Each year, the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association (NCIBA) presents its Golden Poppy Book Awards “to recognize the most distinguished books written by writers and artists who make Northern California their home.”
I learned yesterday that The White Devil’s Daughters, my history of a pioneering group of women in Chinatown that fought human trafficking at the turn of the 20th century, won Golden Poppy awards in two categories: regional interest and nonfiction.
This is an honor bestowed by the people who nourish Northern California’s thriving literary culture: its independent booksellers. The NCIBA has recently joined with its Southern California counterparts to form the California Independent Booksellers Alliance (Caliba.) Thank you!
My congratulations to the other winners, as well. To my friend, the wonderful mystery writer Cara Black, who won the Martin Cruz Smith Mystery/Thriller Award for Murder in Bel-Air (Soho Crime) and to Elisabeth M. Prueitt and Chad Robertson for Tartine, A Classic Revisted (Chronicle Books) whose cookbook is one of our favorites.
The White Devil’s Daughters was a long labor of love – five years long – that was midwifed by my brilliant editor at Knopf, Ann Close, and her colleague Todd Portnowitz. The project was adeptly guided to publication by my longtime friend and agent Michael V. Carlisle, a co-founder of Inkwell Management in New York.
During this difficult time of quarantines and social distancing, I am deeply grateful for this honor. It brightens an otherwise dark time. Wishing you and your families health and courage.