Our 2024 Winter-Fall Contest
* Featuring 36 returning champions!
* Amazon Associate links are gradually being added to the products listed on this results page. This is a slow process.
Thank you for your patience!
SUPER-CATEGORY CHAMPIONS
(Medal Winners)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Non-Fiction Book of 2024 Clash of Champions
1st Place
“Elevate and Dominate” Deion Sanders
“Self-Publishing for New Authors” Dale L. Roberts
“The Start of All Things Good” Danielle Billetz-Reppert
“Freeing Teresa” Franke James
“Self-Promote & Succeed” Julie Broad
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“Gunsmoke: An American Institution” Ben Costello
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“Near the Danube Bridge” Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
“Gifted and Empowered” Carole D. Monteiro
2nd Place
“Becoming Fearless” Dr. Benjamin Ritter
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“What’s Eating Our Kids?” Dr. Julie Wendt
“How to Stand Up to Bullying” M.C. Ryder
“The Doctor’s Voice” Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli
“The Singularity of Hope” Dr. Sam Sammane
3rd Place
“While I Can” Jo Dibblee
"My Baja Snapshot" Jo Dibblee
“Words Left Unspoken” J.A. McGovern
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Fiction Book of 2024 Clash of Champions
1st Place
“Perilous Journey” Deependra Bhandari
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” Emiliano Forino Procacci
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
“Where Dark Things Grow” Andrew Clark
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
“Kindred of the Unseen” Micah Beardsley
2nd Place
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
“Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” David V. Mammina
“The Snow Goose and Other Tales” Ellen Murphy
“Somewhere in Minnesota” Jayna Locke
“Roth” Jonas Romano Weiss
“The Train Story” Joyce Crawford
“To Outwit the Fate” K.E. Adamus
“The Pact” Lisa Darcy
“Flight 316” Maurita Burgett
“Tales of Witches and Wyverns” S. Ramsey
3rd Place
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” Caroline Lee
“Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Animal Quest” David Bush
“The Dark Mother” Jamilette Cintron
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
“The Devil’s Conquest” K.M. Taylor
“A Crow in the Canyon” Melissa Widmaier
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Children's Book of 2024 Clash of Champions
1st Place
“Hide and Seek Alphabet with American Animals” Anna Finch
“Abbey’s Special Gift” Diane Capogna
“Yuki Star of the Sea” Don Bluth
“Brunt and Eggbert” Jeff Dorrill
“Diary of a Service Dog” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” Miki Taylor
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
“Piper’s Perfect Pick” Peni Clark
“The Healer Cat” Tuula Pere, PhD
“Colin the Crab Falls in Love” Tuula Pere, PhD
“A Bluebird’s Memories” Tuula Pere, PhD
“The Fox and the Election Fraud” Tuula Pere, PhD
“The Fox’s New Channel” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“The Bird Prison” Tuula Pere, PhD
“Diary of a Service Beast” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Colorworld: The Adirondack Adventure” Anthony Richichi
“The Power of Respect” Ruth Maille
“Why the Fisherman Fished” D.T. Rossi
“Happy Makes Me Happy” Mr. B's Books
“Grandma Yogini” Raven Howell
“My Sunflowers” Tuula Pere, PhD
3rd Place
“The 91st Tree from Queensbury” Mary Jean DeSantis, Anthony Richichi
“Nurse Florence, What Are Amino Acids?” Michael Dow
“Skinny Katie & Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie” Paul Bullock from Lubbock
Best Non-Fiction Book of 2024 Clash of Champions
1st Place
“Elevate and Dominate” Deion Sanders
“Self-Publishing for New Authors” Dale L. Roberts
“The Start of All Things Good” Danielle Billetz-Reppert
“Freeing Teresa” Franke James
“Self-Promote & Succeed” Julie Broad
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“Gunsmoke: An American Institution” Ben Costello
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“Near the Danube Bridge” Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
“Gifted and Empowered” Carole D. Monteiro
2nd Place
“Becoming Fearless” Dr. Benjamin Ritter
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“What’s Eating Our Kids?” Dr. Julie Wendt
“How to Stand Up to Bullying” M.C. Ryder
“The Doctor’s Voice” Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli
“The Singularity of Hope” Dr. Sam Sammane
3rd Place
“While I Can” Jo Dibblee
"My Baja Snapshot" Jo Dibblee
“Words Left Unspoken” J.A. McGovern
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Fiction Book of 2024 Clash of Champions
1st Place
“Perilous Journey” Deependra Bhandari
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” Emiliano Forino Procacci
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
“Where Dark Things Grow” Andrew Clark
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
“Kindred of the Unseen” Micah Beardsley
2nd Place
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
“Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” David V. Mammina
“The Snow Goose and Other Tales” Ellen Murphy
“Somewhere in Minnesota” Jayna Locke
“Roth” Jonas Romano Weiss
“The Train Story” Joyce Crawford
“To Outwit the Fate” K.E. Adamus
“The Pact” Lisa Darcy
“Flight 316” Maurita Burgett
“Tales of Witches and Wyverns” S. Ramsey
3rd Place
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” Caroline Lee
“Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Animal Quest” David Bush
“The Dark Mother” Jamilette Cintron
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
“The Devil’s Conquest” K.M. Taylor
“A Crow in the Canyon” Melissa Widmaier
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Children's Book of 2024 Clash of Champions
1st Place
“Hide and Seek Alphabet with American Animals” Anna Finch
“Abbey’s Special Gift” Diane Capogna
“Yuki Star of the Sea” Don Bluth
“Brunt and Eggbert” Jeff Dorrill
“Diary of a Service Dog” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” Miki Taylor
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
“Piper’s Perfect Pick” Peni Clark
“The Healer Cat” Tuula Pere, PhD
“Colin the Crab Falls in Love” Tuula Pere, PhD
“A Bluebird’s Memories” Tuula Pere, PhD
“The Fox and the Election Fraud” Tuula Pere, PhD
“The Fox’s New Channel” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“The Bird Prison” Tuula Pere, PhD
“Diary of a Service Beast” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Colorworld: The Adirondack Adventure” Anthony Richichi
“The Power of Respect” Ruth Maille
“Why the Fisherman Fished” D.T. Rossi
“Happy Makes Me Happy” Mr. B's Books
“Grandma Yogini” Raven Howell
“My Sunflowers” Tuula Pere, PhD
3rd Place
“The 91st Tree from Queensbury” Mary Jean DeSantis, Anthony Richichi
“Nurse Florence, What Are Amino Acids?” Michael Dow
“Skinny Katie & Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie” Paul Bullock from Lubbock
CATEGORY WINNERS
Outstanding Creator Award for
Autobiographies & Memoirs
1st Place
“Elevate and Dominate” Deion Sanders
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
“Freeing Teresa” Franke James
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
2nd Place
“While I Can” Jo Dibblee
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
Outstanding Creator Award for
Biographies
1st Place
“Freeing Teresa” Franke James
“Near the Danube Bridge” Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
“Gunsmoke: An American Institution” Ben Costello
Outstanding Creator Award for
Time Travel / Alternate Reality / Multiverse
1st Place
“Taking Time” Mike Murphey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Travel
1st Place
“While I Can” Jo Dibblee
"My Baja Snapshot" Jo Dibblee
Outstanding Creator Award for
Current Events
1st Place
“Perilous Journey” Deepedra Bhandari
“The Bird Prison” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“The Power of Respect” Ruth Maille
3rd Place
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” Caroline Lee
Outstanding Creator Award for
Philosophy
1st Place
“Everything From Nothing” S.E. Elwell
2nd Place
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Absurdist Fiction
1st Place
“To Outwit the Fate” K.E. Adamus
“Roth” Jonas Romano Weiss
2nd Place
“Taking Time” Mike Murphey
“The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” Cameron Straughan
Outstanding Creator Award for
LGBTQ+
1st Place
“Avelina” L.E. Brooks
2nd Place
“A Skeleton in Bone Creek” Baer Charlton
Outstanding Creator Award for
Historical Fiction
1st Place
“Where Dark Things Grow” Andrew Clark
“To Bloom Like a Tulip” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Animal Quest” David Bush
“The Snow Goose and Other Tales” Ellen Murphy
“The Devil’s Conquest” K.M. Taylor
2nd Place
“The Survivors” Ellen Murphy
3rd Place
“The Lost and The Found” Ellen Murphy
Honorable Mention:
“Magda Revealed” Ursula Werner
Outstanding Creator Award for
History (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“Near the Danube Bridge” Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
“Gunsmoke: An American Institution” Ben Costello
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
Outstanding Creator Award for
Food / Cooking/ Recipe Books
1st Place
“What’s Eating Our Kids?” Dr. Julie Wendt
Outstanding Creator Award for
Sports
1st Place
“Elevate and Dominate” Deion Sanders
“Piper’s Perfect Pick” Peni Clark
“The Pact” Lisa Darcy
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
Outstanding Creator Award for
Performing Arts / Public Performance / Presentations
1st Place
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
2nd Place
“Who Are These Bugs?” Zachary Simpson, Erin Rementer
“Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical” Zachary Simpson (Script), Betsy Coffeen (Story)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Theater / Plays / Scripts / Musicals
1st Place
“Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical” Zachary Simpson (Script), Betsy Coffeen (Story)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mystery / Murder Mystery / Detective Mystery
1st Place
“Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” Carolyn Summer Quinn
2nd Place
“A Skeleton in Bone Creek” Baer Charlton
Outstanding Creator Award for
Addiction / Alcoholism Books
1st Place
“James and Elle” Casey Rae
Outstanding Creator Award for
Holidays / Christmas Books
1st Place
“The 91st Tree From Queensbury” Mary Jean DeSantis, Anthony Richichi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Thriller Novels
1st Place
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
“Where Dark Things Grow” Andrew Clark
2nd Place
“Terror in Big Bend” Ethan Richards
3rd Place
“2024: Attack on America” Sasha Zarustin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Supernatural Fiction / Paranormal Fiction
1st Place
“Where Dark Things Grow” Andrew Clark
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
2nd Place
“The Train Story” Joyce Crawford
“Flight 316” Maurita Burgett
“A Crow in the Canyon” Melissa Widmaier
3rd Place
“Untold Prophecies” Rhiannon Hailey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Superheroes & Superpowers
1st Place
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
2nd Place
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
“The Devil’s Conquest” K.M. Taylor
3rd Place
“Super Super Charro” Carlos Lozano
"Avelina" L.E. Brooks
Outstanding Creator Award for
Short Stories / Anthologies / Collections
1st Place
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” Emiliano Forino Procacci
2nd Place
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
“Somewhere in Minnesota” Jayna Locke
“The Dark Mother” Jamilette Cintron
“The Snow Goose and Other Tales” Ellen Murphy
3rd Place
“The Lost and The Found” Ellen Murphy
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mental Health
1st Place
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
2nd Place
"Words Left Unspoken" J.A. McGovern
3rd Place
"James and Elle" Casey Rae
Outstanding Creator Award for
Photography
1st Place
"My Baja Snapshot" Jo Dibblee
Outstanding Creator Award for
Fantasy
1st Place
“Tales of Witches and Wyverns” S. Ramsey
“Kindred of the Unseen” Micah Beardsley
“Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” David V. Mammina
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
“Where Dark Things Grow” Andrew Clark
“Animal Quest” David Bush
2nd Place
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” Caroline Lee
“The Devil’s Conquest” K.M. Taylor
“A Crow in the Canyon” Melissa Widmaier
3rd Place
“Avelina” L.E. Brooks
Outstanding Creator Award for
Business
* Includes Entrepreneurship / Sales & Marketing / Management / Investing / Career / Finance
1st Place
“The Start of All Things Good” Danielle Billetz-Reppert
“Self-Promote & Succeed” Julie Broad
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
2nd Place
“Becoming Fearless” Dr. Benjamin Ritter
3rd Place
“The Doctor’s Voice” Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli (Career)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Military
1st Place
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
2nd Place
“James and Elle” Casey Rae
3rd place
“2024: Attack on America” Sasha Zarustin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science-Fiction (Sci-Fi)
1st Place
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” Emiliano Forino Procacci
2nd Place
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
3rd Place
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
“Terror in Big Bend” Ethan Richards
“Taking Time” Mike Murphey
“2024: Attack on America” Sasha Zarustin
“Ultimatum” Vladimir Fleurisma
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science
1st Place
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
2nd Place
“Everything From Nothing” S.E. Elwell
Outstanding Creator Award for
Romance
1st Place
“The Pact” Lisa Darcy
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
“Colin the Crab Falls in Love” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“The Devil’s Conquest” K.M. Taylor
3rd Place
“Roth” Jonas Romano Weiss
“Flight 316” Maurita Burgett
“Untold Prophecies” Rhiannon Hailey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Comedy / Humor / Satire
1st Place
“Roth” Jonas Romano Weiss
“The Fox and the Election Fraud” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
“To Outwit the Fate” K.E. Adamus
3rd Place
“The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” Cameron Straughan
“Taking Time” Mike Murphey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Music
1st Place
“Who Are These Bugs?” Zachary Simpson, Erin Rementer
Outstanding Creator Award for
Camping & Outdoors
1st Place
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
Outstanding Creator Award for
Middle Grade Books
1st Place
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” Caroline Lee
Outstanding Creator Award for
Dystopia / Apocalyptic Fiction / Near-Future
1st Place
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” Emiliano Forino Procacci
2nd Place
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
3rd Place
“Ultimatum” Vladimir Fleurisma
Outstanding Creator Award for
Speculative Fiction
1st Place
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” Emiliano Forino Procacci
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
2nd Place
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
3rd Place
“Taking Time” Mike Murphey
“Ultimatum” Vladimir Fleurisma
Honorable Mentions:
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
“Magda Revealed” Ursula Werner
Outstanding Creator Award for
Spirituality
1st Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
2nd Place
“Awaken to Your Truth” Joanna Alexopoulos
Outstanding Creator Award for
Health / Healthcare/ Medical / Illness / Disabilities
1st Place
“Freeing Teresa” Franke James
“What’s Eating Our Kids?” Dr. Julie Wendt
“vSim for Nursing (LPN/LVN)” by Laerdal Medical, Wolters Kluwer
“Diary of a Service Dog” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
2nd Place
“While I Can” Jo Dibblee
“The Doctor’s Voice” Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli
“Nurse Florence, What Are Amino Acids?” Michael Dow
“Grandma Yogini” Raven Howell
Outstanding Creator Award for
Religion
1st Place
“Near the Danube Bridge” Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
3rd Place
“Magda Revealed” Ursula Werner
Outstanding Creator Award for
Self-Help & How-to Books
1st Place
“Elevate and Dominate” Deion Sanders
“Self-Promote & Succeed” Julie Broad
“Gifted and Empowered” Carole D. Monteiro
“Self-Publishing for New Authors” Dale L. Roberts
“The Start of All Things Good” Danielle Billetz-Reppert
