tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post3955399846006854028..comments2024-03-27T01:07:03.944-04:00Comments on The Roses of Prose: KEEPING YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE: Book Awards by Andrea DowningAlison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-54802756239582628852016-09-09T12:22:25.769-04:002016-09-09T12:22:25.769-04:00Well, if the book is 8/9 years old and it's st...Well, if the book is 8/9 years old and it's still selling, the author will probably still be showing her award if there is one. But then I question the value of the award--is the book still selling because it was excellent (most likely) or because of the award? We could go on and on I guess with that thought...Andrea Downinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11553961600937196102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-42589107418212840882016-09-09T12:15:10.163-04:002016-09-09T12:15:10.163-04:00Great stuff here. I had this discussion on other l...Great stuff here. I had this discussion on other loops and we concluded that RITA is Harlequin-centric overall and that the average reader doesn't know or care much about contests anyway. That winning or placing can be a way to catch an editor's eye early on...I don't have any answers or strong feeling either way but I have heard many chapter contests are just a way to make money for the chapter. I kinda feel bad for authors who won contests eight or nine years ago and still put the award in their email signature. There's a glut of good/great books out there and it's a challenge to be noticed for that reason, yet publishers seem eager for new submissions, and it's easy to self-pub now. But it's hard to stop. Writing is just what we do. Tanya Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08580821680629254085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-78600867432439969462016-09-09T11:11:24.813-04:002016-09-09T11:11:24.813-04:00Casi, you're telling me! Great note from you ...Casi, you're telling me! Great note from you to end on.Andrea Downinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11553961600937196102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-43084277260940817082016-09-08T23:33:57.554-04:002016-09-08T23:33:57.554-04:00Andi, your article brought up some interesting poi...Andi, your article brought up some interesting points and evoked a great conversation. I agree that the market is flooded with award winning, best selling, 5-star authors, all competing for enough readers to validate our work as worthy to be read. But despite the intense competition, embarrassing royalty checks, and the need to become a techno genius and marketing specialist, we persevere. A Writer's passion, our need to write, is a part of us. It's who we are, not just what we do. We keep climbing that mountain hoping we'll reach the peak no matter what obstacles or challenges we encounter. Reviews are probably the best gage... but they can also be a challenge depending on the reviewer. It's a tough industry.Casi McLeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12624589849063933349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-25609057858229976412016-09-08T23:01:40.268-04:002016-09-08T23:01:40.268-04:00thanks Rolynn, and continue to prize that testimon...thanks Rolynn, and continue to prize that testimonial. I figure soon those will be questionable, I guess.Andrea Downinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11553961600937196102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-23332034959945103182016-09-08T22:04:37.129-04:002016-09-08T22:04:37.129-04:00Good discussion you've started, Andi. I read ...Good discussion you've started, Andi. I read a series of arguments regarding 'when' one can call herself award-winning. The consensus...you have to be a first place winner to take the credit as award-winning. I had to laugh. Who are these award police? But I have to say, getting a testimonial about one of my books from NYT bestseller is something I've found highly prized. Now if only I could get to that 'high place.'<br /><br />Loved Dearest Darling...thanks for the great read, Andi!Rolynn Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09504770204968969467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-41253841116968020672016-09-08T20:59:15.639-04:002016-09-08T20:59:15.639-04:00Thanks Jeannie, and thanks for stopping by.Thanks Jeannie, and thanks for stopping by.Andrea Downinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11553961600937196102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-38111194317642695892016-09-08T19:54:09.499-04:002016-09-08T19:54:09.499-04:00Loved the conversation and different points of vie...Loved the conversation and different points of view, Andi. Great post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13388502197359408611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-73638051989685798992016-09-08T19:14:01.314-04:002016-09-08T19:14:01.314-04:00Amity, the RWA Chapter awards do hold value since ...Amity, the RWA Chapter awards do hold value since they're backed by a genuine authors group with the blessing of RWA. But my point is there are SO many authors who just sling on the words 'award winning author' It's a bit of a minefield, really.Andrea Downinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11553961600937196102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-53693926876639686102016-09-08T19:02:58.369-04:002016-09-08T19:02:58.369-04:00Great post. For whatever the reason, "Award W...Great post. For whatever the reason, "Award Winning" draws my attention even though I know it may not hold much value. "New York Times and USA Today" does indeed grab it even more, but that's probably because I work in this field and get the value. I have won some RWA Chapter awards on books I have published, but never put them on the books because I wasn't sure that qualified. By these posts, I'm assuming it did. Lesson learned. AMITY GRAYShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09670809854864321117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-76558526968576262232016-09-08T18:32:32.825-04:002016-09-08T18:32:32.825-04:00Margo, thanks for your kind words about the excerp...Margo, thanks for your kind words about the excerpt. As for the best-seller lists, I don't get the satisfaction if the author him/herself knows she's cheated to get there! Like you, I don't think it seems right.Andrea Downinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11553961600937196102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-58372326959344462492016-09-08T18:28:01.940-04:002016-09-08T18:28:01.940-04:00Guess you could say 'to each his or her own.