Dancing the Labyrinth author Karen Martin woke up on Tuesday, December 31, to a tag on Facebook. She clicked on the Eyeland Book Awards page to the news that she had won in her category.
“If it’s on Facebook then it must be true,” she joked during an interview with The Greek Herald, adding that she “had a flush of happiness” after realising that she had won the prestigious international prize.
“Being a finalist was fantastic, and it felt good just to be shortlisted. More importantly, I am so pleased to have been acknowledged by the Greek community because that is my inspiration.”
Karen was just 14 years old when she found out that you could actually live on a Greek island, and she did this 40 years later. She picked Crete after sampling raki at a Greek taverna in Echuca while cycling through rural Victoria. Later she met Cretan restaurateur John Rerakis, and her fate was sealed.
“I am a true Philhellene,” she said.
As a self-published author, she says the award vindicates her.
“Initially, I was stuck on the traditional perspective that it would not be good enough unless traditionally published,” she said.
After a meeting with English-born, Greek-inspired bestselling author Kathryn Gauci, she saw the benefits of independent publishing and self-published Dancing the Labyrinth. She has followed the same route with its recently-published sequel, Delphi.
“I invest in myself and answer to myself. I employ editors, proofreaders, and cover designers and follow the direction I want. Also, my projects take two to three years to complete. I don’t need to push myself and can enjoy the process,” she said, adding that she views herself as an “indy author.”
While self-publishing has changed, Karen says that government funding has yet to catch up with what is happening on the street and is discriminatory for self-published authors.
“I hope self-published authors winning international awards such as this one can help turn that around,” she said, looking forward to a hopeful and abundant 2025.
