Previous Finalists

Comments from Authors/Publishers

‘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

‘It’s been a pleasure being part of the Wishing Shelf Award, sharing the anticipation of the announcements of the winners with an interesting group of authors on our Facebook page, and finally getting the feedback on my book. Since Tales of the Gemstone Elves is my first book, this is all pretty new to me, but I don’t know any other contest that lets you see who your fellow authors are. Also, the comments were very helpful and answered many questions that I had been wondering about. Now I feel I have some ideas to make my books better, and that means a lot to me.

If you get a chance, please pass on a message to the children, parents, and teachers who read my book, that I am sending them a big “Thank You!”, and please tell them I’m working on Volume Two of Tales of the Gemstone Elves, which should be out later this year or early next year. I would like to enter that in the contest, too. Hopefully, this next book will be better because of their help.

Thank you for creating and managing this wonderful, unique award program where everyone is a winner. I love the catchy quote you gave me - “a fun, exciting adventure” - it’s perfect for my book.’

Patricia Elizabeth Bennett, author of Tales of the Gemstone Elves

‘It is absolutely vital as a creator of literature for children to be able to access this sort of feedback. Being able to go ’through’ The Wishing Shelf allows the readers to respond openly and honestly - this is the vital part! If I went into a school (which I do) teachers and students might (and do) feel obliged to be ’kind’ or find themselves slightly inhibited in their comments. Maybe they don’t - but I worry that they might.

So I was thrilled with the responses from teachers and children to my work - even the apparantly negative comments were actually very heartening as I intended to write an ephemeral story which required the reader or readers to actively involve themselves - hence not much appears to happen. I have other stories which might appeal to these boys - once they are ready I will submit to The Wishing Shelf again. Also, having your (Edward) personal feedback was extremely helpful and added extra weight to the comments from parents, teachers and children.

I was particularly delighted by the teachers comment ’this book will make children think’ as this perfectly summed up the driving force behind my creating this book. And the complements to my illustrators brilliant work were gratefully received - she is amazingly talented and I am lucky to work with her.

My experience with The Wishing Shelf has been truly wonderful. It is a unique and extraordinarily beneficial organisation for writers and creators of work for children. I am thrilled to be awarded a Red Ribbon by The Wishing Shelf.’

Zoe Greaves, author of Ratcliffe’s Who Can Fluke ‘Em

‘The people who judge this award (in the children’s categories) are teachers, parents and most importantly children. It is wonderful to know that your book is being read by your target audience. I was delighted to receive a finalist medal and I was impressed with how hard Edward worked to publicise the winners and also how efficiently the awards were run overall. Highly recommended to all authors.’

Ruth Whenham, author of My Crazy Pen

‘In terms of value for money and feedback that is constructive and helps generate publicity for your book, The Wishing Shelf Awards (TWSA) should be top of the list of competitions that authors enter. They are superbly organised and the judging process is designed to support independent authors and bring their books to the attention of readers with a genuine passion for new writing. I wholeheartedly recommend TWSA to all the independent authors out there, wherever you are based in the world.’

Faiz Kermani , author of Gobo the Spider’s Amazing Vacuum Cleaner Adventure