Milton author among Eric Hoffer Book Award finalists

“Mosquitoes and Men,” the debut novel by Mark Alan Polo, is a finalist in the 2021 Eric Hoffer Book Awards competition.

Published by Devil’s Party Press of Milton, Polo’s Southern Gothic novel centers around family secrets that are unveiled during a funeral gathering in South Carolina.

Polo is an award-winning interior designer and owner of the Urban Dweller. He is a frequent contributor to the Rehoboth Beach Designer Show House event. In addition to “Mosquitoes and Men,” Polo’s work has appeared in numerous literary anthologies.

“Mark is an extremely talented writer whose stories are filled with complex, often flawed, characters. His work is multi-layered - there’s always more happening than what first appears on the surface. We’re delighted that Mark’s work has been recognized by the Hoffer Book Award judges,” said Dianne Pearce, publisher, Devil’s Party Press.

Each year, thousands of books are submitted to the Eric Hoffer Book Award competition, which honors the memory of American philosopher Eric Hoffer. Fewer than 10 percent of the nominees become finalists. The award recognizes outstanding writing and the independent spirit of small publishers. Since its inception, the Hoffer Award has become one of the largest international book awards for small, academic and independent presses.

“Mosquitoes and Men” is available via bookstores, Amazon and the Devil's Party Press online store.