Author Valerie Ormond Nominated for National Military Writer’s Award

Picture courtesy of Valerie Ormond.

On Thursday (Sept. 29), local author Valerie Ormond will attend the National Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) Awards where her debut novel Believing in Horses is nominated  in two categories: the Young Adult and Founder’s Award.

The MWSA was founded by W. H. McDonald Jr.  To better understand his own military experiences, McDonald began writing about them. Since then, he discovered hundreds of other warriors who have revealed their experiences through fiction, non-fiction, poetry and art. It was Bill’s vision to bring them together to share and promote their respective arts through the MWSA.

Ormond said the Founder’s Award selects the book that most represents the values of the MWSA organization.  It must be well-written, inspiring, and end on a hopeful note. Only three books of the 80 nominated in 2012 are in consideration for this prestigious award. It is  highly unusual for a fiction young adult book to be selected for this honor.

Believing in Horses is about Sadie, a Horse crazy pre-teen who moves for the sixth time to Bowie, Maryland, only to find out that her Navy dad is deploying to Afghanistan for a year.  To ease the transition, Sadie’s parents buy her a horse named “Lucky.”  While on the internet, Sadie comes across ten horses in a holding pen waiting to be sold at auction and commits to saving them.

Ormond and her inspiring novel are well-known throughout South County.  She has spoken to children and adults at numerous events including talking to students during Davidsonville Elementary’s Author’s Week; conducting writing seminars at the South County Senior Center and presenting workshops at Loftmar Stables‘ Summer Camps.

Ormond will hold a book signing at the Muddy Creek Artist Guild’s “Gifts From the Arts” December event at South River Colony Main Street in Edgewater.

For additional information about Valerie Ormond and Believing in Horses visit http://believinginhorses.com.

Congratulations Valerie and best of luck at the awards ceremony.