Four Book Awards in the Last Month: This Has Been a Banner Year!

September 6, 2026September 6, 2026 Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

I received four book award announcements in the last month for my newest book, Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry. In the whole year of 2026, I have received six awards for this book this year, and it’s only September!

Here are the four awards I won this last month:

Bronze Award in the Readers’ Choice contest, September 2026
2nd Place Award in the Next Best Reads contest, August 2026
Gold Award in the Global Book Award, August 2026
Honorable Mention Award at BooksShelf.com, August 2026

The other two awards I’ve received this year for this book:

2nd Place Award in the AllAuthor.com nonfiction book cover
3rd Place Winner at BooksShelf.com, April 2026

Why Do I Enter Book Awards Contests?

I was told early on in my writing career—enter book award contests because they elevate your book’s exposure. So I have!

Over the years, I’ve entered many contests and I’ve won many as I alluded to in my blog, An Award Winner: Coronavirus Reflections And More!.

At that point my book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? had won two prestigious awards from the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards. But my most decorated book was A Time to Grow Up: A Daughter’s Grief Memoir with five awards.

So, my newest book, Time Measured Out! takes the lead with six.

Finally,

The last month has been outrageous for me with all the awards. But it feels so gratifying to have this book recognized.

UPDATE ON MY BOOK I’M WORKING ON: Eyewitness to Healing is to the editor. We have extended the date of my receiving the edited manuscript to the first of October. We had an email exchange this week, and she asked, “do you want to receive it back before you go to Germany?”

I had been pondering that very idea because originally, I was to receive it tomorrow.

“No,” I responded strongly, “because I won’t be able to just let it sit on my computer. I would want to be working on it, and that could ruin my Germany trip.”

I could almost hear her laughing with my response. But the good news, it’s getting closer. Then my work begins again to look at her revisions and hope there aren’t too many of them.

You may wonder why I have a poetry chapbook, Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey, free all the time. It’s one of the promotional foundations for an author today—have something free to entice the reader to sample your writing and then buy your books.

Does it work for you?

If poetry isn’t your genre, here is a short story to sample my writing:

Ne ver Too Late For Love

Larada Horner-Miller - Author Head Shots — Read an award winning book of mine!

My Newest Books

Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #2 e-book

ISBN – 9798989688654

$3.99 for limited time

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688623

ALWAYS FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #1 – e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688630

$3.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book

ISBN – 978-0996614498

$3.99

Buy My Audio Books:

This Tumbleweed Landed

Let Me Tell You a Story

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir audiobook cover

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Awards · Christmas · Coronavirus · Grief · Marshall Flippo · Memoirs · Memories · My Books · My Thoughts · New Mexico · poetry

An Award Winner: Coronavirus Reflections And More!

August 23, 2026August 23, 2026 Larada Horner-Miller1 Comment

Coronavirus Reflections book cover - awards

Award winner—I have won several awards for my ten books, but Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? won two New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards that thrilled me. For some reason, those two awards outweighed the other multiple awards.

But I wanted to share the others with you!

This Tumbleweed Landed – First Finalist in the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards

In 2016, This Tumbleweed Landed was a finalist in the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards in the Biography (Other) category.

I had submitted it the year before in the poetry category and got sage advice from someone in the know about the awards. The poetry category was highly competitive.

So, the next year (2016) I submitted it the Biography (Other) category. It didn’t win, but I felt so excited to be a finalist. Lin and I dressed up and went to the banquet with the other writers. It felt other-worldly.

When Will Papa Get Home? – Two Finalist Awards

In 2016 and 2017, When Will Papa Get Home? was a finalist in the Historical Fiction category. But once, again it didn’t win the category.

A Time to Grow Up: A Daughter’s Grief Memoir – Five Book Awards

In 2017 & 2018 A Time to Grow Up: A Daughter’s Grief Memoir received five book awards:

2018 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards “Finalist” in 2 categories: E-book Nonfiction and E-book Cover
2018 Book Excellence Awards “Finalist” in the Memoir category
2018 Independent Press Awards “Distinguished Favorites” in the Memoir category
2017 New Apple Book Awards for Excellence in Independent Publishing ”Official Selection” in the Biography|Autobiography|Memoir category
2017 New Mexico-Arizona book awards “Finalist” in 2 categories: Biography (Other) and E-book Nonfiction

But once again, A Time to Grow Up: A Daughter’s Grief Memoir didn’t win either category in the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards.

