This week, the International Thriller Writers announced the finalists for the 2017 awards. My novel, Destroyer of Worlds is a finalist for the Best Ebook Original category and I am over the moon!
So why does this mean so much to me?
(1) Validation
One of the amazing things about being an indie author is the fact that there are no barriers to publication. Anyone can write a book and put it out there. But that doesn't mean that people will buy it or read it.
So, an indie author's validation often comes from book sales and customer reviews, as well as the internal validation of the creative process. That's certainly what it's been for me and I have several thousand good reviews from readers, I make a six figure income with my books, and I continue to write in the genre I love.
But to be honest, I still crave validation that I can actually write a story.
I want someone to say, “You're good enough. You deserve to be here.” I want to be accepted by the industry and judged by my peers. ITW is primarily an organisation of traditionally published authors with some of the biggest thriller names as members and judges. That's why I care so much about this.
I started writing my first novel in 2009, and Destroyer of Worlds was my 12th. I'd just finished taking the Depth in Writing course from Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and I was confident that the story hung together well.
The idea had also percolated for years. I first visited India in 2006 and saw a statue of Shiva Nataraja, the Hindu destroyer of worlds, in a museum in Delhi. That trip also sparked the opening scene of Stone of Fire on the burning ghats of Varanasi.
We went back to India in 2013 and cycled through the south of the country, and many of my experiences on those trips come through into the book. I'm one of those people who love India and it shows in my writing!
So Destroyer of Worlds means a lot to me as a story, and it's also quite original, in that there aren't many bestselling thriller novels in the US that are set almost entirely in India.
(2) Recognition for my writing, not just my ‘marketing and business' skills
So many people have told me that I'm a successful writer because I am good at marketing and business.
Yes, I do work at those things, but I work just as hard at my craft.
I continue to take classes on writing fiction, both online and in person. I read books on writing, and with every novel I write, I try to get a little better. I read several books a week and I am always looking for things I can learn.
As J.F.Penn, I want to be known for my stories, not for how I publish or how people find me. Yes, I love being a non-fiction author and I love helping authors through this site, but in my deepest self, I want to be known as a storyteller.
Becoming a finalist in the ITW awards has made me so happy because it means I've improved. The writing craft is a lifelong journey, and I am one step closer to being a better writer.
(3) Career opportunity
Winning an award like this can help with book marketing, or getting the book noticed by foreign rights agents or even film/TV. I'll be meeting with some agents at ThrillerFest and as Destroyer of Worlds is set in India, I'm particularly interested in what might happen within the Indian market.
(4) Ego
Authors balance massive ego with chronic self-doubt. We have to be egocentric enough to think that someone else might want to read our words, but we often suffer from thinking that our books are terrible.
So let's be clear, I want that trophy on my shelf!
Here's a picture of me with CJ Lyons, when she won the award in 2015. I'm clearly practising for the day I will hold it 🙂
What happens next?
I head off to Thrillerfest in New York City in July and collect the prize!
Of course, I might not win, but just being on the finalist's table will be incredible. Watch my twitter account @thecreativepenn on Sat 15 July, 2017 to see if I take home the trophy.
What are your thoughts around validation as an indie author? Do you want to win a writing award/prize? Please join the conversation and leave a comment below.
Check out Destroyer of Worlds
An ancient weapon threatens the heart of India.
From New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, J.F.Penn.
A bomb explodes in the center of London and a fragment of an ancient Hindu sculpture is stolen from the ARKANE Headquarters by a secret organization bent on mass murder. If the sculpture is put together again, it will reveal the key to the Brahmastra, a weapon with the power of a nuclear explosion.
As those they love are threatened, ARKANE agents Morgan Sierra and Jake Timber must search for the pieces of the relic before it can be activated at the Kumbh Mela, the greatest pilgrimage on earth.
In a fast-paced adventure from the slums of Mumbai to the temples of Kolkata, the Taj Mahal in Agra to the killing fields of Rwanda, Morgan and Jake must find the pieces of the sculpture before it’s too late.
Destroyer of Worlds is Book 8 in the ARKANE action adventure thriller series, but can be read as a stand-alone story.
Purchase now in ebook, print, or audio format!
