ALLi News Editor, Dan Holloway
In the short time since the Selfies launched in 2018, London Book Fair has come to feel like “that time of year.” Forget the Oscars, the awards that celebrate the best indie books in the categories of adult fiction, children’s fiction and autobiography/memoir are the red carpet event that counts.
In those few years, I have become used to reporting on ALLi success, right back to Jane Davis’ Smash all the Windows winning at the very first awards. And this year I’m delighted to be able to do so again. Huge congratulations to the ever-brilliant Joanna Penn, ALLi advisor, for winning in the non-fiction category with Pilgrimage, her fascinating account of the long distance walk as the ultimate journey in every possible sense of the word.
Winner of the children's book category was Extraordinary Extinct Prehistoric Minibeasts: A First Guide to Fossils, by author-illustrator duo Jill Michelle Smith and Jennifer Watson. And congratulations also to ALLi ambassador Julia Boggio, whose Shooters was the winner of the fiction category.
In addition to Jo and Julia, the shortlist included fabulous ALLi members Susan Grossey, Katharine Light, Jason Mann, Alice McVeigh, and Thomas R Weaver. Huge congratulations to them and all!
It’s always a delight to report on indie success, and the Selfies provide a moment in the calendar when I know that I will be able to do so with no qualification or caveat whatsoever. Congratulations to all the winners, shortlistees, and everyone who has been part of making this another great year for showcasing the indie world’s creative talents.
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Their success not only underscores the quality of self-published works but also demonstrates the power of independent publishing in reaching and captivating audiences worldwide.