Previous Finalists

Comments from Authors/Publishers

'Being part of the Wishing Shelf Awards has been a brilliant experience, and it’s clear how much hard work and effort goes into them. As a new author, it can be difficult to get your book into the hands of readers, and even harder to get feedback and reviews. The Wishing Shelf Awards recognise the obstacles authors face and Edward has done everything possible to help. It feels amazing to have won a bronze medal for my book, but what is even better is knowing that real readers judged it and getting to hear what they genuinely thought about it. Thanks to the Wishing Shelf Awards process, I have received direct feedback from readers, I have a new review on Amazon and Goodreads, and I even have a catchy quote I can use on my book cover, all things that are offered to everyone who enters and are not only reserved for the winners. I wouldn’t hesitate to take part in these awards again and I can’t recommend them enough. My thanks go out to Edward and to everyone who works so hard to make these awards possible.'


In the Shadow of the Sphinx, A K Wallis

'This is my second time entering the Wishing Shelf Awards. So I can appreciate just how much the awards has grown over the years.
It's great to get my book, 'James Clyde and the Tomb of Salvation' into the hands of children and to receive such high praise gives me great confidence going forward. A great award for any author to enter.'

Colm McElwain

"The Wishing Shelf Book Awards are fantastic... tremendously well organised and a terrific opportunity to hear direct feedback from such a large group of young readers together. The impact that my Silver Medal award has made has been unbelievable. It has added further credibility and prestige to my reputation as an author, and it feels great to mention success like this at my school visits and festival events.

Although the award hasn't been listed on my Wikipedia page yet, I believe the mention of said award encouraged Wiki to start a page for me last month for the first time. I also think that highlighting the award helped secure me an interview on TalkSport radio, as I launch my next book on the Hawksbee and Jacobs Show before 1.1 million listeners! Thanks for everything, Mr Billy Bob Buttons, sir!"

Stuart Reid, author of Gorgeous George And the Timewarp Trouser Trumpets

'I find the Wishing Shelf Awards particularly useful because of the stats you declare. Especially the number of readers who'd read another book by the author - surely the truest test available!
The reader's comments too are invaluable.'

Dai Henley, author of Reckless Obsession

'I found the Wishing Shelf Awards an extremely helpful and rewarding thing to engage with. I am not into book competitions usually but the feedback was extremely useful and has helped me believe in myself as a writer and given me much more confidence. It also confirmed to me the main area I need to improve is the cover. I will definitely enter my next book when it is ready. Thanks, it was well worth it, much more informative than the usual competition ethos.'

Julie Carter, Running the Red Line