Incredibly happy for you Joanna! I have my fingers tightly crossed for you and I am so pleased your work got noticed. I think most writers do want to be known as storytellers and validation is important, especially in the world we live in today. Getting recognition can open more opportunities and the most wonderful thing about this, is that you have done it on your own terms i.e remaining loyal to writing what you love and consistently putting in the work to get to where you want to be. So this award nomination isn’t a surprise- it was just a matter of time as you consistently put in the work. You are a great storyteller and Destroyer of World is my favourite ARKANE book:). Congratulations again and thanks for sharing so honestly.
Thanks as ever for your support, Sukhi. The importance of practice and time is so under-rated by many, but it’s the truth of many of the best-loved authors. So let’s just keep on writing!
I’m at the beginning of your writing journey. Just finished Stone of Fire (and yes, I’ve posted reviews LOL). So I’m looking forward to catching up and “seeing” that progression of your craft. I’m thrilled for you with this industry nod. Hopefully one day, I will get to meet you, pose with one of many of your awards 🙂 and continue to be inspired by you with my own journey. Best of luck in July
Thanks, Michelle. I have done a light edit on Stone of Fire since it was first published, but my writing and storytelling has definitely improved 🙂 I’ll look forward to meeting you one day alongside my shelf of trophies!
Hi Joanna,
First of all, congratulations on reaching the final and I sincerely hope you win. You deserve it after all the work you have done and the gift of inspiration you have bestowed upon others.
I found your words “So many people have told me that I’m a successful writer because I am good at marketing and business. Yes, I do work at those things, but I work just as hard at my craft”, along with “As J.F.Penn, I want to be known for my stories, not for how I publish or how people find me. Yes, I love being a non-fiction author and I love helping authors through this site, but in my deepest self, I want to be known as a storyteller” particularly authentic, even humble. I felt my heart open to you when I read those words.
I am very new to your teachings, so am gradually getting to know something of you through your posts and webinars. I have noticed a certain spirituality in some of the things you say, in the odd word or phrase here and there. And reading about your love of India seems to confirm that perception.
I’ve only been to India once, for a three week, mostly silent, retreat at an ashram in Tiruvanamali during which I was blessed with a profound awakening sitting in Ramana Maharshi’s Virupaksha cave near the summit of Arunachala. Some part of me never came down from that mountain …
Anyways, I tend to rabbit on too much so will leave it here for now. I just wanted to send a few words of support and encouragement.
Namaste!
Leo
Thanks Leo, and yes, I definitely write with an edge of spirituality. I have a Masters in Theology and although I’m not an adherent to any specific religion, I am very aware that we are not just physical beings. I love to weave aspects of this into my fiction and I hope to write some deeper non-fiction in the coming years. I’m glad you found a part of yourself in India. I long to go back 🙂
Big congrats, Joanna!
It’s so amazing that you were recognized for the hard work you have put into your craft. I love that you are breaking barriers and being recognized as the author that you are. Not just ‘some self published’ person, but an author who is just as valid as a traditionally published author. Congrats and we can’t wait to see you holding your award!
Thanks Yvonne 🙂
Massive congratulations on your prestigious and exciting short-listing, Joanna. I am so happy for you! I shall keep my fingers crossed for you on the night (the awards sound so glam) but the validation definitely comes from being a finalist (not to mention your thousands of happy readers!). Thank you, as always, for your honesty and generosity in sharing your feelings and experiences.
Congratulations!
I can definitely identify with the desire for validation — especially as an indie author. My first novel was shortlisted for a prize a few months back, and even though it didn’t win, it was such a rush to think that actual gatekeepers thought my book was “good enough.”
I saw Ursula K. Le Guin speak a few years ago, and she talked about still wondering if her stories were any good, even after her enormously successful career! She also mentioned she’d recently had an editor take over a year to decide on a short story she submitted — only to reject it.
Knowing that Ursula Le Guin is still being rejected by gatekeepers reminded me that we writers need to find our own validation. 🙂
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!
Congrats Joanna, I’m happy for you. You’re a big inspiration to a lot of us.
Congratulations! I hope you win. 12 novels since ’09? Very prolific. Have you done a post on your writing efficiency? Productive writers, I imagine, write well enough early drafts not to require a lot of re-writing?
Congratulations, Joanna!
You are a wonderful publishing resource – and an inspiration as a writer.
Savor the status as a nominee and enjoy ThrillerFest – soon you’ll have a higher level of accomplishment to enjoy!
Thanks for all you do.
God bless!
Collier Ward
(US Architect and aspiring author)
Congratulations! Hope you win (even if not, you’re shortlisted alongside some real heroes in the genre, so be proud!)
