At the start of 2019 I found out I was nominated on the Longlist for the UKYA Blogging Award for More Inspirational Blogger. A few months later I made it through to the shortlist, where the winners would be chosen at YALC.
I was so excited to be nominated, but up against such amazing bloggers (Hollie from hollieblog.com, Zoë from nosaferplace.co.uk and Ashleigh from afrolicthroughfiction.com), I never thought I would win.
Taken from the script from the night, this is what this award is all about:
This award celebrates bloggers who make you feel excited about being part of the UKYA community. These bloggers may have inspired you to want to read more, explore new genres, get more involved in the bookish community, or do any book-related thing you may not have otherwise seriously considered. They deliver innovative and diverse content, doing important work in making us feel inspired to get more involved with books.
Feeling both nervous and full of anticipation, I made my way to the awards on Friday night. Sat with my friends and amongst fellow nominees, I was honoured to be around so many amazing bloggers. It was with great pride, shakiness and joy that I sat eagerly on my chair as my name was called as the winner of Most Inspirational. I could hardly believe it. I gave a little speech and hugged everyone I could reach. I am completely blown away still by winning this award and by receiving votes from you guys to select me as the recipient of Most Inspirational 2019.
And so, my thank you:
I start this blog over three years ago because I love to read and write. It was a home for my thoughts and an occupation for my brain. It has gone through many changes and it has at times been slow to grow, but I have always kept going with it. Over the last year, I have posted twice a week, every week and created so much content that I am truly very proud of.
It’s hard to know if anyone actually reads a blog, you can look at your stats, but you won’t know if anyone is truly reading and enjoying what you’re writing. But to be nominated and then go on to win this award, means that you guys must really care and engage with my content. It has proven to me that all of the extra work I put into my blog, the hours I wake up early and the brainpower I devote, they all mean something. They are all contributing to creating content that is worthy of enjoyment and is something you want to read.
My readers are the people who keep me going. I love doing this, but the support and encouragement from the community means the world to me. This award means so much, it has given me such a boost and I’m riding on a high at the moment. Thank you to everyone who voted, to everyone who reads my blog or follows me on social media. I create content because I love it and because I love you guys. I’d like to say that this is proof, you can start something from nothing, with no readers, and grow it to be somewhere people can go for help, support and entertainment.
Thank you to everyone who made this possible and congratulations to all of the winners and nominees for the UKYA Blogging Awards.
So incredibly proud of you, Beth! 💛
Thank you for all of your help Connie, don’t know what I’d have done without you!
Congratulations!
Thank you Kristi!
Congratulations!! Yours is one of the blogs that has inspired me most to keep at my efforts to post new and fun things and to engage with the community, so you definitely deserve this as far as I’m concerned 🙂 so happy for you!
Thank you so much Maggie! That is so sweet of you to say and I’m so glad I could inspire you 💛
Congratulations Beth!!! What a fantastic way to celebrate your blogging!
Thanks so much Jordan!
Yay! Congratulations, Beth! I’m not a UK or YA blogger but I’ve really enjoyed following you on various social media platforms and reading your posts full of helpful tips and recommendations. I really the content you produce and the way you share it with us 🙂 This is a very well deserved win!
Aw thank you so much Dini, this is very kind of you to say!
Yay congratulations Beth! This is such a deserved award as, for me, all of your online content always makes me feel inspired and want to read whatever book you’re showcasing. 🙂
Thank you so much Emma, I’m so glad reading my content makes you feel like that!
Congratulations that’s amazing and such a deserved award!!! I love your blog so much and I’m so happy you won x
Grace Louise || http://www.gracelouiseofficial.blogspot.co.uk/
Thank you Grace Louise 💛
Huge congratulations!! Although I am a newer follower of your blog, I feel like you definitely do “make [me] feel excited about being part of the UKYA community,” and you totally deserve this recognition xx
Aw, thank you so much Macey!
I’m still so damn proud of you lovely!
YOU DID IT! <3
Thank you Lauren, you is so sweet!! 💛
Congratulations!! I’ve only been following your blog for a short time now, but I can see that you deserve this award a million times over! 💕
Thank you so much Chana!
Huge congratulations on the award! It is well deserved as your blog has great appeal to YA and non-YA readers – such as myself.
Thank you so much Sarah! 💛
Congrats Beth! I’m a newer follower of your blog but it’s obvious that you put in so much hard work and that the award is really well-deserved!
Thank you so much Cailin 💛