Just Another Square Dance Caller: Authorized Biography of Marshall Flippo – Received 3 Awards

In 2021 Just Another Square Dance Caller: Authorized Biography of Marshall Flippo was a Finalist in the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards in two categories: Biography and Nonfiction E-book. It did not win either category.

Also, it received the eLit Silver Award and Book Excellence Award Finalist.

Finally, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? a winner twice for the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards

Finally, in 2022 & 2023 Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? won the Award for the Body, Mind & Spirit category in 2022. In 2023 it won in the Self-Help category.

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir Wins Global Book Awards

In 2024, Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir won a Silver Medallion in the Christmas Books category of the Global Book Awards.

It won 1st Place in the Nonfiction Book Cover Contest on AllAuthors.com.

In the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards, it was a Finalist in two categories: Parenting & Family and Philosophy/Religion. It didn’t win either category.

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry – Wins two Global Book Awards

In 2024, Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry became a Gold Medalist for the Poetry – Verse category. It received an Honorable Mention in the Reader’s Choice Contest. Then in 2025, it received a Bronze medal in the Global Book Awards in the Poetry – Verse category.

I didn’t enter it in the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards.

A Banner Year for Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry

This year has been a banner year for my new poetry book, Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry. It was Third Place Winner at BooksShelf.com. Then the cover won 2^nd place in the AllAuthor.com nonfiction book cover contest. Recently, I got word this second book in my five-book poetry series won a Gold Medal in the Global Book Poetry – Verse category.

And this year isn’t over, so watch out!

In focusing this month on Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better?, winning the local writing contest of the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards felt so wonderful. I had submitted my books for six years. During those years, I attended each banquet, full of excitement and anticipation. I had the pleasure of being a finalist, but never the winner at a banquet.

At the banquets I went to and lost, the winner received a beautiful glass trophy and was recognized by all in attendance. Everyone received a certificate too in the mail. I won during the aftermath of the pandemic, so there was no banquet, no trophy and no certificate for each win. I felt cheated!

A Sample from Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better?

Let me share another poem from Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? from Chapter 13.

The Wait for What?

May 13, 2020

Since March 9,
     I self-quarantined
          For two weeks
     I stayed put!

Then it stretched
     To May 15!

March
     April
          Half of May.

Drastic 
     Maybe
Wise and cautious
     For sure.

I obey the restrictions.
     I wear a mask.
          I adhere to six feet
               In social distance.
                    I apply hand sanitizer
                         After each necessary outing.

Yet the battle rages.
     Some say it’s a hoax
          Protest
          Violate the restrictions.

In the name of the first amendment
     Free exercise of religion
     Freedom of speech
     Freedom of the Press
     Right to assemble peaceably
     The right to petition the government
          For the redress of grievances.

Important freedoms I love.

In the name of the second amendment
     A well-regulated militia, being necessary
          To the security of a free State,
     The right of the people to keep
     And bear arms shall not be
          Infringed.

The right to bear arms
because of the coronavirus restrictions?
Really? 

Can you shoot this enemy?
     A minuscule virus particle
Why guns?
     Why assault weapons?
          An AT4 rocket launcher?

Why Confederate flags?
     Swastikas?
          The militant attitude, Army fatigues, and camouflage gear?

As this continues,
     Confusion mounts.
As the unrest continues,
     My confusion soars.
          Why?

A virus
     Killing thousands
          Demands naysayer’s denial and protests?

Why do you deny the serious nature of the coronavirus?
     Ill-advised?
     Ignorant?
     Stupidity?

Why do you clamor
     About socialism
          And your rights?
Selfish
     Self-centered
          Me, me, ME!

What about compassion?
     Caring for others?
It’s not about you, 
                    you,
                         you!

The wait for normalcy
     logic
          and
     compassion to surface
          may be a long time in coming!

For some!

For others,
     it never left!

YOUR REFLECTIONS

Did you ever confront someone else for their careless behavior? If so, what happened?

Larada Horner-Miller, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better, (Horner Publishing Company, 20), 109-115.

Currently the paperback Coronav irus Reflections: Bitter or Better is $9.80 for the rest of the month. Click on the title!

Finally,

I am so thankful for the awards I’ve won. Isn’t it funny that the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards mattered so much to me? My local peers?

What are your thoughts about book awards? Are they a selling point for a book to you? Let me know!

Larada's crazy side - awards — Larada’s Crazy Side!

My Newest Books

Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #2 e-book

ISBN – 9798989688654

$3.99 for limited time

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688623

ALWAYS FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #1 – e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688630

$3.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book

ISBN – 978-0996614498

$3.99

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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Awards · My Books · My Thoughts · Politics · Self-publishing

Day 4 – Surprised! An Award-Winning Week!

