This Place is Magic has received the Grand Prize in the 32nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards! Thank you to the judges and everyone at Writer’s Digest who made this competition possible for indie authors like me.
I initially wrote This Place is Magic without intent to publish. It was my comfort story, something that I wrote to prove to myself that I could still write, that the magic was still there. It’s a love letter to K-pop, which has entertained me and provided the soundtrack to my life since I was a teenager. It’s a book about kind people, and kindness coming back to you. I never queried because TPIM felt honestly difficult to position, in a market where it’s not the kind of story that is trendy right now. I also chose the indie route because it allowed me to stay true to the story I wanted to tell, and it brings me immense joy to have won two competitions with the book of my heart.
This Place is Magic would not exist today if not for the following incredible people and I want to take the opportunity to call them out!!!
EDITOR: Carrie Higa @indigoblu3
COVER ILLUSTRATOR: Erion Makuo @erion.makuo
CHARACTER ILLUSTRATOR: Joeli @joe___lx
STAKEHOLDERS/EARLY READERS: @ayaragus@apugs@chardekalb
If you gave this book a chance, please know that your love for my story encouraged me to try and win some awards. These wins are for Sunshines everywhere 💖
