Bling makes a writer smile.

It is a scary thing to open your email account after a break away. Watching Outlook load with much trepidation. The counter spins, numbers getting higher and higher, 100…200…300…

I always think to myself, Ahrg, here goes the next day or two processing ALL these emails!

I read: Mega super sale! (delete)…you too can earn a zillion $$$ (report/block/delete) … newsletters (must read later)… donation request (!!!)…. please quote (noted – on list)…please add me to LinkedIn (under 2 minute task – do it now – done) … WAIT WHAT IS THIS?! …Congratulations! Your book, has earned our Seal of Approval… nah…more spam maybe?

After a four day conference in Sydney this certainly made scanning emails more pleasant. My book, Without Me? has earned the CLC seal of approval for Literary classics. Gee wiz – really? I checked and it is legit. My publisher submitted the book it and they reviewed it and approved it for their literacy seal.

The email reads:

Children’s Literary Classics is pleased to announce that the children’s picture book, Without Me, written and illustrated by Kayleen West, has been selected to receive the Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval. The CLC Seal of Approval is a designation reserved for those books which uphold the rigorous criteria set forth by the Children’s Literary Classics review committee, a team comprised of individuals with backgrounds in publishing, editing, writing, illustration and graphic design.

Without Me, is the whimsical tale of a young boy who decides to run away from home. But as he contemplates his departure, he begins to think of his pets and everyone in his family who needs him. One at a time, he counts down the list of people, pets and things he will need to bring along with him on his journey. Delightful illustrations depicting his exodus while joined by an ever-growing entourage are sure to incite a giggle or two as kids read along in this counting journey towards one boy’s discovery of being loved, wanted and needed.

Without Me is a is an excellent book for youngsters and would be a terrific selection for home and school libraries.

Children’s Literary Classics, an organization dedicated to furthering excellence in children’s literature, takes great pride in its role to help promote classic children’s literature which appeals to youth, while educating and encouraging positive values in the impressionable young minds of future generations.   To learn more about Children’s Literary Classics, you may visit their website at www.clcawards.org or www.childrensliteraryclassics.com

To be honest it is quite a thrill to add a little foil medals to your book. We writers are an insecure lot in a way and this little foil embossing somehow make you feel like a “real” writer and appreciated.  It isn’t the  Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards for Book Of The Year nor the international Hans Christian Andersen Award but still a thrill. It is nice to bling your covers and it is encouraging to receive approval from literacy judges in the industry. (The CL review of Without Me can be found here)

Oh boy *squeals* now I have two bling, blings!

Update: Without Me? won silver!