Medal winner…
What a week it has been in writing!
Not only have I reached the 10,000 word mark with Tobias, but Gisborne: Book of Pawns was awarded a gold medallion from the Book Readers’ Appreciation Group (B.R.A.G) in the USA.
And today, that same book received an Honourable Mention medallion from the prestigious Readers’ Favorite Book Awards 2014, for Historical Fiction. That the book received an award in the historical fiction category is extremely affirming for me because the genre, whilst spreading from soft hist. fict to literary fiction, is a very serious and difficult nut to crack.
So what, you might say? It’s not a Pulitzer or New York Times award, so why does it matter?
It matters because these are prizes offering recognition from readers initially and that must surely be what matters, as what is a book without its readers?
Further on in the Readers’ Favorite competition, books are judged by professionals within the field of publishing – publishers, agents, university lecturers in creative writing and so on, so the process is gruelling and definitive.
With the B.R.A.G medallion, ‘all e-books brought to the attention of indieBRAG, LLC are subjected to a rigorous selection process. This entails an initial screening to ensure that the author’s work meets certain minimum standards of quality and content. If it passes this preliminary assessment, it is then read by members drawn from our global reader group. They judge the merits of the book based on a comprehensive list of criteria, including plot, writing style, characters, copy editing, dialogue, cover/interior.
One final factor our readers use to judge a book is whether or not they would recommend it to their best friend.
On average, 50% of the books submitted to us fail to pass the initial screen and another 40% are subsequently rejected by our readers. Thus, only 10% of the books we consider are awarded our B.R.A.G. Medallion and are presented on our website.’
These awards give legitimacy to independent writing. They prove that indie writers are quite capable of taking their place alongside those mainstream books on shelves in online and bricks and mortar stores. The proof is in the fact that book readers across the globe initially screened these titles.
So I am thrilled.
It is a form of legitimacy, of verifying what I am doing as I write my stories.
Thank you readers, thank you B.R.A.G and thank you, Readers’ Favorites.
And if I could just say – it really is worth having a look at the catalogue of medal winners at B.R.A.G and at Readers’ Favorites because you will truly get value for your money and will be sure that you are purchasing books on a par with mainstream published titles.
Congrats. I love your story telling. Almost finished Book of Kings and not disappointed in story only that it is ending this series. Can’t wait for Tobias’ story. Thanks again and so well-deserved honor, congrats again.
Pat, thank you so much! See what I mean about readers and how important they are? Cheers and best!
I am thrilled also!!
Yeehah, Queen! You know what I mean!
Major Congrats, Prue! You deserve them all!
Thank you so much Anne. I am so excited. Pawns is the first of the trilogy and to entice readers like this is more than I could ask for.
WOW, I am excited for you, well done. 10000 words that is going to make a rather thick miniature or maybe a rather small font size, again well done. Jim Brogan
Thank you, Jim. I am laughing at the miniature of Tobias – 120,000 words is the expected total. Can you imagine?
I am so glad you have received these accolades. You are by far my favorite writer and although I know you appreciate my praise, I totally understand how impressive it my be and rewarding to receive such accolades from such important organizations. CONGRATULATIONS A HUNDRED TIMES OVER. YOU DESERVE ALL OF THEM!!
You are such a kind person and such a support. Praise is oxygen to any writer, Margaret. So often reviewers will say things and pull a writer’s self-belief apart. If readers have enjoyed a book and can find it in themselves to write reviews on Amazon or Goodreads, Kobo, i-books, and so on, it is like a pure shot in the arm for the writer.
hOW ARE YOU COMING ON TOBIAS. I AM EVER SO EAGER TO READ IT!!! ANY PROJECTED PUBLISHING DATE YET!
Margaret, I am still aiming on July next year, despite things like moving house etc. It usually takes a year from the first word on paper until the moment of publication. Do hope you can wait. I know it seems ages away…