Long Beach resident and acclaimed author Lon E. Varnadore is the winner of the 2020 Irwin Award for the Best Science-Fiction Series for his Junker Blues Series.  The announcement was made during the 26^th Annual Book Publicists of Southern California Awards, a virtual event held earlier in December. (Black Château, 2020)

The Book Publicists of Southern California award began in 1995 and is named after Irwin Zucker, a legend in the book publicity and promotions industry, and founder of the BPSC.

Lon E. Varnadore has been a self-published author since 2015 with the sci-fi noir “Mostly Human.” He continues working on his award-winning space opera series Junker Blues, a sword-and-planet series called the Known World Series, and additional 4Pollack novels.  His other works include urban fantasy noir with “Janus City,” space Opera with “Blood for the Empress” and even military sci-fi with “I.S.S. Starkiller.”

The Junker Blues Series is a thrilling space opera set against the background of stunningly detailed universes and built around gruff heroes. In “Mars,” the first book in the series, Marcus Redding, a bold junkologist, is forced to flee trouble and flies straight into the crosshairs of the Martian Defense Force’s artillery. Crashing hard on the sandstorm-ravaged Red Planet, Marcus fights for survival alongside the mind-penetrating co-pilot he is still not sure he can trust. In the second book, “The Belt,” Marcus is challenged to use his skills and intuition to navigate not only the space but also the threats posed by new acquaintances and old friends.

“I am thrilled and honored to receive the 2020 Irwin Award for the Best Science-Fiction Series. I’ve always been a fan of science fiction, and getting recognition in the genre I adore makes it even more special. I’d like to thank Irwin Zucker and the competition judges for making me this honor and congratulate the other winners.” – Lon E. Varnadore.