The Author’s Productive Leap Into Book Awards
In late 2007, author Gwaetgar marked a significant milestone in the life of the novel Mortal Touch. After months of writing, revising, and refining, the focus shifted from the private world of drafts and edits to the very public arena of book awards. Over the course of just a few productive days, eight carefully prepared copies of Mortal Touch were sent off to be considered for the PMA’s Benjamin Franklin Awards, a respected honor in the independent publishing space.
This moment captured the turning point many authors experience: the transition from quietly crafting a story to boldly presenting it for industry recognition. It is not only a test of the book’s merit but also of the author’s willingness to invest time, money, and emotional energy into the uncertain world of literary competitions.
Why Book Awards Matter to Independent Authors
For an independently published title like Mortal Touch, industry awards serve several vital purposes. They provide visibility in a market saturated with new releases, they help build credibility with booksellers and librarians, and they signal to readers that a particular book is worth their attention. Recognition from a respected award can shift a novel from relative obscurity to a much broader readership.
Unlike traditional publishing, where a house’s reputation often carries a book into review channels and bookstores, independent authors must create their own momentum. Award programs, especially those designed for small and independent presses, act as powerful amplifiers. When a title is shortlisted or wins, its cover can proudly bear a seal that instantly communicates quality and professionalism.
Submitting Mortal Touch to the Benjamin Franklin Awards
The decision to submit eight copies of Mortal Touch to the PMA’s Benjamin Franklin Awards was more than a formality; it was a calculated risk. Each submission required not just physical copies but also entry fees and time spent navigating guidelines and paperwork. The Benjamin Franklin Awards are known for their rigorous standards, evaluating everything from editorial excellence to design and overall marketability.
For Gwaetgar, committing to this award meant acknowledging that the book was ready to stand alongside other independently produced titles. It reflected confidence in the story, the production quality, and the book’s potential appeal to critics and readers alike. The process of packaging and mailing those eight copies symbolized a tangible investment in the book’s future.
Independent Publisher Book Awards: A Parallel Path
Even before approaching the Benjamin Franklin Awards, an entry for the Independent Publisher Book Awards had already been submitted. Known for spotlighting independent, small press, and self-published titles, this awards program aligns well with authors looking to build reputations beyond local or niche audiences. Together, these two submissions created a dual track of opportunity for Mortal Touch: one focused on the broad independent publishing landscape, the other on a respected, industry-facing recognition.
Making multiple submissions is a common strategy among serious indie authors. Each award targets a slightly different audience and set of decision-makers. Where one may emphasize editorial craft, another may focus more on innovation, design, or specific genres. By pursuing both, Gwaetgar widened the chances that Mortal Touch would find champions in more than one corner of the book world.
The Financial and Emotional Investment Behind Awards
Gwaetgar described the Benjamin Franklin Awards entry as a steeper investment, and that phrase captures an often overlooked aspect of independent publishing: success usually requires putting money on the line. Entry fees, extra print runs, packaging, and shipping costs add up quickly. For authors funding their own work, every award submission is a calculated gamble.
There is also the emotional cost. Submitting a book means inviting judgment from people who do not know the author personally and have no ties to the project. The manuscript that once felt like a private accomplishment is now the subject of formal evaluation. Waiting for results—weeks or even months—adds another layer of tension. Yet this leap of faith is precisely what separates books that remain hidden from those that gain a chance at wider recognition.
From First Draft to Award Entry: The Evolution of Mortal Touch
The journey of Mortal Touch did not begin with awards; it began with an idea, scenes drafted in quiet moments, and revisions that gradually shaped a cohesive narrative. Before a book is ready for submission to any awards program, it must pass through several stages: alpha and beta readership, professional editing, cover design, interior layout, proofreading, and final production.
By the time eight copies were boxed and addressed for the Benjamin Franklin Awards, Mortal Touch had already undergone this transformation from raw manuscript to polished book. What had once been a personal creative project now existed as a market-ready product, professionally presented and fully capable of sitting on bookstore shelves or library displays.
The Strategic Role of Timing in Award Submissions
Timing matters when entering literary awards. Many programs, including those for independent publishers, are tied to specific publication years and require that books be submitted within a defined window. In 2007, aligning the release of Mortal Touch with the deadlines for both the Independent Publisher Book Awards and the Benjamin Franklin Awards meant carefully orchestrating production schedules and marketing plans.
Submitting too early risks entering a book that is not fully polished; submitting too late may mean missing eligibility for that award cycle. Gwaetgar’s choice to finalize entries within a short, energetic burst of productivity shows the importance of planning ahead and treating award deadlines as integral parts of the overall publishing strategy.
Balancing Creativity and Business in Independent Publishing
Independent authors must constantly move between the creative and business sides of their work. Writing a compelling story like Mortal Touch is only one part of the job. The other part involves understanding the market, positioning the book, and making informed decisions about where to invest limited resources.
Award submissions sit at the intersection of these two worlds. They are deeply tied to the artistic quality of the work while also functioning as strategic marketing moves. For Gwaetgar, the choice to enter both the Independent Publisher Book Awards and the Benjamin Franklin Awards shows a clear understanding that storytelling and savvy promotion are inseparable in the modern book landscape.
Lessons for Other Indie Authors
The experience around Mortal Touch offers several practical takeaways for other independent authors considering award submissions:
- Research appropriate awards: Focus on programs that recognize independent presses and self-published work, and verify that your genre fits the categories.
- Plan budgets early: Include award entry fees, additional print copies, and shipping in your publishing budget from the start.
- Submit a fully polished book: Ensure editing, design, and proofing are complete before sending anything to judges.
- Use awards in marketing: If your book is shortlisted or wins, highlight the recognition in your promotional materials, on your cover, and in media pitches.
- Accept uncertainty: Even excellent books may not place, but the process itself helps you refine your positioning and standards.
Looking Beyond the Results
While the hope for recognition is a natural part of any award submission, the value of entering extends beyond the final outcome. By treating Mortal Touch as worthy of industry-level scrutiny, Gwaetgar reinforced a professional mindset around the book. Preparing copies, reviewing guidelines, and meeting deadlines are all exercises in operating as a serious publisher, not just a writer.
Whether or not a trophy or seal eventually appears on the cover, the decision to step into the competitive arena changes how an author sees their work. It also changes how future projects may be planned, encouraging higher production standards and clearer marketing strategies from the outset.
Expanding the Journey: From Award Entries to Reader Experiences
Ultimately, awards are one part of a broader mission: connecting Mortal Touch with readers. Each submission is a step toward getting the book in front of reviewers, librarians, booksellers, and, eventually, the people who will live with the story in their imaginations. For an independent author, this journey is seldom linear, but it is always shaped by moments of decisive action—like those days in 2007 when eight copies were sent out with hope, confidence, and no small amount of courage.