Below are the results for our 2026 Summer Contest!
Results are divided into four sections:
1. Super Category Winners / Super Champions
(Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children's Books)
2. Category Award Winners
3. Special Award Winners
4. Ultimate Champions
SUPER-CATEGORY CHAMPIONS
(Medalists)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Fiction Book of Summer 2026
1st Place
"Falconbrow" Peter Eliott
2nd Place
"Scrubby’s PBnJ" Mike J. Kizman
"Silas on Stage" Joel Shoemaker
"Broken Image, Book 2" Kay Brooks
3rd Place
"Long Division" Micky O’Brady
"Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3" T.V. Holiday
"Kangaroo Is My Safe Word" Thomas White
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Non-Fiction Book of Summer 2026
1st Place
"Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power" Peter C. Remington et al.
"The Words She Left Behind" Tanya A. Taibl
"Stories of My Dad as He Lay Dying" Dr. Angela Arias
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" C. J. Canino
"Why Rampage Killers Emerge" Dr. S. Lee Funk
2nd Place
"The Logistics of Survival" Lis Richardson
"Tough Love for Indie Authors" Keri-Rae Barnum
"Life and How to Live It, Vol. 1: Begin the Begin" Chaz Holesworth
3rd Place
"Which god is GOD?: A Lawyer’s Look at God and Religion" Adrian J. Adams, Esq.
"Machinehood" Amos Behana
"Where Is Your Church?" Scott G.A. Metcalf
"Vietnam’s Modern Day Boat People: Bridging Borders for Freedom" Shira Sebban
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Children's Book of Summer 2026
1st Place
"Please Pet Me: I’m Bryn, a Lovable Therapy Dog" Mary Jean DeSantis, illustrated by Melissa Kahl
"Maybelline Has a Very. Bad. Day." Dawn Dolan, illustrated by Olena Kharkovenko
"Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!" A.M. Berkowitz
"Murray Goes to the Playground" Margot Tohn, illustrated by Scot Ritchie
"Tattle Tails" Stacy Byous, PhD, illustrated by Maddie Kimber
2nd Place
"Thomas and the Magic Violin" Dr. Tuula Pere, illustrated by Sofia Panchyshyn
3rd Place
"Nick & Nate vs. The Notorious Nose Nabbler" James Seamone, illustrated by Ian Etheridge
"A Stargazer" Dr. Tuula Pere, illustrated by Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren
Best Fiction Book of Summer 2026
1st Place
"Falconbrow" Peter Eliott
2nd Place
"Scrubby’s PBnJ" Mike J. Kizman
"Silas on Stage" Joel Shoemaker
"Broken Image, Book 2" Kay Brooks
3rd Place
"Long Division" Micky O’Brady
"Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3" T.V. Holiday
"Kangaroo Is My Safe Word" Thomas White
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Non-Fiction Book of Summer 2026
1st Place
"Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power" Peter C. Remington et al.
"The Words She Left Behind" Tanya A. Taibl
"Stories of My Dad as He Lay Dying" Dr. Angela Arias
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" C. J. Canino
"Why Rampage Killers Emerge" Dr. S. Lee Funk
2nd Place
"The Logistics of Survival" Lis Richardson
"Tough Love for Indie Authors" Keri-Rae Barnum
"Life and How to Live It, Vol. 1: Begin the Begin" Chaz Holesworth
3rd Place
"Which god is GOD?: A Lawyer’s Look at God and Religion" Adrian J. Adams, Esq.
"Machinehood" Amos Behana
"Where Is Your Church?" Scott G.A. Metcalf
"Vietnam’s Modern Day Boat People: Bridging Borders for Freedom" Shira Sebban
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Children's Book of Summer 2026
1st Place
"Please Pet Me: I’m Bryn, a Lovable Therapy Dog" Mary Jean DeSantis, illustrated by Melissa Kahl
"Maybelline Has a Very. Bad. Day." Dawn Dolan, illustrated by Olena Kharkovenko
"Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!" A.M. Berkowitz
"Murray Goes to the Playground" Margot Tohn, illustrated by Scot Ritchie
"Tattle Tails" Stacy Byous, PhD, illustrated by Maddie Kimber
2nd Place
"Thomas and the Magic Violin" Dr. Tuula Pere, illustrated by Sofia Panchyshyn
3rd Place
"Nick & Nate vs. The Notorious Nose Nabbler" James Seamone, illustrated by Ian Etheridge
"A Stargazer" Dr. Tuula Pere, illustrated by Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren
CATEGORY WINNERS
Outstanding Creator Award for
Autobiographies / Memoirs / Biographies
1st Place
"Stories of My Dad as He Lay Dying" Dr. Angela Arias
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" C. J. Canino
"The Words She Left Behind" Tanya A. Taibl
"The Logistics of Survival" Lis Richardson
"Life and How to Live It, Vol. 1: Begin the Begin" Chaz Holesworth
2nd Place
"Where Is Your Church?" Scott G.A. Metcalf
3rd Place
"When the Light Is Mine" Chaz Holesworth
Outstanding Creator Award for
Action / Adventure
1st Place
"Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3" T.V. Holiday
"Jurassic Swamp" Ethan Richards
2nd Place
"Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3" David A. Falk, PhD
3rd Place
"Spy at the Airport" Alexandru Palamariu, illustrated by Beatrice Favereau
"Junky Font" Riassat Karim
Honorable Mention
"All the Elements" Keynin Carl Battle
Outstanding Creator Award for
Audiobooks
1st Place
Vacated
2nd Place
Vacated
3rd Place
"The Pilot and the Parrot" James Allan Krause, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Apocalyptic / Dystopian Fiction
1st Place
Vacated
2nd Place
Vacated
3rd Place
“The End: Alpha” Aaron Ryan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Surrealist Literature
1st Place
"Nick & Nate vs. The Notorious Nose Nabbler" James Seamone, illustrated by Ian Etheridge
2nd Place
"Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil" Michael J. Bowler
3rd Place
"The Pilot and the Parrot" James Allan Krause, PhD
"Spy at the Airport" Alexandru Palamariu, illustrated by Beatrice Favereau
Outstanding Creator Award for
Multimedia
1st Place
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical (Original Cast Recording)" Betsy Coffeen, Zachary Simpson, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, and Studio Story Monsters
2nd Place
"The Great Animal Escape: Theme Song" music and lyrics by Zachary Simpson, performed by Erin Rementer, produced by Studio Story Monsters, based on the book by Linda Harkey
3rd Place
"Saul the Baseball in the Big Game Theme Song" Zachary Simpson, Jimmy Sweeden, Kim LeBlanc, and Studio Story Monsters
Outstanding Creator Award for
Law & Justice / Crime / True Crime
1st Place
"Why Rampage Killers Emerge" Dr. S. Lee Funk
2nd Place
"Vietnam’s Modern Day Boat People: Bridging Borders for Freedom" Shira Sebban
"Maya’s Story: A Journey Through Human Trafficking and Resilience" Donald R. Smith
"Maya’s Story: Rising Against the Shadows" Donald R. Smith
"Deadly Route" Karen DeVanie & Anne Varner
3rd Place
"Black and White Smoke: C-Suite Woes: Subtlety Has Limits" Thomas V. Papa
Outstanding Creator Award for
LGBTQ+
1st Place
"Life and How to Live It, Vol. 1: Begin the Begin" Chaz Holesworth
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" C. J. Canino
"Silas on Stage" Joel Shoemaker
2nd Place
"Before Closure" Shadley Grei
3rd Place
"When the Light Is Mine" Chaz Holesworth
Outstanding Creator Award for
Historical Fiction
1st Place
"The North Doesn’t Speak" Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Outstanding Creator Award for
History (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
"Vietnam’s Modern Day Boat People: Bridging Borders for Freedom" Shira Sebban
Outstanding Creator Award for
Performing Arts / Dance / Theater / Musicals
1st Place
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical (Original Cast Recording)" Betsy Coffeen, Zachary Simpson, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, and Studio Story Monsters
Outstanding Creator Award for
Music / Songs
1st Place
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical (Original Cast Recording)" Betsy Coffeen, Zachary Simpson, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, and Studio Story Monsters
2nd Place
"The Great Animal Escape: Theme Song" music and lyrics by Zachary Simpson, performed by Erin Rementer, produced by Studio Story Monsters, based on the book by Linda Harkey
3rd Place
"Saul the Baseball in the Big Game Theme Song" Zachary Simpson, Jimmy Sweeden, Kim LeBlanc, and Studio Story Monsters
Outstanding Creator Award for
Thrillers
1st Place
"Broken Image, Book 2" Kay Brooks
2nd Place
"Jurassic Swamp" Ethan Richards
"Deadly Route" Karen DeVanie & Anne Varner
"Maya’s Story: Rising Against the Shadows" Donald R. Smith
3rd Place
"Black and White Smoke: C-Suite Woes: Subtlety Has Limits" Thomas V. Papa
Outstanding Creator Award for
Short Stories / Anthologies / Collections
1st Place
"Dark Canadiana: An Anthology of Canadian Horror" James Seamone et al.
