Authors who help Authors: Pauline Barclay and Chill with a Book

The last post in this mini-series about supportive authors discussed reviews for historical fiction but of course, not all fiction fits into that category. This week I'm delighted to welcome as my guest Pauline Barclay, the instigator and owner of Chill Awards and a prolific author in her own right.

AW: Welcome to the blog Pauline!

PB: Hello Annie, a HUGE thank you for inviting me to your wonderful Blog and asking me talk about my other baby, Chill Awards for independent authors. I hope I don’t get too carried away... 😊

AW: I'm sure you won't! Enthusiasm is always catching so please feel free to tell us all about what you do. Firstly can I ask, what inspired you to set up Chill with a Book Awards and how does it work?

PB: Chill Awards is for independent authors and is designed to shine a spotlight on amazing books from indie authors. I have always tried to find ways to help others and especially independent authors. After a great deal of thinking, checking various sites and noting that many awards for authors excluded independent authors, I set up Chill Awards in September 2016. Chill Awards is a Readers’ Award. Each book in the Award Programme is read by an equal number of readers. Each reader answers five questions and rates each question between 1 – 5 (5 being a resounding, yes). Depending on the final total, from the evaluations, a book, if awarded, will receive either a Readers’ Award or a Premier Readers’ Award. Comments from readers are encouraged. All comments as passed onto the author, but I must stress, that all readers are only known by me. Readers are anonymous to authors and to each other.

Anyone wishing to submit a book should go to Chill Awards’ site and fill in the form with the details of their book and name / pen name. 

AW: Why do you think that independent reviews are so important for Indie Authors especially?

PB: Independent authors are responsible for everything about the publication of their book from editing, book cover design to marketing. They are on their own to bring their book to the widest audience possible, so recognition from readers is an endorsement of their hard work. Awards and reviews offer an author another tool to promote further their book that is competing with many thousands.

AW: It is so good to know that such avenues are open for authors. I happen to know that Chill with a Book isn't the only way you help authors though. Can you tell us a little about some of the other features/series on your blog? 

PB: If I can, I like to help authors in anyway I can. I help people with proof reading, help with writing and many other aspects if I can. Inviting wonderful people to my Blog is also something I love doing. To make it interesting, I try to come up with different ideas for authors to participate. The latest feature on my Blog is, Coincidences. (AW: I'm thrilled that my own Coincidence story will be featured in this series!) I have asked guests to write a short story on a coincidence in their life. This feature has been amazingly received and there are all fantastic stories, one or two will have the hairs on the back of your neck rising!  

AW: I can't wait to read those! Meanwhile, what about your own writing? Can you tell people a little about your own books; anything new in the pipeline for 2021?

PB: I have seven books published and whilst the stories are emotional, they will always leave the reader with a feel good feeling. Two of my books were inspired by true events; Magnolia House, my debut novel and The Wendy House. I met the people behind these stories and whilst my books are fiction, the idea for each book came from the people, who, by telling their tale, made me cry and brought out the writing in me to share their story.

As for something new, I have written over 35,000 words on a new book, but for now I’ve had to put it to one side. I have started a novella, but we will see. The nightmare of our lives does not always bring out the best creativity in me at times, but I plan to keep working on getting these two stories finished… one day!

Once again, Annie, thank you for allowing me to chatter about one or two of my passions!

AW: Thank you so much for talking to me today Pauline and for all the work you do to support other authors.

Readers can connect with Pauline:

Website: www.paulinebarclay.co.uk

Blog: http://paulinembarclay.blogspot.com

Instagram: @paulinebarclay

Facebook: https://facebook.com/pages/pauline-barclay/121242304590624

Chill Awards: www.chillwithabook.com

And you can learn more about one of her characters on a post we did a while ago, about fictional characters and their occupations

 

Discovering Diamonds and Chilling with Books

So, you've written your book. You've published your book. And, unless you are one of what must be a very rare breed, you are now flip-flopping between thinking you've produced the best story that ever appeared in print, or the worst since man picked up a stone and started scratching on the walls of his cave.

What you need is a critical eye. You need to submit your book for reviews. Oh, so easy to say. Frequently though, you'll find that if you're self-published, many review sites will not accept your work.

Once upon a time, the Historical Novel Society ran two review schemes; one for traditionally published books and one for 'Indie' books. Not only did it offer to review, but there was a system which meant that each month a few books were chosen as Editors' Choice books and were put forward for Book of the Year.

This was a boon for Indie authors. It meant that not only did they get a review by highly respected reviewers, but they had the chance to win a prize.

Following some structural re-organisation, the HNS decided recently to combine their two review schemes and whilst they do continue to accept submissions from Indie authors, there is no longer a chance to be put forward for Indie Book of the Year.

However, there are a couple of places where you can send your book where you'll not only get an unbiased review but also get the chance for book of the month, and year.

The first of these is for historical fiction and is run by Helen Hollick, who used to be Managing Editor of the HNS Indie Reviews. At Discovering Diamonds, she has a team of highly professional, experienced reviewers who take their job - although they are all volunteers - very seriously. If a book is accepted for review it will be given a considered appraisal and if deemed outstanding, it will be declared a Discovered Diamond and put forward for further awards, such as Book of the Month. The blog is fantastic, with guest posts, articles, and even a competition for book cover design.

Helen was adamant that when the HNS revised its policy that there should still be somewhere for Indie Authors to get a 'stamp of approval' which is otherwise so difficult to come by. If you don't know Helen, she is a globally successful author of several books: an Arthurian Trilogy, an Anglo-Saxon series, and now a series about Jesemiah Acorne, who features in the Sea Witch Series. Helen has also written non-fiction books. She is one of another rare breed, that of successful author who will do almost anything in her power to help, support and encourage upcoming authors.

Find the submission guidelines HERE

Another great place to send your book is Chill with a Book. They won't review, but they will send your book out to a number of their team readers who will then assess the book according to certain criteria. If your book passes all these, it will be awarded a Chill with a Book award and, again, there are also monthly and yearly awards, as well as a special award bestowed by its creator, Pauline Barclay. Chill accepts books of - almost -all genres.

Chill with a Book also offers a book cover design award. Pauline is an author herself; another one who 'pays it forward'.

Find the submission guidelines HERE

Both Helen and Pauline work closely with Avalon Graphics, where designer Cathy Helms takes time from her work of designing quality book covers to help with judging competitions and designing logos.

More about Avalon Graphics

So, if you are an Indie Author - or indeed a Traditionally published author, submit your book/s. Not every book gets accepted, and even those which do don't necessarily win a Diamond or a Chill logo. But this just means that these are marks of quality, awarded after careful consideration by people who really know what a good book looks like, inside and out.