Cicada Invasion Novel Wins First in Literary Awards

Bethpage, New York

When fictional cicadas invade Long Island, they create such intense suspense and fear that they not only conquer the novel's characters, but they have conquered readers and literary awards judges. In other words, First Place in the Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Horror category in the Reader Views Literary Awards goes to Michael Philip Cash's novel "Brood X: A Firsthand Account of the Great Cicada Invasion" (ISBN 9781481843904, CreateSpace 2013).

"Brood X" reveals what happens when a cicada invasion strikes Long Island. Married couple Seth and Lara are expecting their first child when they hear reports of the impending invasion. At first, the couple pays little heed, and Seth even mocks the reports. "Call the press, get CNN down here," he exclaims when he finds the first cicada in his backyard.

But soon the couple find that the cicadas are interfering with their lives, and those of thousands of others as cell phone, television, sanitation, and delivery services come to a standstill. As panic ensues, Seth questions whether he is at fault for not acting to protect his family sooner.

In writing "Brood X," Michael Philip Cash was inspired by classic films like Hitchcock's "The Birds" and more recent found footage films to depict a tale of how nature turns against mankind. This blending of film and novel mediums and its superb suspense have garnered "Brood X" first place in its category in the Reader Views Literary Awards.

Reader Views reviews more than 2,000 books per year by self-published and small press authors. Its Annual Literary Awards recognize the very best of these up-and-coming authors. Cash fits that category perfectly since "Brood X" is his first novel. When asked how he felt about winning the Reader Views Literary Award, he remarked, "Great. It's an honor for me and the cicadas. It's about time we give them the respect they are due since anyone who has ever experienced them in person knows just how scary they can be."

No one is arguing with Cash. "Brood X" is a very scary novel in its realistic portrayal of nature's wrath and what happens when people like Seth are skeptical of nature's power. Reviewers have stated "The characters and storyline are frighteningly believable," and "it is a very good dramatization of the reaction of people to an impending catastrophe." One reviewer paid homage to the novel's film connections by stating it's, "part creature-feature with all of the traditional elements of the great '50s films...part homage to the fairly recent genre of found-footage horror films." If the book can win an award and get that kind of praise, who knows what a film version might do. Hopefully, the cicadas will be invading Hollywood next.

About the Author
Born and raised on Long Island, Michael Philip Cash has always had a fascination with horror writing and found footage films. He wanted to incorporate both with his debut novel, "Brood X." Earning a degree in English and an MBA, he has worked various jobs before settling into being a full-time author. He currently resides on Long Island with his wife and children. Since publishing "Brood X," he has also published "Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island" and "The Hanging Tree."

"Brood X: A Firsthand Account of the Great Cicada Invasion" (ISBN 9781481843904, CreateSpace 2013) can be purchased through local and online bookstores. For more information, visit http://www.michaelphillipcash.com. Publicity contact: http://www.ReaderViews.com. Review copies available upon request.

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