Our 2024 Summer Contest!
SUPER-CATEGORY WINNERS / "SUPER CHAMPIONS"
(Medal Winners)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Fiction Book of Summer 2024
1st Place
“Sentience Hazard” Alexander Czimbor
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
“Deadly Game” Sir Michael Caine
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #2)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“Lycan” Dennis Robinson et al.
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“Codex Sohrakia” K.M. Taylor
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” P.T. Harry
2nd Place
“Until the Stars Align” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #1)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #4)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“The Queen of Fairy” Marieke Lexmond
“A Bargain with Darkness” Peter Eliott
“Ironborn” Andrew Cavanagh
"Tough Trail Home" Marie Watts
“Another World” I.M. Stoicus
“2030: Nothing is What it Seems” J.P. Ozuna
“LOSERS” K.E. Adamus
“What Lies Buried” Leslie Kain
“Granting Katelyn” S.E. Reichert
“Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
“Hounds of Gaia” Sean Tirman
3rd Place
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #3)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“Whispers in the Vineyard” Justin Kojok
“Elven Blood” Mark Stanley
“Red Deuce” Thomas Roehlk
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Non-Fiction Book of Summer 2024
1st Place
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino
“LASTING Transformation” Abby Rosen, PhD
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“REAL Psychology” Dr. Scott Flagg
“From Purpose to Profit” Erin Andrea Craske
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
“Briefly Speaking” Deborah Shames, David Booth
“Purposeful Performance” Jonathan Stanley
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
“Story Monsters Ink May 2024 Issue” Story Monsters LLC
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“CONEtrolled” Nava Israel, PhD
“The Passionate Workforce” Nicholas Capman
“Dear Mental Health Virus” O’Cyrus
“100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions (Volume 4)” Ross Brand et al.
“Looking for Legends” Scott and Tarantino
“Dear Liam & Noah: Letters from Daddy” Sean Martin
2nd Place
“A Concerto for an Empty Frame” Elizabeth Kirkpatrick-Vrenios
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“Cancer Culture” Jacqueline Acho, PhD
3rd Place
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bisset
“Angelina’s Choices” Angelina Wang
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
“Are There Really Plenty of Fish in the Sea?” Tony Demechees
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Children's Book of Summer 2024
1st Place
“Cora’s Christmas Challenge” Sally Kashner
“Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magic Turds” Heather S. Lonczak, PhD
“Friends and Rivals” Tuula Pere
“The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” Annie Higbee
2nd Place
“From the Farm to Our Table” Sarah Rowe
“Donkey Dell” Jaybie D
“The Great Animal Escape” Linda Harkey
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
3rd Place
“Why I Love Mama” Raymond Johnson
“A Birch Tree’s Year” Tuula Pere
"The 3 Bulls" Sean Martin
Best Fiction Book of Summer 2024
1st Place
“Sentience Hazard” Alexander Czimbor
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
“Deadly Game” Sir Michael Caine
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #2)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“Lycan” Dennis Robinson et al.
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“Codex Sohrakia” K.M. Taylor
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” P.T. Harry
2nd Place
“Until the Stars Align” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #1)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #4)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“The Queen of Fairy” Marieke Lexmond
“A Bargain with Darkness” Peter Eliott
“Ironborn” Andrew Cavanagh
"Tough Trail Home" Marie Watts
“Another World” I.M. Stoicus
“2030: Nothing is What it Seems” J.P. Ozuna
“LOSERS” K.E. Adamus
“What Lies Buried” Leslie Kain
“Granting Katelyn” S.E. Reichert
“Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
“Hounds of Gaia” Sean Tirman
3rd Place
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #3)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“Whispers in the Vineyard” Justin Kojok
“Elven Blood” Mark Stanley
“Red Deuce” Thomas Roehlk
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Non-Fiction Book of Summer 2024
1st Place
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino
“LASTING Transformation” Abby Rosen, PhD
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“REAL Psychology” Dr. Scott Flagg
“From Purpose to Profit” Erin Andrea Craske
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
“Briefly Speaking” Deborah Shames, David Booth
“Purposeful Performance” Jonathan Stanley
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
“Story Monsters Ink May 2024 Issue” Story Monsters LLC
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“CONEtrolled” Nava Israel, PhD
“The Passionate Workforce” Nicholas Capman
“Dear Mental Health Virus” O’Cyrus
“100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions (Volume 4)” Ross Brand et al.
“Looking for Legends” Scott and Tarantino
“Dear Liam & Noah: Letters from Daddy” Sean Martin
2nd Place
“A Concerto for an Empty Frame” Elizabeth Kirkpatrick-Vrenios
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“Cancer Culture” Jacqueline Acho, PhD
3rd Place
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bisset
“Angelina’s Choices” Angelina Wang
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
“Are There Really Plenty of Fish in the Sea?” Tony Demechees
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Children's Book of Summer 2024
1st Place
“Cora’s Christmas Challenge” Sally Kashner
“Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magic Turds” Heather S. Lonczak, PhD
“Friends and Rivals” Tuula Pere
“The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” Annie Higbee
2nd Place
“From the Farm to Our Table” Sarah Rowe
“Donkey Dell” Jaybie D
“The Great Animal Escape” Linda Harkey
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
3rd Place
“Why I Love Mama” Raymond Johnson
“A Birch Tree’s Year” Tuula Pere
"The 3 Bulls" Sean Martin
CATEGORY WINNERS
Outstanding Creator Award for
Autobiographies & Memoirs / Pseudo-Memoirs
1st Place
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
“Dear Liam & Noah: Letters From Daddy” Sean Martin
2nd Place
“Cancer Culture” Jacqueline Acho, PhD
3rd Place
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bissett
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
“A Sister Ago” Caitlin Buhr
Outstanding Creator Award for
Biographies
1st Place
“Story Monsters Ink May 2024 Issue” Story Monsters LLC
2nd Place
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
Outstanding Creator Award for
Time Travel / Alternate Reality / Multiverse
1st Place
“The Pulse of My Heart” E.C. Roderick
2nd Place
“Quantum Consequence” Mike Murphey
3rd Place
"With Love, From Planet B" Zaayin Salaam, MD
Honorable Mention
“Club X: Zombie in the Fridge” S.P. Somtow
Outstanding Creator Award for
Travel / Adventure
1st Place
“Looking for Legends” Scott and Tarantino
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” P.T. Harry
“Ironborn” Andrew Cavanagh
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
2nd Place
“Tough Trail Home” S.E. Reichert
“Cancer Culture” Jacqueline Acho, PhD
3rd Place
“The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” Kirt Seuchan
“Whispers in the Vineyard” Justin Kojok
Outstanding Creator Award for
Current Events
1st Place
“Angelina’s Choices” by Angelina Wang
2nd Place
“Angelina’s Opinions” Angelina Wang
3rd Place
“With Love, From Planet B” Zaayin Salaam, MD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Philosophy
1st Place
“Dear Liam & Noah: Letters from Daddy” Sean Martin
“CONEtrolled” by Nava Israel, PhD
2nd Place
“Angelina’s Choices” by Angelina Wang
3rd Place
“Angelina’s Opinions” Angelina Wang
Outstanding Creator Award for
Absurdist Fiction
1st Place
“LOSERS” K.E. Adamus
2nd Place
“IMPOSSIBLE TALES” Sury V.S.
3rd Place
“Quantum Consequence” Mike Murphey
“Interview with a Sinner” M.M. White
Honorable Mention
“Club X: Zombie in the Fridge” S.P. Somtow
Outstanding Creator Award for
LGBTQ+
1st Place
“Angelina’s Opinions” Angelina Wang
2nd Place
“A Sister Ago” Caitlin Buhr
3rd Place
“A Skeleton in Bone Creek” Baer Charlton
“With Love, From Planet B” Zaayin Salaam, MD
Honorable Mention
“Club X: Zombie in the Fridge” S.P. Somtow
Outstanding Creator Award for
Historical Fiction
1st Place
“Until the Stars Align” Carolyn Summer Quinn
2nd Place
“Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” Sarah Law
3rd Place
“The Pulse of My Heart” E.C. Roderick
“A Rock and a Hard Place” Mary Steed
Outstanding Creator Award for
History (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“Looking for Legends” Scott and Tarantino
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
Outstanding Creator Award for
Food / Cooking/ Recipe Books
1st Place
“From the Farm to Our Table” Sarah Rowe
Outstanding Creator Award for
Sports
1st Place
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Performing Arts / Public Performance
1st Place
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
“Briefly Speaking” Deborah Shames, David Booth
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Rural/Farm Life
1st Place
“From the Farm to Our Table” by Sarah Rowe
“Tough Trail Home” Marie Watts
2nd Place
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
“The Great Animal Escape” Linda Harkey
“Granting Katelyn” S.E. Reichert
3rd Place
“Donkey Dell” Jaybie D
Honorable Mention
“Remember Me” Rachel Vogel
Outstanding Creator Award for
Murder Mystery / Detective Mystery
1st Place
“Deadly Game” Sir Michael Caine
2nd Place
“Red Deuce” Thomas Roehlk
3rd Place
“A Skeleton in Bone Creek” Baer Charlton
Outstanding Creator Award for
Relationships, Marriage, and Couples
1st Place
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bisset
2nd Place
“Tough Trail Home” Marie Watts
3rd Place
“The Tender Silver Stars” Pamela Stockwell
Outstanding Creator Award for
Addiction / Alcoholism
1st Place
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino
2nd Place
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
Outstanding Creator Award for
Holidays / Easter / Christmas Books
1st Place
“Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner
Outstanding Creator Award for
Thriller
1st Place
“Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
2nd Place
“2030: Nothing is What it Seems” J.P. Ozuna
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
“Hounds of Gaia” Sean Tirman
3rd Place
“The Third Estate” D.R. Berlin, MD
“Red Deuce” Thomas Roehlk
Honorable Mention
“Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
Outstanding Creator Award for
Supernatural Books
1st Place
“Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
“Codex Sohrakia” K.M. Taylor
2nd Place
“The Queen of Fairy” Marieke Lexmond
Outstanding Creator Award for
Short Stories / Anthologies / Collections
1st Place
“LOSERS” K.E. Adamus
“100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions: Volume 4” Ross Brand et al.
2nd Place
“IMPOSSIBLE TALES” Sury V.S.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mental Health / Mental Illness / Mental Disorders
1st Place
“What Lies Buried” Leslie Kain
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino
“Dear Sick Mental Virus” O’Cyrus
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
Outstanding Creator Award for
Fantasy
1st Place
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
“Lycan” Dennis Robinson et al.
“Codex Sohrakia” K.M. Taylor
“A Bargain with Darkness” Peter Eliott
"The Queen of Fairy" Marieke Lexmond
2nd Place
“Ironborn” Andrew Cavanagh
“Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
3rd Place
“Elven Blood” Mark Stanley
Honorable Mention
“Sister Bevenlee and Mother of Pox” by Charles Brass
“Infinity Tales” M.C. Ryder
“The Darkest Side of the Moon” M.C. Ryder
“A Dance Between Light and Darkness” M.C. Ryder
“All I See Are Dark Clouds” M.C. Ryder
“A Darker Demise” by M.C. Ryder
Outstanding Creator Award for
Vampire Lit
1st Place
“A Darker Demise” by M.C. Ryder
“Infinity Tales” M.C. Ryder
“A Dance Between Light and Darkness” M.C. Ryder
2nd Place
“The Darkest Side of the Moon” M.C. Ryder
3rd Place
“All I See Are Dark Clouds” M.C. Ryder
Honorable Mentions
“The Darkened Enchantment” M.C. Ryder
“The Neighbors” M.C. Ryder
Outstanding Creator Award for
Business
* Includes Entrepreneurship / Sales & Marketing / Management / Investing / Career / Finance
1st Place
“From Purpose to Profit” Erin Andrea Craske
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“Briefly Speaking” Deborah Shames, David Booth
“The Passionate Workforce” Nicholas Capman
“Purposeful Performance” Jonathan Stanley
2nd Place
“Burst the Bubble” Tia Warrick
3rd place
“Weekend Temptation” Michele Wright
Outstanding Creator Award for
Military
1st Place
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
2nd Place
“2030: Nothing is What it Seems” J.P. Ozuna
3rd place
“A Rock and a Hard Place” Mary Steed
“The Third Estate” D.R. Berlin, MD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science-Fiction (Sci-Fi)
1st Place
“Sentience Hazard” Alexandru Czimbor
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” P.T. Harry
“Hounds of Gaia” Sean Tirman
2nd Place
“Another World” I.M. Stoicus
3rd Place
“Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
“With Love, From Planet B” Zaayin Salaam, MD
“Quantum Consequence” Mike Murphey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science
1st Place
“Cancer Culture” Jacqueline Acho, PhD
2nd Place
“Eye of God” Aeternus Costin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Magazines / Catalogs
1st Place
“Story Monsters Ink May 2024 Issue” Story Monsters LLC
Outstanding Creator Award for
Comic Books & Graphic Novels
1st Place
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #2)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“Lycan” Dennis Robinson et al.
2nd Place
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #4)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #1)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
3rd Place
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #3)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Romance
1st Place
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
2nd Place
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bisset
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
“Whispers in the Vineyard” Justin Kojok
“Granting Katelyn” S.E. Reichert
“Weekend Temptation” Michele Wright
“Are There Really Plenty of Fish in the Sea?” Tony Demechees
3rd Place
“2030: Nothing is What it Seems” J.P. Ozuna
“The Pulse of My Heart” E.C. Roderick
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
“Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
Drama
1st Place
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
2nd Place
“Whispers in the Vineyard” Justin Kojok
Outstanding Creator Award for
Comedy / Humor
1st Place
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“LOSERS” K.E. Adamus
2nd Place
“The Great Animal Escape” Linda Harkey
3rd Place
“Are There Really Plenty of Fish in the Sea?” Tony Demechees
Outstanding Creator Award for
Camping & Outdoors
1st Place
“Raccoons Go Rafting: Activity & Coloring Book” Rachel Vogel, Anthony Richichi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Middle Grade Books
1st Place
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
"Ready Set Dance" Once Upon a Dance
Outstanding Creator Award for
Dystopia / Apocalyptic Fiction / Near-Future
1st Place
“2030: Nothing is What it Seems” J.P. Ozuna
2nd Place
“Quantum Consequence” Mike Murphey
3rd Place
“Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
Honorable Mention:
“With Love, From Planet B” Zaayin Salaam, MD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Parenting
1st Place
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bisset
“Remember Me” Rachel Vogel
2nd Place
“The Best Summer Guest” Tuula Pere
“Why I Love Mama” Raymond Johnson
3rd Place
“Axel Washes the Rug” Tuula Pere
Outstanding Creator Award for
Speculative Fiction
1st Place
“IMPOSSIBLE TALES” by Sury V.S
2nd Place
“Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
3rd Place
“Interview with a Sinner” M.M. White
Outstanding Creator Award for
Spirituality
1st Place
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
3rd Place
“Breathe. Write. Breathe.” Lisa Tener
Outstanding Creator Award for
Health / Healthcare/ Medical / Pharmaceutical Books
1st Place
“Cancer Culture” by Jacqueline Acho, PhD
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bisset
2nd Place
“Burst the Bubble” Tia Warrick
3rd Place
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
Outstanding Creator Award for
Crime / Law
1st Place
“Deadly Game” Sir Michael Caine
2nd Place
“Red Deuce” Thomas Roehlk
3rd Place
“Driving for Justice” Justin Kojok
Outstanding Creator Award for
Books About Writing
1st Place
“Breathe. Write. Breathe.” Lisa Tener
Outstanding Creator Award for
Religion
1st Place
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
3rd Place
“Eye of God” Aeternus Costin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Self-Help & How-to Books
1st Place
“Briefly Speaking” Deborah Shames, David Booth
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“REAL Psychology” Dr. Scott Flagg
“From Purpose to Profit” Erin Andrea Craske
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
“Dear Liam & Noah: Letters From Daddy” Sean Martin
“LASTING Transformation” Abby Rosen, PhD
“Purposeful Performance” Jonathan Stanley
“The Passionate Workforce” Nicholas Capman
2nd Place
“Are There Really Plenty of Fish in the Sea?” Tony Demechees
3rd Place
“Breathe. Write. Breathe.” Lisa Tener
Honorable Mention
“Angelina’s Choices” Angelina Wang
Outstanding Creator Award for
Psychological Fiction
1st Place
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
2nd Place
“What Lies Buried” Leslie Kain
3rd Place
“With Love, From Planet B” Zaayin Salaam, MD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Psychology / Psychiatry (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“LASTING Transformation” Abby Rosen, PhD
“REAL Psychology” Dr. Scott Flagg
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Educational & Reference Books
1st Place
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
“Looking for Legends” Scott and Tarantino
“LASTING Transformation” Abby Rosen, PhD
“CONEtrolled” Nava Israel, PhD
“Briefly Speaking” Deborah Shames, David Booth
2nd Place
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“REAL Psychology” Dr. Scott Flagg
“100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions: Volume 4” Ross Brand et al.
