FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Maple Ridge, BC, Wednesday, July 23, 2025 — Local author Sheldon Herman, a proud son of Maple Ridge and current resident of Osoyoos, is racking up accolades for his debut travel memoir, The Tortured Traveller: How I Survived the Worst Vacation Ever. The book has received not one, but two major honors in the humor category from respected independent book award organizations.

First, The Tortured Traveller was named a runner-up in the 2024 Indies Today Awards, a competitive contest that celebrates excellence in independent publishing. Just as that news was being announced, it was followed by more good news: the book also won the 2nd Quarter 2025 International Firebird Book Award, presented by Speak Up Talk Radio, in the Humor category.

Released in November 2024, The Tortured Traveller takes readers on a laugh-out-loud journey as Herman recounts a vacation gone hilariously wrong. When renovations force him out of his home, Herman decides to escape as far as possible, landing in Cape Town, South Africa, for what quickly devolves into an unforgettable adventure—for all the wrong reasons. Robert M. Goldstein, author of The Last Passenger Train, hails it as “laugh-out-loud funny.”

Sheldon Herman's roots run deep in British Columbia; he was born in Maple Ridge into a family with a distinguished history in law enforcement. Both his parents served long careers with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a path Sheldon himself followed for 15 years as a police officer with the RCMP. His unique perspective and dry wit shine through in his writing, resonating deeply with readers who appreciate a good story and a hearty laugh.

"I am absolutely thrilled and incredibly honored that The Tortured Traveller has been recognized by the Indies Today Awards and the Firebird Book Awards," said Sheldon Herman. “Writing this book was a way to find humor in some truly challenging situations, and it’s wonderful to know that my misadventures are bringing joy and laughter to readers. Recognition from two respected independent contests means the world to me.”

The Indies Today Awards and the International Firebird Book Awards both aim to highlight outstanding works by independent authors, giving a powerful platform to books that captivate, entertain, and inspire. Herman’s wins underscore the broad appeal of his comedic storytelling and fresh voice in the humor genre.

Media outlets in Maple Ridge and the South Okanagan will find particular interest in Herman’s local ties, while any publication serving readers who enjoy witty, relatable humor and travel anecdotes will find The Tortured Traveller a compelling feature.

For more information about Sheldon Herman and The Tortured Traveller, please visit ingeniumbooks.com/sheldonherman. Review copies are available upon request.

About the Author

Sheldon Herman was born in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, and followed in the footsteps of his RCMP parents, serving as a police officer for 15 years. He now resides in Osoyoos in the South Okanagan. His debut book, The Tortured Traveller: How I Survived the Worst Vacation Ever, chronicles his humorous misadventures abroad.

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