The inaugural edition of The Author’s Voice 2026, organized by Cherry Book Awards, concluded on a high note after an engaging public voting campaign that brought together writers and readers in a celebration of creativity, original thought, and literary expression. Designed as a platform where readers could directly influence the outcome, the contest transformed the traditional writing competition into an interactive literary experience that encouraged participation from audiences alongside authors.
Emerging as the Readers’ Choice Winner was Meera Kathija, who secured 38.5 percent of the verified public votes, earning the highest support among all participants. Vimal Tiwari finished as the First Runner up with 28.9 percent of the votes, while Ashima Syal secured the Second Runner up position with 12.5 percent.
Unlike conventional judging panels, The Author’s Voice 2026 placed the final decision entirely in the hands of readers. Public voting was conducted through an official Google Form, with each Google account permitted to cast only one vote, ensuring that every verified vote carried equal value. This simple yet transparent process reinforced fairness while allowing readers to support the words that resonated with them the most.
The competition featured original quotes submitted by each participant. Readers viewed every entry before selecting the writer whose message they believed deserved recognition. Throughout the voting period, participants actively encouraged their audiences to engage with the contest, resulting in enthusiastic discussions across social media and helping transform the initiative into a vibrant celebration of literature.
The contest featured a distinguished group of writers that included Dr. Romila Chitturi, Madhurima Guruju, Mayaa SH, Manikya Sanghi, Gary Clark, Ubbay Francis, Saurabh Pant, Vimal Tiwari, Ashima Syal, and Meera Kathija. Together, they represented diverse literary voices and writing styles, making the public voting process both competitive and meaningful.
For winner Meera Kathija, the recognition reflects years of dedication to writing with honesty, empathy, and emotional depth.
A passionate writer, educator, and lifelong learner, Meera holds a Master’s degree in English Literature along with a Diploma in Creche Management under Child Care Development. She describes writing as more than a creative pursuit. For her, it is a way of giving voice to emotions that often remain unspoken.
She is the author of two books, Love with Responsibilities and The Cupid’s, both published in 2021. Her work explores themes including love, relationships, emotional resilience, self worth, healing, and the silent struggles that shape everyday life. Through authentic storytelling, she seeks to create meaningful connections with readers while reminding them that they are never alone in what they feel.
Motherhood has further enriched her perspective, adding greater compassion and authenticity to her writing. Alongside her books, Meera regularly publishes reflective articles on Reflections.live, covering emotions, relationships, self growth, and life experiences. She also engages with a growing community of readers through her Instagram page @mkwrites_143, where she shares original quotes, poems, reflections, and conversations that encourage emotional awareness and personal growth.
Receiving the highest share of verified public votes in The Author’s Voice 2026 marks another significant milestone in her literary journey and demonstrates how deeply her words connected with readers.
Cherry Book Awards has steadily established itself as a platform that celebrates writers across genres by recognizing literary excellence, emerging voices, and meaningful storytelling. Through initiatives such as The Author’s Voice, the organization continues to experiment with innovative formats that bring readers into the heart of the recognition process while providing authors with greater visibility and opportunities to connect with wider audiences.
The success of the inaugural edition suggests that literary competitions built around genuine reader participation can create excitement that extends well beyond the contestants themselves. Throughout the campaign, readers actively explored the featured quotes, discussed their favorites, and participated in the voting process, making the event as engaging for audiences as it was for the writers.
As The Author’s Voice 2026 comes to a close, Cherry Book Awards has demonstrated that in today’s literary landscape, a powerful idea shared in just a few words can inspire conversation, build community, and earn the admiration of readers around the world. Meera Kathija’s victory stands as a testament to that enduring connection between writers and their audience.