3rd Place
“Burst the Bubble” Tia Warrick
Outstanding Creator Award for
Plants & Gardening / Nature
1st Place
“A Birch Tree’s Year” by Tuula Pere
Outstanding Creator Award for
Christianity
1st Place
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“Another World” I.M. Stoicus
3rd Place
“Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” Sarah Law
Outstanding Creator Award for
Friendship
1st Place
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr
“The 3 Bulls” Sean Martin
2nd Place
“The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” Annie Higbee
“Friends and Rivals” Tuula Pere
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
Outstanding Creator Award for
Family
1st Place
“Tough Trail Home” Marie Watts
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bisset
“Until the Stars Align” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Friends and Rivals” Tuula Pere
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“Axel Washes the Rug” Tuula Pere
3rd Place
“Remember Me” by Rachel Vogel
“The Best Summer Guest” Tuula Pere
“Why I Love Mama” Raymond Johnson
“A Sister Ago” Caitlin Buhr
Outstanding Creator Award for
Poetry
1st Place
“Dear Sick Mental Virus” O’Cyrus
“A Concerto for an Empty Frame” Elizabeth Kirkpatric-Vrenios
Outstanding Creator Award for
Action & Adventure
1st Place
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
“Lycan” Dennis Robinson et al.
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
2nd Place
“Ironborn” Andrew Cavanagh
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
“2030: Nothing is What it Seems” J.P. Ozuna
3rd Place
“Elven Blood” Mark Stanley
“A Bargain with Darkness” Peter Eliott
“Hounds of Gaia” Sean Tirman
Outstanding Creator Award for
Math / Geometry
1st Place
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Horror
1st Place
“Lycan” Dennis Robinson et al.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Coloring & Activity Books
1st Place
“Raccoons Go Rafting: Activity & Coloring Book” Rachel Vogel, Anthony Richichi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Literary & Contemporary Fiction
1st Place
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
2nd Place
“What Lies Buried” Leslie Kain
3rd Place
“Driving for Justice” Justin Kojok
“The Tender Silver Stars” Pamela Stockwell
Outstanding Creator Award for
Multicultural / Multilingual / Bilingual Fiction
1st Place
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino, (Italian)
“Until the Stars Align” Carolyn Summer Quinn, (Jewish, German, British)
2nd Place
“Red Deuce” Thomas Roehlk, (Italian)
3rd Place
“A Skeleton in Bone Creek” Baer Charlton, (Native American)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Women's Literature
1st Place
“Granting Katelyn” S.E. Reichert
“Tough Trail Home” Marie Watts
2nd Place
“The Tender Silver Stars” Pamela Stockwell
“A Sister Ago” Caitlin Buhr
“Angelina’s Choices” Angelina Wang
3rd Place
“Weekend Temptation” Michele Wright
“Angelina’s Opinion” Angelina Wang
Outstanding Creator Award for
Children's Motivational & Inspirational Books
1st Place
“Friends and Rivals” Tuula Pere
“Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magical Turds” Heather S. Lonczak, PhD
“Cora’s Christmas Challenge” Sally Kashner
“The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” Annie Higbee
2nd Place
“The 3 Bulls” Sean Martin
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
3rd Place
“Traveling Companions” Tuula Pere
Outstanding Creator Award for
Motivational / Inspirational Books
1st Place
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino
“LASTING Transformation” Abby Rosen, PhD
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
“Story Monsters Ink May 2024 Issue” Story Monsters LLC
“The Passionate Workforce” Nicholas Capman
“Purposeful Performance” Jonathan Stanley
“Dear Liam & Noah: Letters From Daddy” Sean Martin
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“Dear Sick Mental Virus” O’Cyrus
3rd Place
“Angelina’s Choices” by Angelina Wang
“Angelina’s Opinions” Angelina Wang
“A Sister Ago” Caitlin Buhr
Outstanding Creator Award for
Teen & Young-Adult (YA) Fiction
1st Place
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
2nd Place
“The Darkest Side of the Moon” M.C. Ryder
3rd Place
“Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
Outstanding Creator Award for
Emerging Technologies / Books About A.I. / Books About Cybernetics
1st Place
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
“100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions: Volume 4” Ross Brand et al.
“Hounds of Gaia” Sean Tirman
2nd Place
“Another World” I.M. Stoicus
3rd Place
“Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mystery
1st Place
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“Deadly Game” Sir Michael Caine
Outstanding Creator Award for
Grief and Coping / Trauma
1st Place
“What Lies Buried” Leslie Kain
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
2nd Place
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
3rd Place
“Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
Animals (Animal Books)
1st Place
“The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” Annie Higbee
“The Great Animal Escape” Linda Harkey
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
“Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner
“From the Farm to Our Table” by Sarah Rowe
“Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magical Turds” Heather S. Lonczak, PhD
2nd Place
“The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” Kirt Seuchan
“Donkey Dell” Jaybie D
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
“Little Joe and the Big Rain” Mike Darcy
3rd Place
“Granting Katelyn” S.E. Reichert
“Raccoons Go Rafting: Activity & Coloring Book” Rachel Vogel, Anthony Richichi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Myths & Legends / Fairy Tales / Mythical Creatures / Cryptids
1st Place
“Codex Sohrakia” K.M. Taylor
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
“Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al.
2nd Place
“Elven Blood” Mark Stanley
“A Darker Demise” M.C. Ryder
3rd Place
“Sister Bevenlee and Mother of Pox” Charles Brass
Outstanding Creator Award for
Audiobooks
1st Place
“Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine, Narrated by Eddie Marsan
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin, Narrated by Rebecca Quin
2nd Place
“Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen, Narrated by Jimmy Moreland
3rd Place
“Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro, Narrated by Fred Berman
Autobiographies & Memoirs / Pseudo-Memoirs
1st Place
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
“Dear Liam & Noah: Letters From Daddy” Sean Martin
2nd Place
“Cancer Culture” Jacqueline Acho, PhD
3rd Place
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bissett
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
“A Sister Ago” Caitlin Buhr
Outstanding Creator Award for
Biographies
1st Place
“Story Monsters Ink May 2024 Issue” Story Monsters LLC
2nd Place
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
Outstanding Creator Award for
Time Travel / Alternate Reality / Multiverse
1st Place
“The Pulse of My Heart” E.C. Roderick
2nd Place
“Quantum Consequence” Mike Murphey
3rd Place
"With Love, From Planet B" Zaayin Salaam, MD
Honorable Mention
“Club X: Zombie in the Fridge” S.P. Somtow
Outstanding Creator Award for
Travel / Adventure
1st Place
“Looking for Legends” Scott and Tarantino
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” P.T. Harry
“Ironborn” Andrew Cavanagh
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
2nd Place
“Tough Trail Home” S.E. Reichert
“Cancer Culture” Jacqueline Acho, PhD
3rd Place
“The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” Kirt Seuchan
“Whispers in the Vineyard” Justin Kojok
Outstanding Creator Award for
Current Events
1st Place
“Angelina’s Choices” by Angelina Wang
2nd Place
“Angelina’s Opinions” Angelina Wang
3rd Place
“With Love, From Planet B” Zaayin Salaam, MD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Philosophy
1st Place
“Dear Liam & Noah: Letters from Daddy” Sean Martin
“CONEtrolled” by Nava Israel, PhD
2nd Place
“Angelina’s Choices” by Angelina Wang
3rd Place
“Angelina’s Opinions” Angelina Wang
Outstanding Creator Award for
Absurdist Fiction
1st Place
“LOSERS” K.E. Adamus
2nd Place
“IMPOSSIBLE TALES” Sury V.S.
3rd Place
“Quantum Consequence” Mike Murphey
“Interview with a Sinner” M.M. White
Honorable Mention
“Club X: Zombie in the Fridge” S.P. Somtow
Outstanding Creator Award for
LGBTQ+
1st Place
“Angelina’s Opinions” Angelina Wang
2nd Place
“A Sister Ago” Caitlin Buhr
3rd Place
“A Skeleton in Bone Creek” Baer Charlton
“With Love, From Planet B” Zaayin Salaam, MD
Honorable Mention
“Club X: Zombie in the Fridge” S.P. Somtow
Outstanding Creator Award for
Historical Fiction
1st Place
“Until the Stars Align” Carolyn Summer Quinn
2nd Place
“Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” Sarah Law
3rd Place
“The Pulse of My Heart” E.C. Roderick
“A Rock and a Hard Place” Mary Steed
Outstanding Creator Award for
History (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“Looking for Legends” Scott and Tarantino
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
Outstanding Creator Award for
Food / Cooking/ Recipe Books
1st Place
“From the Farm to Our Table” Sarah Rowe
Outstanding Creator Award for
Sports
1st Place
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Performing Arts / Public Performance
1st Place
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
“Briefly Speaking” Deborah Shames, David Booth
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Rural/Farm Life
1st Place
“From the Farm to Our Table” by Sarah Rowe
“Tough Trail Home” Marie Watts
2nd Place
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
“The Great Animal Escape” Linda Harkey
“Granting Katelyn” S.E. Reichert
3rd Place
“Donkey Dell” Jaybie D
Honorable Mention
“Remember Me” Rachel Vogel
Outstanding Creator Award for
Murder Mystery / Detective Mystery
1st Place
“Deadly Game” Sir Michael Caine
2nd Place
“Red Deuce” Thomas Roehlk
3rd Place
“A Skeleton in Bone Creek” Baer Charlton
Outstanding Creator Award for
Relationships, Marriage, and Couples
1st Place
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bisset
2nd Place
“Tough Trail Home” Marie Watts
3rd Place
“The Tender Silver Stars” Pamela Stockwell
Outstanding Creator Award for
Addiction / Alcoholism
1st Place
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino
2nd Place
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
Outstanding Creator Award for
Holidays / Easter / Christmas Books
1st Place
“Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner
Outstanding Creator Award for
Thriller
1st Place
“Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
2nd Place
“2030: Nothing is What it Seems” J.P. Ozuna
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
“Hounds of Gaia” Sean Tirman
3rd Place
“The Third Estate” D.R. Berlin, MD
“Red Deuce” Thomas Roehlk
Honorable Mention
“Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
Outstanding Creator Award for
Supernatural Books
1st Place
“Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
“Codex Sohrakia” K.M. Taylor
2nd Place
“The Queen of Fairy” Marieke Lexmond
Outstanding Creator Award for
Short Stories / Anthologies / Collections
1st Place
“LOSERS” K.E. Adamus
“100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions: Volume 4” Ross Brand et al.
2nd Place
“IMPOSSIBLE TALES” Sury V.S.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mental Health / Mental Illness / Mental Disorders
1st Place
“What Lies Buried” Leslie Kain
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino
“Dear Sick Mental Virus” O’Cyrus
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
Outstanding Creator Award for
Fantasy
1st Place
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
“Lycan” Dennis Robinson et al.
“Codex Sohrakia” K.M. Taylor
“A Bargain with Darkness” Peter Eliott
"The Queen of Fairy" Marieke Lexmond
2nd Place
“Ironborn” Andrew Cavanagh
“Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
3rd Place
“Elven Blood” Mark Stanley
Honorable Mention
“Sister Bevenlee and Mother of Pox” by Charles Brass
“Infinity Tales” M.C. Ryder
“The Darkest Side of the Moon” M.C. Ryder
“A Dance Between Light and Darkness” M.C. Ryder
“All I See Are Dark Clouds” M.C. Ryder
“A Darker Demise” by M.C. Ryder
Outstanding Creator Award for
Vampire Lit
1st Place
“A Darker Demise” by M.C. Ryder
“Infinity Tales” M.C. Ryder
“A Dance Between Light and Darkness” M.C. Ryder
2nd Place
“The Darkest Side of the Moon” M.C. Ryder
3rd Place
“All I See Are Dark Clouds” M.C. Ryder
Honorable Mentions
“The Darkened Enchantment” M.C. Ryder
“The Neighbors” M.C. Ryder
Outstanding Creator Award for
Business
* Includes Entrepreneurship / Sales & Marketing / Management / Investing / Career / Finance
1st Place
“From Purpose to Profit” Erin Andrea Craske
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“Briefly Speaking” Deborah Shames, David Booth
“The Passionate Workforce” Nicholas Capman
“Purposeful Performance” Jonathan Stanley
2nd Place
“Burst the Bubble” Tia Warrick
3rd place
“Weekend Temptation” Michele Wright
Outstanding Creator Award for
Military
1st Place
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
2nd Place
“2030: Nothing is What it Seems” J.P. Ozuna
3rd place
“A Rock and a Hard Place” Mary Steed
“The Third Estate” D.R. Berlin, MD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science-Fiction (Sci-Fi)
1st Place
“Sentience Hazard” Alexandru Czimbor
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” P.T. Harry
“Hounds of Gaia” Sean Tirman
2nd Place
“Another World” I.M. Stoicus
3rd Place
“Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
“With Love, From Planet B” Zaayin Salaam, MD
“Quantum Consequence” Mike Murphey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science
1st Place
“Cancer Culture” Jacqueline Acho, PhD
2nd Place
“Eye of God” Aeternus Costin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Magazines / Catalogs
1st Place
“Story Monsters Ink May 2024 Issue” Story Monsters LLC
Outstanding Creator Award for
Comic Books & Graphic Novels
1st Place
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #2)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“Lycan” Dennis Robinson et al.
2nd Place
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #4)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #1)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
3rd Place
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #3)” Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Romance
1st Place
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
2nd Place
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bisset
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
“Whispers in the Vineyard” Justin Kojok
“Granting Katelyn” S.E. Reichert
“Weekend Temptation” Michele Wright
“Are There Really Plenty of Fish in the Sea?” Tony Demechees
3rd Place
“2030: Nothing is What it Seems” J.P. Ozuna
“The Pulse of My Heart” E.C. Roderick
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
“Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
Drama
1st Place
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
2nd Place
“Whispers in the Vineyard” Justin Kojok
Outstanding Creator Award for
Comedy / Humor
1st Place
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“LOSERS” K.E. Adamus
2nd Place
“The Great Animal Escape” Linda Harkey
3rd Place
“Are There Really Plenty of Fish in the Sea?” Tony Demechees
Outstanding Creator Award for
Camping & Outdoors
1st Place
“Raccoons Go Rafting: Activity & Coloring Book” Rachel Vogel, Anthony Richichi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Middle Grade Books
1st Place
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
"Ready Set Dance" Once Upon a Dance
Outstanding Creator Award for
Dystopia / Apocalyptic Fiction / Near-Future
1st Place
“2030: Nothing is What it Seems” J.P. Ozuna
2nd Place
“Quantum Consequence” Mike Murphey
3rd Place
“Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
Honorable Mention:
“With Love, From Planet B” Zaayin Salaam, MD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Parenting
1st Place
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bisset
“Remember Me” Rachel Vogel
2nd Place
“The Best Summer Guest” Tuula Pere
“Why I Love Mama” Raymond Johnson
3rd Place
“Axel Washes the Rug” Tuula Pere
Outstanding Creator Award for
Speculative Fiction
1st Place
“IMPOSSIBLE TALES” by Sury V.S
2nd Place
“Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
3rd Place
“Interview with a Sinner” M.M. White
Outstanding Creator Award for
Spirituality
1st Place
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
3rd Place
“Breathe. Write. Breathe.” Lisa Tener
Outstanding Creator Award for
Health / Healthcare/ Medical / Pharmaceutical Books
1st Place
“Cancer Culture” by Jacqueline Acho, PhD
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bisset
2nd Place
“Burst the Bubble” Tia Warrick
3rd Place
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
Outstanding Creator Award for
Crime / Law
1st Place
“Deadly Game” Sir Michael Caine
2nd Place
“Red Deuce” Thomas Roehlk
3rd Place
“Driving for Justice” Justin Kojok
Outstanding Creator Award for
Books About Writing
1st Place
“Breathe. Write. Breathe.” Lisa Tener
Outstanding Creator Award for
Religion
1st Place
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
3rd Place
“Eye of God” Aeternus Costin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Self-Help & How-to Books
1st Place
“Briefly Speaking” Deborah Shames, David Booth
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“REAL Psychology” Dr. Scott Flagg
“From Purpose to Profit” Erin Andrea Craske
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
“Dear Liam & Noah: Letters From Daddy” Sean Martin
“LASTING Transformation” Abby Rosen, PhD
“Purposeful Performance” Jonathan Stanley
“The Passionate Workforce” Nicholas Capman
2nd Place
“Are There Really Plenty of Fish in the Sea?” Tony Demechees
3rd Place
“Breathe. Write. Breathe.” Lisa Tener
Honorable Mention
“Angelina’s Choices” Angelina Wang
Outstanding Creator Award for
Psychological Fiction
1st Place
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
2nd Place
“What Lies Buried” Leslie Kain
3rd Place
“With Love, From Planet B” Zaayin Salaam, MD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Psychology / Psychiatry (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“LASTING Transformation” Abby Rosen, PhD
“REAL Psychology” Dr. Scott Flagg
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Educational & Reference Books
1st Place
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
“Looking for Legends” Scott and Tarantino
“LASTING Transformation” Abby Rosen, PhD
“CONEtrolled” Nava Israel, PhD
“Briefly Speaking” Deborah Shames, David Booth
2nd Place
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“REAL Psychology” Dr. Scott Flagg
“100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions: Volume 4” Ross Brand et al.