"Long Division" Micky O’Brady
Outstanding Creator Award for
Fantasy
1st Place
"Falconbrow" Peter Eliott
2nd Place
"A Stargazer" Dr. Tuula Pere, illustrated by Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren
"Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3" T.V. Holiday
3rd Place
"Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3" David A. Falk, PhD
Honorable Mentions
"Junky Font" Riassat Karim
"All the Elements" Keynin Carl Battle
Outstanding Creator Award for
Business
1st Place
"Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power" Peter C. Remington et al.
2nd Place
"Tough Love for Indie Authors" Keri-Rae Barnum
3rd Place
"Becoming a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt" Hemant Urdhwareshe, Husain A. Al-Omani, Thomas J. West
Honorable Mention
"Black and White Smoke: C-Suite Woes: Subtlety Has Limits" Thomas V. Papa
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science-Fiction (Sci-Fi)
1st Place
"Jurassic Swamp" Ethan Richards
"Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil" Michael J. Bowler
"Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3" David A. Falk, PhD
2nd Place
"An Artifice of Intelligence" Emiliano Forino Procacci
“The End: Alpha” Aaron Ryan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Romance
1st Place
"Scrubby’s PBnJ" Mike J. Kizman
"Broken Image, Book 2" Kay Brooks
"Peg, Unhinged" Teri M. Brown
2nd Place
"Kangaroo Is My Safe Word" Thomas White
3rd Place
"Before Closure" Shadley Grei
Outstanding Creator Award for
Technology / Emerging Technologies
1st Place
"Machinehood" Amos Behana
2nd Place
"An Artifice of Intelligence" Emiliano Forino Procacci
"Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3" David A. Falk, PhD
3rd Place
"Black and White Smoke: C-Suite Woes: Subtlety Has Limits" Thomas V. Papa
Outstanding Creator Award for
Comedy / Humor / Satire
1st Place
"Peg, Unhinged" Teri M. Brown
"Nick & Nate vs. The Notorious Nose Nabbler" James Seamone, illustrated by Ian Etheridge
"Kangaroo Is My Safe Word" Thomas White
2nd Place
"Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil" Michael J. Bowler
3rd Place
"The Pilot and the Parrot" James Allan Krause, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Middle Grade Books / Juvenile Books
1st Place
"Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil" Michael J. Bowler
2nd Place
"Nurse Florence, Tell Me About the Aorta" Michael Dow, illustrated by Skyler Sharpell
Outstanding Creator Award for
Self-Help/ Personal Development / How-to Books
1st Place
"Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power" Peter C. Remington et al.
2nd Place
"Tough Love for Indie Authors" Keri-Rae Barnum
"The Logistics of Survival" Lis Richardson
3rd Place
"Becoming a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt" Hemant Urdhwareshe, Husain A. Al-Omani, Thomas J. West
Outstanding Creator Award for
Educational Books / Reference Books
1st Place
"Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power" Peter C. Remington et al.
"Why Rampage Killers Emerge" Dr. S. Lee Funk
"Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!" A.M. Berkowitz
"Tattle Tails" Stacy Byous, PhD, illustrated by Maddie Kimber
"Tough Love for Indie Authors" Keri-Rae Barnum
2nd Place
"Which god is GOD?: A Lawyer’s Look at God and Religion" Adrian J. Adams, Esq.
"Machinehood" Amos Behana
"Vietnam’s Modern Day Boat People: Bridging Borders for Freedom" Shira Sebban
3rd Place
"Nurse Florence, Tell Me About the Aorta" Michael Dow, illustrated by Skyler Sharpell
"Faith in Flux" Michael Cook
"Becoming a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt" Hemant Urdhwareshe, Husain A. Al-Omani, Thomas J. West
Outstanding Creator Award for
Christian Literature / Christian Fiction / Christian Non-Fiction
1st Place
"Scrubby’s PBnJ" Mike J. Kizman
"Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3" T.V. Holiday
"Where Is Your Church?" Scott G.A. Metcalf
"Which god is GOD?: A Lawyer’s Look at God and Religion" Adrian J. Adams, Esq.
2nd Place
"Faith in Flux" Michael Cook
3rd Place
“The End: Alpha” Aaron Ryan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Family / Siblings / Parents
1st Place
"Stories of My Dad as He Lay Dying" Dr. Angela Arias
"The Words She Left Behind" Tanya A. Taibl
"Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!" A.M. Berkowitz
"Life and How to Live It, Vol. 1: Begin the Begin" Chaz Holesworth
2nd Place
"Before Closure" Shadley Grei
"Best Dad Ever—No Take Backs!" Mike Wang
Outstanding Creator Award for
Philosophical Books
1st Place
"Which god is GOD?: A Lawyer’s Look at God and Religion" Adrian J. Adams, Esq.
“Machinehood” Amos Behana
2nd Place
"Faith in Flux" Michael Cook
3rd Place
"The Pilot and the Parrot" James Allan Krause, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Psychological Literature
1st Place
"Why Rampage Killers Emerge" by Dr. S. Lee Funk
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" C. J. Canino
"Peg, Unhinged" Teri M. Brown
"Broken Image, Book 2" Kay Brooks
"Long Division" Micky O’Brady
2nd Place
"Maya’s Story: A Journey Through Human Trafficking and Resilience" Donald R. Smith
"Kangaroo Is My Safe Word" Thomas White
3rd Place
"The Utterly Unacceptable Atrocity of Isabelle Marsden" Nan Sanders Pokerwinski
"Before Closure" Shadley Grei
"An Artifice of Intelligence" Emiliano Forino Procacci.
