Day 4 – Surprised! An Award-Winning Week!

Larada Horner-Miller

3 months ago

Surprised—yes, I was! Usually I record every contest I’ve entered in a database I’ve kept for years, but two slipped past me. I won two awards this week with my poetry book, Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry.

First Award

Last year I entered both Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry and Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming and Humorous Christmas Memoir in the Global Book Awards. Both received awards: Was It a Dream? Received a Gold award and Hair on Fire received a Silver.

This year, I labored over submitting a book. I didn’t release my new book, Time Measured Out!, book two in the Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry series in time for the Global Book Awards. And I forgot I had submitted Was It a Dream? I, so when I got the email on December 31, I was shocked. Now remember, this has been an insane year for me with the move to Panama and still being on gabapentin for the dog attack. I can portray a semblance of normalcy, but in reality, I’m not all together.

Second Award

Then it happened again! On January 1, 2026, I received an email from BooksShelf stating, “We are beyond excited to congratulate you on achieving 1st Place in our BooksShelf Writing contest! Your book “Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry” rose to the very top among so many outstanding entries, and this recognition is a true reflection of your talent and dedication.”

Each Provided Promotional Material

BooksShelf Promotional Material

Spot on our site – permanent
Full advertisement pack (6 months):

-Home page

– Author Interview

– Top Spots

– Newsletter

Other Benefits:

Included in the Winners’ Newsletter
Social media posts – (scheduled for the 1st week of January)
Mockup for 1st place + Author Mockup – See above
Book Review
- “Was It a Dream? is the kind of book that reminds you why poetry still matters. Larada Horner-Miller writes with a clear, lived-in voice that feels personal, pulling you into moments that are vivid, honest, and unexpectedly relatable. The language is easy to sink into, but the emotional impact lands with real force.
- What really stands out is how strongly the collection uses images and sensory detail to anchor big feelings. Nature, memory, love, grief, and self-discovery all show up in a way that feels authentic rather than performed, and the poems invite reflection without lecturing you. There’s a steady sense of movement throughout, like you’re traveling alongside the author through different seasons of life, gathering meaning as you go.
- For readers who enjoy poetry that feels human, direct, and full of heart, this is a rewarding collection. It’s the work of a writer who pays attention, tells the truth, and knows how to translate lived experience into lines that connect.”
Special Page for the Winners
1st place Badge that you can add to your cover – See above!
Promo Video for your book + Included in the Winners Video

Global Book Award Promotional Material

Listed my book on the Global Book Award’s website
Offered 50% off of a book promotions at www.bookextreme.com which I took advantage of today.
Another offer was to get book reviews at Kbookreviews with a 10% discount, but I decided not to do this.

Last year, they provided more material and support, but it came later, so I look forward to what’s coming.

Finally,

Surprised, yes, but why do I enter book award contests? I guess for validation. Because I don’t sell a lot of books, the awards helps me feel like what I am doing is worthwhile. And the awards might help sell books!