3rd Place
“Burst the Bubble” Tia Warrick
Outstanding Creator Award for
Plants & Gardening / Nature
1st Place
“A Birch Tree’s Year” by Tuula Pere
Outstanding Creator Award for
Christianity
1st Place
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“Another World” I.M. Stoicus
3rd Place
“Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” Sarah Law
Outstanding Creator Award for
Friendship
1st Place
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr
“The 3 Bulls” Sean Martin
2nd Place
“The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” Annie Higbee
“Friends and Rivals” Tuula Pere
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
Outstanding Creator Award for
Family
1st Place
“Tough Trail Home” Marie Watts
“The Destination Birth” Alexander Bisset
“Until the Stars Align” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Friends and Rivals” Tuula Pere
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“Axel Washes the Rug” Tuula Pere
3rd Place
“Remember Me” by Rachel Vogel
“The Best Summer Guest” Tuula Pere
“Why I Love Mama” Raymond Johnson
“A Sister Ago” Caitlin Buhr
Outstanding Creator Award for
Poetry
1st Place
“Dear Sick Mental Virus” O’Cyrus
“A Concerto for an Empty Frame” Elizabeth Kirkpatric-Vrenios
Outstanding Creator Award for
Action & Adventure
1st Place
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
“Lycan” Dennis Robinson et al.
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
2nd Place
“Ironborn” Andrew Cavanagh
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
“2030: Nothing is What it Seems” J.P. Ozuna
3rd Place
“Elven Blood” Mark Stanley
“A Bargain with Darkness” Peter Eliott
“Hounds of Gaia” Sean Tirman
Outstanding Creator Award for
Math / Geometry
1st Place
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Horror
1st Place
“Lycan” Dennis Robinson et al.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Coloring & Activity Books
1st Place
“Raccoons Go Rafting: Activity & Coloring Book” Rachel Vogel, Anthony Richichi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Literary & Contemporary Fiction
1st Place
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
2nd Place
“What Lies Buried” Leslie Kain
3rd Place
“Driving for Justice” Justin Kojok
“The Tender Silver Stars” Pamela Stockwell
Outstanding Creator Award for
Multicultural / Multilingual / Bilingual Fiction
1st Place
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino, (Italian)
“Until the Stars Align” Carolyn Summer Quinn, (Jewish, German, British)
2nd Place
“Red Deuce” Thomas Roehlk, (Italian)
3rd Place
“A Skeleton in Bone Creek” Baer Charlton, (Native American)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Women's Literature
1st Place
“Granting Katelyn” S.E. Reichert
“Tough Trail Home” Marie Watts
2nd Place
“The Tender Silver Stars” Pamela Stockwell
“A Sister Ago” Caitlin Buhr
“Angelina’s Choices” Angelina Wang
3rd Place
“Weekend Temptation” Michele Wright
“Angelina’s Opinion” Angelina Wang
Outstanding Creator Award for
Children's Motivational & Inspirational Books
1st Place
“Friends and Rivals” Tuula Pere
“Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magical Turds” Heather S. Lonczak, PhD
“Cora’s Christmas Challenge” Sally Kashner
“The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” Annie Higbee
2nd Place
“The 3 Bulls” Sean Martin
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
3rd Place
“Traveling Companions” Tuula Pere
Outstanding Creator Award for
Motivational / Inspirational Books
1st Place
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino
“LASTING Transformation” Abby Rosen, PhD
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
“Story Monsters Ink May 2024 Issue” Story Monsters LLC
“The Passionate Workforce” Nicholas Capman
“Purposeful Performance” Jonathan Stanley
“Dear Liam & Noah: Letters From Daddy” Sean Martin
2nd Place
“The Invisible Soul” George Beasley
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“Dear Sick Mental Virus” O’Cyrus
3rd Place
“Angelina’s Choices” by Angelina Wang
“Angelina’s Opinions” Angelina Wang
“A Sister Ago” Caitlin Buhr
Outstanding Creator Award for
Teen & Young-Adult (YA) Fiction
1st Place
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
2nd Place
“The Darkest Side of the Moon” M.C. Ryder
3rd Place
“Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
Outstanding Creator Award for
Emerging Technologies / Books About A.I. / Books About Cybernetics
1st Place
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
“100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions: Volume 4” Ross Brand et al.
“Hounds of Gaia” Sean Tirman
2nd Place
“Another World” I.M. Stoicus
3rd Place
“Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mystery
1st Place
“Fake Out” Felicia Farber
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“Deadly Game” Sir Michael Caine
Outstanding Creator Award for
Grief and Coping / Trauma
1st Place
“What Lies Buried” Leslie Kain
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
2nd Place
“Reality Check” Mike Sorrentino
“Runaway Train” Krista Cambers
3rd Place
“Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
Animals (Animal Books)
1st Place
“The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” Annie Higbee
“The Great Animal Escape” Linda Harkey
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
“Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner
“From the Farm to Our Table” by Sarah Rowe
“Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magical Turds” Heather S. Lonczak, PhD
2nd Place
“The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” Kirt Seuchan
“Donkey Dell” Jaybie D
“Ready Set Dance” Once Upon a Dance
“Little Joe and the Big Rain” Mike Darcy
3rd Place
“Granting Katelyn” S.E. Reichert
“Raccoons Go Rafting: Activity & Coloring Book” Rachel Vogel, Anthony Richichi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Myths & Legends / Fairy Tales / Mythical Creatures / Cryptids
1st Place
“Codex Sohrakia” K.M. Taylor
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” Steven Byers
“Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al.
2nd Place
“Elven Blood” Mark Stanley
“A Darker Demise” M.C. Ryder
3rd Place
“Sister Bevenlee and Mother of Pox” Charles Brass
Outstanding Creator Award for
Audiobooks
1st Place
“Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine, Narrated by Eddie Marsan
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin, Narrated by Rebecca Quin
2nd Place
“Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen, Narrated by Jimmy Moreland
3rd Place
“Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro, Narrated by Fred Berman
SPECIAL AWARDS
* These are fun, less formal awards intended to recognize the unique accomplishments of each work. For that reason, they are not ranked in order. They are still recognized as Outstanding Creator Awards.
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Cover”
Winner:
“Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
Honorable Mentions:
“The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell
“REAL Psychology” by Dr. Scott Flagg
“Looking for Legends” by Scott and Tarantino
“Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
“Dear Sick Mental Virus” by O’Cyrus
“LASTING Transformation” by Abby Rosen, PhD
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #3) by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #2) by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” by Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
“Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
“Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Fiction)”
Winners:
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Honorable Mentions:
“Sentience Hazard” Alexander Czimbor
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” P.T. Harry
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Non-Fiction)”
Winner:
“Reality Check” by Mike Sorrentino
Honorable Mentions:
“REAL Psychology” Dr. Scott Flagg
“From Purpose to Profit” Erin Andrea Craske
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
“Briefly Speaking” Deborah Shames, David Booth
“The Passionate Workforce” Nicholas Capman
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“Purposeful Performance” Jonathan Stanley
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“CONEtrolled” by Nava Israel, PhD
“Dear Sick Mental Virus” by O’Cyrus
“A Concerto for an Empty Frame” Elizabeth Kirkpatric-Vrenios
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Research”
Winners:
“From Purpose to Profit” by Erin Andrea Craske
“100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions: Volume 4” by Ross Brand et al.
“Looking for Legends” by Scott and Tarantino
Honorable Mentions:
“LASTING Transformation” by Abby Rosen, PhD
“Eye of God” by Aeternus Costin
“Are You Ready?” by Dr. Kimberly Harms
“REAL Psychology” by Dr. Scott Flagg
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” by Ernest Ellender, PhD
“Cancer Culture” by Jacqueline Acho, PhD
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
“Breathe. Write. Breathe.” by Lisa Tener
“Hiring Veterans” by Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“CONEtrolled” by Nava Israel, PhD
“Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” by Sarah Law
“Burst the Bubble” by Tia Warrick
“The Passionate Workforce” Nicholas Capman
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best World-Building”
Winners:
“Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
Honorable Mentions:
“Another World” by I.M. Stoicus
“Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok
“The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” by Kirt Seuchan
“The Queen of Fairy” by Marieke Lexmond
“Elven Blood” by Mark Stanley
“Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey
“Counterblow Clemency” by Naomi Shibles
“A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Formatting”
Winner:
“From Purpose to Profit” by Erin Andrea Craske
Honorable Mentions:
“A Concerto for an Empty Frame” Elizabeth Kirkpatric-Vrenios
“REAL Psychology” Dr. Scott Flagg
"Purposeful Performance" Jonathan Stanley
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Idea” / “Best Concept”
Winners:
The “Little Way” (proposed by St. Therese of Lisieux) from “Sketches From a Sunlit Heaven” by Sarah Law
Honorable Mentions:
Your “Monster Self” from “This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” by Ernest Ellender, PhD
The “Cancer Industrial Complex” from “Cancer Culture” by Jacqueline Acho, PhD
Qigong Bouncing from “Breathe. Write. Breathe.” by Lisa Tener
CCBI-Type Interviews from “Hiring Veterans” by Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
Cones (systems of control) from “CONEtrolled” by Nava Israel, PhD
The Five Whys from “The Passionate Workforce” by Nicholas Capman
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Character”
Winners:
Solomon from “Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al.
Jayfeth (Japheth) from “Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Captain Rez Cantor from “The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
Honorable Mention:
Dr. Zara Ali, Lexi from “With Love, From Planet B” by Zaayin Salaam, MD
Dr. Francois DeSousa, Marie Chateau, C.A.R.L.A. from “Sentience Hazard” by Alexandru Czimbor
Kimberly Hart, Tommy Oliver from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” (Series) by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Crutch from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
Hummingbird, Narwhal (“The One Who Points to the sky”) from “The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” by Annie Higbee
Nash (“Running Bear”), Mina from “A Skeleton in Bone Creek” by Baer Charlton
Becky Lynch from “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin
Christine, Rachel from “A Sister Ago” by Caitlin Buhr
Rosi Beyersdorf, Anni Beyersdorf, Emilie Keppler, and Lieselotte from “Until the Stars Align” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Sister Bevenlee, Princess Ukee from “Sister Bevenlee and Mother of Pox” by Charles Brass
Sophie Allard, Kai Lovac from “The Third Estate” by D.R. Berlin, MD
Sylvie, Leif from “The Pulse of My Heart” by E.C. Roderick
Blair Evans, David from “Fake Out” by Felicia Farber
Paddy Poopenhopper, Little Gracie Boone from “Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magical Turds” by Heather S. Lonczak, PhD
Lt. Colonel Solon from “Another World” by I.M. Stoicus
Jack Bayne, Alareese Bayne from “Lost in Wonderland” by Jack Quill
Carol, Beryl from “The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr
Onyx Pion from “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
John Sanbian from “Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok
Loom, Feika Laar from “Whispers in the Vineyard” by Justin Kojok
Vlad, Jack, and Maggie from “LOSERS” by K.E. Adamus
Danny Discus from “The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” by Kirt Seuchan
Saham’a’iel (Saham), Sohrn’o’rack, and Thestra from “Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
Gavin from “What Lies Buried” by Leslie Kain
Lova-Bull, Mud Pie, Bernie, Blue Moon, and Gracie from “The Great Animal Escape” by Linda Harkey
Pearl, Duke from “What Is the Shape of My Ears?” by Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
Nadia/Nadine from “The Darkest Side of the Moon” by M.C. Ryder
Melia from “A Dance Between Light and Darkness” by M.C. Ryder
Camille from “All I See Are Dark Clouds” by M.C. Ryder
Zoe, Jensen, and Terrence from “The Neighbors” by M.C. Ryder
Immilla from “A Darker Demise” by M.C. Ryder
Lily, Cleo from “The Darkened Enchantment” by M.C. Ryder
Leo from “Infinity Tales” by M.C. Ryder
Hollace from “Interview with a Sinner” by M.M. White
Lisa Dunwhitty, Michael Dunwhitty from “Tough Trail Home” by Marie Watts
Lucy, Bridget, Cephalop, Set, Diane, Maeve, Tara, Sheamus, Snowflake, and Freya from “The Queen of Fairy” by Marieke Lexmond
Anywyn, Gunnar, Ruina, Dakarai, and Melagai from “Elven Blood” by Mark Stanley
Jim Parrish from “A Rock and a Hard Place” by Mary Steed
DCI Harry Taylor from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Rachel Knott, Ben from “Weekend Temptation” by Michele Wright
Marta, Marshall, Lexi, and John Dexter from “Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey
Bjorn from “Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
Bella Beak, Quinn Hops, and Kittina from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Triss Littlefield, Everlove Porter from “The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell
Vazeer the Lash from “A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott
Rachel’s Mom, Kevin’s Mom from “Remember Me” by Rachel Vogel
Polo, Kim, Danger, Fluke, and Donut from “Club X: Zombie in the Fridge” by S.P. Somtow
Cora from “Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner
St. Therese of Lisieux, Celine (the painter/photographer), Leonie (“the least, the last, the littlest”), Pauline (“the Practical”) from “Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” Sarah Law
Katelyn Sullivan, Grant Tennyson from “Granting Katelyn” by S.E. Reichert
Mama, Red-Bearded Hunk Papa, Leo, and Finlay “From the Farm to Our Table” by Sarah Rowe
Reinhold Messner, Lawrence of Arabia, Heinrich Herrer, Pablo Nerida, Jim Thompson, Richard Schlutes, Jim Corbett, and Elizabeth Hawley from “Looking for Legends” by Scott and Tarantino
Darius, Liam, and Noah from “The 3 Bulls” by Sean Martin
Foxhound, Fink, and Sister Penelope from “Hounds of Gaia” by Sean Tirman
Carl Matz, “Imaginator” (I. Magine), and Mother Nature from “IMPOSSIBLE TALES” from Sury V.S.
Mandy Doucette, Dr. Regina Doucette (“Reggie”) from “Red Deuce” by Thomas Roehlk
King/Prince Victor, Prince Otto from “Friends and Rivals” by Tuula Pere
Tony, Elderly Man, and the Blind Blacksmith from “Traveling Companions” by Tuula Pere
Jonty, Grandma Gladys from “The Best Summer Guest” by Tuula Pere
The Birch Tree from “A Birch Tree’s Year” by Tuula Pere
“Indestructible” Nathan Miller from “Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Supporting Character”
Winners:
Katie from “What Lies Buried” by Leslie Kain
Carl from “Tough Trail Home” by Marie Watts
Sgt. Iris Davis from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Samantha “Sam” Harriman from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Honorable Mentions:
Ian, Dr. Zhao Qiafan, Baozhai, and Lt. Sujata Hopkins from “Sentience Hazard” by Alexandru Czimbor
Jason Lee Scott, Zack Taylor, Billy Cranston, Tommy Oliver, Olivia Hart, Trini Kwan, Bulk, and Skull from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Boulder, Cedric, Quicksilver, Captain Featherstone, Sergeant Zander, Benn, Longshot, and Abigail from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
Seth Rollins, Rebecca’s Dad, Rebecca’s Mom, Roux, Finn Balor, Charlotte Flair, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Adam Rose, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Bill DeMott, Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, Natalya Neidhart, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Nia Jax, Emma, and Paige from “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin
Stephen, Jeanette, and Keji Nakayama from “A Sister Ago” Caitlin Buhr
The Wentworths (especially Pamela) and Rowlands from “Until the Stars Align” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Professor Milo Anderson, Parker Worthington from “The Third Estate” by D.R. Berlin, MD
Rosemond “Rosie” Sarpong Owens, Eric Harms from “Are You Ready?” by Dr. Kimberly Harms
Jessica from “The Pulse of My Heart” by E.C. Roderick
Hunter, Kayla, and Rachel from “Fake Out” by Felicia Farber
Nurse Mei, Brigadier General Apollo from “Another World” I.M. Stoicus
James, Joel Nero, Russell “Russ” White, Zach’s Dad, Lt. Commander Briggs, Captain Chistina Alonso-Jarin, Kari Aurelian, and Giles from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Tabitha, Hayden, and Mina (Dalmatian) from “Lost in Wonderland” by Jack Quill
Mateo, General Jones, Cynthia, and Karina from “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
Samantha, Daniel, and Lila from “Driving for Justice” Justin Kojok
Aisha, Mama Afi, and Nia from “Whispers in the Vineyard” by Justin Kojok
Tina Tetra Fish, Tito Turtle, Poly Parrot Fish, and Sandy Seashorse from “The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” by Kirt Seuchan
Thetrasat, Anu’ver’os, Schlix, Moogie, Saulkuset, and Sirak from “Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
Vinsent Weber, Marc, Camille, and Leo from “The Darkest Side of the Moon” by M.C. Ryder
Vince, Camille from “A Dance Between Light and Darkness” by M.C. Ryder
Beckett, Michael, Cecily, and Iris from “All I See Are Dark Clouds” by M.C. Ryder
Marc, Nadine, Vince, Melia, Camille, and Serena from “A Darker Demise” by M.C. Ryder
Mutsu (opossum), Saffron (dog) from “The Darkened Enchantment” by M.C. Ryder
Nadia, Camille, Melia, Vinsent, Beckett, and Tom from “Infinity Tales” by M.C. Ryder
Dr. Kar Joon, Dea, and Chin Pack from “A Rock and a Hard Place” by Mary Steed
Bill Robinson, Carol from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Kate, Paige, Isabel, and Madison from “Weekend Temptation” by Michele Wright
Roxy (the bear) from “Little Joe and the Big Rain” by Mike Darcy
Kendra Granger, Baptiste from “Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey
Doodle (Kofi Alexis), Murgatroyd, and Carter Lock from “Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
Betty (Bovine), Sloth, Turtle, Pig, Owl, and Bunny from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Jay, Mrs. McCabe from “The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell
Terza Falconbrow, Sebastian, Jisselle, Selene, Cad, Miles, Nascinthe, and Flerra Tellian from “A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott
Princess Leanna, Penta, and Philip Golan from “The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry.
