Suwanee, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/20/2012 -- Paul H. Yarbrough, author of the new and acclaimed adventure novel, Mississippi Cotton, has been nominated for the 2012 Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY) in the category of fiction. The IPPY Awards reward those who exhibit the courage, innovation, and creativity to bring about change in the world of publishing. The winners are announced at BookExpo America in June at New York City. BookExpo America is the premier publishing trade show in North America. The IPPY Award is one of the most coveted and prestigious awards in the literary and publishing world.

“I am honored to have my novel, Mississippi Cotton, nominated for the Independent Publishers Book of the Year Award,” said Paul H. Yarbrough.

“This book is mystifying and is written in a style that is distinctly Southern but one that readers anywhere can enjoy”. The whole purpose of this book is to bring a smile and generate a sense of adventure within every reader. Yarbrough is confident that his novel will win the Independent Publisher Book Award

Mississippi Cotton is a must-have for not only Southern enthusiasts but anyone who loves to roll up their sleeves and solve a mystery. The author brings a heartwarming perspective to the old-vs-new life in the South. This is Yarbrough’s first novel and has garnered a strong national following. Yarbrough and the book have earned fans from across the nation for his crisp writing style, realistic description of the South in the 1950s, and storytelling ability. Many have compared the book to To Kill A Mockingbird.

“Even if I am not a winner this year, I am humbled to have my book nominated and hope that all who read Mississippi Cotton enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it,” says Yarbrough.

Over 2000 books a year are nominated for the IPPY Award. After intense review, three finalists are announced just prior to BookExpo. A nomination alone for an IPPY for a first time author is considered a rare accomplishment and recognition of superior writing quality and prose.

Additional information on Paul H. Yarbrough and Mississippi Cotton may be obtained at http://paulhyarbrough.com/aboutpaul.shtml

Additional information on the Independent Publisher Book may be obtained at http://www.independentpublisher.com/ipland/ipawards.php.