Press release
Barry Litherland's Maa-Ghut Recognized as a Finalist in International Book Awards Contest
Maa-Ghut is recognized for its outstanding writing, design and overall market appeal out of thousands of books submitted into the Book Excellence Awards.Image: https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcYnVxK-v7ttXQ-39SDo2bX4RXf8_GKZ5cfle6Vrml5bmr1wo7OIi8xfWQB_xkOlS9X5HGrnwjg-cKXJTBhmrWkR72Q9LSvwD1QMvRITFnrbiq5FPcfXv0_2l2KLlXkrIA?key=lnnS0MrHIgPfgEfI6zMZ4s78
Barry Litherland is an award-winning author known for his versatile storytelling across a wide range of genres, including paranormal and crime thrillers, literary mysteries, young adult, and children's fiction. His Phil Tyler Mystery Thriller series, which includes Breaking Waves, Shifting Sands, Rising Tides, and Shining Lights , has captivated readers with its gripping narratives. His paranormal and political thrillers, such as The Trophy Room and The Hand of Ronan Hawke , keep fans on the edge of their seats, while his children's books, including Jenny's Heroes and Jenny's Terrifying Tale, are beloved by young readers and their families. Barry's literary works, Dark Skies and Fireflies and Butterflies in Stormy Skies , showcase his talent for deep, thought-provoking fiction, while his young adult novel, Maa-Ghut, demonstrates his broad storytelling range.
After a successful and rewarding career in primary education, Barry now dedicates his time to writing, reading, cycling, walking, photography, and exploring the rugged landscapes of the breathtaking Scottish Highlands where he lives. Barry's work resonates with readers for its relatable characters, intricate plots, and immersive settings that defy genre conventions. This one-on-one interview shares Barry Litherland's background and experience writing Maa-Ghut.
Tell us about Maa-Ghut.
Fourteen-year-old Evie Mycroft is no stranger to standing up for justice. A rebel, eco-warrior, and feminist at heart, she's driven by the desire to make a difference. But beneath her courage lies self-doubt-until everything she knows about her world is turned upside down. One ordinary afternoon, Evie comes home to find that her family, her town, and even her appearance have changed. She's no longer in her own life. In this new, terrifying world, Evie has swapped places with Eva, a girl living in a society where a persecuted minority, the Maa-Ghut , are oppressed and dehumanized. As a monstrous threat looms closer, Evie realizes she must step up to fight for the values that matter-justice, equality, and freedom.
Maa-Ghut is a captivating, suspense-filled novel that explores the harsh realities of identity, consumerism, and societal injustice. With heart-pounding suspense and thought-provoking social themes, Evie and Eva's journey will challenge, shock, and provoke-but it will also leave you hopeful, with its message of hope and resistance.
What inspired you to write Maa-Ghut?
Our world is changing. We are threatened by global warming. Long established confidence in the doctrines of economic growth, global economics and consumerism is weakening. The political future seems uncertain. I wanted my two protagonists to view these conflicting interests through fresh eyes, to make their choices, and pick their sides. No preaching. No presumptions. Just authentic characters, a gripping, believable story, humour, menace, suspense, and opportunities to re-assess what really matters. Ultimately, this book is about hope-about the incredible potential for change when individuals summon the courage to fight for what they believe is right.
How did you feel when you found out you received a Book Excellence Award?
I'm still processing the excitement! The recognition from the Book Excellence Awards has opened up a world of incredible opportunities and I'm feeling more inspired and motivated than ever. In fact, I'm already deep into writing my next novel!
I decided to enter the Book Excellence Awards because I truly believed in its credibility and reputation. It's not just another contest-this is a prestigious, respected platform that can elevate authors and their work. Winning has already proven to be a game-changer, offering fresh exposure and the chance to connect with a wider audience.
How did your background and experience influence your writing?
My extensive background in education, particularly working with children aged 5-11, has profoundly shaped my writing. For years, my mission was to help young minds form their own educated views, think critically, and reflect on the world around them. I've always believed that fiction, when done well, plays a vital role in this process. Writing has been in my blood for as long as I can remember, and it's become my way of offering young readers the same opportunities for self-reflection and growth that I encouraged in the classroom.
