Riverdale Avenue Books Wins Two IP Awards for Best Erotic Novel and LGBT Nonfiction

Chicago, IL (May 11, 2016) – Innovative publisher Riverdale Avenue Books received two prestigious awards from the Independent Publishers’ Association (IPPY) on the eve of Book Expo America (BEA) in Chicago. Riverdale’s Ménage a Musketeer by Alexander Dumas and Jamie Schmidt, an erotic “mash up” of the Three Musketeers classic in the popular vein of Pride, Prejudice and Zombies, received the Gold Medal in the Erotica category on this 20th anniversary of the IPPY Awards.

Finding Masculinity: Female to Male Transition in Adulthood by Alex Walker and Emmet Jack, an anthology on transmasculinity, tied for the Silver Medal in the LGBT nonfiction category.

USA Today best-selling author Jamie Schmidt, who writes erotica under the Lissa Trevor name, said of her win, “It takes a village to build a book and I'd like to thank my editor and publisher, Lori Perkins and all the Riverdale Avenue Books staff for all their hard work in producing my erotic mash-up of Alexander Dumas' book, The Three Musketeers. I'd also like to thank my fantastic cover artist, Scott Carpenter for giving me a gorgeous cover that's worthy of being a poster. And my cover models, Vik, Brad and Steven -- thank you for bringing the hotness!

Ménage a Musketeer is a tale of sword and debauchery. It started off as a way for me to come to terms with D'Artagnan's poor behavior in the original book and what I felt was the unfair treatment of Milady de Winter. In this retelling, D'Artagnan no longer rapes Milady, nor does he seduce her innocent maid. But don't worry, he has plenty of sex and carouses like a musketeer should. In the end, Athos and Milady get a second chance and there is a happily sexy after. All for one and one for all -- indeed.”

Jim Barnes, founder of the IPPY Awards and master of ceremonies at last night’s event, commented that he wished we had brought the cover models. Maybe next year!

Alex Walker was equally eloquent about Finding Masculinity’s Silver Award. “Now, more than ever, transgender stories are in the spotlight, yet the rates of suicide, death and substance abuse continue to remain high in our community. Our goal was to give insight into the experiences of transmasculine individuals navigating their gender identity in adulthood, thus sharing stories that highlighted paths that even though not necessarily easy, were guided by the will to live authentically, finding peace and happiness. We urge you to seek out media that is helmed by transgender individuals - work that sheds light on the struggles and triumphs of our community and work that reflects human experience, no matter what the gender identity.”