Are book awards worthwhile? My only experience with book awards has been with CANADA BOOK AWARDS.
CANADA BOOK AWARDS seems to award books easily. I have submitted books on behalf of two authors and one was accepted within a few days, the submission for the other has been acknowledged and I wait for further word.
My conclusion is twofold: 1. I think the award may be good for the ego. The writer is getting recognition for their work. There is no money gifted but the public recognition and permission to use the CANADA BOOK AWARDS recognition on your book cover may feel good. 2. Does it have impact on sales? I don’t know as I have no data for this. I would guess that if a potential reader sees your cover with the award symbol, it may have some persuasive impact on the sale. Does it really? I don’t know.
As per the linked article below, many book contests require a submission/entrance fee and only the winner receives anything in return. The site’s publishers likely do the publishing so their site gets exposure via the promos of your book.
There is a more detailed article on book contests and awards at the following link:
Margaret Atwood wrote The Handmaid’s Tale in 1985. RICHARD RECEIVES REPLY FROM BARB KAY to his comments about The Handmaid’s Tale which won the 1985 
Congratulations to WAG author, Cheryl Bristow, on receipt of the Canada Books Award.
Rozty’s cranky days seem to be on the wane….thank goodness. Now he’s cheering, for Canadians in the Olympics, for the Blue Jays in hated Hog Town….
ACCESS COPYRIGHT Case
The Henna Artist is your ticket to ride a literary train through India and experience the richness of its culture, its past glory and its wonders as part of modern society. All these things from just one book. So come ride The Henna Artista train.
So you want to submit your work to a writing contest…
It is becoming increasingly difficult to remain optimistic and hopeful in a world that seems to be head to self-destruction at a jet propulsion pace.
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When choosing your publishing journey, it’s important to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks to make the right decision for you and your work. Author Rick Lauber lays out 17 pros and cons of traditional publishing vs. self-publishing.
If you were born befoe June 30/47, t
Aspirin is often promoted as the medical panacea for many ailments and as a preventive measure against heart desease, strokes, Alzheimer’s and dementia. McMaster University research debunks the myths and comments on the truth.
Now here’s a politician with courage and concern for all his citizens…
The Archdiocese of Toronto has published a public message regarding the Indigenous horrors. In short, it is a message that is incredibly be difficult to accept. Some may agree it smacks of gross hypocrisy. 
Your BRAIN is undergoing changes silently and continuously without you even noticing the process. 
Consider doing VIRTUAL guest appearances such as WAG presentations, library appearances, guest speakers to community groups.
Better emails
I have not read this publication but at first glance, it looks like it may offer an informative advisory about the publication of one’s book.
Errr…he’s becoming a very disguntled old curmudgeon, more so each day that goes by.
Develop a database of promotion – marketing contacts.
Get the person’s name: whenever you deal with someone who is potentially assisting you with book promotion, sales, marketing, get their name, phone number, email address
Skip Tim Horton’s but patronize your small local coffee shop. Get to know the owner as a struggling writer. Ask if the owner would host a book promo event. They hand out coupons with coffee discounts with your book information on the coupon. You may have to pay for the printing of the coupons. Negotiate with them. 
Become friends with your local library. Get to know the librarians. Bring them a box of cookies, a tray of cupcakes congratulating them on surviving the pandemic.
Hitler’s Stolen Children
Mary Simon, first Indigenous person to hold the office, announced as Canada’s 30th Governor General.
Water is far more important to your well being than thought at first glance. It is very important to maintain high hydration by drinking water regularly throughout the day, every 2 -3 hours is ideal.
This edition of my monthly newsletter is heavy! It was very difficult to write as its publication date coincided with CANADA DAY. Normally, that is a day of celebration, fireworks and festivity but in light of the horrendous news regarding the residential schools, celebrating just didn’t seem right.
Mike McFarland is an award-winning television producer who in retirement writes about better ageing.
AWARD WINNING WRITERS
How long will you live? 
There are days when one should not get out of bed…Rotzy’s having one of those days…it’s a mix of good and bad.
Carl Hiassen was a journalist/reporter working for a Miami newspaper for many years. He couldn’t relieve the itch to write a book. Lucky for us he wrote one, and then another, and another and another. Each book has written has been a hoot, if you will pardon me.
You may think you writing is good. But it might not be. Why not put it to some peers who are willing to give it an objective consideration and analysis to confirm or refute what you believe.
Many of us are older than 65…if you are consider these rules to live by for the remaining years.
Do your research before you write. Confirm that your information is accurate: geographic information, technological data, historical dates, spelling of names, correct use of foreign phrases.
Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, the sleuthing duo created by David Baldacci, star in this novel and lead readers through pages of suspense. 
My name is SZPIN. Pronounce it as SPIN but remember, I’m Polish. So we insert a Z somewhere but logically as related to the language. My family was too poor to afford a “ski,” so it was never 
Recently NDP Member of Parliament, 
One in six Canadian adults has arthritis. Although most are 75 or older, many are much younger.