My latest novel for young adults, Maa-Ghut , invites readers to reflect on pressing societal issues-racism, consumerism, and the dangers of polarized thinking. It balances humor, sadness, and moments of discomfort, but at its heart, it's a hopeful story, designed to encourage introspection and conversation. The discussion questions at the end are there to help readers dig deeper into these themes.
What is one message you would like readers to remember?
The world is at a turning point. Only through empathy, by understanding the humanity of others and by taking positive steps to foster the well-being of all, can our world society truly move forward.
Maa-Ghut is my invitation to readers to confront difficult, thought-provoking issues while also sparking hope for a future shaped by compassion and concern for others. Through this gripping narrative, I aim to move readers emotionally-whether it's through moments that make them smile, a tear or two, or the sheer excitement of a story that stays with them long after the last page. It's a call to action, a celebration of empathy, and a story that I hope readers will want to discuss and share with those around them.
Image: https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXckq-okIQmuQo5sWl6togE1N85BZPqsdGNxmqGh2_sioOXpZS8WGitk8WJsrxEvlQamP6IWUX-dkchxAi6GA7gQLJFyY04HMeMmC9qfWw_Juv2hEE_WQID31T5cvv44fOM?key=lnnS0MrHIgPfgEfI6zMZ4s78
Purchasing the Book
Maa-Ghut has received positive reviews from well-known literary organizations, authors, and reviewers around the world. Book Excellence writes, " Maa-Ghut is a powerful young adult fiction that blends thought-provoking social themes with an exciting, suspense-filled story...ideal for fans of The Hate U Give and The Catcher in the Rye with its focus on identity, injustice, and summoning the courage to speak truth to power against oppression. "
The book is available for sale on Amazon. Readers are encouraged to purchase their copy today: https://www.amazon.com/Maa-Ghut-Barry-Litherland-ebook/dp/B0CZ7LVKHN
To connect with Barry and learn more about his work, visit: https://www.bleaknorth.net. You can also find him on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BarryLitherlandAuthor], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/barry.litherland/] and BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/bl-writer.bsky.social].
Media Contact
Company Name: Author News Network
Contact Person: Media Relations
Email:Send Email [https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=barry-litherlands-maaghut-recognized-as-a-finalist-in-international-book-awards-contest]
Country: United States
Website: http://authornewsnetwork.com
Legal Disclaimer: Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. ABNewswire makes no warranties or responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you are affiliated with this article or have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article and would like it to be removed, please contact retract@swscontact.com
This release was published on openPR.
Permanent link to this press release:
Copy
Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release.
You can edit or delete your press release Barry Litherland's Maa-Ghut Recognized as a Finalist in International Book Awards Contest here
News-ID: 3984346 • Views: …
More Releases from ABNewswire

Sharon Winters' Cutted Chicken in Shanghai: A Memoir of Culture, Connection, and …
Part travelogue, part love letter, Sharon Winters' memoir, Cutted Chicken in Shanghai, captures the humor, heart, and unforgettable adventures of living abroad, exploring culture, and finding friendship in a city that became her second home.
Image: https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcUSnDEgw0nvf5H8gQ5JKqAIwQYLCNTRZJ_yCxIdO0BXgsLKeaKi-tXagC1YO4RBaDh2FFVuoPY_vqQIm69AwJY9ThWHrm_TOyqwbugdyNAthxC5-FqO0iqzQXeBXC2hEOa_mFHmA?key=WndQkMaC4xuBkMMS4ys0zQ
Sharon Winters is a retired English and Math teacher, world traveler, humorist, and award-winning author whose writing blends wit, heart, and a love of adventure. A multi-faceted talent with a gift for turning everyday encounters…

Viltrox Joins the L-Mount Alliance, Expanding Creative Possibilities
Standardized lens mount is already supported by Leica, SIGMA, Pansonic, and more
Shenzhen, China - September 3rd, 2025 - Viltrox is proud to announce it has joined the L-Mount Alliance. This reinforces Viltrox's commitment to delivering accessible, high-performance tools for creators, and to advancing the L-Mount standard. This collaboration empowers Viltrox to design L-Mount products that open new creative horizons for both photographers and filmmakers.
