Tell me Tuesday: Two Trips to the Podium

Here's another answer to last week's question, which I posed to some of my author friends:

                                       What's the best and/or most fun thing you've ever won?

I got this great response from Dan Walsh... 

The most fun thing I've ever won was a second Carol Award in 2010 for the same book on the same night. To my utter shock and surprise several months earlier, my first novel, The Unfinished Gift, had been named a finalist for both Debut Author and in its category, Historical Fiction. I sincerely didn't expect to win either award, but I came to the big banquet, all dressed up, honored just to be among the crowd. When they called my name out as the winner for the Debut Author award, I could hardly believe it. I had prepared a speech (since they asked us to), but could hardly get the words out.

Then a few minutes later, they get to the Historical Fiction category. I'm already done for the night and can die a happy man. It's one thing to say my book was the best among the new authors that year, but there was no way it would win in its category, sitting next to the works of such experienced writers. Still basking in the glow of that first shock, I heard my name called out again. My heart almost stopped. I couldn't believe it. The Unfinished Gift has won again. I have won again. I never win anything. The last thing I won was a 6th grade spelling bee. Even as I look back on it now, the second walk to the podium to accept that second Carol Award was like having an out-of-body-experience.

Here is Dan accepting his first Carol award (he’s the head sticking up)

There is nothing like the feeling of being recognized for something you created. Way to go Dan!

For more information on Dan be sure to check out his website as well as his award-winning book, The Unfinished Gift, and his latest release, Rescuing Finley.

                

Have you ever won an award? Tell us about it in the Comments below.