We’d also like to take this time to tell the author: JUSTICE FOR PENTA!
New Friends from “Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner
Mother Xavier, Harold, and Alfred from “Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” by Sarah Law
Hugh (the horse), Jane, and Blake from “Granting Katelyn” by S.E. Reichert
Darius’s Grandma from “The 3 Bulls” by Sean Martin
MAILMAN from “Hounds of Gaia” by Sean Tirman
Re-Aylah, Noah, Ham, Shem, Sheshi-Behura, Jirah, Dayak, Minnah, Gomer, Ben-Tubal, and Krell from “Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Rick Crawford, Patrick Carney from “Red Deuce” Thomas Roehlk
The Little Boy, Merlin from “Friends and Rivals” by Tuula Pere
Norton Death, Vanessa from “Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Villain”
Winners:
Krystal “The Ice Queen” Cooper, Pam Epstein (“Thing #3), and the School Administration from “Fake Out” by Felicia Farber
Honorable Mentions
Selena Repulsa, Rita Repulsa, Lord Zedd, Finster, and Goldar from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
MegaAI, Dr. Francois DeSousa (arguably), President Yun Li, Chinese Communist Party, Supreme Dragon Members from “Sentience Hazard” Alexandru Czimbor
Emperor Igor Solokov, Estonian Empire from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair, and Sasha Banks from “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
Dr. Walter Anderson, Addiction, Eating Disorders from “A Sister Ago” by Caitlin Buhr
The Nazis from “Until the Stars Align” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Stomp, Mother of Stomp, Pox, King (Ukee’s father), Royal Court, and Mother of Fetcher from “Sister Bevenlee and Mother of Pox” by Charles Brass
The Third Estate, the Grey Lady, Colonel Mitchell from “The Third Estate” by D.R. Berlin, MD
Maris, Marauders from “Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al.
Jasmine from “The Pulse of My Heart” by E.C. Roderick
The Satanists, Czar Dolos, Czar Mephistopheles, Czar Dajjal from “Another World” by I.M. Stoicus
The ICW (Independent Colony Worlds), Commandant Trask from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Hank and the Bullies (Earnie, Simon, Gimpy) from “The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr
Orion, Kyle from “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
Marc from “LOSERS” by K.E. Adamus
C-PTSD, Gavin (arguably), Gavin & Devon’s Father, and Richard Salvatti from “What Lies Buried” by Leslie Kain
Huntress, Two-Legged People from “The Great Animal Escape” Linda Harkey
Jomar, Vladimir from “The Darkest Side of the Moon” by M.C. Ryder
Max/Maximilian from “A Dance Between Light and Darkness” by M.C. Ryder
Troy from “All I See Are Dark Clouds” by M.C. Ryder
Anthony from “The Neighbors” M.C. Ryder
Vladimir from “A Darker Demise” by M.C. Ryder
Queen Mab from “The Queen of Fairy” by Marieke Lexmond
The Drogo Mulik from “Elven Blood” by Mark Stanley
Wang (“The Definitive Solution”/”The Cantonese Tiger”), Harry Harrison and Larry Larson from “A Rock and a Hard Place” by Mary Steed
Julian Smythe/Vladimir Voldrev, Xavier Ramirez, Jon & White Supremacist Followers, and the Knicks from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Amanda from “Weekend Temptation” by Michele Wright (kinda)
Amazon, the Christian Fundamentalist States of America, President Leviticus Deuteronomy Humphollar, Ignace Aguillard, and Creepy Android Judy Garland & her pet snake (kinda) from “Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey
Florian from “Counterblow Clemency” by Naomi Shibles
Major DD (Major Depressive Disorder) from “Dear Sick Mental Virus” by O’Cyrus
Horus Haine. Cooper Cavanagh, Carr, Jenny Blazey, Ruddy Rodney, Triss’s Grandfather, and Everlove’s Ex-Fiance from “The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell
The Raving Blade, Coljin Hellgrinder from “A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott
The Relcor, Giragoc (cloud monster), the Zelca (spider creatures), and the Brata (gargoyles) from “The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
Zombies, Doctor Strange, The Virus from the Video Game from the Alternate Reality, and Cardinal Crank from “Club X: Zombie in the Fridge” by S.P. Somtow
Ian, Cecilia from “Granting Katelyn” by S.E. Reichert
British Colonialism, the Champawat Man-Eater, the Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag, and Mt. Nanga Parbat from “Looking for Legends” by Scott and Tarantino
Mother of the Divine Church of the Omniphage, Warrick Kano, Hecate Neumar, Eris Enyo, Fink (arguably), and Brother Loch from “Hounds of Gaia” by Sean Tirman
Watchers, Hura, and Baldag from “Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Sarah Real, Beam Shane, Anne, App, Purina, and Mother Nature (arguably) from “IMPOSSIBLE TALES” by Sury V.S.
Allzient, Spruance Corporation, Harold Menzies/Edward Fennstrom, and Sherman Haskins from “Red Deuce” by Thomas Roehlk
King/Prince Victor from “Friends and Rivals” by Tuula Pere
Frederick Chance/Gavin, Deloris Destiny, and General Cornelius Adamson from “Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Hottest Character” / “Most Beautiful Character” / “Most Handsome Character”
Winners:
Re-Aylah from “Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Seth Rollins/Colby Lopez from “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin
Zhara from “Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al.
Sgt. Iris Davis from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Tommy Oliver from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Lauren Elizabeth Pesce from “Reality Check” by Mike Sorrentino
Honorable Mentions:
Mateo, Onyx Pion from “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
St. Therese of Lisieux from “Sketches From a Sunlit Heaven” by Sarah Law
Samantha from “Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok
Anwyn, Ruina from “Elven Blood” by Mark Stanley
Ben from “Weekend Temptation” by Michele Wright
Kendra Granger from “Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey
Princess Leanna from “The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
Katelyn, Grant from “Granting Katelyn” by S.E. Reichert
Red-Bearded Hunk Papa from “From the Farm to Our Table” by Sarah Rowe
Sheshi-Behura, Jayfeth, Jirah, and Minnah from “Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Vanessa, Deloris Destiny from “Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Cutest Character”
Winners:
Paddy Poopenhopper, Little Gracie Boone from “Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magical Turds” by Heather S. Lonczak, PhD
The Dolla (friendly blue aquatic aliens) from “The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
Honorable Mentions:
Olivia Hart from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Crutch, Abigail from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
Narwhal from “The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” by Annie Higbee
Donkey Dell from “Donkey Dell” by Jaybie D
Powder from "A Skeleton in Bone Creek" by Baer Charlton
Samantha “Sam” Harriman from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Mina (the old fire dog) from “Lost in Wonderland” by Jack Quill
Carol, Beryl from “The Noble Adventures of Carol and Beryl” by Jeremy Sherr
Tito Turtle from “The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” Kirt Seuchan
Lova-Bull, Mud Pie, and Huntress’s Cubs from “The Great Animal Escape” Linda Harkey
Pearl, Duke from “What Is the Shape of My Ears?” by Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
Leo from “Infinity Tales” by M.C. Ryder
Jessica and Andrew from “Tough Trail Home” Marie Watts
Little Joe from “Little Joe and the Big Rain” by Mike Darcy
Cute Killer Baby Hippos from “Counterblow Clemency” by Naomi Shibles
Riptail, Nugget, and Bandit from “Raccoons Go Rafting: Activity & Coloring Book” by Rachel Vogel, Anthony Richichi
Mama Cow & Boo Boo from “Remember Me” by Rachel Vogel
Mama & Daughter from “Why I Love Mama” by Raymond Johnson
The Squirrel, Rabbit Family from “Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner
Leo, Finlay, and Puppy Dog from “From the Farm to Our Table” by Sarah Rowe
Jonty from “The Best Summer Guest” by Tuula Pere
Axel from “Axel Washes the Rug” by Tuula Pere
Kittina from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Dynamic Duo”
Winner:
Carol & Beryl from “The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr
Honorable Mentions:
Nash & Mina from “A Skeleton in Bone Creek” by Baer Charlton
Sister Bevenlee & Princess Ukee from “Sister Bevenlee and Mother of Pox” by Charles Brass
Donkey Dell & Jane (the mouse) from “Donkey Dell” by Jaybie D
Zach Aurelian & Russel “Russ” White from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Little Joe & Hopper from “Little Joe and the Big Rain” by Mike Darcy
Triss Littlefield & Everlove Porter from “The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell
Rachel & Mom from “ Remember Me” by Rachel Vogel
King/Prince Victor & Prince Otto from “Friends and Rivals” by Tuula Pere
Axel & Grandma from “Axel Washes the Rug” by Tuula Pere
Bella Beak & Quinn Hops from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Team”
Winners:
The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Unit S022 from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Darius, Liam, and Noah from “The 3 Bulls” by Sean Martin
Honorable Mentions:
The Crazy 8 from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
The Madigans from "The Queen of Fairy" by Marieke Lexmond
The Trio: John Sanbian, Samantha, and Daniel from “Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok
The Darklings: Thestra, Schlix, Moogie, Saulkuset, and Sirak from “Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
Lova-Bull, Mud Pie, Bernie, Blue Moon, and Gracie from “The Great Animal Escape” by Linda Harkey
The Dance Class: Bella Beak, Quinn Hops, Kittina, Betty (Bovine), Sloth, Turtle, Pig, Owl, and Bunny from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Tony, the Elderly Man, and the Blind Blacksmith from “Traveling Companions” by Tuula Pere
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Couple”
Winners:
Jack Bayne & Alareese Bayne from “Lost in Wonderland” by Jack Quill
Jayfeth & Re-Aylah from “Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Solomon & Zhara from “Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al.
Kimberly & Tommy from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” (Series) by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Honorable Mentions:
Dr. Francois DeSousa & Marie Chateau from “Sentience Hazard” by Alexandru Czimbor
Crutch & Abigail from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
Hummingbird & Narwhal from “The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” by Annie Higbee
George & Lisa from “The Invisible Soul” by George Beasley
Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins from “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin
John & Lila from “Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok
Loom, & Feika from “Whispers in the Vineyard” by Justin Kojok
Mark & Krista from “Runaway Train” by Krista Cambers
Lisa & Michael from “Tough Trail Home” by Marie Watts
Lucy & Vhumut from “The Queen of Fairy” by Marieke Lexmond
Everlove & Jay from “The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell
Vazeer the Lash & Terza Falconbrow from “A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott
Rez & Leanna from “The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
Katelyn & Grant from “Granting Katelyn” by S.E. Reichert
Sylvie & Leif from “The Pulse of My Heart” by E.C. Roderick
Nadia & Marc from "The Darkest Side of the Moon" by M.C. Ryder
Melia & Vincent from “A Dance Between Light and Darkness” by M.C. Ryder
Camille & Beckett from “All I See Are Dark Clouds” by M.C. Ryder
Zoe & Jason from “The Neighbors” by M.C. Ryder
Saham & Thestra, Sohrn & Thestra from “Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
Solon & Mei from “Another World” by I.M. Stoicus
Zach & Samantha from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Mateo & Onyx Pion from “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Coolest Character”
Winners:
Tommy Oliver from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
C.A.R.L.A. from “Sentience Hazard” by Alexandru Czimbor
DCI Harry Taylor from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Honorable Mentions:
Kuwari from “Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al.
Lucy from "The Queen of Fairy" by Marieke Lexmond
Lt. Commander Briggs, Samantha Harriman, Captain Chistina Alonso-Jarin, Kari Aurelian/Admiral Shane from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Gracie from “The Great Animal Escape” by Linda Harkey
Nadine from “The Darkest Side of the Moon” by M.C. Ryder
Onyx Pion from “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
Marigold from “Interview with a Sinner” by M.M. White
Android Judy Garland from “Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey
Murgatroyd, Carter Lock from “Counterblow Clemency” by Naomi Shibles
Foxhound from “Hounds of Gaia” by Sean Tirman
Sarah Real from “IMPOSSIBLE TALES” by Sury V.S.
The Blind Blacksmith from “Traveling Companions” by Tuula Pere
Grandma Gladys from “The Best Summer Guest” by Tuula Pere
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Weapon”
Winner:
Orange Fire, S**t Fire from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
Honorable Mentions:
Benevolator from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
The Wormhole Maker, the Dreadnaught from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
The Davy Crockett from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Scythe from “Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen
The Magical Objects from "The Queen of Fairy" by Marieke Lexmond
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Moment” (WARNING: May contain spoilers)
Winner:
* The climactic final battle at the Moon Palace between the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and the forces of evil led by Rita & Zedd from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #2)” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Honorable Mentions:
* Discussing the trolley car problem with C.A.R.L.A. as her answers become increasingly less human and more disturbing (from “Sentience Hazard” by Alexandru Czimbor)
* Crutch (who grew up dirt poor) at Abigail’s extravagant party with all the lobsters he can eat (without knowing how to eat them); Also, after eating a bug in prison, a character concludes: “...very subtle flavor. I think it takes a delicate palate to truly appreciate it.” This mirrors when this same character tried to feed the main character cured lamb, saying the exact same thing (from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh)
* Narwhal glows and discovers his spectacular colors (from “The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” by Annie Higbee)
* WrestleMania 35 main-event: Becky Lynch .vs. Ronda Rousey .vs. Charlotte Flair, Becky’s father in attendance / Stephanie McMahon comforts Becky after her concussion at the hands of Nia Jax (from “Becky Lynch: THE MAN”)
* Rachel’s funeral, especially in reference to her still-present birthmark and freckles (from “A Sister Ago” by Caitlin Buhr)
* The author from “The Invisible Soul” (by George Beasley) happens upon a televangelist (Billy Graham) while flipping through channels. This sermon convinces him that “It’s never too late” and that God can still save him no matter what he has been through. In the context of this book about abandonment, abuse, neglect, and suffering, this is very powerful.
* The deadly and traumatic attack on the Dreadnaught by the ICW from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
* Passengers sing “Moon River” by request in “Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok
* Marc, the evil, power-hungry, ruthless sales manager, getting himself Joeffrey-Baratheon-ed in “LOSERS” by K.E. Adamus
* Krista playing music for Mark as he passes away; Krista puts Mark’s foreign coins in a little pirate treasure chest (from “Runaway Train” by Krista Cambers)
* The epic final battle between the Madigans and Queen Mab’s forces from Fairy (from “The Queen of Fairy” by Marieke Lexmond)
* The epic duel between Vazeer the Lash and his former comrade, Coljin Hellgrinder (from “A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott)
* Setting Giragoc (the cloud monster) against the Relcor in a manner reminiscent of “7th Voyage of Sinbad” in "The 5 Moons of Tiiana" by P.T. Harry
* The high school reunion and the collage of photographs and memories from “The 3 Bulls” by Sean Martin
* Foxhound versus Eris Enyo, the Blood Queen of Titan from “Hounds of Gaia” by Sean Tirman
* Jim Corbett versus the Champawat Man-Eater in “Looking for Legends” by Scott and Tarantino;
Also, years after an escape from a British POW camp, Heinrich Harrer (giving a speech at the Royal Festival Hall in London) found a letter at the podium from the camp’s former warden, Colonel Williams.
It read: “As Commander of your Camp, I had to take the blame for your successful escape. Tonight, to add insult to injury, I had to pay to listen to you tell how you did it.”
*Morton Death .vs. Frederick Chance in an epic yet comical brawl through the Las Vegas Strip (particularly Caesar’s Palace) in “Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Funny, Strange, and 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)
Winners:
* The line “I was high as giraffe balls” from “Reality Check” by Mike Sorrentino
* In “Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok, the main character keeps coming to the same conclusion over and over and over again: “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey” and “every [insert noun here] tells a story.” Despite saying and recognizing this dozens of times throughout the book, he still always reacts to these epiphanies like they’re profound, earth-shattering revelations and like it’s his first time ever learning this. Compounding this, he talks to his wife, Lila, every 100 pages or so, and she basically repeats these same epiphanies. It becomes incredibly redundant, pretentious, and cloying after a while.
*The second-person perspective in “The Darkest Side of the Moon” by M.C. Ryder telling us what we’re seeing, feeling, and believing in a way that seems oppressive and absent of personal agency and choice;
Also, humorous errors like:
“I’ve got to take care of my massacre” (instead of “I’ve got to take care of my mascara”)
“...not going down without a fighting chance.”
“They are inferior of your power.”
“...at a snail’s pass” (instead of “...at a snail’s pace”)
* The fact that Amazon is one of the main villains of “Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey, a book that is largely about how evil Amazon is, yet the book is available and for sale on Amazon; President Humphollar’s campaign slogan is “Make America Stupid Again”; There is a Judy Garland android in this (for some reason) who has a pet snake (for some reason) and spontaneously does squats (for some reason); The different realities in this multiverse are named after sitcoms like “I Love Lucy” (for some reason); The book starts off being about a little boy who loves to go spear-fishing and gets abused by his sorta-step-dad (for some reason), so there’s a custody battle over him and then a murder (for some reason)
* The scene in “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine that somehow involves a guy on a bicycle, a submarine, and a bazooka. That’s some “Looney Tunes” stuff!
Honorable Mentions:
* In yet another Charles Brass novel, the descriptive phrase "hands on hips" is again overused. In "Sister Bevenlee and Mother of Pox" it was used 20 times! In the previous book ("Path of Possession"), "hands on hips" was used about 20 times as well.
