Presenting the Signature Project of Intercultural Encounters.

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Support the book that turned into a movement toward unity.
AWARDED #1 MULTICULTURAL NON-FICTION BOOK OF 2008


samples from THE JOURNEY OF LIFE: 100 LESSONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Anoushka Shankar
Anoushka Shankar
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THE JOURNEY OF LIFE: 100 LESSONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD is now available in the self-help section of Barnes & Noble and available through Borders, Waldenbooks, Book World and many independent stores throughout the country. To sustain the mission of the promotion of positive intercultural interactions at all levels of society, Author Sharon K. Sobotta is doing 'Tapping into the Soul' writing workshops, cultural dance classes and a host of other empowering events throughout the country with her non-profit Intercultural Encounters. It is her mission of Intercultural Encounters to give voice to people at every level of society and to empower people to envision the world and life through multiple lenses. Support this important work with a tax deductable donation (accepted in $25 increments) and receive a gift copy of the book.

Spread the word! If you have a coffeeshop or a uniqe business and would like to sell The Journey of Life: 100 Lessons from Around the World in your place of business or would like to have on hand for gifts, you may order increments of 10 here.



 

 

 

THE JOURNEY OF LIFE: 100 LESSONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD is now available in the self-help section of most Barnes & Noble stores, and is also available through most Borders, Walden Books and many other wonderful independent bookstores throughout the country.



AWARDED #1 NON-FICTION MULTICULTURAL BOOK OF 2008

The Journey of Life: 100 Lessons from Around the World by Sharon K. Sobotta receives the gold standing for best non-fiction multicultural book of 2008 at the 12 th annual Independent Publisher Book Awards

May 30, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – Organizers of the 12th annual Independent Publisher Book Awards, conducted to honor the year's best independently published books, have announced the results for the 2008 competition. The awards presentation ceremony was held on Friday, May 30th, during the annual BookExpo America convention in Los Angeles. Among the honorees, Sharon K. Sobotta’s The Journey of Life: 100 Lessons from Around the World.

The book is a 6x6 tapestry of universally applicable lessons that author Sharon Sobotta collected while traveling the world and interviewing people from every walk of life, as a journalist. The book includes well-known icons such as sitarist Anoushka Shankar, writer Rebecca Walker, film producer and writer Michael Moore and even the controversial Fidel Castro. It also includes a host of ordinary folks with extraordinary life experience. Among the extraordinary ordinary folks are: a Nepali villager born with just one breast whose resiliency helped her escape childhood marriage; a five-year old daughter of a servant in Calcutta, India who understands the value of humility; a Muslim woman in Qatar with a vision for peace between the U.S. and the Middle East; a wine scientist from Western Wisconsin who set out to introduce gracious living to folks at every socioeconomic class; an independent film producer and writer who uses film as a means to cross cultural understanding and a Japanese housewife who has dedicated her life to empowering Japan’s immigrant population.

“I set out to create a book that mirrored society, intentionally including folks of every ethnic, racial, socioeconomic, religious, gender background and of every sexual orientation. They are all people I met and interviewed on my global journey of life that might not have the chance to cross paths with each other,” Sobotta says. “I wanted to show, that regardless of background, everyone does have a universally applicable lesson to teach, a story to share and a means for inspiring others. It is a great honor to have this effort affirmed with the multicultural non-fiction gold award.”

This year’s awards attracted 3,175 entries from 49 U.S. states, nine Canadian provinces, and 16 countries overseas. Medal-winning books came from 44 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and U.S. Virgin Islands, seven Canadian provinces, and five countries overseas. Launched in 1996 as the first unaffiliated awards program open exclusively to independent, university, and self-published titles, the 2008 IPPYs were presented to winners in 64 subject categories and to the best regional fiction and non-fiction titles from across North America. Winners receive gold, silver and bronze medals and can place foil seals of the medal image on their book covers.

“This year’s winning books come not only from diverse locations, but also diverse personalities and viewpoints,” said awards director Jim Barnes. “The list represents some of the most unique and daring writing and publishing being done in the world today. We present these awards in hopes that all of these books and their authors will be seen and heard, and get all the attention and appreciation they deserve.”

Sharon Sobotta is in the midst of a national tour. For more information about Sharon or the Intercultural Encounters, the non-profit organization that was started to sustain the mission of Sharon’s book, please visit www.interculturalencounters.com. To set up an interview with Sharon, please contact Kim Dao at kimhdao@gmail.com or at 408-239-7208 or contact Sharon Sobotta at sharon@nirvanawoman.net of 925-457-6334. For information about the Independent Publishers Awards, contact Jim Barnes at 1.800.706.4636 x1011 or jimb@bookpublishing.com.