Author’s Novels Win Two Book Shelf Writing Competitions

BooksShelf Writing Competitions recently announced two third place winners. In the 2021 Competition, The Lip Reader, a novel about a courageous Deaf woman, won the bronze cup. Third prize in the 2022 competition went to The Legend of Koolura, a story about school, preteen relationships, and psychic powers. Michael Thal, a Deaf writer, is the author of both novels. 

BooksShelf’s Internet interview asks the author, “What particular experience motivated you to start writing?” Back in the early 80s, every teacher in California had to take the CBEST Exam to retain their credentials. Many of my colleagues panicked and spent hours studying. I didn’t. I figured, if I failed, I could bone up in the needed areas, so I took the test and waited for the results. I passed it, but my score on the writing portion of the exam blew my mind. I scored in the top 1% of the state in writing. That’s when I figured I had a talent that needed to be explored and I began taking writing classes. Fast forward twenty years. I lost my hearing to a virus and couldn’t understand my students. What would I do with my life? We’ve all heard the phrase, “when one door closes, another one opens.” I took advantage of that and pursued a writing career. 

The 2022 Competition awarded Third Place to The Legend of Koolura, a book packed with life lessons that will enhance developing minds of young readers everywhere. In this novel I used my 28 years of classroom teaching to provide a fun story kids could love, and also teach them a few important lessons about leadership and kindness. 

Nancy Curteman, author of Murder Down Under wrote this about The Legend of Koolura: Michael Thal takes young readers on an adventure that couples magic super powers with the everyday life of intermediate grade students. Through his main character, Koolura Akopyan, a young sixth grade girl, Thal explores the complexities of school kid friendships, the adjustments needed to manage in today’s multicultural classrooms and the importance of good values.

Koolura is a normal student in Bethune Elementary School. She experiences the same kinds of problems as all the other students. She suffers through poor treatment by snooty girls, comforts a friend whose mother is going through cancer tests and another whose parents are divorcing. She tutors students who can’t read or do math. She worries about grades, tests, and homework. Every young reader can identify with Koolura and her friends.

Koolura is also different from other students at Bethune because she has the “Kool.” It gives her superpowers. Sadly, it has also forced her to lead the life of a nomad. A treacherous stalker seeks to destroy her and steal the “Kool” for himself. Koolura’s fearful father has moved her from place to place, in an effort to keep her safe.

Koolura’s use of her “Kool” to help her fellow students through their difficulties and her effort to keep one step ahead of Neb, her stalker, is what makes Thal’s book an exciting experience for young readers.

Special note: I taught sixth grade and when I read Thal’s vivid descriptions of school life, I thought I was back in the classroom again.

Prior to The Lip Reader’s publication date, I sent a copy of the proof to the BooksShelf competition to test the waters. The novel was still hot off the presses when notification came that it won third place. That made me very happy because I want the world to know Zhila’s story, and more importantly, understand the challenges deaf people encounter in a world focused on audio communication. 

Amazon Reviewer, Icelandia had this to say: I have read all of Michael Thal’s books and this is his best one yet! The story is well written and is especially relevant in this historic moment. It is the story of a woman who is faced with difficult, and at times unimaginable choices, who overcomes the obstacles that life thrusts at her, among them deafness, persecution, antisemitism, and so much more. I couldn’t put it down, and was filled with a mixture of sadness and hopefulness at the end. Everyone should read this book.

The Acquisition’s Editor’s comments at Paper Angel Press convinced the Managing Editor to publish The Lip Reader. She wrote: It’s so vivid, so earnest, so honest, so full of love and luminous intelligence, so lacking in mean spirit even as it treats some of the deepest horrors of life with total clarity and resolution. I’m not ashamed to say that even this much-scarred, stoical woman is weeping freely. The world must have this book.

Writer’s enter competitions like BooksShelf’s because they want exposure and a way to market their book. Writer’s also depend on book reviews by our readers. If you decide to purchase and read these award-winning novels, please take a minute and post a review on Amazon or other website. Thank you.

LINKS

2021 Books Shelf Writing Contest: https://www.booksshelf.com/writing-contests-fiction-winners : This page shows the winners of the contest 

Fiction Writing Contest Third Place:  https://www.booksshelf.com/writing-contest-fiction-3rd-place

Interview with the author:  https://www.booksshelf.com/interviews/Michael-Thal.

2022 Fiction Writing Contest: https://www.booksshelf.com/writing-contest-fiction-2022-3rd-place.

Purchase Link: 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GUS1wB

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lip-reader-michael-thal/1140378884?ean=9781953469847

Book Shop: https://bookshop.org/books/the-lip-reader-9781953469854/9781953469847

Indie Bound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781953469847?aff=PaperAngelPress