The Challenge of Being an Independent Author
Wishing Shelf Book Awards – Self-publishing gives writers something previous generations of authors rarely had: control.
You control the cover, the editing, the pricing, and the direction of the story. You keep a far greater share of royalties and you can publish the book you believe in, rather than the one a publisher believes will sell.
But independence also comes with its own difficulties.
Without the backing of a traditional publisher, authors must build their own visibility. Bookshop access can be limited, marketing budgets are small, and readers are faced with an overwhelming number of new titles appearing every day.
In that environment, recognition matters. Awards, reader recommendations, and independent reviews help a book stand out and signal to readers that it has been noticed for the right reasons.
Why I Chose the Wishing Shelf Book Awards
For that reason, I am careful about which competitions I enter.
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards are unusual in the world of literary prizes. Rather than focusing purely on industry judges, the awards rely heavily on real readers — including reading groups and schools — to evaluate the books submitted.
The organisation itself is non-profit and was founded by an author who understands the realities facing independent writers.
Books are assessed against scoring thresholds rather than simply eliminating entries until a single winner remains. This means that if a book meets the required standard, it can be recognised as a finalist alongside other strong titles.
For independent authors, that reader-focused judging process makes the award particularly meaningful.
A Penny a Shell Reaches the Finals
I’m therefore very pleased to share that A Penny a Shell has been selected as a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards.
For a novel rooted in the real history of the Barnbow munitions factory explosion in Leeds in 1916, the recognition feels especially fitting.
The story was inspired by the women who worked in Britain’s wartime filling factories — thousands of young women whose labour, courage, and sacrifice were essential to the war effort but whose stories are rarely told.
Knowing that the book has resonated with readers enough to reach the finals is incredibly encouraging.
As any writer will tell you, the real reward is not simply publication — it is being read.
Reader-Led Judging
One of the most interesting aspects of the Wishing Shelf Awards is that the judging process places books directly into the hands of readers.
Instead of a small closed panel, books are read and discussed by groups who respond honestly to what they experience on the page.
For a historical novel like A Penny a Shell, that matters.
The story blends real events, archival research, and fictional characters to bring the world of wartime Yorkshire to life. If readers connect with that world — with the characters and their struggles — then the book has done what it set out to do.
Reader response is the truest measure of that.
Waiting for the Final Results
Reaching the finalist stage is already an honour, but the awards process continues as the judging panel considers the books that have reached this stage.
Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded based on the final scores.
Like all authors in the competition, I now wait to see how the results unfold.
Whatever the outcome, the experience has already been worthwhile. Recognition from a reader-focused award is encouragement to keep writing and continue telling these often overlooked stories from the First World War.
Conclusion
Independent publishing can sometimes feel like shouting into the wind. There are thousands of books appearing every day, and it can be difficult for any single story to be noticed.
Moments like this remind me why the journey is worth it.
If A Penny a Shell has reached readers and sparked an interest in the lives of the Barnbow Lasses and the hidden history of Britain’s wartime factories, then it has already achieved something meaningful.
And for that, I’m grateful.
A Penny a Shell — About the Book
A Penny a Shell is a historical novel inspired by the true story of the Barnbow munitions factory explosion of 1916, one of the deadliest industrial accidents of the First World War.
Set in wartime Yorkshire, the novel follows the lives of young women working in Britain’s vast ammunition factories — women whose work powered the war effort but whose stories have often been forgotten.
Blending historical research with compelling fiction, the novel explores family, secrecy, courage, and the hidden cost of war on the home front.
Where to Buy
A Penny a Shell is available in:
- Paperback
- Kindle eBook
- Kindle Unlimited
You can find the book on Amazon here:
Buy on Amazon:
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