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
2nd Place
“Becoming Fearless” Dr. Benjamin Ritter
“What’s Eating Our Kids?” Dr. Julie Wendt
“How to Stand Up to Bullying” M.C. Ryder
3rd Place
“Awaken to Your Truth” Joanna Alexopoulos
Outstanding Creator Award for
Psychological Fiction
1st Place
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
“Roth” Jonas Romano Weiss
2nd Place
“James and Elle” Casey Rae
“There’s No Cure for Impossible” Carolyn Summer Quinn
3rd Place
“Flight 316” Maurita Burgett
Outstanding Creator Award for
Educational & Reference Books
1st Place
“Hide and Seek Alphabet with American Animals” Anna Finch
“Self-Publishing for New Authors” Dale L. Roberts
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“Self-Promote & Succeed” Julie Broad
“Gunsmoke: An American Institution” Ben Costello
“The Singularity of Hope” Dr. Sam Sammane
2nd Place
“Colorworld: The Adirondack Adventure” Anthony Richichi
3rd Place
“The 91st Tree from Queensbury” Mary Jean DeSantis, Anthony Richichi
“Nurse Florence, What Are Amino Acids?” Michael Dow
“Video Podcasting Made Easy” Ross Brand, Kevin Kolbe
Outstanding Creator Award for
Books About Writing / Books About Publishing
1st Place
“Self-Publishing for New Authors” Dale L. Roberts
“Self-Promote & Succeed” Julie Broad
Outstanding Creator Award for
Plants & Gardening / Nature
1st Place
“My Sunflowers” Tuula Pere, PhD
“The 91st Tree from Queensbury” Mary Jean DeSantis, Anthony Richichi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Christianity
1st Place
“The Train Story” Joyce Crawford
“Flight 316” Maurita Burgett
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
Outstanding Creator Award for
Friendship
1st Place
“The Power of Respect” Ruth Maille
“Tales of Witches and Wyverns” S. Ramsey
“Colin the Crab Falls in Love” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“Skinny Katie & Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie” Paul Bullock from Lubbock
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” Caroline Lee
“There’s No Cure for Impossible” Carolyn Summer Quinn
Outstanding Creator Award for
Family
1st Place
“Freeing Teresa” Franke James
“James and Elle” Casey Rae
“The Pact” Lisa Darcy
2nd Place
“Grandma Yogini” Raven Howell
“The Power of Respect” Ruth Maille
Outstanding Creator Award for
Poetry
1st Place
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
“Words Left Unspoken” J.A. McGovern
“Unheard” Bhavini Bhargava
Outstanding Creator Award for
Action Books
1st Place
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
2nd Place
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
3rd Place
“Super Super Charro” Carlos Lozano
“Terror in Big Bend” Ethan Richards
Outstanding Creator Award for
Adventure Books
1st Place
“Perilous Journey” Deepedra Bhandari
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
2nd Place
“Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” David V. Mammina
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” Caroline Lee
“Animal Quest” David Bush
“While I Can” Jo Dibblee
3rd Place
“The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” Cameron Straughan
Honorable Mention:
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Horror
1st Place
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
“The Dark Mother” Jamilette Cintron
Outstanding Creator Award for
Literary & Contemporary Fiction
1st Place
“Roth” Jonas Romano Weiss
“To Outwit the Fate” K.E. Adamus
2nd Place
“Somewhere in Minnesota” Jayna Locke
“Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” Carolyn Summer Quinn
3rd Place
“James and Elle” Casey Rae
“There’s No Cure for Impossible” Carolyn Summer Quinn
Outstanding Creator Award for
Multicultural / Multilingual / Bilingual Fiction
1st Place
“Perilous Journey” Deepedra Bhandari
2nd Place
"My Baja Snapshot" Jo Dibblee
“While I Can” Jo Dibblee
“Super Super Charro” Carlos Lozano
3rd Place
“A Skeleton in Bone Creek” Baer Charlton
Outstanding Creator Award for
Women's Literature
1st Place
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
“There’s No Cure for Impossible” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“The Snow Goose and Other Tales” Ellen Murphy
2nd Place
“The Lost and The Found” Ellen Murphy
“The Dark Mother” Jamilette Cintron
3rd Place
“The Survivors” Ellen Murphy
Honorable Mention:
“Magda Revealed” Ursula Werner
Outstanding Creator Award for
Children's Motivational & Inspirational Books
1st Place
“Yuki Star of the Sea” Don Bluth
“Piper’s Perfect Pick” Peni Clark
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
“My Sunflowers” Tuula Pere, PhD
“Brunt and Eggbert” Jeff Dorrill
2nd Place
“Colorworld: The Adirondack Adventure” Anthony Richichi
“Happy Makes Me Happy” Mr. B's Books
“The Power of Respect” Ruth Maille
3rd Place
“A Bluebird’s Memories” Tuula Pere, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Motivational / Inspirational Books
1st Place
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“Becoming Fearless” Dr. Benjamin Ritter
"Elevate and Dominate" Deion Sanders
“The Start of All Things Good” Danielle Billetz-Reppert
2nd Place
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“The Train Story” Joyce Crawford
“How to Stand Up to Bullying” M.C. Ryder
3rd Place
“Awaken to Your Truth” Joanna Alexopoulos
Outstanding Creator Award for
Teen & Young-Adult (YA) Fiction
1st Place
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
2nd Place
“To Bloom Like a Tulip” Carolyn Summer Quinn
Outstanding Creator Award for
Emerging Technologies / Books About A.I. / Books About Cybernetics
1st Place
“The Singularity of Hope” Dr. Sam Sammane
2nd Place
“Video Podcasting Made Easy” Ross Brand, Kevin Kolbe
3rd Place
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
“2024: Attack on America” Sasha Zarustin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Books About Social Media / Streaming
1st Place
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
“The Fox’s New Channel” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“Video Podcasting Made Easy” Ross Brand, Kevin Kolbe
Outstanding Creator Award for
Technology / Software / Programs
1st Place
“vSim for Nursing (LPN/LVN)” by Laerdal Medical, Wolters Kluwer
Outstanding Creator Award for
Grief and Coping / Trauma Literature
1st Place
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
“Near the Danube Bridge” Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
2nd Place
“Words Left Unspoken” J.A. McGovern
3rd Place
“James and Elle” Casey Rae
Outstanding Creator Award for
Animal Books
1st Place
“Yuki Star of the Sea” Don Bluth
“Hide and Seek Alphabet with American Animals” Anna Finch
“Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” Miki Taylor
“The Healer Cat” Tuula Pere, PhD
“Colorworld: The Adirondack Adventure” Anthony Richichi
“Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Animal Quest” David Bush
“The Bird Prison” Tuula Pere, PhD
“Colin the Crab Falls in Love” Tuula Pere, PhD
“A Bluebird’s Memories” Tuula Pere, PhD
“The Fox and the Election Fraud” Tuula Pere, PhD
“The Fox’s New Channel” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“Why the Fisherman Fished” D.T. Rossi
3rd Place
“Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical” Zachary Simpson (Script), Betsy Coffeen (Story)
“Jonty and the Giant Pike” Tuula Pere, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Books About Pets
1st Place
“Abbey’s Special Gift” Diane Capogna
“Diary of a Service Dog” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Diary of a Service Beast” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” Miki Taylor
2nd Place
“Happy Makes Me Happy” Mr. B's Books
“Skinny Katie & Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie” Paul Bullock from Lubbock
Outstanding Creator Award for
Myths & Legends / Fairy Tales / Mythical Creatures / Cryptids
1st Place
“Tales of Witches and Wyverns” S. Ramsey
“Kindred of the Unseen” Micah Beardsley
“Brunt and Eggbert” Jeff Dorrill
“Diary of a Service Beast” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
2nd Place
“The Dark Mother” Jamilette Cintron
“Why the Fisherman Fished” D.T. Rossi
3rd Place
“Super Super Charro” Carlos Lozano
“Untold Prophecies” Rhiannon Hailey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Audiobooks
1st Place
“Elevate and Dominate” Deion Sanders
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
2nd Place
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
3rd Place
“The Doctor’s Voice” Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli
“Self-Promote & Succeed” Julie Broad
Autobiographies & Memoirs
1st Place
“Elevate and Dominate” Deion Sanders
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
“Freeing Teresa” Franke James
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
2nd Place
“While I Can” Jo Dibblee
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
Outstanding Creator Award for
Biographies
1st Place
“Freeing Teresa” Franke James
“Near the Danube Bridge” Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
“Gunsmoke: An American Institution” Ben Costello
Outstanding Creator Award for
Time Travel / Alternate Reality / Multiverse
1st Place
“Taking Time” Mike Murphey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Travel
1st Place
“While I Can” Jo Dibblee
"My Baja Snapshot" Jo Dibblee
Outstanding Creator Award for
Current Events
1st Place
“Perilous Journey” Deepedra Bhandari
“The Bird Prison” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“The Power of Respect” Ruth Maille
3rd Place
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” Caroline Lee
Outstanding Creator Award for
Philosophy
1st Place
“Everything From Nothing” S.E. Elwell
2nd Place
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Absurdist Fiction
1st Place
“To Outwit the Fate” K.E. Adamus
“Roth” Jonas Romano Weiss
2nd Place
“Taking Time” Mike Murphey
“The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” Cameron Straughan
Outstanding Creator Award for
LGBTQ+
1st Place
“Avelina” L.E. Brooks
2nd Place
“A Skeleton in Bone Creek” Baer Charlton
Outstanding Creator Award for
Historical Fiction
1st Place
“Where Dark Things Grow” Andrew Clark
“To Bloom Like a Tulip” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Animal Quest” David Bush
“The Snow Goose and Other Tales” Ellen Murphy
“The Devil’s Conquest” K.M. Taylor
2nd Place
“The Survivors” Ellen Murphy
3rd Place
“The Lost and The Found” Ellen Murphy
Honorable Mention:
“Magda Revealed” Ursula Werner
Outstanding Creator Award for
History (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“Near the Danube Bridge” Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
“Gunsmoke: An American Institution” Ben Costello
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
Outstanding Creator Award for
Food / Cooking/ Recipe Books
1st Place
“What’s Eating Our Kids?” Dr. Julie Wendt
Outstanding Creator Award for
Sports
1st Place
“Elevate and Dominate” Deion Sanders
“Piper’s Perfect Pick” Peni Clark
“The Pact” Lisa Darcy
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
Outstanding Creator Award for
Performing Arts / Public Performance / Presentations
1st Place
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
2nd Place
“Who Are These Bugs?” Zachary Simpson, Erin Rementer
“Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical” Zachary Simpson (Script), Betsy Coffeen (Story)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Theater / Plays / Scripts / Musicals
1st Place
“Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical” Zachary Simpson (Script), Betsy Coffeen (Story)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mystery / Murder Mystery / Detective Mystery
1st Place
“Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” Carolyn Summer Quinn
2nd Place
“A Skeleton in Bone Creek” Baer Charlton
Outstanding Creator Award for
Addiction / Alcoholism Books
1st Place
“James and Elle” Casey Rae
Outstanding Creator Award for
Holidays / Christmas Books
1st Place
“The 91st Tree From Queensbury” Mary Jean DeSantis, Anthony Richichi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Thriller Novels
1st Place
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
“Where Dark Things Grow” Andrew Clark
2nd Place
“Terror in Big Bend” Ethan Richards
3rd Place
“2024: Attack on America” Sasha Zarustin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Supernatural Fiction / Paranormal Fiction
1st Place
“Where Dark Things Grow” Andrew Clark
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
2nd Place
“The Train Story” Joyce Crawford
“Flight 316” Maurita Burgett
“A Crow in the Canyon” Melissa Widmaier
3rd Place
“Untold Prophecies” Rhiannon Hailey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Superheroes & Superpowers
1st Place
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
2nd Place
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
“The Devil’s Conquest” K.M. Taylor
3rd Place
“Super Super Charro” Carlos Lozano
"Avelina" L.E. Brooks
Outstanding Creator Award for
Short Stories / Anthologies / Collections
1st Place
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” Emiliano Forino Procacci
2nd Place
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
“Somewhere in Minnesota” Jayna Locke
“The Dark Mother” Jamilette Cintron
“The Snow Goose and Other Tales” Ellen Murphy
3rd Place
“The Lost and The Found” Ellen Murphy
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mental Health
1st Place
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
2nd Place
"Words Left Unspoken" J.A. McGovern
3rd Place
"James and Elle" Casey Rae
Outstanding Creator Award for
Photography
1st Place
"My Baja Snapshot" Jo Dibblee
Outstanding Creator Award for
Fantasy
1st Place
“Tales of Witches and Wyverns” S. Ramsey
“Kindred of the Unseen” Micah Beardsley
“Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” David V. Mammina
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
“Where Dark Things Grow” Andrew Clark
“Animal Quest” David Bush
2nd Place
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” Caroline Lee
“The Devil’s Conquest” K.M. Taylor
“A Crow in the Canyon” Melissa Widmaier
3rd Place
“Avelina” L.E. Brooks
Outstanding Creator Award for
Business
* Includes Entrepreneurship / Sales & Marketing / Management / Investing / Career / Finance
1st Place
“The Start of All Things Good” Danielle Billetz-Reppert
“Self-Promote & Succeed” Julie Broad
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
2nd Place
“Becoming Fearless” Dr. Benjamin Ritter
3rd Place
“The Doctor’s Voice” Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli (Career)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Military
1st Place
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
2nd Place
“James and Elle” Casey Rae
3rd place
“2024: Attack on America” Sasha Zarustin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science-Fiction (Sci-Fi)
1st Place
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” Emiliano Forino Procacci
2nd Place
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
3rd Place
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
“Terror in Big Bend” Ethan Richards
“Taking Time” Mike Murphey
“2024: Attack on America” Sasha Zarustin
“Ultimatum” Vladimir Fleurisma
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science
1st Place
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
2nd Place
“Everything From Nothing” S.E. Elwell
Outstanding Creator Award for
Romance
1st Place
“The Pact” Lisa Darcy
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
“Colin the Crab Falls in Love” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“The Devil’s Conquest” K.M. Taylor
3rd Place
“Roth” Jonas Romano Weiss
“Flight 316” Maurita Burgett
“Untold Prophecies” Rhiannon Hailey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Comedy / Humor / Satire
1st Place
“Roth” Jonas Romano Weiss
“The Fox and the Election Fraud” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
“To Outwit the Fate” K.E. Adamus
3rd Place
“The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” Cameron Straughan
“Taking Time” Mike Murphey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Music
1st Place
“Who Are These Bugs?” Zachary Simpson, Erin Rementer
Outstanding Creator Award for
Camping & Outdoors
1st Place
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
Outstanding Creator Award for
Middle Grade Books
1st Place
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” Caroline Lee
Outstanding Creator Award for
Dystopia / Apocalyptic Fiction / Near-Future
1st Place
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” Emiliano Forino Procacci
2nd Place
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
3rd Place
“Ultimatum” Vladimir Fleurisma
Outstanding Creator Award for
Speculative Fiction
