Quarter Finalist

Assessment:

Idea: Many books on writing and self-publishing are published every year, and although this one covers some familiar ground, it also stands out for several reasons. The writer's warmth and passion for the topic and the readers come across from the first page. The idea of servant authorship is a strong hook for the book, one that sets it apart from other writing books. With that said, the author does not offer substantial insider knowledge that readers might not readily locate themselves, and some content—concerning hybrid publishers, for example—is not fully up to date.

Prose/Style: The four categories make sense and let the reader know how to navigate the book.
The prose is serviceable, friendly, and prescriptive. The author might reconsider the frequent use of italics for emphasis.

Originality: Even though the author follows the rules of prescriptive nonfiction, there's frequently a voice and a person behind the rules. This is the author's greatest strength, something that might be incorporated even more. The Inner Gatekeeper is an example of the author's originality. Readers will remember this term and others. The “Put it into Practice” sections are helpful, succinct, and well written.

Character Development/Execution: The reader comes away not just with a message, not just with a plan, but with a mentor, someone they may no doubt want to follow on social media.
By its very nature, this book is prescriptive. At times when the author opens up with personal stories, such as sharing the pain of receiving a bad review, making that experience relatable, comical, and painfully human, the book moves beyond prescriptive nonfiction, and the reader receives not only information but connection.

Date Submitted: January 22, 2021