Army warrior & Afro Latin dance instructor Aurita Maldonado’s inspirational memoir is recognized as a Distinguished Favorite by the INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD®!

GLEN RIDGE, NJ, UNITED STATES, February 23, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — The INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD, one of the most prestigious book award programs globally for independent authors, publishers, and illustrators, recognized “The Zen of Dancing in the Rain: Becoming One with the Storm” in the Inspiration category as a 2024 Distinguished Favorite.

The competition is judged by experts from different aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers and professional copywriters. Selected IPA Award Winners and Distinguished Favorites are based on overall excellence.

“The Zen of Dancing in the Rain: Becoming One with the Storm” by Aurita Maldonado

Society has become a place where combat veterans would rather commit suicide than live. Many who “have it all” are discovering that they still feel miserable but can’t figure out why. They feel powerless under the boredom of what society deems necessary.

Aurita Maldonado is a Puerto Rican woman warrior and Afro Latin dance instructor who chose a different path before and after her two combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

She received a Purple Heart for wounds received in Afghanistan before leaving the Army to align her thoughts, words, and actions. She adopted a new mission: cultivate peace, happiness, and learn to become her own best friend. All while learning to live as one with Mother Earth.

Aurita rejected lucrative government jobs, sold her possessions, and moved to Haines, Alaska, in 2010 to begin her journey with PTSD and self-acceptance. An extreme athlete, she used movement to help her navigate the storms with a grin until she was suddenly paralyzed from the waist down in a fight against a deadly rat lungworm infection.

The perspective shifts she adopted to continue to enjoy life while learning to use her body again will make you reassess your choices to settle for the status quo. Read this engaging book to inspire you to live life to the fullest.

In 2024, the Independent Press Award saw participation from authors and publishers across the globe, including those residing in Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Cyprus, Germany, India, Kenya, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, and The Netherlands. 

“The 2024 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD honorees represent the excellence and diversity of global independent publishing,”  said Gabrielle Olczak, IPA President and Award Sponsor.  “Independent publishing is a formidable agent.  It provides unparalleled content and quality to consumers worldwide and we are proud to highlight this year’s awardees to the world.”

For more information please visit independentpressaward.com; and to see this year’s list of IPA Winners and Distinguished Favorites, please visit the website pages:

2024 WINNERS:  https://www.independentpressaward.com/2024winners

2024 DISTINGUISHED FAVORITES: https://www.independentpressaward.com/2024df

You can contact or connect with Aurita Maldonado at:

Instagram: @Hurricanelnspired

Facebook: facebook.com/HurricaneRita2

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The Independent Press Award is announced every spring and open to independent authors and publishers.  

The fall book competition, NYC Big Book Award, https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/ allows all authors, publishers, and includes submissions from the big five publishers.

Join us at the BookCAMP event, June 23 – 25, 2024, https://www.independentpressaward.com/ipabookcamp

Gabby Olczak
Independent Press Award
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