Local resident and poet Lisa Lynn Ericson has been awarded first place nationwide in the 2022 Christian Indie Awards for her book "Vibrant Simplicity," published by Book Villages. "Vibrant Simplicity" is a collection of 137 poems written over a period of 30 years and tracing Ericson's experiences worldwide.

Originally from Lisbon, Portugal, Ericson has lived in Lancaster County for 20 years. Her poems, which include rhythm and rhyme, express a persistent undercurrent of hope throughout life's hardest and happiest moments.

Ericson also wrote a separate collection of 149 poems in Portuguese, "Simplicidade Vibrante: Pensamentos Poeticos de um Fado Feliz." She recently competed in the first-ever poetry tournament of Portugal, performing her writings in dramatic spoken-word style for international audiences, and she has done the same with the poems and songs that she has penned in English.

Educated as a historian, Ericson is also the author of nonfiction books that feature true stories of survival. For links to Ericson's social media platforms and to contact the writer for autographed copies of her books, visit http://www.lisalynnericson.com.