Results for our 2026 Spring Contest
SUPER-CATEGORY CHAMPIONS
(Medal Winners)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Fiction Book of Spring 2026
1st Place
“Soldiers in the Sandbox” Scott Metcalf
“The Nike Birds” E.R. Yatscoff
“His Eyes” Mark Charles Powers
“Princess of Illusion” Ashley Chapman
“The Treasure of Capric” Brandon Wilborn
“Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” Charlie Davis
“Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” Diego Rincon
“The Wickedest Town” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
2nd Place
“Therein Lies the Pearl” Catherine Hughes
"The Edison Enigma" Thomas White
“Framed in Love” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“Talismans” Craig P. Miller
“The Original Human Beings” Dr. Timothy D. White
“Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” Elizabeth Horst
“Caroline’s Purpose” Erica Zaborac
“Children of Angels” Faith MacGregor
“The Vatra Witch” G.V. Hext
“Festival of the Fallen” Kita Colson
“Holiday Spirit” John DeGuire
"Amundsen’s Boat" Sean Freeman
“Passion’s Duty” Lizzie Jenks
“The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” Melissa Jean Vallejos
“The Algorithm of Us” S. Page
“Order of Light” W.D. Kilpack III
“Danny and the Whale” Wayne Mahon
“5 Weeks of Saturn” Mike J. Kizman
3rd Place
“Bubble Gum Rocks” Amber Berkowitz
“The Red in the Wrong Profession” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“All the Stars as Angels” David Falk
“Escala’s Wish” David James
“The Minds of Mortals” J.R. Castro
“Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” John DeGuire
“On Fractured Ice” Karin Jensen
“Erin’s Journal” Nathalie Iseli-Chan
“Shadows of Custody” Thomas Gates
“A Tragedy of Riches” Tony Cointreau
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Non-Fiction Book of Spring 2026
1st Place
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” Antawn Knight
“The Legacy of the Twins Platoon” Christy Sauro Jr.
“Endangered Hummingbirds” Anthony Lujan
“Rainbow Gold” David Hampson
“Rational Defiance” Henk Pretorius, PhD
“Becoming Badass” Margie Goldsmith
“The Golden Blueprint” Mark Parrish
“Fantastic!: A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who” Nicholas Seidler et al.
“A Gift of Love” Tony Cointreau
2nd Place
“Realigned” Jason Jacobus
“Exits” Stephen Pollock
“The Last Word: A Treasury of Women’s Quotes” Carolyn Warner
“Second Thoughts” John Yurechko
“Serendipity on Wheels” Karen Shane
“Nanise’: A Navajo Herbal- One Hundred Plants from the Navajo Reservation” Barbara Bayless Lacy, Vernon O. Mayes
“The Permission Mission” Dr. Cindy McGovern
“Choir Confidential” Dr. Randal Quackenbush
“Falling from Disgrace” Tammy S. Dietz
“I Didn’t Believe It Either” Todd Kinney
“Ethel Merman, Mother Teresa…and Me” Tony Cointreau
“Reignite Your Power” Pawan Bareja
“Rich Without the Rush” R. Lee Vann
3rd Place
“Trauma-Informed Teaching” Dr. Annise Mabry
"Common Wisdom: 8 Scientific Elements of a Meaningful Life" by Dr. Laura Gabayan
“Unapologetic Wealth” Marcia Dawood
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Children's Book of Spring 2026
1st Place
“Hide and Seek with European Animals” Anna Finch
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
“Young Mole” C.J. Tripp
“Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” Dr. Christian Kueng
“AMB Kids Books” Amber Berkowitz
“Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue” David Gillespie
“Rhino” Jack DiSanto
"Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
“The Adventures of Belle Bear” Kathy Guillory
"Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
“The Hermit’s Hut” Dr. Tuula Pere
"The Fox and the Garbage War" Dr. Tuula Pere
2nd Place
“Finding Chrissy” Crystal Hoban, Illustrated by Anthony Richichi
“Wagon of Worries” Ruthie Godfrey
3rd Place
"Tailless Trials: Sammy’s Voyage to a New Home” Debra Siraco, Zareen Wilhelm
Best Fiction Book of Spring 2026
1st Place
“Soldiers in the Sandbox” Scott Metcalf
“The Nike Birds” E.R. Yatscoff
“His Eyes” Mark Charles Powers
“Princess of Illusion” Ashley Chapman
“The Treasure of Capric” Brandon Wilborn
“Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” Charlie Davis
“Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” Diego Rincon
“The Wickedest Town” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
2nd Place
“Therein Lies the Pearl” Catherine Hughes
"The Edison Enigma" Thomas White
“Framed in Love” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“Talismans” Craig P. Miller
“The Original Human Beings” Dr. Timothy D. White
“Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” Elizabeth Horst
“Caroline’s Purpose” Erica Zaborac
“Children of Angels” Faith MacGregor
“The Vatra Witch” G.V. Hext
“Festival of the Fallen” Kita Colson
“Holiday Spirit” John DeGuire
"Amundsen’s Boat" Sean Freeman
“Passion’s Duty” Lizzie Jenks
“The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” Melissa Jean Vallejos
“The Algorithm of Us” S. Page
“Order of Light” W.D. Kilpack III
“Danny and the Whale” Wayne Mahon
“5 Weeks of Saturn” Mike J. Kizman
3rd Place
“Bubble Gum Rocks” Amber Berkowitz
“The Red in the Wrong Profession” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“All the Stars as Angels” David Falk
“Escala’s Wish” David James
“The Minds of Mortals” J.R. Castro
“Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” John DeGuire
“On Fractured Ice” Karin Jensen
“Erin’s Journal” Nathalie Iseli-Chan
“Shadows of Custody” Thomas Gates
“A Tragedy of Riches” Tony Cointreau
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Non-Fiction Book of Spring 2026
1st Place
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” Antawn Knight
“The Legacy of the Twins Platoon” Christy Sauro Jr.
“Endangered Hummingbirds” Anthony Lujan
“Rainbow Gold” David Hampson
“Rational Defiance” Henk Pretorius, PhD
“Becoming Badass” Margie Goldsmith
“The Golden Blueprint” Mark Parrish
“Fantastic!: A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who” Nicholas Seidler et al.
“A Gift of Love” Tony Cointreau
2nd Place
“Realigned” Jason Jacobus
“Exits” Stephen Pollock
“The Last Word: A Treasury of Women’s Quotes” Carolyn Warner
“Second Thoughts” John Yurechko
“Serendipity on Wheels” Karen Shane
“Nanise’: A Navajo Herbal- One Hundred Plants from the Navajo Reservation” Barbara Bayless Lacy, Vernon O. Mayes
“The Permission Mission” Dr. Cindy McGovern
“Choir Confidential” Dr. Randal Quackenbush
“Falling from Disgrace” Tammy S. Dietz
“I Didn’t Believe It Either” Todd Kinney
“Ethel Merman, Mother Teresa…and Me” Tony Cointreau
“Reignite Your Power” Pawan Bareja
“Rich Without the Rush” R. Lee Vann
3rd Place
“Trauma-Informed Teaching” Dr. Annise Mabry
"Common Wisdom: 8 Scientific Elements of a Meaningful Life" by Dr. Laura Gabayan
“Unapologetic Wealth” Marcia Dawood
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Children's Book of Spring 2026
1st Place
“Hide and Seek with European Animals” Anna Finch
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
“Young Mole” C.J. Tripp
“Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” Dr. Christian Kueng
“AMB Kids Books” Amber Berkowitz
“Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue” David Gillespie
“Rhino” Jack DiSanto
"Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
“The Adventures of Belle Bear” Kathy Guillory
"Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
“The Hermit’s Hut” Dr. Tuula Pere
"The Fox and the Garbage War" Dr. Tuula Pere
2nd Place
“Finding Chrissy” Crystal Hoban, Illustrated by Anthony Richichi
“Wagon of Worries” Ruthie Godfrey
3rd Place
"Tailless Trials: Sammy’s Voyage to a New Home” Debra Siraco, Zareen Wilhelm
CATEGORY WINNERS
Outstanding Creator Award for
Audiobooks
1st Place
“The Treasure of Capric” Brandon Wilborn
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
"Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
2nd Place
“The Original Human Beings” Dr. Timothy D. White
Outstanding Creator Award for
Autobiographies / Memoirs / Biographies (May Include Fictional & Pseudo-Memoirs)
1st Place
“Becoming Badass” Margie Goldsmith
“A Gift of Love” Tony Cointreau
“The Legacy of the Twins Platoon” Christy Sauro Jr.
2nd Place
“Serendipity on Wheels” Karen Shane
“Falling from Disgrace” Tammy S. Dietz
“Life and How to Live It (Volume 2: Near Wild Heaven)” Chaz Holesworth
“I Didn’t Believe It Either” Todd Kinney
“Ethel Merman, Mother Teresa…and Me” Tony Cointreau
“Those Darn Stripes” Tyrel Nelson
"What the Hell with the Hat?" by Ed Ballou
“Second Thoughts” John Yurechko
Outstanding Creator Award for
Action / Adventure
1st Place
“The Treasure of Capric” Brandon Wilborn
“Princess of Illusion” Ashley Chapman
“Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” Charlie Davis
“Talismans” Craig P. Miller
“Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” Diego Rincon
“The Nike Birds” E.R. Yatscoff
“Order of Light” W.D. Kilpack III
2nd Place
“Jurassic Drop Zone” Ethan Richards
“Megalodon” Ethan Richards
“Animal Conquest” David Bush
“The Original Human Beings” Dr. Timothy D. White
“Children of Angels” Faith MacGregor
“On Fractured Ice” Karin Jensen
3rd Place
“Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” Aaron Ryan
Honorable Mention
“A Pirate’s Life for Me, A Pirate's Life Indeed!” Christopher David James
“Elements of Growth” Keynin Battle
Outstanding Creator Award for
Travel
1st Place
“Becoming Badass” Margie Goldsmith
“Serendipity on Wheels” Karen Shane
“Those Darn Stripes” Tyrel Nelson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Multimedia
1st Place
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
"The Bumblebees" (Song) by Studio Story Monster, Zachary Simpson, Linda F. Radke, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, Jim Derrick, Story & Characters by Betsy Coffeen
“Michelle Moser: Excellence in Creative Leadership, Brand Systems, and Enterprise Impact at AARP”
"A Little Monsters Book Trailer: The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy" Written by Linda Harkey, Illustrated by Mike Minick, Narrated by Immy Dymott, Produced by Linda Radke, Directed by Zachary Simpson, Paula Hurd (Production Coordinator), Studio Story Monster, Story Monster Press
2nd Place
"Long Island Breakfast Club Show (December 2025 Episodes)" by Valentina Janek et al.
“Egg Hunter” Kiara Falk, David Falk, and Lagomorph Rampant Studios
3rd Place
“A Tragedy of Riches- Official Book Trailer” Story Monsters, Linda Radke, Zachary Simpson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Law & Justice / Crime
1st Place
“Shadows of Custody” Thomas Gates
"Amundsen’s Boat" Sean Freeman
2nd Place
“The Killing Gene” Victer Hugo Basurco
3rd Place
“The Case Against Jasper” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Outstanding Creator Award for
LGBTQ+
1st Place
“A Gift of Love” Tony Cointreau
2nd Place
"15-Love" Vincent Russo
“Ethel Merman, Mother Teresa…and Me” Tony Cointreau
3rd Place
“Ancilla” Sera Maddox Drake
Outstanding Creator Award for
Historical Fiction
1st Place
“Therein Lies the Pearl” Catherine Hughes
"The Edison Enigma" Thomas White
“The Red in the Wrong Profession” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Animal Conquest” David Bush
2nd Place
“Echoes of the Forgotten” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
"Amundsen’s Boat" Sean Freeman
“The Wickedest Town” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Danny and the Whale” Wayne Mahon
“Diverging Streams” Earl L. Carlson
Outstanding Creator Award for
History (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“The Legacy of the Twins Platoon” Christy Sauro Jr.
2nd Place
“Ethel Merman, Mother Teresa…and Me” Tony Cointreau
Outstanding Creator Award for
Performing Arts / Dance / Theater / Music
1st Place
“Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” Dr. Christian Kueng
"The Bumblebees" (Song) by Studio Story Monster, Zachary Simpson, Linda F. Radke, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, Jim Derrick, Story & Characters by Betsy Coffeen
“Choir Confidential” Dr. Randal Quackenbush
2nd Place
"Long Island Breakfast Club Show (December 2025 Episodes)" by Valentina Janek et al.
