Previous Finalists

Comments from Authors/Publishers

’I have been very impressed by The Wishing Shelf Awards. My book, James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra, has been read by school children in London, advertised widely in a widely-read literary magazine and I’ll soon receive an Amazon review. This is excellent publicity for my book and all for just £28. Edward Trayer, the founder of the award, has worked tirelessly to promote the books entered in the competition. I’m slightly embarrassed to think I paid such a small entry fee for all these services and I’d encourage any self-published author to enter the award. You won’t regret it.’

Colm McElwain, author of James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra

Dear Edward,
Thank you so much. I found the review to be possibly the most helpful I’ve received so far. I am especially grateful as I am almost done with book two and I will apply what I have learned towards that effort. Working with you has been a great pleasure and I hope to continue doing so in the future. Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity. To your continued success, best regards,

Linda Matthies, author of Surviving Curtis Hall, The Lure of Blood

I found the whole process of submitting my book very easy and friendly. My queries were answered quickly and the whole process seemed efficient. After the judging, I was delighted to receive comments from the readers - I’m not aware of any other competition which offers that feedback and it’s very valuable. It was a very good experience for me. Thanks for all your hard work running the Awards :)

Morag Lewis, author of Sun Fish Moon Fish

’I have had a very good experience to date with the Wishing Shelf Awards. I initially came across the site referenced on a list of literary contests that were worth entering, and it is indeed worth entering. It is set up in a clever and honest way, and I very much like the policy of having potential contestants submit a sample, for suitability, prior to entering. As I must say, in an aside, that my writing is often not suitable. Upon submitting my sample, it was very pleasant to have Edward, keeper of all things Wishing Shelf, promptly, politely, and personally contact me, to let me know that it was worth proceeding.I do not have a large presence on social media websites, but after entering the contest I did elect to join the Wishing Shelf’s Facebook page, and I am glad to have done so, as there are often interesting posts on writing. I entered the 2014 contest early, so I won’t know for quite some time how my book will fare, but regardless of the outcome, I will not regret having entered the contest.’

Stephen Wagner

’Participating in the Wishing Shelf Awards was a wonderful experience for me. Knowing my book, ’The Unhewn Stone’ would be read by several teens was very satisfying, but to learn I had 18 readers who enjoyed it and commented in such a thoughtful way, just blew me away. I didn’t make the finals, but I still feel like a winner with all that exposure and the thoroughness of the review, as well as the 4 star review Billy Bob Buttons (Edward Trayer) posted on Amazon.co.uk and Goodreads. So much effort goes into the reviews and the contestants are treated like friends. I will happily enter my next novel when it’s published and I highly recommend the Wishing Shelf Awards to all writers.’

Wendy Laharnar. author of The Unhewn Stone