By Kate Hill

Staff Writer

Last week, former Cazenovia resident Jadi Campbell announced that her new book, “The Trail Back Out,” was named a finalist for the 2020 “Best Book” award in the category of fiction anthologies.

Sponsored by American Book Fest, this year’s contest received over 2,000 entries, which were narrowed down to over 400 winners and finalists in over 90 categories.

Awards were presented for titles published in 2018-2020 based on design, content and overall appeal.

According to Campbell, “The Trail Back Out” is the only self-published book in its category.

“[This recognition] means everything,” she said. “I am beyond thrilled. Past winners have included Amy Tan, George Saunders, Clive Barker and Ann Lamott, which puts me in very good company. This is the 17th year these awards have been handed out in the publishing industry. I’m self-published, so being named a finalist is an extra honor.”

The anthology, which features 10 stories, is Campbell’s fourth book.

According to the author, the characters in each story are all trying to make sense of events.

“They are all looking for the trail back out,” she said. “Whether during the upheaval of the last century or the present COVID-19 crisis, each story guides the reader through a labyrinth of questions about how to live and love.”

Campbell graduated from Cazenovia High School in 1975. Although she has lived in Germany for the past 28 years, she continues to attend reunions when possible.

The title story of “The Trail Back Out” takes place on the back trails at Cranberry Lake in the Adirondacks.

“It’s not an accident that [this story] is set in Upstate New York,” she said. “The places and people remain close to my heart.”

The author holds a bachelor of arts degree in English literature from the Honors College of the University of Oregon.

She published her first book, “Broken In: A Novel in Stories,” in 2012. Her second and third novels, “Tsunami Cowboys” and “Grounded,” followed in 2014 and 2016, respectively.

Campbell wrote many of the stories featured in her latest work during the coronavirus lockdown.

“I had been thinking about collecting my short stories into a full book, [and] I wanted to write some new stories, too,” she said. “Germany went into full lockdown due to COVID-19 in March, so it was the perfect time to write – I had no excuses left.”

American Book Fest is an online publication providing coverage for books from mainstream and independent publishers to the world online community.

Learn more about American Book Fest at americanbookfest.com.

For more information on Campbell and her work, visit jadicampbell.com.