28th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

WhereBooksDream had the honour of submitting Sonam The Star to the 28^th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards early in the year. Though it did not place, (official results will be published in the spring of 2021), it received this wonderful review!

“So much heart in this wonderful story about love and friendship, keeping an open mind to others’ perspectives and the reminder that we are so small in the universe, and that the universe has wonders of its own. I loved the gentle cadence of the writing, the author’s warm voice, Sonam’s quiet wisdom, and especially the author’s great work in forming settings with sensory details. We feel quiet reverence at the landscape, at the monastery. We feel the power of silence, which was so effective in this book. Author structured the book well, so that we have a footing in the scene—we belong there—as Sonam opens up about his family and his ‘going home’. Author shows the reader how to listen well when someone is sharing deep feelings; I love that he stayed silent and let Sonam express himself. Readers will find that resonant. The illustrations contain so much depth in the folds of fabrics as paired with the ‘folds’ of mountains. I found this book to be such a visual delight, and loved that the plot was able to flow along without the reader wanting to rush it, nor wanting to figure out the ending. Author has created a smooth pace of gentle beings sharing their truths, and wow, the details in the drawings. Every time I go through this book, I marvel even more at the attention to detail. Author uses good action verbs in sections of movement and dance, and his gift of description shines in stellar phrasing like this: ‘…voice smaller than the tiniest bird singing in the night.’ Well done. I hope this author will keep writing. When finished with this book, I looked with hope to see if author has written any additional books about his time in Nepal. Very nice work.”

Judge, 28th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

The Author wishes to express his most heartfelt thanks and gratitude to artist Mr. Rick Wenning for each of his fantastic illustrations.

The Author wishes to express his most heartfelt thanks to the staff members at Kids At Heart Publishing LLC.

The Author wishes to express his most heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all Writer’s Digest judges. 

Here’s wishing you all a wonderful New Year! May it birth and bestow bountiful blossoms of beauty in the Gardens of your Imagination, and offer you and all those you love naught but the most amazing of abundance!