What is It?
Between Sips offers authors and publishers a fresh, authentic way to showcase books through real reader conversation.
We bring together three carefully selected readers who each read the book independently before meeting over coffee to discuss their thoughts, reactions, favourite moments, characters, themes, and emotional takeaways; all captured in a relaxed, natural "between sips" conversation.
These engaging discussions are then professionally transcribed and transformed into a screenplay-style script, creating a unique promotional asset that feels lively, cinematic, and genuinely reader driven.
Unlike traditional reviews, Between Sips captures the spontaneity of real book conversations, the moments readers laugh, debate, connect and become emotionally invested.
The result is compelling content that authors and publishers can use for marketing, social media, press materials, websites, book launches, or reader engagement campaigns.
Who is Doing It?
Between Sips is organised and hosted by author Edward Trayer, who writes under the pen names Billy Bob Buttons and Hickory Crowl.
With nineteen published books to his name, Edward brings extensive experience and insight into the world of storytelling, publishing, and reader engagement.
His award winning novel, I Think I Murdered Miss, won the prestigious The People's Book Prize, helping establish him as a respected and innovative voice in independent publishing.
Edward is also the founder and long standing organiser of the highly regarded The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, a popular ALLi recommended international awards programme that connects authors directly with readers and celebrates books across multiple genres and age groups.
Through years of working closely with authors, publishers and readers, he has developed a strong understanding of what truly resonates with audiences.
With Between Sips, Edward combines his passion for books, reader interaction, and creative presentation to offer authors and publishers something refreshingly different: genuine reader conversation transformed into engaging promotional content.
Who will be Reading My Book?
Running The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, we work with more than 200 adult readers and over 600 young adult and children readers who help judge the awards each year.
For Between Sips, we'll be selecting participants from this large and highly engaged community of readers.
Between Sips is 100% human powered; we won't be using AI in any way. Every discussion, reaction, observation and insight comes directly from real readers sharing their genuine thoughts and experiences with your book.
How to Access It?
To access the Between Sips service, simply attach you book as a PDF and send it to: thewishingshelfawards@gmail.com
Please include "Between Sips" in the subject line so we can process your submission correctly.
We also ask authors and publishers to include:
- The genre of the book
- Your target readership (For example: female readers 50+, young adults. thriller fans, middle grade readers etc.)
- A short, enticing summary of the book to help us select the most suitable readers for your discussion panel
Once received, we'll carefully match your book with readers who fit your intended audience, ensuring the resulting conversation feels authentic, insightful and engaging.
Cost of Between Sips Service?
The total cost of Between Sips is £200 per book submission. This is transparently allocated as follows:
£60 per reader (three readers take part each session)
£20 administration fee for organisation, coordination, and production of the transcript/script
Once we receive your PDF submission and accompanying details, we will review the material and, if accepted, send a PayPal invoice directly to your inbox for payment processing.
From receipt of payment and materials, the Between Sips process takes approximately 4 weeks to complete.
We will keep you updated as we go.
