Exciting news … and you can make it more exciting
July 10, 2007 by Lillie
Spring House by my client David Bowles is an AuthorIsland.com Readers’ Choice Finalist For Historicals.
Updated 8/4/07: Thanks to everyone who voted. David got about twice as many votes as the next book. However, we misunderstood how the contest operated. The winners had already been chosen before the finalists were listed on the Web site. There were two rounds of judging in each category – one by three judges that determined the finalists and a second by one additional judge that determined the winner. It was called a readers’ choice contest because all the judges were readers, not authors or editors. The voting on the Web site had no bearing on the outcome of the contest – it was just created to involve more readers and generate interest. I apologize for misunderstanding and giving out erroneous information.
Updated 7/12/07: The voting in this category is over. Thanks to all who voted for David’s book. I’ll report the official results when they’re announced, after all the categories have been voted on. David was in the lead the last time I checked the votes.
I’m thrilled for David and proud that I edited the book. David and I would both be even more thrilled if he won. Readers will select the winner by voting at AuthorIsland.com. If you’d like to help make Spring House a winner, vote this week. The voting box is on the right-hand side of the page, just below Island Spotlights.
I originally posted this just before my blog disappeared. Thanks to you who have already voted, and thanks to anyone who votes this week.
[tags]Spring House, David Bowles, AuthorIsland.Com Readers’ Choice[/tags]
Lillie,
Glad to see you back–even if your upgrade didn’t go as well as you’d hoped. At least you’re live and can connect with your readers–US!
I have voted for Spring House–and left you a comment to that effect before your blog did its disappearing act. Hope your client’s book wins! I wish him all the best with his future projects!
I also wish you the best with sorting out your blog difficulties!
Jeanne
Thanks, Jeanne – both for the vote and for the good wishes.
Hi Lillie – Great to see all is well with the blog again. I voted. Congratulations and best wishes to both yourself and David.
Thanks, Yvonne!
Hi! I voted for this on Michi’s blog. Here’s wishing you best of luck!
Thanks, Laura. All of us will be thrilled if David’s book wins.
Aaakk. I missed the voting. Clicked there today but was too late!
Helen,
Thanks for trying to vote.
I thought the vote for Historicals lasted through Friday, but obviously I was mistaken. AuthorIsland never posted a deadline for voting, but they have announced a new category each week. The Historical announcement came out late last Friday, so I expected the next category would be announced Friday of this week.
However, when I last looked at the voting David was well ahead, so we’re optimistic about the results.
I’ll have to check that out and vote.
Good luck!
365 ….
Thanks for the vote of confidence, but the voting is over now.
I went to vote, but apparently the votes are over now.
Wii Fit,
Thanks for trying. There’s an update on the post indicating the voting has ended.
Congratulations, that is very exciting! I’m sorry I’m too late to vote.
I’m also sorry to hear your upgrade was bumpy, but I’m glad you’re back!
Thanks, Thomma Lyn. There was a very short window of opportunity to vote.
This is really exciting Lillie! I can hardly wait to see the results. But in my eyes your client has already won. After all, he had your proofreading skills and with that nothing can go wrong.
I know David well and he’s a pretty good fella. I wish him all the best. David and Lillie worked very hard on this book for many months, both in the compilation and promotion. Both are most deserving for whatever comes down the road for them. Congratulations David and Lillie.
[...] I told you that my client David Bowles’ book was a finalist in a readers’ choice awards and told you how to vote … “if you’d like to help make Spring House a winner.” [...]
[...] Amy Derby said she had seen ads for writers to post reviews on Amazon.com. That led me to share David’s experience. He read in John Kremer’s Book Marketing newsletter about a way to get more reviews on Amazon.com. [...]
I posted this update on the blog entry today and am copying it to comments so anyone who has subscribed to comments gets the word:
Thanks to everyone who voted. David got about twice as many votes as the next book. However, we misunderstood how the contest operated. The winners had already been chosen before the finalists were listed on the Web site. There were two rounds of judging in each category – one by three judges that determined the finalists and a second by one additional judge that determined the winner. It was called a readers’ choice contest because all the judges were readers, not authors or editors. The voting on the Web site had no bearing on the outcome of the contest – it was just created to involve more readers and generate interest. I apologize for misunderstanding and giving out erroneous information.
That is just downright deceptive. Why wouldn’t they take into account users votes? Who chooses the judges anyway?
Dave,
In fairness, when I complained, they pointed out the way their original message had read. It was worded in such a way that it was easy to misunderstand, but it didn’t say the votes would count. The contest coordinator insisted they had no intention of being deceptive but did acknowledge that the email could easily be misinterpreted.
The experience left a bad taste in my mouth, and I have never submitted review requests to that site again, though it is a popular site for readers and writers.
Thank you, Mr. Lillie. You certainly know how much work went into this book!
Thank you for the vote of confidence, Mig. David is a great tale-spinner, and I enjoyed working with him on Spring House. We’re working on his second book now.