January 4, 2026January 4, 2026 Larada Horner-Miller2 Comments

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

Global Book Award Gold - surprised — Last Year’s 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.

Global Book Award Bronze Award - surprised — This Year’s Award

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:

BooksShelf 1st Place award meme - surprised

Author Meme from BoksShelf Award - surprised

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!

Larada picture - surprised — Thanks for being a part of my world!

My Newest Books

Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #2 – $.99 for limited time

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book – FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #1 – e-book or $3.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book on sale for $1.99

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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Awards · Blogs · My Books · My Thoughts · My Writing · poetry

2024 Ended with Two Book Awards & An Explosion in Blog Views!

January 5, 2025January 5, 2025 Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

2024 ended with two book awards and an explosion in my blog views and visitors! What a great way to end this year! Let’s look at which of my books won the awards and how my blog increased this year!

Two Awards

2024 ended with two awards, but I had a book, Hair on Fire, won other honors earlier in the year, also.

Global Book Awards

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Life

This book won Gold in the Global Book Awards in the Poetry – Verse category. Where life’s moments unfold in verse. Begin your poetic journey with my first book in the Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry series, where I transform personal moments into universal touchstones.

Experience poems that:

Guide you through life’s peaks and valleys
Transform grief into healing
Celebrate nature’s quiet wisdom
Capture family bonds and cherished memories
Light the path from heartache to hope

This collection offers:

Intimate reflections on life’s transitions
Gentle humor amidst life’s challenges
Moments of discovery and wonder
Meditations on love and loss
The promise of renewal

Perfect for:

Poetry lovers
Those seeking comfort in life’s transitions
Readers who appreciate personal reflection
Anyone navigating their own life journey
Those who find solace in shared experiences

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir

This book won Silver in the Global Book Awards in the Christmas Books category. Where Christmas chaos meets cherished memories! Unwrap a delightful blend of poetry and prose that captures the magic, mayhem, and mirth of holiday celebrations.

Experience Christmas through stories that will:

Make you laugh at familiar family mishaps
Warm your heart with tender moments
Remind you of your own holiday adventures
Bring back memories of Christmas past

This unique memoir combines:

Heartwarming family stories
Festive poetry that captures holiday spirit
Real-life Christmas chaos everyone can relate to
Moments that transform holiday disasters into precious memories

Perfect for:

Holiday reading by the fireplace
Anyone who needs a good laugh
Christmas enthusiasts
Readers who love both poetry and prose
Those who know that imperfect holidays make the best stories

Hair on Fire also received other recognitions this year:

1st Place – March, 2024 Nonfiction Book Cover Contest on AllAuthors.com
Finalist – 2024 New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards in Two Categories of Parenting & Family and Philosophy/Religion.

Gigantic Shift in Blog Views

Thanks to all who have viewed my blog posts this year. I appreciate your support!

2024 increased unbelievably in views and visitors of my blog posts. And I think I know why! Last year, I promoted my book, Hair on Fire, in Asia. I didn’t sell a lot of books there, but I did see some increase in 2023. I wondered at that increase, but this year I witness an explosion as shared below.

My evidence came from the views and visitors this year. In August, I had 10765 views and 8748 visitors—my best month all year. The post, A Dream About George Strait or Not? – My New Poetry Book!, caused this gigantic serge this month with 4660 views. Also I had three other posts that had excessive views: Mental Health Amplified by Simone Biles & Update on Me (1626), Hot August Nights: Collaboration at Its Best ( 1443) and Poetic Topics? Take a Photo of Life in Words! (1079). As you can see, I write about a variety of topics.

The top views in 2024 came from Bangladesh (28,300 for the year) and India (18,500 for the year). Painfully, views from the United States (5976) lagged horribly behind, yet came in third.

Take a look at the growth over the last five years! I dipped in 2021 but grew in 2022. Then my views grew sizably in 2023, but 2024 zoomed off the map. It’s amazing for sure!

Comparison Chart of 5 years of views and visitors in 2024

Finally,

I feel honored to have received gold and silver—two awards in the Global Book Awards for two of my books. What a great way to end the year! I love both books, but both are so different—a Christmas memoir and a poetry book!

Then as I watched the views increased and go crazy, my blog became a major focus for me.

But I have a couple statements for visitors on my blog: like my posts when you visit, make comments on each blog post you read, and buy my books, my e-books, my audiobooks!

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book on sale for $1.99

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry e-book on sale for $.99

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book – FREE

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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