“The Original Human Beings” Dr. Timothy D. White
3rd Place
"What the Hell with the Hat?" Ed Ballou
Outstanding Creator Award for
Thriller
1st Place
“The Nike Birds” E.R. Yatscoff
2nd Place
“Jurassic Drop Zone” Ethan Richards
“Megalodon” Ethan Richards
“The Killing Gene” Victer Hugo Basurco
3rd Place
“A Fragment of Chrome” Miikka Rautioaho
“Descartes’ Shadow” Don Stuart
Outstanding Creator Award for
Supernatural Books / Paranormal Books
1st Place
“Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” Charlie Davis
“The Vatra Witch” G.V. Hext
“The Wickedest Town” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
2nd Place
“Diverging Streams” Earl L. Carlson
“Framed in Love” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
"Mirror Image" Kay Brooks
“Echoes of the Forgotten” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“Ponca City Vampires” Ethan Richards
Outstanding Creator Award for
Books About Disabilities
1st Place
“The Minds of Mortals” J.R. Castro
"Apricot Tree Academy Dyslexia Intervention Workbook, Level 1" Sandra Dallon, Apricot Tree Academy
2nd Place
"Tailless Trials: Sammy’s Voyage to a New Home” Debra Siraco, Zareen Wilhelm
"Nurse Florence, What is Muscular Dystrophy?" Michael Dow
Outstanding Creator Award for
Short Stories / Anthologies / Collections
1st Place
“Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” Elizabeth Horst
“Fantastic!: A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who” Nicholas Seidler et al.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Fantasy
1st Place
“Princess of Illusion” Ashley Chapman
“The Treasure of Capric” Brandon Wilborn
“Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” Charlie Davis
“Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” Diego Rincon
"Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
“Order of Light” W.D. Kilpack III
2nd Place
“Framed in Love” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“Festival of the Fallen” Kita Colson
“The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” Melissa Jean Vallejos
“Talismans” Craig P. Miller
“Children of Angels” Faith MacGregor
“The Vatra Witch” G.V. Hext
3rd Place
“Escala’s Wish” David James
Honorable Mention
“A Pirate’s Life for Me, A Pirate's Life Indeed!” Christopher David James
“Elements of Growth” Keynin Battle
Outstanding Creator Award for
Business
* Includes Entrepreneurship / Sales & Marketing / Management / Investing / Career / Finance
1st Place
“Michelle Moser: Excellence in Creative Leadership, Brand Systems, and Enterprise Impact at AARP”
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” Antawn Knight
“The Golden Blueprint” Mark Parrish
“AMB Kids Books” Amber Berkowitz
“Rainbow Gold” David Hampson
“Rational Defiance” Henk Pretorius, PhD
2nd Place
“The Permission Mission” Dr. Cindy McGovern
“Unapologetic Wealth” Marcia Dawood
“Rich Without the Rush” R. Lee Vann
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science-Fiction (Sci-Fi)
1st Place
"The Edison Enigma" Thomas White
“The Algorithm of Us” S. Page
2nd Place
“The Killing Gene” Victer Hugo Basurco
3rd Place
“Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” Aaron Ryan
“In the Ghost’s Shadow” Clifton Brown
“Descartes’ Shadow” Don Stuart
“Jurassic Drop Zone” Ethan Richards
“A Fragment of Chrome” Miikka Rautioaho
Outstanding Creator Award for
Romance
1st Place
“Caroline’s Purpose” Erica Zaborac
“Princess of Illusion” Ashley Chapman
“Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” Elizabeth Horst
2nd Place
“Framed in Love” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“5 Weeks of Saturn” Mike J. Kizman
“Passion’s Duty” Lizzie Jenks
3rd Place
“In the Ghost’s Shadow” Clifton Brown
"15-Love" Vincent Russo
Honorable Mention
“Ancilla” Sera Maddox Drake
Outstanding Creator Award for
Technology / Emerging Technologies / Software
1st Place
“Michelle Moser: Excellence in Creative Leadership, Brand Systems, and Enterprise Impact at AARP”
“The Algorithm of Us” S. Page
2nd Place
“All the Stars as Angels” David Falk
“A Fragment of Chrome” Miikka Rautioaho
“The Killing Gene” Victer Hugo Basurco
3rd Place
“Descartes’ Shadow” Don Stuart
Outstanding Creator Award for
Comedy / Humor / Satire
1st Place
“Rhino” Jack DiSanto
“The Original Human Beings” Dr. Timothy D. White
“Holiday Spirit” John DeGuire
“Danny and the Whale” Wayne Mahon
2nd Place
“Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” John DeGuire
3rd Place
“A Pirate’s Life for Me, A Pirate's Life Indeed!” Christopher David James
“Holiday Spirit 3: Monsters Arise!” John DeGuire
Outstanding Creator Award for
Coloring Books / Activity Books / Workbooks
1st Place
"Apricot Tree Academy Dyslexia Intervention Workbook, Level 1" by Sandra Dallon, Apricot Tree Academy
Outstanding Creator Award for
Middle Grade Books / Juvenile Books
1st Place
“Young Mole” C.J. Tripp
2nd Place
“Bubble Gum Rocks” Amber Berkowitz
“The Case Against Jasper” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“Erin’s Journal” Nathalie Iseli-Chan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Self-Help/ Personal Development / How-to Books
1st Place
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” Antawn Knight
“Rainbow Gold” David Hampson
“The Golden Blueprint” Mark Parrish
“Rational Defiance” Henk Pretorius, PhD
“Realigned” Jason Jacobus
“Fantastic!: A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who” Nicholas Seidler et al.
“Choir Confidential” Dr. Randal Quackenbush
2nd Place
“God’s Focus on the Fatherless” Dwight David Croy
“The Permission Mission” Dr. Cindy McGovern
“Trauma-Informed Teaching” Dr. Annise Mabry
"Common Wisdom: 8 Scientific Elements of a Meaningful Life" by Dr. Laura Gabayan
“I Have Your Number” Debra Zachau
“Unapologetic Wealth” Marcia Dawood
“Reignite Your Power” Pawan Bareja
“Rich Without the Rush” R. Lee Vann
3rd Place
“When Women Get Sick” Rebecca Bloom
"Apricot Tree Academy Dyslexia Intervention Workbook, Level 1" by Sandra Dallon, Apricot Tree Academy
Outstanding Creator Award for
Educational & Reference Books
1st Place
“Hide and Seek with European Animals” Anna Finch
“Endangered Hummingbirds” Anthony Lujan
“AMB Kids Books” Amber Berkowitz
“Nanise’: A Navajo Herbal- One Hundred Plants from the Navajo Reservation” Barbara Bayless Lacy, Vernon O. Mayes
“Rational Defiance” Henk Pretorius, PhD
"Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
“Fantastic!: A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who” Nicholas Seidler et al.
“Soldiers in the Sandbox” Scott Metcalf
2nd Place
“The Last Word: A Treasury of Women’s Quotes” Carolyn Warner
“When Women Get Sick” Rebecca Bloom
"Common Wisdom: 8 Scientific Elements of a Meaningful Life" by Dr. Laura Gabayan
“Trauma-Informed Teaching” Dr. Annise Mabry
3rd Place
"Nurse Dorothea Presents: Not Taking People and Things for Granted" by Michael Dow
"Nurse Florence, What is Muscular Dystrophy?" by Michael Dow
Outstanding Creator Award for
Christian Literature / Christian Fiction / Christian Non-Fiction
1st Place
“Choir Confidential” Dr. Randal Quackenbush
“Wagon of Worries” Ruthie Godfrey
“God’s Focus on the Fatherless” Dwight David Croy
“Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” Elizabeth Horst
“Realigned” Jason Jacobus
“A Gift of Love” Tony Cointreau
2nd Place
“5 Weeks of Saturn” Mike J. Kizman
“Rich Without the Rush” R. Lee Vann
Outstanding Creator Award for
Family / Siblings / Parents
1st Place
"Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
“His Eyes” Mark Charles Powers
“The Golden Blueprint” Mark Parrish
2nd Place
“Shadows of Custody” Thomas Gates
“Those Darn Stripes” Tyrel Nelson
3rd Place
“Bubble Gum Rocks” Amber Berkowitz
“Erin’s Journal” Nathalie Iseli-Chan
“Clear-Cuts” by Joshua S. Narins
Outstanding Creator Award for
Psychological Fiction
1st Place
“His Eyes” Mark Charles Powers
2nd Place
“The Minds of Mortals” J.R. Castro
“A Tragedy of Riches” Tony Cointreau
“Danny and the Whale” Wayne Mahon
3rd Place
“The Killing Gene” Victer Hugo Basurco
“Clear-Cuts” Joshua S. Narins
Outstanding Creator Award for
Horror
1st Place
“Holiday Spirit” John DeGuire
“Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” John DeGuire
2nd Place
“Ponca City Vampires” Ethan Richards
“Megalodon” Ethan Richards
“Holiday Spirit 3: Monsters Arise!” John DeGuire
Outstanding Creator Award for
Literary Fiction / Contemporary Fiction
1st Place
“His Eyes” Mark Charles Powers
“Caroline’s Purpose” Erica Zaborac
“5 Weeks of Saturn” Mike J. Kizman
2nd Place
“A Tragedy of Riches” Tony Cointreau
Outstanding Creator Award for
Multicultural / Multilingual / Bilingual Fiction
1st Place
“Nanise’: A Navajo Herbal- One Hundred Plants from the Navajo Reservation” Barbara Bayless Lacy, Vernon O. Mayes
“Those Darn Stripes” Tyrel Nelson
“The Original Human Beings” Dr. Timothy D. White
2nd Place
“On Fractured Ice” Karin Jensen
Outstanding Creator Award for
Motivational / Inspirational Books
1st Place
“Becoming Badass” Margie Goldsmith
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” Antawn Knight
“Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” Dr. Christian Kueng
“Rainbow Gold” David Hampson
“Rational Defiance” Henk Pretorius, PhD
“Wagon of Worries” Ruthie Godfrey
“Soldiers in the Sandbox” Scott Metcalf
“The Hermit’s Hut” Dr. Tuula Pere
2nd Place
“Ethel Merman, Mother Teresa…and Me” Tony Cointreau
“I Didn’t Believe It Either” Todd Kinney
“Falling from Disgrace” Tammy S. Dietz
“God’s Focus on the Fatherless” Dwight David Croy
“The Last Word: A Treasury of Women’s Quotes” Carolyn Warner
“The Permission Mission” Dr. Cindy McGovern
“Reignite Your Power” Pawan Bareja
“Rich Without the Rush” R. Lee Vann
3rd Place
“Life and How to Live It (Volume 2: Near Wild Heaven)” Chaz Holesworth
“Those Darn Stripes” Tyrel Nelson
“I Have Your Number” Debra Zachau
“Trauma-Informed Teaching” Dr. Annise Mabry
Outstanding Creator Award for
Teen & Young-Adult (YA) Fiction
1st Place
“On Fractured Ice” Karin Jensen
“The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” Melissa Jean Vallejos
2nd Place
“Danny and the Whale” Wayne Mahon
3rd Place
“Elements of Growth” Keynin Battle
Outstanding Creator Award for
Health
1st Place
"Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
“A Gift of Love” Tony Cointreau
2nd Place
“I Didn’t Believe It Either” Todd Kinney
3rd Place
"Nurse Dorothea Presents: Not Taking People and Things for Granted" by Michael Dow
"Nurse Florence, What is Muscular Dystrophy?" by Michael Dow
“Reignite Your Power” Pawan Bareja
“When Women Get Sick” Rebecca Bloom
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mystery
1st Place
“The Wickedest Town” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
"Amundsen’s Boat" Sean Freeman
2nd Place
“The Red in the Wrong Profession” Carolyn Summer Quinn
"Mirror Image" Kay Brooks
“The Killing Gene” Victer Hugo Basurco
3rd Place
“Ponca City Vampires” Ethan Richards
“Megalodon” Ethan Richards
Outstanding Creator Award for
Poetry
1st Place
“Exits” Stephen Pollock
“Second Thoughts” John Yurechko
Outstanding Creator Award for
Animal Literature / Animal Media
1st Place
“Hide and Seek with European Animals” Anna Finch
“The Adventures of Belle Bear” Kathy Guillory
“AMB Kids Books” Amber Berkowitz
“Endangered Hummingbirds” Anthony Lujan
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
“Young Mole” C.J. Tripp
“The Case Against Jasper” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“Animal Conquest” David Bush
“Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue” David Gillespie
“The Fox and the Garbage War” Dr. Tuula Pere
"The Bumblebees" (Song) by Studio Story Monster, Zachary Simpson, Linda F. Radke, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, Jim Derrick, Story & Characters by Betsy Coffeen
2nd Place
“Finding Chrissy” Crystal Hoban, Illustrated by Anthony Richichi
"Tailless Trials: Sammy’s Voyage to a New Home” Debra Siraco, Zareen Wilhelm
3rd Place
“Egg Hunter” Kiara Falk, David Falk, and Lagomorph Rampant Studios
Outstanding Creator Award for
Myths & Legends / Fairy Tales / Mythical Creatures
1st Place
“Princess of Illusion” Ashley Chapman
“Holiday Spirit” John DeGuire
"Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
2nd Place
“Escala’s Wish” David James
“Children of Angels” Faith MacGregor
“Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” John DeGuire
3rd Place
“Holiday Spirit 3: Monsters Arise!” John DeGuire
Outstanding Creator Award for
Spirituality
1st Place
“Reignite Your Power” Pawan Bareja
2nd Place
“Life and How to Live It (Volume 2: Near Wild Heaven)” Chaz Holesworth
“I Have Your Number” Debra Zachau
Outstanding Creator Award for
Military Literature
1st Place
“The Legacy of the Twins Platoon” Christy Sauro Jr.
