We can probably all agree that 2020 was one of, if not the worst year in recent memory. And so it was with grateful relief that I embraced the few good news that dropped in my mailbox just before year’s end, news that I’m excited to share with you now.
First of, Best Indie Book Award announced their 2020 winners on the very last day of the year, and I was thrilled to learn that In the Shadow of Green Bamboos had won the Short Story category. And yes, that gleaming trophy shown in the picture is real, and it is being shipped to me as we speak! 
The book also earned a Crowned Heart of Excellence review with InD’tale Magazine and was featured in its Giant Holiday issue. Part of that review reads: “Beautifully written, (this collection of stories) reaches out and touches the soul, lingering with the reader long after the pages of the book are closed.” You can read the entire review by clicking HERE.
Also stuffed in my Christmas stocking was a short and sweet email to let me know that In the Shadow of Green Bamboos had been picked up by a book club to read in the new year. All together, these good tidings brought a dash of sunshine into my dreary Holiday lockdown, and for that I’m truly thankful.
Dreary though it was, the lockdown did allow me an opportunity to work on a couple of video trailers to accompany the short audio samples (3 to 4 minutes each) from the audio versions of Once upon a Mulberry Field and In the Shadow of Green Bamboos. I now invite you to kick back and enjoy them.
The first sample is from Green Bamboos, narrated by Leyna Nguyen, the four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and TV Host from Los Angeles:
The second sample is from Mulberry Field, narrated by Treg Monty, an actor and voiceover artist:
I hope the trailers bring you a bit of fun diversion from all the noises out there—a dash of sunshine in your wintry day.
Before signing off, I would like to ask you a favor: If you’ve had a chance to read or listen to In the Shadow of Green Bamboos, would you consider leaving a quick review on Amazon and/or Audible? Your feedback does matter. It helps authors know whether our books entertained you, gives us motivation to keep on writing, and help other readers learn about our books. I thank you for your kind support.
May 2021 bring you and your loved ones all the great things and happiness that you deserve but didn’t get in the past year, and so much more.
Congratulations my dear friend ! I am so happy for you ! I’m sure that this will just be another tip of the iceberg acknowledging your talents. Start saving some money, Chinh. You’ll need it to purchase more shelf space for your future trophies.
Thank you, John. So very kind of you. But you’re right, all the money I made on my books is probably just enough to buy myself a teeny-weeny trophy case!
Congratulations on the award and the review, Jim.
Whoever picked that excerpt for the Green Bamboos 5 minute audio sampler “done good”. That was GREAT. That grabs your attention, that moment when instantly life changes forever for a family, on a day they should be enjoying in the prettiest time of year. Sometimes you have to choose between bad and terrible. I have not yet read the book, but I sure want to know what happens next. Better make that bus.
Thanks, John! It’s good to hear from you. I know you’ll have read the book before your club meets in April!