Writer’s Digest 2024 Ebook Contest Honorable Mention

An amateur writer’s life is not filled with bestsellers and financial success. We usually write in niche areas that satisfy personal interests and may be directed to a narrow audience. That, at least, is my own experience.

But, in December 2024, I was informed that The Descendants of John Grant and Mary Sabean had received one of four honorable mentions in the Writer’s Digest competition. There were almost 700 books entered in the nonfiction history and biography category – thus, a top-five placement for my family history book leaves me with a sense of extreme satisfaction.

Look for an announcement on the Writer’s Digest website in May or June 2025. The winners in each category will be featured in the Writer’s Digest Magazine during the same timeframe.

The judge wrote some complimentary text in his/her report; very few comments were negative. More importantly, on 3 February 2025, a delightful book review was posted on the competition website, open to authors and available for them to share on their websites, blogs, and social media. The judge/book reviewer remains anonymous – excerpts from the review (including some note-form text)  are copied below, with only slight and necessary editing:

“ … This book is exemplary in its structure, organization, and pacing. The structure of the chapters/parts aid[s] in a compelling organization of the story or information. The pacing is even throughout and matches the tone/genre of the book. Hats off to the author for taking so much researched material and organizing everything to an admirable point of keeping our interest and making it grow throughout the narrative. There is a lot of research here, and [the] author drums up more interest by saying ‘I didn’t find info on this’ and ‘Did they have just one child?’ Strangely and wonderfully, the honesty of the writer who has worked so hard on this project only makes us want to know more about the relatives and when they lived. Chapter themes like ‘Women in History’ and ‘Men in the Marine Life’ round up [a variety of similar] fascinating subjects. Well done.

This book has spelling, punctuation, and grammar corresponding with the region of the world from which the author hails (ex. British English or American English) or with where the book is set (including slang, vernacular, or dialect). These choices are intentional and implemented consistently throughout with few, if any, errors. Outstanding job with the edit, making sure that there are no errors [to] trip up the reader and disconnect them from the narrative even for a moment. We’re immersed in this material and don’t want to miss a thing.

This book is exemplary in production quality and cover design. The digital file allows for easy and accurate toggling between chapters and URLs (if any) are hyperlinked. The cover appears to be professionally designed and is compellingly related to the content/genre of the book. The cover offers a fabulous tone of the past, bringing the reader right into history with the faded hues of the map, showing us where we will be ‘dropped’. Our target is this one family, but their stories over time fan out. We see land, and land is such a big part of a family’s history. The author has covered many important details in a family’s story.

This book is exemplary in its choice of topic or theme of the story. It is unique but still has strong appeal for most readers in its intended genre … [and]  the book is well plotted. This book crosses from a genealogy report to a descriptive narrative, non-fiction study, and fascination. We follow the arms of this family tree to their dealings and challenges in different eras of history. The author set up so much presence for us to take up as we ride with them across the county, suffer losses, and celebrate births. With so many characters, the author only has room for a few summation points per person, but has put so many fascinating points of interest from their life stories that we gulp down their stories and hope to see more of them. Great work.

This book is exemplary in character appeal (or interest) and development. All main characters (including antagonists) are unique and fully fleshed out with compelling, layered motivations and traits. Secondary characters are unique and have a meaningful purpose. Character appeal for most names is a photograph and a few biographical notes on the family line, but the author has done well to make these notes stand out in realism. John and Mary have the longest appearance in the book, and from the consideration that he might have been illiterate, Mary perhaps being able to write her name. Among the many things that readers learn is that people might have made a mark for their name on a form, instead of a signature. The culture and history of our citizens grow throughout the book, and they grow with it. A [f]ascinating [story with] tons of much-appreciated research.

This book is exemplary in its voice and writing style. It has a unique voice, and the writing style is consistent throughout. The style and tone are also consistent with or will appeal to readers of the intended genre. The author writes with a warm appreciation for everyone in his family tree. It can be humbling to stand before the names of so many relatives, absorbing the weight of what they had to endure, how they carried on after the loss of a baby or a marine man lost at sea. The writing voice he uses is one of strength and warmth at the same time, appreciating everyone in his lineage and the opportunities of the land where they lived. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable writing style and voice, idyllic for capturing the enduring interest of the reader. Well done.”

I hope you can appreciate why I am “puffed up with pride”.