1st Place
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” Emiliano Forino Procacci
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
2nd Place
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
3rd Place
“Taking Time” Mike Murphey
“Ultimatum” Vladimir Fleurisma
Honorable Mentions:
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
“Magda Revealed” Ursula Werner
Outstanding Creator Award for
Spirituality
1st Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
2nd Place
“Awaken to Your Truth” Joanna Alexopoulos
Outstanding Creator Award for
Health / Healthcare/ Medical / Illness / Disabilities
1st Place
“Freeing Teresa” Franke James
“What’s Eating Our Kids?” Dr. Julie Wendt
“vSim for Nursing (LPN/LVN)” by Laerdal Medical, Wolters Kluwer
“Diary of a Service Dog” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
2nd Place
“While I Can” Jo Dibblee
“The Doctor’s Voice” Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli
“Nurse Florence, What Are Amino Acids?” Michael Dow
“Grandma Yogini” Raven Howell
Outstanding Creator Award for
Religion
1st Place
“Near the Danube Bridge” Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
3rd Place
“Magda Revealed” Ursula Werner
Outstanding Creator Award for
Self-Help & How-to Books
1st Place
“Elevate and Dominate” Deion Sanders
“Self-Promote & Succeed” Julie Broad
“Gifted and Empowered” Carole D. Monteiro
“Self-Publishing for New Authors” Dale L. Roberts
“The Start of All Things Good” Danielle Billetz-Reppert
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
2nd Place
“Becoming Fearless” Dr. Benjamin Ritter
“What’s Eating Our Kids?” Dr. Julie Wendt
“How to Stand Up to Bullying” M.C. Ryder
3rd Place
“Awaken to Your Truth” Joanna Alexopoulos
Outstanding Creator Award for
Psychological Fiction
1st Place
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
“Roth” Jonas Romano Weiss
2nd Place
“James and Elle” Casey Rae
“There’s No Cure for Impossible” Carolyn Summer Quinn
3rd Place
“Flight 316” Maurita Burgett
Outstanding Creator Award for
Educational & Reference Books
1st Place
“Hide and Seek Alphabet with American Animals” Anna Finch
“Self-Publishing for New Authors” Dale L. Roberts
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“Self-Promote & Succeed” Julie Broad
“Gunsmoke: An American Institution” Ben Costello
“The Singularity of Hope” Dr. Sam Sammane
2nd Place
“Colorworld: The Adirondack Adventure” Anthony Richichi
3rd Place
“The 91st Tree from Queensbury” Mary Jean DeSantis, Anthony Richichi
“Nurse Florence, What Are Amino Acids?” Michael Dow
“Video Podcasting Made Easy” Ross Brand, Kevin Kolbe
Outstanding Creator Award for
Books About Writing / Books About Publishing
1st Place
“Self-Publishing for New Authors” Dale L. Roberts
“Self-Promote & Succeed” Julie Broad
Outstanding Creator Award for
Plants & Gardening / Nature
1st Place
“My Sunflowers” Tuula Pere, PhD
“The 91st Tree from Queensbury” Mary Jean DeSantis, Anthony Richichi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Christianity
1st Place
“The Train Story” Joyce Crawford
“Flight 316” Maurita Burgett
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
Outstanding Creator Award for
Friendship
1st Place
“The Power of Respect” Ruth Maille
“Tales of Witches and Wyverns” S. Ramsey
“Colin the Crab Falls in Love” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“Skinny Katie & Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie” Paul Bullock from Lubbock
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” Caroline Lee
“There’s No Cure for Impossible” Carolyn Summer Quinn
Outstanding Creator Award for
Family
1st Place
“Freeing Teresa” Franke James
“James and Elle” Casey Rae
“The Pact” Lisa Darcy
2nd Place
“Grandma Yogini” Raven Howell
“The Power of Respect” Ruth Maille
Outstanding Creator Award for
Poetry
1st Place
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
“Words Left Unspoken” J.A. McGovern
“Unheard” Bhavini Bhargava
Outstanding Creator Award for
Action Books
1st Place
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
2nd Place
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
3rd Place
“Super Super Charro” Carlos Lozano
“Terror in Big Bend” Ethan Richards
Outstanding Creator Award for
Adventure Books
1st Place
“Perilous Journey” Deepedra Bhandari
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
2nd Place
“Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” David V. Mammina
“The Adamantine Jewel” Jeffrey Pears
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” Caroline Lee
“Animal Quest” David Bush
“While I Can” Jo Dibblee
3rd Place
“The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” Cameron Straughan
Honorable Mention:
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Horror
1st Place
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” Alicia-Lorraine Cook
“The Dark Mother” Jamilette Cintron
Outstanding Creator Award for
Literary & Contemporary Fiction
1st Place
“Roth” Jonas Romano Weiss
“To Outwit the Fate” K.E. Adamus
2nd Place
“Somewhere in Minnesota” Jayna Locke
“Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” Carolyn Summer Quinn
3rd Place
“James and Elle” Casey Rae
“There’s No Cure for Impossible” Carolyn Summer Quinn
Outstanding Creator Award for
Multicultural / Multilingual / Bilingual Fiction
1st Place
“Perilous Journey” Deepedra Bhandari
2nd Place
"My Baja Snapshot" Jo Dibblee
“While I Can” Jo Dibblee
“Super Super Charro” Carlos Lozano
3rd Place
“A Skeleton in Bone Creek” Baer Charlton
Outstanding Creator Award for
Women's Literature
1st Place
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
“There’s No Cure for Impossible” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“The Snow Goose and Other Tales” Ellen Murphy
2nd Place
“The Lost and The Found” Ellen Murphy
“The Dark Mother” Jamilette Cintron
3rd Place
“The Survivors” Ellen Murphy
Honorable Mention:
“Magda Revealed” Ursula Werner
Outstanding Creator Award for
Children's Motivational & Inspirational Books
1st Place
“Yuki Star of the Sea” Don Bluth
“Piper’s Perfect Pick” Peni Clark
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
“My Sunflowers” Tuula Pere, PhD
“Brunt and Eggbert” Jeff Dorrill
2nd Place
“Colorworld: The Adirondack Adventure” Anthony Richichi
“Happy Makes Me Happy” Mr. B's Books
“The Power of Respect” Ruth Maille
3rd Place
“A Bluebird’s Memories” Tuula Pere, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Motivational / Inspirational Books
1st Place
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“Becoming Fearless” Dr. Benjamin Ritter
"Elevate and Dominate" Deion Sanders
“The Start of All Things Good” Danielle Billetz-Reppert
2nd Place
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“The Train Story” Joyce Crawford
“How to Stand Up to Bullying” M.C. Ryder
3rd Place
“Awaken to Your Truth” Joanna Alexopoulos
Outstanding Creator Award for
Teen & Young-Adult (YA) Fiction
1st Place
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
2nd Place
“To Bloom Like a Tulip” Carolyn Summer Quinn
Outstanding Creator Award for
Emerging Technologies / Books About A.I. / Books About Cybernetics
1st Place
“The Singularity of Hope” Dr. Sam Sammane
2nd Place
“Video Podcasting Made Easy” Ross Brand, Kevin Kolbe
3rd Place
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
“2024: Attack on America” Sasha Zarustin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Books About Social Media / Streaming
1st Place
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
“The Fox’s New Channel” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“Video Podcasting Made Easy” Ross Brand, Kevin Kolbe
Outstanding Creator Award for
Technology / Software / Programs
1st Place
“vSim for Nursing (LPN/LVN)” by Laerdal Medical, Wolters Kluwer
Outstanding Creator Award for
Grief and Coping / Trauma Literature
1st Place
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“What the Heal” Dr. Tia Warrick
“Near the Danube Bridge” Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
“Playing with #Fire” Micky O'Brady
2nd Place
“Words Left Unspoken” J.A. McGovern
3rd Place
“James and Elle” Casey Rae
Outstanding Creator Award for
Animal Books
1st Place
“Yuki Star of the Sea” Don Bluth
“Hide and Seek Alphabet with American Animals” Anna Finch
“Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” Miki Taylor
“The Healer Cat” Tuula Pere, PhD
“Colorworld: The Adirondack Adventure” Anthony Richichi
“Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Animal Quest” David Bush
“The Bird Prison” Tuula Pere, PhD
“Colin the Crab Falls in Love” Tuula Pere, PhD
“A Bluebird’s Memories” Tuula Pere, PhD
“The Fox and the Election Fraud” Tuula Pere, PhD
“The Fox’s New Channel” Tuula Pere, PhD
2nd Place
“Why the Fisherman Fished” D.T. Rossi
3rd Place
“Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical” Zachary Simpson (Script), Betsy Coffeen (Story)
“Jonty and the Giant Pike” Tuula Pere, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Books About Pets
1st Place
“Abbey’s Special Gift” Diane Capogna
“Diary of a Service Dog” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Diary of a Service Beast” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” Miki Taylor
2nd Place
“Happy Makes Me Happy” Mr. B's Books
“Skinny Katie & Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie” Paul Bullock from Lubbock
Outstanding Creator Award for
Myths & Legends / Fairy Tales / Mythical Creatures / Cryptids
1st Place
“Tales of Witches and Wyverns” S. Ramsey
“Kindred of the Unseen” Micah Beardsley
“Brunt and Eggbert” Jeff Dorrill
“Diary of a Service Beast” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
2nd Place
“The Dark Mother” Jamilette Cintron
“Why the Fisherman Fished” D.T. Rossi
3rd Place
“Super Super Charro” Carlos Lozano
“Untold Prophecies” Rhiannon Hailey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Audiobooks
1st Place
“Elevate and Dominate” Deion Sanders
“The Handler’s Gambit” Ingrid Moon
2nd Place
“The Old Man and Me: Book 2” R.C. Larlham
3rd Place
“The Doctor’s Voice” Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli
“Self-Promote & Succeed” Julie Broad
SPECIAL AWARDS
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Cover”
Winners:
“Awaken to Your Truth” (Second Edition Cover) by Joanna Alexopoulos
“Tales of Witches and Wyverns” (New Cover) by S. Ramsey
“Flight 316” by Maurita Burgett
"Tales Lost Among the Stars" by Emiliano Forino Procacci
Honorable Mentions:
"The Devil's Conquest" by K.M. Taylor
"A Crow in the Canyon" by Melissa Widmaier
"The Handler's Gambit" by Ingrid Moon
"Elevate and Dominate" by Deion Sanders
"Avelina" by L.E. Brooks
"Yuki Star of the Sea" Don Bluth
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Fiction)”
Winner:
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
Honorable Mentions:
“The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
"To Outwit the Fate" by K.E.Adamus
"Roth" by Jonas Romano Weiss
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Non-Fiction)”
Winners:
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” by Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“Becoming Fearless” by Dr. Benjamin Ritter
Honorable Mentions:
“Gifted and Empowered” by Carole D. Monte
“The Start of All Things Good” by Danielle Billetz-Reppert
“Words Left Unspoken” by J.A. McGovern
“Self-Promote & Succeed” by Julie Broad
“Are You Ready?” by Dr. Kimberly Harms
“What the Heal” by Dr. Tia Warrick
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Research”
Winners:
“What’s Eating Our Kids?” by Dr. Julie A. Wendt
“Gunsmoke: An American Institution” by Ben Costello
Honorable Mentions:
“Near the Danube Bridge” by Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
“Self-Publishing for New Authors” by Dale L. Roberts
“The Start of All Things Good” by Danielle Billetz-Reppert
“Animal Quest” by David Bush
“Self-Promote & Succeed” by Julie Broad
“Are You Ready?” by Dr. Kimberly Harms
“Hiring Veterans” by Lt. Col. Matthew J. Louis
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” by Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
“Video Podcasting Made Easy” by Ross Brand, Kevin Kolbe
“The Singularity of Hope” by Dr. Sam Sammane
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best World-Building”
Winner:
“Kindred of the Unseen” by Micah Beardsley
Honorable Mentions:
“Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
“Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” by Alicia-Lorraine Cook
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” by Caroline Lee
“Colorworld: Adirondack Adventure” by Anthony Richichi
“Perilous Journey” by Deependra Bhandari
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
“The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
“Somewhere in Minnesota” by Jayna Locke
“Brunt and Eggbert” by Jeff Dorrill
“While I Can” by Jo Dibblee
“A Crow in the Canyon” by Melissa Widmaier
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” by Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
“Tales of Witches and Wyverns” by S. Ramsey
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Character”
Winners:
Arjun from “Perilous Journey” by Deependra Bhandari
Sam Burkett from “The Train Story” by Joyce Crawford
Piper from “Piper’s Perfect Pick” by Peni Clark
Grandma Bluebird from “A Bluebird’s Memories” Tuula Pere, PhD
Francis the Fox from “The Fox and the Election Fraud” & “The Fox’s New Channel” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Colin Crab from “Colin the Crab Falls in Love” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Honorable Mention:
Agamor, Lucia, Marigold, Ella from “Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” by Alicia-Lorraine Cook
Leo from “Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
Henry, Captain Tony from “Colorworld: Adirondack Adventure” by Anthony Richichi
Nash Running Bear from “A Skeleton in Bone Creek” by Baer Charlton
Anthony Zen from “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” by Cameron Straughan
Pepe Jimenez from “Super Super Charro” by Carlos Lozano
Maxzyne Merriweather from “Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” by Caroline Lee
Nola Carmody from “Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Rika Spranger from “To Bloom Like a Tulip” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Selena Lawrence, Mila Gannon from “There’s No Cure for Impossible” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Elle, James from “James and Elle” by Casey Rae
Little Boy, Fisherman from “Why the Fisherman Fished” by D.T. Rossi
Jonas, Big Bertha from “Animal Quest” by David Bush
Volentus, Dragan, Alicent Vale from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Abbey Rose from “Abbey’s Special Gift” by Diane Capogna
Yuki from “Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth
Mary Martin from “The Survivors” by Ellen Murphy
Kathy Adams, James, Nancy Hendricks, Guard Goose/Sir Snow Goose, Eileen from “The Snow Goose and Other Tales” by Ellen Murphy
Henry Thomas, Mildred from “The Lost and The Found” by Ellen Murphy
Eleutheria, Cassandra, Konrad, Annette Swift, George from “Tales Lost Among the Stars” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
Jorge Mondragon from “Terror in Big Bend” by Ethan Richards
Franke, Teresa from “Freeing Teresa” by Franke James
Turner Boone, Elyon from “The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
Ebi, Celine, Girl from “To the Depths of Despair” from “The Dark Mother” by Jamilette Cintron
Josh, Megan, Max, Madeleine, Mitch from “Somewhere in Minnesota” by Jayna Locke
Brunt, Eggbert from “Brunt and Eggbert” by Jeff Dorrill
David Thoreau, April from “The Adamantine Jewel” by Jeffrey Pears
Jo, Michael from “While I Can” by Jo Dibblee
Felix Amadeo Roth from “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss
Matt from “To Outwit the Fate” by K.E. Adamus
Elsa Janeway, Captain Eduard Thane from “The Devil’s Conquest” by K.M. Taylor
Avelina Silva from “Avelina” by L.E. Brooks
Cate the Butterfly from “Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical” by Zachary Simpson (Script), Betsy Coffeen (Story)
Samantha, Annie from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
Mr. Erik, the Tree, Delaney, Miss Romano from “The 91st Tree from Queensbury” by Mary Jean DeSantis, Anthony Richichi
Grace Jackson, Adam from “Flight 316” by Maurita Burgett
McKenzie, Grimm from “Diary of a Service Dog” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Messa, Marl, Natsir from “A Crow in the Canyon” by Melissa Widmaier
Beldrian and “Everyone Else” (Edyndor, Tanathai, Mzhalu, Genghedi, Tzaraphiel, Kavadeh, Lerahti, Tafith, Erasmus) from “Kindred of the Unseen” by Micah Beardsley
Nurse Florence, Jean, Condi, Sonya from “Nurse Florence, What Are Amino Acids?”
