Category: EIN Presswire

JACKSONVILLE, FL, UNITED STATES, January 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The 2026 Independent Press Award recognized “The Secret War of 1834” by B. B. LeClere in the category of Cross Genre as a distinguished favorite.

The competition is judged by experts from different aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, designers, booksellers, librarians and professional copywriters. Winners and distinguished favorites are based on overall excellence.

“The Secret War of 1834” by B. B. LeClere

The year is 1835, only twenty years after the war of 1812. The methods of war and medicine are crude compared to the standards of today.

The United States is a new and struggling country, ill-prepared for a virulent outbreak that aggressively sweeps through the young nation, ravaging all in its path. Inadvertently created by a brilliant doctor at the edge of the western frontier, while researching Native Indian tribe medicines in an effort to save the lives of his family. Across a barely tamed America, where steamships and horseback are the fastest ways to travel, divergent people and bands of defenders come together to combat an enigma beyond their understanding. striving to outrun an enemy sweeping through the countryside, they must create new methods to find something, anything to stop the madness.

How will our heroes be able to put aside differences, adapt and rise to the occasion?

Can this young and struggling nation face down this macabre new threat?

Will groundbreaking technologies turn the tide and contain the horror of these dead-like enemies?
​
In 2026, the INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD saw a large participation from well established authors and publishers across the globe, including those residing in Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States. Authors such as , Brad Feld, Judith Briles, Tony Jeton Selimi, Michael Pronko, Jack Fritscher, PhD, Nate Regier, PhD, Lawrence Kane & Kris Wilder, Greg Broadmore and Miriam Udel were among the winners list chosen from thousands of entries.

Publishing houses included Forbes Books, Friesen Press, Historium Press, Johns Hopkins University Press, Mad Cave Studios, Northwestern University Press, Princeton University Press, She Writes Press, The History Press, and University of California Press.

“The 2026 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD recipients reflect the incredible momentum within the independent sector,” stated Gabrielle Olczak, INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD President and Award Sponsor. “Independent voices are no longer just an alternative; they are leading the way in literary innovation. By highlighting these winners, we are celebrating a global community that refuses to be sidelined and continues to set new benchmarks for excellence.”

For more information please visit independentpressaward.com; and to see this year’s list of IPA Distinguished Favorites, please visit: https://www.independentpressaward.com/2026-favorites

—
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
B. B. LeClere hails from northeast Florida with a pervasive fascination and love for history, science, fiction, good books and adventure, combining all of these elements into this story. “The stories we read and the stories we were a part of inspire us to write our own stories. This was written with the hope it inspires you.” ~ B. B. LeClere

ABOUT THE AWARD
The Independent Press Award (IPA) is a prestigious annual book awards program specifically designed to honor excellence in the independent publishing community. It is open to self-published authors, small presses, and university presses worldwide. The Independent Press Award is announced every spring and is open to independent authors and publishers.

The fall book competition, NYC Big Book Award, https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/ permits all authors and publishers, including the big five publishers, to submit their books for competition.

Join us at the Awards Dinner & Ceremony on April 25th to celebrate the recipients of both programs as they receive their awards on stage. The ceremony is part of the BookCAMP event, a publishing industry conference held in the New York metro area, April 24-26, 2026, https://www.independentpressaward.com/ipabookcamp.

Gabby Olczak
Independent Press Award
+1 973-969-1899
gabby@independentpressaward.com
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
X
Other

B. B. LeClere’s Book Video for “The Secret War of 1834”

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

Oak Haven Massage launches private 25-min infrared sauna sessions in Austin and San Antonio (select locations) to aid muscle recovery, stress, and sleep.

AUSTIN, TX, UNITED STATES, January 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Multi-location wellness provider introduces infrared sauna therapy at select Austin and San Antonio studios in January 2026

Oak Haven Massage will launch infrared sauna services at select locations in January 2026, expanding its wellness offerings in response to growing client demand for effective solutions to muscle recovery, stress management, and improved sleep. The rollout marks a strategic service expansion for the multi-location provider, bringing infrared therapy to both the Austin and San Antonio markets simultaneously.

The new service features private 25-minute infrared sauna sessions that use gentle infrared light technology to warm the body directly rather than heating surrounding air. This approach promotes deeper, more therapeutic sweating that supports muscle recovery and relaxation. Unlike traditional saunas that can feel overwhelming, the infrared method creates a more comfortable experience while delivering physiological benefits at lower ambient temperatures.

Oak Haven Massage identified the need for this service after tracking client feedback over the past 18 months. Many clients receiving massage therapy reported persistent challenges with post-workout recovery, chronic tension from desk work, and difficulty achieving restorative sleep despite regular bodywork sessions.

“We kept hearing the same patterns from our clients—they’d feel amazing after a massage, but the muscle soreness and stress would creep back faster than they wanted,” said Allison, CEO of Oak Haven Massage. “Infrared sauna therapy offers a complementary approach that extends those recovery benefits between massage appointments.”

