When told she deserved the Mark Twain Award for 1999, Barbara Williams responded with typical aplomb.
"I haven't deserved it," she said, "but, boy, did I get it! Mark Twain is a hero of mine, so I'm excited."Williams' novel for young readers, "Titanic Crossing," was published long before the famous movie was released. But the book has benefited from the movie's tidal wave of publicity.
"In one year's time it outsold all my other books combined," Williams says.
And that's saying something. Williams, of Salt Lake City, has 50 published books to her credit.
As for the Mark Twain Award, it is a reader's choice award by students grades four through eight. Winning the prize shows not only literary merit but a writer's ability to connect with the audience.
"Titanic Crossing" is also one of four finalists for the annual Nickelodeon Award -- a prize sponsored by the popular cable network.
"I'm doing a sequel now," says Williams. Though she says the strong elements of romance in the follow-up may chase some of the boys away.