A Dublin author is encouraging other indie authors to sign up for a chance to win a prestigious award.
Pam Lecky is based in Donabate in Dublin and she a published author of several novels, and she is volunteering on the Carousel Aware Prize Awards Committee (CAP). The CAP Awards, which was founded in 2016 by author Carolann Coplan, provide a platform to showcase Independently Published Authors in Ireland, bringing them to the attention of book shops, distributors and the media with all money raised going to the charity Aware.
Aware is a non-profit organisation that provides education, support, and information on mental health, particularly depression, bipolar disorder, and positive mental health. Speaking to Dublin Live, Pam explained that they are in their third year of the CAP awards.
She said: "It's open for the whole country, in Dublin and right up to Northern Ireland. Any published indie author can nominate themselves for any of the six categories; Fiction, Non-Fiction, Young Adult, Children, Best Book Cover, Anthologies (Prose OR poetry, OR a mixture of prose and poetry. One author OR a compilation of authors).
"There will be different people including myself, authors, publishers, sponsors, etc. For me personally Aware is a really great charity, and the awards are open for applications until 1 June and our website www.capawards.ie is up and running."
Her debut novel The Bowes Inheritance was released in 2015, and she entered the CAP awards. Pam explained: "I submitted by debut novel to the CAP Awards and it was a turning point in my career. So it would be great to help other Irish independently published authors too."
Pam's local library in Donabate is also involved in this year's CAP Awards, and they are trying to get as "many libraries as possible" involved in the awards event.
After publishing her own books, CAP awards founder Carolann felt there was an opportunity to recognise other Authors that had also self-published in Ireland.
She said: "After leaving my job as a primary school teacher, I wanted to find a new project that would showcase Irish Authors and help a charity close to my heart which is Aware. I felt that recognition for Independent Authors would be a good mix of something I was passionate about while also raising money for a good cause.”
The CAP Awards have also received direct support from Stephen Butterfly, Head of Fundraising at Aware who will benefit directly from the proceeds raised from the Awards. He said: "We are honoured to have been chosen as the partner charity for The CAP Award. This is a fantastic initiative to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s many self-published authors.
"We are very grateful to Carolann for her ongoing support of Aware, for bringing attention to the topic of mental health and raising much needed funds for the organisation.”
The cost to enter the Awards is €40 and you can submit your application here. Submissions will be accepted until the 1 June 2023, with all proceeds being donated to Aware. The award ceremony will take place in early November 2023 and there will be authors shortlisted in each category, with a judging panel in place.
For more information on the awards visit www.capawards.ie
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