Bordewich Bray Elementary School teacher Kinkade DeJoseph’s book “The Raven and the Crow: Dark Storm Rising” has received “Best Audiobook Narration” at the 2022 Imadjinn Awards, held at this year’s Imaginarium Convention from July 8 to 10 in Louisville, Kentucky. DeJoseph’s book, written under his pen name Michael K. Falciani and narrated by Joshua Saxon, was recognized by a panel of authors, editors, publishers, filmmakers, screenwriters and other independent artists who judge published novels each year in various genres, including audiobook narration format. Titles are entered in a single category such as best romance, best science fiction, best children’s book and more. Finalists are chosen by the Imadjinn Awards Committee and announced at the annual awards banquet. DeJoseph said his publisher had informed him he was a finalist in March with the first book of his planned six-part fantasy novel series “The Raven and the Crow.” “Just to make the finals was a huge accomplishment,” he said. DeJoseph said it took about two months for Saxon to finish recording the book. Saxon has performed voiceover services for audio books, promos and commercials and has served as a spokesperson and announcer. He also has read for authors Brian Lumley, Vincent Davis II and Roger Angle. “He has to read the story and break down the characters, their motivations, learn their names – it’s a big project,” DeJoseph said. “I realized very quickly it was much harder than I thought. Just to get an hour or so of good taping, you’re spending a lot of time in between breaths. It’s quite the process. But he stuck his nose to the grindstone. Once he started on it, he did a good job.” DeJoseph’s second book of his series “The Gray Throne,” released in February, has been nominated for Dragon Con 2022’s best fantasy novel of the year. The pop culture convention that appeals to lovers of science fiction, comic books and gaming takes place from Sept. 1 to 5 in Atlanta. While DeJoseph is excited for the nomination and to be recognized among the best in the business, he said he doesn’t expect to win. “Then I have a steampunk dwarven fantasy novel that’s going to come out in August, and I’m hoping that’s up for an award next year, and we did the final polishing edits on that,” he said. DeJoseph previously referred to “The Dwarves of Rahm: Omens of War” as his fantasy novel. He also plans to continue working with Carson High School graphic design teacher Patricia Ababio in coming up with the artwork for the third “Raven and the Crow” novel cover. Details about the Imaginarium Convention and Imadjinn Awards are available at www.entertheimaginarium.com/imadjinn-award.
