The Bi Writers Association, which promotes bi writers, bi books, and bisexual writing, announced the winners of its inaugural Bisexual Book Awards. An awards ceremony was held at the Nuyorican Poets Café in New York City, and included readings from eight of the nominated books. Awards were given in fiction and non-fiction, poetry, science fiction, and more. The Bi Writer Award went to Cheryl Burke, whose writing was posthumously published in My Awesome Place: The Autobiography of Cheryl B. published by Topside Press.
"There are so few opportunities for bi-themed books to be recognized and rewarded," said Bi Writers Association founder Sheela Lambert. "The Bi Writers Association decided that, since other book awards have not been stepping up, we needed to provide more of those opportunities ourselves, in order to encourage publication of bisexual books."
The Bi Writers Association provides a networking forum for bi writers, hosts an online bi book club, and works to dispel myths and stereotypes about bisexuality, within both the LGBT and mainstream press. Addressing the lack of visibility for the bi community, the Bi Writers Association mission states, "We are working to put the 'B' in LGBT."