Lahaina, Hawaii — May 29, 2026

Rocky Mountain Press is pleased to announce that Hive: Madders of Time, Book One by DL Orton has been named the winner in the Science Fiction category of the 15th annual IndieReader Discovery Awards

IndieReader announced the winners of its Discovery Awards on May 28. The IndieReader Discovery Awards recognizes the year’s standout independent books, focusing on connecting winning authors with influential members of the publishing, media, entertainment, and literary communities. A complete list of winners can be found at:

https://indiereader.com/irda26-winners/

“The quality of this year’s submissions make it clear why we believe so deeply in this community. Independent publishing has never been more vital, and these winners represent exactly the kind of bold, original work that deserves a wider stage,” said IndieReader co-owner Jared Drake.

The 2026 awards marked the first awards ceremony presented under the ownership of Julia and Jared Drake, who acquired IndieReader in 2025 and have expanded its mission of helping exceptional independent books gain meaningful recognition.

“Hive reminds us why science fiction remains one of the most powerful genres for exploring the human condition. D.L. Orton has crafted a story that combines sweeping imagination with emotional authenticity, creating a novel that is both a thrilling adventure and a thoughtful reflection on love, sacrifice, and the future of our world. We are honored to see Hive recognized with IndieReader’s top Science Fiction award.”

Hive launches Orton’s new science fiction saga, Madders of Time. Set in a future where humanity’s last survivors struggle to endure within a failing biodome, the novel follows Isabel and Diego as they uncover a long-lost time bridge that may offer one final chance to alter the course of history. Blending dystopian suspense, time travel, and an enduring love story, Hive explores resilience, sacrifice, and the consequences of the choices we make today.

With over 1,000 submissions submitted across more than 50 categories, this year’s competition was the largest and most competitive award cycle in the program’s history.

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Lahaina, Hawaii — January 12, 2026

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.

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Hive Earns Double Finalist Honors in 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards

Lahaina, Hawaii — November 14, 2025

Rocky Mountain Press is proud to announce that Hive, the first novel in DL Orton’s Madders of Time series, has been named a Finalist in two categories of the 2025 Independent Author Network (IAN) Book of the Year Awards, earning the novel its first major literary recognition:

• Science Fiction
• Science Fiction / Dystopian / Post-Apocalyptic

The Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards recognize outstanding books from independent authors and publishers around the world, honoring excellence in storytelling, originality, and professional publishing.

Hive continues to earn recognition for its blend of high-concept science fiction, emotional depth, and compelling characters. The novel follows humanity’s last survivors as they struggle to escape a dying Earth, only to discover that altering the past may come at an unimaginable cost. Combining time travel, survival, and unforgettable relationships, Hive launches the Madders of Time series with a story that explores how love, sacrifice, and impossible choices can reshape history itself.

“This recognition from the Independent Author Network is especially meaningful because it celebrates the creativity and dedication of independent authors and publishers,” said DL Orton. “I’m honored that Hive has been recognized alongside so many exceptional works.”

The Independent Author Network recognition marked the beginning of Hive‘s award journey, highlighting the novel’s blend of emotionally rich storytelling, compelling characters, and thought-provoking science fiction. Since its release, readers have praised the novel for its natural dialogue, unforgettable relationships, and imaginative exploration of love, survival, and the consequences of changing the past.

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