2018 Nautilus Book Award Winner

I am beyond thrilled to announce that Mayva O'Meere, Creationeer was recognized as a 2018 Nautilus Book Award Winner in the children's illustrated fiction category. It still feels surreal--in a 'pinch me' type way.

Since launching my first book, I dreamed of winning an award. I did think this dream was fairly lofty and more of a pipe dream, so it is pretty crazy to have received the honour with my second self-published children's book.

This post is not to toot my own horn in the least. This post is to encourage you to follow your dreams, believe that anything is possible if you've got enough nerve, and to thank my team that has helped me make this pipe dream into a reality. It really does take a village.

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It was the end of a long day after attending a social media workshop with my husband. Our kids were sick, so luckily my mom saved us and came to stay with them so we didn't have to bail out on our workshop.

When I saw the subject line of the email, I thought "WHOA, could it be?!" I opened the email and proceeded to scream happy screams while galloping around the house until I was out of breath!

My husband gave me a big hug while also getting excited with me!

My kids thought something was wrong with me. They asked, "What happened? Why are you jumping around?" So, I explained that Mayva won a book award, only to have them look as me with blank stares and say, "Huh? What does that mean?"

I proceeded towards our stockpile of children's books and explained to the kids how books that have won an award get to put an award sticker on their cover. Right away, my daughter understood and mentioned two books that had award seals on them. This helped her connect the dots about the award. Then I said, "OMG! I have to call someone!" So, I called my parents and by this time I was almost too winded to get my words out. My dad's response was lack lustre to say the least. He asked, "So... what does that mean?"

I knew my editor would understand, so I messaged her next. She was over the moon and probably would have galloped around the house with me, had she been in the vicinity!

Either way, I was ecstatic to have been awarded with this honour, regardless of the response from others. Since my authoring adventure is still quite new, I didn't expect many to understand the importance of winning a literary award. So, I figured I would break down what it means to win a book award like this.

To win a book award means that your book was chosen as a winner out of hundreds of other entries based on the award company's mission, values, and literary standards of excellence as determined by a professionally-trained team of judges. It means that the chosen winners have been awarded a Seal of Excellence for their literary work, which is an esteemed honour.

THANK YOU for your support along the way!

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THANK YOUS:

In the author world, winning a book award is a big deal! This book has been a labour of love with many incredible helping hands assisting me along the way. That being said, this award is shared with many amazing, talented people who love what they do. It takes a village. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every .🙏🏼

This wouldn’t have been possible without my AH-mazing illustrator, Mar Fandos, whose work continues to blow me away.

Thank you to my editor & marketing manager, Lacy Lieffers, who keeps me on track and perfects everything I write! You are a super hero and I'm so glad to have you on my team!

Thank you to my friend & publicist consultant, Susan Busse PR, for helping me strategize like a pro!

To the team at Tellwell that helped me kick start my authoring venture, thank you.

And most importantly, thank you to my husband, who supports me in all of my far-out ideas, wild excitement, and time spent doing what I love.

Now, of course, if it weren’t for my kids, I would have never become interested in finding quality children’s books with empowering learning messages, let alone decided to start publishing my own. Thanks to you cuties for always inspiring me!

Thanks to my parents and in-laws for their constant encouragement, support, and for telling everyone they meet about my books. (My parents have even done two trade shows for me!) Thank you to my family and my amazing friends for supporting and encouraging me.

A HUGE thank you goes out to our retail partners! Thank you for seeing the value in my books and my vision. These amazing shops and stores that stock my books can be found on our website. Support local!

Thank you to all of our readers! Thank you for your feedback, your enthusiasm, and your loyalty. You are all so amazing and I cannot wait to keep sharing my books with you!❤️📚

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ABOUT THE NAUTILUS BOOK AWARDS:

For two decades, Nautilus Book Awards has recognized books that transcend barriers of culture, gender, race, and class, and promote conscious living & green values, spiritual growth, wellness & vitality, and positive social change. Last year, Nautilus received entries from 36 States of USA, and from 12 other nations. Dedicated to excellence and high standards of both message and presentation, the Nautilus program celebrates books that inspire and connect our lives as individuals, communities and global citizens. All the books selected as Winners are potent seeds for the growth, coherence, and healing of our culture and world.

The Nautilus Mission is to recognize and celebrate a wide subject-range of Better Books for a Better World. Former Nautilus Winners: Deepak Chopra • Barbara Kingsolver • Thich Nhat Hanh • Marianne Williamson • Caroline Myss • Gregg Braden • Lynne Twist • Lynne McTaggart • Matthew Fox * Daniel James Brown • Eckhart Tolle • Katherine Neville • Brene Brown • And many more ...

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About the Author:

Kristin Pierce loves chai lattes, inspirational quotes, hunting down incredible kids books, and writing in rhyme. She is an award-winning children's book author, self-awareness educator, and momma of two who is on a mission to spread empowering and inspiring messages about following your passion, thinking outside-the-box, and believing in your big dreams. She is the author of Your Inner Compass That Could , Mayva O'Meere, Creationeer, Magnus O'Meere, Mind Pioneer(coming 2019), andHazel Mist, Hypnotist(coming 2020).

Find us on Facebook & Instagram @InnerCompassBooks or check out our FREE Parent & Teacher Learning Resourcethat is full of FUN printable activities for your children.

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