&#...Guess you could say 'to each his or her own.' Though I'd personally love to see 'NY Times' or 'USA Today' bestselling author attached to my name, cheating to get there just doesn't seem right. It seems to write the best book and keep t it is what really works best in the long run to bring in sales. Nice excerpt, BTW.Margo Hoornstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00036077481652050799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-36344311745242848662016-09-08T17:58:48.886-04:002016-09-08T17:58:48.886-04:00Alicia, my book, Loveland, won the very first InD&...Alicia, my book, Loveland, won the very first InD'Tale cover contest with the free advertising and, yes, that was worth it although it gets so embarrassing to keep nudging people for votes. I think when those sort of awards first started the idea was that readers would catch on and vote for their favorites but now it's just become this scene of begging people. At the same time, book awards have become so popular there are people/firms who just set one up, ask for some hefty entrance fee, and voila, a book award! Like you, I'm a 'blurb' reader first and foremost when buying.<br />Tena, I'm not sure I am living the dream in this case--sometimes it feels more like a nightmare where almighty promotion has taken over the joy of writing. But don't let me 'bring you down'--well done with being a 'best seller.'Andrea Downinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11553961600937196102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-13887506959213586672016-09-08T17:38:43.698-04:002016-09-08T17:38:43.698-04:00A very thought provoking post. I have wondered the...A very thought provoking post. I have wondered the same things in recent weeks. I still remember the email received indicating A Demon's Witch was a best seller. I was so excited, I could add that to banners, but... did the title sell more books. I hope so. But as a relatively unknown autho, it sure can't hurt.<br />Thanks for sharing. Promotions are still a dark and scary thing, especially when you enter contests and hear nothing. Then try to decide which contests are worth your advertising dollar. Still living the dream is worth it. Don't you think? Tena Stetlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17728074623573439351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-73090679404374189822016-09-08T17:08:59.358-04:002016-09-08T17:08:59.358-04:00Excellent post, with some great points. As you con...Excellent post, with some great points. As you confirmed, all authors have different reasons for entering contests. I don't enter many, but I have a few, and my reason would probably be partly to reach some new readers (judges are readers, after all), and also for the prestige, and if there is a cool prize, that's always icing. :) As coordinator for the IDA, I'm so pleased you did well. I would enter it if I wasn't coordinator, because it's a fantastic contest and we do have great prizes. We try to really get the word out about our finalists, too. As a reader, I might give a second look at something if an author is award-winning, but as mentioned, anyone could claim that. Ultimately, the blurb and excerpt will make or break a book for me. I also don't see the merit in the popularity contest ones, except for example, In'D tale, I won some ad space for winning. So...I guess it's just a matter of what you're after. Thanks for a great post!Alicia Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12003539473772776004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-78110633942464707102016-09-08T14:25:09.777-04:002016-09-08T14:25:09.777-04:00Wow, Ashantay, that's really something--I neve...Wow, Ashantay, that's really something--I never even dreamt there'd be 'favoritism' in the judging like that--thanks for that input.<br />Alison, it does seem reviews are the important factor but, then again, as we all well know, those can be pretty hit or miss as well, i.e. getting 1 star because she was unable to download the book properly or the one I heard somewhere, getting 2 * because the reader didn't like the description of a coffee table...Andrea Downinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11553961600937196102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-67442342290616885292016-09-08T12:24:40.473-04:002016-09-08T12:24:40.473-04:00This is a very timely post for me, Andi. I haven&#...This is a very timely post for me, Andi. I haven't entered any contests as a published author, although I won several before I was published. I'd been thinking maybe I should enter my upcoming release in a few but had the same concerns you mentioned. What real good would it do, besides confirm that some people like my writing? My reviews already tell me that.Alison Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-55252520916029131282016-09-08T11:55:29.557-04:002016-09-08T11:55:29.557-04:00I agree that the award winning tag is over-used. A...I agree that the award winning tag is over-used. As a judge for multiple contests, I've rated published books and given them top scores only to see them not even final, and another