"Deadly Route" Karen DeVanie & Anne Varner
"The North Doesn’t Speak" Dr. Clifton Wilcox
"Maya’s Story: Rising Against the Shadows" Donald R. Smith
Honorable Mentions:
“The End: Alpha” Aaron Ryan
"When the Light Is Mine" Chaz Holesworth
"Junky Font" Riassat Karim
Outstanding Creator Award for
Horror
1st Place
"Dark Canadiana: An Anthology of Canadian Horror" James Seamone et al.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Literary Fiction / Contemporary Fiction
1st Place
"Scrubby’s PBnJ" Mike J. Kizman
"Peg, Unhinged" Teri M. Brown
2nd Place
"Kangaroo Is My Safe Word" Thomas White
3rd Place
"The Utterly Unacceptable Atrocity of Isabelle Marsden" Nan Sanders Pokerwinski
"Before Closure" Shadley Grei
Outstanding Creator Award for
Multicultural / Multilingual / Bilingual Literature
1st Place
"Dark Canadiana: An Anthology of Canadian Horror" James Seamone et al.
"Chanumas: One Boy, Two Holidays and a Very Big Wish" Irv Brand, illustrated by Hannah Finkelshteyn
2nd Place
"Maya’s Story: Rising Against the Shadows" Donald R. Smith
"Maya’s Story: A Journey Through Human Trafficking and Resilience" Donald R. Smith
Outstanding Creator Award for
Jewish Literature
1st Place
"Chanumas: One Boy, Two Holidays and a Very Big Wish" Irv Brand, illustrated by Hannah Finkelshteyn
Outstanding Creator Award for
Holiday Books
1st Place
"Chanumas: One Boy, Two Holidays and a Very Big Wish" Irv Brand, illustrated by Hannah Finkelshteyn
Outstanding Creator Award for
Motivational / Inspirational Books
1st Place
"Stories of My Dad as He Lay Dying" Dr. Angela Arias
"Please Pet Me: I’m Bryn, a Lovable Therapy Dog" Mary Jean DeSantis, illustrated by Melissa Kahl
2nd Place
"The Logistics of Survival" Lis Richardson
"A Stargazer" Dr. Tuula Pere, illustrated by Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren
"Thomas and the Magic Violin" Dr. Tuula Pere, illustrated by Sofia Panchyshyn
"Where Is Your Church?" Scott G.A. Metcalf
Outstanding Creator Award for
Teen & Young-Adult (YA) Literature
1st Place
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" C. J. Canino
2nd Place
"Unwritten: Young Authors Project" School Express Press, Sheila Rowe, and Contributors
Outstanding Creator Award for
Health
1st Place
"The Words She Left Behind" Tanya A. Taibl
"The Logistics of Survival" Lis Richardson
"Stories of My Dad as He Lay Dying" Dr. Angela Arias
2nd Place
"Nurse Florence, Tell Me About the Aorta" Michael Dow, illustrated by Skyler Sharpell
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mystery
1st Place
"Broken Image, Book 2" Kay Brooks
Outstanding Creator Award for
Poetry
1st Place
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" C. J. Canino
2nd Place
"Unwritten: Young Authors Project" School Express Press, Sheila Rowe, and Contributors
3rd Place
"When the Light Is Mine" Chaz Holesworth
Outstanding Creator Award for
Animal Literature
1st Place
"Please Pet Me: I’m Bryn, a Lovable Therapy Dog" Mary Jean DeSantis, illustrated by Melissa Kahl
"Maybelline Has a Very. Bad. Day." Dawn Dolan, illustrated by Olena Kharkovenko
"Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!" A.M. Berkowitz
"Murray Goes to the Playground" Margot Tohn, illustrated by Scot Ritchie
Outstanding Creator Award for
Myths & Legends / Fairy Tales / Mythical Creatures
1st Place
"Dark Canadiana: An Anthology of Canadian Horror" James Seamone et al.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Military Literature
1st Place
"Where Is Your Church?" Scott G.A. Metcalf
2nd Place
"Jurassic Swamp" Ethan Richards
Outstanding Creator Award for
Writing / Publishing
1st Place
"Tough Love for Indie Authors" Keri-Rae Barnum
Autobiographies / Memoirs / Biographies
1st Place
"Stories of My Dad as He Lay Dying" Dr. Angela Arias
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" C. J. Canino
"The Words She Left Behind" Tanya A. Taibl
"The Logistics of Survival" Lis Richardson
"Life and How to Live It, Vol. 1: Begin the Begin" Chaz Holesworth
2nd Place
"Where Is Your Church?" Scott G.A. Metcalf
3rd Place
"When the Light Is Mine" Chaz Holesworth
Outstanding Creator Award for
Action / Adventure
1st Place
"Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3" T.V. Holiday
"Jurassic Swamp" Ethan Richards
2nd Place
"Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3" David A. Falk, PhD
3rd Place
"Spy at the Airport" Alexandru Palamariu, illustrated by Beatrice Favereau
"Junky Font" Riassat Karim
Honorable Mention
"All the Elements" Keynin Carl Battle
Outstanding Creator Award for
Audiobooks
1st Place
Vacated
2nd Place
Vacated
3rd Place
"The Pilot and the Parrot" James Allan Krause, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Apocalyptic / Dystopian Fiction
1st Place
Vacated
2nd Place
Vacated
3rd Place
“The End: Alpha” Aaron Ryan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Surrealist Literature
1st Place
"Nick & Nate vs. The Notorious Nose Nabbler" James Seamone, illustrated by Ian Etheridge
2nd Place
"Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil" Michael J. Bowler
3rd Place
"The Pilot and the Parrot" James Allan Krause, PhD
"Spy at the Airport" Alexandru Palamariu, illustrated by Beatrice Favereau
Outstanding Creator Award for
Multimedia
1st Place
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical (Original Cast Recording)" Betsy Coffeen, Zachary Simpson, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, and Studio Story Monsters
2nd Place
"The Great Animal Escape: Theme Song" music and lyrics by Zachary Simpson, performed by Erin Rementer, produced by Studio Story Monsters, based on the book by Linda Harkey
3rd Place
"Saul the Baseball in the Big Game Theme Song" Zachary Simpson, Jimmy Sweeden, Kim LeBlanc, and Studio Story Monsters
Outstanding Creator Award for
Law & Justice / Crime / True Crime
1st Place
"Why Rampage Killers Emerge" Dr. S. Lee Funk
2nd Place
"Vietnam’s Modern Day Boat People: Bridging Borders for Freedom" Shira Sebban
"Maya’s Story: A Journey Through Human Trafficking and Resilience" Donald R. Smith
"Maya’s Story: Rising Against the Shadows" Donald R. Smith
"Deadly Route" Karen DeVanie & Anne Varner
3rd Place
"Black and White Smoke: C-Suite Woes: Subtlety Has Limits" Thomas V. Papa
Outstanding Creator Award for
LGBTQ+
1st Place
"Life and How to Live It, Vol. 1: Begin the Begin" Chaz Holesworth
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" C. J. Canino
"Silas on Stage" Joel Shoemaker
2nd Place
"Before Closure" Shadley Grei
3rd Place
"When the Light Is Mine" Chaz Holesworth
Outstanding Creator Award for
Historical Fiction
1st Place
"The North Doesn’t Speak" Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Outstanding Creator Award for
History (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
"Vietnam’s Modern Day Boat People: Bridging Borders for Freedom" Shira Sebban
Outstanding Creator Award for
Performing Arts / Dance / Theater / Musicals
1st Place
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical (Original Cast Recording)" Betsy Coffeen, Zachary Simpson, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, and Studio Story Monsters
Outstanding Creator Award for
Music / Songs
1st Place
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical (Original Cast Recording)" Betsy Coffeen, Zachary Simpson, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, and Studio Story Monsters
2nd Place
"The Great Animal Escape: Theme Song" music and lyrics by Zachary Simpson, performed by Erin Rementer, produced by Studio Story Monsters, based on the book by Linda Harkey
3rd Place
"Saul the Baseball in the Big Game Theme Song" Zachary Simpson, Jimmy Sweeden, Kim LeBlanc, and Studio Story Monsters
Outstanding Creator Award for
Thrillers
1st Place
"Broken Image, Book 2" Kay Brooks
2nd Place
"Jurassic Swamp" Ethan Richards
"Deadly Route" Karen DeVanie & Anne Varner
"Maya’s Story: Rising Against the Shadows" Donald R. Smith
3rd Place
"Black and White Smoke: C-Suite Woes: Subtlety Has Limits" Thomas V. Papa
Outstanding Creator Award for
Short Stories / Anthologies / Collections
1st Place
"Dark Canadiana: An Anthology of Canadian Horror" James Seamone et al.
