Accolades
Choose a time for an old-fashioned, no-obligation conversation:
Real authors. Real results.
Celebrating Author Achievement
Our authors succeed not by chance, but through the careful combination of expert publishing services. From award-winning design and rigorous editing to enhanced ebook development, SEO, typesetting, and bespoke marketing, each success story reflects a joined-up strategy. These accolades showcase what's possible when a beautifully produced book is paired with the tools needed to grow a loyal readership.
Recognising Real Results
Here you'll find a showcase of authors and books that have reached outstanding heights - often topping multiple Amazon categories. Each listing highlights the top positions gained, positions that are permanent in the sense that they can be shared as accolades of their books' historical achievements. These achievements are the result of talent, care, and strategic publishing — a reflection of the long-term vision Spiffing shares with every author we work with.
Top Amazon Categories
#1 Greek & Roman Literature
#7 Historical European Fiction
#7 War & Military Action Fiction (Kindle Store)
#8 Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction1,886 units sold in 3 weeks during Spiffing Loss Leader campaign
Maggie Morris Wyllie draws on a distinguished career as an art historian, with decades spent working in major European museums, to inspire her fiction. Her novels, including The Secret of Villa Favoni and Sunship, reflect a deep connection to Renaissance Florence and Ancient Rome, blending rich historical insight with imaginative storytelling.
Top Amazon Categories
#1 Contemporary Urban Fiction
#1 British & Irish Contemporary Literature
#1 Urban Fiction (Kindle Store)Andy Burn brings a sharp, real-world edge to his crime writing, drawing on a board-level career in property, media, and finance where he encountered both the best and worst of human nature. His work, including Catford Dogs, reflects a fascination with motivation and morality, blending authentic character insight with compelling, story-driven intrigue.
Top Amazon Categories
#1 Memoirs
#1 Terrorism Thrillers
#1 Espionage True Accounts
#1 True Accounts of Organised Crime
#1 Adventurer & Explorer Biographies
#1 Regional UK Biographies
#1 Historical African Biographies2,622 Units sold in 3 days during Spiffing Loss Leader campaign
Michael Howard brings a wealth of real-world aviation experience to his writing, drawing on a career that spans over 16,000 flying hours. His writing blends those true-life encounters with suspenseful storytelling, offering readers an authentic and gripping glimpse into high-stakes situations few ever experience.
Accolades:
- First Prize Winner of the British Medical Association (BMA) Medical Book Award
- BJGP Life Critical Review: Described by the British Journal of General Practice as an “excellent book” that provides a “broad coverage of the failings and fragility” of the NHS.
Accolades
- London Book Festival: Winner of Cookbooks Award
- Paris Book Festival: Winner of Award for Excellence.
- New England Book Festival: Category Award
- Cake Masters Magazine Awards: Shortlisted for the Best Cake Book Award (reaching the final four out of thousands of entries).
Retail Presence: Despite being self-published, Opulencia was selected for stock by Waterstones.
Bestseller Status: Amazon top 20 entry for “Baking” and “Cake Decorating”
Stefan Le Roy
The Man Who Murdered His Stag
Wrote his debut after more than 30 years in the publishing industry
Top Amazon Chart Positions:
#1 Assassination Thrillers
#1 Humourous Dark Comedy
#1 Lad LitA distinctive voice in contemporary British crime fiction, drawing on over 30 years in the publishing industry to craft sharply observed, darkly humorous storytelling. Best known for his debut The Man Who Murdered His Stag, his work blends wit, intrigue, and pace, continuing to engage readers with its originality and unmistakably British character.
David Gluckman
That Sh*t Will Never Sell
Creator of brands such as Baileys Irish Cream, Tanqueray Gin and many other household-name drinks
Top Amazon Chart Positions:
#1 Alcoholic Beverages
#1 Business Marketing & Sales
#1 Biographies of Business Professionals
#1 Wine Collecting
#1 Spirits
#1 Business Biographies & Memoirs
#1 Marketing & SalesDaily Mail: “brilliant” and “frank” storytelling.
David Gluckman stands among the most influential figures in modern branding, known for creating iconic drinks including Baileys Irish Cream and shaping globally recognised consumer brands. His work continues to inspire through its blend of commercial insight, creativity, and lasting impact on how products connect with audiences.
Top Amazon Chart Positions:
#1 Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction
#1 British & Irish Contemporary Literature
#1 International Mystery & CrimeDouglas stands among Britain’s most accomplished storytellers, with work spanning iconic tv dramas and crime fiction. With credits on Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie’s Poirot, his latest release The Occasional Jonas Kemble continues to engage audiences with intelligent, witty storytelling.
Top Amazon Chart Positions:
#1: Crime & Mystery Science Fiction
#1: Trad Detectives Mystery
#1: Women’s Fantasy Fiction
#1: British & Irish Humour and Satire
#1: Historical ThrillersRanking #91
Awards
Winner: Indie Ink Awards 2024 for Best Light Read: https://indiestorygeek.com/a/indie-ink-awards-2024
Top Amazon Chart Positions: Bestseller Ranking 5807 in all books
Commendations: Now available to watch Netflix Series: The One:
Ailsa Hichens
Everything They Told You About Menopause Weightless is Wrong
Best selling personal health guru
Top Amazon Chart Positions:
#1 In Personal Health
#1 Diets and Weight Loss
#1 Disorders & Diseases
Top Amazon Categories
#1 – Men’s Adventure Fiction
#1 – War & Military Action Fiction
#2 – Espionage ThrillersBest Seller Ranking
#55 Amazon Free Downloads Chart, February 22, 2024
Top Amazon Categories
#1 – Medical Thrillers (Kindle Store)
#2 – Organised Crime
#3 – Crime Action FictionBest Seller Ranking
#143 Amazon Free Downloads Chart, January 1st, 2024
Top Amazon Categories
#1 – Horror Short Stories
#1 – Humourous Dark Comedy
#1 – British & Irish Short StoriesBest Seller Ranking
#43 Amazon Free Downloads Chart, February 22, 2024
Top Amazon Categories
#1 Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction
#1 Historical European Fiction
#1 British & Irish Historical LiteratureBest Seller Ranking
#63 Free in Kindle Store
Top Amazon Categories
#1 – Scottish Crime
#1 – Women’s Detective Fiction
#1 – Women’s Psychological FictionBest Seller Ranking
#42
Top Amazon Categories
#1 – Religious history of Judaism
#1 – Judaism (Kindle Store)
#3 – Religious BiographiesBest Seller Ranking
#1614 In Books
Top Amazon Category Positions
#1 – Humorous Dark Comedy
#1 – Action & Adventure Short Stories
#1 – British & Irish Drama & PlaysAwarded:
Awarded
Winner of the 2025 Comedy Women in Print Prize – Self-Published Novel: comedywomeninprint.co.uk
Commendations
“This captivating read is perfect…this page turner keeps you guessing. We loved it.”
Closer Magazine – Must Read PickYours Magazine – Book Club Choice
Top Amazon Category Positions
#2 – Science & Scientist Humour
#53 – Political Humour
#67 – Metaphysical & VisionaryCommendations
“wise, humane, compelling and entertaining.” Stephen Fry
