Recent Press Releases
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BC Author changes course earning his second Gold IPPY in 2008
VICTORIA, BC: July 7, 2008—J. Robert Whittle wasn't expecting his wife to publish Whispers Across Time when he decided to have some fun writing about a time-travelling reporter living in 1916 Pacific Northwest for his new novel. But publish it she did after first becoming his co-author then entering it as their 2008 entry in the Independent Publisher Contest.
On May 23th, it was announced they had achieved the honour of receiving their second Gold Medal from the IPPY Awards in two years. The first award was for Loyalty's Haven, the third novel in the Victoria Chronicles Trilogy. Both books won in the Regional Category, Canada: West (taking in half of Canada including Northwest Territories).
In Whispers Across Time, Oliver Ryan, a mild-mannered Seattle court reporter working in 1916 Victoria, BC, gets inebriated one stormy night and is mysteriously drawn toward the local cemetery. Standing in the darkness, he suddenly realizes he is flying and beside him is a top-hatted man who says he's his Guardian Angel. What follows is a delightful and fast-moving story utilizing time travel and historical fiction. He shares his story with a school teacher named Mary and to add to his problems, she decides she is falling in love with him. The problem is ... she lives in 2005!
Author, J. Robert Whittle, Wins Prestigious Book Award
VICTORIA, BC: May 18, 2007—Whitlands Publishing's Loyalty's Haven, bestselling author, J. Robert Whittle's final book in his Victoria Chronicles Trilogy has received the Gold Award (First Prize) in the 2007 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs) Regional Category: Canada-West.
"We are extremely honored that Loyalty’s Haven was chosen for this award," said editor and publisher Joyce Sandilands. "Mr. Whittle’s unremitting efforts to keep this series and, Loyalty's Haven in particular, true to the history of the times and, especially as it pertains to WW1 and the 1918 Spanish Influenza Epidemic, makes this a fitting reward."
Loyalty’s Haven and the two earlier books in the Victoria Chronicle Trilogy, Bound by Loyalty (Whittle’s second bestselling novel) and Loyalty’s Reward, are rich with historical detail and one critic says Loyalty’s Haven is "a magnificent and compelling epic of bravery, commitment, loyalty and love."
Teachers across North America recognize the value of 'painless history' for teaching students through reading appropriate fiction. "This award gives even more credibility to the reviews of our readers and critics, many of which are teachers who utilize Whittle’s books in their history classes for both Canadian and USA history," said Sandilands.
Whittle, a former mining engineer, began writing fiction as a diversion while undergoing six knee surgeries back in 1994-7. His first book, Lizzie: Lethal Innocence (pub. 1998) became his first Canadian bestselling novel and helped establish him as the writer of adult-length novels suitable for readers of all ages.
Books are available from the authors at Bastion Square Market in Victoria; Craft Shows in BC, from this website and in person. See links above, call (250) 477-0192 or contact us.
Whitlands Publishing was founded in 1998 to publish the books of Whittle and Sandilands. Although classed as self-publishers, this husband and wife team has gained the respect of the publishing world for their unceasing efforts in producing quality products in the traditional manner (not POD)—without outside financing.
They publish at least one title per year as well as several audio books—their tenth novel, Whispers Across Time (a collaborative effort) will be released this summer.
Whittle’s popularity, it is said, is due in part to the fact he is available to his public. He can be found selling his books at the Bastion Square Market or crafts shows in and around his home of Victoria, BC.
The Independent Publisher Book Awards were launched in 1996 to bring increased recognition to the thousands of exemplary independent, university, and self-published titles published each year. Over 1,500 publishers participated in the 2007 Awards and 3,378 entries came from all 50 U.S. states, 7 Canadian provinces, and many countries overseas.
Whittle and Sandilands weave an entertaining tale of adventure in several time periods showing real historical settings of Victoria, Seattle and Everett as the characters try to get to know each other despite their (other) worldly differences.