"Long Division" Micky O’Brady
Outstanding Creator Award for
Fantasy
1st Place
"Falconbrow" Peter Eliott
2nd Place
"A Stargazer" Dr. Tuula Pere, illustrated by Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren
"Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3" T.V. Holiday
3rd Place
"Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3" David A. Falk, PhD
Honorable Mentions
"Junky Font" Riassat Karim
"All the Elements" Keynin Carl Battle
Outstanding Creator Award for
Business
1st Place
"Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power" Peter C. Remington et al.
2nd Place
"Tough Love for Indie Authors" Keri-Rae Barnum
3rd Place
"Becoming a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt" Hemant Urdhwareshe, Husain A. Al-Omani, Thomas J. West
Honorable Mention
"Black and White Smoke: C-Suite Woes: Subtlety Has Limits" Thomas V. Papa
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science-Fiction (Sci-Fi)
1st Place
"Jurassic Swamp" Ethan Richards
"Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil" Michael J. Bowler
"Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3" David A. Falk, PhD
2nd Place
"An Artifice of Intelligence" Emiliano Forino Procacci
“The End: Alpha” Aaron Ryan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Romance
1st Place
"Scrubby’s PBnJ" Mike J. Kizman
"Broken Image, Book 2" Kay Brooks
"Peg, Unhinged" Teri M. Brown
2nd Place
"Kangaroo Is My Safe Word" Thomas White
3rd Place
"Before Closure" Shadley Grei
Outstanding Creator Award for
Technology / Emerging Technologies
1st Place
"Machinehood" Amos Behana
2nd Place
"An Artifice of Intelligence" Emiliano Forino Procacci
"Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3" David A. Falk, PhD
3rd Place
"Black and White Smoke: C-Suite Woes: Subtlety Has Limits" Thomas V. Papa
Outstanding Creator Award for
Comedy / Humor / Satire
1st Place
"Peg, Unhinged" Teri M. Brown
"Nick & Nate vs. The Notorious Nose Nabbler" James Seamone, illustrated by Ian Etheridge
"Kangaroo Is My Safe Word" Thomas White
2nd Place
"Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil" Michael J. Bowler
3rd Place
"The Pilot and the Parrot" James Allan Krause, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Middle Grade Books / Juvenile Books
1st Place
"Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil" Michael J. Bowler
2nd Place
"Nurse Florence, Tell Me About the Aorta" Michael Dow, illustrated by Skyler Sharpell
Outstanding Creator Award for
Self-Help/ Personal Development / How-to Books
1st Place
"Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power" Peter C. Remington et al.
2nd Place
"Tough Love for Indie Authors" Keri-Rae Barnum
"The Logistics of Survival" Lis Richardson
3rd Place
"Becoming a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt" Hemant Urdhwareshe, Husain A. Al-Omani, Thomas J. West
Outstanding Creator Award for
Educational Books / Reference Books
1st Place
"Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power" Peter C. Remington et al.
"Why Rampage Killers Emerge" Dr. S. Lee Funk
"Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!" A.M. Berkowitz
"Tattle Tails" Stacy Byous, PhD, illustrated by Maddie Kimber
"Tough Love for Indie Authors" Keri-Rae Barnum
2nd Place
"Which god is GOD?: A Lawyer’s Look at God and Religion" Adrian J. Adams, Esq.
"Machinehood" Amos Behana
"Vietnam’s Modern Day Boat People: Bridging Borders for Freedom" Shira Sebban
3rd Place
"Nurse Florence, Tell Me About the Aorta" Michael Dow, illustrated by Skyler Sharpell
"Faith in Flux" Michael Cook
"Becoming a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt" Hemant Urdhwareshe, Husain A. Al-Omani, Thomas J. West
Outstanding Creator Award for
Christian Literature / Christian Fiction / Christian Non-Fiction
1st Place
"Scrubby’s PBnJ" Mike J. Kizman
"Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3" T.V. Holiday
"Where Is Your Church?" Scott G.A. Metcalf
"Which god is GOD?: A Lawyer’s Look at God and Religion" Adrian J. Adams, Esq.
2nd Place
"Faith in Flux" Michael Cook
3rd Place
“The End: Alpha” Aaron Ryan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Family / Siblings / Parents
1st Place
"Stories of My Dad as He Lay Dying" Dr. Angela Arias
"The Words She Left Behind" Tanya A. Taibl
"Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!" A.M. Berkowitz
"Life and How to Live It, Vol. 1: Begin the Begin" Chaz Holesworth
2nd Place
"Before Closure" Shadley Grei
"Best Dad Ever—No Take Backs!" Mike Wang
Outstanding Creator Award for
Philosophical Books
1st Place
"Which god is GOD?: A Lawyer’s Look at God and Religion" Adrian J. Adams, Esq.
“Machinehood” Amos Behana
2nd Place
"Faith in Flux" Michael Cook
3rd Place
"The Pilot and the Parrot" James Allan Krause, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
Psychological Literature
1st Place
"Why Rampage Killers Emerge" by Dr. S. Lee Funk
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" C. J. Canino
"Peg, Unhinged" Teri M. Brown
"Broken Image, Book 2" Kay Brooks
"Long Division" Micky O’Brady
2nd Place
"Maya’s Story: A Journey Through Human Trafficking and Resilience" Donald R. Smith
"Kangaroo Is My Safe Word" Thomas White
3rd Place
"The Utterly Unacceptable Atrocity of Isabelle Marsden" Nan Sanders Pokerwinski
"Before Closure" Shadley Grei
"An Artifice of Intelligence" Emiliano Forino Procacci.
"Deadly Route" Karen DeVanie & Anne Varner
"The North Doesn’t Speak" Dr. Clifton Wilcox
"Maya’s Story: Rising Against the Shadows" Donald R. Smith
Honorable Mentions:
“The End: Alpha” Aaron Ryan
"When the Light Is Mine" Chaz Holesworth
"Junky Font" Riassat Karim
Outstanding Creator Award for
Horror
1st Place
"Dark Canadiana: An Anthology of Canadian Horror" James Seamone et al.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Literary Fiction / Contemporary Fiction
1st Place
"Scrubby’s PBnJ" Mike J. Kizman
"Peg, Unhinged" Teri M. Brown
2nd Place
"Kangaroo Is My Safe Word" Thomas White
3rd Place
"The Utterly Unacceptable Atrocity of Isabelle Marsden" Nan Sanders Pokerwinski
"Before Closure" Shadley Grei
Outstanding Creator Award for
Multicultural / Multilingual / Bilingual Literature
1st Place
"Dark Canadiana: An Anthology of Canadian Horror" James Seamone et al.
