FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Memphis, Tennessee) -- The INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD recognized Pat Morgan's book, We Hardly Knew Them, in the category of Cultural and Social Issues as a Distinguished Favorite.

The competition is judged by experts from different aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers and professional copywriters. Selected IPA Award Winners and Distinguished Favorites are based on overall excellence.

We Hardly Knew Them, How Homeless Mentally Ill People Became Collateral Damage, by Pat Morgan, is a non-fiction book in the category of Cultural and Social Issues. Her stories of the homeless, mentally ill people she tried to help are the heart and soul of the book, but there is much more. The discriminatory, half-century-old legislation and the battle between the Federal government and the states over who pays (or, more accurately, doesn't pay) for treatment in "Institutions of Mental Disease" is a major reason for this national nightmare. But knowing about it isn't enough. Pat borrows, with their permission, the

Treatment Advocacy Center's extensive data and call for repeal of this misguided legislation that politicians, for decades, have feared, whispering "touch it and die (politically)." A former program specialist at the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness in Washington, she also makes clear why HUD's "Housing First" program has not, and cannot "end" all homelessness for the vast number of homeless people who are too sick to know they are sick and therefore refuse housing, services and treatment. But all is not doom and gloom. The addendum provides advice on Where to Go for Hope and Help, and Pat's rich sense of humor slips in throughout the book, usually when readers least expect it.

In 2022, the INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD had entries worldwide. Authors and publishers from countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Jordan, Puerto Rico, Switzerland participated.

Books submitted included writers based in cities such as Anchorage to Memphis; from Berkeley to Philadelphia; Calgary to Sydney; from Albuquerque to New York City; from Princeton to Santa Monica as well as others.

"We are proud to announce the winners and distinguished favorites in our annual 2022 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD. This year included an array of quality and diverse independent books," Olczak said. "It's crystal clear that independent publishing is pushing on every corner of the earth with great content. We are thrilled to be highlighting key titles representing global independent publishing." said awards sponsor Gabrielle Olczak.

For more information please visit independentpressaward.com; and to see this year's list of IPA Distinguished Favorites, please visit the website pages: https://www.independentpressaward.com/2022distinguishedfavorites