Independent Publisher has selected two West Virginia University Press books as gold medal recipients in its 2012 “IPPY” Awards contest.

Uncommon Vernacular: The Early Houses of Jefferson County, West Virginia, 1735-1835 by John C. Allen, Jr., is the gold medal winner in IPPY’s Architecture category, while Bonnie Stewart’s No.9: The 1968 Farmington Mine Disaster is the gold medalist in the Mid-Atlantic – Best Regional Non-Fiction category.

The IPPY Awards contest is designed to bring increased recognition to the independent publishing industry and all its members. With 372 medalists chosen from 5,203 total entries, including 3,741 national category entries, 1,072 regional category entries, and 390 E-book category entries, the 2012 IPPY Award winners are unique and distinguished. This year, IPPY medals were given to entrants from 44 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., seven Canadian provinces, and 10 countries overseas.

Uncommon Vernacular: The Early Houses of Jefferson County, West Virginia, 1735-1835 by John C. Allen Jr., is a fascinating architectural exploration, which details Allen’s expansive seven-year survey of Jefferson County’s historic residences. Adorned with more than 700 stylish photographs by Walter Smalling and elegant drawings, floor plans, and maps by Andrew Lewis, Uncommon Vernacular explores and preserves this historic area’s rich architectural heritage.

No.9: The 1968 Farmington Mine Disaster by Bonnie E. Stewart details the Farmington, W.Va., mine disaster of 1968. Based on public records and interviews with those who worked in the mine, No.9 describes the conditions underground before and after the disaster and the legal struggles of the miners’ widows to gain justice and transform coal mine safety legislation.

Both Allen and Stewart will be honored for their accomplishments at the 16th annual IPPY Awards Ceremony and Reception on June 4 in New York City. Learn more about Independent Publisher and the IPPY Awards contest. To learn more about WVU Press, visit www.wvupress.com.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Abby Freeland, Marketing Manager, WVU Press
304-293-8400, abby.freeland@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.