* You guys and your pen names... especially the two-letter ones and the ones that are just your real names or titles spelled slightly differently or mixed around
* Can you guys just use a normal font and format please?
* In “With Love, from Planet B” by Zaayin Salaam, MD, the characters constantly engage in what can be described as mindtripping using dreamtech-like technology. This involves encountering and interacting with talking octopuses, major religious figures (i.e. Moses, Muhamad, Buddha) who don’t act anything like their historical counterparts, and a group of hyper-uber-feminists who speak in rhymes about why humanity fails, chief of which is the “male-god virus” (patriarchy). The implication is that if women ruled the planet and always had their way, it would all be honky-dory. It’s not like women are human beings too who get angry, emotional, temperamental, or vengeful. It’s not like women hold grudges and start drama and conflict the same as men do…
* Referring to “Eye of God’ by Aeternus Costin:
The intriguing yet wild idea that gravity=god and the fact that the primary supporting evidence for this is an off-hand comment that Stephen Hawking made in a book when he was just trying to be profound and interesting like Michio Kaku and Neil deGrasse Tyson are always trying to be (probably because it sells books and gets them invited onto the History Channel at night).
* Referring to “The Destination Birth” by Alexander Bisset:
The self deprecating humor is on-point! For example, the author describes himself as a “cheetah...maybe not a normal cheetah, but a super thicc one that is not particularly coordinated and has dangerously inflexible hamstrings.” Comparing his role to his breastfeeding wife, he says, “Since I am not a food source, I would soon take on a number of other roles, including sherpa/carrier of heavy things, lead blocker for the stroller, and anything necessary to help keep my wife and baby comfortable.”
* Referring to “A Skeleton in Bone Creek” by Baer Charlton:
Childish nicknames being used by the main characters like “Mama” and “Secret Squirrel”; Also, the constant joking and lighthearted conversations even during an ongoing serial murder investigation; Also, why does the sheriff/quarterback’s name have to be Thomas (Tom) Brady? Like, of all the names?
* Referring to “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin:
- What is the actual, definitive title of this book supposed to be?
Is it “Becky Lynch,”
“THE MAN,”
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN,”
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl),”
or “Not Your Average Average Girl” by Becky Lynch… THE MAN?
It may have been less confusing in the market to shorten and simplify the title. It has people just calling it “the Becky Lynch book” or “the book that Becky Lynch wrote”
- The humorous passage: “Then and there, I vowed to lose weight so I might have a chance of actually being like my mom when I grew up. But then I got hungry and sad and just wanted pizza.”
-Getting used to calling Seth Rollins by his real name, Colby, and constantly thinking of cheese
* The seemingly relentless bashing of PowerPoint presentations in “Briefly Speaking” by Deborah Shames, David Booth.
* While reading “A Concerto for an Empty Frame” by Elizabeth Kirkpatric-Vrenios, we couldn’t help but wonder what the heck is going on with all these staggered and rotated lines? It’s unique, creative, and cool, but it also makes it harder to read.
* Regarding “Fake Out” by Felicia Farber… Krystal Cooper is so blatantly evil, yet everyone in authority gives her a free pass and thinks she’s great for some reason; Also, Krystal Cooper is always described as having very unattractive features from her smell to her voice (not to mention the horrific way she acts and treats people), yet characters still find her to be very attractive and worth following for some reason.
* It is kinda humorous how over-the-top and far-right, Christian-conservative “Another World” by I.M. Stoicus is. It’s the opposite of subtle. The bad guys are all either Satanic, communists, or a combination of the two. Their leaders are called “Czars” and have demonic names like Mephistopheles. They aren’t just evil, they’re cannibalistic, baby-eating-lunatic evil. They have a spaceship called the “Satantanic.” Their androids are called “SATANIC androids.” They have an unobtainium called “SATANIUM” which doubles as “SAVORIUM” for the good guys. And all this special stuff is written in ALL-CAPS for some reason. Even if you aren’t religious, you might find this amusing in the way we found the equally-unsubtle Quantum Consequence amusing.
* In “Lost in Wonderland” by Jack Quill, Alareese becomes jealous of her husband constantly talking about someone named Mina at work. Mina turns out to be an old Dalmatian at the fire station. (This scene also demonstrates that, despite her amnesia, Alareese still feels a sense of attachment to Jack that can trigger a brief episode of jealousy)
* “Cancer Culture” by Jacqueline Acho, PhD (a book about health & healthcare) started reading like a travel guide for Istanbul, Turkey
* The narrator of the “Academy Bound” audiobook (by J.C. Mastro) trying to read for the younger female characters, primarily Sam and Brianna, in a comically high-pitched tone
* Numerous lines and scenes from “The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr that reflect the childlike naivety of the characters, for example: “She abstained from buying any essentials, such as ice cream (except once)”
The line “Who survived on lettuce? Dinosaurs certainly did not. And she has no intention of sharing their fate” from “LOSERS” by K.E. Adamus; Also, Vlad’s list of depressing affirmations, the random X-442 alien, and Evil-Manager Marc getting himself Joeffrey-Baratheon-ed
* Referring to “The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” by Kirt Seuchan:
The scope of the illustrations still seems overly large. Because of that, the action and the characters seem out of focus (like in the previous book); Also, what happened to Danny’s mom? You know… the focal point of the previous book? Did someone buy her from the pet store? Did she go belly up and die? Is she ok? Kids who read the previous book might want to know!
* Referring to “Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor:
This book is denser than a neutron star that fell into a black hole which then exploded, then condensed over ten billion years into an infinitely dense state, then fell into another black hole. There’s so much lore and exposition, and it never seems to relent.
* The animals in “The Great Animal Escape” by Linda Harkey can’t take anything seriously including lightning, fires, and an attack by a hungry mountain lion.
* Hilarious grammatical and wrong-word usage errors in “A Dance Between Light and Darkness” by M.C. Ryder including:
- “...he watched, memorized” (instead of “he watched, mesmerized”)
- “...she stared at herself in a trans-like state” (instead of “she stared at herself in a trance-like state”)
* More hilarious grammatical and wrong-word usage errors in “All I See Are Dark Clouds” by M.C. Ryder including:
- “I can’t image ever finding peace” (instead of “I can’t imagine ever finding peace”)
- “...with fiery in his eyes” (instead of “...with fire in his eyes”)
- “...he asked with sincere” (instead of “he asked with sincerity”)
* Leo’s cat-like behavior in “Infinity Tales” by M.C. Ryder
*Regarding “Interview with a Sinner” by M.M. White: The absurdity of Onslow doing brain surgery on himself, Seton hiring a professional mourner as part of a revenge/guilt-tripping plot before self-terminating, and Aiken believing his cyst is his conjoined twin and the “antichrist.”
* The line “I can’t go to school smelling all skunky” from “Tough Trail Home” by Marie Watts
* Lucy (an elderly witch) getting it on with Vhumut (a fire demon) in “The Queen of Fairy” by Marieke Lexmond
* In regard to “A Rock and a Hard Place” by Mary Steed: There is a 0% chance that Japan actually had an atom bomb during World War II and refused to use it; Also, names like Harry Harrison, Larry Larson, and Chin Pack
* The plot of “Weekend Temptation” by Michele Wright reminded us so much of a Hallmark movie,
just with more sex. In all fairness, this could also be considered a modern retelling of Cinderella.
* Doodle being treated like a second-class citizen or a pet by his friends in “Counterblow Clemency” by Naomi Shibles; Also, the fixation on the cute killer baby piranha hippos
* Kittina (the cat dance teacher) breaks off from the plot to tell the parents in the waiting room to be quiet and stop disturbing the dance class (in “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance)
* Triss is convinced that her boss is evil and that she needs to stop him because–of all things–he wants to evict a woman named “Peach” who is far past-due on rent, saying, "You would seriously kick someone named Peach out of their home?” Although we learn his other evil deeds later, Triss was unaware of these when she decided to break in and steal from her workplace, therefore jeopardizing her entire life, career, and freedom over a woman with a cute-sounding name (in regard to “The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell)
* Of all the things Vazeer the Lash could get angry at the villain about– such as the pain and suffering in Sullward and the tragic deaths of his close friends and comrades (some close as family), not to mention the poor dude being tortured in the next room–it’s the prospect of losing his favorite painting that sets Vazeer over the edge and convinces him to do the right thing and oppose the bad guy, the Raving Blade (in regard to “A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott)
* In “Raccoons Go Rafting: Activity & Coloring Book” by Rachel Vogel & Anthony Richichi, Nugget is called the “Widow-Maker” because Bandit has to save her from drowning and presumably from many other hazards. This reminded us of Olive from “Popeye.” It’s extra funny considering their relationship in “Nugget & Bandit’s First Winter” in which it’s clear that Nugget is the shy, clumsy, less physically-active one while Bandit is the more adventurous, daring, athletic one.
* In “Remember Me” by Rachel Vogel, bovines feature heavily including a mama cow that tries to adopt the author’s dog, Boo Boo; herds of stampeding cows, and a Watusi (like a longhorn) which is humorously called a “horny Watusi” or “erotic Watusi” because he acts out; Also, Rachel promises her mom that she will make a book series about “sexy-tailed raccoons” and that it will be a best-seller and award-winner. The irony!
* The A.I. art in “Why I Love Mama” by Raymond Johnson is actually quite good, but it’s hit-and-miss and inconsistent at times
* The A.I. art in “Club X: Zombie in the Fridge” S.P. Somtow is not very good or appealing (in our opinion) as it has many of the tell-tale signs of bad A.I. art (i.e. inconsistent appearances, missing or disproportionate limbs & appendages, people blending into each other or into the background, etc.); also, it was disturbing having teenager (minors) constantly talking about their genitalia or the adults around them talking about theirs; third, it was irksome how Haiti and Haitians seem to have been portrayed in a comedic yet poor taste; fourth, there were missing words, wrong words, and other grammatical errors throughout the book like: “It’s made from the internal organs if the puffer fish” and “I don’t want you die”
* Is it wrong that we were kinda bored of “Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” by Sarah Law until they dug up Therese’s bones and gave one of the other characters a fragment of her finger? We went from "uughh..." to “ewww” to “COOOOOOOL!”
* Does every inmate in “Hounds of Gaia” by Sean Tirman automatically get a cool nickname?
Warrick Kano- “The Savage of Europa”
Hecate Neumar- “The Widow of Venus”
Eris Enyo- “The Blood Queen of Titan”
And Bora Volkan... the Something or Other
* In “IMPOSSIBLE TALES” by Sury V.S., Mother Nature calls humans “dear children” and “dear kids” before sending a plague of birds to peck at and torment them
* The climax of “Red Deuce” reminds us of a game of Battleship with the protagonist as the target (ship). With that said, the geniuses who hatched this masterful plan have a bit too much faith in bulletproof vests. What if the caliber of the weapon was higher than the vest could handle? What if the shot was to the head, side of the ribs, leg, or crotch? Like, bulletproof vests aren’t magical unless you have plot armor.
* All the fishing metaphors in “Are There Really Plenty of Fish in the Sea?” by Tony Demechees. We’ve met a few “Bluegills.”
* Despite the fact that “Traveling Companions” by Tuula Pere–in concept–is supposed to feature three people equally working together to accomplish a goal by making up for their personal deficiencies, it often seemed like the Blind Blacksmith was doing 80% of the work and everyone else was sandbagging.
* In “Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen, Morton Death has a morbid obsession with watching Dallas Cowboys football games just to see them lose; Morton Death casually asks the recently deceased to leave a review of their dying experience; Nathan Miller has direct access to the literal gods of his universe yet does jack crap to help or even put in a good word for his dead loved ones
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Illustrated”
Winners:
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #2)” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson (Illustrated by Nico Leon)
“Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner (Illustrated by Ramesh Ram)
Honorable Mentions:
“Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magical Turds” by Heather S. Lonczak, PhD (Illustrated by Claudia Varjotie)
“The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” by Annie Higbee (Illustrated by Author)
“Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al. (Illustrated by Sal Donaire)
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” by Lisa Weckbacher, PhD (Illustrated by Gabriela Vega)
“Little Joe and the Big Rain” by Mike Darcy (Illustrated by Tincho Schmidt)
"Ready Set Dance" by Once Upon a Time (Illustrated by Stella Maris)
“From the Farm to Our Table” by Sarah Rowe (Illustrated by Amanda Morrow)
“A Birch Tree’s Year” by Tuula Pere (Illustrated by Outi Rautkallio)
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Narrated”
Winner:
“Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine, Narrated by Eddie Marsan
Honorable Mentions:
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin, Narrated by Rebecca Quin
“Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen, Narrated by Jimmy Moreland
“Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro, Narrated by Fred Berman
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Quote” / “Best Passage”
Winners:
* “I’m helping fly a man to the moon” (credited to a janitor at NASA as a response to President John F. Kennedy)
- From “The Passionate Workforce” by Nicholas Capman
* “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.”
- From “The Invisible Soul” by George Beasley
* “Don’t take life too seriously. No one gets out alive.” / “So often, it’s the expectations that break a heart.” / “Hatred is like poison, and the person who feels it expects the person they hate to be the one who dies.”
- From “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
* “Friendships need good fights occasionally, just as every child needs a good fever once in a while. Fevers burn out infections, bacteria, viruses, and toxins, so they are an essential part of a healthy life. Fights are similar; they are fires that clean out all the little tensions that build up in a relationship, so they bring true friends closer together. That’s why Dad and I are often closer after a good quarrel. After a fight, it becomes easier to see the other person’s point of view, say sorry, and move on. My motto on this is, ‘Fight, fever, forgive, forget, freedom.’”
- From “The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr
(One of the main characters simply rolls her eyes at this advice from her mother, matching the humorous, childlike tone of this book)
* “The only free cheese is in the mousetrap” / “Cutting advertising to save money is like stopping breathing to conserve air”
- From “From Purpose to Profit” by Andrea Craske
* “When you break a leg, be glad you didn't break both legs” / “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
* “All individuals are profoundly creative because we all have dreams”
- From “Breathe. Write. Breath.” by Lisa Tener
Honorable Mentions:
“I have a mind, I am not my mind”/ “I have emotions, I am not my emotions” / “Hearts that don’t touch can’t ignite”
-From “LASTING Transformation” by Abby Rosen, PhD
“Attention! With our modern attention economy, we literally pay with our attention. Our attention is owned. It’s a commodity and a currency.”
- From “With Love, From Planet B” by Zaayin Salaam, MD
* “I’ll never be a Power Ranger again.”
- From “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
* “As I’ve matured in the business, I realize it’s all just waves; you catch the big one when you can and ride it till the end; then it’s time to wait for the next one. But you can’t be constantly on top of a wave” /
“And now, he’s always with you” (Credited to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) /
“If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will complete you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will destroy you” (Credited to Becky’s father) /
“Stepping through the curtain, I became intoxicated with the most potent, euphoric drug. It was invigorating, energizing, addictive, and I wanted more. I didn’t know how anyone could want to do anything else.”
- From “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin
“Whenever the stars align, and the world turns right-side up again.”
- From “Until the Stars Align” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Everything that comes in threes is perfect” (credited to Thomas Jefferson)
- From “Briefly Speaking” by Deborah Shames, David Booth
“It is in the soil of understanding, the water of communication, and the sunlight of mutual respect that our own potential truly nourishes, transforming individual challenges into a shared journey of evolution.” / “This journey is also shaped by the cultural and social rivers in which we swim.”
- From “REAL Psychology” by Dr. Scott Flagg
“...green and gentle and brilliant as glass”
- From “A Concerto for an Empty Frame” by Elizabeth Kirkpatric-Vrenios
“If only cancer science were as brave as cancer patients” / “Research is only as good as the questions you ask”
- From “Cancer Culture” by Jacqueline Acho, PhD
“...her life has become a mixed metaphor for madness” / “...some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end” (Credited to Gilda Radner)
- From “What Lies Buried” by Leslie Kain
“Schools can either replicate oppression or dismantle it”
- From “Story Monsters Ink May 2024 Issue” by Story Monsters LLC
“When you turn to the dark, you get swallowed by it. Even if you manage to reach the surface, where the light calls down to you, you will never be able to reach out and feel that warmth again. Will never be thawed. Forever encased in ice.” / “My mother told me to never stop looking for rainbows. To always relish in the sight of them while they last. That they have the power to fill your woes with hope.”
- From “All I See Are Dark Clouds” by M.C. Ryder
“Some puzzles aren't meant to be solved, they're just traps set by demons.” /
“...he had never chased a beast with a bite like this one.”
- From “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
“If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.”/ “...all I had to my name was seven dollars and a six-pack.” / '...as a result of those punishments during my adolescence, I now suffer from a rare psychological condition known as 'having respect for others.'” / "A terrible case of the 'f**k-its' infected my psyche" / “I had everything I thought I ever wanted but not what I really needed.” / “Do not seek revenge; the rotten fruits will fall by themselves”/ “I didn’t get what I prayed for until I became the person that should receive it.”
- From “Reality Check” by Mike Sorrentino
“The trees kept voting for the ax because its handle was made of wood and they thought it was one of them” / “Oh, you don’t need to fight them—you just need to convince the pitchfork people that the torch people want to take away their pitchforks.” / “The sheep will spend its entire life fearing the wolf, only to be eaten by the shepherd.”
