Tillsonburg author’s book a finalist in international contest

CJ Frederick’s book Rooted and Remembered is a finalist in an international contest. She will find out if she wins in April. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Tillsonburg author C.J. Frederick’s book “Rooted and Remembered” is a finalist in an international contest for self-published books.

A technical writer by trade for software company, Opentext, Frederick used the time on her hands during Covid shutdowns to write her first creative novel. Published in June 2024, “Rooted and Remembered”, follows an orphaned boy from his home in British India in the early 1900s to the rural homestead of the Carruthers clan in Southwestern Ontario, where he becomes first a hard-working farm hand and then a treasured ‘adopted’ son.

Encouraged by positive reviewer feedback, Frederick entered “The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Award” contest (https://www.thewsa.co.uk/) for self-published works.

“It’s only for books that are independently published,” she said. “If you used a traditional publisher, you aren’t eligible.”

The books entered are judged by reader panels, who read all the entries.

“It takes them almost six months to do the judging because they read each book cover to cover,” she said.

She found out recently she was a finalist, which was the top 25 per cent of the 270 entries in the adult fiction category. The reader panel will then choose gold, silver and bronze, with the winners announced on April 1. Entries are judged on editing, theme, style and cover.

“I am blown away,” she said of being chosen as a finalist. “I never thought it was possible for me to write something, and then for me to write something and receive good reviews and then to be long listed. It’s beyond what I thought I was capable of.”

She was also surprised European readers embraced the book.

“Although my book has generated a loyal following in Southwestern Ontario, where most of the story takes place, I wasn’t sure if it would appeal to an international audience who is less familiar with the history and rural farming lifestyle common to Canadians from the early 1900s,” said Frederick. “

Frederick is currently working on her second novel. It will be set in northern Ontario, and is based on an old story passed down from her grandmother. “Rooted and Remembered” is for sale Sobey’s, Station Arts Centre, it can be ordered and through Amazon. It is also available at Oxford County libraries, or through her website https://www.cjfrederick.com or through social media https://www.facebook.com/cjtellstales.