The Way It's Supposed to Be WON SOMETHING!

or what awards actually mean and don't mean

Technically, this is my high school flag corps trophy, but you get the idea.

I call this a newsletter because it shows up in your inbox in that fashion and that’s what Substack calls it, but really, it’s more of a blog. Unless you consider my brain detritus breaking news. This just in! April had a disjointed thought about work/politics/healthcare/existentialism/dogs.

This is a rare occasion, however, that I actually have news, though I doubt CNN will cover it. My first novel WON AN ACTUAL AWARD!

Out of over 500 entries, the e-book version of The Way It’s Supposed to Be received honorable mention in the 2023 Writer’s Digest Self-Published E-Book competition!

The Mundanity of Writing Contests

I spent several days, many months ago, entering this contest, following the rules for submittal meticulously, and then promptly shuffled it to the back of my mind. I have sent off so much of my work in hopes of winnings, publication, or employment, I accepted rejection as the likely outcome and didn’t waste time fantasizing about winning (okay, maybe a little).

I was sitting on my couch in early December, puttering around on my laptop, when I spied an email titled, “Writer's Digest 2023 Self-Published E-Book Announcement.” The lead-in began, “Hi, April. Congratulations…” and I fully expected to open the message to read, “…on the amazing accomplishment of publishing a book. Your entry was not selected as a winner, but…” Because that is what usually happens, so my ego protects itself by expecting to lose again.

When I instead read that, out of all those submissions, mine stood out. That I told my story compellingly enough that experts, reading hundreds of e-books written by hundreds of indie authors like me, noticed it. That they said, “This is GOOD. This is worth noting,” my heart did flips. I said, “Jason! Jason!” And he, sitting in the chair across from me, looked up from his own computer expectantly. “I…I…” It took me a while to get the words out. Then, I texted people to share the joy.

What Does It Mean?

Both Anne Lamott and my close friend/fellow writer Kelly say it’s folly to put too much credence into the validation of contests or publication. It doesn’t fix all my problems or suddenly make my writing road smoother.

I just try to warn people who hope to get published that publication is not all it is cracked up to be. But writing is. Writing has so much to give, so much to teach, so many surprises.

~ Anne Lamott

But they both also note that publication and winning contests is some sweet validation. Anne says it’s a sign that “you did your writing well.” And there is satisfaction in random people — who are not friends or relatives and have no obligation or inclination to treat my writing gently — saying that. They sent me a shiny gold star jpeg I can splash all over my website and book cover.

That’s the award. Honorable mention is that winner graphic, promotion on the Writer’s Digest website when they publicly announce the winners in May or June, and a $50 gift certificate to the WD store. Humble winnings for sure, but the recognition means so much. And, every little bit of promotion a self-published author can get helps, especially when it’s a mention on the Writer’s Digest website — a well-established publication that’s supported writers since 1920.

What Now?

Well, I’ll go giddily redesign my book cover to include the winner graphic. And then, maybe I’ll be able to pull myself out of the writing slump I’ve been in lately. My thoughts have been scattered the past few months, and the idea of sitting at my keyboard has made me feel tired instead of excited. It’s not suddenly going to get easier, but perhaps the thought of that win will propel me forward when my concentration and confidence flag.

Thank You…

…to everyone who has read The Way It’s Supposed to Be so far. HUGE thanks to everyone who wrote impressively articulate reviews of it on Amazon. Thanks to those who gave me un-prompted feedback via text and those who shared the book on social media. Thank you to everyone who came to the launch party and sat through my awkward reading of the first few paragraphs of the book. There are many more people who supported me through the writing, editing, and book launching, but they’re starting to play the music now, so I’ll stop.

Check out my author site for all things The Way It’s Supposed to Be — links to purchase the paperback or e-book and to review it. By all feedback, it’s a page-turner that provokes some deeper thought. You should totally read it.