Highly Commended BookTrail at UK Blog Awards

As you may know, it was the UK Blog Awards ceremony on Friday at the Park Plaza Hotel in London. Bloggers from up and down the UK attended to celebrate the value and the work  – mostly unpaid – that bloggers do. But it was really a celebration about the passion bloggers have for their subject

UK BLOG AWARDS

There was so many great people there – I met bloggers who wrote about subjects from beauty and fashion to cars, tattoos and so much more! Anne Cater from Random Things Through My Letterbox was nominated for Individual blogger for her super book blog, joined by her husband Martin. Book Editor from Prima Magazine, Nina Pottell  was there too! So lovely to meet her and chat books of course! We were the books team to be reckoned with! Spreading the book love.

(c) UK BLOG AWARDS

We were having a great time even before the night started to be honest  The Odeon cinema sponsored the event which meant one room was decked out in cinema style with neon seats, a huge screen and people walking around dressed as vintage usherettes handing out popcorn…..

There were mini fish and chips, pulled pork burgers and so many tasty treats. To say we were treated like royalty is an understatement. Free drinks all night too.

Walking in to the event….

I can’t begin to tell you what a privilege it was for us to be there. The hall was decked out like a real awards ceremony you see on the telly, music blasted out to welcome the winners on stage and giant screens appeared with all the finalists names on by category….We all sat, clutching our programmes and drinks through the welcome speeches and it was humbling to see just how many fantastic bloggers are out there. I felt really small in such a big room and I had to keep pinching myself. Up against some big players in the blogosphere..

And then this happened:

What an honour! 

To say I was shocked was an understatement. It was the most surreal moment of my life to be honest. And I have readers and supporters of this site to thank for it. Without all the booktrails you send in, support you give with messages and kind words on social media, without the publishers who send free books, people who seek out reading recommendations and share travel tips and photos, this site wouldn’t be what it is. I can’t thank you enough.

The Award for Highly Commended Blog in the UK Blog Awards

THANK  YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Book bloggers are AMAZING – the book community has to be one of the friendliest and nicest I know. The support and kind words I’ve had since starting The BookTrail is something I hold very dear.  Those of you I’ve met are amongst my closest friends. Book events are the place to be with you lovely lot! Funny, witty, warm people – BOOK PEOPLE ARE THE BEST EVER!!!

And the biggest thank you to UNION ROOM who made the site what it is – their advice and guidance – invaluable. The BookTrail is a joint effort – this award is just as much theirs as it is mine!