I was doing my taxes when I got the email. Nothing in the world is better than going from the abyss of taxes to a notification your book won “Best Fantasy 2019” from Indies Today. I sat there in shock. I drive a Mini Cooper and had just left the tax lady’s office. I sat there, unbelieving, then I hit their web site. Yep. There was MY BOOK with the badge.
I called my husband. Jane Friedman (yes THAT Jane Friedman) had read my blog earlier in the week and messaged me about linking to it, but this was bigger. WAY bigger.
I jumped up and down in the seat, which I’m certain looked suspect. And I raced home.
I posted the award to exactly one million Facebook groups. And Twitter. And Goodreads. And Reddit. And Wattpad. So excited.
Other people may not understand, but this was a Very Big Deal for me. I seriously considered a forehead tattoo but decided that was a little much. But still.
The next day was my Louisville Barnes & Noble book signing. I was already a bit anxious about it, but the award made it much easier. Now I had tangible proof I have written a Good Book.
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There was no time to get books with the badge on the cover, so my brilliant husband turned his laptop into a sign for me.
![](https://www.annecmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/bntable-1024x768.jpg)
I took my gargoyle, Hodges. He is in the book. And I brought candy and my bookmarks to give away to anyone who got within earshot. My new hair color arrived that morning but I didn’t have time to color. So I looked like a weird old lady. But that’s ok. I’m an award-winning author!
The book signing went well. We sold almost half the stash the store had ordered and left several signed copies on the shelf for future browsers. I had people message me saying they were there after we left. I’m pretty sure we sold more. The manager seemed surprised and pleased by the turnout.
![](https://www.annecmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ontheshelf-1024x768.jpg)
The bookstore manager was great, invited me back for my next book. I spoke with several budding authors about my self-publishing journey. Bookstore employees bought my book. All in all, a fantastic day.
We celebrated with fondue. Yes. That is my husband. Yes he is wearing a Sorrowfish tee shirt. I would have been wearing one but the tee shirt company screwed up my order and sent me a beaver tee shirt. Sigh.
![](https://www.annecmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/rodwfondue-768x1024.jpg)
The beaver tee shirt.
![](https://www.annecmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/beavertee-768x1024.jpg)
So there you go. I had a big weekend!
I am entered in several other awards. You may be certain I will lose it if I win any of them. But now it doesn’t matter as much. I won one, and that’s enough.
Congratulations! That is a well deserved award! And you already have a book signing lined up for the next book! PS fondue is fun and that beaver shirt reminds me of CS Lewis.
hahahaha I wore it the other night and pretended I was Mrs. Beaver.