The Oct. 4 event invites prospective members to learn how the organization advances equity for women and girls through scholarships, STEM programs, and community engagement.
Health officials anticipate a challenging flu season and urge residents to get vaccinated early. Redlands clinics and pharmacies are now offering no-needle options.
Free Oct. 4 event focuses on wellness and substance use prevention for ages 12–18
Middle-grade novelist Laura Findley Evans, a former Redlands resident, is among Acorn’s success stories as the publisher opens submissions for a new $11,000 contest.
When Laura Findley Evans was a student at the University of Redlands, she never imagined the stories she told her granddaughters would grow into a successful book series.
Now, the alum is celebrating her third novel with Southern California–based Acorn Publishing, which this year is marking its 10th anniversary by offering a debut author prize — a national contest awarding one unpublished writer a full-service publishing package valued at more than $11,000.
Evans' two middle-grade novels, “The Dragon and the Girl,” were published in 2021 and 2023, with a third installment on the way.
“[Evans’] books have done so well,” said Holly Kammier, co-founder of Acorn Publishing. “She sold 10,000 in her first year, so she’s been a very successful author.”
Evans lived in Redlands while studying at the University of Redlands. “I love Redlands, I really enjoyed living there,” Evans said. For a while she attended writing workshops with her old professor, Bruce McAllister.
When Evans finished writing her first book, she thought of the self-publishing route. “There’s so much you have to figure out yourself that for me was and remains overwhelming,” she said. She learned about Acorn Publishing at the San Diego Writers Festival.
“I have been very happy with them and the evidence of that is that I published my second book with them,” she said. Each $11,000 investment has been worth it. “The first book paid for the second book, the second book has generated enough income to pay for the third book and then some,” she said.
Evans lives in Orange County. Her middle-grade novel idea came from telling stories to her granddaughters, their middle names became the main character’s and her sister’s names in the books, Eliana and Alethia. A career as an educator has helped her put the stories for kids ages 8 to 14 on paper, including what she described as “A foundation for writing” from the University of Redlands.
“I personally would be really excited if it was a middle grade writer,” Evans said of the future winner.
Acorn Publishing is an award-winning hybrid publisher that began in 2015 offering help to unpublished authors. At the San Diego Writers Festival this year, Acorn was named the 2025 Publisher of the Year.
“The chances of being picked by an agent or a traditional publishing house are so small,” said Kammier. This is why authors Jessica Therrien and Holly Kammier with a background in publicity established Acorn Publishing, to have services available for debut authors to walk them through the long and arduous process of publishing. Authors submit their finished manuscript, if accepted, they invest $11,000 of which will help them get a polished product. Services include proofreading, custom cover design, formatting, distribution, marketing and project management.
“This is our ten-year anniversary and the launch of this prize which we hope will become an annual thing,” Kammier said. “It was always our goal to take these tiny acorns and let them grow into mighty oaks which so many of our authors have done.”
In the past ten years, Acorn Publishing has helped publish about 200 books. “The majority of our books have hit best selling categories on Amazon, gotten multiple awards, and in that regard they’ve all been a success,” she said.
Evans pointed out that through Acorn, she has been welcomed into a community of writers. “People who are doing the same thing I am doing and getting their books out into the world,” she said.
The company works with translators and film agents in order to give their authors the best shot at worldwide success.
“If we accept them, the author is going to get a beautiful book with a good reputation and a good shot at success,” Kammier said.
The Debut Author Prize submission window is open from August 15 to November 15, 2025. Finished manuscripts of fiction novels or memoirs by previously unpublished authors are accepted: 50,000 – 95,000 words.
The Debut Author Prize is offered in partnership with the San Diego Writers Festival and the Coronado Public Library. The latter offers classes this fall for debut writers, attendees get the fee waived for the contest. Classes are offered online.
“My advice [is] to be brave enough to share your story. Follow the guidelines, trust the work you’ve done, and let your voice be heard. Every great book begins with the courage to put it out into the world,” Kammier said.
The winner will be announced at the San Diego Writers Festival in Coronado in March, 2026. “We are going to make a big deal about it.”
According to Acorn Publishing’s website, “A panel will select the winner based on voice, story execution, and overall potential to become a breakout success.”
To keep updated on the Debut Author Prize, the judging panel and winner announcement, follow Acorn Publishing on their social media or website.
For full information about the Debut Author Prize: www.acornpublishingllc.com/debut-author-prize
Acorn Publishing’s website: www.acornpublishingllc.com/about
Look up ‘Acorn Publishing’ on Facebook and Instagram.
San Diego Writers Festival’s website: www.sandiegowritersfestival.com
Author Laura Findley Evan’s website: www.laurafindleyevans.com
Writers events offered at the Coronado Public Library, attendees to these events gets their submission fee of $35 waived at the Debut Author Contest. Write your story events take place online on Zoom. Registration needed.
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