. . . is an award for achievement.

A year ago today, I received notification that my little book was a finalist in the http://www.indiebookawards.com/index.php for best cover design -non fiction. This was what I thought, to be the highest form of recognition a self published Author could ever receive, that is to be recognized by a group of his/her peers for the work he/she has accomplished. This was to me a once in a lifetime thing because I didn’t know then what I know now.

I know now that if you have a book inside you it should come out, if it comes out and gets to print it should be shared, if it is shared and recognized for an award then you should take that and run with it. Don’t stop trying, don’t stop writing, don’t stop sharing your work with others and for your own sake don’t ever stop believing you are worthy of recognition.

I speak from experience, as a year ago my recognition happened. I was then working on Volume III of my series, shortly after that Volume IV came out then in January 2015 Volume V and the slip case for the Series One Boxed Set. I submitted the finished set to the Indie Book Awards group because it was finished and because I was bursting with pride.

I received notification May 7^th 2015 that my boxed set of books, BawB’s Raven Feathers Volumes I through V have been named Winner in the Best Overall Design category, and Finalist in the Gift/Specialty/Novelty category, a once in a lifetime achievement is happening again because I didn’t give up, I didn’t stop at “once”. I think life is two short for one, why can’t we achieve twice and three times in a lifetime? Why can’t there be no loss of forward momentum when it comes to our creativity? And why can’t we share it with everyone? If it is recognized, good for us, if it is appreciated, then even better, I won’t quit until I run out of words… and we know that won’t happen.

I would also like to take a moment to congratulate my dear friend Kyla McMullen, she has successfully published her first book “Warrior” and with a little nudging, submitted it to the Indie Book Awards group, Kyla received notice that her book was named Finalist in both categories she submitted to, I am very proud of her, and I know there is more to come.

I will share with you now another secret in the wind, I had the pleasure recently of meeting a very talented up and coming Author, her name is Jenn, and her book is in the editing stages at Faultless Finish Editing, and I have a very good feeling you will see it in print very soon, as will the wonderful group of esteemed judges at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

I am off to New York in a couple of weeks to share in my achievement, to mingle with other very talented authors, to share in the pride and to support the creativity of each of them. I will accept my awards with the biggest smile my heart can produce, I will be welcomed and treated with respect for being a writer, an author and a self-publisher in a room full of authors, writers and self-publishers, it will be a once in a lifetime event for the second time in my life.

The Universe knows when you are happy, it keeps your thoughts on track

You know when you’re putting positive out there, the Universe sends it back

My sincere thanks to all my supporters, all my friends, and to all of the friends I am destined to meet along my journey… you make this adventure real.

WI:)ND