Press Releases

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Although modesty is my style, selling books is my mission. So, I’m collaborating with Boundless Media to blow my own horn. Here’s my latest tune.

My wife and media coach, Junko Yoshida, especially likes my reference to the emotional burden that a writer bears: “One of the forces that reduces the population of professional writers is that you spend your life running scared. With every job you do, you have to prove yourself all over again, to people whose criteria for judging you are a complete mystery. You run a gauntlet of persistent rejection.”

 

David Benjamin, Award-Winning Author, to Speak at BookCAMP Event Ahead of IPA and NYC Big Book Awards Recognition

LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, April 20, 2026 — Award-winning author, journalist, and independent publisher David Benjamin will headline the Independent Press Award BookCAMP live event on April 24, just one day before he receives multiple national honors at the NYC Big Book Awards and the Independent Press Awards.

Benjamin, founder of Last Kid Books, has built a career shaped by resilience, sharp wit, and a deep commitment to storytelling. With decades of experience spanning fiction, memoir, essays, and journalism, he has produced work that reflects both personal insight and a wide-ranging cultural perspective. Yet, as Benjamin himself candidly notes, the writer’s path is far from easy.

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“One of the forces that reduces the population of professional writers is that you spend your life running scared. With every job you do, you have to prove yourself all over again, to people whose criteria for judging you are a complete mystery. You run a gauntlet of persistent rejection.”

That perspective makes his continued success all the more notable. Benjamin’s latest honors, set to be formally recognized on April 25, include multiple distinctions from both the NYC Big Book Awards and the Independent Press Awards. The designation of “Distinguished Favorite” places a title among the top three books in its category.

For An Apartment in Paris (a memoir of discovery set in Paris)
– NYC Big Book Awards: Distinguished Favorite, Travel
– Independent Press Awards: First Place, Travel

For Benjamin’s Mess: Sketches, Tirades and Spoofs (a collection of weekly essays spanning a wide range of topics)
– NYC Big Book Awards: First Place, Short Stories
– NYC Big Book Awards: First Place, Humor
– NYC Big Book Awards: Distinguished Favorite, Cover Design

For Christmas in a Jugular Vein (a collection of Christmas stories written annually since his high school years)
– NYC Big Book Awards: Distinguished Favorite, Humor
– Independent Press Awards: First Place, Holiday

Spanning categories such as travel, humor, short stories, and holiday writing, these recognitions further solidify Benjamin’s reputation as a distinctive multi-genre storyteller. His humor writing, in particular, remains a defining strength. “I feel no greater satisfaction than when I’m honored for humor in my writing because, as the saying goes, dying is easy—comedy is hard,” he says.

The April 24 event offers attendees insight into both Benjamin’s creative process and the realities of sustaining a lifelong writing career. Known for his engaging, conversational speaking style, he blends humor with practical wisdom, often sharing behind-the-scenes stories from decades in journalism and publishing.

His work has appeared in major outlets including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Chicago Tribune, while his global experiences, from Paris to Tokyo, continue to shape his storytelling.

Through Last Kid Books, Benjamin has also embraced the entrepreneurial side of publishing, maintaining creative control while reaching a growing audience that values originality and authenticity. His catalog, which has garnered dozens of awards, reflects a commitment to bold, independent voices.

For readers, writers, and industry professionals alike, the April 24 event offers more than a traditional author appearance. It is a chance to hear directly from a seasoned storyteller who has navigated the evolving literary landscape with candor, creativity, and persistence.

As Benjamin steps into the spotlight ahead of his April 25 honors, his journey shows what it actually takes to stay in the game as a writer, and why storytelling still matters.