News from Cross Seas Press

Cross Seas Press is pleased to announce that The Tale of the English Templar by Helena P Schrader has been named the winner of the 15th annual IndieReader Discovery Awards for Fiction. 

The IndieReader Discovery Awards recognizes the year’s standout independent books,  focusing on connecting winning authors with influential members of the publishing, media, entertainment, and literary communities. IndieReader announced the winners of its Discovery Awards May 28. You can view all of the winners here: 

https://indiereader.com/irda26-winners

The 2026 awards marked the first awards ceremony presented under the ownership of Julia and Jared Drake, who acquired IndieReader in 2025 and have expanded its mission of helping exceptional independent books gain meaningful recognition. With over 1,000 submissions submitted across more than 50 categories, this year’s competition was the largest and most competitive award cycle in the program’s history. 

“The quality of this year’s submissions make it clear why we believe so deeply in this community. Independent publishing has never been more vital, and these winners represent exactly the kind of bold, original work that deserves a wider stage,” said IndieReader co-owner Jared Drake.

Winning the Grand Prize for Fiction is an important milestone for Helena P Schrader. Although twelve of her titles has won literary accolades over the last decade, in the past all were genre awards recognizing her works in the categories of ‘Historical Fiction,’ ‘Military Fiction,’ ‘Christian Fiction,’ and the like. (You can find out about all her awards at: https://www.helenapschrader.com/awards.html)

About IndieReader: Founded in 2009, IndieReader has been the trusted, credible source of professional book reviews, literary awards, and marketing support for self-published, hybrid, and small press authors. Today, IndieReader continues its mission to level the playing field for independent authors—treating indie not as an alternative, but as a force: bold, vital, and impossible to ignore.

About Cross Seas Press: Founded in 2020, Cross Seas Presspublishes novels that offer nuanced insight into historical events and characters  based on sound research combined with common sense and literary sensitivity. Visit our website at: https://CrossSeasPress.com

Blue Hill, Maine -- The INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD, one of the most prestigious book award programs globally for independent authors, publishers, and illustrators, recognized Moral Fibre: A Bomber Pilot’s Story in the category of Military Fiction as a distinguished favorite.

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

Moral Fibre, an inspiring tale of historical fiction by Helena P. Schrader, tells the story of a man once branded a coward who returns to continue the fight against fascism. Given a second chance, Flying Officer Kit Moran, now a qualified bomber pilot, forms a new crew and together with the other men of RAF Bomber Command, they take the war to Hitler. In this moving tribute to those who fought for freedom in the air, Schrader covers the many faces of courage and grief — and the price of survival. Although recognized in the category of Military Fiction, Moral Fibre also serves as an inspirational and spiritual tale that explores faith and the difficulties in finding a moral compass in the midst of war.

Moral Fibre is a compelling and meticulously researched historical account of the air war in Europe during WWII. Riding the icy, moonlit sky, the aircrew of Bomber Command took the war to Hitler. Their chances of survival were less than 50%, with an average age of 21. This is the story of a bomber pilot who, after being labelled LMF, or Lacking in Moral Fibre, for refusing to fly after a disastrous sortie in late 1943, returns to the fray. Along with Georgina, his dead friend’s fiancé, Kit must learn to cope with grief, survivor’s guilt, and the burdens of war in the hope that one day, he’ll feel worthy of his second chance at life and love.

Moral Fibre was awarded a Maincrest Media Award, a BRAG Medallion, earned SILVER in the Historical Fiction Company Book Awards, and was a finalist for a Book Excellence Award in 2023. In addition, it has received positive reviews from some of the most renowned literary critics, authors, and reviewers around the world. Maincrest Media writes: "A perfect blend of history, romance, and inspiration, Moral Fibre reads as though it isn't fiction at all, but rather a mesmerizing look into the past." The Foreign Service Journal calls Moral Fibre “a tribute to those who fought for freedom,” while Chanticleer Reviews praise it as “a riveting read!” Kirkus Reviews concludes, “The two narrative strands beautifully balance each other up to the book’s climax. A richly textured, absorbing war tale that works equally well as a touching love story.”

A vivid, thought-provoking account of one of the most infamous wars in human history, Moral Fibre is a must-read for avid lovers of history and those concerned about finding faith and purpose in difficult circumstances. Available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores, readers looking for military and inspirational fiction with characters who bring history to life are encouraged to purchase their copy directly from the distributor today: https://itascabooks.com/products/moral-fibre-a-bomber-pilots-story

In 2024, the Independent Press Award saw participation from authors and publishers across the globe, including those residing in Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Cyprus, Germany, India, Kenya, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, and The Netherlands.

“The 2024 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD honorees represent the excellence and diversity of global independent publishing,” said Gabrielle Olczak, IPA President and Award Sponsor. "Independent publishing is a formidable agent. It provides unparalleled content and quality to consumers worldwide, and we are proud to highlight this year's awardees.”

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

2024 WINNERS: https://www.independentpressaward.com/2024winners

2024 DISTINGUISHED FAVORITES: https://www.independentpressaward.com/2024df