Wishing Shelf Success ✨

Earlier this year The Lonely Lighthouse Bogle was chosen as a WINNER in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2023, following previous success for Wonderful World of the Small as a 2022 FINALIST!

The award was set up by UK children's author Edward Trayer as a way to recognise and reward independently published authors and their books. Edward, who writes under the pen names Billy Bob Buttons and Hickory Crowl, provides literary workshops to children in numerous schools every year, and rightly prides himself on the honesty and transparency of the competition.

Author Edward Trayer on a primary school visit

Image courtesy of The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

'The finalists and winners are decided by the intended readers and not a panel of so-called experts.'

Both adult and children's books can be entered in a variety of categories, including one for audio books. The children's books are judged by pupils from ten UK primary and secondary schools, and the adult books by reading groups in London and Stockholm.

Books are initially assessed on overall enjoyment, then titles making the final cut are further scrutinised according to editing, theme, style, cover and illustrations. Authors can opt in to receive feedback on their entry, with finalists/winners also gaining a certificate, badge, and promotion in various literary magazines and sites including Goodreads, Bookbub, Facebook and The Fussy Librarian.

Any profits from the competition are donated to the fantastic charity Blind Children UK, whose work supports children (and their families) tackle the challenges of sight loss so they can enjoy their childhood and realise their potential as adults.

'I wanted authors who enter to feel involved and I wanted them to know we will judge all the books entered thoroughly.'

It's incredibly rewarding to know that our picture books have been enjoyed by the people who really matter most – the children themselves! A couple of our favourite comments were: 'Cool book, I'm going to ask for a microscope for my birthday.' (Boy, age 7, on Wonderful World of the Small: A First Book of Microbiology), and 'Not too difficult, I liked the Scottish words too. The little bogle is very sweet and I wanted him to be happy. And he was! I think most children would like this book and enjoy finding out what's going to happen in the end.' (Girl, age 7 – with a little help from her teacher, on The Lonely Lighthouse Bogle).

Edward gives the experience a refreshingly personal touch and obviously cares about nurturing authors at every stage, contributing helpful tips and insights into book writing, publishing and marketing. He and the team have created a truly unique award centred around the joy of reading.

Thanks Wishing Shelf!

For more information on The Wishing Shelf Book Awards visit https://www.thewsa.co.uk