"Chanumas: One Boy, Two Holidays and a Very Big Wish" Irv Brand, illustrated by Hannah Finkelshteyn
2nd Place
"Maya’s Story: Rising Against the Shadows" Donald R. Smith
"Maya’s Story: A Journey Through Human Trafficking and Resilience" Donald R. Smith
Outstanding Creator Award for
Jewish Literature
1st Place
"Chanumas: One Boy, Two Holidays and a Very Big Wish" Irv Brand, illustrated by Hannah Finkelshteyn
Outstanding Creator Award for
Holiday Books
1st Place
"Chanumas: One Boy, Two Holidays and a Very Big Wish" Irv Brand, illustrated by Hannah Finkelshteyn
Outstanding Creator Award for
Motivational / Inspirational Books
1st Place
"Stories of My Dad as He Lay Dying" Dr. Angela Arias
"Please Pet Me: I’m Bryn, a Lovable Therapy Dog" Mary Jean DeSantis, illustrated by Melissa Kahl
2nd Place
"The Logistics of Survival" Lis Richardson
"A Stargazer" Dr. Tuula Pere, illustrated by Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren
"Thomas and the Magic Violin" Dr. Tuula Pere, illustrated by Sofia Panchyshyn
"Where Is Your Church?" Scott G.A. Metcalf
Outstanding Creator Award for
Teen & Young-Adult (YA) Literature
1st Place
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" C. J. Canino
2nd Place
"Unwritten: Young Authors Project" School Express Press, Sheila Rowe, and Contributors
Outstanding Creator Award for
Health
1st Place
"The Words She Left Behind" Tanya A. Taibl
"The Logistics of Survival" Lis Richardson
"Stories of My Dad as He Lay Dying" Dr. Angela Arias
2nd Place
"Nurse Florence, Tell Me About the Aorta" Michael Dow, illustrated by Skyler Sharpell
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mystery
1st Place
"Broken Image, Book 2" Kay Brooks
Outstanding Creator Award for
Poetry
1st Place
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" C. J. Canino
2nd Place
"Unwritten: Young Authors Project" School Express Press, Sheila Rowe, and Contributors
3rd Place
"When the Light Is Mine" Chaz Holesworth
Outstanding Creator Award for
Animal Literature
1st Place
"Please Pet Me: I’m Bryn, a Lovable Therapy Dog" Mary Jean DeSantis, illustrated by Melissa Kahl
"Maybelline Has a Very. Bad. Day." Dawn Dolan, illustrated by Olena Kharkovenko
"Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!" A.M. Berkowitz
"Murray Goes to the Playground" Margot Tohn, illustrated by Scot Ritchie
Outstanding Creator Award for
Myths & Legends / Fairy Tales / Mythical Creatures
1st Place
"Dark Canadiana: An Anthology of Canadian Horror" James Seamone et al.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Military Literature
1st Place
"Where Is Your Church?" Scott G.A. Metcalf
2nd Place
"Jurassic Swamp" Ethan Richards
Outstanding Creator Award for
Writing / Publishing
1st Place
"Tough Love for Indie Authors" Keri-Rae Barnum
SPECIAL AWARDS
* These are fun, less formal awards inspired by the Academy & Razzie Awards (to which we share no direct affiliation) intended to recognize the unique accomplishments of each work. Despite the less formal decision process and ranking system associated with them, Special Awards are still recognized as Outstanding Creator Awards.
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Cover”
Winner:
"Tattle Tails" by Stacy Byous, PhD, illustrated by Maddie Kimber
Honorable Mentions:
"Peg, Unhinged" by Teri M. Brown
"Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!" by A.M. Berkowitz
"A Stargazer" by Dr. Tuula Pere, illustrated by Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Fiction)”
Winner:
"Falconbrow" by Peter Eliott
Honorable Mention:
"Scrubby’s PBnJ" by Mike J. Kizman
"Long Division" by Micky O’Brady
"The North Doesn’t Speak" by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Non-Fiction)”
Winner:
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" by C. J. Canino
Honorable Mentions:
"The Words She Left Behind" by Tanya A. Taibl
"Life and How to Live It, Vol. 1: Begin the Begin" by Chaz Holesworth
"Stories of My Dad as He Lay Dying" by Dr. Angela Arias
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Research”
Winners:
"Why Rampage Killers Emerge" by Dr. S. Lee Funk
"Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power" by Peter C. Remington et al.
"Vietnam’s Modern Day Boat People: Bridging Borders for Freedom" by Shira Sebban
Honorable Mentions:
"Deadly Route" by Karen DeVanie & Anne Varner
"Becoming a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt" by Hemant Urdhwareshe, Husain A. Al-Omani, Thomas J. West
"Faith in Flux" by Michael Cook
"Nurse Florence, Tell Me About the Aorta" by Michael Dow, illustrated by Skyler Sharpell
"Machinehood" by Amos Behana
"Which god is GOD?: A Lawyer’s Look at God and Religion" by Adrian J. Adams, Esq.
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best World-Building”
Winner:
"Falconbrow" by Peter Eliott
Honorable Mentions:
"Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3" by David A. Falk, PhD
"The End: Alpha" by Aaron Ryan
"Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3" by T.V. Holiday
"All the Elements" by Keynin Carl Battle
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Character”
Winners:
Terza Jaidenson / Falconbrow from “Falconbrow” by Peter Eliott
Peg McMann from “Peg, Unhinged” by Teri M. Brown
Celia Barlow from “Kangaroo Is My Safe Word” by Thomas White
Melissa from “Long Division” by Micky O’Brady
Honorable Mentions:
Brynn “Scrubby” Green from “Scrubby’s PBnJ” by Mike J. Kizman
Aylin from “A Stargazer” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Maybelline from “Maybelline Has a Very. Bad. Day.” by Dawn Dolan
Maximillian / Darius Antone Forrester from “The End: Alpha” by Aaron Ryan
The Spy from “Spy at the Airport” by Alexandru Palamariu, illustrated by Beatrice Favereau
Gigglet, Wigglet from “Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!” by A.M. Berkowitz
Elijah Boone, Lila Carter from “The North Doesn’t Speak” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Alicia Stripes, Yuri from “Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3” by David A. Falk, PhD
Maya, Lelia from “Maya’s Story: A Journey Through Human Trafficking and Resilience” by Donald R. Smith
Maya, Lelia from “Maya’s Story: Rising Against the Shadows” by Donald R. Smith
Michael, Sara from “An Artifice of Intelligence” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
Perry Martin, Captain Shawnee Smith from “Jurassic Swamp” by Ethan Richards
The Boy from “Chanumas: One Boy, Two Holidays and a Very Big Wish” by Irv Brand
Frederick Foerster, Maria Foerster, Marcus Foerster from “The Pilot and the Parrot” by James Allan Krause, PhD
Emily, Jesse from “Dark Canadiana: An Anthology of Canadian Horror” edited by James Seamone
Nick, Nate from “Nick & Nate vs. The Notorious Nose Nabbler” by James Seamone
Silas from “Silas on Stage” by Joel Shoemaker
Sage Grimes from “Broken Image, Book 2” by Kay Brooks
Keith Cottam from “All the Elements” by Keynin Carl Battle
