STORY MONSTERS INK Takes the Literary World by Storm

In just over two years since its launch, Story Monsters Ink has become a beacon for parents and teachers searching for quality reading material for children to instill the joys of reading, and it turns out, grown-ups love it just as much as kids.

What began as a monthly newsletter has turned into a major magazine with subscribers across the globe, advertisers clamoring to get a spot in each issue and featured interviews with today's top authors and artists, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Kenny Loggins, Kate DiCamillo, James Patterson, Dav Pilkey and Jeff Kinney.

And the industry loves it, too. The subscription-based family magazine recently received several notable literary accolades.

In August, Story Monsters Ink won the Mom's Choice Gold Award and was named "among the best in family-friendly media, products and services." In October, School Library Journal named it "among the great magazines for kids and teens" for its varied content, including articles about science and nature, reading guides, and book reviews written by children for children. Also this month, it was announced that the magazine's publisher, Linda F. Radke, won the 2016 Irwin Award for "Best Publisher of a Literary Magazine," and Cristy Bertini, the magazine's editor-in-chief, also won the Irwin Award for "Best Editorial Director."

In her acceptance speech, Radke thanked the entire Story Monsters Ink team for their contributions to the magazine's success. "Cristy tells me every month that this will be the best issue yet, and it always is, thanks to our tremendous team of writers, designers, columnists, and contributors, and we want to express our sincerest gratitude to Melissa Fales, Jeff Yesh, Kris Taft Miller, Conrad Storad, Debbie Greenberg, Darleen Wohlfeil, Nick Spake, Leigh Carrasco, Rita Campbell, Olivia Amiri, Diana Perry, Jenna Grodzicki, Bill McManus, Kristin Maggio, and Shirin Zarqa-Lederman for their hard work and dedication. And we also want to thank our advertisers. They have supported this publication from the beginning and I want them to know how much we appreciate them."

Having been in the up-and-down world of publishing for over 30 years, Radke said that supporting children's literacy is her team's ultimate goal in everything they do.

"That is the light behind Story Monsters Ink," said Radke. "And behind every successful magazine, is a great editor-in-chief. Cristy is that editor. I have her to thank, because she makes this magazine what it is and I couldn't ask for a better leader. As for the next issue, just wait and see. It will be the best one yet."

To subscribe to Story Monsters Ink, visit www.StoryMonsters.com. Digital subscriptions are free and 12-month print subscriptions are $39. New print subscribers receive a free Story Monster plush reading buddy. For more information, email info@storymonsters.com or call 480-940-8182.