As a result of entering the UK People's Book Prize (I was the runner-up but I discovered it was all a 'social media' exercise; whoever had the most Facebook friends, won!), I set up my own small book award specifically for self-published authors and independent publishers. It is called The Wishing Shelf Book Awards (www.thewsa.co.uk). Basically it is a non-profit making award in which all the books are read and judged by two panels of readers (one in Stockholm where I spend much of my time and one in London where I spend the rest of my time) and children in the schools I visit giving literacy workshops.
My award is a little different to many of the awards on the net:
The feedback sent to us from the readers, we send on to the authors, whether they win or not.
We provide all the authors who enter with a REVIEW on Amazon and Goodreads plus a positive quote for the back of the next re-print of book.
Every penny is spent on posting the books between members of the Reading Groups and the schools and promoting the finalists and winners. This year we spent almost £500 on a quarter page full colour advert in The School Librarian, a quarterly journal which is sent to every library in the country, publicising this year’s and last year’s finalists.
We send all the authors who enter our accounts for the year so they can see how the money was spent.
I think (not a 100% sure though) that it is the only book award run by a fellow author who understands how important it is to get feedback, publicity and, most importantly, not be ripped off by a dodgy award scam. If you Google ‘The Wishing Shelf Book Award’ you will find no negative comments. So far (fingers crossed!) every author who has entered (102 last year, 47 the year before) has had a positive experience. For example:
“I have been very impressed by The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards. My book, James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra has been read by school children in London, advertised in a widely-read literary magazine and I’ll soon receive an Amazon review. This is excellent publicity for my book and all for just £28. Edward Trayer, the founder of this award, has worked tirelessly to promote all the books entered in the competition. I’m slightly embarrassed to think that I paid such a small entry fee for all these services and I’d encourage any self-published author to enter the award. You won’t regret it.”
Colm McElwain
“The team at Wishing Shelf Awards provided an important post-publication boost for my book. Along with other books, it was taken on a short tour of London schools and many children read it. The best prize of all has been reading the thoughts of the children themselves, via feedback sent on to me. Communications from Wishing Shelf’s founder, Edward Trayer (aka Billy Bob Buttons) was always relevant and timely, and all questions and queries quickly answered. The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards is an excellent organization, open, honest and well run.”
Mary Ann O’Leary
“Unlike many of the Awards people may come across, The Wishing Shelf Awards (TWSA) are truly worth the money invested and provide authors with valuable feedback on their books and generate excellent publicity. What I like best is that those who do the reviewing for TWSA genuinely love books and therefore give constructive, supportive feedback for authors (rather than the longwinded, condescending put downs you might get elsewhere - if they even bother to provide any feedback at all!). In addition, the friendly, open, responsive approach from the TWSA organisers has helped build a growing community of independent authors who interact with and encourage each other. I have enjoyed the experience of participating in TWSA and will definitely do so again as well as recommending the competition to others.”
Faiz Kermani
Also, our award is super-cheap to enter (£28), you can join our Facebook page and make contact with other authors, publishers and agents and, best of all (I think), when you email us, we answer quickly and personally.
Anyway, I hope you will be interested in entering out small awards. If you go to www.thewsa.co.uk, all the info you need to know on how to enter is there. Alternatively, send me a message at thewishingshelfawards@gmx.com and tell me a little about your book. If I think it’s the sort of book that might do well with us, I will tell you then.
Many thanks,
Regards
Edward Trayer
Edward Trayer, writing under the pen name Billy Bob Buttons is the author of Rubery Book Award finalist 'Felicity Brady and the Wizard's Bookshop' the much-loved 'The Gullfoss Legends' and People's Book Prize runner-up 'TOR Assassin Hunter'. His latest book 'TOR Wolf Rising' is in the shops now! He is also the organiser of The Wishing Shelf Book Awards.
My award is a little different to many of the awards on the net:
The feedback sent to us from the readers, we send on to the authors, whether they win or not.
We provide all the authors who enter with a REVIEW on Amazon and Goodreads plus a positive quote for the back of the next re-print of book.
Every penny is spent on posting the books between members of the Reading Groups and the schools and promoting the finalists and winners. This year we spent almost £500 on a quarter page full colour advert in The School Librarian, a quarterly journal which is sent to every library in the country, publicising this year’s and last year’s finalists.
We send all the authors who enter our accounts for the year so they can see how the money was spent.
I think (not a 100% sure though) that it is the only book award run by a fellow author who understands how important it is to get feedback, publicity and, most importantly, not be ripped off by a dodgy award scam. If you Google ‘The Wishing Shelf Book Award’ you will find no negative comments. So far (fingers crossed!) every author who has entered (102 last year, 47 the year before) has had a positive experience. For example:
“I have been very impressed by The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards. My book, James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra has been read by school children in London, advertised in a widely-read literary magazine and I’ll soon receive an Amazon review. This is excellent publicity for my book and all for just £28. Edward Trayer, the founder of this award, has worked tirelessly to promote all the books entered in the competition. I’m slightly embarrassed to think that I paid such a small entry fee for all these services and I’d encourage any self-published author to enter the award. You won’t regret it.”
Colm McElwain
“The team at Wishing Shelf Awards provided an important post-publication boost for my book. Along with other books, it was taken on a short tour of London schools and many children read it. The best prize of all has been reading the thoughts of the children themselves, via feedback sent on to me. Communications from Wishing Shelf’s founder, Edward Trayer (aka Billy Bob Buttons) was always relevant and timely, and all questions and queries quickly answered. The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards is an excellent organization, open, honest and well run.”
Mary Ann O’Leary
“Unlike many of the Awards people may come across, The Wishing Shelf Awards (TWSA) are truly worth the money invested and provide authors with valuable feedback on their books and generate excellent publicity. What I like best is that those who do the reviewing for TWSA genuinely love books and therefore give constructive, supportive feedback for authors (rather than the longwinded, condescending put downs you might get elsewhere - if they even bother to provide any feedback at all!). In addition, the friendly, open, responsive approach from the TWSA organisers has helped build a growing community of independent authors who interact with and encourage each other. I have enjoyed the experience of participating in TWSA and will definitely do so again as well as recommending the competition to others.”
Faiz Kermani
Also, our award is super-cheap to enter (£28), you can join our Facebook page and make contact with other authors, publishers and agents and, best of all (I think), when you email us, we answer quickly and personally.
Anyway, I hope you will be interested in entering out small awards. If you go to www.thewsa.co.uk, all the info you need to know on how to enter is there. Alternatively, send me a message at thewishingshelfawards@gmx.com and tell me a little about your book. If I think it’s the sort of book that might do well with us, I will tell you then.
Many thanks,
Regards
Edward Trayer
Edward Trayer, writing under the pen name Billy Bob Buttons is the author of Rubery Book Award finalist 'Felicity Brady and the Wizard's Bookshop' the much-loved 'The Gullfoss Legends' and People's Book Prize runner-up 'TOR Assassin Hunter'. His latest book 'TOR Wolf Rising' is in the shops now! He is also the organiser of The Wishing Shelf Book Awards.