Mark Wayne Adams

M. W. Adams explored the magic of childhood in the creeks, caves, and bluffs of western Kentucky. Playing Outback conjured an adventurous world between his home near Pennyrile State Park and his hometown of Dawson Springs. Accompanied by pretend horses and a brown baby doll, M. W. grew to love his bizarre Outback family, sometimes more than his “normal” family. Mark was inspired to chase his entrepreneurial dream in the 3rd grade, selling drawings to classmates. Creating books and inspiring others has always been his passion. Mark’s ability to produce quality illustrations at a fast pace and dedication to mentor others has made MWA, Inc. both successful and unique. In the past five years, his authors have won over 50 book awards and he continues to create new, successful products annually. Mark contributes his talents and time to the community locally and nationally. He promotes reading and writing via public speaking engagements, book signings, and participation in book events from Florida to the Northeastern United States. He has been recognized through the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, KACo (KY Assoc. of Counties), FAPA Board, SCBWI, IBPA, Readers’ Favorite Illustration Awards Judge, and national book awards. He also volunteers his talents to the Kids Need to Read annual calendar and donates books to various organizations. BOOK AWARDS & ASSOCIATIONS: ★ Little Miss Grubby Toes, Gets Lost! Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Medalist — 2021 ★ Little Miss Grubby Toes, Eats too much Candy! Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Medalist — 2020 ★ Little Miss Grubby Toes, Climbs a Tree! Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Medalist — 2019 ★ Eddie, That’s Spaghetti! FAPA President’s Book Awards, Children’s Picture Book Ages 0–7 — 2018 ★ Little Miss Grubby Toes, Plays with Fire! Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Medalist — 2018 FAPA President’s Book Awards, Children’s Picture Book Ages 0–7 — 2018 ★ Dolly, a Dog, and a Camper FAPA President’s Book Awards, Florida: Children’s Picture Book — 2018 FAPA President’s Book Awards, Children’s Chapter Book Ages 5–9 — 2018 ★ DOWN UNDER: Kussins FAPA President’s Book Awards, Cover Design — 2017 FAPA President’s Book Awards, Young Adult Fiction—2017 Book Excellence Awards, Pre-Teen Fiction—2017 ★ Dolly Becomes a Scout FAPA President’s Book Awards — 2017 ★ "OUTBACK: Bothers & Sinisters" FAPA President’s Book Awards Silver Medalist — 2016 ★ "Mayflower: Fly on the Wall Series" FAPA President’s Book Awards Silver Medalist — 2016 FAPA President’s Book Awards Bronze Medalist — 2016 ★ "A Hand Truck Named Dolly" Mom’s Choice Awards Silver Medalist — 2016 ★ "Little Miss Grubby Toes, Steps on a Bee!" FAPA President’s Book Awards Gold Medalist — 2016 Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Medalist — 2015 Readers’ Favorite Award Gold Medalist — 2015 ★ "Eli’s Balloon" FAPA President’s Book Awards Gold Medalist — 2015 ★ "Frozen Floppies" National Indie Excellence Award Winner — 2015 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards Finalist — 2015 ★ "Parts of Speech Parade, New York City" FAPA President’s Book Awards Gold Medalist — 2015 National Indie Excellence Award Finalist — 2015 ★ "Polly and Her Pigtails" Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Medalist — 2014 FAPA President’s Book Awards Silver Medalist — 2014 National Parenting Publications Awards Silver Medalist — 2014 Purple Dragonfly Award 1st Place (Picture Book 6+) — 2014 Purple Dragonfly Award Honorable Mention (School Issues) — 2014 National Indie Excellence Award Finalist — 2014 Readers’ Favorite Award Silver Medalist — 2014 ★ "Johari’s Joy" Mom’s Choice Awards Silver Medalist — 2014 Eric Hoffer Award Honorable Mention — 2014 National Indie Excellence Award Finalist — 2014 ★ "Franny’s Rescue" FAPA President’s Book Awards Silver Medalist — 2014 Eric Hoffer Award Honorable Mention — 2014 ★ "Jilli, That’s Silly! A Story About Being a Girl" Evelyn Thurman Young Readers Book Award — 2014 Ben Franklin Award Silver Medalist — 2013 FAPA President’s Awards Silver Medalist — 2013 Reader’s Favorite Award Gold Medalist — 2013 National Indie Excellence Award Finalist — 2013 Finalist – Eric Hoffer Award — 2013 Finalist – International Book Awards (Parenting & Family) — 2013 Finalist – International Book Awards (Picture Book) — 2013 ★ "Nicholas, That’s Ridiculous! A