Shattered Paths – From Reluctant Writer to Best Fiction Nominee

I never set out to become a writer. That might sound strange coming from someone who just found out their book has been nominated for Best Fiction Book 2025 at the Author Expo Awards. But the truth is, Shattered Paths didn’t come from a dream to publish. It came from something much heavier. Something deeply personal.

It started with a feeling I couldn’t shake. A weight that lingered. Stories I’d heard from people who lived through the foster care system. And more than that, stories that echoed parts of my own life and those close to me. Stories often kept in silence because they’re too complex or too painful to explain.

I didn’t write Shattered Paths because I thought the world needed another book. I wrote it because the silence needed to end.

Best Fiction 2025

A Story That Hit Home for Thousands

Since the release, the response has been overwhelming. More than 10,000 people in 12 countries have now read Shattered Paths. That number still doesn’t feel real. But it’s not about the figures. It’s the messages that came with them.

I’ve received hundreds of emails, messages, and comments. Some were brief. Some deeply personal. People shared their own experiences, opened up about things they had never spoken about before, and told me the story helped them feel seen or understood. That’s what matters.

Every time I thought about stepping away, it was those voices that brought me back. I realised this wasn’t just my story to tell. It belonged to many.

What the Nomination Means

This nomination is a moment I never expected. Shattered Paths has been recognised as a finalist for Best Fiction Book 2025, and to be honest, I’m still taking it in.

It’s not about the title or the award. It’s about what this nomination says. That stories with grit and grief and truth have a place. That readers want something real. That people are open to confronting what’s uncomfortable if it means giving a voice to others.

This is for the people who lived through hard chapters and never got to see their story on a page. This is for the ones who never got closure.

Thank You for Walking This Road With Me

If you’ve read the book, shared it, spoken about it, or sent me your thoughts — thank you.

You’ve helped give this story purpose. You’ve shown me that words can connect people across countries, backgrounds, and experiences. That honesty resonates. That vulnerability can be powerful.

I’ll keep you posted as the awards get closer, but for now, I just want to sit in this moment and say how much it means. Truly.

Thank you for being a part of it.

Daniel