Previous Finalists

Comments from Authors/Publishers

The Award is useful because it is judged by a range of ’normal’ readers so we can be confident there’s no publishing in-crowd who make the decisions based on an opinion that does not match readers’ wishes; and, of course, because the result of that is getting opinions from genuine readers who don’t know us at all.

Early Works Press

So far, the Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards have helped me mainly in terms of how my book actually looks. I was glad to hear that readers from a range of age groups enjoyed it, especially teens -- previously, it had only been read by adults. However something that was flagged by multiple readers was the need to change the cover to be something more age-appropriate, and this is something I’ll look at doing. The feedback I received was thus really useful, and the way in which it was all collated and distilled into different elements (eg "x readers liked the humour; y liked the plot") was both very thoughtful and very useful.

Laura May, author of Pickles and Ponies

‘The Wishing Shelf Awards means quite a lot to me because unlike all the other traditional awards programs it was judged by the people we write for, Children. And to know that they appreciate the work makes it all the more meaningful.’

Marc Cadieux, author of Christmas Nevermore

‘After I had published my first book ’Cell Wars’, I looked at quite a few awards that I felt would help me to market the book. There are literally hundreds to choose from and for a new author it was daunting. A lot of the awards were very expensive to enter and you didn’t actually get anything to help promote your book. The Wishing Shelf Awards were different. Read by actual children, parents and teachers, I couldn’t have wished for a better audience to review my book. The reviews are to the point and help you to see where you got it right and maybe where you didn’t. Having the reviews on Amazon is worth the entry money alone and obviously winning a silver medal was a great ending to a competition I entered over a year ago. That was probably the biggest downside but at least you know your book is actually read by people! The group behind the Wishing Shelf Awards, namely Edward and Stuart, are very professional and helpful and I would be happy to enter another book this year. Maybe it will be the Gold this time. ‘

Amanda Miles, author of Cell Wars

‘I am a self-published children’s author who is not looking to write the next blockbusting best-seller but rather just wants to write books people want to read and enjoy. Most book awards seem to exclude - deliberately or otherwise - authors like myself or not take such books seriously,. The Wishing Shelf awards caught my eye because they are different. They are independent, fair and review and rate books on merit not on fame. Their reviewers are real readers - your target audience - and not a professional review panel. Ok so my book didn’t win or even get short-listed but I still feel it was worth entering. The feedback I got was really useful and positive. Entering my book in these awards has undoubtedly helped me as a writer and made me want to write even more. I’d encourage all authors - particularly small, self-published ones - to enter their book in The Wishing Shelf Awards. You won’t regret it.’

Ryan Cartwright, author of Sugar Robot and the Race to Save Earth