Everly (“@matrixgirl”) from “Playing with #Fire” by Micky O’Brady
Marshall Grissom, Marta Hamilton, Sheila Schuler from “Taking Time” by Mike Murphey
Bentley, Betty, Mr. Bee, George Giraffe from “Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” by Miki Taylor
Little Girl, Happy from “Happy Makes Me Happy” by Mr. B's Books
Katie, Sadie from “Skinny Katie & Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie” by Paul Bullock from Lubbock
Grandma Yogini, Brother, Sister from “Grandma Yogini” by Raven Howell
Dr. Danielle Baxter, Dr. Stefhan Stone from “Untold Prophecies” by Rhiannon Hailey
Brent, Edward from “Brent and Edward Go to Mars” by Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
Orbit, Amelia, Eleanor “The Power of Respect” by Ruth Maille
Enid, Dylan from “Tales of Witches and Wyverns” by S. Ramsey
Gabriel Brinkeroff from “2024: Attack on America” by Sasha Zarustin
Millie from “My Sunflowers” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Celesse from “The Healer Cat” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Birds from “The Bird Prison” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Jonty, Dad, Mom, Giant Pike from “Jonty and the Giant Pike” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Magda (Mary Magdalene), Yeshua (Jesus) from “Magda Revealed” by Ursula Werner
D, Jaimie from “Ultimatum” by Vladimir Fleurisma
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Supporting Character”
Winners:
Lovely Laura from “The Old Man & Me: Book 2” by R.C. Larlham
Cy (Cypress) from “Untold Prophecies” by Rhiannon Hailey; Gram (Honorable Mention)
Lilyfax from “Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
Honorable Mentions:
Ezra, Mattis, Goldfish, Camille from “Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
Olivia from “Colorworld: Adirondack Adventure” by Anthony Richichi
Monty the Alarm Clock Cat from “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” by Cameron Straughan
Connie Guzman from “Super Super Charro” by Carlos Lozano
Oliver Martin, Glenys, Mira from “Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” by Caroline Lee
Shamus Wilder, Lollapalooza, Doc MacHale, Liam, Violet from “Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Bram Van Der Graaf from “To Bloom Like a Tulip” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Sven, Lazy Bones, Magnus, Marcus, Stig, Woolly-Bo, Per, Dominico from “Animal Quest” by David Bush
Bria, Malkira, Lunette, Ren Siff from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Julie/Maya, Dev, Maria, Prabhat from “Perilous Journey” by Deependra Bhandari
Gypsy May from “Abbey’s Special Gift” by Diane Capogna
Jake the Shrimp, Mama Orca, Little Girl from “Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth
Elijah Harper from “The Survivors” by Ellen Murphy
John, Robert, Meg Anderson, Lillian from “The Snow Goose and Other Tales” by Ellen Murphy
Charlotte Johnson, Jamie, Timothy Johnson, Jimmy from “The Lost and The Found” by Ellen Murphy
Adele, Death from “Tales Lost Among the Stars” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
Dad, Bill from “Freeing Teresa” by Franke James
Reia from “The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
Vengeful Sea Spirits from “The Dark Mother” by Jamilette Cintron
Neil, Max’s Father (Jay), Jeffy/Jeff from “Somewhere in Minnesota” by Jayna Locke
Astrid, Cosmetologist, Locksmith, Tourists, Stranger from “Brunt and Eggbert” by Jeff Dorrill
Serenity Adler, Tibetan Buddhist Monks from “The Adamantine Jewel” by Jeffrey Pears
Zain Lestari, Keyla Whitney, Bambi from “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss
Kayla, Rachel, Little Sammy, Dr. Stephen Abbot, The Angels: Peace, Serenity, Hope, Courage, Curiosity, Faith from “The Train Story” by Joyce Crawford
Ala (Alicia), Pelagia (“The Fate”) from “To Outwit the Fate” by K.E. Adamus
Rogue, Drew, Aaron from “Avelina” by L.E. Brooks
Pete, Davey, Walter, Buzz, Bob, Qira from “Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical” by Zachary Simpson (Script), Betsy Coffeen (Story)
Bear (Bern Devlin), Dragana Lukic, Zach Baxter from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
Wind, Earth, Water, Nojhi from “A Crow in the Canyon” by Melissa Widmaier
Iahde, the Yahtlev’yah from “Kindred of the Unseen” by Micah Beardsley
Mr. Langen (Bullet Ben), Calan Adler (Fire), Hazel from “Playing with #Fire” by Micky O’Brady
Samantha “Sammy” Kennedy from “Taking Time” by Mike Murphey
Oscar Owl, Helga Hippo, Grady Gorilla, Coco Centipede, Kakai Kangaroo, Eloise Elephant, DeeDee Dolphin from “Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” by Miki Taylor
Family, Boxing Coach, Overly-Competitive Blonde Boxing Girl from “Piper’s Perfect Pick” by Peni Clark
Sister from “The Power of Respect” by Ruth Maille
Mr. Ambrose, Rhodri from “Tales of Witches and Wyverns” by S. Ramsey
Mary from “2024: Attack on America” by Sasha Zarustin
Curtis, Katherine from “What the Heal” by Dr. Tia Warrick
Millie’s Mom, Garden Shop Owner from “My Sunflowers” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Mama Rabbit, Rex from “The Healer Cat” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Clara, Mrs. Catfish, Eddie the Eel “Colin the Crab Falls in Love” by Tuula Pere, PhD
William Wolf, Flurry from “The Fox and the Election Fraud” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Mama Fox, Flurry from “The Fox’s New Channel” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Cella from “Ultimatum” by Vladimir Fleurisma
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Villain”
Winners:
Deidre, Siobhan, and Conrad from “Freeing Teresa” by Franke James
Erik Sorensen from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
Honorable Mentions
Mr. Wickham, the King, the Ghost, and the Government (from “Clouded Sight”) from “Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” by Alicia-Lorraine Cook
The Blue Man/Mr. Wake from “Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
El Charro Negro, Senor Diego Mas Grande from “ Super Super Charro” by Carlos Lozano
Sereia, Westbrook Bottling Company from “Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” by Caroline Lee
Esposito Krumpler, Bubba, Cletus, Tiffy Taplinger from “Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Gestapo, Green Police, NSB, Collaborators from “To Bloom Like a Tulip” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Mila Gannon, Ajax Morrison, Phineas Marquez, Lana “The Barracuda” from “There’s No Cure for Impossible” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
James (arguably), Adrian, Ethan, Addiction from “James and Elle” by Casey Rae
Black Death, Religious Extremists, Cathars/Catharism, Eloise & Elodie from “Animal Quest” by David Bush
Eldrick, Kaiso from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Ahmed, Naseer, Uncle Kumar, Uncle Bhakta (arguably), Human Traffickers, Bandits from “Perilous Journey” by Deependra Bhandari
Colossal Studio, Studio Executive from “Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth
William from “The Snow Goose and Other Tales” by Ellen Murphy
Ebenise Farfuold, Vertemnus, Eva (arguably), Eleanor (arguably) from “Tales Lost Among the Stars” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
The Gorgon (Gorgonopsian), Titanoboa from “Terror in Big Bend” by Ethan Richards
Vindik from “The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
Sir Donnell, Celine, Wife from “Ramblings,” Girl from “To the Depths of Despair” from “The Dark Mother” by Jamilette Cintron
Genycide, Pharmakost, Charles Blackheart, Slaughter from “The Adamantine Jewel” by Jeffrey Pears
Tomi Gomez Chadwick (the “Mozart of Mediocrity”), Roth (arguably) from “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss
Randall from “The Train Story” by Joyce Crawford
Bad Luck, Pelagia (arguably), Matt (arguably), Ala/Alicia (arguably), Parents from “To Outwit the Fate” by K.E. Adamus
Captain Alexander Morvin, Ivy from “The Devil’s Conquest” by K.M. Taylor
Seleca, Cult of Anick from “Avelina” by L.E. Brooks
The Serpent (Satan) from “Flight 316” by Maurita Burgett
Captain Tyre from “A Crow in the Canyon” by Melissa Widmaier
Cyrthron from “Kindred of the Unseen” by Micah Beardsley
Cyberbullies, Ronan, Ford from “Playing with #Fire” by Micky O’Brady
Andrew Gormly from “Taking Time” by Mike Murphey
The American Healthcare System from “The Doctor’s Voice” by Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli
Malagant, Afanc from “Tales of Witches and Wyverns” by S. Ramsey
Demiurge/Agent D, Dexter (arguably) from “2024: Attack on America” by Sasha Zarustin
Brother, Mother from “What the Heal” by Dr. Tia Warrick
The Wolf from “The Healer Cat” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Griselda from “The Bird Prison” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Francis, Flurry from “The Fox and the Election Fraud” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Francis, Flurry from “The Fox’s New Channel” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Herod Antipas, Judas from “Magda Revealed” by Ursula Werner
Coalition, “Uglies”- Brogs, Sniffers, Abnormals, Unnaturals, SOULS, ASPERS from “Ultimatum” by Vladimir Fleurisma
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Hottest Character” / “Most Beautiful Character” / “Most Handsome Character”
Winners:
Alicent Vale from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Captain Eduard Thane from “The Devil’s Conquest’ by K.M. Taylor
Honorable Mentions:
Henry from “Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” by Alicia-Lorraine Cook
Connie Guzman from “Super Super Charro” by Carlos Lozano
Serenity from “The Adamantine Jewel” by Jeffrey Pears
Sofia Duprat from “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss
Dr. Stephen Abbot from “The Train Story” by Joyce Crawford
Dr. Stefhan Stone from “Untold Prophecies” by Rhiannon Hailey
Dr. MacHale from “Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Aaron from “Avelina” by L.E. Brooks
Sophia, Paula, and Molly from "2024: Attack on America" by Sasha Zarustin
Samantha, Annie, Bear, Zach from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Cutest Character”
Winners:
Lollapalooza (Baby Chimpanzee) from “Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Grimm from “Diary of a Service Dog” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Honorable Mentions:
Lilyfax, Goldfish from “Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
Powder from “A Skeleton in Bone Creek” by Baer Charlton
Monty the Alarm Clock Cat from “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” by Cameron Straughan
Big Bertha, Lazy Bones from “Animal Quest” by David Bush
Abbey Rose, Gypsy May, Precious from “Abbey’s Special Gift” by Diane Capogna
Guard Goose/Sir Snow Goose from “The Snow Goose and Other Tales” by Ellen Murphy
Mia Muklucks from “While I Can” by Jo Dibblee
Rogue from “Avelina” by L.E. Brooks
Crypt from “Diary of a Service Beast” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
All the characters in “Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” by Miki Taylor
Happy from “Happy Makes Me Happy” by Mr. B's Books
Kittina from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Tater Tot from “Piper’s Perfect Pick” by Peni Clark
Squirrels from “The Healer Cat” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Dynamic Duo”
Winners:
Samantha & Annie Callahan from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
McKenzie & Grimm from “Diary of a Service Dog” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Honorable Mentions:
Leo & Lilyfax from “Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
Abbey Rose & Gypsy May from “Abbey’s Special Gift” by Diane Capogna
Brunt & Eggbert from “Brunt and Eggbert” by Jeff Dorrill
David & April from “The Adamantine Jewel” by Jeffrey Pears
Casket & Crypt from “Diary of a Service Beast” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Everly & Fire from “Playing with #Fire” by Micky O’Brady
Bentley & Betty from “Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” by Miki Taylor
Little Girl & Happy from “Happy Makes Me Happy” by Mr. B's Books
Bella Beak & Quinn Hops from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Danielle & Cy from “Untold Prophecies” by Rhiannon Hailey
Amelia & Eleanor from “The Power of Respect” by Ruth Maille
Francis & Flurry from “The Fox’s New Channel” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Francis & Flurry from “The Fox and the Election Fraud” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Matt & Ala (Alicia) from “To Outwit the Fate” by K.E. Adamus
Katie & Sadie from “Skinny Katie & Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie” by Paul Bullock from Lubbock
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Couple”
Winners:
Chuck & Lovely Laura from “The Old Man & Me: Book 2” by R.C. Larlham
Arjun & Julie from “Perilous Journey” by Deependra Bhandari
Colin & Clara from “Colin the Crab Falls in Love” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Honorable Mentions:
Ella & Prince Henry from “Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” by Alicia-Lorraine Cook
Pepe & Connie from “Super Super Charro” by Carlos Lozano
