An Otherwise Perfect Plan WINS Best Young Adult Novel!

With the sheer number of indie books showing up on the Kindle every day, I knew the competition was going to be fierce.

But based on the reviews I'd been getting--both the professional ones and the ones directly from my readers, I figured I should take the chance and enter the contest. When I was notified that I was one of five finalists in the young adult category, I was thrilled with the honor, though I knew the likelihood of winning was still only 20%.

I cannot tell you how amazing it feels to have this book actually win and be named THE BEST OF INDIE for 2024 in the young adult category. My big hope is that this award will help get the word out about the book and inspire more readers to pick it up and enter Gwen's weird and wonderful world.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Must Read Razor-sharp, equal-parts poignant, funny and perfect

Gwen Pendergrass, the novel’s protagonist, [..a] precocious 16-year-old girl who doesn’t have much, except her books and a vivid imagination which she uses to draw people and situations in her head — pictures that at times, don’t come close to an iota of actuality, but you have to give her props for her brilliance. When she's tasked with a life-changing assignment to pen an essay about the father she never knew, the story takes on a life of its own — a story within a story — as her inquisitive and Einstein-like sleuthing takes her on a brave quest to find him.
Lianna Albrizio, Reedsy Discovery

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This story is funny, clever, and even poignant

...subtly hilarious, with a compelling plot. In other words, you can't put the book down.
Peggy Lang, Author, Independent Writing and Editing Professional

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Critics and readers all agree..

A Charming, Inventive YA Novel About Discovering Who You Really Are

In Schafer’s YA novel, a plucky teenage girl ... Gwen narrates the story in first person, and her chatty, incisive voice quickly enthralls the reader... there’s a timeless, almost cinematic quality to the characters and story structure that many readers will happily sink right into.
KIRKUS REVIEWS Verdict: GET IT

Get ready to be swept away by Gwen's unique voice and her extraordinary journey.

Ken Schafer has written a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming and humorous tale of self-discovery.
Midwest Book Review Verdict: MUST READ

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A Fiercely Intelligent, Introspective, And Laugh Out Loud Funny Coming-Of-Age Story.

This coming-of-age story about a teen negotiating her changing feelings for her best friend while tackling life-changing family issues is brilliantly written with a wry wit that perfectly captures the teen protagonist’s cynical yet hopeful view of her world.
Tara Lewis - Book Sirens Review / Former Director, Global Marketing Disney Worldwide Publishing

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Just Wow...

This is one of the best books to have ever crossed my desk; the kind of book that makes you want to read it in one sitting or read it again and again. Truly Amazing.
Sandi Hansen, Seven-Year Veteran Multi-Site Book Reviewer