The service will be available at select Oak Haven Massage locations, with two pricing options: individual 25-minute sessions for $30, or an unlimited monthly membership at $55 that allows one session per day, including weekends. The membership model is designed to improve accessibility and flexibility, allowing clients to use sessions at participating studios and share access with family members. This approach supports convenient access to infrared sauna therapy across both the Austin and San Antonio markets.

Each private session provides focused relaxation time in a controlled environment, designed for clients to incorporate heat therapy into their regular wellness routine without requiring hour-long time commitments. The 25-minute duration aligns with commonly recommended guidelines for infrared sauna use while fitting easily into busy schedules.

Oak Haven Massage operates four locations across Austin and San Antonio, serving clients at its South 1st Street and Mopac studios in Austin, as well as its Huebner Road and Alamo Heights studios in San Antonio. The infrared sauna rollout at select locations reflects the company’s continued focus on expanding evidence-informed wellness services while maintaining a consistent client experience across both markets. CEO Allison’s background in therapeutic bodywork and team development helped guide the expansion beyond traditional massage modalities.

The infrared sauna addition reflects broader trends in the Austin and San Antonio health and wellness markets, where consumers increasingly seek integrated approaches to stress management and physical recovery. The service launches as part of the studio’s commitment to addressing the full spectrum of client wellness needs across both regions.

Booking for infrared sauna sessions will open in early January 2026 through Oak Haven Massage’s online scheduling system at select locations. Current massage therapy clients will receive priority access to introductory sessions at their preferred studio.

About Oak Haven Massage
Oak Haven Massage is a Texas-based wellness studio specializing in therapeutic massage and recovery services, with locations in Austin and San Antonio. Founded and led by CEO Allison, the studio focuses on personalized client care and building lasting relationships within the communities it serves. For more information, visit https://www.oakhavenmassage.com/

Dr. Steven Shuel
Oak Haven Massage
+1 512-363-5720
email us here
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

Beyond AI creation, McRock features DDEX-standard label integration and a fraud-proof $0.10 royalty model to restore value to real music and creators globally.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES, January 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Differson LLC today announced the global launch of McRock, a first-of-its-kind music platform designed to transform personal experiences into high-fidelity soundscapes. McRock introduces a proprietary, software-copyrighted context-driven generation system, allowing users to craft original music simply by engaging in a dialogue with a creative AI assistant.

A New Way to Experience Music McRock is built on the belief that music should be as personal as the stories behind it. The app’s intuitive interface allows anyone to chat with a creative AI to craft original songs—choosing their own genres, moods, and instruments. Whether it’s a song for a workout or a simple memory, McRock makes high-quality, authentic music creation accessible to everyone.

The platform is defined by a high-aesthetic vision directed by founder and art director Jina Shim. Centered on a beautiful, modern vinyl-inspired UI/UX, McRock is not a conventional streaming service, but a creative tool designed to enhance human expression and celebrate the visual soul of music.

Connecting Fans with Real Artists Beyond its creative tools, McRock serves as a premium streaming destination. The [Musicians] section features a diverse catalog of verified human artists, supported by a DDEX-standard ingestion pipeline. This allows major and independent labels to host “Real Music” in a high-integrity environment, giving fans a place to support professional talent alongside AI-enhanced creativity.

The “Fair Play” Standard: Stable and Authentic McRock is built to restore value to the creator economy through industry-leading transparency:
Real-Time Transparency: Proprietary technology ensures 100% accurate, fraud-free streaming counts.
The $0.10 Royalty Model: To prioritize quality over bot-driven volume, McRock offers a disruptive $0.10 USD per-stream royalty rate. By implementing a “1-1-1” protocol (one play, per track, per day, per account), the platform ensures every cent represents a genuine human connection.
Integrated Payouts: Using Stripe infrastructure, creators and artists can track and withdraw earnings directly, creating a sustainable ecosystem for the next generation of talent.
“We wanted to build a place where music feels personal again,” says Jina Shim, Founder of Differson LLC. “As a musician whose work has been featured on 16 international radio stations, I know that authenticity is everything. McRock is a hybrid world where human passion and smart technology live together. As our motto says, we ‘Drive Differ, Dive Deeper’—merging advanced technology with creativity to transform how people experience their own stories.”

Upcoming International Presence The launch of McRock coincides with founder Jina Shim’s upcoming travel to San Francisco this March for her graphic art exhibition at Superfair. This international presence highlights the multi-disciplinary creative vision—spanning music, fine art, and software engineering—that drives the Differson LLC brand.

About Differson LLC “Drive Differ, Dive Deeper.” Differson LLC is a US-based media and technology company focused on democratizing creativity. By merging advanced, copyrighted technology with high-level artistic direction, Differson LLC is dedicated to building tools that transform industries and empower voices through the power of sound.

Media Contact: Jina Shim Founder, Differson LLC [Official Website : www.differson.net] [Official YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/@differsonllc]

Jina Shim
Differson LLC
+1 218-278-3410
email us here
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
YouTube

McRock : Drop It Like It’s Rock. McRock is a hybrid music platform where AI music and real music co-exists. Create, release, and stream your original music.

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

The TempMD acquisition expands Optigy’s footprint, deepens its recruiting network, and enhances its ability to deliver global healthcare staffing solutions.