“Soldiers in the Sandbox” Scott Metcalf
Outstanding Creator Award for
Film / Videos
1st Place
"A Little Monsters Book Trailer: The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy" Written by Linda Harkey, Illustrated by Mike Minick, Narrated by Immy Dymott, Produced by Linda Radke, Directed by Zachary Simpson, Paula Hurd (Production Coordinator), Studio Story Monster, Story Monster Press
2nd Place
"Long Island Breakfast Club Show (December 2025 Episodes)" by Valentina Janek et al.
3rd Place
“A Tragedy of Riches- Official Book Trailer” Story Monsters, Linda Radke, Zachary Simpson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Video Games
1st Place
“Egg Hunter” Kiara Falk, David Falk, and Lagomorph Rampant Studios
Outstanding Creator Award for
Talk Shows / Podcasts
1st Place
"Long Island Breakfast Club Show (December 2025 Episodes)" by Valentina Janek et al.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Photography
1st Place
“Endangered Hummingbirds” Anthony Lujan
Outstanding Creator Award for
TV Scripts / Film Scripts / Theater Scripts
1st Place
"What the Hell with the Hat?" Ed Ballou
Outstanding Creator Award for
Writing / Publishing
1st Place
“The Hermit’s Hut” Dr. Tuula Pere
2nd Place
"What the Hell with the Hat?" Ed Ballou
Audiobooks
1st Place
“The Treasure of Capric” Brandon Wilborn
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
"Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
2nd Place
“The Original Human Beings” Dr. Timothy D. White
Outstanding Creator Award for
Autobiographies / Memoirs / Biographies (May Include Fictional & Pseudo-Memoirs)
1st Place
“Becoming Badass” Margie Goldsmith
“A Gift of Love” Tony Cointreau
“The Legacy of the Twins Platoon” Christy Sauro Jr.
2nd Place
“Serendipity on Wheels” Karen Shane
“Falling from Disgrace” Tammy S. Dietz
“Life and How to Live It (Volume 2: Near Wild Heaven)” Chaz Holesworth
“I Didn’t Believe It Either” Todd Kinney
“Ethel Merman, Mother Teresa…and Me” Tony Cointreau
“Those Darn Stripes” Tyrel Nelson
"What the Hell with the Hat?" by Ed Ballou
“Second Thoughts” John Yurechko
Outstanding Creator Award for
Action / Adventure
1st Place
“The Treasure of Capric” Brandon Wilborn
“Princess of Illusion” Ashley Chapman
“Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” Charlie Davis
“Talismans” Craig P. Miller
“Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” Diego Rincon
“The Nike Birds” E.R. Yatscoff
“Order of Light” W.D. Kilpack III
2nd Place
“Jurassic Drop Zone” Ethan Richards
“Megalodon” Ethan Richards
“Animal Conquest” David Bush
“The Original Human Beings” Dr. Timothy D. White
“Children of Angels” Faith MacGregor
“On Fractured Ice” Karin Jensen
3rd Place
“Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” Aaron Ryan
Honorable Mention
“A Pirate’s Life for Me, A Pirate's Life Indeed!” Christopher David James
“Elements of Growth” Keynin Battle
Outstanding Creator Award for
Travel
1st Place
“Becoming Badass” Margie Goldsmith
“Serendipity on Wheels” Karen Shane
“Those Darn Stripes” Tyrel Nelson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Multimedia
1st Place
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
"The Bumblebees" (Song) by Studio Story Monster, Zachary Simpson, Linda F. Radke, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, Jim Derrick, Story & Characters by Betsy Coffeen
“Michelle Moser: Excellence in Creative Leadership, Brand Systems, and Enterprise Impact at AARP”
"A Little Monsters Book Trailer: The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy" Written by Linda Harkey, Illustrated by Mike Minick, Narrated by Immy Dymott, Produced by Linda Radke, Directed by Zachary Simpson, Paula Hurd (Production Coordinator), Studio Story Monster, Story Monster Press
2nd Place
"Long Island Breakfast Club Show (December 2025 Episodes)" by Valentina Janek et al.
“Egg Hunter” Kiara Falk, David Falk, and Lagomorph Rampant Studios
3rd Place
“A Tragedy of Riches- Official Book Trailer” Story Monsters, Linda Radke, Zachary Simpson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Law & Justice / Crime
1st Place
“Shadows of Custody” Thomas Gates
"Amundsen’s Boat" Sean Freeman
2nd Place
“The Killing Gene” Victer Hugo Basurco
3rd Place
“The Case Against Jasper” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Outstanding Creator Award for
LGBTQ+
1st Place
“A Gift of Love” Tony Cointreau
2nd Place
"15-Love" Vincent Russo
“Ethel Merman, Mother Teresa…and Me” Tony Cointreau
3rd Place
“Ancilla” Sera Maddox Drake
Outstanding Creator Award for
Historical Fiction
1st Place
“Therein Lies the Pearl” Catherine Hughes
"The Edison Enigma" Thomas White
“The Red in the Wrong Profession” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Animal Conquest” David Bush
2nd Place
“Echoes of the Forgotten” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
"Amundsen’s Boat" Sean Freeman
“The Wickedest Town” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“Danny and the Whale” Wayne Mahon
“Diverging Streams” Earl L. Carlson
Outstanding Creator Award for
History (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“The Legacy of the Twins Platoon” Christy Sauro Jr.
2nd Place
“Ethel Merman, Mother Teresa…and Me” Tony Cointreau
Outstanding Creator Award for
Performing Arts / Dance / Theater / Music
1st Place
“Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” Dr. Christian Kueng
"The Bumblebees" (Song) by Studio Story Monster, Zachary Simpson, Linda F. Radke, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, Jim Derrick, Story & Characters by Betsy Coffeen
“Choir Confidential” Dr. Randal Quackenbush
2nd Place
"Long Island Breakfast Club Show (December 2025 Episodes)" by Valentina Janek et al.
“The Original Human Beings” Dr. Timothy D. White
3rd Place
"What the Hell with the Hat?" Ed Ballou
Outstanding Creator Award for
Thriller
1st Place
“The Nike Birds” E.R. Yatscoff
2nd Place
“Jurassic Drop Zone” Ethan Richards
“Megalodon” Ethan Richards
“The Killing Gene” Victer Hugo Basurco
3rd Place
“A Fragment of Chrome” Miikka Rautioaho
“Descartes’ Shadow” Don Stuart
Outstanding Creator Award for
Supernatural Books / Paranormal Books
1st Place
“Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” Charlie Davis
“The Vatra Witch” G.V. Hext
“The Wickedest Town” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
2nd Place
“Diverging Streams” Earl L. Carlson
“Framed in Love” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
"Mirror Image" Kay Brooks
“Echoes of the Forgotten” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“Ponca City Vampires” Ethan Richards
Outstanding Creator Award for
Books About Disabilities
1st Place
“The Minds of Mortals” J.R. Castro
"Apricot Tree Academy Dyslexia Intervention Workbook, Level 1" Sandra Dallon, Apricot Tree Academy
2nd Place
"Tailless Trials: Sammy’s Voyage to a New Home” Debra Siraco, Zareen Wilhelm
"Nurse Florence, What is Muscular Dystrophy?" Michael Dow
Outstanding Creator Award for
Short Stories / Anthologies / Collections
1st Place
“Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” Elizabeth Horst
“Fantastic!: A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who” Nicholas Seidler et al.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Fantasy
1st Place
“Princess of Illusion” Ashley Chapman
“The Treasure of Capric” Brandon Wilborn
“Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” Charlie Davis
“Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” Diego Rincon
"Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
“Order of Light” W.D. Kilpack III
2nd Place
“Framed in Love” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“Festival of the Fallen” Kita Colson
“The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” Melissa Jean Vallejos
“Talismans” Craig P. Miller
“Children of Angels” Faith MacGregor
“The Vatra Witch” G.V. Hext
3rd Place
“Escala’s Wish” David James
Honorable Mention
“A Pirate’s Life for Me, A Pirate's Life Indeed!” Christopher David James
“Elements of Growth” Keynin Battle
Outstanding Creator Award for
Business
* Includes Entrepreneurship / Sales & Marketing / Management / Investing / Career / Finance
1st Place
“Michelle Moser: Excellence in Creative Leadership, Brand Systems, and Enterprise Impact at AARP”
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” Antawn Knight
“The Golden Blueprint” Mark Parrish
“AMB Kids Books” Amber Berkowitz
“Rainbow Gold” David Hampson
“Rational Defiance” Henk Pretorius, PhD
2nd Place
“The Permission Mission” Dr. Cindy McGovern
“Unapologetic Wealth” Marcia Dawood
“Rich Without the Rush” R. Lee Vann
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science-Fiction (Sci-Fi)
1st Place
"The Edison Enigma" Thomas White
“The Algorithm of Us” S. Page
2nd Place
“The Killing Gene” Victer Hugo Basurco
3rd Place
“Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” Aaron Ryan
“In the Ghost’s Shadow” Clifton Brown
“Descartes’ Shadow” Don Stuart
“Jurassic Drop Zone” Ethan Richards
“A Fragment of Chrome” Miikka Rautioaho
Outstanding Creator Award for
Romance
1st Place
“Caroline’s Purpose” Erica Zaborac
“Princess of Illusion” Ashley Chapman
“Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” Elizabeth Horst
2nd Place
“Framed in Love” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“5 Weeks of Saturn” Mike J. Kizman
“Passion’s Duty” Lizzie Jenks
3rd Place
“In the Ghost’s Shadow” Clifton Brown
"15-Love" Vincent Russo
Honorable Mention
“Ancilla” Sera Maddox Drake
Outstanding Creator Award for
Technology / Emerging Technologies / Software
1st Place
“Michelle Moser: Excellence in Creative Leadership, Brand Systems, and Enterprise Impact at AARP”
“The Algorithm of Us” S. Page
2nd Place
“All the Stars as Angels” David Falk
“A Fragment of Chrome” Miikka Rautioaho
“The Killing Gene” Victer Hugo Basurco
3rd Place
“Descartes’ Shadow” Don Stuart
Outstanding Creator Award for
Comedy / Humor / Satire
1st Place
“Rhino” Jack DiSanto
“The Original Human Beings” Dr. Timothy D. White
“Holiday Spirit” John DeGuire
“Danny and the Whale” Wayne Mahon
2nd Place
“Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” John DeGuire
3rd Place
“A Pirate’s Life for Me, A Pirate's Life Indeed!” Christopher David James
“Holiday Spirit 3: Monsters Arise!” John DeGuire
Outstanding Creator Award for
Coloring Books / Activity Books / Workbooks
1st Place
"Apricot Tree Academy Dyslexia Intervention Workbook, Level 1" by Sandra Dallon, Apricot Tree Academy
Outstanding Creator Award for
Middle Grade Books / Juvenile Books
1st Place
“Young Mole” C.J. Tripp
2nd Place
“Bubble Gum Rocks” Amber Berkowitz
“The Case Against Jasper” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“Erin’s Journal” Nathalie Iseli-Chan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Self-Help/ Personal Development / How-to Books
1st Place
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” Antawn Knight
“Rainbow Gold” David Hampson
“The Golden Blueprint” Mark Parrish
“Rational Defiance” Henk Pretorius, PhD
“Realigned” Jason Jacobus
“Fantastic!: A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who” Nicholas Seidler et al.
“Choir Confidential” Dr. Randal Quackenbush
2nd Place
“God’s Focus on the Fatherless” Dwight David Croy
“The Permission Mission” Dr. Cindy McGovern
“Trauma-Informed Teaching” Dr. Annise Mabry
"Common Wisdom: 8 Scientific Elements of a Meaningful Life" by Dr. Laura Gabayan
“I Have Your Number” Debra Zachau
“Unapologetic Wealth” Marcia Dawood
“Reignite Your Power” Pawan Bareja
“Rich Without the Rush” R. Lee Vann
3rd Place
“When Women Get Sick” Rebecca Bloom
"Apricot Tree Academy Dyslexia Intervention Workbook, Level 1" by Sandra Dallon, Apricot Tree Academy
Outstanding Creator Award for
Educational & Reference Books
1st Place
“Hide and Seek with European Animals” Anna Finch
“Endangered Hummingbirds” Anthony Lujan
“AMB Kids Books” Amber Berkowitz
“Nanise’: A Navajo Herbal- One Hundred Plants from the Navajo Reservation” Barbara Bayless Lacy, Vernon O. Mayes
“Rational Defiance” Henk Pretorius, PhD
"Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
“Fantastic!: A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who” Nicholas Seidler et al.
