Writers: Awards are Worth Pursuing

By Linda Wilson  @LinWilsonauthor

Recently, as a self-published author I set two goals for myself: publish multiple books, and become an award-winning author. Gladly, I have reached both goals. After publishing my first chapter book, Secret in the Stars: An Abi Wunder Mystery, for 7-10-year-olds, the writing was on the wall. And I was right—it’s taken over two years to write the second in the series—Secret in the Mist: An Abi Wunder Mystery—and it’s still not finished! The answer? Write a bunch of picture books!

Goal #1: Write multiple books

Luckily, picture books are faster to self-publish than they are to go the the traditional publishing route. Three stories emerged from my files and blossomed into the picture books I have now published on Amazon: A Packrat’s Holiday: Thistletoe’s Gift, Tall Boots, and Waddles the Duck: Hey, Wait for Me! My fourth picture book, Cradle in the Wild, will be available soon. All done while plugging away at the second Abi Wunder mystery.

Goal #2: Become an Award-Winning Author

I have become a multi-award-winning author. But this didn’t come about by magic. I applied for each and every award my books have won. There is a cost to apply, and often it takes months for the award to be announced. But the effort is well worth it. Here’s why:

• As in the case of the National Federation of Press Women’s Communication Contest, first place winners are invited to attend the organization’s award ceremony, held this year in Fargo, North Dakota.

• Stickers announcing each award can be placed on book covers. Other goodies include ribbons and plaques to show off at book fairs.

• You earn the distinction of being an award winner among your readers and peers.

• Your office wall fills up with certificates for you to admire and gaze at while writing your next book.

Awards my books have won, and yours can, too!

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/ -- Secret in the Stars: An Abi Wunder Mystery, illustrated by Tiffany Tutti, is a Kirkus Review Recommended Book.

https://newmexicopresswomen.org/ -- A Packrat’s Holiday: Thistletoe’s Gift, illustrated by Nancy Batra won first place in the 2022 New Mexico Press women’s Communications Contest. First place winners are automatically included in the national contest. Thistletoe won first place in the 2022 National Federal of Press Women’s Communication Contest as well!

https://www.momschoiceawards.com/ --Tall Boots, illustrated by 1000 Storybooks, is a Silver Award Recipient for the Mom’s Choice Awards Honoring Excellence. Mom’s Choice offers a deep discount to authors.

https://www.storymonsters.com/  -- Story Monsters is such a fun organization. The cost to apply for an award is low, and SM offers several types of awards. Tall Boots won two SM awards: 2021 Certificate of Excellence in Literature, Picture Book: Fiction (3-8), and Honorable Mention for the 2022 Purple Dragonfly Book Award, Animals/Pets.

Other Contests to Shoot For—Check Them Out!

https://www.instituteforwriters.com/

https://www.narrativemagazine.com 

https://www.writermag.com 

https://www.ippyawards.com 

https://cipabooks.com 

https://www.searchlightawards.com.uk 

https://www.pnwa.org

https://moonbeamawards.com 

https://winningwriters.com 

Cradle in the Wild will be available soon!

Linda Wilson writes stories for young children. Visit Linda at https://bit.ly/3AOM98L. Click the links for free coloring pages and a puppet show starring Thistletoe Q. Packrat. While you’re there, get all the latest news by signing up for Linda’s newsletter. 

Find Linda’s books at  Amazon Author Page.

Connect with Linda: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram  

Writers Workshop: How to Enter Your Children’s Book into Award Contests with Award-winning author, Donna McDine

The world of book award contests is immense and the wealth of information cannot be covered in one workshop, so please mark your calendar and join us at the Working Writer’s Club on Thursday, November 17 at 11 am CST and December 15 at 11 am CST and join multi-award-winning children’s author, Donna McDine.


Her first children’s book The Golden Pathway has received numerous awards: Preditors & Editors Readers Poll 2010 Top Ten Children’s Books, Global eBook Awards Finalist Children’s Picture Book Fiction, and Literary Classics Silver Award & Seal of Approval Recipient. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from someone in the trenches of children’s book award contests as she reveals what she has learned along the way.

Here’s the scoop on this two-part LIVE Writer’s Workshop at the Working Writer’s Club:

Topic: How to Create and Present Effective Instructional Workshops & Teleclasses

Date: Thursday, November 17, 11:00 a.m. CDT

Presenter: Donna McDine, Award-winning children’s author

Cost: Free for Working Writer’s Club Members

$19.97 for Non-club members (includes both sessions)

Description: In this 55-minute writers workshop, we’ll learn and discover…

On Thursday, November 17, Donna will discuss:

• The importance of entering book award contests

• Where and how to research contests

• How far in advance should you research contest

• How to prepare your contest entry

• To pay or not to pay an entry fee

On Thursday, December 15, Donna will discuss:

• Estimating how many books you need on hand

• Author copies from your publisher, negotiate with your publisher

• Determining your budget

• The importance of having a prepared hard copy media kit and website presence

• Do contests payoff in the end

Not a Working Writer’s Club member? Register at the Working Writer’s Club http://www.workingwritersclub.com/events-2 for both sessions of “How to Enter Your Children’s Book into Award Contests” and receive an email invitation to this live event, PLUS the replay the day after for just $19.97.

About Donna McDine:

Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, Honorable Mention in the 77th and two Honorable Mentions in the 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competitions, Preditors & Editors Readers Poll 2010 Top Ten Children’s Books, Global eBook Awards Finalist Children’s Picture Book Fiction, and Literary Classics Silver Award & Seal of Approval Recipient Picture Book Early Reader ~ The Golden Pathway.

Her stories, articles, and book reviews have been published in over 100 print and online publications. Her interest in American History resulted in writing and publishing The Golden Pathway. Donna has three more books under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing, Hockey Agony, Powder Monkey, and A Sandy Grave. She writes, moms and is the Editor-in-Chief for Guardian Angel Kids, Publicist for the Working Writer’s Club, and owner of Author PR Services from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI.

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