Mo / Muppit Boy from “Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil” by Michael J. Bowler
Bryn from “Please Pet Me: I’m Bryn, a Lovable Therapy Dog” by Mary Jean DeSantis
Nurse Florence from “Nurse Florence, Tell Me About the Aorta” by Michael Dow
Isabelle “Belle” Marsden from “The Utterly Unacceptable Atrocity of Isabelle Marsden” by Nan Sanders Pokerwinski
Ga, Dad from “Best Dad Ever—No Take Backs!” by Mike Wang
Junky Font from “Junky Font” by Riassat Karim
Frankie Parker, Clayton Parker, Jules Parker from “Before Closure” by Shadley Grei
Travis Holiday / Iron Warrior from “Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3” by T.V. Holiday
Skylar, Brodie from “Tattle Tails” by Stacy Byous, PhD, illustrated by Maddie Kimber
Jon Kiza from “Black and White Smoke: C-Suite Woes: Subtlety Has Limits” by Thomas V. Papa
Thomas from “Thomas and the Magic Violin” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Murray from “Murray Goes to the Playground” by Margot Tohn
Cate from “Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical,” based on the book by Betsy Coffeen, script and musical adaptation by Zachary Simpson
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Supporting Character”
Winners:
The Janitor from “A Stargazer” by Dr. Tuula Pere; Honorable Mentions: Vesper, Elly the Librarian
Melissa’s Mother from “Long Division” by Micky O’Brady; Honorable Mention: Deb
The Master Violinist from “Thomas and the Magic Violin” by Dr. Tuula Pere; Honorable Mention: Aino
Honorable Mentions:
Paxton Stump from “Black and White Smoke: C-Suite Woes: Subtlety Has Limits” by Thomas V. Papa
Ari, Barn, Kash, Abigail / Mo’s Mother, Oscar Silverman from “Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil” by Michael J. Bowler
Silky Eblans, Getta Reed, Lethro, Fedwin, Rezishieskvi, Eleysian from “Falconbrow” by Peter Eliott
Oscar, Lelia, Maya’s Grandmother, Detective Ramirez from “Maya’s Story: Rising Against the Shadows” by Donald R. Smith
Olivia, Violet, Ash, Sora, Pongo, Catherine from “All the Elements” by Keynin Carl Battle
Rainstorm, Crystal, Ashley, Leslie / Pink Jaguar from “Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3” by T.V. Holiday
Dewey “Huck” Huckleberry, Sabrina Leyton, Lyndee “Lynx” Brannigan, Kyle Wagner from “Scrubby’s PBnJ” by Mike J. Kizman
Laura, Kelly, Trevor, Sheila, Monique from “Peg, Unhinged” by Teri M. Brown
Bee, Pock from “The Pilot and the Parrot” by James Allan Krause, PhD
Hunter, Charlie, Swifty, Iris, Kent Cannon, Vassal Behmardi from “The End: Alpha” by Aaron Ryan
Sara / C-Sara-00017 from “Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3” by David A. Falk, PhD
Mama Skye, Ellie, Cousin Token, Trudie, Maddie from “Maybelline Has a Very. Bad. Day.” by Dawn Dolan
Oscar, Maya’s Grandmother from “Maya’s Story: A Journey Through Human Trafficking and Resilience” by Donald R. Smith
Elisa, Ben from “An Artifice of Intelligence” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
Captain Shawnee Smith, First Sergeant LeMay from “Jurassic Swamp” by Ethan Richards
Ophelia, Astrid from “Nick & Nate vs. The Notorious Nose Nabbler” by James Seamone
Silas’s Mother, Silas’s Father, Max, Mr. McCurdy from “Silas on Stage” by Joel Shoemaker
Jay from “Broken Image, Book 2” by Kay Brooks
Miss Mary, Abby, Bryn’s Doggie Dad from “Please Pet Me: I’m Bryn, a Lovable Therapy Dog” by Mary Jean DeSantis
Mae, Roscoe, Wallace from “The Utterly Unacceptable Atrocity of Isabelle Marsden” by Nan Sanders Pokerwinski
Mona Falcone, Hugo, Joshua Myles, Damon, Sophie from “Before Closure” by Shadley Grei
Tattle Tail, Ash, Tundra, Timber from “Tattle Tails” by Stacy Byous, PhD, illustrated by Maddie Kimber
Parker Graves, Flynn, Reagan, Cole, Kayla, Skylar, Truce, Max from “Kangaroo Is My Safe Word” by Thomas White
The Lady from “Murray Goes to the Playground” by Margot Tohn
Pete the Potato Bug, Davey the Dung Beetle, Walter the Earthworm, Buzz, Queen Qira from “Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical,” based on the book by Betsy Coffeen, script and musical adaptation by Zachary Simpson
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Villain”
Winners:
Candace Loveless from “Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3” by T.V. Holiday
Samuel from “The North Doesn’t Speak” by Dr. Clifton Wilcox
Honorable Mentions
Kher-Pauty from “Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3” by David A. Falk, PhD
Walter Cooper from “Broken Image, Book 2” by Kay Brooks
Emperor Nero from “The End: Alpha” by Aaron Ryan
Melissa from “Long Division” by Micky O’Brady
Dr. Drug from “Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil” by Michael J. Bowler
Bisah from “Junky Font” by Riassat Karim
Valac from “All the Elements” by Keynin Carl Battle
Rougarou from “Jurassic Swamp” by Ethan Richards
The Notorious Nose Nabbler from “Nick & Nate vs. The Notorious Nose Nabbler” by James Seamone
Linda the Recruiter from “Maya’s Story: A Journey Through Human Trafficking and Resilience” by Donald R. Smith
The Human Trafficking Organization from “Maya’s Story: Rising Against the Shadows” by Donald R. Smith
Rod, Dog from “Kangaroo Is My Safe Word” by Thomas White
Baron Caeguit from “Falconbrow” by Peter Eliott
Abe Quinn from “Black and White Smoke: C-Suite Woes: Subtlety Has Limits” by Thomas V. Papa
Mr. Meeks from “Maple Tree Farm” in “Dark Canadiana: An Anthology of Canadian Horror” by Dana Gricken, edited by James Seamone
Stephan from “Peg, Unhinged” by Teri M. Brown
Shane from “Before Closure” by Shadley Grei
The Good Brothers from “The Pilot and the Parrot” by James Allan Krause, PhD
Steve Schwann, Mrs. Dumas from “The Utterly Unacceptable Atrocity of Isabelle Marsden” by Nan Sanders Pokerwinski
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Hottest Character” / “Most Beautiful Character” / “Most Handsome Character”
Winner:
Carter Lange from “Kangaroo Is My Safe Word” by Thomas White;
Honorable Mentions: Celia Barlow, Gwendolyn, Reagan Barrone, Garrett Tyler, Wade
Honorable Mentions:
Sara from “An Artifice of Intelligence” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
Sage Grimes, Jay from “Broken Image, Book 2” by Kay Brooks
Dewey “Huck” Huckleberry, Sabrina Leyton, Kyle Wagner from “Scrubby’s PBnJ” by Mike J. Kizman
Frederick Foerster, Julie from “The Pilot and the Parrot” by James Allan Krause, PhD
Leslie / Pink Jaguar, Candace Loveless from “Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3” by T.V. Holiday
Trevor, Stephan, Peg McMann from “Peg, Unhinged” by Teri M. Brown
Frankie Parker, Hugo Carson, Clayton Parker, Damon, Bobby, Shane from “Before Closure” by Shadley Grei
Irene / Zoe Harmon from “Black and White Smoke: C-Suite Woes: Subtlety Has Limits” by Thomas V. Papa
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Cutest Character”
Winners:
Maybelline from “Maybelline Has a Very. Bad. Day.” by Dawn Dolan, illustrated by Olena Kharkovenko