Story About Being a Boy" Florida Publishers Association President’s Award Silver Medalist — 2010 Independent Publisher Award Silver Medalist — 2011 Finalist – Eric Hoffer Award — 2010 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award Gold Medalist — 2009 ★ "Teddy Tales: The Adventures of a Rescue Puppy and His Friends" Florida Publishers Association President’s Award Silver Medalist — 2012 ★ "King for a Day, the Story of Stories" Florida Publishers Association President’s Award Silver Medalist — 2011 ★ "The Little Skunk Who Was Afraid to Stink" Moonbeam Children’s Book Award Bronze Medalist — 2009 ★ "Jadyn and the Magic Bubble, Kenya! Kenya!" Finalist – Indie Excellence Award — 2011 ★ "Jadyn and the Magic Bubble, I Met Gandhi!" Finalist – Indie Excellence Awards — 2009 ★ Florida Authors and Publishers Association Founders Award recipient 2017. ★ Official judge of the Readers’ Favorite Illustration Award 2013–2015. ★ Florida Authors and Publishers Association Board Member/President 2009–2017. ★ Marlene M. Helm Alumni Achievement Award for contributions to the arts in the Kentucky community and service to the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts. — 2011 ★ Independent Book Publishers Association Since 2008. ★ SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) since 2009. ★ Storytellers of Central Florida members range from novice to professionals. ★ 2008 Best of Show, Life in Altamonte City Magazine – Winner in the landscape photo division. ILLUSTRATED BOOKS: “Stick Horse Derby”—Mark Wayne Adams “Nana G, That’s Fancy!”—Christa Blaney “MATES: Uncools”—M. W. Adams “A Dolly, A Dog, And A Camper”—Kay Whitehouse “G’DAY: Aints”—M. W. Adams “DOWN UNDER: Kussins”—M. W. Adams “OUTBACK: Bothers & Sinisters”—M. W. Adams “Little Miss Grubby Toes, Goes Swimming!”—Eddie Price “Eddie, That’s Spaghetti!”—Christa Blaney “Violet the Hugging Octopus”—Sherry Duquet “Nicolás, ¡eso es ridículo!”—Christa Blaney “Juliana, ¡eso son tonterías!”—Christa Blaney “Dolly Becomes a Scout”—Kay Whitehouse “Pilgrims: Fly on the Wall Series”—Linda Smigaj “A Hand Truck Named Dolly”—Kay Whitehouse “Floppanopolis”—John Hope “Mayflower: Fly on the Wall Series”—Linda Smigaj “Theo and the Penny Candy Store”—Debra Latiolais “Little Miss Grubby Toes, Gets Lost!”—Eddie Price “Little Miss Grubby Toes, Climbs a Tree!”—Eddie Price “Little Miss Grubby Toes, Eats too much Candy!”—Eddie Price “Little Miss Grubby Toes, Plays with Fire!”—Eddie Price “Little Miss Grubby Toes, Steps on a Bee!”—Eddie Price “Mighty Madeline”—Julie Watling “Kilpatrick McMurray McFrown”—Sarah Sproles “Eli’s Balloon”—Candace Ruffin “Franny Finds a Home”—Crystal White “Frozen Floppies”—John Hope “Parts of Speech Parade, New York City”—Irina Dolinskiy “Johari’s Joy”—Carol Hensel “Franny’s Rescue”—Crystal White “Polly and Her Pigtails”—Debra Latiolais “County Government Activity Book”—Kentucky Association of Counties “Nicholas, That’s Ridiculous! A Story About Being a Boy”—Christa Blaney “Jilli, That’s Silly! A Story About Being a Girl”—Christa Blaney “Pop the Bubbles, 1-2-3”—Jen Goble “My Friendly Giant”—Lauri Rubinstein “My Friendly Giant, Playing Along the Cliff Walk”—Lauri Rubinstein “The Little Skunk Who Was Afraid to Stink”—Brielle Kelley “The Border Patrol is Born”—Toni Zufelt “Scribble Dee Sophie: A Story for Young Artists and Their Parents”—Karen Spruill “Teddy Tales: The Adventures of a Rescue Puppy and His Friends”—Karen Spruill “King for a Day, the Story of Stories”—Mark Wayne Adams “Best Sketchbook”—Mark Wayne Adams “Good NightMare”—Mark Wayne Adams “Miss Mary’s Missing Book Bag”—Mark Wayne Adams “Field of Dreams”—Mark Hoog “Treasure Island”—Mark Hoog “The Belly Button Fairy”—Bobbie Hinman “The Fart Fairy”—Bobbie Hinman “The Freckle Fairy”—Bobbie Hinman “G.B. Duck’s Autobiography”—Chip Tullar “Lu and the Earth Bug Crew, Zap the Energy Spikes”—Derek Sabori “Jadyn and the Magic Bubble, I Met Gandhi!”—Brigitte Benchimol “Jadyn and the Magic Bubble, Kenya Kenya!”—Brigitte Benchimol “Guinea in My Cap?”—Wanda Hughes “Shanti the Yogi”—Spirit Voyage Music “The McGregor’s and Me”—David Garrett “The Little Orange Salamander”—Dolores J. Mazzeo “The Nerds”—Beverly Webel “Dogs of the Caribou and Other Stories”—Mary Gentry “Frank an’ Me”—Robert Wolley “Rainbow Bridge & Other Stories”—Doris Church “Cultural Cancer, Restoring Social Health”—Dale J. Hyland “The Gift of the Animals”—Doris Church “The Magical Forest”—Kristen Mason