While her book is from the fantasy category, it’s no fantasy that Winona State University’s distance learning librarian Kathryn Sullivan has been nominated for the annual EPPIE Awards.

EPPIE Awards, presented by the Electronically Published Internet Connection, recognize outstanding achievement in electronic publishing.

EPIC is a professional organization of published authors, established to provide a strong voice of electronic publishing. While e-publishing is relatively new, there are still a lot of readers, writers and traditionally published authors who believe this is one of the major marketplaces for the future.

EPIC exists to help professional writers learn more about the best publishing opportunities on the Web.

“I’m excited and honored to have my first book be on the list of finalists for an EPPIE,” Sullivan said. “There are several excellent books in the competition, and I will be anxiously waiting the results in March. But for now, I am very excited and thrilled.”

Sullivan’s e-book, “The Castle Throne,” will be published at the beginning of the year, and the EPPIE Award winners will be announced March 16 at the EPIC national convention in Seattle. Sullivan has decided to attend the conference in March.

Sullivan has had a story published in a book of short stories, but this will be her first book to come out in print. Right now “The Castle Throne” is published online and is available as an e-book.

E-books are available to order online and are read from a computer or an e-book reader.

Sullivan’s book can be ordered through RFI West Publishers at http://rfiwest.com. Once the book comes out in print, it will be available to buy at the WSU bookstore.

“The Castle Throne” is a tale about magic and survival. Sullivan believes those who liked “Lord of the Rings” and “Harry Potter” might enjoy her young adult novel. She also said she believes people might like it because it’s similar to the books she likes to read.

“It’s what I grew up reading. If you try hard to succeed, you can,” explained Sullivan.

Sullivan added a dedication to her dad in her first book, along with a thanks to friends who had helped motivate and inspire her.

According to Rhiannon West of “Simply E-Books,” “Kathryn Sullivan has created a magical kingdom guaranteed to hold the reader in superb imagery and characterization in her book.”

To Sullivan the greatest reward out of this experience is getting her first book published and getting feedback from friends.

Sullivan, aside from being a nominee for the EPPIE Awards, was a first round judge for the science fiction category and will be judging now for the young adult category.

Other nominees in the fantasy category for this year’s EPPIE Awards include “Winters Orphans” by Elaine Corvidae (NovelBooks, Inc.), “Too Young a King” by Ellen Anthony (Wordbeams), “The Jacob Theory” by Bonnie Mercure (NovelBooks, Inc.) and “The Thoughtmasters Conduit” by Kerry Orchard (New Concepts Publishing).