28/April/2009

Packt today launches the new Packt Author of the Year 2009 Award, with the winner receiving a $1000 cash prize and a commemorative trophy.

The Packt Author Award 2009 is open to authors of all Packt books published during 2008, including revised editions of older titles. The first prize will be $1000 cash and a commemorative plaque.

“In April 2009, Packt Publishing reaches its fifth birthday,” says Packt Editorial Director Louay Fatoohi. “We are leaving our preschool years behind and we wish to celebrate with a thank you present to our most essential asset – our authors”.

Packt’s first book was released in April 2004. Since then it has published over 200 titles in printed and electronic form. In total, Packt has published work from over 250 authors.

Packt will use an open vote to select five finalists from among the eligible authors. These finalists will have their work examined by a panel of judges, who will select the overall winner based on the quality of their work, and their contribution to the tech community.

This is the first time that a tech publisher has recognized the work of their authors in this way.

The judges are:

· Cristian Darie, an experienced author who has published titles with Packt, Wrox, Apress, and SitePoint

· Louay Fatoohi, editorial director for Packt Publishing

· Solveig Haugland, OpenOffice.org trainer, author, and founder of getOpenOffice.org

· Louis Suarez-Potts, OpenOffice.org Community Manager and Chair of the OOo Community Council

Readers who have enjoyed any of the Packt books published during 2008 should visit http://authors.packtpub.com/content/packt-author-award-2009 and place a vote for the author(s) of their favourite title.