- From “CONEtrolled” by Nava Israel, PhD
"Defeated, Depleted, Received it, Relieved it" / “Be ready so you don't have to be ready” / “My sweat, My tears, My blood, My fears”
- From “Dear Sick Mental Virus” by O’Cyrus
* “Beyond all else, hold family close and love them dearly. Do not let a night go by without saying (and meaning) 'I love you.' Resolve any quarrels and do not let them linger. Remember the most important thing in life is love. Love without limit as I love you, forever and always, in life and beyond.”
- From “Remember Me” by Rachel Vogel
“Simply crossing your arms and stomping your feet won’t put the toothpaste back into the tube. Artificial intelligence is the cat that’s been let out of the bag. Either run with it or be left in its wake.” (Credited to Dale L. Roberts)
- From “100 Livestream & Digital Media Predictions: Volume 4” by Ross Brand et al.
“We bleed together and we grieve together” / “The past remains, like a photographic plate—or perhaps you would say a letter in its envelope.” / “Death is still an abstract thing to me; something undrawable, therefore unknown.”
- From “Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” by Sarah Law
“Your lives are worth more than a few laughs”
- From “Dear Liam & Noah: Letters From Daddy” by Sean Martin
“WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE, DREAMS OR MEMORIES? THE ANSWER TO OUR QUESTION: DREAMS. We’d rather have dreams than memories. We’d rather look forward than back. We prefer tomorrow to yesterday. And our favorite trip has always been the next one. And why not? You can’t look forward unless you have a forward to look forward to”
- From “Looking for Legends” by Scott and Tarantino
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Cover”
Winner:
“Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
Honorable Mentions:
“The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell
“REAL Psychology” by Dr. Scott Flagg
“Looking for Legends” by Scott and Tarantino
“Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
“Dear Sick Mental Virus” by O’Cyrus
“LASTING Transformation” by Abby Rosen, PhD
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #3) by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #2) by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” by Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
“Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
“Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Fiction)”
Winners:
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Honorable Mentions:
“Sentience Hazard” Alexander Czimbor
“Lost in Wonderland” Jack Quill
“Academy Bound” J.C. Mastro
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” P.T. Harry
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Non-Fiction)”
Winner:
“Reality Check” by Mike Sorrentino
Honorable Mentions:
“REAL Psychology” Dr. Scott Flagg
“From Purpose to Profit” Erin Andrea Craske
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
“Briefly Speaking” Deborah Shames, David Booth
“The Passionate Workforce” Nicholas Capman
“Are You Ready?” Dr. Kimberly Harms
“Purposeful Performance” Jonathan Stanley
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
“Hiring Veterans” Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“CONEtrolled” by Nava Israel, PhD
“Dear Sick Mental Virus” by O’Cyrus
“A Concerto for an Empty Frame” Elizabeth Kirkpatric-Vrenios
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Research”
Winners:
“From Purpose to Profit” by Erin Andrea Craske
“100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions: Volume 4” by Ross Brand et al.
“Looking for Legends” by Scott and Tarantino
Honorable Mentions:
“LASTING Transformation” by Abby Rosen, PhD
“Eye of God” by Aeternus Costin
“Are You Ready?” by Dr. Kimberly Harms
“REAL Psychology” by Dr. Scott Flagg
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” by Ernest Ellender, PhD
“Cancer Culture” by Jacqueline Acho, PhD
“The Sojourner’s Road Home” Kelly Mack McCoy
“Breathe. Write. Breathe.” by Lisa Tener
“Hiring Veterans” by Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
“CONEtrolled” by Nava Israel, PhD
“Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” by Sarah Law
“Burst the Bubble” by Tia Warrick
“The Passionate Workforce” Nicholas Capman
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best World-Building”
Winners:
“Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
Honorable Mentions:
“Another World” by I.M. Stoicus
“Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok
“The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” by Kirt Seuchan
“The Queen of Fairy” by Marieke Lexmond
“Elven Blood” by Mark Stanley
“Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey
“Counterblow Clemency” by Naomi Shibles
“A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Formatting”
Winner:
“From Purpose to Profit” by Erin Andrea Craske
Honorable Mentions:
“A Concerto for an Empty Frame” Elizabeth Kirkpatric-Vrenios
“REAL Psychology” Dr. Scott Flagg
"Purposeful Performance" Jonathan Stanley
“This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” Ernest Ellender, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Idea” / “Best Concept”
Winners:
The “Little Way” (proposed by St. Therese of Lisieux) from “Sketches From a Sunlit Heaven” by Sarah Law
Honorable Mentions:
Your “Monster Self” from “This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods” by Ernest Ellender, PhD
The “Cancer Industrial Complex” from “Cancer Culture” by Jacqueline Acho, PhD
Qigong Bouncing from “Breathe. Write. Breathe.” by Lisa Tener
CCBI-Type Interviews from “Hiring Veterans” by Lt. Col. Matthew Louis
Cones (systems of control) from “CONEtrolled” by Nava Israel, PhD
The Five Whys from “The Passionate Workforce” by Nicholas Capman
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Character”
Winners:
Solomon from “Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al.
Jayfeth (Japheth) from “Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Captain Rez Cantor from “The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
Honorable Mention:
Dr. Zara Ali, Lexi from “With Love, From Planet B” by Zaayin Salaam, MD
Dr. Francois DeSousa, Marie Chateau, C.A.R.L.A. from “Sentience Hazard” by Alexandru Czimbor
Kimberly Hart, Tommy Oliver from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” (Series) by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Crutch from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
Hummingbird, Narwhal (“The One Who Points to the sky”) from “The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” by Annie Higbee
Nash (“Running Bear”), Mina from “A Skeleton in Bone Creek” by Baer Charlton
Becky Lynch from “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin
Christine, Rachel from “A Sister Ago” by Caitlin Buhr
Rosi Beyersdorf, Anni Beyersdorf, Emilie Keppler, and Lieselotte from “Until the Stars Align” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Sister Bevenlee, Princess Ukee from “Sister Bevenlee and Mother of Pox” by Charles Brass
Sophie Allard, Kai Lovac from “The Third Estate” by D.R. Berlin, MD
Sylvie, Leif from “The Pulse of My Heart” by E.C. Roderick
Blair Evans, David from “Fake Out” by Felicia Farber
Paddy Poopenhopper, Little Gracie Boone from “Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magical Turds” by Heather S. Lonczak, PhD
Lt. Colonel Solon from “Another World” by I.M. Stoicus
Jack Bayne, Alareese Bayne from “Lost in Wonderland” by Jack Quill
Carol, Beryl from “The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr
Onyx Pion from “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
John Sanbian from “Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok
Loom, Feika Laar from “Whispers in the Vineyard” by Justin Kojok
Vlad, Jack, and Maggie from “LOSERS” by K.E. Adamus
Danny Discus from “The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” by Kirt Seuchan
Saham’a’iel (Saham), Sohrn’o’rack, and Thestra from “Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
Gavin from “What Lies Buried” by Leslie Kain
Lova-Bull, Mud Pie, Bernie, Blue Moon, and Gracie from “The Great Animal Escape” by Linda Harkey
Pearl, Duke from “What Is the Shape of My Ears?” by Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
Nadia/Nadine from “The Darkest Side of the Moon” by M.C. Ryder
Melia from “A Dance Between Light and Darkness” by M.C. Ryder
Camille from “All I See Are Dark Clouds” by M.C. Ryder
Zoe, Jensen, and Terrence from “The Neighbors” by M.C. Ryder
Immilla from “A Darker Demise” by M.C. Ryder
Lily, Cleo from “The Darkened Enchantment” by M.C. Ryder
Leo from “Infinity Tales” by M.C. Ryder
Hollace from “Interview with a Sinner” by M.M. White
Lisa Dunwhitty, Michael Dunwhitty from “Tough Trail Home” by Marie Watts
Lucy, Bridget, Cephalop, Set, Diane, Maeve, Tara, Sheamus, Snowflake, and Freya from “The Queen of Fairy” by Marieke Lexmond
Anywyn, Gunnar, Ruina, Dakarai, and Melagai from “Elven Blood” by Mark Stanley
Jim Parrish from “A Rock and a Hard Place” by Mary Steed
DCI Harry Taylor from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Rachel Knott, Ben from “Weekend Temptation” by Michele Wright
Marta, Marshall, Lexi, and John Dexter from “Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey
Bjorn from “Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
Bella Beak, Quinn Hops, and Kittina from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Triss Littlefield, Everlove Porter from “The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell
Vazeer the Lash from “A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott
Rachel’s Mom, Kevin’s Mom from “Remember Me” by Rachel Vogel
Polo, Kim, Danger, Fluke, and Donut from “Club X: Zombie in the Fridge” by S.P. Somtow
Cora from “Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner
St. Therese of Lisieux, Celine (the painter/photographer), Leonie (“the least, the last, the littlest”), Pauline (“the Practical”) from “Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” Sarah Law
Katelyn Sullivan, Grant Tennyson from “Granting Katelyn” by S.E. Reichert
Mama, Red-Bearded Hunk Papa, Leo, and Finlay “From the Farm to Our Table” by Sarah Rowe
Reinhold Messner, Lawrence of Arabia, Heinrich Herrer, Pablo Nerida, Jim Thompson, Richard Schlutes, Jim Corbett, and Elizabeth Hawley from “Looking for Legends” by Scott and Tarantino
Darius, Liam, and Noah from “The 3 Bulls” by Sean Martin
Foxhound, Fink, and Sister Penelope from “Hounds of Gaia” by Sean Tirman
Carl Matz, “Imaginator” (I. Magine), and Mother Nature from “IMPOSSIBLE TALES” from Sury V.S.
Mandy Doucette, Dr. Regina Doucette (“Reggie”) from “Red Deuce” by Thomas Roehlk
King/Prince Victor, Prince Otto from “Friends and Rivals” by Tuula Pere
Tony, Elderly Man, and the Blind Blacksmith from “Traveling Companions” by Tuula Pere
Jonty, Grandma Gladys from “The Best Summer Guest” by Tuula Pere
The Birch Tree from “A Birch Tree’s Year” by Tuula Pere
“Indestructible” Nathan Miller from “Interview with Death” V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Supporting Character”
Winners:
Katie from “What Lies Buried” by Leslie Kain
Carl from “Tough Trail Home” by Marie Watts
Sgt. Iris Davis from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Samantha “Sam” Harriman from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Honorable Mentions:
Ian, Dr. Zhao Qiafan, Baozhai, and Lt. Sujata Hopkins from “Sentience Hazard” by Alexandru Czimbor
Jason Lee Scott, Zack Taylor, Billy Cranston, Tommy Oliver, Olivia Hart, Trini Kwan, Bulk, and Skull from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Boulder, Cedric, Quicksilver, Captain Featherstone, Sergeant Zander, Benn, Longshot, and Abigail from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
Seth Rollins, Rebecca’s Dad, Rebecca’s Mom, Roux, Finn Balor, Charlotte Flair, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Adam Rose, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Bill DeMott, Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, Natalya Neidhart, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Nia Jax, Emma, and Paige from “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin
Stephen, Jeanette, and Keji Nakayama from “A Sister Ago” Caitlin Buhr
The Wentworths (especially Pamela) and Rowlands from “Until the Stars Align” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Professor Milo Anderson, Parker Worthington from “The Third Estate” by D.R. Berlin, MD
Rosemond “Rosie” Sarpong Owens, Eric Harms from “Are You Ready?” by Dr. Kimberly Harms
Jessica from “The Pulse of My Heart” by E.C. Roderick
Hunter, Kayla, and Rachel from “Fake Out” by Felicia Farber
Nurse Mei, Brigadier General Apollo from “Another World” I.M. Stoicus
James, Joel Nero, Russell “Russ” White, Zach’s Dad, Lt. Commander Briggs, Captain Chistina Alonso-Jarin, Kari Aurelian, and Giles from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Tabitha, Hayden, and Mina (Dalmatian) from “Lost in Wonderland” by Jack Quill
Mateo, General Jones, Cynthia, and Karina from “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
Samantha, Daniel, and Lila from “Driving for Justice” Justin Kojok
Aisha, Mama Afi, and Nia from “Whispers in the Vineyard” by Justin Kojok
Tina Tetra Fish, Tito Turtle, Poly Parrot Fish, and Sandy Seashorse from “The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” by Kirt Seuchan
Thetrasat, Anu’ver’os, Schlix, Moogie, Saulkuset, and Sirak from “Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
Vinsent Weber, Marc, Camille, and Leo from “The Darkest Side of the Moon” by M.C. Ryder
Vince, Camille from “A Dance Between Light and Darkness” by M.C. Ryder
Beckett, Michael, Cecily, and Iris from “All I See Are Dark Clouds” by M.C. Ryder
Marc, Nadine, Vince, Melia, Camille, and Serena from “A Darker Demise” by M.C. Ryder
Mutsu (opossum), Saffron (dog) from “The Darkened Enchantment” by M.C. Ryder
Nadia, Camille, Melia, Vinsent, Beckett, and Tom from “Infinity Tales” by M.C. Ryder
Dr. Kar Joon, Dea, and Chin Pack from “A Rock and a Hard Place” by Mary Steed
Bill Robinson, Carol from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Kate, Paige, Isabel, and Madison from “Weekend Temptation” by Michele Wright
Roxy (the bear) from “Little Joe and the Big Rain” by Mike Darcy
Kendra Granger, Baptiste from “Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey
Doodle (Kofi Alexis), Murgatroyd, and Carter Lock from “Counterblow Clemency” Naomi Shibles
Betty (Bovine), Sloth, Turtle, Pig, Owl, and Bunny from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Jay, Mrs. McCabe from “The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell
Terza Falconbrow, Sebastian, Jisselle, Selene, Cad, Miles, Nascinthe, and Flerra Tellian from “A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott
Princess Leanna, Penta, and Philip Golan from “The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry.
We’d also like to take this time to tell the author: JUSTICE FOR PENTA!
New Friends from “Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner
Mother Xavier, Harold, and Alfred from “Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” by Sarah Law
Hugh (the horse), Jane, and Blake from “Granting Katelyn” by S.E. Reichert
Darius’s Grandma from “The 3 Bulls” by Sean Martin
MAILMAN from “Hounds of Gaia” by Sean Tirman
Re-Aylah, Noah, Ham, Shem, Sheshi-Behura, Jirah, Dayak, Minnah, Gomer, Ben-Tubal, and Krell from “Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Rick Crawford, Patrick Carney from “Red Deuce” Thomas Roehlk
The Little Boy, Merlin from “Friends and Rivals” by Tuula Pere
Norton Death, Vanessa from “Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Villain”
Winners:
Krystal “The Ice Queen” Cooper, Pam Epstein (“Thing #3), and the School Administration from “Fake Out” by Felicia Farber
Honorable Mentions
Selena Repulsa, Rita Repulsa, Lord Zedd, Finster, and Goldar from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
MegaAI, Dr. Francois DeSousa (arguably), President Yun Li, Chinese Communist Party, Supreme Dragon Members from “Sentience Hazard” Alexandru Czimbor
Emperor Igor Solokov, Estonian Empire from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair, and Sasha Banks from “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” Rebecca Quin
Dr. Walter Anderson, Addiction, Eating Disorders from “A Sister Ago” by Caitlin Buhr
The Nazis from “Until the Stars Align” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Stomp, Mother of Stomp, Pox, King (Ukee’s father), Royal Court, and Mother of Fetcher from “Sister Bevenlee and Mother of Pox” by Charles Brass
The Third Estate, the Grey Lady, Colonel Mitchell from “The Third Estate” by D.R. Berlin, MD
Maris, Marauders from “Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al.
Jasmine from “The Pulse of My Heart” by E.C. Roderick
The Satanists, Czar Dolos, Czar Mephistopheles, Czar Dajjal from “Another World” by I.M. Stoicus
The ICW (Independent Colony Worlds), Commandant Trask from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Hank and the Bullies (Earnie, Simon, Gimpy) from “The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr
Orion, Kyle from “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
Marc from “LOSERS” by K.E. Adamus
C-PTSD, Gavin (arguably), Gavin & Devon’s Father, and Richard Salvatti from “What Lies Buried” by Leslie Kain
Huntress, Two-Legged People from “The Great Animal Escape” Linda Harkey
Jomar, Vladimir from “The Darkest Side of the Moon” by M.C. Ryder
Max/Maximilian from “A Dance Between Light and Darkness” by M.C. Ryder
Troy from “All I See Are Dark Clouds” by M.C. Ryder
Anthony from “The Neighbors” M.C. Ryder
Vladimir from “A Darker Demise” by M.C. Ryder
Queen Mab from “The Queen of Fairy” by Marieke Lexmond
The Drogo Mulik from “Elven Blood” by Mark Stanley
Wang (“The Definitive Solution”/”The Cantonese Tiger”), Harry Harrison and Larry Larson from “A Rock and a Hard Place” by Mary Steed
Julian Smythe/Vladimir Voldrev, Xavier Ramirez, Jon & White Supremacist Followers, and the Knicks from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Amanda from “Weekend Temptation” by Michele Wright (kinda)
Amazon, the Christian Fundamentalist States of America, President Leviticus Deuteronomy Humphollar, Ignace Aguillard, and Creepy Android Judy Garland & her pet snake (kinda) from “Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey
Florian from “Counterblow Clemency” by Naomi Shibles
Major DD (Major Depressive Disorder) from “Dear Sick Mental Virus” by O’Cyrus
Horus Haine. Cooper Cavanagh, Carr, Jenny Blazey, Ruddy Rodney, Triss’s Grandfather, and Everlove’s Ex-Fiance from “The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell
The Raving Blade, Coljin Hellgrinder from “A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott
The Relcor, Giragoc (cloud monster), the Zelca (spider creatures), and the Brata (gargoyles) from “The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
Zombies, Doctor Strange, The Virus from the Video Game from the Alternate Reality, and Cardinal Crank from “Club X: Zombie in the Fridge” by S.P. Somtow
Ian, Cecilia from “Granting Katelyn” by S.E. Reichert
British Colonialism, the Champawat Man-Eater, the Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag, and Mt. Nanga Parbat from “Looking for Legends” by Scott and Tarantino
Mother of the Divine Church of the Omniphage, Warrick Kano, Hecate Neumar, Eris Enyo, Fink (arguably), and Brother Loch from “Hounds of Gaia” by Sean Tirman
Watchers, Hura, and Baldag from “Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Sarah Real, Beam Shane, Anne, App, Purina, and Mother Nature (arguably) from “IMPOSSIBLE TALES” by Sury V.S.