“Soldiers in the Sandbox” Scott Metcalf
2nd Place
“The Last Word: A Treasury of Women’s Quotes” Carolyn Warner
“When Women Get Sick” Rebecca Bloom
"Common Wisdom: 8 Scientific Elements of a Meaningful Life" by Dr. Laura Gabayan
“Trauma-Informed Teaching” Dr. Annise Mabry
3rd Place
"Nurse Dorothea Presents: Not Taking People and Things for Granted" by Michael Dow
"Nurse Florence, What is Muscular Dystrophy?" by Michael Dow
Outstanding Creator Award for
Christian Literature / Christian Fiction / Christian Non-Fiction
1st Place
“Choir Confidential” Dr. Randal Quackenbush
“Wagon of Worries” Ruthie Godfrey
“God’s Focus on the Fatherless” Dwight David Croy
“Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” Elizabeth Horst
“Realigned” Jason Jacobus
“A Gift of Love” Tony Cointreau
2nd Place
“5 Weeks of Saturn” Mike J. Kizman
“Rich Without the Rush” R. Lee Vann
Outstanding Creator Award for
Family / Siblings / Parents
1st Place
"Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
“His Eyes” Mark Charles Powers
“The Golden Blueprint” Mark Parrish
2nd Place
“Shadows of Custody” Thomas Gates
“Those Darn Stripes” Tyrel Nelson
3rd Place
“Bubble Gum Rocks” Amber Berkowitz
“Erin’s Journal” Nathalie Iseli-Chan
“Clear-Cuts” by Joshua S. Narins
Outstanding Creator Award for
Psychological Fiction
1st Place
“His Eyes” Mark Charles Powers
2nd Place
“The Minds of Mortals” J.R. Castro
“A Tragedy of Riches” Tony Cointreau
“Danny and the Whale” Wayne Mahon
3rd Place
“The Killing Gene” Victer Hugo Basurco
“Clear-Cuts” Joshua S. Narins
Outstanding Creator Award for
Horror
1st Place
“Holiday Spirit” John DeGuire
“Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” John DeGuire
2nd Place
“Ponca City Vampires” Ethan Richards
“Megalodon” Ethan Richards
“Holiday Spirit 3: Monsters Arise!” John DeGuire
Outstanding Creator Award for
Literary Fiction / Contemporary Fiction
1st Place
“His Eyes” Mark Charles Powers
“Caroline’s Purpose” Erica Zaborac
“5 Weeks of Saturn” Mike J. Kizman
2nd Place
“A Tragedy of Riches” Tony Cointreau
Outstanding Creator Award for
Multicultural / Multilingual / Bilingual Fiction
1st Place
“Nanise’: A Navajo Herbal- One Hundred Plants from the Navajo Reservation” Barbara Bayless Lacy, Vernon O. Mayes
“Those Darn Stripes” Tyrel Nelson
“The Original Human Beings” Dr. Timothy D. White
2nd Place
“On Fractured Ice” Karin Jensen
Outstanding Creator Award for
Motivational / Inspirational Books
1st Place
“Becoming Badass” Margie Goldsmith
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” Antawn Knight
“Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” Dr. Christian Kueng
“Rainbow Gold” David Hampson
“Rational Defiance” Henk Pretorius, PhD
“Wagon of Worries” Ruthie Godfrey
“Soldiers in the Sandbox” Scott Metcalf
“The Hermit’s Hut” Dr. Tuula Pere
2nd Place
“Ethel Merman, Mother Teresa…and Me” Tony Cointreau
“I Didn’t Believe It Either” Todd Kinney
“Falling from Disgrace” Tammy S. Dietz
“God’s Focus on the Fatherless” Dwight David Croy
“The Last Word: A Treasury of Women’s Quotes” Carolyn Warner
“The Permission Mission” Dr. Cindy McGovern
“Reignite Your Power” Pawan Bareja
“Rich Without the Rush” R. Lee Vann
3rd Place
“Life and How to Live It (Volume 2: Near Wild Heaven)” Chaz Holesworth
“Those Darn Stripes” Tyrel Nelson
“I Have Your Number” Debra Zachau
“Trauma-Informed Teaching” Dr. Annise Mabry
Outstanding Creator Award for
Teen & Young-Adult (YA) Fiction
1st Place
“On Fractured Ice” Karin Jensen
“The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” Melissa Jean Vallejos
2nd Place
“Danny and the Whale” Wayne Mahon
3rd Place
“Elements of Growth” Keynin Battle
Outstanding Creator Award for
Health
1st Place
"Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
“A Gift of Love” Tony Cointreau
2nd Place
“I Didn’t Believe It Either” Todd Kinney
3rd Place
"Nurse Dorothea Presents: Not Taking People and Things for Granted" by Michael Dow
"Nurse Florence, What is Muscular Dystrophy?" by Michael Dow
“Reignite Your Power” Pawan Bareja
“When Women Get Sick” Rebecca Bloom
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mystery
1st Place
“The Wickedest Town” McKenzie Catron-Pichan
"Amundsen’s Boat" Sean Freeman
2nd Place
“The Red in the Wrong Profession” Carolyn Summer Quinn
"Mirror Image" Kay Brooks
“The Killing Gene” Victer Hugo Basurco
3rd Place
“Ponca City Vampires” Ethan Richards
“Megalodon” Ethan Richards
Outstanding Creator Award for
Poetry
1st Place
“Exits” Stephen Pollock
“Second Thoughts” John Yurechko
Outstanding Creator Award for
Animal Literature / Animal Media
1st Place
“Hide and Seek with European Animals” Anna Finch
“The Adventures of Belle Bear” Kathy Guillory
“AMB Kids Books” Amber Berkowitz
“Endangered Hummingbirds” Anthony Lujan
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
“Young Mole” C.J. Tripp
“The Case Against Jasper” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“Animal Conquest” David Bush
“Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue” David Gillespie
“The Fox and the Garbage War” Dr. Tuula Pere
"The Bumblebees" (Song) by Studio Story Monster, Zachary Simpson, Linda F. Radke, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, Jim Derrick, Story & Characters by Betsy Coffeen
2nd Place
“Finding Chrissy” Crystal Hoban, Illustrated by Anthony Richichi
"Tailless Trials: Sammy’s Voyage to a New Home” Debra Siraco, Zareen Wilhelm
3rd Place
“Egg Hunter” Kiara Falk, David Falk, and Lagomorph Rampant Studios
Outstanding Creator Award for
Myths & Legends / Fairy Tales / Mythical Creatures
1st Place
“Princess of Illusion” Ashley Chapman
“Holiday Spirit” John DeGuire
"Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
2nd Place
“Escala’s Wish” David James
“Children of Angels” Faith MacGregor
“Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” John DeGuire
3rd Place
“Holiday Spirit 3: Monsters Arise!” John DeGuire
Outstanding Creator Award for
Spirituality
1st Place
“Reignite Your Power” Pawan Bareja
2nd Place
“Life and How to Live It (Volume 2: Near Wild Heaven)” Chaz Holesworth
“I Have Your Number” Debra Zachau
Outstanding Creator Award for
Military Literature
1st Place
“The Legacy of the Twins Platoon” Christy Sauro Jr.
“Soldiers in the Sandbox” Scott Metcalf
Outstanding Creator Award for
Film / Videos
1st Place
"A Little Monsters Book Trailer: The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy" Written by Linda Harkey, Illustrated by Mike Minick, Narrated by Immy Dymott, Produced by Linda Radke, Directed by Zachary Simpson, Paula Hurd (Production Coordinator), Studio Story Monster, Story Monster Press
2nd Place
"Long Island Breakfast Club Show (December 2025 Episodes)" by Valentina Janek et al.
3rd Place
“A Tragedy of Riches- Official Book Trailer” Story Monsters, Linda Radke, Zachary Simpson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Video Games
1st Place
“Egg Hunter” Kiara Falk, David Falk, and Lagomorph Rampant Studios
Outstanding Creator Award for
Talk Shows / Podcasts
1st Place
"Long Island Breakfast Club Show (December 2025 Episodes)" by Valentina Janek et al.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Photography
1st Place
“Endangered Hummingbirds” Anthony Lujan
Outstanding Creator Award for
TV Scripts / Film Scripts / Theater Scripts
1st Place
"What the Hell with the Hat?" Ed Ballou
Outstanding Creator Award for
Writing / Publishing
1st Place
“The Hermit’s Hut” Dr. Tuula Pere
2nd Place
"What the Hell with the Hat?" Ed Ballou
SPECIAL AWARDS
* These are fun, less formal awards intended to recognize the unique accomplishments of each work. They are still recognized as Outstanding Creator Awards.
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Cover”
Winner:
“In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
Honorable Mentions:
“Mirror Image” by Kay Brooks
“Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
“Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Fiction)”
Winner:
“Soldiers in the Sandbox” by Scott Metcalf
Honorable Mention:
“Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
“The Wickedest Town” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“The Algorithm of Us” by S. Page
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Non-Fiction)”
Winners:
“Becoming Badass” by Margie Goldsmith
“The Golden Blueprint” by Mark Parrish
Honorable Mentions:
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” by Antawn Knight
“Rainbow Gold” by David Hampson
“Realigned” Jason Jacobus
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Research”
Winners:
“Endangered Hummingbirds” by Anthony Lujan
“Nanise’: A Navajo Herbal- One Hundred Plants from the Navajo Reservation” by Barbara Bayless Lacy, Vernon O. Mayes
Honorable Mentions:
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” by Antawn Knight
"Common Wisdom: 8 Scientific Elements of a Meaningful Life" by Dr. Laura Gabayan
“The Red in the Wrong Profession” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Therein Lies the Pearl” by Catherine Hughes
“The Legacy of the Twins Platoon” by Christy Sauro Jr.
“Animal Conquest” by David Bush
“Rainbow Gold” by David Hampson
“Trauma-Informed Teaching” by Dr. Annise Mabry
“The Permission Mission” by Dr. Cindy McGovern
“Rational Defiance” by Henk Pretorius, PhD
“Unapologetic Wealth” by Marcia Dawood
"Amundsen’s Boat" by Sean Freeman
"Nurse Dorothea Presents: Not Taking People and Things for Granted" by Michael Dow
"Nurse Florence, What is Muscular Dystrophy?" by Michael Dow
“Fantastic!: A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who” by Nicholas Seidler et al.
