DL Orton's "Hive" Wins Two 2026 Independent Press Awards

Rocky Mountain Press is proud to announce that Hive: Madders of Time, Book One by DL Orton has received two prestigious 2026 Independent Press Awards: Winner for Book Cover Design - Fiction and Distinguished Favorite in the Science Fiction: Existential & Social Resilience category.

Hive, published in 2025, launches Orton's ambitious new science fiction saga, Madders of Time. The novel presents a gripping narrative where humanity's last survivors cling to life within Eden-17, a crumbling biodome besieged by rising seas and relentless microdrones. Isabel, a brilliant but dying scientist, and Diego, the man she loves, discover a long-lost time bridge. With their world literally falling apart, Isabel makes the ultimate sacrifice, sending Diego 35 years into the past to avert the global catastrophe that led to their bleak present.

"I'm honored that Hive has been recognized for both its design and its storytelling. This acknowledgment is especially meaningful because a book’s cover is a reader’s first invitation into the story. It reflects the tension between hope and despair at the heart of the novel, and I’m delighted that this vision resonated with the judges. Having the story itself named a Distinguished Favorite makes the recognition all the more rewarding,” said DL Orton.

The Independent Press Award celebrates outstanding independently published books across multiple categories. The Book Cover Design - Fiction award recognizes excellence in visual presentation and marketing appeal, while the Distinguished Favorite designation in Science Fiction: Existential & Social Resilience honors compelling narratives that explore humanity's capacity to endure and adapt in the face of existential challenges.

"DL Orton has crafted both a visually stunning and narratively powerful work with Hive. These awards validate what we've known since we first read the manuscript—this is science fiction that not only entertains but challenges readers to think deeply about our future and the choices we make today," added the publisher at Rocky Mountain Press.

Hive: Madders of Time, Book One is available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from major retailers and independent bookstores.