Lopezians author Iris Graville and photographer Summer Moon Scriver’s book “Hands at Work: Portraits and Profiles of People Who Work with Their Hands,” has been named a 2009 Outstanding Book of the Year and winner of a gold medal in the “Most Life-Changing Book” category in the national Independent Publisher Book Awards.

In the Indie 2009 Next Generation Book Awards the book, published by Graville’s small Heron Moon Press, won five awards including: grand prize for best cover design, winner best overall non-fiction design, winner coffee table book category, finalist gift books/specialty category and finalist in the photography category.

The national competitions are for small, independent presses and self-published books.

“Hands at Work”, a 144-page hardcover coffee-table book, offers profiles and images of people passionate about working with their hands. In interviews with people including a boat builder, potter, chef, reef net fisherman, quilter, physical therapist, the book explores the fulfillment people who work with their hands experience. Most of those interviewed live and work in Puget Sound; many are from Lopez Island.

The book retails for $34 and is available at bookstores and gift shops throughout Puget Sound, through Amazon.com, and at www.handsworking.com.