Alicent & Dragan, Volentus & Malkira from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Mary & James from “The Survivors” by Ellen Murphy
Kathy & James from “The Snow Goose and Other Tales” by Ellen Murphy
Charlotte & Jamie, Gretchen & Thomas from “The Lost and The Found” by Ellen Murphy
George & Lisa from “The Invisible Soul” by George Beasley
David & Serenity from “The Adamantine Jewel” by Jeffrey Pears
Roth & Bambi, Roth & Keyla from “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss
Elsa & Thane from “The Devil’s Conquest” by K.M. Taylor
Samantha & Bear, Annie & Zach from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
Grace & Adam from “Flight 316” by Maurita Burgett
Everly & Calan from “Playing with #Fire” by Micky O’Brady
Danielle & Stefhan from “Untold Prophecies” by Rhiannon Hailey
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Coolest Character”
Winners:
Beldrian from “Kindred of the Unseen” by Micah Beardsley
Elyon from “The Hander’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
Honorable Mentions:
Captain Tony from “Colorworld: Adirondack Adventure” by Anthony Richichi
Super Charro from “Super Super Charro” by Carlos Lozano
Twain (Fire Salamander) from “Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” by Caroline Lee
Samantha from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
Crypt from “Diary of a Service Beast” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Grandma Yogini from “Grandma Yogini” by Raven Howell
Volentus from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Captain Eduard Thane from “The Devil’s Conquest” by K.M. Taylor
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Weapon”
Winner:
Sovereign from “Kindred of the Unseen” by Micah Beardsley
Honorable Mentions:
Elyon from “The Hander’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
Revenant from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Pashan Stone from “The Devil’s Conquest” by K.M. Taylor
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Moment” (WARNING: May contain spoilers)
Winners:
* The migrants hunting boar & catfish in the treacherous Darien Gap in “Perilous Journey” by Deependra Bhandari
* Coach Prime’s near-death experience in the hospital in “Elevate and Dominate” by Deion Sanders
Honorable Mentions:
* The aquatic final battle with Queen Sereia (i.e. “Battle of Waterbottle Mountain”). Also, Oliver Martin using his book smarts and MacGyvering some Lidocaine to make removing an impaled object manageable in “Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” by Caroline Lee
* The all-out, multi-party brawl in “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
* The Gorgon versus Titanoboa from “Terror in Big Bend” by Ethan Richards
* Close call with an out-of-control semi-truck from “While I Can” by Jo Dibblee
* Piper getting back up in “Piper’s Perfect Pick” by Peni Clark
* The bittersweet conclusion of “The Old Man & Me: Book 2” by R.C. Larlham
* The “safe memory” of Christmas from “What the Heal” by Dr. Tia Warrick
* In “The Fox and the Election Fraud” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Francis Fox–who has always been incredibly energetic, enthusiastic, and confident through a half-dozen books–says that he has started to question his capabilities for the first time in his life. He also starts becoming lethargic, tired, and exhausted. This is something that even Flurry (his loyal and somewhat-villainous assistant/campaign manager) notices.
* Magda reacting to Judas tempting fate in “Magda Revealed” by Ursula Werner
* Children writing grievances to the Colossal Studio over the confinement of Yuki in “Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Funny & Bizarre” (WARNING: May contain spoilers)
*This section:
1. Allows judges to vent about strange, annoying, or funny things in each book (because nothing is perfect), 2. Proves that each book was read, for better or for worse (which is more than we can say for some other book contests), 3. Allows all participants to have fun and laugh together (like a roast banquet)
Winner:
* In “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss, the main character (Felix Roth) gives the following descriptions of his nemesis, Chadwick:
- The “Mozart of Mediocrity”
- "...a monumental idiot, an incompetent, a living embodiment of ineptitude."
Like “putting a parachute on a submarine”
- "Comparing Chadwick to a lobotomized ape was, in Felix’s opinion, insulting to the apes. At least they had the excuse of being another species."
- "To Felix, Chadwick was not just an idiot; he was the master of ceremonies in the grand parade of incompetence, a virtuoso of vacuity, a pioneer in the art of the useless."
- "In the vast Amazon of incapacity, Chadwick was an anaconda of ineptitude, suffocating and swallowing any hint of common sense that ventured too close to his horizon."
Honorable Mentions:
* Also in “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss, Felix Roth strangely and creepily starts referring to himself as a “widower” as if Bambi is actually dead when she really isn’t.
* In “Hide and Seek Alphabet with American Animals” by Anna Finch, there are some really odd choices of animal names for this alphabet book for children. For example:
Z is for Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly
Q is for Montezuma Quail
K is for Kit Fox
* The entirety of “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” by Cameron Straughan
* In “Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” by Carolyn Summer Quinn, the characters keep bringing up Liam having been kidnapped over and over again long after he has already been rescued (and there are more pressing matters at hand) as if the reader needs to be reminded.
* In “There’s No Cure for Impossible” by Carolyn Summer Quinn, the dad of the kidnapped baby loses his cool on national TV and chastises the kidnapper.
* The trapped-in-a-trunk/kidnapping plot in “James and Elle” by Casey Rae really seems to jump the shark. It’s a huge shift in tone and direction in the book, though this may be due to this being based on actual events (which are often stranger than fiction).
* In “Why the Fisherman Fished” by D.T. Rossi, the fish being caught always look happy, cheerful, and excited to be caught.
* In “Animal Quest” by David Bush, there’s a running joke–which doesn’t quite hit–in which the dogs (Magnus and Marcus) keep using the word “b*tch” to describe female dogs/potential partners. They say things like “pretty b*tches.” That would be great and all if the rest of this book didn’t seem like it was intended for a young audience to learn history with cute, charismatic animal characters. So, the joke is elementary on one hand and inappropriate on another.
* In “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina, we felt like the bad@$$ characters like Dragan, Alicent Vale and even Volentus himself seem neutered and nerfed. Volentus and Dragan often seem overly-sentimental and mopey, especially about their lovers (Malkira and Alicent). Alicent and Dragan are all soft and lovey-dovey all of a sudden. There is a moment when Alicent is “frozen in fear” by circumstances despite the fact that we literally read about her enduring hell in the previous book. Even Volentus is caught off guard by the results of his own powers and briefly panics despite the fact that he seemed to have everything well at hand in the previous book.
* In “Elevate and Dominate” by Deion Sanders, Coach Prime advocates for “getting naked” (being able to be vulnerable in the process of growth and healing). Humorously, he says not to worry because he’ll “...get naked first.”
* The abrupt and seemingly random ending of “Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth
* “Terror in Big Bend” by Ethan Richards is full of cheesy lines, characters, and moments that are hard to take seriously. The Gorgon (primary villain) falls asleep during a fight. When a character nicknamed Mustache dies, there’s a melodramatic mourning scene in which a character exclaims, “He’s the only one who made me laugh!” All of the supporting characters seem more like expendable NPC (non-playable characters) than actual, real-life people. Even the epic final fight is overly long, overwritten, and overly intricate like Peter Griffin versus Chicken from "Family Guy."
* The real-life figures in “Freeing Teresa” by Franke James eerily line up with the characters from Shakespeare’s King Lear: Dad= King Lear, Franke= Cordelia, Teresa= Jester, Bill= King of France, Deidre= Goneril, Siobhan= Regan, and Conrad= Edmund.
* In “The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon, Boone is protective of Elyon at times (like when he’s concerned that she’s unarmed/without a gun) yet puts her directly in harm’s way moments later. Also, Vindik in the audiobook sounds like a giant, drowning octopus/fish man, which is kinda cool.
* In “The Dark Mother” by Jamilette Cintron, many of the stories seem like the same story (about an angry female murderer), so they blend and blur into one another.
* The three Ellen Murphy books seem to repeat the same story with very similar characters, but in different ways. In fact, all three feature characters named James (or Jamie). A Southern civilian housewife always happens to discover an injured, wounded, and/or stray man (or goose), then tends to him/it.
* “The Adamantine Jewel” is somehow a more scathing satire of the events of 2020 than “2030” by J.P. Ozuna. There are characters named Genycide, Pharmakost, Blackheart, and Slaughter.
* A lot of the advice in “Awaken to Your Truth” by Joanna Alexopoulos seems to read like common sense, which admittedly isn’t so common. The writing is incredibly fluffy and flowery almost as if to mask the simplicity of the message. Also, the God in this book keeps referring to people as “your species.”
* The angels in “The Train Story” by Joyce Crawford seem useless, easily-distracted, and unnecessary a lot of the time. The worst example is when they’re fooling around in the garden when a character is assaulted for what feels like the hundredth time.
* There are more explanations for Elsa’s scars in “The Devil’s Conquest” by K.M. Taylor than there are for The Joker’s scars in “The Dark Knight.” Throughout the book, there seem to be multiple explanations for the same plot points and objects in general. Elsa seems like an amalgamation or conflation of multiple different character concepts rather than one singular, cohesive character.
* In “vSIM for Nursing (LPN/LVN)” by Laedral Medical & Wolters Kluwer, your avatar/nurse can perform all sorts of dangerous actions (like removing life support & overmedicating without supervision or witnesses) and won’t be called out on it until after the scenario ends (in the briefing). Also, the virtual patients and their families are extremely compliant with little to no pushback, which you’d expect in real-life scenarios. They’ll almost always say, “Ok” and “Fine.” They brush off being poked and prodded with needles and IVs like it’s no big deal. They don’t flinch or react when their dressings are removed, revealing their wounds. You also get weird lines like, “The patient has very fine hair…” There’s also an option to call the funeral home, which we thankfully never had to use.
* In “Nurse Florence, What Are Amino Acids?,” Nurse Florence starts showing the children (and young readers) the full molecular structures of different amino acids as if they’ll actually comprehend and remember them.
* The line “better than algebra or whatever” from “Playing with #Fire” by Micky O’Brady
* The universe of Reptilian-Americans and Amphibian-Americans from “Taking Time” by Mike Murphey
* Some of the characters (particularly the cat) in “Skinny Katie & Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie” by Paul Bullock reminded us of creepy Lady Elaine Fairchild from “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood”
* Grandma humorously creating a lightning field while running like she’s The Flash in “Grandma Yogini” by Raven Howell
*In “Untold Prophecies” by Rhiannon Hailey, the backstory for Selene (the moon goddess) wanting all her children to have romantic partners–along with werewolves having increased libidos–seem like really convenient excuses for the book to feature relentless, gratuitous sex scenes (which ends up happening).
* “Brent and Edward Go to Mars” by Richard Jeffery Wagner seems overly fixated on describing technology and the philosophy behind “robot personhood” rather than being entertaining or advancing the plot.
* From “The Old Man & Me: Book 2” by R.C. Larlham:
- The “USS Off Limits” (a ship full of women no one could date)
- People having mass-vasectomies and all getting infected
- A military officer ignores the author’s gun-safety instructions and shoots a hole in the ceiling, being reprimanded and forced to repair it
- The passage: “I tried to play football... twice. The first attempt, I was too short, too heavy for my height, too slow, too scared and too uncoordinated. I couldn’t run, couldn’t throw a football and couldn’t catch one.”
- The professor stages a robbery with two ugly, dangerous-looking people to prove a point, but it gets out of hand and one of the students (a soldier) almost kills the robbers.