"Apricot Tree Academy Dyslexia Intervention Workbook, Level 1" by Sandra Dallon, Apricot Tree Academy
“When Women Get Sick” by Rebecca Bloom
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best World-Building”
Winners:
“Festival of the Fallen” by Kita Colson
“Order of Light” by W.D. Kilpack III
Honorable Mentions:
“Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
“The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
“Therein Lies the Pearl” by Catherine Hughes
“Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
“In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
“Framed in Love” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“Talismans” by Craig P. Miller
“Animal Conquest” by David Bush
“All the Stars as Angels” by David Falk
“Escala’s Wish” by David James
“The Original Human Beings” by Dr. Timothy D. White
“Diverging Streams” by Earl L. Carlson
“Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
“Elements of Growth” by Keynin Battle
“The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” by Melissa Jean Vallejos
“Danny and the Whale” by Wayne Mahon
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Character”
Winners:
Lucas Horne from “The Nike Birds” by E.R. Yatscoff
Sergeant Alex Vance from “Soldiers in the Sandbox” by Scott Metcalf
Caroline from “Caroline’s Purpose” by Erica Zaborac
Honorable Mention:
Sergeant Cameron “Jet” Shipley from “Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” by Aaron Ryan
Avery, Arianna, Ainsley from “Bubble Gum Rocks” by Amber Berkowitz
Marceline, Kaden from “Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
Kurian from “The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
Spencer Wynne, Cecily Wynne, Zinnia from “The Red in the Wrong Profession” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Cate from "Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
Celia from “Therein Lies the Pearl” by Catherine Hughes
Mole from “Young Mole” by C.J. Tripp
Eli from “Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
Kyle from “Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” by Dr. Christian Kueng
Thomas Patch from “A Pirate’s Life for Me, A Pirate's Life Indeed!” by Christopher David James
Brick from “In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
Jasper, Ink, Fiona from “The Case Against Jasper” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
David from “Framed in Love” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Luke Dawson, Lieutenant Talbot from “Echoes of the Forgotten” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Ross Cambridge from “Talismans” by Craig P. Miller
Crystal, Crissy from “Finding Chrissy” by Crystal Hoban, Illustrated by Anthony Richichi
Jean, Pandora from “Animal Conquest” by David Bush
Niva, Pierre from “All the Stars as Angels” by David Falk
Gwenni from “Egg Hunter” by Kiara Falk, David Falk, and Lagomorph Rampant Studios
Floo, Peanut, Lucky Lou from “Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue” by David Gillespie
Escala Winter from “Escala’s Wish” by David James
Sammy, Tangerine from “Tailless Trials: Sammy’s Voyage to a New Home” by Debra Siraco, Zareen Wilhelm
Bastius Bloome from “Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” by Diego Rincon
Patrice C-17 from “Descartes’ Shadow” by Don Stuart
Never/Basura from “The Original Human Beings” by Dr. Timothy D. White
Haskell Yngren from “Diverging Streams” by Earl L. Carlson
Rosalyn Novotny, Regina Zambino, Lizaveta/Liza, Caroline Sentry, Luigi, Lady Honora, Lord Archibald, Bekah, Sayeed from “Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” by Elizabeth Horst
Henry Harding from “Ponca City Vampires” by Ethan Richards
Lt. Theodore “Teddy” Loomis from ”Jurassic Drop Zone” by Ethan Ricards
Eerie Ebenezer from “Megalodon” Ethan Richards
Tiras from “Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
Seraphina “Sera” Wildrick from “The Vatra Witch” by G.V. Hext
Sola Lior from “Festival of the Fallen” by Kita Colson
Jasper Colin Sarcassia from “The Minds of Mortals” by J.R. Castro
Rhino/Dad from “Rhino” by Jack DiSanto
Jamie from "Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
Count Dracula, Aoife, Ralph/ Dr. Ellison/The Invisible Man, Saul Frankenstein, Annie, Emma from “Holiday Spirit” by John DeGuire
Aoife, Saul Frankenstein, Count Dracula from “Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” by John DeGuire
Count Dracula, Dr. Ralph Ellison/The Invisible Man, Aoife, Saul Frankenstein, Emma Hawthorne from “Holiday Spirit 3: Monsters Arise!” by John DeGuire
Michael Dougherty from “Clear-Cuts” by Joshua S. Narins
Belle Bear, Baba Bear from “The Adventures of Belle Bear” by Kathy Guillory
Abigail “Abby” Adams, Isabella from “Mirror Image” by Kay Brooks
Keith Cottam from “Elements of Growth” by Keynin Battle
Faith Richmond from “Passion’s Duty” by Lizzie Jenks
Stella Cassidy from “The Wickedest Town” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Sparrow “Roe” Kettler from “The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” by Melissa Jean Vallejos
Nurse Dorothea from "Nurse Dorothea Presents: Not Taking People and Things for Granted" by Michael Dow
Nurse Florence from "Nurse Florence, What is Muscular Dystrophy?" by Michael Dow
Corren Vega / Psyche from “A Fragment of Chrome” by Miikka Rautioaho
Saturn O Syres from “5 Weeks of Saturn” by Mike J. Kizman
Erin from “Erin’s Journal: 6th-Grade Big Project” by Nathalie Iseli-Chan
Mable from “Wagon of Worries” by Ruthie Godfrey
Brunt, Eggbert, Astrid, Wreck from "Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
Ancilla, Magister from “Ancilla” by Sera Maddox Drake
Zora Ellin / Reyna from “The Algorithm of Us” by S. Page
Delores Williams, Emily Johnson, Sam Porter from “Shadows of Custody” by Thomas Gates
Elena Manziano / Elena Zimmerman from “A Tragedy of Riches” by Tony Cointreau
Francis from “The Hermit’s Hut” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Dr. Tatyana Mirzo, Dr. Howard Kensington, Maggie Rally from “The Killing Gene” by Victer Hugo Basurco
Rion Miller from “15-Love” by Vincent Russo
Natharr, Nathan from “Order of Light” by W.D. Kilpack III
Danny Daurio, Mia Mendoza, RJ Janetti from “Danny and the Whale” by Wayne Mahon
Lu Chan, Per Steindal from "Amundsen’s Boat" by Sean Freeman
Michael Judson, Susan Judson from “His Eyes” by Mark Charles Powers
Dr. Tom Edison from “The Edison Enigma” by Thomas White
Francis Fox from “The Fox and the Garbage War” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Supporting Character”
Winners:
Emma Fitzgerald Livingstone from “The Edison Enigma” by Thomas White; Honorable Mention: Dr. Lori Pellitier
Abby from “Framed in Love” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Linda Lupo, William the Wolf from “The Fox and the Garbage War” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Honorable Mentions:
Allison Trudy from “Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” by Aaron Ryan
Uncle Timmy from “Bubble Gum Rocks” by Amber Berkowitz
Raven, Captain Hortensio, Scrunge, Rosie, Rava, Hestiel from “Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
Louise Prescott, Rhys Brock, Tobin, Gideon from “The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
Preston Wynne from “The Red in the Wrong Profession” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Pete the Potato Bug, Davey the Dung Beetle, Walter the Earthworm, Queen Bee Kira from "Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
Simon, Gerhard, Margaret, Vivienne, Edgar, Philippe, Matilda, Father Joseph from “Therein Lies the Pearl” by Catherine Hughes
Mother Mole, Father Mole, Nightcrawler, Snail from “Young Mole” by C.J. Tripp
Jughead, Saffron from “Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
Mom, Jake from “Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” by Dr. Christian Kueng
Tubby, Stix, Simon from “A Pirate’s Life for Me, A Pirate's Life Indeed!” by Christopher David James
Tish, Mara from “In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
Sergeant Clarke from “ Echoes of the Forgotten” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Maeve, Damon from “Talismans” by Craig P. Miller
Mooki, Willow, Shorty, Jason, Cricket from “Egg Hunter” by Kiara Falk, David Falk, and Lagomorph Rampant Studios
Wigfrith, Roedyn, Harper, Sticky, Rowan, Teresa from “Escala’s Wish” by David James
Tristian Carlyle, Princess Olivia, Gilles Galliard from “Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” by Diego Rincon
Frye-Carver, Eduardo Avila from “Descartes’ Shadow” by Don Stuart
Looking Glass, Gomez from “The Original Human Beings” by Dr. Timothy D. White
Jennifer Jessup, Arthur, Kitty Kat from “Diverging Streams” by Earl L. Carlson
Avalina Rosa Vargas, Renzo from “The Nike Birds” by E.R. Yatscoff
Connor, Coach Sullivan, Luna, Edison, Beau from “Caroline’s Purpose” by Erica Zaborac
Dalia, Dale Hawkins, Sam from “Ponca City Vampires” by Ethan Richards
Cora from “Megalodon” Ethan Richards
Alat, Luna, Erasmus, Ipoletea, Bjorn, Artemis, Arion from “Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
Dominick, Alistair, Ophelia, Vasso from “The Vatra Witch” by G.V. Hext
Hanigart Karull, Yve from “Festival of the Fallen” by Kita Colson
Sylvia May Thompson, Chadwick “Chad” Parker, Lionel from “The Minds of Mortals” by J.R. Castro
Lorna, Hendrix, King Kong from “Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” by John DeGuire
Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson, Emma Hawthorne from “Holiday Spirit 3: Monsters Arise!” by John DeGuire.
TJ Bennett, Sheriff Duane Peterson from “Mirror Image” by Kay Brooks
Catherine Rodante, Violet, Olivia, Noah, Zosk, Lulu, Ellie Rosewood, Shayla Rosewood, Damana Axt from “Elements of Growth” by Keynin Battle
James Carroll, David White Tawit, Sarah, Louisa, Colonel Ebenezer Richmond, William Johnson, Leo Ten Eyck, Caleb Adams from “Passion’s Duty” by Lizzie Jenks
Agent Jericho Woodrow, Scotty Claude, Pearl, Jasper, Boyd Brecker, Madam Minerva, Noose from “The Wickedest Town” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Blaise Arcement, Minna Thorne, Lark Kettler, Tamsin, Kove, Lira, Professor Wilde, Professor Delcroy, Roe’s father from “The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” by Melissa Jean Vallejos
Tera Parse, Amber Kattegat, Zephyr from “A Fragment of Chrome” by Miikka Rautioaho
Janus Rings, Chloe Summers, Venus Syres, Gretchen Gillmore, Muffin from “5 Weeks of Saturn” by Mike J. Kizman
Miss Sweet Cookie Dough / Missy, Mom, Dad, Jenny, Mia, Ms. Lee, Ms. Brown, Erin’s little sister from “Erin’s Journal: 6th-Grade Big Project” by Nathalie Iseli-Chan
Micah, Mira IX / Reina, Orion Devix, the Proxies, Zora’s mother, The Original Zora from “The Algorithm of Us” by S. Page
Marlon Williams, Tasha Williams, JJ Williams from “Shadows of Custody” by Thomas Gates
Erasmus, Francis’s Nephew, Francis’s Grandmother from “The Hermit’s Hut” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Dr. Kevin Lynn, Kepa Lynn, Neil Stengler, Mobi Patel, Maurice, Markus Hunter, Kelly Lenka, Donna Allesski, Gladys Turner from “The Killing Gene” by Victer Hugo Basurco
Sarah Russell, Shawn Russell, Rion’s mom, Coach Moore from “15-Love” by Vincent Russo
Ellis the Elder, Martice, Darshelle, Iesha, Bu from “Order of Light” by W.D. Kilpack III
Hiroko Chan, Lars Christian, Leslie Tangren, Hattie Freeman, Tree Frog Johnson, Lieutenant Kellerman from "Amundsen’s Boat" by Sean Freeman
Agnes / Gram, Charlie, Vince, Ivan, Mushroom from “Danny and the Whale” by Wayne Mahon
Mr. Charlie Harris, Lucas, Strike from “His Eyes” by Mark Charles Powers
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Villain” (WARNING: May Contain Spoilers)
Winner:
Francis Fox from “The Fox and the Garbage War” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Honorable Mentions
Gorgons, President Jean Graham from “Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” by Aaron Ryan
Prince Jonathan of Karis, Mazie from “Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
Lord Evasius, Mouna from “The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
Zinnia Tepper, Yuri from “The Red in the Wrong Profession” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Harold Godwinson from “Therein Lies the Pearl” by Catherine Hughes
Parned from “Young Mole” by C.J. Tripp
Salvius, Jocelyn from “Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
Zindriya from “In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
Major Bailey, Captain Sterling, Major Bennett from “ Echoes of the Forgotten” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Lord Borman, Peer Keltor from “Talismans” by Craig P. Miller
Victor Graves, Morvena Winter, Audrey from “Escala’s Wish” by David James
Caedes, Chevvy Flang from “Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” by Diego Rincon
Lilith, Eleven, Four from “Descartes’ Shadow” by Don Stuart
Mendoza, El Cadejo, the Grizzly Bear from “The Original Human Beings” by Dr. Timothy D. White
Juan Arturo, Herman Alfaro from “The Nike Birds” by E.R. Yatscoff
General Novotny, Jedidiah “Jed” Coopers from “Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” by Elizabeth Horst
Ryan from “Caroline’s Purpose” by Erica Zaborac
The Conductor, R.D. Fane from “Ponca City Vampires” by Ethan Richards
Spinosaurus, Solomon Rabinowitz, Deinosuchus from ”Jurassic Drop Zone” by Ethan Ricards
Victor Harrow, SeaGate, Reverend Harlan Creed, Megalodon from “Megalodon” Ethan Richards
Nimrod, Malchus from “Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
Supay, Lavinia Wildrick, The Council from “The Vatra Witch” by G.V. Hext
Prisari Espire from “Festival of the Fallen” by Kita Colson
Victor, HIM, Mental Illness from “The Minds of Mortals” by J.R. Castro
Cancer from "Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
Bridgett Bishop from “Holiday Spirit” by John DeGuire
Dr. Moreau, Maria Claudia Luminita, The Church of Latter Day Monster Hunters from “Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” by John DeGuire
