Local Author Receives Award

Local author Patrick Bates recently received a Gold Medallion award from the Literary Classics Award committee for his children’s holiday chapter book with pictures, THE SANTA SPY.

THE SANTA SPY tells the story of a brilliant boy named Darren who decides to find out once and for all if Santa really exists. He uses spy equipment, a computer, and a motion-sensitive Halloween decoration to video record the events of Christmas Eve night under his tree. The end will leave readers wondering just what Darren saw in file number 1224. This book includes parent/teacher supplementary material, a glossary, and author/illustrator biographies. (Jacket blurb/online description) The book was illustrated by Kimberly Soderberg and edited by Brie Ishee. Character Publishing released the chapter book in December,

Bates, who also uses the pen name Jack Bates, has written for local theatres as well as community television. Two years ago he was part of a team that wrote for a show staged at Cliff Bell’s. In 2007 he optioned a horror screenplay he co-wrote with a writing friend to Triboro Films in New York. He has twice been nominated for a Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. His short script, LAKE SOLITUDE, was one of ten finalists at the inaugural Elmore Leonard Film Festival.

A complete listing of all award recipients from the Literary Classics Awards Committee can be found at the following link:

http://www.clcawards.org/2014AwardRecipients.html