As noted here a couple of days ago, Greg Scarpa, Legendary Evil, my first work of nonfiction, was selected as a finalist in the true crime category in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. I entered their contest shortly after my book was published by WildBlue Press in July with the hope that something might come of it. Finding out that the book was a finalist was a nice bit of affirmation that had an immediate outsized effect.
It’s always nice, and most welcome, when friends and family say positive things about the books I’ve written. And it’s even more satisfying to read short online reviews from strangers who enjoyed one or more of my books. (Of course, one has to take the good with the bad when it comes to such reviews, right?) Moreover, a detailed, well-reasoned review is even more gratifying and appreciated than the brief online blurb given the amount of time and thought that must have gone into producing it. But honestly, having one of my books singled out as meriting recognition from among many others is about as good as it gets for me. In my view, it affirms the merits of the book and my writing in a comparative way that differs qualitatively from other more focused reactions. That affirmation was immediately felt when I learned of the contest’s results. I had assumed such affirmation would only come if the book were commercially successful. I was wrong. Instead, simply having the book named as a finalist did much to erase the obsessive negativity that has plagued me for years about my efforts. That’s what I meant when I said above that my immediate reaction was outsized. It’s a great feeling, and I am grateful for it.