Professor Moriarty from “Holiday Spirit 3: Monsters Arise!” by John DeGuire
Jack Dougherty, Jacqueline Dougherty from “Clear-Cuts” by Joshua S. Narins
Red-Scarf Serial Killer from “Mirror Image” by Kay Brooks
Lord Valac, Countess Deborah, Abaddon, Korshra, Balam, Abchanchu, Evilyn, Delilah Cecil, the Troll King, the Dark Undead from “Elements of Growth” by Keynin Battle
Jasper, Boyd Brecker from “The Wickedest Town” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Voidrain, Damon Marrone from “A Fragment of Chrome” by Miikka Rautioaho
Wreck’s Monster Family from "Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
EVE / the Algorithm, AETHER from “The Algorithm of Us” by S. Page
Officer Richard Chambers, The Brotherhood, Rosalyn, Vicki, Emily Johnson from “Shadows of Custody” by Thomas Gates
Kay Osborne, Bea Manziano, Carlo Manziano from “A Tragedy of Riches” by Tony Cointreau
Kepa Lynn, Malcolm Lynn, Mr. Beavers / Petr Beveriewics from “The Killing Gene” by Victer Hugo Basurco
Jason Banks from “15-Love” by Vincent Russo
The Vizier, Ichar, Tavish from “Order of Light” by W.D. Kilpack III
Gus Tomlin from "Amundsen's Boat" by Sean Freeman
Josh Vak, the Doxon Boys, the CTA from “Danny and the Whale” by Wayne Mahon
Raphael Barrington, Don Rivendell, Empire Oil from “The Edison Enigma” by Thomas White
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Hottest Character” / “Most Beautiful Character” / “Most Handsome Character”
Winner:
Faith Richmond from “Passion’s Duty” by Lizzie Jenks
Honorable Mentions:
Elena Manziano / Elena Zimmerman from “A Tragedy of Riches” by Tony Cointreau
Marceline, Kaden from “Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
Louise Prescott from “The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
Malcolm, Simon, Margaret from “Therein Lies the Pearl” by Catherine Hughes
Eli, Saffron, Jocelyn from “Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
Abby from “Framed in Love” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Salena from “Talismans” by Craig P. Miller
Calla, Bastius from “Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” by Diego Rincon
Avalina Rosa Vargas from “The Nike Birds” by E.R. Yatscoff
Lucy Dalton, Sayeed, Luigi, Regina from “Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” by Elizabeth Horst
Caroline, Connor from “Caroline’s Purpose” by Erica Zaborac
Sylvia from “The Minds of Mortals” by J.R. Castro
Ancilla from “Ancilla” by Sera Maddox Drake
Catherine Rodante, Lulu from “Elements of Growth” by Keynin Battle
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Cutest Character”
Winners:
Mole from “Young Mole” by C.J. Tripp
Wreck from "Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" by Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
Belle Bear, Baba Bear from “The Adventures of Belle Bear” by Kathy Guillory; Honorable Mention: Ginny the Giraffe
Honorable Mentions:
All the animals from “Hide and Seek with European Animals” by Anna Finch
Pete the Potato Bug, Davey the Dung Beetle, Walter the Earthworm, Cate the Butterfly from "Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
Chrissy from “Finding Chrissy” by Crystal Hoban, Illustrated by Anthony Richichi
Maat from “All the Stars as Angels” by David Falk
Gwenni, Dragon from “Egg Hunter” by Kiara Falk, David Falk, and Lagomorph Rampant Studios
Floo, Peanut, Lucky Lou from “Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue” by David Gillespie
Sammy from “Tailless Trials: Sammy’s Voyage to a New Home” by Debra Siraco, Zareen Wilhelm
Vambosh from “Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” by Diego Rincon
Kitty Kat from “Diverging Streams” by Earl L. Carlson
Luna, Edison, Beau from “Caroline’s Purpose” by Erica Zaborac
Rhino/Dad from “Rhino” by Jack DiSanto
Muffin from “5 Weeks of Saturn” by Mike J. Kizman
Miss Sweet Cookie Dough / Missy from “Erin’s Journal: 6th-Grade Big Project” by Nathalie Iseli-Chan
Mable from “Wagon of Worries” Ruthie Godfrey
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Dynamic Duo”
Winners:
Stella Cassidy & Jericho Woodrow from “The Wickedest Town” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Sola & Karull from “Festival of the Fallen” by Kita Colson
Per Steindal & Lu Chan from "Amundsen’s Boat" by Sean Freeman
Honorable Mentions:
Jet & Allison from “Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” by Aaron Ryan
Marceline & Kaden from “Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
Kurian & Rhys Brock, Evasius & Mouna from “The Treasure of Capric” Brandon Wilborn
Kyle & Jake from “Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” by Dr. Christian Kueng
Ink & Fiona from “The Case Against Jasper” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Tom & Lori from “The Edison Enigma” by Thomas White
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Couple”
Winners:
Danny & Mia from “Danny and the Whale” by Wayne Mahon
Caroline & Connor from “Caroline’s Purpose” by Erica Zaborac
Lucas & Avalina from “The Nike Birds” by E.R. Yatscoff
Honorable Mentions:
Marceline & Kaden from “Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
Kurian & Louise from “The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
Brick & Tish from “In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
David & Abby from “Framed in Love” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Haskell & Jennifer from “Diverging Streams” by Earl L. Carlson
Regina & Luigi, Lady Honora & Lord Archibald, Bekah & Sayeed from “Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” by Elizabeth Horst
Tiras & Luna from “Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
Sera & Vasso from “The Vatra Witch” by G.V. Hext
Jasper & Sylvia from “The Minds of Mortals” by J.R. Castro
Saul Frankenstein & Lorna from “Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” by John DeGuire
Faith Richmond & James Carroll from “Passion’s Duty” by Lizzie Jenks.
Sparrow “Roe” Kettler & Blaise Arcement from “The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” by Melissa Jean Vallejos
Natharr & Darshelle from “Order of Light” by W.D. Kilpack III
Rion & Shawn from “15-Love” by Vincent Russo
Saturn O Syres & Janus Rings, Venus Syres & Eric Brown from “5 Weeks of Saturn” by Mike J. Kizman
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Coolest Character”
Winners:
Artemis from “Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
Stella Cassidy from “The Wickedest Town” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Abigail from “Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” by Elizabeth Horst
Honorable Mentions:
Sergeant Cameron “Jet” Shipley from “Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” by Aaron Ryan
Gideon from “The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
Eli from “Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
Brick from “In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
Maeve, Damon from “Talismans” by Craig P. Miller
Natharr from “Order of Light” by W.D. Kilpack III
Lucas from “The Nike Birds” by E.R. Yatscoff
Lu Chan from "Amundsen's Boat" by Sean Freeman
Corren Vega / Psyche from “A Fragment of Chrome” by Miikka Rautioaho.
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Illustrated”
Winner:
“Hide and Seek with European Animals” by Anna Finch, Illustrated by Andreea Balcan
Honorable Mentions:
"Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
“Bubble Gum Rocks” by Amber Berkowitz, Illustrated by Timna Green
“Nanise’: A Navajo Herbal- One Hundred Plants from the Navajo Reservation” by Barbara Bayless Lacy, Vernon O. Mayes, Illustrated by Jack Ahasteen and Jason Chee
“Young Mole” by C.J. Tripp, Illustrated by Sara Alaska Hamblin
“Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” by Dr. Christian Kueng, Illustrated by Nana Melkadze
“Finding Chrissy” by Crystal Hoban, Illustrated by Anthony Richichi
“Rhino” by Jack DiSanto, Illustrated by Alana McCarthy
“The Adventures of Belle Bear” by Kathy Guillory, Illustrated by Nathalie Ortega
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Narrated”
Winners:
“The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn, Narrated by the Author
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
"Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
"A Little Monsters Book Trailer: The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy" Written by Linda Harkey, Illustrated by Mike Minick, Narrated by Immy Dymott, Produced by Linda Radke, Directed by Zachary Simpson, Paula Hurd (Production Coordinator), Studio Story Monster, Story Monster Press
Honorable Mention:
“The Original Human Beings” by Dr. Timothy D. White, Narrated by Yareli Arizmendi
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Quote” / “Best Passage”
Winners:
“Don’t let the world that hurt you be the world that makes you.”
- Wayne Mahon, from “Danny and the Whale”
“What’s in the well comes up in the bucket” / "...sometimes the most gracious thing God can do is let the house you’re building collapse before it collapses on you and those you love."
-Jason Jacobus, from “Realigned”
Honorable Mentions:
“If you want a team that moves mountains, stop being the boulder at the top. Let others reach the summit. When you share the mic, you start a movement, not a monologue. “ / “I’ll level with you: In my first few rounds with crisis, I thought 'leadership' meant bringing thunder. I scheduled emergency meetings, raised my voice, powered through stress by dialing up the intensity, thinking that if I just fought harder, I could force things back into place, but chaos doesn’t bow to aggression; it feeds off it. Most of the time, all I did was turn a storm into a hurricane. My team didn’t need a bigger weather system; they needed a lighthouse." / “Cast fire, not fog, because nobody gets moving for something they can barely see; they run for what sets them ablaze.”
- Antawn Knight, from “L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD”
"Rediscovery opens a door, but only active protection keeps it from closing." / “Their survival depends on more than just research and policy. It depends on awareness, which grows when people can see what they stand to lose. Photography gives these species a voice when their numbers are too small to speak.”
- Anthony Lujan, from “Endangered Hummingbirds”
“It is equality pressed so flat that it starts to feel like erasure.”
- Carolyn Summer Quinn, from “The Red in the Wrong Profession”
"Kids don't make the movies, they don't write the books, They don't paint gay pictures of gangsters and crooks, They don't make the liquor, they don't run the bars, They don't make the law and they don't sell the cars, They don't peddle the drugs that addle the brain, That's all done by older folks greedy for gain. Delinquent teenagers, Oh how we condemn The sins of the nation and blame it on them. By the laws of the blameless the Savior made known, Who is there among us to cast the first stone? For in so many cases (it's sad but it's true), The title 'delinquent' fits older folks too."
- From “The Last Word: A Treasury of Women’s Quotes” by Carolyn Warner, Attributed to Margaret Hogan
“If you play to win, make sure those you defeat still have something to show for their efforts, so they can remain your friends off the field.”
- C.J. Tripp, from “Young Mole”
“Unthinkable actions come from unthinkable thoughts.”
- David Falk, from “All the Stars as Angels”
“Children do not just need programs. They need people.”
- Dwight David Croy, from “God’s Focus on the Fatherless”
“This is your life. Your only life. You can spend it floating toward a destination you never wanted. Or you can decide what matters to you and swim for it. Deliberately. Defiantly. Starting now.”
- Henk Pretorius, PhD, from “Rational Defiance”
“An individual who has vision will create a life of purpose and meaning designed around that vision.”
- Mark Parrish, from “The Golden Blueprint”
“Chris this is stupid; I think you’ll like it!”
- Chris Cebula, from “Fantastic!: A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who” Nicholas Seidler et al.
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Cover”
Winner:
“In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
Honorable Mentions:
“Mirror Image” by Kay Brooks
“Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
“Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Fiction)”
Winner:
“Soldiers in the Sandbox” by Scott Metcalf
Honorable Mention:
“Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
“The Wickedest Town” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
“The Algorithm of Us” by S. Page
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Non-Fiction)”
Winners:
“Becoming Badass” by Margie Goldsmith
“The Golden Blueprint” by Mark Parrish
Honorable Mentions:
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” by Antawn Knight
“Rainbow Gold” by David Hampson
“Realigned” Jason Jacobus
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Research”
Winners:
“Endangered Hummingbirds” by Anthony Lujan
“Nanise’: A Navajo Herbal- One Hundred Plants from the Navajo Reservation” by Barbara Bayless Lacy, Vernon O. Mayes
Honorable Mentions:
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” by Antawn Knight
"Common Wisdom: 8 Scientific Elements of a Meaningful Life" by Dr. Laura Gabayan
“The Red in the Wrong Profession” Carolyn Summer Quinn
“Therein Lies the Pearl” by Catherine Hughes
“The Legacy of the Twins Platoon” by Christy Sauro Jr.
“Animal Conquest” by David Bush
“Rainbow Gold” by David Hampson
“Trauma-Informed Teaching” by Dr. Annise Mabry
“The Permission Mission” by Dr. Cindy McGovern
“Rational Defiance” by Henk Pretorius, PhD
“Unapologetic Wealth” by Marcia Dawood
"Amundsen’s Boat" by Sean Freeman
"Nurse Dorothea Presents: Not Taking People and Things for Granted" by Michael Dow
"Nurse Florence, What is Muscular Dystrophy?" by Michael Dow
“Fantastic!: A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who” by Nicholas Seidler et al.
