Ballad of Calypso

                       Did not win the 10 Grand...

                         but the Judges liked the book!

 

              WRITER’S DIGEST

                 10th Annual Self-Published

                            E-Book Awards

 

Congratulates

Dennis McGuire

on being awarded

Honorable Mention

with

Ballad of Calypso

in the Narrative Nonfiction category

 

 Amy Jones

Editor-in-Chief

2022

 

                      Writer's Digest Competitions

shared feedback with you.

01/30/2023

 

Structure, Organization, Pacing: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book.

         This book is exemplary in its structure, organization, and pacing. The structure of the chapters/parts aid in a compelling organization of the story or information. The pacing is even throughout and matches the tone/genre of the book.

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Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book.

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         This book has spelling, punctuation, and grammar corresponding with the region of the world from which the author hails (ex. British English or American English) or with where the book is set (including slang, vernacular, or dialect). These choices are intentional and implemented consistently throughout with few, if any, errors.

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Production Quality and Cover Design: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book.

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          This book is satisfactory in production quality and cover design. The digital file is mostly of professional quality, though there may be a few small errors in chapter/URL linking. The cover could benefit from improvements to the overall design quality, and/or in relation to the genre/content of the book.

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Plot, Story, or Topic Appeal: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book.

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        This book is exemplary in its choice of topic or theme of the story. It is unique but still has strong appeal for most readers in its intended genre. If the book is fiction or narrative nonfiction, the book is well plotted. If the book is poetry or prescriptive nonfiction, there is a cohesive theme or delivery of information.

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Character Appeal and Development: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book.

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        This book is exemplary in character appeal (or interest) and development. All main characters (including antagonists) are unique and fully fleshed out with compelling, layered motivations and traits. Secondary characters are unique and have a meaningful purpose.

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Voice and Writing Style: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book.

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        This book is exemplary in its voice and writing style. It has a unique voice, and the writing style is consistent throughout. The style and tone are also consistent with or will appeal to readers of the intended genre.

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In a few explanatory sentences, please share with the entrant 1-3 things that you enjoyed or that readers will find compelling about this book and why.

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          This book is like a combination of poetry and prose, one cooperating with the other. It takes great talent to accomplish this. Well written, a theme of adventure and great challenges comes forth. The artwork adds to the appeal of this story.

In a few explanatory sentences, please share with the entrant 1-3 of the most important aspects that need to be improved for this book to be more appealing/useful to readers and why.

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          While the artwork adds such appeal, it could be more appreciated if all the art were more viewable. For the art, which is smaller, these could possibly be enlarged. Some of the larger pieces work well and some are still difficult, especially if they have small word type. The photos would need to be enlarged to be viewable.

 

Judge, 30th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards   (Print)

11/21/2022

 

Structure, Organization, Pacing: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book:

​

          This book is exemplary in its structure, organization, and pacing. The structure of the chapters/parts aid in a compelling organization of the story or information. The pacing is even throughout and matches the tone/genre of the book.

 

Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book:

​

           This book has spelling, punctuation, and grammar corresponding with the region of the world from which the author hails (ex. British English or American English) or with where the book is set (including slang, vernacular, or dialect). These choices are intentional and implemented consistently throughout with few, if any, errors.

 

Production Quality and Cover Design: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book:

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           This book is exemplary in production quality and cover design. The physical materials, printing, and binding are of professional quality and traditional industry standards. The typesetting and page layout (including illustrations, images, or figures) are easy to follow, thoughtfully designed, and error free. The cover appears to be professionally designed and is compellingly related to the content/genre of the book.

 

Plot, Story, or Topic Appeal: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book:

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          This book is exemplary in its choice of topic or theme of the story. It is unique but still has strong appeal for most readers in its intended genre. If the book is fiction or narrative nonfiction, the book is well plotted. If the book is poetry or prescriptive nonfiction, there is a cohesive theme or delivery of information.

 

Voice and Writing Style: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book:

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          This book is exemplary in its voice and writing style. It has a unique voice, and the writing style is consistent throughout. The style and tone are also consistent with or will appeal to readers of the intended genre.

 

In a few explanatory sentences, please share with the entrant 1-3 things that you enjoyed or that readers will find compelling about this book and why:

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          This book surprised me. I love the way it is paced and think it is really cool and smart to organize the writing by location. The formatting is excellent and I thought it was near professional level - especially to have each geographic section marked on the top of the pages, that was very helpful. I liked the pictures that were shared in each section as well and found them to enhance rather than detract from the adventures had in each place. Since I haven't been to many of these places it was wonderful to see visuals that made the descriptive narrative come to life even more. Fans of traveling, of personal memoir, of lessons learned through being outside and going on adventures will all love this book. It does a great job mixing personal reflections with travel and nature based inspirations and was, for me, a very calming, interesting, thought provoking read that felt cathartic and relatable. It also made me want to plan a trip, and bring this book with me, I think people will really enjoy it.

 

In a few explanatory sentences, please share with the entrant 1-3 of the most important aspects that need to be improved for this book to be more appealing/useful to readers and why:

 

          I loved this but think the cover design, though charming, is the wrong fit for the book. It gives much more of a middle grade tone. Readers who will like this will be more likely to pick this up if there was some type of photograph from the traveling and sailing that is discussed inside the book. Additionally, the photograph as a cover design will help to indicate that the book is a memoir of non-fiction whereas the illustration, though cute, does not demonstrate a real life narrative. Having the tone and expectations of the cover match the content of the book is going to help more readers love this read.

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