"From Fear To Faith: A Survivor's Story" by Author Matt D Talford Wins Two International Book Awards

ROCK HILL, S.C. - May 26, 2015 - PRLog -- Author and Army veteran Matt D. Talford’s debut title “From Fear To Faith: A Survivor’s Story,” has recently won two honors in the2015 International Book Awards (IBA). Talford’s book was selected as an Award-Winning Finalist in the categories of "Best Cover Design: Non-Fiction" and “Best New Non-Fiction.” USA Book News announced the winners and finalists on May 21, 2015 in Los Angeles, CA. Over 300 winners and finalists were announced in over 80 categories. Awards were presented for titles published in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

“The 2015 International Book Awards brought in over 1,200 entries, our biggest year since starting this program in 2009. By placing in this year’s awards, Matt beat out 75% of fellow entrants,” states Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of USA Book News. “I hope the top-notch results our judging panel produces each year shows our support and commitment to all areas of the publishing industry: mainstream, indie and self-published.” A complete list of winners and finalists in each category can be found at: http://www.internationalbookawards.com/2015awardannouncement.html

“From Fear To Faith: A Survivor’s Story” is a personal memoir about Talford’s battle with a rare and deadly form of cancer. The book chronicles the author’s life, from his early years as one of six children born to teenage parents in Long Island, N.Y., through his 2010-2011 battle – and ultimate triumph – over what he refers to as “The Scourge.”

Talford, who retired from Microsoft at the age of 40, took what he calls a “calculated risk,” veering away from the traditional memoir style by crafting his story as a saga. The book takes you through his early thoughts and fears regarding “the c-word,” then illustrates how he used the skills he learned and practiced daily during his 16-year career in information technology to carefully create a plan to help him see his diagnosis as “just another complex computer issue” that needed to be resolved quickly and completely. His award-winning debut title, “From Fear to Faith: A Survivor’s Story,” hit #18 on Amazon Kindle’s Hot 100 list in the first few days after its release. Talford has begun work on a second book, which he hopes to release later this year.

Matt D. Talford, a speaker, avid tennis player and food enthusiast, served as a medic in the United States Army and Army Reserves both during and after Operation Desert Storm. After four years working as an ER technician by day and attending college at night, he spent the next 16 years working in the field of Information Technology, while moonlighting as a contributing writer and editor for a Charlotte, N.C.-based arts and entertainment publication.

“From Fear to Faith: A Survivor’s Story” is currently available at Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats, and on Apple iBooks. A limited number of autographed copies are also available directly from the author’s website: www.mdtalford.com/products.