Washington Nonfiction Author and BJJ Enthusiast Earns Two Awards for Inspirational Book

May 29, 2013 - PRLog -- The largest nonprofit awards program for independent authors and publishers just named Flowing with the Go: A Jiu-Jitsu Journey of the Soul a finalist of the Inspirational category for 2013. This evening, May 29, a representative from BQB Publishing will proudly accept this award in New York City on behalf of the Washington teacher and author, Elena Stowell. Flowing with the Go will also be on display at Book Expo America (BEA), North America’s largest annual book convention. Booksellers, librarians, reviewers, and industry professionals can find the book at New Leaf Distributing booth 1215.

In addition to this prestigious award, Stowell’s book also received a silver medal in the eLit Awards, which illuminate digital publishing excellence. This global awards program is dedicated to honoring the best eBooks published in the English language. The contest is presented by Jenkins Group Inc., a Michigan-based book publishing and marketing services company that has operated the popular Independent Publisher Book Awards contest since 1996.

Flowing with the Go was created after Stowell lost her daughter, Carly, to an unexpected arrhythmia in 2007. Stowell thought she would not survive her grief.  It never crossed her mind that she might be guided through grief by the empowering tenets of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ). Yet, a year after she lost her daughter, Stowell found a local BJJ gym that provided the exact support she needed to navigate her journey to recovery. Following the encouragement of her therapist and coach, Stowell embraced writing to continue the healing process. Her words soon formed a complete book that resonated with members of the martial arts community, with those grieving the loss of a loved one, and those seeking inspiration.

In addition to helping Stowell heal, Flowing with the Go has become a gateway to helping local Seattle youth as well as those in Brazil through two charitable projects.  Stowell and her husband, Chuck, started a nonprofit organization in Carly’s name in 2007, The Carly Stowell Foundation (http://carlystowellfoundation.countmein.com/). The mission is “to provide enhanced education in athletic and music performance to youth who show a passion for learning and commitment to excel.”  A portion of the proceeds from Elena’s book sales are donated to the foundation. Stowell also created “Jammin’ BJJ: Give the Gift of a Gi,” which collects BJJ clothing and donates them to families in Brazil.

Due to the popularity among the BJJ community, Elena’s book was translated into Brazilian Portuguese and is available internationally in both English and Brazilian Portuguese. Both the English and Portuguese versions of the book are now available to order through BQB Publishing’s online store (http://shop.boutiqueofqualitybooks.com/searchquick-submit...), Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/FLOWING-WITH-THE-GO-Jiu-Jitsu/dp/19...), Barnes & Noble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flowing-with-the-go-elena-stowell/1111100901?ean=9781937084622), or your favorite bookstore. The eBook is also available through several major electronic readers including Kindle, Nook, Kobo, OverDrive, and more. Booksellers can order the book in either language through Ingram and Baker & Taylor or New Leaf Distributing Company.

For more information or to schedule Elena Stowell for an interview or book event, please contact Julie Breedlove at Julie (at) bqbpublishing (dot) com.

About the Author
Elena Stowell, a high school biology and AP biology teacher with a master’s degree in animal science, lives with her family in Kent, Washington. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and is part of a small collaborative group of teachers who facilitate workshops and symposia about food safety and nutrition for a week during the summer each year in Washington, DC, for the US Food and Drug Administration. Elena’s daughter died in April of 2007, and Elena was devastated as any mother would be. The rest of her life became about surviving the grief. With the support and encouragement of her family and friends, she took a first step off of the couch and back into life. Needing an outlet for the suffocating turmoil of emotions that losing a child causes, Elena found Foster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She learned that, like many martial arts, Jiu-Jitsu had a spiritual aspect and would provide the guidance she needed to work through her grief. Her coach, James Foster, sometimes without even knowing it, made statements that she took deeply to heart. To learn more about Elena, visit elena-stowell.com (http://www.elena-stowell.com/).

About BQB Publishing

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