"Apricot Tree Academy Dyslexia Intervention Workbook, Level 1" by Sandra Dallon, Apricot Tree Academy
“When Women Get Sick” by Rebecca Bloom
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best World-Building”
Winners:
“Festival of the Fallen” by Kita Colson
“Order of Light” by W.D. Kilpack III
Honorable Mentions:
“Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
“The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
“Therein Lies the Pearl” by Catherine Hughes
“Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
“In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
“Framed in Love” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
“Talismans” by Craig P. Miller
“Animal Conquest” by David Bush
“All the Stars as Angels” by David Falk
“Escala’s Wish” by David James
“The Original Human Beings” by Dr. Timothy D. White
“Diverging Streams” by Earl L. Carlson
“Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
“Elements of Growth” by Keynin Battle
“The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” by Melissa Jean Vallejos
“Danny and the Whale” by Wayne Mahon
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Character”
Winners:
Lucas Horne from “The Nike Birds” by E.R. Yatscoff
Sergeant Alex Vance from “Soldiers in the Sandbox” by Scott Metcalf
Caroline from “Caroline’s Purpose” by Erica Zaborac
Honorable Mention:
Sergeant Cameron “Jet” Shipley from “Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” by Aaron Ryan
Avery, Arianna, Ainsley from “Bubble Gum Rocks” by Amber Berkowitz
Marceline, Kaden from “Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
Kurian from “The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
Spencer Wynne, Cecily Wynne, Zinnia from “The Red in the Wrong Profession” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Cate from "Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
Celia from “Therein Lies the Pearl” by Catherine Hughes
Mole from “Young Mole” by C.J. Tripp
Eli from “Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
Kyle from “Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” by Dr. Christian Kueng
Thomas Patch from “A Pirate’s Life for Me, A Pirate's Life Indeed!” by Christopher David James
Brick from “In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
Jasper, Ink, Fiona from “The Case Against Jasper” Dr. Clifton Wilcox
David from “Framed in Love” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Luke Dawson, Lieutenant Talbot from “Echoes of the Forgotten” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Ross Cambridge from “Talismans” by Craig P. Miller
Crystal, Crissy from “Finding Chrissy” by Crystal Hoban, Illustrated by Anthony Richichi
Jean, Pandora from “Animal Conquest” by David Bush
Niva, Pierre from “All the Stars as Angels” by David Falk
Gwenni from “Egg Hunter” by Kiara Falk, David Falk, and Lagomorph Rampant Studios
Floo, Peanut, Lucky Lou from “Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue” by David Gillespie
Escala Winter from “Escala’s Wish” by David James
Sammy, Tangerine from “Tailless Trials: Sammy’s Voyage to a New Home” by Debra Siraco, Zareen Wilhelm
Bastius Bloome from “Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” by Diego Rincon
Patrice C-17 from “Descartes’ Shadow” by Don Stuart
Never/Basura from “The Original Human Beings” by Dr. Timothy D. White
Haskell Yngren from “Diverging Streams” by Earl L. Carlson
Rosalyn Novotny, Regina Zambino, Lizaveta/Liza, Caroline Sentry, Luigi, Lady Honora, Lord Archibald, Bekah, Sayeed from “Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” by Elizabeth Horst
Henry Harding from “Ponca City Vampires” by Ethan Richards
Lt. Theodore “Teddy” Loomis from ”Jurassic Drop Zone” by Ethan Ricards
Eerie Ebenezer from “Megalodon” Ethan Richards
Tiras from “Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
Seraphina “Sera” Wildrick from “The Vatra Witch” by G.V. Hext
Sola Lior from “Festival of the Fallen” by Kita Colson
Jasper Colin Sarcassia from “The Minds of Mortals” by J.R. Castro
Rhino/Dad from “Rhino” by Jack DiSanto
Jamie from "Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
Count Dracula, Aoife, Ralph/ Dr. Ellison/The Invisible Man, Saul Frankenstein, Annie, Emma from “Holiday Spirit” by John DeGuire
Aoife, Saul Frankenstein, Count Dracula from “Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” by John DeGuire
Count Dracula, Dr. Ralph Ellison/The Invisible Man, Aoife, Saul Frankenstein, Emma Hawthorne from “Holiday Spirit 3: Monsters Arise!” by John DeGuire
Michael Dougherty from “Clear-Cuts” by Joshua S. Narins
Belle Bear, Baba Bear from “The Adventures of Belle Bear” by Kathy Guillory
Abigail “Abby” Adams, Isabella from “Mirror Image” by Kay Brooks
Keith Cottam from “Elements of Growth” by Keynin Battle
Faith Richmond from “Passion’s Duty” by Lizzie Jenks
Stella Cassidy from “The Wickedest Town” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Sparrow “Roe” Kettler from “The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” by Melissa Jean Vallejos
Nurse Dorothea from "Nurse Dorothea Presents: Not Taking People and Things for Granted" by Michael Dow
Nurse Florence from "Nurse Florence, What is Muscular Dystrophy?" by Michael Dow
Corren Vega / Psyche from “A Fragment of Chrome” by Miikka Rautioaho
Saturn O Syres from “5 Weeks of Saturn” by Mike J. Kizman
Erin from “Erin’s Journal: 6th-Grade Big Project” by Nathalie Iseli-Chan
Mable from “Wagon of Worries” by Ruthie Godfrey
Brunt, Eggbert, Astrid, Wreck from "Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
Ancilla, Magister from “Ancilla” by Sera Maddox Drake
Zora Ellin / Reyna from “The Algorithm of Us” by S. Page
Delores Williams, Emily Johnson, Sam Porter from “Shadows of Custody” by Thomas Gates
Elena Manziano / Elena Zimmerman from “A Tragedy of Riches” by Tony Cointreau
Francis from “The Hermit’s Hut” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Dr. Tatyana Mirzo, Dr. Howard Kensington, Maggie Rally from “The Killing Gene” by Victer Hugo Basurco
Rion Miller from “15-Love” by Vincent Russo
Natharr, Nathan from “Order of Light” by W.D. Kilpack III
Danny Daurio, Mia Mendoza, RJ Janetti from “Danny and the Whale” by Wayne Mahon
Lu Chan, Per Steindal from "Amundsen’s Boat" by Sean Freeman
Michael Judson, Susan Judson from “His Eyes” by Mark Charles Powers
Dr. Tom Edison from “The Edison Enigma” by Thomas White
Francis Fox from “The Fox and the Garbage War” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Supporting Character”
Winners:
Emma Fitzgerald Livingstone from “The Edison Enigma” by Thomas White; Honorable Mention: Dr. Lori Pellitier
Abby from “Framed in Love” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Linda Lupo, William the Wolf from “The Fox and the Garbage War” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Honorable Mentions:
Allison Trudy from “Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” by Aaron Ryan
Uncle Timmy from “Bubble Gum Rocks” by Amber Berkowitz
Raven, Captain Hortensio, Scrunge, Rosie, Rava, Hestiel from “Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
Louise Prescott, Rhys Brock, Tobin, Gideon from “The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
Preston Wynne from “The Red in the Wrong Profession” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Pete the Potato Bug, Davey the Dung Beetle, Walter the Earthworm, Queen Bee Kira from "Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
Simon, Gerhard, Margaret, Vivienne, Edgar, Philippe, Matilda, Father Joseph from “Therein Lies the Pearl” by Catherine Hughes
Mother Mole, Father Mole, Nightcrawler, Snail from “Young Mole” by C.J. Tripp
Jughead, Saffron from “Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
Mom, Jake from “Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” by Dr. Christian Kueng
Tubby, Stix, Simon from “A Pirate’s Life for Me, A Pirate's Life Indeed!” by Christopher David James
Tish, Mara from “In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
Sergeant Clarke from “ Echoes of the Forgotten” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Maeve, Damon from “Talismans” by Craig P. Miller
Mooki, Willow, Shorty, Jason, Cricket from “Egg Hunter” by Kiara Falk, David Falk, and Lagomorph Rampant Studios
Wigfrith, Roedyn, Harper, Sticky, Rowan, Teresa from “Escala’s Wish” by David James
Tristian Carlyle, Princess Olivia, Gilles Galliard from “Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” by Diego Rincon
Frye-Carver, Eduardo Avila from “Descartes’ Shadow” by Don Stuart
Looking Glass, Gomez from “The Original Human Beings” by Dr. Timothy D. White
Jennifer Jessup, Arthur, Kitty Kat from “Diverging Streams” by Earl L. Carlson
Avalina Rosa Vargas, Renzo from “The Nike Birds” by E.R. Yatscoff
Connor, Coach Sullivan, Luna, Edison, Beau from “Caroline’s Purpose” by Erica Zaborac
Dalia, Dale Hawkins, Sam from “Ponca City Vampires” by Ethan Richards
Cora from “Megalodon” Ethan Richards
Alat, Luna, Erasmus, Ipoletea, Bjorn, Artemis, Arion from “Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
Dominick, Alistair, Ophelia, Vasso from “The Vatra Witch” by G.V. Hext
Hanigart Karull, Yve from “Festival of the Fallen” by Kita Colson
Sylvia May Thompson, Chadwick “Chad” Parker, Lionel from “The Minds of Mortals” by J.R. Castro
Lorna, Hendrix, King Kong from “Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” by John DeGuire
Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson, Emma Hawthorne from “Holiday Spirit 3: Monsters Arise!” by John DeGuire.
TJ Bennett, Sheriff Duane Peterson from “Mirror Image” by Kay Brooks
Catherine Rodante, Violet, Olivia, Noah, Zosk, Lulu, Ellie Rosewood, Shayla Rosewood, Damana Axt from “Elements of Growth” by Keynin Battle
James Carroll, David White Tawit, Sarah, Louisa, Colonel Ebenezer Richmond, William Johnson, Leo Ten Eyck, Caleb Adams from “Passion’s Duty” by Lizzie Jenks
Agent Jericho Woodrow, Scotty Claude, Pearl, Jasper, Boyd Brecker, Madam Minerva, Noose from “The Wickedest Town” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Blaise Arcement, Minna Thorne, Lark Kettler, Tamsin, Kove, Lira, Professor Wilde, Professor Delcroy, Roe’s father from “The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” by Melissa Jean Vallejos
Tera Parse, Amber Kattegat, Zephyr from “A Fragment of Chrome” by Miikka Rautioaho
Janus Rings, Chloe Summers, Venus Syres, Gretchen Gillmore, Muffin from “5 Weeks of Saturn” by Mike J. Kizman
Miss Sweet Cookie Dough / Missy, Mom, Dad, Jenny, Mia, Ms. Lee, Ms. Brown, Erin’s little sister from “Erin’s Journal: 6th-Grade Big Project” by Nathalie Iseli-Chan
Micah, Mira IX / Reina, Orion Devix, the Proxies, Zora’s mother, The Original Zora from “The Algorithm of Us” by S. Page
Marlon Williams, Tasha Williams, JJ Williams from “Shadows of Custody” by Thomas Gates
Erasmus, Francis’s Nephew, Francis’s Grandmother from “The Hermit’s Hut” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Dr. Kevin Lynn, Kepa Lynn, Neil Stengler, Mobi Patel, Maurice, Markus Hunter, Kelly Lenka, Donna Allesski, Gladys Turner from “The Killing Gene” by Victer Hugo Basurco
Sarah Russell, Shawn Russell, Rion’s mom, Coach Moore from “15-Love” by Vincent Russo
Ellis the Elder, Martice, Darshelle, Iesha, Bu from “Order of Light” by W.D. Kilpack III
Hiroko Chan, Lars Christian, Leslie Tangren, Hattie Freeman, Tree Frog Johnson, Lieutenant Kellerman from "Amundsen’s Boat" by Sean Freeman
Agnes / Gram, Charlie, Vince, Ivan, Mushroom from “Danny and the Whale” by Wayne Mahon
Mr. Charlie Harris, Lucas, Strike from “His Eyes” by Mark Charles Powers
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Villain” (WARNING: May Contain Spoilers)
Winner:
Francis Fox from “The Fox and the Garbage War” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Honorable Mentions
Gorgons, President Jean Graham from “Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” by Aaron Ryan
Prince Jonathan of Karis, Mazie from “Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
Lord Evasius, Mouna from “The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
Zinnia Tepper, Yuri from “The Red in the Wrong Profession” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Harold Godwinson from “Therein Lies the Pearl” by Catherine Hughes
Parned from “Young Mole” by C.J. Tripp
Salvius, Jocelyn from “Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
Zindriya from “In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
Major Bailey, Captain Sterling, Major Bennett from “ Echoes of the Forgotten” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Lord Borman, Peer Keltor from “Talismans” by Craig P. Miller
Victor Graves, Morvena Winter, Audrey from “Escala’s Wish” by David James
Caedes, Chevvy Flang from “Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” by Diego Rincon
Lilith, Eleven, Four from “Descartes’ Shadow” by Don Stuart
Mendoza, El Cadejo, the Grizzly Bear from “The Original Human Beings” by Dr. Timothy D. White
Juan Arturo, Herman Alfaro from “The Nike Birds” by E.R. Yatscoff
General Novotny, Jedidiah “Jed” Coopers from “Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” by Elizabeth Horst
Ryan from “Caroline’s Purpose” by Erica Zaborac
The Conductor, R.D. Fane from “Ponca City Vampires” by Ethan Richards
Spinosaurus, Solomon Rabinowitz, Deinosuchus from ”Jurassic Drop Zone” by Ethan Ricards
Victor Harrow, SeaGate, Reverend Harlan Creed, Megalodon from “Megalodon” Ethan Richards
Nimrod, Malchus from “Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
Supay, Lavinia Wildrick, The Council from “The Vatra Witch” by G.V. Hext
Prisari Espire from “Festival of the Fallen” by Kita Colson
Victor, HIM, Mental Illness from “The Minds of Mortals” by J.R. Castro
Cancer from "Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
Bridgett Bishop from “Holiday Spirit” by John DeGuire
Dr. Moreau, Maria Claudia Luminita, The Church of Latter Day Monster Hunters from “Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” by John DeGuire
Professor Moriarty from “Holiday Spirit 3: Monsters Arise!” by John DeGuire
