Previous Finalists

Comments from Authors/Publishers

’Hi Edward,

Firstly a big thank you for the feedback and Red Ribbon Award that Callum received for his book Magic Hut. Callum was very, very happy to read the positive comments from the readers of all ages. To get such feedback is exciting for Callum and we hope that it feeds his passion for writing. We have also passed on the feedback to Callum’s mentors at Creative Write-it workshop who have helped him get the book to production stage with the editing and created the book cover. 

We would love for you to place the Readers’ comments, Catchy Quote, Stats & Star Rating on Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk & Goodreads.com for Callum’s book. We have only just recently placed the book on these mediums as we have been selling books through family & friends and the Creative Write-it workshop in Melbourne, Australia.

Also thank you for forwarding the offer from Red Kite Publishing to pay for his next entry into The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. Callum has started writing two more books that are sporting related (cricket & Australian rules football). We will let you know when either of these books are completed.

Finally, thank you for creating The Wishing Shelf Book Awards that allows authors to receive feedback on their writing and it is also a great resource when looking for new books to read. This has been a great experience for Callum and we hope that he will have more entries in the future.

Kind regards

John & Callum Farquhar’

Parents of Callum, author of Magic Hut

’What was most useful (and rewarding) for me was to have feedback from readers who are truly at arms length - actually an ocean away - judging my book.  They don’t know me and didn’t have to edit themselves beyond the basic bounds of good manners. To find out that the readers really liked the book was great.’

K. Velk, author of Up, Back and Away

The Wishing Shelf Book Awards are the perfect way to get to get unbiased feedback from readers of an age suited to your book.

Before the awards, whilst I found it easy to rack up positive reviews from friends and family, there was always that niggle in the back of my mind – how do I really know if they are being genuine or just too polite to speak the truth?  Also, the average age of my Amazon reviews so far is about forty!  As this was my first attempt at publishing something, and the first part of a trilogy, I had a burning desire to know how it would be received by a group of strangers.  Should I spend another five plus years working on books two and three?  Or should I put the whole thing down to experience – and another thing ticked off my list of “Things to do before I’m fifty”?

Thankfully, the specific criticism received has helped me think much more carefully about my next book.  So, rather than give up, I’ve spent the months since receiving my feedback, changing, and hopefully improving, my second book. And I’ll certainly take it on board when planning and writing book three.

The red ribbon I received looks great on the front cover, and I hope will help when it comes to making sales in the future.

Kelly Lewis, author of Matthew Jones, The Boy Who Changed Things

Entering The Wishing Shelf Book Awards has been one of the best things I have ever done as a writer. The quality of the feedback alone is worth the entry fee. It has proved to be an essential litmus test for me on my writing journey as I have gone from an ‘honourable mention’ with my first book to a finalist with my second. I encourage any aspiring writer to enter the awards, whatever stage you may be at in your journey.

Andrew Guile, author of The Mad Moon Mission

I’ve entered a number of writing contests in the last year or two, and Wishing Shelf has been one of the most helpful.  The experience was pleasant from the beginning, with clear communication, guidance, and reasonable pricing.  The number of readers for my entry and the quality of the feedback they provided have no equal.  The contest genuinely celebrates the joy of reading and promotes the best of what independent publishing has to offer.  I am certain to enter a new work in the future.

A.M. Manay, author of She Dies at the End