Previous Finalists

Comments from Authors/Publishers

'The Wishing Shelf Book Awards is one of the few contests where writers can rest assured that the person running the contest--Billy Bob Buttons--truly cares about the writers, judges, and the material. He personally screens the entrants and provides feedback along the way, even telling us about the drama in the judges' quarters! I couldn't believe when I found out that 31 people had read and reviewed my entry. That's a lot of time and effort from a lot of dedicated readers in Stockholm and London. In addition, the large number of readers lends credence to the process and the feedback provided. I'm proud to label my mystery, CIRCLED, as a Wishing Shelf Bronze Medal Winner. It gives readers the confidence to take a chance on an author they may not know, and the influence of the award can only grow in the coming years. Thanks, Wishing Shelf!'

Anne McAneny, author of Circled

’My book, Deliverance Mary Fields, was a 2016 Wishing Shelf Finalist in the Adult Nonfiction category. This recognition was very helpful in my promotions, advertising and marketing campaigns. The reader comments were also valuable and insightful. I would recommend entering your book in this grass-roots not-for-profit organization’s book contest without hesitation. Many thanks to the many readers who reviewed Deliverance Mary Fields and have helped me get the word out; and of course, a special thank you to Billy Bob Buttons, aka Edward Trayer, for creating the means for this to happen: the Wishing Shelf Book Awards!’

Miantae Metcalf McConnell, author of Deliverance, Mary Fields

’Hi Edward,

Firstly a big thank you for the feedback and Red Ribbon Award that Callum received for his book Magic Hut. Callum was very, very happy to read the positive comments from the readers of all ages. To get such feedback is exciting for Callum and we hope that it feeds his passion for writing. We have also passed on the feedback to Callum’s mentors at Creative Write-it workshop who have helped him get the book to production stage with the editing and created the book cover. 

We would love for you to place the Readers’ comments, Catchy Quote, Stats & Star Rating on Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk & Goodreads.com for Callum’s book. We have only just recently placed the book on these mediums as we have been selling books through family & friends and the Creative Write-it workshop in Melbourne, Australia.

Also thank you for forwarding the offer from Red Kite Publishing to pay for his next entry into The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. Callum has started writing two more books that are sporting related (cricket & Australian rules football). We will let you know when either of these books are completed.

Finally, thank you for creating The Wishing Shelf Book Awards that allows authors to receive feedback on their writing and it is also a great resource when looking for new books to read. This has been a great experience for Callum and we hope that he will have more entries in the future.

Kind regards

John & Callum Farquhar’

Parents of Callum, author of Magic Hut

’What was most useful (and rewarding) for me was to have feedback from readers who are truly at arms length - actually an ocean away - judging my book.  They don’t know me and didn’t have to edit themselves beyond the basic bounds of good manners. To find out that the readers really liked the book was great.’

K. Velk, author of Up, Back and Away

The Wishing Shelf Book Awards are the perfect way to get to get unbiased feedback from readers of an age suited to your book.

Before the awards, whilst I found it easy to rack up positive reviews from friends and family, there was always that niggle in the back of my mind – how do I really know if they are being genuine or just too polite to speak the truth?  Also, the average age of my Amazon reviews so far is about forty!  As this was my first attempt at publishing something, and the first part of a trilogy, I had a burning desire to know how it would be received by a group of strangers.  Should I spend another five plus years working on books two and three?  Or should I put the whole thing down to experience – and another thing ticked off my list of “Things to do before I’m fifty”?

Thankfully, the specific criticism received has helped me think much more carefully about my next book.  So, rather than give up, I’ve spent the months since receiving my feedback, changing, and hopefully improving, my second book. And I’ll certainly take it on board when planning and writing book three.

The red ribbon I received looks great on the front cover, and I hope will help when it comes to making sales in the future.

Kelly Lewis, author of Matthew Jones, The Boy Who Changed Things