Validation – yes! Writers swing between raging ego and massive self doubt. When my books don’t sell as well as I hope, my first thought is ‘maybe they’re not good enough’. My second, more accurate, thought is ‘I need to learn more about marketing’… but that self doubt always comes first. I’ve been shortlisted for a couple of awards in my genre (romance). I didn’t win, but being shortlisted next to one of my absolute writing heroines cheered me up no end… and shut the self doubt voice up for… ooh… days.
Good luck at the awards.
Being shortlisted is awesome 🙂 Congratulations!
Congratulations, Joanna!
Ego vs. low self-esteem: what a seesaw we ride. I’m good; I’m worthless. In addition to fiction, I like to write essays. “Desperately Seeking Acceptance” in Talking Writing covers this same ground.
Last night I said to my husband, “I could really use an acceptance right now.” This morning I got one! It’s for a story that I started in 1973, one that has been rejected about 30 times. So happy to have finally found a home for this baby!
Never say die!
Awesome 🙂
Very happy for you Joanna, fingers crossed!!
Loved the pics of New Orleans – The Death & Surgical Science Museums & The Voodoo shops , . . . . .
Ugh I am sooo jealous .. muat be at least a 100 novels coming off that trip….
lucky duck!!!
Well done Joanna what an honour and you must be thrilled with such an achievement. I enjoy your regular bulletins and each Friday in my long period between my English classes tune in to one of your excellent author interviews to gain inspiration for my own writing. This has enabled me to get my Alex Swan Mystery series off to a good start with Endeavour Press who snapped up my first two books and offered me a ten year contract to produce three more. It was only through your enthusiasm for indie publishing that I realised that it was possible. I wish you all the very best with the award finals and although you are up there with the best sellers, it is you deserve to win. Good luck
I’m glad you’re finding the podcast useful and all the best with your books.
Yes, most writers I know battle with this – we all need support from a writers group or feedback from fans or from sales that we are doing a good job. To get validation from your peers, that somehow shows you’ve made it, doesn’t it?
Thank you for all the work you do and your passion in helping other writers.
Grace
It’s all a journey, but there’s definitely something very satisfying about having peers give the books a tick 🙂
Hello Joana, Well done and congratulations!!!
Think positively, in faith and you are sure to win.
I am not surprised you’ve been shortlisted because you are a committed and inspiring writer, whose work is incredible because as one reads they are tagged along to experience things beyond the natural. ‘Destroyer of World’ is an incredible out-of-this-world story telling epic. Having met you and sat at your feet learning from you, yes, that story teller in you came out and pushed me forward into doing my best to be an engaging story teller writer in my genre when I publish my book.
God bless you Joana. Be rewarded for the hard work you have done to and for your author-students and mass readers.
Thanks so much, Baeti – and I’m so glad you enjoyed the book!
Thank you for this lovely article – so thoughtful and frank. I saw myself here – egoistic enough to think someone will read my work, yet racked with doubt of my own skills.
It doesn’t help that I have heard a few friends say I sell out my craft when I market my books or that I am a sell out. What do they want me to do? Starve?
Good Luck Joanna! I am rooting for you. Do not listen to those naysayers and negative neliies.
Cheers!
Congrats, Joanna
You are so right – it is really important to have validationand and every writer struggles with feeling theirstories are terrible.Bigcontributor to writr’s block for me!
Ithink it is fantastic that you as an indie author ar a finalist, but I’m a bitconfused as the eligibility seems t only allow for commercially published under their requirements.
‘by an ITW Recognized Publisher or from an ITW Active Member ‘
There are two ITW membership classes, Active membership for commercially published writers, and Associate membership for industry professionals, non-commercially published writers, and others.
It seems indie authors can become Associate menbers but not Active members and therefore not eligible but clearly that’s not the case.Can you ‘unconfuse this for me?
It is pretty confusing if you read it the way it says on their website.
Thanks and CONGRATS again – I’m rooting for you!
Hi Helen,
You can apply to be a Member as an independent author – you just have to provide evidence of sales and a professional level of publishing.
On this page: http://thrillerwriters.org/about-itw/how-to-join/
“There are nuances involved in all of this, which is why ITW’s board of directors is constantly aware of changing industry trends and makes every effort to accommodate writers who are not traditionally published while maintaining high professional standards for Active member status.”
I applied with all my sales data and professional books and was accepted as a member.