The HOUSE OF HIDDEN MEANINGS,
A number of writers are associated with our website have written their comments about CANADA DAY:
Congratulations to childrens’ books author PETA-GAYE NASH for receiving the Canada Book Award for her children’s book, 
Systemic racism exists in Canada and each of us is responsible for its obliteration. There is no room for racism in Canada in any form, religious, cultural, gender or appearance. Councillor Shaheen Butt is a Muslim who has lived in Canada for many years. Imagine an immigrant of a visible minority community rising to the level of becoming a municipal councillor. Recently, Councillor Butt proposed a motion at the city council seeking to eradicate the systemic racism that exists in Canada and in Pickering as part of that larger community. The motion passed unanimously. A similar motion was attempted federally. It failed.
Rosie DiManno, Toronto Star columnist, wrote an excellent piece about the celebration.
There was a man who worked for the Post Office whose job was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses.
WAG has our own resident “Self-publishing” guru who did a presentation on the topic. Here is a link to some more information regarding self-publishing:
I KNOW A SECRET,
Confused and baffled by the news reports that constantly change the COVID story. Me too, the more I hear, the more hesitant and reluctant I become. The COVID vaccines were not developed overnight. So they aren’t just some ‘stab in the dark.’ The road to finding the vaccines was an arduous and bumpy one. We have vaccines now that work, that are healthy inoculations, and that are safe.
….features Libby Znaimer, the station owner’s sister, hosting her fone-in show right after the noon news daily with one or two topics on the agenda. When she keeps C.A.R.P. out of it, it can be a pretty decent/interesting listen. COVID of course is a main topic since forever and the Indian Residential Schools situation, now a Canada-wide issue, is getting a lot of calls. Anyway, Fridays are called “Free-For-All-Fridays” and callers can (and often do) go on and on and on, and then on some more (*see below) about anything.
Five Little Indians,
June 1st was National Health and Fitness Day. The other 364 days of the year should be dedicated to the same topic. Every day should be Health and Fitness Day. Exercise and being active are very important during these pandemic days. Get outside, gets active, find the motivation to get you going. You benefit tremendously by remaining active. So find something you enjoy doing outside that gets you moving and reap the rewards.
Are you having problems with your sleep? Good sleep is incredibly important. If you are having sleep problems, consider and try a few of the tips offered below and see if they help you sleep better. You may have to try various ones as the effects or results of the tips vary with individuals.
How long will you live? Barring unforeseen incidents such as accidents, natural disasters and such, there is no way to guarantee a long life. Common sense adherence to good diet practices, regular moderate exercise and sensible precautions, one will live a long time. 72 years is the average old-age life in the industrially advanced countries of the globe, with Norwegians living the longest.
Summer is here and many of us are spending more time outdoors enjoying the nicer weather. While basking in the sun’s golden rays can feel great, it is important to be diligent about sun safety. Most skin cancers are a result of exposure to the ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) in sunlight. In the past 25 years, there has been a significant increase in melanoma diagnoses. The good news is you can minimize your chances of developing skin cancer by taking precautions.
Hunger is your body’s natural cue that it needs more food. When you’re hungry, your stomach may “growl” and feel empty, or you may get a headache, feel irritable, or be unable to concentrate.
Will physical activity reduce or increase your arthritis pain? Get tips on exercise and other common concerns when coping with arthritis symptoms and arthritis pain.
Canadian authors have the touch when it comes to writing books for kids. Kathleen Gauer has received a Canada Books Award for her book, The Wish Carvers. It is positively gratifying to see writers being recognized for their creativity, energy and work to produce works that will engage others.
Canada Book Award WINNER
Maybe you don’t have a dog to walk after dinner. Pretend. We’re lucky. We’ve got Fermo and he’ll go for a walk anytime, with a lot of enthusiasm.
Politics seems to change principled people into unethical, unprincipled politicians of questionable integrity. Here’s a list of these kind of politicians [ 
If you’re a writer, you should use this tool.” It would highlight all the errors in the previous sentence allowing you to change what you wish.
ICE COLD
Christine Stiles is a registered masseuse working at the Abbey Lane Massage Clinic in Scarborough, bordering Pickering. A young professional therapist who defies her appearance. She looks gentle and mild but has hands of steel, muscled in a way that an Olympic wrestler would envy. A session with Stiles leaves one thinking the massage has bruised and broken one’s back. The next day, nearly the same feeling but as that second day progresses, the real effects of the massage begin to take hold. Relief, incredible easing from the pain, nearly 100%. Tylenol on steroids.
No knead crusty bread….easy to make, needs 12-18 hrs of yeast development time….just sits quietly in your dining room, over night. Next day, into the oven and within an hour delicious, crusty bread…really crusty, really delicious.
He’s gone: Tony Burman, journalist, reporter, editor, commentator…one of the very best in today’s media world.