less-liked novel that I also judged went on to win. Books by NYT authors often win due to authorship, even when an Indy or small-print author has written a better book. For those reasons, I believe contests are crap shoots, and most readers aren't familiar enough with the industry to know when a contest win is prestigious. And yes, I'm moving to judging unpublished entries. Those contests do make a difference to authors.Ashantayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16122891967983778466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-22153202386538632132016-09-08T10:28:34.892-04:002016-09-08T10:28:34.892-04:00Diane, I'm not sure it does 'set the autho...Diane, I'm not sure it does 'set the author apart' when so many authors use that tag, but it may make you feel more like one of the elite (?) to be able to use it. To me, there are so many authors calling themselves 'award winning' it's become meaningless.<br /> Thanks again for your input, Keta, and your kind words on Dearest Darling.Andrea Downinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11553961600937196102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-20303088357381892092016-09-08T10:18:40.969-04:002016-09-08T10:18:40.969-04:00Hi Andi, as always, your post is thoughtful. I thi...Hi Andi, as always, your post is thoughtful. I think I'm the author who said I'd take a second look at an unknown who won an award. I see merit in some contests, but don't see value in the ones that are popularity contests, i.e., 'vote for my book' when the people voting haven't even read it. Congrats on Dearest Darlin'. I've read it and it's a delightful read!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your thoughts on contests, ~Keta~Keta Diablohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13484163956613926483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-65313624892668807642016-09-08T10:05:14.060-04:002016-09-08T10:05:14.060-04:00I just started entering contests for published wor...I just started entering contests for published works. I want that "award winning author" tag. As you say, it sets the author apart. But what prevents anyone from using that tag? Who's going to ask you what you won? I still hope my work stands on its own. That people who read my books will leave positive reviews.Diane Burtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03754105332297068271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-36027138696151518772016-09-08T09:58:17.664-04:002016-09-08T09:58:17.664-04:00Liz, I think the review question is certainly one ...Liz, I think the review question is certainly one increasingly in author's minds. People who say they're 'reviewers' are so inundated it's difficult to get one from those sites. Promotion tools have become a minefield!<br />Leah, I think the 'credibility' aspect goes out the window with so many 'award winning authors.' Not sure what Jane Doe Reader makes of it all!<br />Jannine, the 'best selling' question is equally full of loop holes, as you point out. I, too, have heard of people getting friends to buy their books so they hit the lists---amazing, really, isn't it?Andrea Downinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11553961600937196102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-59551596925085038982016-09-08T09:43:29.867-04:002016-09-08T09:43:29.867-04:00I've never entered a contest. They cost money....I've never entered a contest. They cost money. I don't make enough on sales to spend it to get a pat on the back. I also have my doubts about the effectiveness of awards in garnering sales. Award-winning doesn't mean a whole lot since there are a gazillion contests. Now RITA award winning would make a bigger impact in the industry, but do most readers even know what that means? It's kind of like saying "best selling" author. We had this discussion on a different loop. Am I a best selling author because I made it into the top 100 on Amazon during a BookBub promotion for like an hour? Other authors claim to be best selling when they make it into the top 100 of a sub-sub category. I don't feel like a best selling author since I've seen my royalty checks, and they aren't impressive. My point (and yours) is these titles "Award Winning" and "Best Selling" lose their impressiveness when everyone uses them. Then there are the people who cheat the system by paying people to buy a bunch of their books so they can hit the USA Today Best Seller list. Ugh. I'm in the "write your best book and keep at it" camp. Great post, Andi! I'll get off my soapbox now...Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01047728297429025804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-21247855217580268982016-09-08T06:51:15.637-04:002016-09-08T06:51:15.637-04:00Great question, Andi! I've entered contests fo...Great question, Andi! I've entered contests for the reasons you mentioned--mostly credibility--but I've never really thought about it as a sales tool. As a reader, I do think I'm more likely to try a book by an unknown author if the book has won awards, and I guess the more the better. (Congrats, by the way, on your multiple awards for Dearest Darling!) Let us know how the sale goes!Leah St. Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11004006100786260893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-14396587768845715702016-09-08T06:18:19.719-04:002016-09-08T06:18:19.719-04:00I enjoyed this post and found it thought-provoking...I enjoyed this post and found it thought-provoking, too. I haven't entered contests for published novels--other than the Rita a few times--so I don't know if I could have won anything, but I will admit to being curious about if I could win or if it would help if I did. I'd love to be able to garner huge numbers of reviews, but I haven't figured that out, either. Liz Flahertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794565644883272260noreply@blogger.com