I decided it was worth the $100 entry fee when Martin Hospitality received a 5-star review from Readers' Favorite that I didn't know was complimentary for entering. Needless to say that review made me very happy! You can read it here. And I thought no more about it.
Then on October 1, an e-mail announcing the winners of the 2017 Readers' Favorite Awards hit my inbox about the same time crazy-excited Hangouts messages appeared from Ivy Rose. She sent me this screenshot:
Martin Hospitality won Honorable Mention in the Christian Fiction category!! Yes, there are 140+ categories and therefore a lot of winners. But that made it really hard for me to choose a category! And this is a worldwide competition. One of the most popular there is. So I am beyond thrilled that I made the cut!!
Here's another picture of the announcement ... it's so surreal. You can view all the official winners here.
Here's another picture of the announcement ... it's so surreal. You can view all the official winners here.
My primary reward is that I now have two shiny badges that I can share and even put on my gorgeous firstborn book if I feel like it :)
Another perk is that I'm invited to mail them 3 of my books for them to display and potentially sell at their booth at the ginormous Miami Book Fair International ... the largest book fair in the nation. So that's super exciting and I'm mailing them today! I'll take all the exposure I can get. Which means I want to figure out how much press release is complimentary and how much is part of their services for a small fee. At a minimum, my Google rankings should go up!
So I want to thank you all for your tremendous support and excitement. Between Martin Hospitality winning this award, and the drafting of Matinee Regulars going unbelievably well, I feel like my writing career has taken a huge leap lately! And you guys are one of my greatest resources. Please know that I do not take you for granted ;)
Honestly, I don't even know what else to say except ... celebrate with me?! Besides all the loving words you guys will put in the comments (because you're awesome like that), if you feel led to share about this on your social media accounts, please tag me @abitheauthor so I can enjoy them and share them with my followers!!! You guys are the best. It's literally enough that you're just here for me to share this news with because otherwise, I would've exploded! ^.^
Congratulations Abi! That is a super big deal, definitely take it and run!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! :)
DeleteOH MY GOSH, CONGRATULATIONS!! That's so exciting. I'm excited for you!! I haven't read Martin Hospitality yet, but its on my TBR. (I just have to save up a book fund.) XD
ReplyDeleteThat's so amazing!
<3
~Ivie
iviewrites.blogspot.com
Thanks, Ivie!! <3 I can't wait until you get a chance to read it!! It's so sweet that you're saving to buy it ^.^
DeleteCONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS!! That is so cool!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I can't believe it!
DeleteOh my goodness, Abi!!! Congrats! That is so beyond exciting!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jesseca!! I'm definitely still excited about it :D
DeleteOH MY GOODNESS, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Ack, that must be so exciting!!
ReplyDeleteTHANKS!!! I don't even know how to describe how I feel about it xD
DeleteOh my goodness, Abi, that is AWESOME!!! Way to go girl!! *High Five* That is so incredible awesome!!!
ReplyDelete-Mikayla-
:D Thanks, Mikayla!! *high fives you back*
DeleteMARTIN HOSPITALITY IS SO WORTHY OF THOSE AWARDS. I (finally) read it and it made me squeal and scream and almost cry multiple times (omw that ending ugh the feels were SO real). I'm so happy that it won these awards because I woulda voted for Martin Hospitality if I could. ;)
ReplyDeleteAwwww, thank you! Oh my word, you have no idea how fun it is to hear your reactions!!! Honestly that's the reason I write :) Thank you so much for all your enthusiasm and support! <3
DeleteYou are so welcome, Abi. I'm an aspiring author too, so I know how much it means to have people give good reactions and encouragement. <3 Keep writing because you have a gift, my friend! I love your writing and I'm hoping to read Andora's Folly soon if I can buy it.
DeleteAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Congratulations, Abi!! That is seriously SO AMAZING. *flails*
ReplyDeleteAHH thank you so much, Mary!! It's been so fun to have you along on the journey from the beginning :D
DeleteOH MY GOODNESS CONGRATULATIONS!! That's so awesome!
ReplyDelete~ Abby {novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors.blogspot.com}
Thank you!!! :)
DeleteCongratulations, Abi!!! Ahhh...that is AMAZING!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!! I am definitely still in awe at how God has blessed me through the book! xD
DeleteCONGRATULATIONS!!! Martin Hospitality definitely deserves it! (As do you, of course...) ;)
ReplyDeleteSo excited for youuuu!! *throws confetti*
Aw, thank you, Megan!! *smiles up into confetti*
DeleteThat is so so cool, Abi! Wow! I had a huge grin on my face when I saw this! :DD
ReplyDelete:D Thanks, Emily! You're so sweet. <3
Delete*dances around* I knew it! I knew it! Next comes the NYT bestseller list!!!! Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteHahaha xD I'll believe it when I see it. Thanks for your enthusiasm and support, Anika <3
DeleteOh my goodness!! I am SO happy for you, Abi!!! <3
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Lilly!
DeleteAHH this is amazing!!! Fantastic job - you deserved every perk of this!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Madison. And thanks for all the help with it in its early stages!! <3
DeleteAWK that's so so exciting!! *throws handfuls of confetti* CONGRATS!!!!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!!!!! *catches confetti*
DeleteOMW OMW THIS IS SO EXCITING AAAAHHHH. Congrats, Abi! :D
ReplyDeleteI sound like a broken record, but thank you so much!! <3
DeleteCongratulations. I am so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
What an honor for you. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteMarion
AHH CONGRATULATIONS. You totally deserve it!
ReplyDeleteAw you're so sweet!
DeleteThat's so exciting!! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Martin Hospitality yet but it's been on my tbr list for a while :)
Thank you! I hope you get a chance to read it soon! I look forward to hearing what you think of it :D
DeleteWELL I MEAN IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. Congratulations !!!! I'm so excited for you !!! :D :D
ReplyDeleteHAHA XD Thanks, Jonathan! All of your help with it means a lot!
DeleteSO EXCITING! *heart eyes*
ReplyDeleteHa, I love this reaction xD Thank you so much!
DeleteI'm so proud of you, girl!!!! God's doing huge things with your writing!!! :D
ReplyDelete^.^ Thank yooouuu <3 You know none of the writing would be the same without you, right?? But, yes, I can't even believe it!! I will totally write only what He wants just how He wants it from now on xD It's so amazing to see material reward for listening to Him ... I'm kind of blown away!
DeleteCONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS! You're an amazing human and I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteHaha, thank you, Kara!! :D
DeleteWow, congrats Abi! This is exciting news indeed! Your book definitely deserves it though :)
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you, Ashley ^.^
DeleteOh my gosh, SO EXCITED FOR YOU, ABI!!!!!
ReplyDelete