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GRANT LEISHMAN

it's time - it's time: for the supreme grunter awards for 2016

21/12/2016

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Well, it's been a load of work to get to this point, so you might be asking yourself; why bother? What's the point of The Grunter Awards?
When I started the awards last year, it was a bit of a "tongue in cheek" dig at the plethora of Awards being handed out and the incessant "humble" fawning of the recipients, but I'm pleased to say that cynical view didn't last too long.
What I quickly realised was that these Awards aren't actually about selecting the best book in a category, or indeed the best book of the year. The whole idea that you can compare and evaluate different books across genres and somehow come up with a winner is to my mind NONSENSICAL!
NO! The Grunter Awards are not about feteing individual authors and their works. What they are actually about is a CELEBRATION OF THE DIVERSITY AND IMMENSE TALENT THAT ARE INDIE AUTHORS.
That's why I did them again this year and that's why I'll keep doing them in the future. I am passionate about the depth of talent that resides in the Indie Author Community and I want the rest of the world to see, understand and believe that Indie authors are the equal and in many cases the better of anything in the legacy published world.   
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For almost as long as the written word has been around, what we, as readers, were permitted to read has been dictated to us by a bunch of people who believe they know what is best for us - PUBLISHERS! What the digital revolution and the rise of self-publishing has achieved, is for us, the consumers, to finally be able to say - NO MORE! Now, we have an amazing choice of what we can choose to read. We are no longer constrained by publishers more interested in the "hot genre of the moment", than in delivering us, the consumer, variety.
Having read legacy published authors almost all my life, the past two years of reading exclusively Indie has taught me one thing - The variety, the freshness, the unique voice that Indie Authors bring to their creations is what makes their works so exciting and so different from the traditionally published material.
What these awards are meant to do is to celebrate ALL indie authors. I would much rather read a Petken, a Fry, a Midwood, or a Fischer, than a Ludlum, a Clancy, a Cussler, or even a Follett. You never know what to expect in an Indie Book and that's what makes them so damn exciting. If they want to break the "rules", they break the rules. If they want to flout tradition and poke the borax, they do it.   
LONG LIVE INDIE AUTHORS! WE RULE! 
Right, well that's my little rant and rave for today out the way. Now, didn't we have a Supreme Grunter to hand out? Let's review the contenders first, from each category: 

1/ Anthologies/Collections: Oddscapes and Quirkitudes by May J Panayi 
2/ Children's Books: Princess Matilda's Miracle by Suzie Jay
3/ Dystopian/Science Fiction: Cosega Search by Brandt Legg
4/ Erotica: Big Flipping Deal by Ian Saul Whitcomb 
5/ Fantasy: The Serpent of the Shangrove by C. N. Lesley
6/ Historical Fiction - The Seven Year Dress by Paulette Mahurin
7/ Humour: John Sharpe No. 1,348 by Riley J Froude
8/ Mystery/Mayhem: The Brodsky Affair by Ken Fry 
9/ NonFiction/Memoirs: Squirting Milk at Chameleons by Simon Fenton
10/ Romance/Adventure: The Seasons of Our Love by Angela Gascoigne
11/ Young Adult: Rhuna: Keeper of Wisdom by Barbara Underwood  
 
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As I stated at the outset, it is absolutely impossible (for me anyway) to objectively choose a "best" book of 2016, so really, please don't put too much store in my choice. It is my opinion only.
I was totally torn between three very different books that I absolutely adored this year and, to be honest, I couldn't decide. The three books were; Cosega Search, The Seven Year Dress and The Brodsky Affair.
I ummed and aaahed and changed my mind numerous times, but in the end, I had to ask myself which book made the biggest emotional impact on me personally. There wasn't a competition there. One book stood head and shoulders above the others when it came to hitting me right where it hurt and in the end the Supreme Grunter for 2016 will go to that book.
Every one of these books I've mentioned this year was superb and as a reader, I have been truly blessed by the quality and depth of talent I have been exposed to this past year. I am sure that will continue into 2017.     
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The Supreme Grunter Award for Indie Authors of Excellence for 2016 goes to: 
THE SEVEN YEAR DRESS
BY PAULETTE MAHURIN
Congratulations Paulette 

To everyone, whose books I have been blessed to read this year - THANK YOU!
​You have not only made me a better author, by showing me the way, you have filled my world with colour, vibrancy, and excitement that only a great read can do. 
I am proud to call myself one of you - AN INDIE AUTHOR! 
MARAMING, MARAMING SALAMAT PO! 
Till next time, have a wonderful, peace-filled day! 
CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY!

EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES LIFE PRESENTS TO YOU AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!

HAVE A GREAT LIFE AND SPREAD THE LOVE!

