Shirley Cheng, a blind and physically disabled award-winning author, has been announced a winner in three categories of the 2007 Reader Views Literary Awards for her multi-award-winning book, Waking Spirit: Prose & Poems the Spirit Sings. Cheng's placement in the contest includes First Place in Poetry Nonfiction, and Second Place in both Spirituality/Inspiration and New Age Nonfiction.
"I am absolutely speechless with elation," says Cheng. "I ran out of things to say after receiving one award after another. But what I can never say enough is that I am absolutely honored and delighted. I must thank Reader Views for bestowing this honor upon Waking Spirit and rewarding me for what I love to do, and that is bringing humor, hope, and healing to as many people as I possibly can."
"Reader Views reviews more than 2,000 books per year from budding authors who have worked hard to achieve their dream of being published," Reader Views Managing Editor Irene Watson says. "Our Annual Literary Awards recognize the very best of these up-and-coming authors, all talented writers who we know have very promising writing careers ahead of them."
Earlier this month, Waking Spirit has received the prodigious Avatar Award for Spiritual Excellence in Literature. This book is also an award-winning finalist in the national Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards in the new age nonfiction category, Honorable Mention in the 2007 New York Book Festival in the poetry category, as well as Honorable Mention in the 2007 DIY Book Festival in the poetry category.
"Waking Spirit celebrates life while encouraging us all to appreciate what we already have. It's a book of survival, a tome of devotion, a bible of being," wrote New York Times bestselling author, Cynthia Brian, in the foreword. "Serve yourself a big helping of Shirley Cheng's inspiration and you'll be motivated to shoot for the stars."
"An inspirational miscellany from one of the braver souls on the planet...a menagerie of lyrics, haiku, short personal essays and even briefer aphoristic words to live by—-all on the theme of leaping over seemingly insurmountable hurdles..." —Kirkus Discoveries
"This book is an amazing read by an amazing person. Her writing is very accessible and enjoyable as she 'shows without telling,' without arrogance or preachiness...an expression of joy...wonder...passion...teaches simple truths..." —ForeWord CLARION Reviews
"Her wisdom and captivating writing style reveals a rare beauty of the heart. Humorous haiku blends effortlessly with devotional selections as quotes sing a wisdom we want to hear and live." —The Rebecca Review, Top Ten Amazon.com Reviewer
"...a masterpiece... The Positive Thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible. That is what Shirley is all about!" —Ken Bossone, President of World Positive Thinkers Club
"Shirley is an excellent thought-provoking writer...with a charm and intelligence that would make anyone envious. Her inspiration and never ending strive to see all good in life is rare and commendable..." —Dorothy Lafrinere, WomensSelfEsteem.com
The 141-page book is available through Ingram, from Amazon.com, BN.com, and any book store, and autographed copies from Cheng's website www.shirleycheng.com
ISBN: 978-0-6151-3680-6 (trade paperback); 978-0-3893-0 (trade hardback)
Shirley Cheng (b. 1983), a blind and physically disabled award-winning author, motivational speaker, parental rights in children's medical care advocate, self-empowerment expert, poet, author of seven books, and contributing author of eleven books, has had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since infancy. Owing to years of hospitalization, she received no education until age eleven. However, after about 180 days of special education in elementary school, she mastered grade level in all areas and entered a regular sixth grade class in middle school. After a successful eye surgery, she hopes to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University.
Cheng is also the author of Embrace Ultra-Ability! Wisdom, Insight & Motivation from the Blind Who Sees Far and Wide (ISBN: 9780615155227); The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine: A Young Woman's Autobiography of a 20-Year Tale of Trials & Tribulations (ISBN: 9781411618602), Dance with Your Heart: Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells (ISBN: 9781411618589), and Daring Quests of Mystics (ISBN: 9781411656642). With highly acclaimed experts like Dr. Wayne Dyer, Tony Robbins, and Brian Tracy, Cheng co-authored Wake Up…Live the Life You Love: Finding Life's Passion; she is also the co-author of 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2, with experts Jack Canfield and Dr. John Gray.
Cheng is available for interviews, speaking engagements, book signings, and inspirational events.
