untold stories into celebrated narratives that captivate and inspire.
Sandy's expertise spans a vast array of genres, from the intricate plots of mystery and suspense to the imaginative realms of science fiction and fantasy. However, Sandy's ability to connect with audiences is not confined to fiction alone. She has skillfully navigated the depths of non-fiction, guiding authors as they explore themes of inspiration, faith, health, financial independence, and more.
Throughout her career, Sandy has been an instrumental part in the success of countless authors, many of whom have achieved bestseller status, thanks to her strategic marketing and PR initiatives. Her work has not only launched literary careers but has also been pivotal in bringing life-changing, personal stories to the forefront, enabling authors to share their journeys with the world.
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At the heart of Sandy's success is her unwavering commitment to helping authors tell their stories. She believes in the power of the written word to connect, heal, and transform. With Sandy Lawrence, authors don't just find a marketing and PR expert, they discover a partner in their storytelling journey, dedicated to bringing their visions to life and sharing them with a global audience.
Computer, Graphics & Digital Genius
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Deena Rae was born and raised in Texas — home of bluebonnets, boots, beef and big hair — into a family immersed in the printing and publishing industries. Her father was in charge of all the computers of a 5-deadline shift for major newspapers when the computers took up multiple floors of the building. Her mother has been in publishing for almost 50 years, most of that time trying, unsuccessfully, to bring her into the family business.
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She was happily living her life when through a series of events (unfortunate and fortunate), she officially joined The Book Connection — her mother’s book publishing and packaging company — as the Digital Director where she created the e-publishing division in 2011. Her computer skills, willingness to help authors, love of literature, no-nonsense attitude and quick wit has helped shepherd many authors through the maze of digital publishing. She soon broke the e-pub division of The Book Connection off into her own business, E-BookBuilders, in 2011 where she has worked on upwards of 3,000 book titles.
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Through her work with E-BookBuilders, Deena Rae has been able to meet authors and writers from all over the world and in every genre imaginable. She has a biting wit, obscure sense of humor, awareness of the absurd, a love of literature, and a desire to make the reading world better. She spends her time designing print books, adapting and coding e-books for her fabulous friends and clients or with her nose buried in her Kindle reading.
Deena Rae
Book Shepherd Extraordinaire
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Aimee Ravichandran is the founder of Abundantly Social, a marketing and book publishing consulting firm. She guides authors through the various levels of the publishing process from editing to social media and marketing.
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She grew up in San Antonio, Texas and attended the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she graduated with a bachelor of science in Psychology. During that time, she worked at Perceptive Public Relations, learning the ins and outs of the book publishing industry and social media.
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After graduating, she went on to start her own business where she has been instrumental in helping authors get the recognition they so richly deserve and creating many best sellers along the way.
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Getting the bug to publish herself, she is launching Plum Creek Press in 2024. She has also been the moderator of the Author Talk Podcast for nearly 7 years where she is known by the listeners as an Energizer Bunny of fun and information. No one compares to her when it comes to a willingness to share her knowledge with authors and aspiring authors.
Aimee Ravichandran
Get in Touch
FIRE Book Awards
12436 FM1960 Rd. West
Suite 159
Houston TX 77065