CHANGING THE WORLD – ONE READER AT A TIME
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celebrating indie author excellence with the grunter awards - (young adult) 

21/12/2016

2 Comments

 
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Well, we've reached the final category in the 2016 Grunter Awards to recognise Indie Authors of Excellence and it's been a long haul, but an exciting and a varied one. We finish off today with one of the hottest genres and demographics in the market today - The Young Adults. There are some truly wonderful indie books out there catering to the Young Adult market and I've been fortunate enough to read quite a few of them this year. The thing about Young Adult books is they can come from any variety of other genres, so it allows us to consider books that may have just missed a nomination in another genre. So, on with the nominees.    

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the 2016 awards for indie author excellence (romance/adventure) 

21/12/2016

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Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. Without even trying I have become an enormous fan of romance/adventure books. I'm not talking Mills and Boon here, mind you, but I am talking about the exciting, sweet and loving romances by some fantastic Indie Authors. I have read some absolute humdinger romances this year and choosing just three to present to you in this year's awards has been a trial. It's a dirty job - but someone's gotta do it, so here we go. The nominees in the ROMANCE/ADVENTURE category for this year's Indie Author Awards for Excellence are:   

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celebrating the indie author awards for excellence 2016 - (nonfiction/memoirs)

20/12/2016

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I often feel that nonfiction works and memoirs don't get as much attention in the Indie Author world as Fiction does. In reality, nonfiction often sells a lot better than fiction and there are some outstanding memoirs out there, well worth reading. Hopefully, I will bring you three such wonderful books today in my nominations for the NONFICTION/MEMOIR Category of these awards.

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indie authors of excellence awards 2016 - mystery/mayhem category

20/12/2016

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This category of MYSTERY MAYHEM is indeed a "coat of many colours". In this category, you will find thrillers, mysteries, psychological dramas, war and plenty of blood and gore.
As with so many of these categories, choosing just three nominees was an absolute trial, however, in true "eeny, meeny, minny, mo, fashion (just kidding) I have narrowed the field down to the following possible contenders.  

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humour - indie authors of excellence awards 2016 

20/12/2016

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After experiencing the horrors and vicissitudes of war in the last category of Historical Fiction, it is definitely time to lighten the mood today, with the awards in the HUMOUR category. 
Writing, witty and funny books is not an easy task (Trust me, I've tried), but when it is done well, it is a sheer pleasure to read. When I chuckle or better still, belly laugh, whilst reading a book, you know the author has touched a nerve and succeeded. All three of the nominees, in this category, have managed to do just that, in this past year. Three very different, but very funny books make up the nominations in the HUMOUR category. 

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historical fiction - 2016 grunter awards for indie author excellence 

19/12/2016

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Well, I did a few quick calculations and realised that at one post a day, I would not get these Awards completed by the time I leave for my much needed and well-earned, Christmas break in Mindoro. Hey, I said I was an accountant, in a previous life - but I never said I was a very good one!
Anyway, to compensate we will be speeding up the frequency of our awards to at least two posts a day, for the next few days.  
Oh My God! Historical Fiction. This is the category I have been dreading doing for one simple reason - there are so many wonderful contenders for the best Historical Fiction book I've read this 2016. I just don't know where to start or how to choose just three? So, I've bent the rules a little for this category and we have four nominees (Hey, they're my awards, so I can cheat if I want to - right?) 
I'm so excited to bring you these four nominees today, so let's get right to it. 

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the 2016 2nd annual grunter awards for indie author excellence - day 5 (fantasy) 

19/12/2016

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Today, we move onto the Fantasy Genre, which I love, partly because there is so much scope to what can fit into this genre. From werewolves to vampires, to ghosts, to hobgoblins, to Greek Gods... in fact, whatever the fevered mind of an author can create, can usually be slotted into the Fantasy Genre. I've read some wonderful fantasy tales this past year, so let's get on to the nominees:  

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Day 4: 2nd annual grunter awards for indie author excellence (erotica) 

18/12/2016

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Psssssst.............wanna read a dirty book? That's probably how it was just a few years ago when discussing erotica, but slowly, with commercial success, erotica is becoming accepted as part of the mainstream literary world and for this reason, I am happy to include an erotica section in this year's awards.
I have read some wonderful erotica this year and what I have realised is that writing GOOD erotica is just the same as writing in any other genre. You gotta have the good story to start with. SEX on its own will not sell your erotica!
So, on with today's awards:  

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Another indie author of excellence - K. M. Ross 

18/12/2016

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Today, I'm very fortunate to host on my blog a terrific and talented author Kim Ross who would like to tell us a little about her own personal writing journey. 
​As Indie Authors, we're all on a different point in our journeys, but what we see is we all experience many of the same joys, triumphs, disappointments and frustrations as each other. We are a community of like-minded people all trying to express ourselves, in the best way we know how - through the written word.
​So, without further ado, I'll just hand it over to Kim. 