Bryn, Abby from “Please Pet Me: I’m Bryn, a Lovable Therapy Dog” by Mary Jean DeSantis
Gigglet, Wigglet from “Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!” by A.M. Berkowitz
Ga from “Best Dad Ever—No Take Backs!” by Mike Wang
Honorable Mentions:
Murray from “Murray Goes to the Playground” by Margot Tohn
Aylin, Vesper from “A Stargazer” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Tattle Tail from “Tattle Tails” by Stacy Byous, PhD, illustrated by Maddie Kimber
Ophelia, Astrid from “Nick & Nate vs. The Notorious Nose Nabbler” by James Seamone
Pock from “The Pilot and the Parrot” by James Allan Krause, PhD
Thomas from “Thomas and the Magic Violin” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Cate from “Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical,” based on the book by Betsy Coffeen, script and musical adaptation by Zachary Simpson
Silas from "Silas on Stage" by Joel Shoemaker, illustrated by Taranggana
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Dynamic Duo”
Winners:
Bryn & Miss Mary from “Please Pet Me: I’m Bryn, a Lovable Therapy Dog” by Mary Jean DeSantis
Alicia Stripes & Yuri from “Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3” by David A. Falk, PhD
Gigglet & Wigglet from “Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!” by A.M. Berkowitz
Nick & Nate from “Nick & Nate vs. The Notorious Nose Nabbler” by James Seamone
Honorable Mentions:
Maya & Lelia from “Maya’s Story: A Journey Through Human Trafficking and Resilience” & “Maya’s Story: Rising Against the Shadows” by Donald R. Smith
Skylar & Brodie from “Tattle Tails” by Stacy Byous, PhD, illustrated by Maddie Kimber
Thomas & The Master Violinist from “Thomas and the Magic Violin” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Mo / Muppit Boy & Ari from “Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil” by Michael J. Bowler
Terza Jaidenson / Falconbrow & Silky Eblans from “Falconbrow” by Peter Eliott
Brynn “Scrubby” Green & Sabrina Leyton from “Scrubby’s PBnJ” by Mike J. Kizman
Aylin & The Janitor from “A Stargazer” by Dr. Tuula Pere
Elisa & Ben from “An Artifice of Intelligence” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
Keith Cottam & Olivia from “All the Elements” by Keynin Carl Battle
Perry Martin & Captain Shawnee Smith from “Jurassic Swamp” by Ethan Richards
Travis Holiday / Iron Warrior & Rainstorm from “Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3” by T.V. Holiday
Isabelle “Belle” Marsden & Reba from “The Utterly Unacceptable Atrocity of Isabelle Marsden” by Nan Sanders Pokerwinski
Murray & The Lady from “Murray Goes to the Playground” by Margot Tohn
Sage Grimes & Jay from “Broken Image, Book 2” by Kay Brooks
Celia Barlow & Carter Lange from “Kangaroo Is My Safe Word” by Thomas White
Peg McMann & Trevor from “Peg, Unhinged” by Teri M. Brown
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Couple”
Winners:
Peg McMann & Trevor from “Peg, Unhinged” by Teri M. Brown
Celia Barlow & Parker Graves from “Kangaroo Is My Safe Word” by Thomas White
Scrubby & Dewey from “Scrubby’s PBnJ” by Mike J. Kizman; Honorable Mention(s): Lyndee “Lynx” Brannigan & Kyle Wagner
Honorable Mentions:
Sage Grimes & Jay from “Broken Image, Book 2” by Kay Brooks
Michael & Sara from “An Artifice of Intelligence” by Emiliano Forino Procacci
Maya & Oscar from “Maya’s Story: Rising Against the Shadows” by Donald R. Smith
Junky Font & Hesuna, Noppin & Utes from “Junky Font” by Riassat Karim
Jules Parker & Damon from “Before Closure” by Shadley Grei
Travis Holiday / Iron Warrior & Crystal from “Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3” by T.V. Holiday
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Coolest Character”
Winners:
Travis Holiday / Iron Warrior from “Vendetta: Legend of the Iron Warrior, Volume 3” by T.V. Holiday; Honorable Mentions: Leslie / Pink Jaguar, Rainstorm, Candace Loveless
Terza Jaidenson / Falconbrow from “Falconbrow” by Peter Eliott; Honorable Mention: Silky Eblans
Honorable Mentions:
Rougarou, Captain Shawnee Smith from “Jurassic Swamp” by Ethan Richards
Alicia Stripes, Yuri, Kher-Pauty from “Lord of Steel and Sky: War of the Gods, Book 3” by David A. Falk, PhD
The Spy from “Spy at the Airport” by Alexandru Palamariu, illustrated by Beatrice Favereau
Mo / Muppit Boy from “Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil” by Michael J. Bowler
Melissa from “Long Division” by Micky O’Brady
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Illustrated”
Winners:
"Maybelline Has a Very. Bad. Day." by Dawn Dolan, illustrated by Olena Kharkovenko
"Please Pet Me: I’m Bryn, a Lovable Therapy Dog" by Mary Jean DeSantis, illustrated by Melissa Kahl
Honorable Mentions:
"Tattle Tails" by Stacy Byous, PhD, illustrated by Maddie Kimber
"Nick & Nate vs. The Notorious Nose Nabbler" by James Seamone, illustrated by Ian Etheridge
"Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!" by A.M. Berkowitz
"Chanumas: One Boy, Two Holidays and a Very Big Wish" by Irv Brand, illustrated by Hannah Finkelshteyn
"Silas on Stage" by Joel Shoemaker, illustrated by Taranggana
"Murray Goes to the Playground" by Margot Tohn, illustrated by Scot Ritchie
"A Stargazer" by Dr. Tuula Pere, illustrated by Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren
"Thomas and the Magic Violin" by Dr. Tuula Pere, illustrated by Sofia Panchyshyn
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Narrated”
Winner:
“The Pilot and the Parrot” by James Allan Krause, PhD; narrated by James Allan Krause, PhD
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Quote” / “Best Passage”
Winners:
“You can’t fix the world by emptying it, Melissa.”
- Micky O’Brady, from “Long Division”
“I am human, and when humans hurt, they create art.” / “Be sorry for your hatred, child, not your love.”
- C. J. Canino, from “All the Things I Want to Tell You”
“I just want to write the rest of my life out. Nothing left to say, so I will say it again with new words.”
- Chaz Holesworth, from “When the Light Is Mine”
Honorable Mentions:
“I found my footing not in blind optimism, but in facts; I found my strength in the truth.” / “I wrote this book so that when a crisis demands you sit quietly in the passenger seat, you will remember that you are the captain.”
- Lis Richardson, from “The Logistics of Survival”
“Who would have known that under a lifetime of gentleness and charisma, beneath the surface, lay a warrior who would control his destiny, his path, and his desires until the very last day of a life well lived?”
- Dr. Angela Arias, from “Stories of My Dad as He Lay Dying”
“There is a girl inside of me who wants to be included.” / “There is nothing. My mind is blank, it’s empty.”
- Toni, quoted in “The Words She Left Behind” by Tanya A. Taibl
“What you did was carve out a future, Terza.” / “You painted yourself for the world, before the world could do it for you.”