* “2024: Attack on America” by Sasha Zarustin begins as a military/cyber thriller, but then seems to devolve into an explicitly erotic family drama. Also, numerous military characters are introduced near the beginning only to never be mentioned again. More character development goes to Gabriel’s hookers than to these military characters.
* The absolutely bizarre conclusion that “Magda Revealed” by Ursula Werner comes to (in its ending). Also, there are a lot of strange anachronisms like Mary Magdalene talking about Disney World, light bulbs, Wonder Woman, global warming, climate change, “cha-ching cherry” nail polish, and social media.
* "Kindred of the Unseen" by Micah Beardsley finally surpasses "Codex Sohrakia" by K.M. Taylor for having the hardest to pronounce character names and the most overly elaborate world-building. There is even a whole pronunciation guide at the end of the book!
* In “Ultimatum” by Vladimir Fleurisma… The line: “They’re eating people and throwing them at other people!” Also, the characters argue, feud over, and fixate on dumb, mundane things like perfume, panties, and yoga pants in the middle of a nuclear/zombie apocalypse.
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Illustrated”
Winners:
“Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth, Illustrated by the Author
“Hide and Seek Alphabet with American Animals” by Anna Finch, Illustrated by Andreea Balcan
“Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” by Miki Taylor, Illustrated by Eunhye Shin
“Piper’s Perfect Pick” by Peni Clark, Illustrated by Penny Weber
Honorable Mentions:
“Brunt and Eggbert” by Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
“Diary of a Service Dog” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Diary of a Service Beast” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance, Illustrated by Stella Maris
“My Sunflowers” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated by Catty Flores
“The Healer Cat” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated by Klaudia Bezak
“The Bird Prison” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated by Sofia Pachyshyn
“Colin the Crab Falls in Love” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated by Roksolana Pachyshyn
“A Bluebird’s Memories” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated Outi Rautkallio
“The Fox and the Election Fraud” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated by Andrea Alemanno
“The Fox’s New Channel” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated by Andrea Alemanno
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Narrated”
Winners:
“Elevate and Dominate” by Deion Sanders, Narrated by the Author
“The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon, Narrated by Scott Allen
Honorable Mentions:
“Self-Promote & Succeed” by Julie Broad, Narrated by the Author
“The Doctor’s Voice” by Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli, Narrated by Damian Lynch
“The Old Man & Me: Book 2” by R.C. Larlham, Narrated by Karl Leuba
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Quote” / “Best Passage”
Winners:
* “The strongest steel is forged in the hottest fire. That means when you’re going through a tough time, that’s when you’re being tempered and strengthened. That pain won’t last forever. It’s there to make you GROW. To make you jump higher, run faster, and be better.” / “God always gives his largest struggles to his strongest soldiers.”
- From “Elevate and Dominate” by Deion Sanders
“Most often, those with naturally straight hair curl it, and those with curly hair straighten it.”/ “...lousy luck had left me.” / “...bad luck doesn't give up”
- From “To Outwit the Fate” by K.E. Adamus
“The greatest lie we tell ourselves is that avoiding fear keeps us safe when it actually limits our potential.” / "If you look back at what you cared about 10 years ago, you'll probably laugh at how little it matters today."
- From “Becoming Fearless” by Dr. Benjamin Ritter
Honorable Mentions:
“When games of hide-and-seek are interrupted by floating corpses, no one ever wants to play hide-and-seek again.”
-From “Near the Danube Bridge” by Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
“When mosquitos seek to suck up the blood of their hosts, they rarely anticipate the hand that squashes them out of existence.”
- From “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V Mammina
"I was the one with a face, but no expression, the one with fingers, but no fingerprints and the one with a name but no identity, an address, but no home." / “What I do know is that his pain was great and invisible. It was ultimately his invisible soul that destroyed his life."
- From “The Invisible Soul” by George Beasley
“Mental illness does not disqualify you from being a good parent. Lack of love does. Love is the greatest legacy. The love you leave lives on in those left behind.”
- From “Are You Ready?” by Dr. Kimberly Harms
“They swim in a sea of bitterness”
- From “How to Stand up to Bullying” by M.C. Ryder
“Necessity is the mother of invention” / “The telescope didn't replace the astronomer; it extended their vision to the far reaches of the universe. The calculator didn't replace the mathematician; it made complex calculations more manageable and accurate. In the same spirit, the real Super AI will not replace human intelligence but extend it, allowing us to reach heights unimaginable alone.”
- From “The Singularity of Hope” by Dr. Sam Sammane
“Physics evolves into chemistry, which evolves into biology. The whole of nature is built around this evolution of interactivity. Without it, the universe would be dead.”
- From “Everything From Nothing” by S.E. Elwell
“I am untethering myself to your spiritual sickness and am letting you go” / "As long as there is life, a fight is left in me.”
– From “What the Heal” by Dr. Tia Warrick
“Best Cover”
Winners:
“Awaken to Your Truth” (Second Edition Cover) by Joanna Alexopoulos
“Tales of Witches and Wyverns” (New Cover) by S. Ramsey
“Flight 316” by Maurita Burgett
"Tales Lost Among the Stars" by Emiliano Forino Procacci
Honorable Mentions:
"The Devil's Conquest" by K.M. Taylor
"A Crow in the Canyon" by Melissa Widmaier
"The Handler's Gambit" by Ingrid Moon
"Elevate and Dominate" by Deion Sanders
"Avelina" by L.E. Brooks
"Yuki Star of the Sea" Don Bluth
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Fiction)”
Winner:
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
Honorable Mentions:
“The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
"To Outwit the Fate" by K.E.Adamus
"Roth" by Jonas Romano Weiss
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Non-Fiction)”
Winners:
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” by Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“Becoming Fearless” by Dr. Benjamin Ritter
Honorable Mentions:
“Gifted and Empowered” by Carole D. Monte
“The Start of All Things Good” by Danielle Billetz-Reppert
“Words Left Unspoken” by J.A. McGovern
“Self-Promote & Succeed” by Julie Broad
“Are You Ready?” by Dr. Kimberly Harms
“What the Heal” by Dr. Tia Warrick
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Research”
Winners:
“What’s Eating Our Kids?” by Dr. Julie A. Wendt
“Gunsmoke: An American Institution” by Ben Costello
Honorable Mentions:
“Near the Danube Bridge” by Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
“Self-Publishing for New Authors” by Dale L. Roberts
“The Start of All Things Good” by Danielle Billetz-Reppert
“Animal Quest” by David Bush
“Self-Promote & Succeed” by Julie Broad
“Are You Ready?” by Dr. Kimberly Harms
“Hiring Veterans” by Lt. Col. Matthew J. Louis
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” by Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
“Video Podcasting Made Easy” by Ross Brand, Kevin Kolbe
“The Singularity of Hope” by Dr. Sam Sammane
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best World-Building”
Winner:
“Kindred of the Unseen” by Micah Beardsley
Honorable Mentions:
“Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
“Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
“Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” by Alicia-Lorraine Cook
“Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” by Caroline Lee
“Colorworld: Adirondack Adventure” by Anthony Richichi
“Perilous Journey” by Deependra Bhandari
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
“The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
“Somewhere in Minnesota” by Jayna Locke
“Brunt and Eggbert” by Jeff Dorrill
“While I Can” by Jo Dibblee
“A Crow in the Canyon” by Melissa Widmaier
“Brent and Edward Go to Mars” by Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
“Tales of Witches and Wyverns” by S. Ramsey
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Character”
Winners:
Arjun from “Perilous Journey” by Deependra Bhandari
Sam Burkett from “The Train Story” by Joyce Crawford
Piper from “Piper’s Perfect Pick” by Peni Clark
Grandma Bluebird from “A Bluebird’s Memories” Tuula Pere, PhD
Francis the Fox from “The Fox and the Election Fraud” & “The Fox’s New Channel” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Colin Crab from “Colin the Crab Falls in Love” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Honorable Mention:
Agamor, Lucia, Marigold, Ella from “Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” by Alicia-Lorraine Cook
Leo from “Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
Henry, Captain Tony from “Colorworld: Adirondack Adventure” by Anthony Richichi
Nash Running Bear from “A Skeleton in Bone Creek” by Baer Charlton
Anthony Zen from “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” by Cameron Straughan
Pepe Jimenez from “Super Super Charro” by Carlos Lozano
Maxzyne Merriweather from “Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” by Caroline Lee
Nola Carmody from “Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Rika Spranger from “To Bloom Like a Tulip” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Selena Lawrence, Mila Gannon from “There’s No Cure for Impossible” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Elle, James from “James and Elle” by Casey Rae
Little Boy, Fisherman from “Why the Fisherman Fished” by D.T. Rossi
Jonas, Big Bertha from “Animal Quest” by David Bush
Volentus, Dragan, Alicent Vale from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Abbey Rose from “Abbey’s Special Gift” by Diane Capogna
Yuki from “Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth
Mary Martin from “The Survivors” by Ellen Murphy
Kathy Adams, James, Nancy Hendricks, Guard Goose/Sir Snow Goose, Eileen from “The Snow Goose and Other Tales” by Ellen Murphy
Henry Thomas, Mildred from “The Lost and The Found” by Ellen Murphy
Eleutheria, Cassandra, Konrad, Annette Swift, George from “Tales Lost Among the Stars” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
Jorge Mondragon from “Terror in Big Bend” by Ethan Richards
Franke, Teresa from “Freeing Teresa” by Franke James
Turner Boone, Elyon from “The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
Ebi, Celine, Girl from “To the Depths of Despair” from “The Dark Mother” by Jamilette Cintron
Josh, Megan, Max, Madeleine, Mitch from “Somewhere in Minnesota” by Jayna Locke
Brunt, Eggbert from “Brunt and Eggbert” by Jeff Dorrill
David Thoreau, April from “The Adamantine Jewel” by Jeffrey Pears
Jo, Michael from “While I Can” by Jo Dibblee
Felix Amadeo Roth from “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss
Matt from “To Outwit the Fate” by K.E. Adamus
Elsa Janeway, Captain Eduard Thane from “The Devil’s Conquest” by K.M. Taylor
Avelina Silva from “Avelina” by L.E. Brooks
Cate the Butterfly from “Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical” by Zachary Simpson (Script), Betsy Coffeen (Story)
Samantha, Annie from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
Mr. Erik, the Tree, Delaney, Miss Romano from “The 91st Tree from Queensbury” by Mary Jean DeSantis, Anthony Richichi
Grace Jackson, Adam from “Flight 316” by Maurita Burgett
McKenzie, Grimm from “Diary of a Service Dog” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Messa, Marl, Natsir from “A Crow in the Canyon” by Melissa Widmaier
Beldrian and “Everyone Else” (Edyndor, Tanathai, Mzhalu, Genghedi, Tzaraphiel, Kavadeh, Lerahti, Tafith, Erasmus) from “Kindred of the Unseen” by Micah Beardsley
Nurse Florence, Jean, Condi, Sonya from “Nurse Florence, What Are Amino Acids?”
