"Chicago Eternal" Honored with the Silver Medal at IBPA's Benjamin Franklin Awards

In a lavish ceremony at the Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile on April 5, 2019,the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) bestowed Benjamin Franklin Awards on the best in independent publishing.

Larry Broutman received the coveted Silver Medal in the Regional category. The Regional winners were selected from a nationwide pool of nonfiction books that cover regionally-specific subject matter. Mr. Broutman earned top recognition for his photographic exploration of Cook County cemeteries in Chicago Eternal.

Already recognized as a finalist in American Book Fest’s Best Book Awards in Photography and praised in many national and local reviews, Chicago Eternal takes readers on a journey through Chicago’s storied past with illuminating photographs of gravestones and mausoleums from thirty Chicagoland cemeteries. Commentary sheds lights on the rich lives behind the tombstones.

Over 1,500 entrants were thoroughly evaluated by 160 librarians, booksellers, and design and editorial experts during a seven-month judging process. IBPA CEO Angela Bole explained, "Unlike many other award programs, the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards demand both editorial and design excellence and entrants are judged independently on both." With over 3,100 members, IBPA is the largest publishing association in the US.

Larry Broutman is the photographer and author of four award-winning coffee table books about his beloved city, Chicago Eternal, Chicago Monumental, Chicago Unleashed, and newly released Chicago Treasure. Mr. Broutman generously donates his author proceeds from all of his books to The Chicago Lighthouse and Access Living, Chicago-based nonprofit advocacy organizations.

For a complete list of the 2019 Benjamin Franklin Award winners, click here.