- Peter Eliott, from “Falconbrow”
“At the forge, heat had purpose. Heat shaped tools. Heat made metal honest. In the yard, heat was a language with only one message.” / “A blacksmith’s edge wasn’t just in the sharpness of his tools. It was in his ability to change the shape of the world and make it look unchanged. If the plantation wanted everything to hold, then he would learn how to make things fail. Quietly. Cleanly. At the right moment. And without leaving a mark that could be traced back to his hands.” / “They were building their own path out of scraps and seams. Samuel was building his out of people. And the thing about people, Samuel understood with a calm that felt like a sickness settling in, was that they were easier to shape than iron if you knew where they were already weak. All you had to do was listen. Then choose what to repeat, and what to keep.” / “That was how erosion worked. You didn’t need proof. You only needed the sense that proof existed somewhere you couldn’t reach.” / “Samuel had built his leverage carefully. Not by proving betrayal. By making trust feel expensive.”/ “Freedom existed. It stood right there, looking like a door no one guarded. … And in that quiet, Lila understood with a clarity that felt like grief: the North did not speak." / “She understood then that freedom was not the opposite of slavery. Not in the simple way people liked to talk about. Freedom was a place where the chains were not always visible, where the hand reaching for you might wear a glove and speak softly, where the threat could arrive as a notice nailed to a wall or a question asked with a smile.”
- Dr. Clifton Wilcox, from “The North Doesn’t Speak”
“Without empathy, efficiency becomes cruelty.”
- Amos Behana, from “Machinehood”
“I wish for you to be waiting for someone who chooses you.” / “I simply want you to feel like a priority and not an option.”
- Shadley Grei, from “Before Closure”
“Everything happens on time. Not necessarily on your time, But on time. God’s time.” / “Lack of evidence is not evidence of lack.” / “You cannot conquer what you don’t confront.” / “Your name is your currency.” / “Life without ACTION is a painting. ACTION is the thing that gets you off the canvas and on to the playing field.”
- Peter C. Remington, from “Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power”
ULTIMATE CHAMPIONS
OCA Ultimate Championship Belt Winner
"Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power" by Peter C. Remington et al.
OCA Ultimate Championship Trophy Winners
"Please Pet Me: I’m Bryn, a Lovable Therapy Dog" by Mary Jean DeSantis, illustrated by Melissa Kahl
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical (Original Cast Recording)" by Betsy Coffeen, Zachary Simpson, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, and Studio Story Monsters
"Falconbrow" by Peter Eliott
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" by C. J. Canino
"Maybelline Has a Very. Bad. Day." by Dawn Dolan, illustrated by Olena Kharkovenko
"Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!" by A.M. Berkowitz
OCA Ultimate Championship Belt Winner
"Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power" by Peter C. Remington et al.
OCA Ultimate Championship Trophy Winners
"Please Pet Me: I’m Bryn, a Lovable Therapy Dog" by Mary Jean DeSantis, illustrated by Melissa Kahl
"Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical (Original Cast Recording)" by Betsy Coffeen, Zachary Simpson, Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, and Studio Story Monsters
"Falconbrow" by Peter Eliott
"All the Things I Want to Tell You" by C. J. Canino
"Maybelline Has a Very. Bad. Day." by Dawn Dolan, illustrated by Olena Kharkovenko
"Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!" by A.M. Berkowitz
Credits for Contributors to Anthologies & Collections
“Dark Canadiana: An Anthology of Canadian Horror”
Edited by James Seamone
Contributing authors: John Adam Gosham, Steve Stred, Joe Powers, K.A. Mielke, Konn Lavery, Debbie Powers, Leonard George, Dana Gricken, Anthony Michael Murphy, James Seamone, Kristal Stittle, Robert Dawson, Stephen Coghlan, Dwain Campbell, Jon Gauthier, Eva Roslin, Daniel Fox, Dean Italiano, Angelique Fawns, Spencer Keene, Carson Fredriksen, C. K. DeLeskie, Justin Allec, Nadia Steven Rysing, Kevin Cull, and Alix Kampen
Foreword by MJ Preston
“Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power”
Peter C. Remington, with contributions by Bill Baldwin, Dr. Jacquie Baly, Lary Barton, Steven Lawrence Biegel, Matt Brice, Charles Clark, Kimberly Sherer Cutchall, Karen DeGeurin, Adrian Duenas, Tod Eason, Gretchen Gilliam, Beth Harp, Alicia Jansen, Romain Kapadia, Joe Machol, Taft McWhorter, Dawn Nelson, Gerard A. OBrien, Mickey O'Neal, Helen Sage Perry, Theresa Roemer, Edward Sanchez, Trace J. Sherer, and Saba Syed
“Unwritten: Young Authors Project”
Arlette Amaro Arias, Gage Bluestein, Daymien Carlos, Jayde Fernandez, Sofia Gonzalez, Jasmine Jamison, Nevaeh Jazo, Aria Lacchei, Genesis Luna Cabrera, Amelia Maragh, Isabella Mendez-Higareda, Scarlett Ortiz Martinez, Tania Perez Martinez, Angelo Quezada, Dorothy Serafin, Anna Truong, and Nael Zacapala
Edited by Sheila Rowe
Cover design by Emilly Lucero Vargas Arroyo
Photography by Jim Cummings
“Dark Canadiana: An Anthology of Canadian Horror”
Edited by James Seamone
Contributing authors: John Adam Gosham, Steve Stred, Joe Powers, K.A. Mielke, Konn Lavery, Debbie Powers, Leonard George, Dana Gricken, Anthony Michael Murphy, James Seamone, Kristal Stittle, Robert Dawson, Stephen Coghlan, Dwain Campbell, Jon Gauthier, Eva Roslin, Daniel Fox, Dean Italiano, Angelique Fawns, Spencer Keene, Carson Fredriksen, C. K. DeLeskie, Justin Allec, Nadia Steven Rysing, Kevin Cull, and Alix Kampen
Foreword by MJ Preston
“Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power”
Peter C. Remington, with contributions by Bill Baldwin, Dr. Jacquie Baly, Lary Barton, Steven Lawrence Biegel, Matt Brice, Charles Clark, Kimberly Sherer Cutchall, Karen DeGeurin, Adrian Duenas, Tod Eason, Gretchen Gilliam, Beth Harp, Alicia Jansen, Romain Kapadia, Joe Machol, Taft McWhorter, Dawn Nelson, Gerard A. OBrien, Mickey O'Neal, Helen Sage Perry, Theresa Roemer, Edward Sanchez, Trace J. Sherer, and Saba Syed
“Unwritten: Young Authors Project”
Arlette Amaro Arias, Gage Bluestein, Daymien Carlos, Jayde Fernandez, Sofia Gonzalez, Jasmine Jamison, Nevaeh Jazo, Aria Lacchei, Genesis Luna Cabrera, Amelia Maragh, Isabella Mendez-Higareda, Scarlett Ortiz Martinez, Tania Perez Martinez, Angelo Quezada, Dorothy Serafin, Anna Truong, and Nael Zacapala
Edited by Sheila Rowe
Cover design by Emilly Lucero Vargas Arroyo
Photography by Jim Cummings
Congratulations to all of our new and returning Outstanding Creator Awards winners!
Don't forget that our next contest (2026 Clash of Champions, our 2026 Fall-Winter Contest) is now open & accepting new entries!
Don't forget that our next contest (2026 Clash of Champions, our 2026 Fall-Winter Contest) is now open & accepting new entries!
