ACABA by CLC Kenya
Discover
Judges’
Feedback
A careful, comprehensive review process designed to help authors understand their book’s strengths, areas of improvement, and next steps for growth
Start HereFeedback Guide
What authors should expect, how to read the review, and how to turn comments into a practical revision plan.
Comprehensive Book Reviews
A careful review process for authors who want to grow
At ACABA by CLC Kenya, we understand the power of a meticulous review process. A distinguished panel of over 50 judges carefully reviews submissions to help uphold high standards of quality, content, message, structure, and reader impact.
Judges’ feedback is not meant to discourage the author. It helps you see your work more clearly, celebrate what is strong, and identify what needs refining before the book reaches more readers.
Review, reflect, revise, and grow.
What the feedback includes
Judges look at different aspects of the book so that authors receive a broad and useful picture of how their work is being received.
Book Summary
A brief overview of what the book is about, its central message, and the main ideas the judges observed.
Strengths
Areas where the book is already working well, including message, originality, spiritual value, storytelling, research, structure, or reader connection.
Areas of Improvement
Constructive observations on what could be strengthened, such as editing, flow, formatting, clarity, citations, target audience, cover presentation, or theological depth.
Overall Feedback
A general reflection from the judges on the book’s impact, readiness, potential, and contribution to Christian literature.
Why It Matters
A serious book deserves serious feedback
A comprehensive review gives authors a professional mirror. It helps the author refine quality, build credibility, increase visibility, and strengthen trust with readers.
It enhances credibility by showing that the book has gone through careful review.
It refines quality by helping the author polish the work before wider circulation.
It strengthens stewardship because Christian authors are entrusted with messages that must be handled with care.
After Receiving Feedback
What to do when you get the judges’ feedback
Receiving feedback can be emotional. Some comments will encourage you. Others may stretch you. Both can serve your growth if you receive them with wisdom.
Read Prayerfully
Before reacting, pause. Ask God for humility, wisdom, and discernment. Feedback is easier to receive when the heart is steady.
Celebrate Strengths
Do not rush past the positive comments. Your strengths show where your voice, message, and writing are already making an impact.
Sit with Improvement
Not every correction is easy to hear. Give yourself time to process. A comment that feels uncomfortable today may become useful tomorrow.
Look for Themes
If more than one judge mentions the same concern, pay close attention. Repeated feedback often points to areas that truly need revision.
Make a Plan
Turn the feedback into clear action steps. Decide what needs editing, restructuring, rewriting, proofreading, design improvement, or professional support.
Do Not Take It Personally
Feedback on your book is not rejection of your calling. Even good books need refining before they reach more readers.
Let ACABA by CLC Kenya’s comprehensive book reviews elevate your author journey.
Contact ACABAACABA by CLC Kenya
Meet the Judges’ Feedback Team
The Authors Training & Empowerment Team is here to support authors as they receive, understand, and respond to judges’ feedback with clarity, wisdom, and practical next steps.
Authors Training & Empowerment
Supporting Authors with Care, Order, and Excellence
Receiving judges’ feedback can be a meaningful part of the author journey. This team helps authors navigate the process, ask the right questions, and use the feedback as a tool for growth rather than discouragement. A well-reviewed book is not merely corrected. It is sharpened, strengthened, and better prepared to serve readers.
ACABA Secretariat
The ACABA Secretariat supports the wider work of coordination, leadership, country engagement, programme administration, and author empowerment across the African Christian Authors Book Award community.
Need Help with Judges’ Feedback?
We are here to support your author journey.
Whether you are asking about timelines, clarification, feedback reports, or next steps, kindly reach out to the team member best placed to assist you.
ACABA by CLC Kenya | Authors Training & Empowerment
Contact the TeamJudges and Criteria
Find Your Judges and Understand the Judging Criteria
Before receiving or responding to judges’ feedback, authors are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the judges and the judging criteria. This helps you understand the areas your book was reviewed against and gives context to the comments, strengths, and areas of improvement highlighted in your report.
The judging criteria provide a helpful guide for reflection. They show what the review process considers, including quality of writing, structure, message, originality, presentation, reader impact, and overall excellence. Knowing this helps you receive feedback with clarity rather than confusion.
Use the Criteria as a Growth Tool
Do not only look at the final comments. Look at the standard behind the comments. This is where the real sharpening begins.
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