A Literary Prize

The small gods visit us softly. So soft, sometimes, it’s possible we miss their presence altogether. Two weeks passed before I noted the happy trespass of one such deity through my recent gloom.

The first inkling appeared last week, good news arriving to my in-box from another writer, a former professor, writing mentor, and current ally in the publishing wars. He’d been honored with a prize for his memoir and wanted to share the glory by thanking me for my review.

Or so I thought.

My work-fogged brain mistook his message as a generous compliment for my power of persuasion in drawing attention to his work. He corrected me, of course, writing back to say the prize was mine.

More generosity, I figured, and turned back to my own private millstone. I felt a degree of satisfaction to play a role in support of Tom Hazuka’s fine book, If You Turn to Look Back, and made a mental note to post something of the news when work let up just a little.

When I finally revisited the original post at Peace Corps Worldwide, I read more carefully:

An award for a review! My first recognition in many years. I sat back in my chair with a grin. Sometimes you have to let that good feeling wash over you. The more I thought about it, the prize reminded me of why I started this blog in the first place.

Eleven years ago, mired in the straight-laced professional writing of a polling analyst, I needed an outlet for my creative frame of mind. In addition to a third draft novel and two works of middle grade fiction for my sons, I found time to read advance copies of books made available through an industry catalogue and turn those readings into near-weekly book reviews. Ben East Books was born.

Over the years that purpose faded. I attempted some fun, podcast-style exchanges with my boys, posted mock interviews with writer-friends and popular figures, and shared my thoughts on contemporary society and politics. Eventually, project faded altogether.

It didn’t help that I was overseas in an official capacity, my personal views not always helpful to projecting a positive image of the United States.

I see again there is value in this work. It’s not so much the recognition from Peace Corps Worldwide, which I deeply value and appreciate. It’s a reminder of what this blog once was, how I grew as a writer in maintaining it, and why I might want to pick up that legacy again.

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