SARASOTA, FL, UNITED STATES, January 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Optigy, a leading clinical recruiting firm, today announces the acquisition of TempMD. The move significantly expands Optigy’s footprint, deepens its recruiting network, and enhances its ability to deliver tailored staffing solutions for healthcare organizations nationwide.

“From the beginning, Optigy has been all in on building deep, long-term partnerships that help healthcare organizations thrive,” said Steve Anderson, CEO of Optigy. “By bringing TempMD into the Optigy family, we are extending our national reach, adding new expertise, and positioning ourselves to serve our partners with more depth and agility than ever before.”

The acquisition adds several experienced team members to Optigy, strengthening the firm’s capacity to connect healthcare organizations with top clinical talent. Together, the two companies bring complementary strengths that will enable Optigy to accelerate placements, broaden specialty coverage, and deepen its expertise in locum tenens coverage, direct hire, and executive search, while maintaining the relationship-driven approach that defines its success.

This milestone builds on Optigy’s remarkable momentum over the last 18 months. During that time, the firm has partnered with more than 50 premier healthcare organizations, made hundreds of successful placements, and expanded into new service lines. Adding TempMD accelerates this trajectory, giving Optigy a larger platform to innovate, scale, and respond to the fast-changing needs of healthcare providers nationwide.

For clients of TempMD, the transition will be seamless. Trusted account contacts remain in place, and clients will now benefit from Optigy’s broader recruitment team, enhanced technology infrastructure, and the support of a growing national organization. For Optigy’s existing partners, this acquisition strengthens service capacity and opens new opportunities to address complicated staffing challenges with speed and precision.

“This is more than growth,” added Dave Ciccone, COO and Co-Founder of Optigy. “It’s about ensuring our partners have the support they need to succeed in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. Together, we’ll deliver the best of both worlds: the personal service our partners rely on, backed by the resources and innovation of a national firm.”

The acquisition underscores Optigy’s commitment to being a trusted partner to healthcare organizations, providing the talent and strategies they need to serve patients, providers, and communities effectively.

About Optigy
Optigy is a relationship-focused clinical recruiting firm specializing in locum tenens coverage, recruitment process outsourcing, direct hire, and executive search. With deep expertise in healthcare staffing and a commitment to being all in for its partners, Optigy helps healthcare organizations build stronger teams, reduce hiring complexity, and achieve long-term success.

Amy C Gretz
Agree Marketing
+1 717-215-6839
amy@agreemarketing.com
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

As transparency concerns rise in trading cards, Based Trading Cards sets a new standard with fully disclosed print runs and clear hit rates

SACRAMENTO, CA, UNITED STATES, January 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Based Trading Cards, a California collectible card company blending art, education, finance, and economics, is placing scarcity and transparency at the forefront of the collectible card market. As the company prepares to launch their newest collection, it is reinforcing its core values: full disclosure of print runs, true artistry, and educational storytelling. Through limited releases and full production transparency, Based Trading Cards is reshaping the alternative trading card space and building confidence in the rarity and long term value of each card.

“We want to remind both current and future collectors that transparency and honesty around print numbers are too important to ignore,” said founder Alladan Flinn. “Our goal is to set a clear standard and lead by example, encouraging other brands to disclose their print runs so collectors can trust that their investments are built for the long term, not driven by short term speculation or unlimited print runs. Our focus is on protecting the industry and ensuring the collectible card space remains credible, sustainable, and worthy of true long term investment.”

The trading card industry has seen an uptick in criticism for unverified and seemingly endless releases. Since launching in 2022, BTC has prioritized transparency through fully disclosed hit lists, clear card checklists available online and in box inserts, while including above industry standard odds and truly finite print runs.

Designed as an ultra premium brand, BTC blends nostalgia with modern artistry and education, creating collectible assets meant to be collected or resold, while fueling a growing global community and strong secondary market demand. Each collection is produced with top industry printers using premium embellishments and advanced security measures, resulting in visually striking, gem quality cards eligible for PSA and CGC grading. BTC features original artwork from highly respected artists and has executed high profile collaborations with Bitcoin Magazine and direct partnerships with Michael Saylor, Adam Back, Alex Gladstein, Greg Foss, and Max Keiser. These collaborations have strengthened collector loyalty, driven revenue growth, and positioned Based Trading Cards alongside top tier brands in the collectible space within just a few years.

Riding the momentum from the success of Orange Pill In A Pack (OPP) Series 3: Warriors Vs. Villains, the brand is preparing for pre-orders of its next groundbreaking release, OPP Series 4: The Simulation. For the first time, a car—a $69K BTC-wrapped Dodge Challenger Scat Pack, will be included in a trading card pack, with the best odds in the industry at 1:420. Based Trading Cards continues to combine art, storytelling, and education into collectible assets built for long-term value and collector excitement. Learn more by visiting www.basedtradingcards.com and www.instagram.com/basedcollectibles

Robert Bradley
Bradley PR and Marketing
+1 949-274-9651
press@bradleypublicity.com
Visit us on social media:
Instagram

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.