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the 2nd annual grunter awards for indie author excellence - day 3 (Dystopian/Sci-Fi)

17/12/2016

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It was my plan originally to have a separate section for Dystopian and for Science Fiction, but after examining the titles I read last year in each category, I began to realise there was a regular crossover between the two categories, so I have decided to combine them this year. 
Up until a year or so ago, I admit I didn't even know what Dystopian was, but I'm pleased to say I've been well educated since and it gives me great pleasure to announce the nominees for a Grunter Award for 2016 in the category Dystopian/Science Fiction:  

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celebrating excellence in indie authors - daccari buchelli 

17/12/2016

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Today we continue with our exciting discovery of new and fantastic Indie Authors who bring us fantasy/paranormal books - with Excellence.
Today, I want to introduce you to DACCARI BUCHELLI! and more specifically his novel, PHOENIX (The Peradon Fantasy Series Book 1)  
SO, WHO IS DACCARI BUCHELLI? 
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Born in 1993, British Fantasy Novelist Daccari Buchelli quickly developed a love of reading. He found himself drawn to Fantasy genre, with its magical worlds and mythical beings.
Having Aspergers Syndrome made it difficult for him to identify with his peers at school, thus Daccari often felt lonely until he picked up a book. Fantasy Novels brought him into a sublime world of colour and creation, where he remains caught up to this day. 
When away from his trusty ball point pen, Daccari enjoys sketching, as well as horror films, and curling up with a good book and a rich coffee.


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release blitz - shadow stalker part 3 by renee scattergood

16/12/2016

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Today, I'm thrilled to bring you the latest update and release in Renee Scattergood's SHADOW STALKER SERIES: Episodes 13 though 18 
ABOUT SHADOW STALKER PART 3 - EPISODES 13-18 

Things go from bad to worse when the Galvadi Empire develops a new technology to use against the shadow stalkers. Now Kado and Makari are more determined than ever to keep Auren away from their enemies, but Auren decides enough is enough and takes matters into her own hands. She turns herself over to the Galvadi to get close to Drevin and Makari has no choice but to play along. He is forced to either torture Auren to prove his loyalty or die knowing she will be tortured and enslaved anyway. Somehow, they must get close enough to Drevin to bring him down and put an end to the Galvadi’s tyranny once and for all.
Buy Shadow Stalker: Episodes 13-18

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the second annual grunter awards - day 2 (children's books) 

16/12/2016

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Today, my focus for the Grunter Awards is on Children's Books. Now, at fifty-seven, I don't tend to read a lot of Children's Books. One of the beauties, however, of being an Editorial Reviewer is I do get asked from time to time, to review a Children's Book. I have read some absolute crackers this year and I would highly recommend any of these nominated books for your children, your grandchildren or even you, if like me, you're secretly a child at heart.  

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celebrating indie author excellence - nyasia A  maire

16/12/2016

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Today we continue our Holiday Celebration of Indie Authors of Excellence. Today, I'd like to introduce you to Fantasy/Paranormal Author NYASIA A MAIRE and her debut novel, THE HERETIC'S CHILD
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SO, WHO IS NYASIA A MAIRE? 
Nyasia A. Maire began writing at an early age and has never stopped. Reading is one of her greatest passions, an extension of her love of words. Her favorite genres are science fiction, horror and fantasy (books or movies.) And, as strange as it may seem to some, a love of all things computer.
But wait, there's more! (Isn't there always?) The great outdoors is the flip-side to her other rather sedentary pursuits. Hiking, camping and daily exercise are things that are guaranteed to make her smile.
Nyasia is also a semi-retired photojournalist. She still dabbles in photography and always will. Her first camera was given to her when she was eight-years-old. She loves photography and combines it with her final passion: music.
Running through her life is music: the soundtrack of life. From classical to death metal, pop to rap, and, of course, good ol' rock 'n roll . . . music is life and life is music. And sometimes, you don't have to hear well with your ears to appreciate music with your heart.
Nyasia lives in Studio City, California with her daughter, two cats, a boa constrictor and all of the characters she imagines into being.