Everly (“@matrixgirl”) from “Playing with #Fire” by Micky O’Brady
Marshall Grissom, Marta Hamilton, Sheila Schuler from “Taking Time” by Mike Murphey
Bentley, Betty, Mr. Bee, George Giraffe from “Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” by Miki Taylor
Little Girl, Happy from “Happy Makes Me Happy” by Mr. B's Books
Katie, Sadie from “Skinny Katie & Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie” by Paul Bullock from Lubbock
Grandma Yogini, Brother, Sister from “Grandma Yogini” by Raven Howell
Dr. Danielle Baxter, Dr. Stefhan Stone from “Untold Prophecies” by Rhiannon Hailey
Brent, Edward from “Brent and Edward Go to Mars” by Richard Jeffery Wagner, PhD
Orbit, Amelia, Eleanor “The Power of Respect” by Ruth Maille
Enid, Dylan from “Tales of Witches and Wyverns” by S. Ramsey
Gabriel Brinkeroff from “2024: Attack on America” by Sasha Zarustin
Millie from “My Sunflowers” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Celesse from “The Healer Cat” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Birds from “The Bird Prison” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Jonty, Dad, Mom, Giant Pike from “Jonty and the Giant Pike” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Magda (Mary Magdalene), Yeshua (Jesus) from “Magda Revealed” by Ursula Werner
D, Jaimie from “Ultimatum” by Vladimir Fleurisma
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Supporting Character”
Winners:
Lovely Laura from “The Old Man & Me: Book 2” by R.C. Larlham
Cy (Cypress) from “Untold Prophecies” by Rhiannon Hailey; Gram (Honorable Mention)
Lilyfax from “Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
Honorable Mentions:
Ezra, Mattis, Goldfish, Camille from “Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
Olivia from “Colorworld: Adirondack Adventure” by Anthony Richichi
Monty the Alarm Clock Cat from “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” by Cameron Straughan
Connie Guzman from “Super Super Charro” by Carlos Lozano
Oliver Martin, Glenys, Mira from “Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” by Caroline Lee
Shamus Wilder, Lollapalooza, Doc MacHale, Liam, Violet from “Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Bram Van Der Graaf from “To Bloom Like a Tulip” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Sven, Lazy Bones, Magnus, Marcus, Stig, Woolly-Bo, Per, Dominico from “Animal Quest” by David Bush
Bria, Malkira, Lunette, Ren Siff from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Julie/Maya, Dev, Maria, Prabhat from “Perilous Journey” by Deependra Bhandari
Gypsy May from “Abbey’s Special Gift” by Diane Capogna
Jake the Shrimp, Mama Orca, Little Girl from “Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth
Elijah Harper from “The Survivors” by Ellen Murphy
John, Robert, Meg Anderson, Lillian from “The Snow Goose and Other Tales” by Ellen Murphy
Charlotte Johnson, Jamie, Timothy Johnson, Jimmy from “The Lost and The Found” by Ellen Murphy
Adele, Death from “Tales Lost Among the Stars” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
Dad, Bill from “Freeing Teresa” by Franke James
Reia from “The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
Vengeful Sea Spirits from “The Dark Mother” by Jamilette Cintron
Neil, Max’s Father (Jay), Jeffy/Jeff from “Somewhere in Minnesota” by Jayna Locke
Astrid, Cosmetologist, Locksmith, Tourists, Stranger from “Brunt and Eggbert” by Jeff Dorrill
Serenity Adler, Tibetan Buddhist Monks from “The Adamantine Jewel” by Jeffrey Pears
Zain Lestari, Keyla Whitney, Bambi from “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss
Kayla, Rachel, Little Sammy, Dr. Stephen Abbot, The Angels: Peace, Serenity, Hope, Courage, Curiosity, Faith from “The Train Story” by Joyce Crawford
Ala (Alicia), Pelagia (“The Fate”) from “To Outwit the Fate” by K.E. Adamus
Rogue, Drew, Aaron from “Avelina” by L.E. Brooks
Pete, Davey, Walter, Buzz, Bob, Qira from “Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical” by Zachary Simpson (Script), Betsy Coffeen (Story)
Bear (Bern Devlin), Dragana Lukic, Zach Baxter from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
Wind, Earth, Water, Nojhi from “A Crow in the Canyon” by Melissa Widmaier
Iahde, the Yahtlev’yah from “Kindred of the Unseen” by Micah Beardsley
Mr. Langen (Bullet Ben), Calan Adler (Fire), Hazel from “Playing with #Fire” by Micky O’Brady
Samantha “Sammy” Kennedy from “Taking Time” by Mike Murphey
Oscar Owl, Helga Hippo, Grady Gorilla, Coco Centipede, Kakai Kangaroo, Eloise Elephant, DeeDee Dolphin from “Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” by Miki Taylor
Family, Boxing Coach, Overly-Competitive Blonde Boxing Girl from “Piper’s Perfect Pick” by Peni Clark
Sister from “The Power of Respect” by Ruth Maille
Mr. Ambrose, Rhodri from “Tales of Witches and Wyverns” by S. Ramsey
Mary from “2024: Attack on America” by Sasha Zarustin
Curtis, Katherine from “What the Heal” by Dr. Tia Warrick
Millie’s Mom, Garden Shop Owner from “My Sunflowers” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Mama Rabbit, Rex from “The Healer Cat” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Clara, Mrs. Catfish, Eddie the Eel “Colin the Crab Falls in Love” by Tuula Pere, PhD
William Wolf, Flurry from “The Fox and the Election Fraud” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Mama Fox, Flurry from “The Fox’s New Channel” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Cella from “Ultimatum” by Vladimir Fleurisma
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Villain”
Winners:
Deidre, Siobhan, and Conrad from “Freeing Teresa” by Franke James
Erik Sorensen from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
Honorable Mentions
Mr. Wickham, the King, the Ghost, and the Government (from “Clouded Sight”) from “Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” by Alicia-Lorraine Cook
The Blue Man/Mr. Wake from “Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
El Charro Negro, Senor Diego Mas Grande from “ Super Super Charro” by Carlos Lozano
Sereia, Westbrook Bottling Company from “Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” by Caroline Lee
Esposito Krumpler, Bubba, Cletus, Tiffy Taplinger from “Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Gestapo, Green Police, NSB, Collaborators from “To Bloom Like a Tulip” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Mila Gannon, Ajax Morrison, Phineas Marquez, Lana “The Barracuda” from “There’s No Cure for Impossible” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
James (arguably), Adrian, Ethan, Addiction from “James and Elle” by Casey Rae
Black Death, Religious Extremists, Cathars/Catharism, Eloise & Elodie from “Animal Quest” by David Bush
Eldrick, Kaiso from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Ahmed, Naseer, Uncle Kumar, Uncle Bhakta (arguably), Human Traffickers, Bandits from “Perilous Journey” by Deependra Bhandari
Colossal Studio, Studio Executive from “Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth
William from “The Snow Goose and Other Tales” by Ellen Murphy
Ebenise Farfuold, Vertemnus, Eva (arguably), Eleanor (arguably) from “Tales Lost Among the Stars” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
The Gorgon (Gorgonopsian), Titanoboa from “Terror in Big Bend” by Ethan Richards
Vindik from “The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
Sir Donnell, Celine, Wife from “Ramblings,” Girl from “To the Depths of Despair” from “The Dark Mother” by Jamilette Cintron
Genycide, Pharmakost, Charles Blackheart, Slaughter from “The Adamantine Jewel” by Jeffrey Pears
Tomi Gomez Chadwick (the “Mozart of Mediocrity”), Roth (arguably) from “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss
Randall from “The Train Story” by Joyce Crawford
Bad Luck, Pelagia (arguably), Matt (arguably), Ala/Alicia (arguably), Parents from “To Outwit the Fate” by K.E. Adamus
Captain Alexander Morvin, Ivy from “The Devil’s Conquest” by K.M. Taylor
Seleca, Cult of Anick from “Avelina” by L.E. Brooks
The Serpent (Satan) from “Flight 316” by Maurita Burgett
Captain Tyre from “A Crow in the Canyon” by Melissa Widmaier
Cyrthron from “Kindred of the Unseen” by Micah Beardsley
Cyberbullies, Ronan, Ford from “Playing with #Fire” by Micky O’Brady
Andrew Gormly from “Taking Time” by Mike Murphey
The American Healthcare System from “The Doctor’s Voice” by Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli
Malagant, Afanc from “Tales of Witches and Wyverns” by S. Ramsey
Demiurge/Agent D, Dexter (arguably) from “2024: Attack on America” by Sasha Zarustin
Brother, Mother from “What the Heal” by Dr. Tia Warrick
The Wolf from “The Healer Cat” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Griselda from “The Bird Prison” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Francis, Flurry from “The Fox and the Election Fraud” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Francis, Flurry from “The Fox’s New Channel” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Herod Antipas, Judas from “Magda Revealed” by Ursula Werner
Coalition, “Uglies”- Brogs, Sniffers, Abnormals, Unnaturals, SOULS, ASPERS from “Ultimatum” by Vladimir Fleurisma
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Hottest Character” / “Most Beautiful Character” / “Most Handsome Character”
Winners:
Alicent Vale from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Captain Eduard Thane from “The Devil’s Conquest’ by K.M. Taylor
Honorable Mentions:
Henry from “Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” by Alicia-Lorraine Cook
Connie Guzman from “Super Super Charro” by Carlos Lozano
Serenity from “The Adamantine Jewel” by Jeffrey Pears
Sofia Duprat from “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss
Dr. Stephen Abbot from “The Train Story” by Joyce Crawford
Dr. Stefhan Stone from “Untold Prophecies” by Rhiannon Hailey
Dr. MacHale from “Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Aaron from “Avelina” by L.E. Brooks
Sophia, Paula, and Molly from "2024: Attack on America" by Sasha Zarustin
Samantha, Annie, Bear, Zach from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Cutest Character”
Winners:
Lollapalooza (Baby Chimpanzee) from “Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Grimm from “Diary of a Service Dog” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Honorable Mentions:
Lilyfax, Goldfish from “Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
Powder from “A Skeleton in Bone Creek” by Baer Charlton
Monty the Alarm Clock Cat from “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” by Cameron Straughan
Big Bertha, Lazy Bones from “Animal Quest” by David Bush
Abbey Rose, Gypsy May, Precious from “Abbey’s Special Gift” by Diane Capogna
Guard Goose/Sir Snow Goose from “The Snow Goose and Other Tales” by Ellen Murphy
Mia Muklucks from “While I Can” by Jo Dibblee
Rogue from “Avelina” by L.E. Brooks
Crypt from “Diary of a Service Beast” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
All the characters in “Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” by Miki Taylor
Happy from “Happy Makes Me Happy” by Mr. B's Books
Kittina from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Tater Tot from “Piper’s Perfect Pick” by Peni Clark
Squirrels from “The Healer Cat” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Dynamic Duo”
Winners:
Samantha & Annie Callahan from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
McKenzie & Grimm from “Diary of a Service Dog” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Honorable Mentions:
Leo & Lilyfax from “Where Dark Things Grow” by Andrew Clark
Abbey Rose & Gypsy May from “Abbey’s Special Gift” by Diane Capogna
Brunt & Eggbert from “Brunt and Eggbert” by Jeff Dorrill
David & April from “The Adamantine Jewel” by Jeffrey Pears
Casket & Crypt from “Diary of a Service Beast” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Everly & Fire from “Playing with #Fire” by Micky O’Brady
Bentley & Betty from “Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” by Miki Taylor
Little Girl & Happy from “Happy Makes Me Happy” by Mr. B's Books
Bella Beak & Quinn Hops from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Danielle & Cy from “Untold Prophecies” by Rhiannon Hailey
Amelia & Eleanor from “The Power of Respect” by Ruth Maille
Francis & Flurry from “The Fox’s New Channel” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Francis & Flurry from “The Fox and the Election Fraud” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Matt & Ala (Alicia) from “To Outwit the Fate” by K.E. Adamus
Katie & Sadie from “Skinny Katie & Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie” by Paul Bullock from Lubbock
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Couple”
Winners:
Chuck & Lovely Laura from “The Old Man & Me: Book 2” by R.C. Larlham
Arjun & Julie from “Perilous Journey” by Deependra Bhandari
Colin & Clara from “Colin the Crab Falls in Love” by Tuula Pere, PhD
Honorable Mentions:
Ella & Prince Henry from “Cook’s Collection of Short Stories” by Alicia-Lorraine Cook
Pepe & Connie from “Super Super Charro” by Carlos Lozano
Alicent & Dragan, Volentus & Malkira from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Mary & James from “The Survivors” by Ellen Murphy
Kathy & James from “The Snow Goose and Other Tales” by Ellen Murphy
Charlotte & Jamie, Gretchen & Thomas from “The Lost and The Found” by Ellen Murphy
George & Lisa from “The Invisible Soul” by George Beasley
David & Serenity from “The Adamantine Jewel” by Jeffrey Pears
Roth & Bambi, Roth & Keyla from “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss
Elsa & Thane from “The Devil’s Conquest” by K.M. Taylor
Samantha & Bear, Annie & Zach from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
Grace & Adam from “Flight 316” by Maurita Burgett
Everly & Calan from “Playing with #Fire” by Micky O’Brady
Danielle & Stefhan from “Untold Prophecies” by Rhiannon Hailey
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Coolest Character”
Winners:
Beldrian from “Kindred of the Unseen” by Micah Beardsley
Elyon from “The Hander’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
Honorable Mentions:
Captain Tony from “Colorworld: Adirondack Adventure” by Anthony Richichi
Super Charro from “Super Super Charro” by Carlos Lozano
Twain (Fire Salamander) from “Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” by Caroline Lee
Samantha from “The Pact” by Lisa Darcy
Crypt from “Diary of a Service Beast” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Grandma Yogini from “Grandma Yogini” by Raven Howell
Volentus from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Captain Eduard Thane from “The Devil’s Conquest” by K.M. Taylor
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Weapon”
Winner:
Sovereign from “Kindred of the Unseen” by Micah Beardsley
Honorable Mentions:
Elyon from “The Hander’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon
Revenant from “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
Pashan Stone from “The Devil’s Conquest” by K.M. Taylor
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Moment” (WARNING: May contain spoilers)
Winners:
* The migrants hunting boar & catfish in the treacherous Darien Gap in “Perilous Journey” by Deependra Bhandari
* Coach Prime’s near-death experience in the hospital in “Elevate and Dominate” by Deion Sanders
Honorable Mentions:
* The aquatic final battle with Queen Sereia (i.e. “Battle of Waterbottle Mountain”). Also, Oliver Martin using his book smarts and MacGyvering some Lidocaine to make removing an impaled object manageable in “Maxzyne Goes Aquamarine” by Caroline Lee
* The all-out, multi-party brawl in “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina
* The Gorgon versus Titanoboa from “Terror in Big Bend” by Ethan Richards
* Close call with an out-of-control semi-truck from “While I Can” by Jo Dibblee
* Piper getting back up in “Piper’s Perfect Pick” by Peni Clark
* The bittersweet conclusion of “The Old Man & Me: Book 2” by R.C. Larlham
* The “safe memory” of Christmas from “What the Heal” by Dr. Tia Warrick
* In “The Fox and the Election Fraud” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Francis Fox–who has always been incredibly energetic, enthusiastic, and confident through a half-dozen books–says that he has started to question his capabilities for the first time in his life. He also starts becoming lethargic, tired, and exhausted. This is something that even Flurry (his loyal and somewhat-villainous assistant/campaign manager) notices.
* Magda reacting to Judas tempting fate in “Magda Revealed” by Ursula Werner
* Children writing grievances to the Colossal Studio over the confinement of Yuki in “Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Funny & Bizarre” (WARNING: May contain spoilers)
*This section:
1. Allows judges to vent about strange, annoying, or funny things in each book (because nothing is perfect), 2. Proves that each book was read, for better or for worse (which is more than we can say for some other book contests), 3. Allows all participants to have fun and laugh together (like a roast banquet)
Winner:
* In “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss, the main character (Felix Roth) gives the following descriptions of his nemesis, Chadwick:
- The “Mozart of Mediocrity”
- "...a monumental idiot, an incompetent, a living embodiment of ineptitude."
Like “putting a parachute on a submarine”
- "Comparing Chadwick to a lobotomized ape was, in Felix’s opinion, insulting to the apes. At least they had the excuse of being another species."
- "To Felix, Chadwick was not just an idiot; he was the master of ceremonies in the grand parade of incompetence, a virtuoso of vacuity, a pioneer in the art of the useless."
- "In the vast Amazon of incapacity, Chadwick was an anaconda of ineptitude, suffocating and swallowing any hint of common sense that ventured too close to his horizon."
Honorable Mentions:
* Also in “Roth” by Jonas Romano Weiss, Felix Roth strangely and creepily starts referring to himself as a “widower” as if Bambi is actually dead when she really isn’t.
