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!

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My Newest Books

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Buy My Audio Books:

This Tumbleweed Landed

Let Me Tell You a Story 

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook

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