This past October, Florida Writers Association (FWA) was pleased to announce the winners for the Royal Palm Literary Awards (RPLA) at a special banquet during the Florida WritersCon conference. RPLA is a prestigious writing competition that recognizes extraordinary writing and is exclusive to FWA members. The winners represented over 28 genres and included both published and unpublished works.
As part of the annual RPLA Showcase, FWA interviewed the winners of the grand awards (Published Book of the Year; Unpublished Book of the Year; Best Children’s Book; and the Candice Coghill Memorial Award for Youth) to learn more about their writing journey, advice for other writers, and favorite things to do in Florida.
Published Book of the Year: Ben Sharpton
Ben Sharpton has been telling stories all his life. Whether working with young people, as a corporate trainer, or an online college professor, he understands that stories help us understand, learn, and develop. For him, stories simply make life better.
Now you can find Ben’s stories in his nonfiction curriculum books and award-winning novels-—including his novel, The Awakening of Jim Bishop: This Changes Things, which won the RPLA Published Book of the Year.
Tell us about your book and why you felt compelled to write this story.
Jim Bishop’s world is ripped apart when his wife dies. His search for purpose and meaning takes him through the troubled lives of five others: a corporate executive, a nurse, a low-level computer programmer, a minister, and a pregnant homeless woman, each longing for their own chance for redemption.
Previously, I published plot-driven thrillers through four small publishers. With The Awakening of Jim Bishop: This Changes Things I wanted to write a more character-driven story, so I developed the main character, Jim Bishop, and then created the five strangers he would meet and how each would interact with him and each other. I placed those five in a scene with an inciting incident — an auto-bike collision. As I fleshed out the stories, each character’s background and persona began to appear to fill in the book. Watching the characters take over the story was a lot of fun.
What did it feel like to hear you won Published Book of the Year?
I had planned to attend the [Florida WritersCon 2022] conference, but at the last minute, something came up and I felt I needed to visit a family member who is living in Utah. So, I was not present when the Published Book of the Year was announced. The next week, I searched the FWA website and was ecstatic to learn of my win. It actually took a couple of weeks to convince myself my book had won.
Specifically, I felt affirmed that my writing is “good enough”. Throughout my life I’ve written nonfiction materials for various corporations and publications, published several books, and won various short story and novel awards, but this recognition confirmed my ability to tell stories that someone else enjoyed. I believe other writers struggle with similar feelings. Contests like the RPLA contest can be very affirming in this way.
Can you tell us about your writing journey?
I’m a writer. To one extent or another, I’ve written all of my adult life. I wrote training and corporate communication materials when I worked as Manager of Training and Design for Universal Studios and Hughes Supply (which later was purchased by Home Depot). I was a training and technical writer for Tupperware. In the late ‘80s, I discovered the Florida Freelance Writers Association (whose annual conference was also held in the Sheraton Orlando North, by the way) and my publication writing took off. I won several short story writing awards through FFWA over the years.
In 2012 I published 7 Sanctuaries, a thriller placed in the ‘60s, through Novel Voices Press, followed by The 3rd Option with Brandylane Publishers in 2013. By the way, we’re working on the release of a new edition of The 3rd Option, which should come out early next year. My paranormal thriller, 2nd Sight was released by Limitless Publishing in 2016 and Camp Fear, my new adult novel, came out later that year. In 2019 I returned to school to pursue my Masters of Fine Arts (my third master’s degree!) At Queens University in Charlotte. The Awakening of Jim Bishop was one of the by-products of that degree.
When The Awakening of Jim Bishop: This Changes Things was released, I entered the book in several national contests and won a few Finalist awards. But when I heard about the FWA contest from posts by Facebook Friend and fellow writer, Mark Newhouse, I jumped at the opportunity to submit my book.
What advice would you give to your past self or other writers?
Read. I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t read much fiction until the last ten years, or so. Sure, I’d pick up a book for vacation or when my favorite writer released one, but I did little to explore different genres or styles of writing. Reading was a large part of my MFA program, and I now read much more fiction and nonfiction than I used to.
I’d also remind myself and others that writing is extremely subjective. One person will love one author’s style and another might hate it. Recognize that one rejection or negative review doesn’t reflect all readers’ views.
Something fun: what’s your favorite thing to do in Florida?
When I was young I loved Florida out-of-doors. I canoed Crystal River and the Withlacoochee with Boy Scouts and played in the woods and barrow pits behind my house. I grew to love the cold, clear springs in north and central Florida, like Alexander, Crystal, Lithia and Blue Springs. Unfortunately, some springs are no longer open to the public. Today my favorite thing to do is visit with my family and old school friends in Florida.
Where can we learn more about you and your writing?
My website is www.bensharpton.com. You can also check out my Amazon page. My books are also available on Apple Books and Barnes & Noble.