Allzient, Spruance Corporation, Harold Menzies/Edward Fennstrom, and Sherman Haskins from “Red Deuce” by Thomas Roehlk
King/Prince Victor from “Friends and Rivals” by Tuula Pere
Frederick Chance/Gavin, Deloris Destiny, and General Cornelius Adamson from “Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Hottest Character” / “Most Beautiful Character” / “Most Handsome Character”
Winners:
Re-Aylah from “Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Seth Rollins/Colby Lopez from “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin
Zhara from “Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al.
Sgt. Iris Davis from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Tommy Oliver from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Lauren Elizabeth Pesce from “Reality Check” by Mike Sorrentino
Honorable Mentions:
Mateo, Onyx Pion from “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
St. Therese of Lisieux from “Sketches From a Sunlit Heaven” by Sarah Law
Samantha from “Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok
Anwyn, Ruina from “Elven Blood” by Mark Stanley
Ben from “Weekend Temptation” by Michele Wright
Kendra Granger from “Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey
Princess Leanna from “The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
Katelyn, Grant from “Granting Katelyn” by S.E. Reichert
Red-Bearded Hunk Papa from “From the Farm to Our Table” by Sarah Rowe
Sheshi-Behura, Jayfeth, Jirah, and Minnah from “Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Vanessa, Deloris Destiny from “Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Cutest Character”
Winners:
Paddy Poopenhopper, Little Gracie Boone from “Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magical Turds” by Heather S. Lonczak, PhD
The Dolla (friendly blue aquatic aliens) from “The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
Honorable Mentions:
Olivia Hart from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Crutch, Abigail from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
Narwhal from “The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” by Annie Higbee
Donkey Dell from “Donkey Dell” by Jaybie D
Powder from "A Skeleton in Bone Creek" by Baer Charlton
Samantha “Sam” Harriman from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Mina (the old fire dog) from “Lost in Wonderland” by Jack Quill
Carol, Beryl from “The Noble Adventures of Carol and Beryl” by Jeremy Sherr
Tito Turtle from “The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” Kirt Seuchan
Lova-Bull, Mud Pie, and Huntress’s Cubs from “The Great Animal Escape” Linda Harkey
Pearl, Duke from “What Is the Shape of My Ears?” by Lisa Weckbacher, PhD
Leo from “Infinity Tales” by M.C. Ryder
Jessica and Andrew from “Tough Trail Home” Marie Watts
Little Joe from “Little Joe and the Big Rain” by Mike Darcy
Cute Killer Baby Hippos from “Counterblow Clemency” by Naomi Shibles
Riptail, Nugget, and Bandit from “Raccoons Go Rafting: Activity & Coloring Book” by Rachel Vogel, Anthony Richichi
Mama Cow & Boo Boo from “Remember Me” by Rachel Vogel
Mama & Daughter from “Why I Love Mama” by Raymond Johnson
The Squirrel, Rabbit Family from “Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner
Leo, Finlay, and Puppy Dog from “From the Farm to Our Table” by Sarah Rowe
Jonty from “The Best Summer Guest” by Tuula Pere
Axel from “Axel Washes the Rug” by Tuula Pere
Kittina from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Dynamic Duo”
Winner:
Carol & Beryl from “The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr
Honorable Mentions:
Nash & Mina from “A Skeleton in Bone Creek” by Baer Charlton
Sister Bevenlee & Princess Ukee from “Sister Bevenlee and Mother of Pox” by Charles Brass
Donkey Dell & Jane (the mouse) from “Donkey Dell” by Jaybie D
Zach Aurelian & Russel “Russ” White from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Little Joe & Hopper from “Little Joe and the Big Rain” by Mike Darcy
Triss Littlefield & Everlove Porter from “The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell
Rachel & Mom from “ Remember Me” by Rachel Vogel
King/Prince Victor & Prince Otto from “Friends and Rivals” by Tuula Pere
Axel & Grandma from “Axel Washes the Rug” by Tuula Pere
Bella Beak & Quinn Hops from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Team”
Winners:
The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Unit S022 from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Darius, Liam, and Noah from “The 3 Bulls” by Sean Martin
Honorable Mentions:
The Crazy 8 from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
The Madigans from "The Queen of Fairy" by Marieke Lexmond
The Trio: John Sanbian, Samantha, and Daniel from “Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok
The Darklings: Thestra, Schlix, Moogie, Saulkuset, and Sirak from “Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
Lova-Bull, Mud Pie, Bernie, Blue Moon, and Gracie from “The Great Animal Escape” by Linda Harkey
The Dance Class: Bella Beak, Quinn Hops, Kittina, Betty (Bovine), Sloth, Turtle, Pig, Owl, and Bunny from “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance
Tony, the Elderly Man, and the Blind Blacksmith from “Traveling Companions” by Tuula Pere
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Couple”
Winners:
Jack Bayne & Alareese Bayne from “Lost in Wonderland” by Jack Quill
Jayfeth & Re-Aylah from “Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
Solomon & Zhara from “Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al.
Kimberly & Tommy from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” (Series) by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Honorable Mentions:
Dr. Francois DeSousa & Marie Chateau from “Sentience Hazard” by Alexandru Czimbor
Crutch & Abigail from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
Hummingbird & Narwhal from “The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” by Annie Higbee
George & Lisa from “The Invisible Soul” by George Beasley
Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins from “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin
John & Lila from “Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok
Loom, & Feika from “Whispers in the Vineyard” by Justin Kojok
Mark & Krista from “Runaway Train” by Krista Cambers
Lisa & Michael from “Tough Trail Home” by Marie Watts
Lucy & Vhumut from “The Queen of Fairy” by Marieke Lexmond
Everlove & Jay from “The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell
Vazeer the Lash & Terza Falconbrow from “A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott
Rez & Leanna from “The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
Katelyn & Grant from “Granting Katelyn” by S.E. Reichert
Sylvie & Leif from “The Pulse of My Heart” by E.C. Roderick
Nadia & Marc from "The Darkest Side of the Moon" by M.C. Ryder
Melia & Vincent from “A Dance Between Light and Darkness” by M.C. Ryder
Camille & Beckett from “All I See Are Dark Clouds” by M.C. Ryder
Zoe & Jason from “The Neighbors” by M.C. Ryder
Saham & Thestra, Sohrn & Thestra from “Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
Solon & Mei from “Another World” by I.M. Stoicus
Zach & Samantha from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Mateo & Onyx Pion from “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Coolest Character”
Winners:
Tommy Oliver from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
C.A.R.L.A. from “Sentience Hazard” by Alexandru Czimbor
DCI Harry Taylor from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Honorable Mentions:
Kuwari from “Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al.
Lucy from "The Queen of Fairy" by Marieke Lexmond
Lt. Commander Briggs, Samantha Harriman, Captain Chistina Alonso-Jarin, Kari Aurelian/Admiral Shane from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
Gracie from “The Great Animal Escape” by Linda Harkey
Nadine from “The Darkest Side of the Moon” by M.C. Ryder
Onyx Pion from “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
Marigold from “Interview with a Sinner” by M.M. White
Android Judy Garland from “Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey
Murgatroyd, Carter Lock from “Counterblow Clemency” by Naomi Shibles
Foxhound from “Hounds of Gaia” by Sean Tirman
Sarah Real from “IMPOSSIBLE TALES” by Sury V.S.
The Blind Blacksmith from “Traveling Companions” by Tuula Pere
Grandma Gladys from “The Best Summer Guest” by Tuula Pere
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Weapon”
Winner:
Orange Fire, S**t Fire from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh
Honorable Mentions:
Benevolator from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
The Wormhole Maker, the Dreadnaught from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
The Davy Crockett from “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
Scythe from “Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen
The Magical Objects from "The Queen of Fairy" by Marieke Lexmond
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Moment” (WARNING: May contain spoilers)
Winner:
* The climactic final battle at the Moon Palace between the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and the forces of evil led by Rita & Zedd from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #2)” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
Honorable Mentions:
* Discussing the trolley car problem with C.A.R.L.A. as her answers become increasingly less human and more disturbing (from “Sentience Hazard” by Alexandru Czimbor)
* Crutch (who grew up dirt poor) at Abigail’s extravagant party with all the lobsters he can eat (without knowing how to eat them); Also, after eating a bug in prison, a character concludes: “...very subtle flavor. I think it takes a delicate palate to truly appreciate it.” This mirrors when this same character tried to feed the main character cured lamb, saying the exact same thing (from “Ironborn” by Andrew Cavanagh)
* Narwhal glows and discovers his spectacular colors (from “The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” by Annie Higbee)
* WrestleMania 35 main-event: Becky Lynch .vs. Ronda Rousey .vs. Charlotte Flair, Becky’s father in attendance / Stephanie McMahon comforts Becky after her concussion at the hands of Nia Jax (from “Becky Lynch: THE MAN”)
* Rachel’s funeral, especially in reference to her still-present birthmark and freckles (from “A Sister Ago” by Caitlin Buhr)
* The author from “The Invisible Soul” (by George Beasley) happens upon a televangelist (Billy Graham) while flipping through channels. This sermon convinces him that “It’s never too late” and that God can still save him no matter what he has been through. In the context of this book about abandonment, abuse, neglect, and suffering, this is very powerful.
* The deadly and traumatic attack on the Dreadnaught by the ICW from “Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
* Passengers sing “Moon River” by request in “Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok
* Marc, the evil, power-hungry, ruthless sales manager, getting himself Joeffrey-Baratheon-ed in “LOSERS” by K.E. Adamus
* Krista playing music for Mark as he passes away; Krista puts Mark’s foreign coins in a little pirate treasure chest (from “Runaway Train” by Krista Cambers)
* The epic final battle between the Madigans and Queen Mab’s forces from Fairy (from “The Queen of Fairy” by Marieke Lexmond)
* The epic duel between Vazeer the Lash and his former comrade, Coljin Hellgrinder (from “A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott)
* Setting Giragoc (the cloud monster) against the Relcor in a manner reminiscent of “7th Voyage of Sinbad” in "The 5 Moons of Tiiana" by P.T. Harry
* The high school reunion and the collage of photographs and memories from “The 3 Bulls” by Sean Martin
* Foxhound versus Eris Enyo, the Blood Queen of Titan from “Hounds of Gaia” by Sean Tirman
* Jim Corbett versus the Champawat Man-Eater in “Looking for Legends” by Scott and Tarantino;
Also, years after an escape from a British POW camp, Heinrich Harrer (giving a speech at the Royal Festival Hall in London) found a letter at the podium from the camp’s former warden, Colonel Williams.
It read: “As Commander of your Camp, I had to take the blame for your successful escape. Tonight, to add insult to injury, I had to pay to listen to you tell how you did it.”
*Morton Death .vs. Frederick Chance in an epic yet comical brawl through the Las Vegas Strip (particularly Caesar’s Palace) in “Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Funny, Strange, and 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)
Winners:
* The line “I was high as giraffe balls” from “Reality Check” by Mike Sorrentino
* In “Driving for Justice” by Justin Kojok, the main character keeps coming to the same conclusion over and over and over again: “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey” and “every [insert noun here] tells a story.” Despite saying and recognizing this dozens of times throughout the book, he still always reacts to these epiphanies like they’re profound, earth-shattering revelations and like it’s his first time ever learning this. Compounding this, he talks to his wife, Lila, every 100 pages or so, and she basically repeats these same epiphanies. It becomes incredibly redundant, pretentious, and cloying after a while.
*The second-person perspective in “The Darkest Side of the Moon” by M.C. Ryder telling us what we’re seeing, feeling, and believing in a way that seems oppressive and absent of personal agency and choice;
Also, humorous errors like:
“I’ve got to take care of my massacre” (instead of “I’ve got to take care of my mascara”)
“...not going down without a fighting chance.”
“They are inferior of your power.”
“...at a snail’s pass” (instead of “...at a snail’s pace”)
* The fact that Amazon is one of the main villains of “Quantum Consequence” by Mike Murphey, a book that is largely about how evil Amazon is, yet the book is available and for sale on Amazon; President Humphollar’s campaign slogan is “Make America Stupid Again”; There is a Judy Garland android in this (for some reason) who has a pet snake (for some reason) and spontaneously does squats (for some reason); The different realities in this multiverse are named after sitcoms like “I Love Lucy” (for some reason); The book starts off being about a little boy who loves to go spear-fishing and gets abused by his sorta-step-dad (for some reason), so there’s a custody battle over him and then a murder (for some reason)
* The scene in “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine that somehow involves a guy on a bicycle, a submarine, and a bazooka. That’s some “Looney Tunes” stuff!
Honorable Mentions:
* In yet another Charles Brass novel, the descriptive phrase "hands on hips" is again overused. In "Sister Bevenlee and Mother of Pox" it was used 20 times! In the previous book ("Path of Possession"), "hands on hips" was used about 20 times as well.
* You guys and your pen names... especially the two-letter ones and the ones that are just your real names or titles spelled slightly differently or mixed around
* Can you guys just use a normal font and format please?
* In “With Love, from Planet B” by Zaayin Salaam, MD, the characters constantly engage in what can be described as mindtripping using dreamtech-like technology. This involves encountering and interacting with talking octopuses, major religious figures (i.e. Moses, Muhamad, Buddha) who don’t act anything like their historical counterparts, and a group of hyper-uber-feminists who speak in rhymes about why humanity fails, chief of which is the “male-god virus” (patriarchy). The implication is that if women ruled the planet and always had their way, it would all be honky-dory. It’s not like women are human beings too who get angry, emotional, temperamental, or vengeful. It’s not like women hold grudges and start drama and conflict the same as men do…
* Referring to “Eye of God’ by Aeternus Costin:
The intriguing yet wild idea that gravity=god and the fact that the primary supporting evidence for this is an off-hand comment that Stephen Hawking made in a book when he was just trying to be profound and interesting like Michio Kaku and Neil deGrasse Tyson are always trying to be (probably because it sells books and gets them invited onto the History Channel at night).
* Referring to “The Destination Birth” by Alexander Bisset:
The self deprecating humor is on-point! For example, the author describes himself as a “cheetah...maybe not a normal cheetah, but a super thicc one that is not particularly coordinated and has dangerously inflexible hamstrings.” Comparing his role to his breastfeeding wife, he says, “Since I am not a food source, I would soon take on a number of other roles, including sherpa/carrier of heavy things, lead blocker for the stroller, and anything necessary to help keep my wife and baby comfortable.”
* Referring to “A Skeleton in Bone Creek” by Baer Charlton:
Childish nicknames being used by the main characters like “Mama” and “Secret Squirrel”; Also, the constant joking and lighthearted conversations even during an ongoing serial murder investigation; Also, why does the sheriff/quarterback’s name have to be Thomas (Tom) Brady? Like, of all the names?
* Referring to “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin:
- What is the actual, definitive title of this book supposed to be?
Is it “Becky Lynch,”
“THE MAN,”
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN,”
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl),”
or “Not Your Average Average Girl” by Becky Lynch… THE MAN?
It may have been less confusing in the market to shorten and simplify the title. It has people just calling it “the Becky Lynch book” or “the book that Becky Lynch wrote”
- The humorous passage: “Then and there, I vowed to lose weight so I might have a chance of actually being like my mom when I grew up. But then I got hungry and sad and just wanted pizza.”
-Getting used to calling Seth Rollins by his real name, Colby, and constantly thinking of cheese
* The seemingly relentless bashing of PowerPoint presentations in “Briefly Speaking” by Deborah Shames, David Booth.
* While reading “A Concerto for an Empty Frame” by Elizabeth Kirkpatric-Vrenios, we couldn’t help but wonder what the heck is going on with all these staggered and rotated lines? It’s unique, creative, and cool, but it also makes it harder to read.
* Regarding “Fake Out” by Felicia Farber… Krystal Cooper is so blatantly evil, yet everyone in authority gives her a free pass and thinks she’s great for some reason; Also, Krystal Cooper is always described as having very unattractive features from her smell to her voice (not to mention the horrific way she acts and treats people), yet characters still find her to be very attractive and worth following for some reason.