* In “Hide and Seek Alphabet with American Animals” by Anna Finch, there are some really odd choices of animal names for this alphabet book for children. For example:
Z is for Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly
Q is for Montezuma Quail
K is for Kit Fox
* The entirety of “The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen” by Cameron Straughan
* In “Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry” by Carolyn Summer Quinn, the characters keep bringing up Liam having been kidnapped over and over again long after he has already been rescued (and there are more pressing matters at hand) as if the reader needs to be reminded.
* In “There’s No Cure for Impossible” by Carolyn Summer Quinn, the dad of the kidnapped baby loses his cool on national TV and chastises the kidnapper.
* The trapped-in-a-trunk/kidnapping plot in “James and Elle” by Casey Rae really seems to jump the shark. It’s a huge shift in tone and direction in the book, though this may be due to this being based on actual events (which are often stranger than fiction).
* In “Why the Fisherman Fished” by D.T. Rossi, the fish being caught always look happy, cheerful, and excited to be caught.
* In “Animal Quest” by David Bush, there’s a running joke–which doesn’t quite hit–in which the dogs (Magnus and Marcus) keep using the word “b*tch” to describe female dogs/potential partners. They say things like “pretty b*tches.” That would be great and all if the rest of this book didn’t seem like it was intended for a young audience to learn history with cute, charismatic animal characters. So, the joke is elementary on one hand and inappropriate on another.
* In “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V. Mammina, we felt like the bad@$$ characters like Dragan, Alicent Vale and even Volentus himself seem neutered and nerfed. Volentus and Dragan often seem overly-sentimental and mopey, especially about their lovers (Malkira and Alicent). Alicent and Dragan are all soft and lovey-dovey all of a sudden. There is a moment when Alicent is “frozen in fear” by circumstances despite the fact that we literally read about her enduring hell in the previous book. Even Volentus is caught off guard by the results of his own powers and briefly panics despite the fact that he seemed to have everything well at hand in the previous book.
* In “Elevate and Dominate” by Deion Sanders, Coach Prime advocates for “getting naked” (being able to be vulnerable in the process of growth and healing). Humorously, he says not to worry because he’ll “...get naked first.”
* The abrupt and seemingly random ending of “Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth
* “Terror in Big Bend” by Ethan Richards is full of cheesy lines, characters, and moments that are hard to take seriously. The Gorgon (primary villain) falls asleep during a fight. When a character nicknamed Mustache dies, there’s a melodramatic mourning scene in which a character exclaims, “He’s the only one who made me laugh!” All of the supporting characters seem more like expendable NPC (non-playable characters) than actual, real-life people. Even the epic final fight is overly long, overwritten, and overly intricate like Peter Griffin versus Chicken from "Family Guy."
* The real-life figures in “Freeing Teresa” by Franke James eerily line up with the characters from Shakespeare’s King Lear: Dad= King Lear, Franke= Cordelia, Teresa= Jester, Bill= King of France, Deidre= Goneril, Siobhan= Regan, and Conrad= Edmund.
* In “The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon, Boone is protective of Elyon at times (like when he’s concerned that she’s unarmed/without a gun) yet puts her directly in harm’s way moments later. Also, Vindik in the audiobook sounds like a giant, drowning octopus/fish man, which is kinda cool.
* In “The Dark Mother” by Jamilette Cintron, many of the stories seem like the same story (about an angry female murderer), so they blend and blur into one another.
* The three Ellen Murphy books seem to repeat the same story with very similar characters, but in different ways. In fact, all three feature characters named James (or Jamie). A Southern civilian housewife always happens to discover an injured, wounded, and/or stray man (or goose), then tends to him/it.
* “The Adamantine Jewel” is somehow a more scathing satire of the events of 2020 than “2030” by J.P. Ozuna. There are characters named Genycide, Pharmakost, Blackheart, and Slaughter.
* A lot of the advice in “Awaken to Your Truth” by Joanna Alexopoulos seems to read like common sense, which admittedly isn’t so common. The writing is incredibly fluffy and flowery almost as if to mask the simplicity of the message. Also, the God in this book keeps referring to people as “your species.”
* The angels in “The Train Story” by Joyce Crawford seem useless, easily-distracted, and unnecessary a lot of the time. The worst example is when they’re fooling around in the garden when a character is assaulted for what feels like the hundredth time.
* There are more explanations for Elsa’s scars in “The Devil’s Conquest” by K.M. Taylor than there are for The Joker’s scars in “The Dark Knight.” Throughout the book, there seem to be multiple explanations for the same plot points and objects in general. Elsa seems like an amalgamation or conflation of multiple different character concepts rather than one singular, cohesive character.
* In “vSIM for Nursing (LPN/LVN)” by Laedral Medical & Wolters Kluwer, your avatar/nurse can perform all sorts of dangerous actions (like removing life support & overmedicating without supervision or witnesses) and won’t be called out on it until after the scenario ends (in the briefing). Also, the virtual patients and their families are extremely compliant with little to no pushback, which you’d expect in real-life scenarios. They’ll almost always say, “Ok” and “Fine.” They brush off being poked and prodded with needles and IVs like it’s no big deal. They don’t flinch or react when their dressings are removed, revealing their wounds. You also get weird lines like, “The patient has very fine hair…” There’s also an option to call the funeral home, which we thankfully never had to use.
* In “Nurse Florence, What Are Amino Acids?,” Nurse Florence starts showing the children (and young readers) the full molecular structures of different amino acids as if they’ll actually comprehend and remember them.
* The line “better than algebra or whatever” from “Playing with #Fire” by Micky O’Brady
* The universe of Reptilian-Americans and Amphibian-Americans from “Taking Time” by Mike Murphey
* Some of the characters (particularly the cat) in “Skinny Katie & Her Potbelly Pig Named Sadie” by Paul Bullock reminded us of creepy Lady Elaine Fairchild from “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood”
* Grandma humorously creating a lightning field while running like she’s The Flash in “Grandma Yogini” by Raven Howell
*In “Untold Prophecies” by Rhiannon Hailey, the backstory for Selene (the moon goddess) wanting all her children to have romantic partners–along with werewolves having increased libidos–seem like really convenient excuses for the book to feature relentless, gratuitous sex scenes (which ends up happening).
* “Brent and Edward Go to Mars” by Richard Jeffery Wagner seems overly fixated on describing technology and the philosophy behind “robot personhood” rather than being entertaining or advancing the plot.
* From “The Old Man & Me: Book 2” by R.C. Larlham:
- The “USS Off Limits” (a ship full of women no one could date)
- People having mass-vasectomies and all getting infected
- A military officer ignores the author’s gun-safety instructions and shoots a hole in the ceiling, being reprimanded and forced to repair it
- The passage: “I tried to play football... twice. The first attempt, I was too short, too heavy for my height, too slow, too scared and too uncoordinated. I couldn’t run, couldn’t throw a football and couldn’t catch one.”
- The professor stages a robbery with two ugly, dangerous-looking people to prove a point, but it gets out of hand and one of the students (a soldier) almost kills the robbers.
* “2024: Attack on America” by Sasha Zarustin begins as a military/cyber thriller, but then seems to devolve into an explicitly erotic family drama. Also, numerous military characters are introduced near the beginning only to never be mentioned again. More character development goes to Gabriel’s hookers than to these military characters.
* The absolutely bizarre conclusion that “Magda Revealed” by Ursula Werner comes to (in its ending). Also, there are a lot of strange anachronisms like Mary Magdalene talking about Disney World, light bulbs, Wonder Woman, global warming, climate change, “cha-ching cherry” nail polish, and social media.
* "Kindred of the Unseen" by Micah Beardsley finally surpasses "Codex Sohrakia" by K.M. Taylor for having the hardest to pronounce character names and the most overly elaborate world-building. There is even a whole pronunciation guide at the end of the book!
* In “Ultimatum” by Vladimir Fleurisma… The line: “They’re eating people and throwing them at other people!” Also, the characters argue, feud over, and fixate on dumb, mundane things like perfume, panties, and yoga pants in the middle of a nuclear/zombie apocalypse.
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Illustrated”
Winners:
“Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth, Illustrated by the Author
“Hide and Seek Alphabet with American Animals” by Anna Finch, Illustrated by Andreea Balcan
“Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” by Miki Taylor, Illustrated by Eunhye Shin
“Piper’s Perfect Pick” by Peni Clark, Illustrated by Penny Weber
Honorable Mentions:
“Brunt and Eggbert” by Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
“Diary of a Service Dog” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Diary of a Service Beast” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance, Illustrated by Stella Maris
“My Sunflowers” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated by Catty Flores
“The Healer Cat” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated by Klaudia Bezak
“The Bird Prison” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated by Sofia Pachyshyn
“Colin the Crab Falls in Love” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated by Roksolana Pachyshyn
“A Bluebird’s Memories” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated Outi Rautkallio
“The Fox and the Election Fraud” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated by Andrea Alemanno
“The Fox’s New Channel” by Tuula Pere, PhD, Illustrated by Andrea Alemanno
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Narrated”
Winners:
“Elevate and Dominate” by Deion Sanders, Narrated by the Author
“The Handler’s Gambit” by Ingrid Moon, Narrated by Scott Allen
Honorable Mentions:
“Self-Promote & Succeed” by Julie Broad, Narrated by the Author
“The Doctor’s Voice” by Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli, Narrated by Damian Lynch
“The Old Man & Me: Book 2” by R.C. Larlham, Narrated by Karl Leuba
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Quote” / “Best Passage”
Winners:
* “The strongest steel is forged in the hottest fire. That means when you’re going through a tough time, that’s when you’re being tempered and strengthened. That pain won’t last forever. It’s there to make you GROW. To make you jump higher, run faster, and be better.” / “God always gives his largest struggles to his strongest soldiers.”
- From “Elevate and Dominate” by Deion Sanders
“Most often, those with naturally straight hair curl it, and those with curly hair straighten it.”/ “...lousy luck had left me.” / “...bad luck doesn't give up”
- From “To Outwit the Fate” by K.E. Adamus
“The greatest lie we tell ourselves is that avoiding fear keeps us safe when it actually limits our potential.” / "If you look back at what you cared about 10 years ago, you'll probably laugh at how little it matters today."
- From “Becoming Fearless” by Dr. Benjamin Ritter
Honorable Mentions:
“When games of hide-and-seek are interrupted by floating corpses, no one ever wants to play hide-and-seek again.”
-From “Near the Danube Bridge” by Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo
“When mosquitos seek to suck up the blood of their hosts, they rarely anticipate the hand that squashes them out of existence.”
- From “Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade” by David V Mammina
"I was the one with a face, but no expression, the one with fingers, but no fingerprints and the one with a name but no identity, an address, but no home." / “What I do know is that his pain was great and invisible. It was ultimately his invisible soul that destroyed his life."
- From “The Invisible Soul” by George Beasley
“Mental illness does not disqualify you from being a good parent. Lack of love does. Love is the greatest legacy. The love you leave lives on in those left behind.”
- From “Are You Ready?” by Dr. Kimberly Harms
“They swim in a sea of bitterness”
- From “How to Stand up to Bullying” by M.C. Ryder
“Necessity is the mother of invention” / “The telescope didn't replace the astronomer; it extended their vision to the far reaches of the universe. The calculator didn't replace the mathematician; it made complex calculations more manageable and accurate. In the same spirit, the real Super AI will not replace human intelligence but extend it, allowing us to reach heights unimaginable alone.”
- From “The Singularity of Hope” by Dr. Sam Sammane
“Physics evolves into chemistry, which evolves into biology. The whole of nature is built around this evolution of interactivity. Without it, the universe would be dead.”
- From “Everything From Nothing” by S.E. Elwell
“I am untethering myself to your spiritual sickness and am letting you go” / "As long as there is life, a fight is left in me.”
– From “What the Heal” by Dr. Tia Warrick
"ULTIMATE CHAMPIONS"
OCA Ultimate Championship Belt Winners
“Elevate and Dominate” by Deion Sanders
"Perilous Journey" by Deependra Bhandari
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
OCA Ultimate Championship Trophy Winners
“Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth
“Freeing Teresa” by Franke James
“Gunsmoke: An American Institution” by Ben Costello
“Self-Promote & Succeed” by Julie Broad
“Self-Publishing for New Authors” by Dale L. Roberts
“Hide and Seek Alphabet with American Animals” by Anna Finch
“Hiring Veterans” by Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“What the Heal” by Dr. Tia Warrick
“Where Dark Things Grow” Andrew Clark
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” by Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“The Start of All Things Good” by Danielle Billetz-Reppert
“Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” by Miki Taylor
"Piper's Perfect Pick" by Peni Clark
Tuula Pere, PhD for “A Bluebird’s Memories”/ “The Fox and the Election Fraud” / “The Fox’s New Channel” / "Colin the Crab Falls in Love"
OCA Ultimate Championship Belt Winners
“Elevate and Dominate” by Deion Sanders
"Perilous Journey" by Deependra Bhandari
“Tales Lost Among the Stars” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
OCA Ultimate Championship Trophy Winners
“Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth
“Freeing Teresa” by Franke James
“Gunsmoke: An American Institution” by Ben Costello
“Self-Promote & Succeed” by Julie Broad
“Self-Publishing for New Authors” by Dale L. Roberts
“Hide and Seek Alphabet with American Animals” by Anna Finch
“Hiring Veterans” by Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“What the Heal” by Dr. Tia Warrick
“Where Dark Things Grow” Andrew Clark
“The Lilacs I Once Knew” by Roni Rosenthal, Friddie Stoleru
“The Start of All Things Good” by Danielle Billetz-Reppert
“Bentley Makes a Dump Cake” by Miki Taylor
"Piper's Perfect Pick" by Peni Clark
Tuula Pere, PhD for “A Bluebird’s Memories”/ “The Fox and the Election Fraud” / “The Fox’s New Channel” / "Colin the Crab Falls in Love"
