Christiane Scarpino Receives International Recognition Through the NYC Big Book Award®!

RINGWOOD, NJ, UNITED STATES, September 15, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The NYC Big Book Award recognized Missing Pieces: A Terrorist Attack Survivor’s Memoir of Trauma, Resilience and Healing by Christiane Scarpino in the category of New Nonfiction (First time published) as a winner.

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.

Missing Pieces: A Terrorist Attack Survivor’s Memoir of Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Christiane Scarpino is a deeply moving memoir that chronicles her survival of the devastating 1977 terrorist bombing of the Mobil Oil Building in New York City when she was just 21 years old. This gripping account sheds light on the long-term effects of trauma and the journey to reclaim one’s life while navigating the challenges of PTSD, a condition that was barely understood at the time.

After the bombing, Christiane faced three years of relentless FBI and NYPD interrogations and testified in a federal murder trial against a terrorist. With raw honesty, she shares her struggle with PTSD symptoms, including flashbacks, dissociation, memory loss, and nightmares, along with the physical and emotional toll they took. Through her journey, she developed coping mechanisms to survive in a society that often stigmatizes mental health challenges.

Missing Pieces is not just a story of survival but a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It provides a powerful perspective on the hidden battles faced by trauma survivors and the extraordinary strength required to overcome adversity. This memoir is a must-read for those seeking inspiration, understanding of PTSD, or an inside look at the profound impact of trauma on every facet of life.

NYC Big Book Award received book submissions worldwide. Attorneys, Doctors, Entrepreneurs, Film & Television writers, Historians, and Journalists, from well established authors to first time indie authors as well as small and large presses participated.

Entries this year were received from the United States as well as countries such as Australia, Canada, China, Dubai, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea United, Sweden, Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Cities represented among the entries were Auckland, Baltimore, Dallas, Frankfurt, Hollywood, Johannesburg, Manhattan Beach, New Orleans, NYC, Philadelphia, Sydney, and West Palm Beach.

Publishers included Press 49, Beacon Press, Berrett-Koehler, Casemate, Edinburgh University Press, Forbes Books, Kiplinger Books, NYU Press, Palgrave Macmillan, Penguin Random House, Rizzoli, Routledge, The White House Historical Association, University of California Press, University of Nebraska Press, Weaving Influence Press, and Wiley.

We have an amazing list of authors from around the globe participating this year, said awards sponsor Gabby Olczak. I’m so excited to share these books with a worldwide readership!

The book Missing Pieces has received many critical reviews:

A powerful memoir that examines the four-decade aftermath of surviving a 1977 FALN terrorist attack, illustrating how invisible trauma, institutional failures, and ultimate path-to-recovery shape a survivor’s life. Scarpino’s memoir serves as both a compelling personal account and a critique of how society demands quick resolution from survivors of violence. It stands as an important text for readers of mental health nonfiction, true crime, modern American history, and victim advocacy. Full review: https://www.printedwordreviews.com/bookreviews/9781953315557
-Printed Word Reviews

Missing Pieces is a powerful, raw, and deeply personal account of surviving the unspeakable horror of terrorism. Christi Scarpino became a casualty of the Cold War in 1977, surviving a devastating FALN bombing in New York City. With unflinching honesty, she reveals how the trauma of that day led to decades of struggle with PTSD. Society labels survivors as ‘strong’ and moves on-but this memoir forces us to remember. It gives voice to those whose suffering lingers long after the headlines fade.
-Joseph Connor, author and counter-terror advocate

As a fellow survivor of terrorism, Missing Pieces deeply resonated with me. Christiane’s depiction of trauma mirrored my own-flashbacks, anxiety, and disconnection from a world that couldn’t understand. Her resilience amidst profound suffering truly inspires. For survivors, this memoir is a reminder that we are not alone.
-Elena Breese, Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor

Missing Pieces is a brave and brutally honest memoir of navigating PTSD long before it had a name. Christi’s psychological wounds shaped her entire life, affecting her career, relationships, and sense of normalcy. She shows us how to own our grief and live again. A must-read for anyone touched by trauma.
-Tim Brown, retired NYC firefighter and 9/11 survivor

This poignant memoir recounts Christiane’s survival of a 1977 terrorist bombing and her lifelong battle with PTSD. Through raw storytelling, she illuminates the resilience needed to reclaim life. Her bond with her dogs-especially her Toller, Turner-became a lifeline. A heartfelt testament to healing and the power of the human-animal connection.
-Kathy Santo, author and dog trainer

Missing Pieces is compelling, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting. It’s going to be a tremendous help to people who have experienced trauma.
-Tricia Thompson, Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder

A courageous memoir that gives hope to anyone suffering from PTSD. It shows it is possible to work through trauma and rediscover joy.
-Susan Lynch, author of Life After Kevin

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About the Author

Christiane Scarpino is a licensed speech-language pathologist and retired massage therapist who now devotes her life to raising awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A Rutgers University and Purdue University graduate, she lives in New Jersey with her husband and their cherished Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, with whom she trains and competes in various performance events.

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About the Award

NYC Big Book Award, https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/, is announced every fall. NYC Big Book Award is open to all authors, publishers, and illustrators, and includes submissions from the big five publishers. Join us for the Awards Dinner on April 10th, 2027, https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/awardsdinner, held at the BookCAMP event, April 9-10, 2027, https://www.ipabookcamp.com, where recipients from both NYC Bog Book and Independent Press Award programs will walk on stage to receive their awards.

Gabby Olczak
NYC Big Book Award
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