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the second annual grunter awards for indie book excellence

15/12/2016

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WOO HOO! Yes, it IS that time of year again - my absolute favourite time! 
Christmas? Yeah, well that too, but no it is the time of year when I pass out my awards for INDIE AUTHOR EXCELLENCE! Also, colloquially known as "THE GRUNTERS". Now, getting A Grunter, may not YET hold the same honour as A Booker Prize or A Nobel Laureate, but hey, give it time. 
What I love most about The Grunters is there's no messy voting, accusations of mass voter fraud, or indeed claims of Electoral College infidelity. what The Grunters are, pure and simply, are MY PERSONAL OPINION! 
As always, the genres in which I've placed the books are my decision and my decision alone and the choices I make are mine alone also. These awards are one person's opinion, the decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
​So, how does one get the chance to win a Grunter? It's totally simple - if I read one of your books this year, then you are in to win a Grunter. This year I have read 142 Books and every one of them is up for these Awards.   
Over the next few days, I will be bringing you the nominees and the Category winners, leading up to that most important award of all: "THE SUPREME GRUNTER 2016!" A truly coveted crown.  



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celebrating indie author excellence - chris walters

14/12/2016

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For today's dose of INDIE AUTHOR EXCELLENCE, we delve into the work and the mind of CHRIS WALTERS, wonderful fantasy author of the Saga of Mystics Series, as well as other fantasy books. 
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So, who is Chris Walters? 

Chris, describes himself as a nerd of the first order. He got his start begining in the genre, by reading comic books in the 1970's. His first embrace of literature was from the same source.
In the 1970's, having received a copy of the comic book of "The Island of Doctor Moreau", he was transfixed by its tales of adventure and the combination of science and fantasy. This lead him to read the novels by H.G. Wells, followed by many other classics. Additionally, Chris discovered epic fantasy, beginning with The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and moving through all of Tolkien, through to modern authors like Piers Anthony, Katherine Kurtz, J.K. Rowling and George R.R. Martin. He became enthralled with telling stories of real people in a fantastic context. 
Chris published his first novel, "Age of Mystics: the Saga of Mystics Book One" in March of 2016. An avid reader, as well as a writer, he began writing for the Stage in 1986 with the One-Act play, "The Answer." He continued to write for many years for the stage and, eventually, the screen. He never saw commercial success in these ventures, but is still proud of the work he put forth and the entertainment he provided. 
Chris lives in Colorado Springs with his wife since 1992. He has two children, Zachary and Maggie.


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celebrating indie author excellence - caitlin lynagh - anomaly (the soul prophecies)

14/12/2016

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Carrying on the theme of INDIE EXCELLENCE, today, I'm immensely excited to highlight the debut young/adult, fantasy/paranormal novel of a young, Welsh Author called CAITLIN LYNAGH! Her debut novel Anomaly: The Soul Prophecies was published in January of 2016: 

Who is Caitlin Lynagh: 


CAITLIN LYNAGH was born in Cardiff and graduated from Keele University with a BSc in Biology and Geology in 2013. Since graduating, Caitlin has been writing and recently won a Young Writer’s Grant. In her spare time, she runs a book review blog (The Book Igloo), enjoys travelling and has recently spent six weeks in the Amazon rainforest.
Caitlin has recently started her own Facebook group (/anomalyscience) which is already attracting interest. She hopes this will become a discussion platform for the science in her book.
Caitlin currently lives in Lytham and was educated at Arnold School in Blackpool. 
 
Caitlin draws on her science knowledge for Anomaly to create an emotional story which queries where the possibility of an afterlife lies in science, rather than faith.


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celebrating indie author excellence - alex e. carey author

13/12/2016

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Over the next few days, I'm going to introduce you to a number of fantastic Indie Authors who write in the Fantasy/Paranormal Genre. These are all indie authors of excellence and deserve to be read and appreciated. 
The first cab off the rank is ALEX E. CAREY and her superb ELEMENTAL SERIES! 
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So, who is Alex E Carey? 

Alex E. Carey was born in Texas and majored in English at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  Kira’s story came to her during her first semester of college.  Alex scribbled stories in between classes and ideas continued to flow for more stories and characters.  She soon realized she was meant to be a writer.  She is now the author of three published novels in the Elemental Series.  She is currently working on the fourth book in the series, as well as other short stories and novels in progress.
Alex enjoys a variety of books and genres, but her favorites are paranormal and fantasy.  She reads a variety of authors and has many favorites including Emily Dickinson, Kim Harrison, Percy Jackson, Edgar Allan Poe, J. K. Rowling, and William Shakespeare.
​When not at work on her latest book, she enjoys reading, walking trails, and spending time with her family and their three dogs.




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mcgrath house indie book awards 2016

13/12/2016

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Now, it's not terribly often I win anything, so when I do, I reckon I need to shout it from the rooftops - or at least from my blog, so here I am, on top of the tallest building in Manila, shouting: 

THE PHOTOGRAPH WON THE SUPREME AWARD IN THE McGRATH HOUSE INDIE BOOK AWARDS OF 2016!!!!! 

How cool is that? I am over the moon! 


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