Jack Dougherty, Jacqueline Dougherty from “Clear-Cuts” by Joshua S. Narins
Red-Scarf Serial Killer from “Mirror Image” by Kay Brooks
Lord Valac, Countess Deborah, Abaddon, Korshra, Balam, Abchanchu, Evilyn, Delilah Cecil, the Troll King, the Dark Undead from “Elements of Growth” by Keynin Battle
Jasper, Boyd Brecker from “The Wickedest Town” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Voidrain, Damon Marrone from “A Fragment of Chrome” by Miikka Rautioaho
Wreck’s Monster Family from "Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
EVE / the Algorithm, AETHER from “The Algorithm of Us” by S. Page
Officer Richard Chambers, The Brotherhood, Rosalyn, Vicki, Emily Johnson from “Shadows of Custody” by Thomas Gates
Kay Osborne, Bea Manziano, Carlo Manziano from “A Tragedy of Riches” by Tony Cointreau
Kepa Lynn, Malcolm Lynn, Mr. Beavers / Petr Beveriewics from “The Killing Gene” by Victer Hugo Basurco
Jason Banks from “15-Love” by Vincent Russo
The Vizier, Ichar, Tavish from “Order of Light” by W.D. Kilpack III
Gus Tomlin from "Amundsen's Boat" by Sean Freeman
Josh Vak, the Doxon Boys, the CTA from “Danny and the Whale” by Wayne Mahon
Raphael Barrington, Don Rivendell, Empire Oil from “The Edison Enigma” by Thomas White
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Hottest Character” / “Most Beautiful Character” / “Most Handsome Character”
Winner:
Faith Richmond from “Passion’s Duty” by Lizzie Jenks
Honorable Mentions:
Elena Manziano / Elena Zimmerman from “A Tragedy of Riches” by Tony Cointreau
Marceline, Kaden from “Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
Louise Prescott from “The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
Malcolm, Simon, Margaret from “Therein Lies the Pearl” by Catherine Hughes
Eli, Saffron, Jocelyn from “Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
Abby from “Framed in Love” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Salena from “Talismans” by Craig P. Miller
Calla, Bastius from “Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” by Diego Rincon
Avalina Rosa Vargas from “The Nike Birds” by E.R. Yatscoff
Lucy Dalton, Sayeed, Luigi, Regina from “Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” by Elizabeth Horst
Caroline, Connor from “Caroline’s Purpose” by Erica Zaborac
Sylvia from “The Minds of Mortals” by J.R. Castro
Ancilla from “Ancilla” by Sera Maddox Drake
Catherine Rodante, Lulu from “Elements of Growth” by Keynin Battle
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Cutest Character”
Winners:
Mole from “Young Mole” by C.J. Tripp
Wreck from "Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" by Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
Belle Bear, Baba Bear from “The Adventures of Belle Bear” by Kathy Guillory; Honorable Mention: Ginny the Giraffe
Honorable Mentions:
All the animals from “Hide and Seek with European Animals” by Anna Finch
Pete the Potato Bug, Davey the Dung Beetle, Walter the Earthworm, Cate the Butterfly from "Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
Chrissy from “Finding Chrissy” by Crystal Hoban, Illustrated by Anthony Richichi
Maat from “All the Stars as Angels” by David Falk
Gwenni, Dragon from “Egg Hunter” by Kiara Falk, David Falk, and Lagomorph Rampant Studios
Floo, Peanut, Lucky Lou from “Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue” by David Gillespie
Sammy from “Tailless Trials: Sammy’s Voyage to a New Home” by Debra Siraco, Zareen Wilhelm
Vambosh from “Hero Dawn: The Shadow of Peace” by Diego Rincon
Kitty Kat from “Diverging Streams” by Earl L. Carlson
Luna, Edison, Beau from “Caroline’s Purpose” by Erica Zaborac
Rhino/Dad from “Rhino” by Jack DiSanto
Muffin from “5 Weeks of Saturn” by Mike J. Kizman
Miss Sweet Cookie Dough / Missy from “Erin’s Journal: 6th-Grade Big Project” by Nathalie Iseli-Chan
Mable from “Wagon of Worries” Ruthie Godfrey
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Dynamic Duo”
Winners:
Stella Cassidy & Jericho Woodrow from “The Wickedest Town” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Sola & Karull from “Festival of the Fallen” by Kita Colson
Per Steindal & Lu Chan from "Amundsen’s Boat" by Sean Freeman
Honorable Mentions:
Jet & Allison from “Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” by Aaron Ryan
Marceline & Kaden from “Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
Kurian & Rhys Brock, Evasius & Mouna from “The Treasure of Capric” Brandon Wilborn
Kyle & Jake from “Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” by Dr. Christian Kueng
Ink & Fiona from “The Case Against Jasper” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Tom & Lori from “The Edison Enigma” by Thomas White
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Couple”
Winners:
Danny & Mia from “Danny and the Whale” by Wayne Mahon
Caroline & Connor from “Caroline’s Purpose” by Erica Zaborac
Lucas & Avalina from “The Nike Birds” by E.R. Yatscoff
Honorable Mentions:
Marceline & Kaden from “Princess of Illusion” by Ashley Chapman
Kurian & Louise from “The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
Brick & Tish from “In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
David & Abby from “Framed in Love” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Haskell & Jennifer from “Diverging Streams” by Earl L. Carlson
Regina & Luigi, Lady Honora & Lord Archibald, Bekah & Sayeed from “Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” by Elizabeth Horst
Tiras & Luna from “Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
Sera & Vasso from “The Vatra Witch” by G.V. Hext
Jasper & Sylvia from “The Minds of Mortals” by J.R. Castro
Saul Frankenstein & Lorna from “Holiday Spirit 2: Destroy All Monsters” by John DeGuire
Faith Richmond & James Carroll from “Passion’s Duty” by Lizzie Jenks.
Sparrow “Roe” Kettler & Blaise Arcement from “The Thirteenth Cagebreaker” by Melissa Jean Vallejos
Natharr & Darshelle from “Order of Light” by W.D. Kilpack III
Rion & Shawn from “15-Love” by Vincent Russo
Saturn O Syres & Janus Rings, Venus Syres & Eric Brown from “5 Weeks of Saturn” by Mike J. Kizman
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Coolest Character”
Winners:
Artemis from “Children of Angels” by Faith MacGregor
Stella Cassidy from “The Wickedest Town” by McKenzie Catron-Pichan
Abigail from “Faithless Friends and Replacement Lovers” by Elizabeth Horst
Honorable Mentions:
Sergeant Cameron “Jet” Shipley from “Dissonance Volume 1: Reality” by Aaron Ryan
Gideon from “The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn
Eli from “Souls of Fate: The Paladin’s Rebirth” by Charlie Davis
Brick from “In the Ghost’s Shadow” by Clifton Brown
Maeve, Damon from “Talismans” by Craig P. Miller
Natharr from “Order of Light” by W.D. Kilpack III
Lucas from “The Nike Birds” by E.R. Yatscoff
Lu Chan from "Amundsen's Boat" by Sean Freeman
Corren Vega / Psyche from “A Fragment of Chrome” by Miikka Rautioaho.
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Illustrated”
Winner:
“Hide and Seek with European Animals” by Anna Finch, Illustrated by Andreea Balcan
Honorable Mentions:
"Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck!" Jeff Dorrill, Illustrated by Angeles Peinador
“Bubble Gum Rocks” by Amber Berkowitz, Illustrated by Timna Green
“Nanise’: A Navajo Herbal- One Hundred Plants from the Navajo Reservation” by Barbara Bayless Lacy, Vernon O. Mayes, Illustrated by Jack Ahasteen and Jason Chee
“Young Mole” by C.J. Tripp, Illustrated by Sara Alaska Hamblin
“Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” by Dr. Christian Kueng, Illustrated by Nana Melkadze
“Finding Chrissy” by Crystal Hoban, Illustrated by Anthony Richichi
“Rhino” by Jack DiSanto, Illustrated by Alana McCarthy
“The Adventures of Belle Bear” by Kathy Guillory, Illustrated by Nathalie Ortega
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Narrated”
Winners:
“The Treasure of Capric” by Brandon Wilborn, Narrated by the Author
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: A Little Monsters Read-Along Audiobook" Written by Betsy Coffeen, Narrated by Heidi Immler, Linda Radke (Executive Producer), Zachary Simpson (Sound Design, Music, and Direction), Studio Story Monster, Paperback Illustrated by Ginger Seehafer
"Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling" by Sharon Wozny, Narrated by Stewart Joiner Davis, Illustrated by Melissa Bailey, Studio Story Monster
"A Little Monsters Book Trailer: The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy" Written by Linda Harkey, Illustrated by Mike Minick, Narrated by Immy Dymott, Produced by Linda Radke, Directed by Zachary Simpson, Paula Hurd (Production Coordinator), Studio Story Monster, Story Monster Press
Honorable Mention:
“The Original Human Beings” by Dr. Timothy D. White, Narrated by Yareli Arizmendi
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Quote” / “Best Passage”
Winners:
“Don’t let the world that hurt you be the world that makes you.”
- Wayne Mahon, from “Danny and the Whale”
“What’s in the well comes up in the bucket” / "...sometimes the most gracious thing God can do is let the house you’re building collapse before it collapses on you and those you love."
-Jason Jacobus, from “Realigned”
Honorable Mentions:
“If you want a team that moves mountains, stop being the boulder at the top. Let others reach the summit. When you share the mic, you start a movement, not a monologue. “ / “I’ll level with you: In my first few rounds with crisis, I thought 'leadership' meant bringing thunder. I scheduled emergency meetings, raised my voice, powered through stress by dialing up the intensity, thinking that if I just fought harder, I could force things back into place, but chaos doesn’t bow to aggression; it feeds off it. Most of the time, all I did was turn a storm into a hurricane. My team didn’t need a bigger weather system; they needed a lighthouse." / “Cast fire, not fog, because nobody gets moving for something they can barely see; they run for what sets them ablaze.”
- Antawn Knight, from “L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD”
"Rediscovery opens a door, but only active protection keeps it from closing." / “Their survival depends on more than just research and policy. It depends on awareness, which grows when people can see what they stand to lose. Photography gives these species a voice when their numbers are too small to speak.”
- Anthony Lujan, from “Endangered Hummingbirds”
“It is equality pressed so flat that it starts to feel like erasure.”
- Carolyn Summer Quinn, from “The Red in the Wrong Profession”
"Kids don't make the movies, they don't write the books, They don't paint gay pictures of gangsters and crooks, They don't make the liquor, they don't run the bars, They don't make the law and they don't sell the cars, They don't peddle the drugs that addle the brain, That's all done by older folks greedy for gain. Delinquent teenagers, Oh how we condemn The sins of the nation and blame it on them. By the laws of the blameless the Savior made known, Who is there among us to cast the first stone? For in so many cases (it's sad but it's true), The title 'delinquent' fits older folks too."
- From “The Last Word: A Treasury of Women’s Quotes” by Carolyn Warner, Attributed to Margaret Hogan
“If you play to win, make sure those you defeat still have something to show for their efforts, so they can remain your friends off the field.”
- C.J. Tripp, from “Young Mole”
“Unthinkable actions come from unthinkable thoughts.”
- David Falk, from “All the Stars as Angels”
“Children do not just need programs. They need people.”
- Dwight David Croy, from “God’s Focus on the Fatherless”
“This is your life. Your only life. You can spend it floating toward a destination you never wanted. Or you can decide what matters to you and swim for it. Deliberately. Defiantly. Starting now.”
- Henk Pretorius, PhD, from “Rational Defiance”
“An individual who has vision will create a life of purpose and meaning designed around that vision.”
- Mark Parrish, from “The Golden Blueprint”
“Chris this is stupid; I think you’ll like it!”
- Chris Cebula, from “Fantastic!: A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who” Nicholas Seidler et al.
ULTIMATE CHAMPIONS
OCA Ultimate Championship Belt Winner
“Becoming Badass” by Margie Goldsmith
OCA Ultimate Championship Trophy Winners
“The Golden Blueprint” by Mark Parrish
“The Legacy of the Twins Platoon” by Christy Sauro Jr.
“Rainbow Gold” by David Hampson
“Soldiers in the Sandbox” by Scott Metcalf
“AMB Kids Books” by Amber Berkowitz
“Hide and Seek with European Animals” by Anna Finch, Illustrated by Andreea Balcan
“A Gift of Love” by Tony Cointreau
“Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” by Dr. Christian Kueng
“The Adventures of Belle Bear” by Kathy Guillory, Illustrated by Nathalie Ortega
“His Eyes” by Mark Charles Powers
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” by Antawn Knight
Dr. Tuula Pere for "The Hermit's Hut" & "The Fox and the Garbage War"
OCA Ultimate Championship Belt Winner
“Becoming Badass” by Margie Goldsmith
OCA Ultimate Championship Trophy Winners
“The Golden Blueprint” by Mark Parrish
“The Legacy of the Twins Platoon” by Christy Sauro Jr.
“Rainbow Gold” by David Hampson
“Soldiers in the Sandbox” by Scott Metcalf
“AMB Kids Books” by Amber Berkowitz
“Hide and Seek with European Animals” by Anna Finch, Illustrated by Andreea Balcan
“A Gift of Love” by Tony Cointreau
“Kyle and His Pal Jake: What a Duo These Two Make!” by Dr. Christian Kueng
“The Adventures of Belle Bear” by Kathy Guillory, Illustrated by Nathalie Ortega
“His Eyes” by Mark Charles Powers
“L.E.A.D. OUT LOUD” by Antawn Knight
Dr. Tuula Pere for "The Hermit's Hut" & "The Fox and the Garbage War"
Congratulations to all of our new and returning Outstanding Creator Awards winners!
Don't forget that our next contest (2026 Summer Contest) is now open & accepting new entries!
Don't forget that our next contest (2026 Summer Contest) is now open & accepting new entries!
