Previous Finalists

Comments from Authors/Publishers

As a first-time publisher and author, I needed to gain a context of my writing style and content. I entered my debut book, Kindness, Kale & Kettlebells: A journey to self-awareness into The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards and received reviews and feedback from authors and readers. My book was read by nineteen people who scored it on editing, writing style, content and cover, and some judges wrote individual reviews, which I found incredibly helpful. A book rating and review were placed on Amazon, Goodreads and BookBub. The Awards are run by Edward (Billy Bob Buttons) who is an award-winning author himself. Through his efforts and example, the Awards are home to a group of writers, who understand the challenges that indie authors are confronted with, and offer one another support in this exciting field of disruptor publishing.'

Sudhana Singh, author of Kindness, Kale & Kettlebells

'The feedback was helpful and reader's comments should prove very useful in promoting the book internationally. I really appreciate that the evaluation and review comments are created using multiple readers (19 in my case). Wishing Shelf is a top notch book award contest, and integrity was apparent throughout the entire process.'

Erick Kenneth French, author of Iphelia: Awakening the Gift of Feeling

'There are many excellent things about Wishing Shelf Awards. Firstly it is great to be enter our book into Award programs like this. We are constantly looking for feedback on ways to improve the book, and we have entered this Award program (and others) not expecting to win, but hopefully gaining some positive recognition for our book and useful suggestions on ways to improve it.
My co-author and I are extremely pleased to have reached Finalist stage and we display the Wishing Shelf emblem on our website and our email signature lines. Our Audiobook was a Finalist in the Voice Arts Awards in Hollywood, and it is thrilling to have recognition both for the printed and spoken work through the two organisations.
Secondly, we are very pleased with the medals. Book writing is not profitable so it is nice to have other proof of achievement.
Thirdly the feedback is helpful. It is good to have a summary of 20 readers who have read our book.
Also, it has been easy to engage with your organisation and I have always appreciated your quick response to questions. We will be sure to enter our future books as well.'

Brad Borkan, author of When Your Life Depends On It

'Let me say again how the detailed notes writers get back from WS reader groups is worth so much more than the fee you charge. I have mined that feedback for gold on both my first two novels. There is no contest that offers that level of detailed feedback. Keep it up!'

Jeffrey K. Walker, author of None of Us the Same

'Having entered in the the Wishing Shelf Awards for a few years now, it never fails to enthral me, when waiting to see if my work has won a prize, the fact that I know people read it, Whether I win or not, is beside the point, its the learning and the feedback that is really good to push you forwards. You also get to meet many new readers along the way and always get good tips on new books to read as well. I would highly recommend the wishing shelf awards. It's the taking part and learning more about how you write, and the cherry on the cake is getting an award.'

Julie Hodgson, author of The Gift