Viltrox now stands alongside the alliance's founding…

Acute Liver Failure Pipeline 2025: Key Companies, MOA, ROA, and Clinical Trials …
(Las Vegas, Nevada, United States) As per DelveInsight's assessment, globally, Acute Liver Failure pipeline constitutes 5+ key companies continuously working towards developing 5+ Acute Liver Failure treatment therapies, analysis of Clinical Trials, Therapies, Mechanism of Action, Route of Administration, and Developments analyzes DelveInsight.
The Acute Liver Failure Pipeline report embraces in-depth commercial and clinical assessment of the pipeline products from the pre-clinical developmental phase to the marketed phase. The report also…

Gastric Cancer Pipeline 2025: Latest FDA Approvals, Clinical Trials, and Emergin …
(Las Vegas, Nevada, United States) As per DelveInsight's assessment, globally, Gastric Cancer pipeline constitutes 200+ key companies continuously working towards developing 220+ Gastric Cancer treatment therapies, analysis of Clinical Trials, Therapies, Mechanism of Action, Route of Administration, and Developments analyzes DelveInsight.
"Gastric Cancer Pipeline Insight, 2025 [https://www.delveinsight.com/sample-request/gastric-cancer-pipeline-insight?utm_source=abnewswire&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=gpr]" report by DelveInsight outlines comprehensive insights into the present clinical development scenario and growth prospects across the Gastric Cancer Market.
The Gastric Cancer Pipeline report…
More Releases for Barry
Retail Chocolate Market Worth Observing Growth | Hershey, Nestle, Barry Callebau …
Advance Market Analytics published a new research publication on "Retail Chocolate Market Insights, to 2030" with 232 pages and enriched with self-explained Tables and charts in presentable format. In the Study you will find new evolving Trends, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities generated by targeting market associated stakeholders. The growth of the Retail Chocolate market was mainly driven by the increasing R&D spending across the world.
Get Free Exclusive PDF Sample Copy of…
Watermark Designs and Barry Goralnick Introduce The James Collection
Brooklyn, NY - Watermark Designs, the Brooklyn-based manufacturers and designers of faucets, fixtures and accessories for residential and commercial properties has teamed up with renowned architect, interior designer and product designer Barry Goralnick on a bathroom collection that elevates the industrial trend by adding a level of sophistication and luxury. The new collection, according to Barry Goralnick, is the "definition of my signature statement, Blended Modern ™." With its nod…
Chocolate Market Is Booming Worldwide | Barry Callebaut, Cargill, Nestle, Mars
Advance Market Analytics published a new research publication on "Chocolate Market Insights, to 2027" with 232 pages and enriched with self-explained Tables and charts in presentable format. In the Study you will find new evolving Trends, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities generated by targeting market associated stakeholders. The growth of the Chocolate market was mainly driven by the increasing R&D spending across the world.
Get Free Exclusive PDF Sample Copy of This Research…
Miebach designs Global Distribution Center for Barry Callebaut
Lokeren/Belgium, 02 April 2020.
Barry Callebaut, the world's largest manufacturer of cocoa and chocolate products, intends to centralize its global logistics activities in Lokeren, Belgium in a 60,000 m? facility. The plans for the new distribution center for Barry Callebaut have already been recognized with the Foreign Investment Trophy, as the best foreign investment in Flanders. The Belgium real estate investor WDP will develop this unique, logistics warehouse site together…
Koziak Joins Barry Communications as Controller
WORCESTER, Mass., September 1 2011 – Barry Communications announced today that Marina Koziak of Webster has been named to the position of Controller.
Her professional background includes several years of managerial experience in financial administration. Most recently, she served as Director of Finance for Page After Page in Shrewsbury. Before that, she was the Manager of Financial Reporting for Worcester Controls/McCanna in Marlborough and Controller at Palmer Foundry, Inc.…
Barry Communications Names Cohen Chief Technology Officer
WORCESTER, Mass., July 28, 2011 – Barry Communications announced today that Randall S. Cohen of Framingham has been appointed to the position of Chief Technology Officer.
As Chief Technology Officer, Cohen will be responsible for planning and implementing all technology initiatives for Barry Communications.
Cohen previous was President and owner of Griffin Business Solutions of Framingham, an independent communications consulting firm, and as Information Technology Manager for Advocates for Human Potential, Inc.…