By Hazel Scott/ASU
2022 was a record year for Dr. Linda J.M. Holloway, associate professor of Counseling at Alabama State University’s Department of Instructional Support Program. Five of her children’s books won multiple awards, gaining national attention.
Her books were judged by experts from different aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers and professional copywriters. Selected award winners were based on overall excellence.
“The books did really well this year with receiving awards. I am indeed thrilled and honored that my books have resonated with other scholars,” said Holloway. “I am deeply honored to have been selected for these awards.”
Here’s a better look at the award-winning books:
“I Love My Happy Hair,” a book that promotes positive hair-esteem, self-love, and encourages all children to accept the beautiful texture of their hair and dispel hair bullying, won several awards in 2022, including the Distinguished Authors Guild-DAG, PenCraft Book Award, and the Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention. In 2021, the book was awarded the New York City Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite.
“Little Miss Linda Speaks Out About Sickle Cell Disease,” a book that deals with the frightening issue of Sickle Cell Disease, also won the Distinguished Authors Guild Book Award-DAG in 2022, as well as the PenCraft Book Award (1st-Place Winner), Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention and Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist. The book won the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award in 2020.
“Little Miss Linda Speaks About Rape,” a book recommended for children aged 12 plus, won three awards in 2022 -- Distinguished Authors Guild-DAG, PenCraft Book Award and the Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention.
“Little Miss Linda Goes To Counseling: Little Miss Linda” is a story written and illustrated to create an opportunity for children to begin having healthy conversations about counseling. In 2022, it won five awards – the Distinguished Authors Guild-DAG, the PenCraft Book Award, the Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention, the Independent Press Award and the New York City Big Book Award.
“Little Miss Linda Speaks Out About Diversity” tackles the thorny issue of discrimination, specifically racial discrimination. The book garnered four awards in 2022 -- Distinguished Authors Guild-DAG, Moonbeam Award- Multicultural, New York Big Book Distinguished Favorite and the Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention.
About Dr. Linda J. M. Holloway
Dr. Linda J. M. Holloway is a story activist, author, coach and professor. She has been in higher education for more than 27 years and has published more than 25 articles in her field of study. She served more than 27 years in the United States Army Reserves Medical Service Corp where she retired as a Colonel.
Holloway is an effective advocate for women to discover, embrace and live out their ordained destiny in life. She does this through her own platform titled “Women Without Limitations,” where she instills her philosophy on life -- “Dream Your Own Dreams.”
In her spare time, she still finds ways to dedicate her time and energy to empowering, educating and elevating people in numerous ways.