* It is kinda humorous how over-the-top and far-right, Christian-conservative “Another World” by I.M. Stoicus is. It’s the opposite of subtle. The bad guys are all either Satanic, communists, or a combination of the two. Their leaders are called “Czars” and have demonic names like Mephistopheles. They aren’t just evil, they’re cannibalistic, baby-eating-lunatic evil. They have a spaceship called the “Satantanic.” Their androids are called “SATANIC androids.” They have an unobtainium called “SATANIUM” which doubles as “SAVORIUM” for the good guys. And all this special stuff is written in ALL-CAPS for some reason. Even if you aren’t religious, you might find this amusing in the way we found the equally-unsubtle Quantum Consequence amusing.
* In “Lost in Wonderland” by Jack Quill, Alareese becomes jealous of her husband constantly talking about someone named Mina at work. Mina turns out to be an old Dalmatian at the fire station. (This scene also demonstrates that, despite her amnesia, Alareese still feels a sense of attachment to Jack that can trigger a brief episode of jealousy)
* “Cancer Culture” by Jacqueline Acho, PhD (a book about health & healthcare) started reading like a travel guide for Istanbul, Turkey
* The narrator of the “Academy Bound” audiobook (by J.C. Mastro) trying to read for the younger female characters, primarily Sam and Brianna, in a comically high-pitched tone
* Numerous lines and scenes from “The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr that reflect the childlike naivety of the characters, for example: “She abstained from buying any essentials, such as ice cream (except once)”
The line “Who survived on lettuce? Dinosaurs certainly did not. And she has no intention of sharing their fate” from “LOSERS” by K.E. Adamus; Also, Vlad’s list of depressing affirmations, the random X-442 alien, and Evil-Manager Marc getting himself Joeffrey-Baratheon-ed
* Referring to “The Adventures of Danny the Discus (Volume 3): Danny Goes to Tobago” by Kirt Seuchan:
The scope of the illustrations still seems overly large. Because of that, the action and the characters seem out of focus (like in the previous book); Also, what happened to Danny’s mom? You know… the focal point of the previous book? Did someone buy her from the pet store? Did she go belly up and die? Is she ok? Kids who read the previous book might want to know!
* Referring to “Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor:
This book is denser than a neutron star that fell into a black hole which then exploded, then condensed over ten billion years into an infinitely dense state, then fell into another black hole. There’s so much lore and exposition, and it never seems to relent.
* The animals in “The Great Animal Escape” by Linda Harkey can’t take anything seriously including lightning, fires, and an attack by a hungry mountain lion.
* Hilarious grammatical and wrong-word usage errors in “A Dance Between Light and Darkness” by M.C. Ryder including:
- “...he watched, memorized” (instead of “he watched, mesmerized”)
- “...she stared at herself in a trans-like state” (instead of “she stared at herself in a trance-like state”)
* More hilarious grammatical and wrong-word usage errors in “All I See Are Dark Clouds” by M.C. Ryder including:
- “I can’t image ever finding peace” (instead of “I can’t imagine ever finding peace”)
- “...with fiery in his eyes” (instead of “...with fire in his eyes”)
- “...he asked with sincere” (instead of “he asked with sincerity”)
* Leo’s cat-like behavior in “Infinity Tales” by M.C. Ryder
*Regarding “Interview with a Sinner” by M.M. White: The absurdity of Onslow doing brain surgery on himself, Seton hiring a professional mourner as part of a revenge/guilt-tripping plot before self-terminating, and Aiken believing his cyst is his conjoined twin and the “antichrist.”
* The line “I can’t go to school smelling all skunky” from “Tough Trail Home” by Marie Watts
* Lucy (an elderly witch) getting it on with Vhumut (a fire demon) in “The Queen of Fairy” by Marieke Lexmond
* In regard to “A Rock and a Hard Place” by Mary Steed: There is a 0% chance that Japan actually had an atom bomb during World War II and refused to use it; Also, names like Harry Harrison, Larry Larson, and Chin Pack
* The plot of “Weekend Temptation” by Michele Wright reminded us so much of a Hallmark movie,
just with more sex. In all fairness, this could also be considered a modern retelling of Cinderella.
* Doodle being treated like a second-class citizen or a pet by his friends in “Counterblow Clemency” by Naomi Shibles; Also, the fixation on the cute killer baby piranha hippos
* Kittina (the cat dance teacher) breaks off from the plot to tell the parents in the waiting room to be quiet and stop disturbing the dance class (in “Ready Set Dance” by Once Upon a Dance)
* Triss is convinced that her boss is evil and that she needs to stop him because–of all things–he wants to evict a woman named “Peach” who is far past-due on rent, saying, "You would seriously kick someone named Peach out of their home?” Although we learn his other evil deeds later, Triss was unaware of these when she decided to break in and steal from her workplace, therefore jeopardizing her entire life, career, and freedom over a woman with a cute-sounding name (in regard to “The Tender Silver Stars” by Pamela Stockwell)
* Of all the things Vazeer the Lash could get angry at the villain about– such as the pain and suffering in Sullward and the tragic deaths of his close friends and comrades (some close as family), not to mention the poor dude being tortured in the next room–it’s the prospect of losing his favorite painting that sets Vazeer over the edge and convinces him to do the right thing and oppose the bad guy, the Raving Blade (in regard to “A Bargain with Darkness” by Peter Eliott)
* In “Raccoons Go Rafting: Activity & Coloring Book” by Rachel Vogel & Anthony Richichi, Nugget is called the “Widow-Maker” because Bandit has to save her from drowning and presumably from many other hazards. This reminded us of Olive from “Popeye.” It’s extra funny considering their relationship in “Nugget & Bandit’s First Winter” in which it’s clear that Nugget is the shy, clumsy, less physically-active one while Bandit is the more adventurous, daring, athletic one.
* In “Remember Me” by Rachel Vogel, bovines feature heavily including a mama cow that tries to adopt the author’s dog, Boo Boo; herds of stampeding cows, and a Watusi (like a longhorn) which is humorously called a “horny Watusi” or “erotic Watusi” because he acts out; Also, Rachel promises her mom that she will make a book series about “sexy-tailed raccoons” and that it will be a best-seller and award-winner. The irony!
* The A.I. art in “Why I Love Mama” by Raymond Johnson is actually quite good, but it’s hit-and-miss and inconsistent at times
* The A.I. art in “Club X: Zombie in the Fridge” S.P. Somtow is not very good or appealing (in our opinion) as it has many of the tell-tale signs of bad A.I. art (i.e. inconsistent appearances, missing or disproportionate limbs & appendages, people blending into each other or into the background, etc.); also, it was disturbing having teenager (minors) constantly talking about their genitalia or the adults around them talking about theirs; third, it was irksome how Haiti and Haitians seem to have been portrayed in a comedic yet poor taste; fourth, there were missing words, wrong words, and other grammatical errors throughout the book like: “It’s made from the internal organs if the puffer fish” and “I don’t want you die”
* Is it wrong that we were kinda bored of “Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” by Sarah Law until they dug up Therese’s bones and gave one of the other characters a fragment of her finger? We went from "uughh..." to “ewww” to “COOOOOOOL!”
* Does every inmate in “Hounds of Gaia” by Sean Tirman automatically get a cool nickname?
Warrick Kano- “The Savage of Europa”
Hecate Neumar- “The Widow of Venus”
Eris Enyo- “The Blood Queen of Titan”
And Bora Volkan... the Something or Other
* In “IMPOSSIBLE TALES” by Sury V.S., Mother Nature calls humans “dear children” and “dear kids” before sending a plague of birds to peck at and torment them
* The climax of “Red Deuce” reminds us of a game of Battleship with the protagonist as the target (ship). With that said, the geniuses who hatched this masterful plan have a bit too much faith in bulletproof vests. What if the caliber of the weapon was higher than the vest could handle? What if the shot was to the head, side of the ribs, leg, or crotch? Like, bulletproof vests aren’t magical unless you have plot armor.
* All the fishing metaphors in “Are There Really Plenty of Fish in the Sea?” by Tony Demechees. We’ve met a few “Bluegills.”
* Despite the fact that “Traveling Companions” by Tuula Pere–in concept–is supposed to feature three people equally working together to accomplish a goal by making up for their personal deficiencies, it often seemed like the Blind Blacksmith was doing 80% of the work and everyone else was sandbagging.
* In “Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen, Morton Death has a morbid obsession with watching Dallas Cowboys football games just to see them lose; Morton Death casually asks the recently deceased to leave a review of their dying experience; Nathan Miller has direct access to the literal gods of his universe yet does jack crap to help or even put in a good word for his dead loved ones
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Illustrated”
Winners:
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #2)” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson (Illustrated by Nico Leon)
“Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner (Illustrated by Ramesh Ram)
Honorable Mentions:
“Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magical Turds” by Heather S. Lonczak, PhD (Illustrated by Claudia Varjotie)
“The Hummingbird and the Narwhal” by Annie Higbee (Illustrated by Author)
“Lycan” by Dennis Robinson et al. (Illustrated by Sal Donaire)
“What Is the Shape of My Ears?” by Lisa Weckbacher, PhD (Illustrated by Gabriela Vega)
“Little Joe and the Big Rain” by Mike Darcy (Illustrated by Tincho Schmidt)
"Ready Set Dance" by Once Upon a Time (Illustrated by Stella Maris)
“From the Farm to Our Table” by Sarah Rowe (Illustrated by Amanda Morrow)
“A Birch Tree’s Year” by Tuula Pere (Illustrated by Outi Rautkallio)
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Narrated”
Winner:
“Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine, Narrated by Eddie Marsan
Honorable Mentions:
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin, Narrated by Rebecca Quin
“Interview with Death” by V.K. Pasanen, Narrated by Jimmy Moreland
“Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro, Narrated by Fred Berman
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Quote” / “Best Passage”
Winners:
* “I’m helping fly a man to the moon” (credited to a janitor at NASA as a response to President John F. Kennedy)
- From “The Passionate Workforce” by Nicholas Capman
* “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.”
- From “The Invisible Soul” by George Beasley
* “Don’t take life too seriously. No one gets out alive.” / “So often, it’s the expectations that break a heart.” / “Hatred is like poison, and the person who feels it expects the person they hate to be the one who dies.”
- From “2030: Nothing is What it Seems” by J.P. Ozuna
* “Friendships need good fights occasionally, just as every child needs a good fever once in a while. Fevers burn out infections, bacteria, viruses, and toxins, so they are an essential part of a healthy life. Fights are similar; they are fires that clean out all the little tensions that build up in a relationship, so they bring true friends closer together. That’s why Dad and I are often closer after a good quarrel. After a fight, it becomes easier to see the other person’s point of view, say sorry, and move on. My motto on this is, ‘Fight, fever, forgive, forget, freedom.’”
- From “The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” by Jeremy Sherr
(One of the main characters simply rolls her eyes at this advice from her mother, matching the humorous, childlike tone of this book)
* “The only free cheese is in the mousetrap” / “Cutting advertising to save money is like stopping breathing to conserve air”
- From “From Purpose to Profit” by Andrea Craske
* “When you break a leg, be glad you didn't break both legs” / “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
* “All individuals are profoundly creative because we all have dreams”
- From “Breathe. Write. Breath.” by Lisa Tener
Honorable Mentions:
“I have a mind, I am not my mind”/ “I have emotions, I am not my emotions” / “Hearts that don’t touch can’t ignite”
-From “LASTING Transformation” by Abby Rosen, PhD
“Attention! With our modern attention economy, we literally pay with our attention. Our attention is owned. It’s a commodity and a currency.”
- From “With Love, From Planet B” by Zaayin Salaam, MD
* “I’ll never be a Power Ranger again.”
- From “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
* “As I’ve matured in the business, I realize it’s all just waves; you catch the big one when you can and ride it till the end; then it’s time to wait for the next one. But you can’t be constantly on top of a wave” /
“And now, he’s always with you” (Credited to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) /
“If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will complete you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will destroy you” (Credited to Becky’s father) /
“Stepping through the curtain, I became intoxicated with the most potent, euphoric drug. It was invigorating, energizing, addictive, and I wanted more. I didn’t know how anyone could want to do anything else.”
- From “Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin
“Whenever the stars align, and the world turns right-side up again.”
- From “Until the Stars Align” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Everything that comes in threes is perfect” (credited to Thomas Jefferson)
- From “Briefly Speaking” by Deborah Shames, David Booth
“It is in the soil of understanding, the water of communication, and the sunlight of mutual respect that our own potential truly nourishes, transforming individual challenges into a shared journey of evolution.” / “This journey is also shaped by the cultural and social rivers in which we swim.”
- From “REAL Psychology” by Dr. Scott Flagg
“...green and gentle and brilliant as glass”
- From “A Concerto for an Empty Frame” by Elizabeth Kirkpatric-Vrenios
“If only cancer science were as brave as cancer patients” / “Research is only as good as the questions you ask”
- From “Cancer Culture” by Jacqueline Acho, PhD
“...her life has become a mixed metaphor for madness” / “...some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end” (Credited to Gilda Radner)
- From “What Lies Buried” by Leslie Kain
“Schools can either replicate oppression or dismantle it”
- From “Story Monsters Ink May 2024 Issue” by Story Monsters LLC
“When you turn to the dark, you get swallowed by it. Even if you manage to reach the surface, where the light calls down to you, you will never be able to reach out and feel that warmth again. Will never be thawed. Forever encased in ice.” / “My mother told me to never stop looking for rainbows. To always relish in the sight of them while they last. That they have the power to fill your woes with hope.”
- From “All I See Are Dark Clouds” by M.C. Ryder
“Some puzzles aren't meant to be solved, they're just traps set by demons.” /
“...he had never chased a beast with a bite like this one.”
- From “Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
“If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.”/ “...all I had to my name was seven dollars and a six-pack.” / '...as a result of those punishments during my adolescence, I now suffer from a rare psychological condition known as 'having respect for others.'” / "A terrible case of the 'f**k-its' infected my psyche" / “I had everything I thought I ever wanted but not what I really needed.” / “Do not seek revenge; the rotten fruits will fall by themselves”/ “I didn’t get what I prayed for until I became the person that should receive it.”
- From “Reality Check” by Mike Sorrentino
“The trees kept voting for the ax because its handle was made of wood and they thought it was one of them” / “Oh, you don’t need to fight them—you just need to convince the pitchfork people that the torch people want to take away their pitchforks.” / “The sheep will spend its entire life fearing the wolf, only to be eaten by the shepherd.”
- From “CONEtrolled” by Nava Israel, PhD
"Defeated, Depleted, Received it, Relieved it" / “Be ready so you don't have to be ready” / “My sweat, My tears, My blood, My fears”
- From “Dear Sick Mental Virus” by O’Cyrus
* “Beyond all else, hold family close and love them dearly. Do not let a night go by without saying (and meaning) 'I love you.' Resolve any quarrels and do not let them linger. Remember the most important thing in life is love. Love without limit as I love you, forever and always, in life and beyond.”
- From “Remember Me” by Rachel Vogel
“Simply crossing your arms and stomping your feet won’t put the toothpaste back into the tube. Artificial intelligence is the cat that’s been let out of the bag. Either run with it or be left in its wake.” (Credited to Dale L. Roberts)
- From “100 Livestream & Digital Media Predictions: Volume 4” by Ross Brand et al.
“We bleed together and we grieve together” / “The past remains, like a photographic plate—or perhaps you would say a letter in its envelope.” / “Death is still an abstract thing to me; something undrawable, therefore unknown.”
- From “Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven” by Sarah Law
“Your lives are worth more than a few laughs”
- From “Dear Liam & Noah: Letters From Daddy” by Sean Martin
“WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE, DREAMS OR MEMORIES? THE ANSWER TO OUR QUESTION: DREAMS. We’d rather have dreams than memories. We’d rather look forward than back. We prefer tomorrow to yesterday. And our favorite trip has always been the next one. And why not? You can’t look forward unless you have a forward to look forward to”
- From “Looking for Legends” by Scott and Tarantino
"ULTIMATE CHAMPIONS"
OCA Ultimate Championship Belt Winners
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin
“Reality Check” by Mike Sorrentino
“Sentience Hazard” by Alexandru Czimbor
“Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner
OCA Ultimate Championship Trophy Winners
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #2)” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
“Fake Out” by Felicia Farber
“Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
“From Purpose to Profit” by Erin Andrea Craske
“Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magical Turds” by Heather S. Lonczak, PhD
“Lost in Wonderland” by Jack Quill
“Purposeful Performance” by Jonathan Stanley
“Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
"Lycan" by Dennis Robinson et al.
OCA Ultimate Championship Belt Winners
“Becky Lynch: THE MAN (Not Your Average Average Girl)” by Rebecca Quin
“Reality Check” by Mike Sorrentino
“Sentience Hazard” by Alexandru Czimbor
“Cora’s Christmas Challenge” by Sally Kashner
OCA Ultimate Championship Trophy Winners
“Son of the Doomsday Prophet” by Steven Byers
“The Noble Adventures of Beryl and Carol” Jeremy Sherr
“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return (Issue #2)” by Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson
“Deadly Game” by Sir Michael Caine
“Fake Out” by Felicia Farber
“Academy Bound” by J.C. Mastro
“The 5 Moons of Tiiana” by P.T. Harry
“From Purpose to Profit” by Erin Andrea Craske
“Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magical Turds” by Heather S. Lonczak, PhD
“Lost in Wonderland” by Jack Quill
“Purposeful Performance” by Jonathan Stanley
“Codex Sohrakia” by K.M. Taylor
"Lycan" by Dennis Robinson et al.