Outstanding Creator Awards
Spring 2022
GRAND-PRIZE/OVERALL WINNERS
(Medalists)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Non-Fiction Book of Spring 2022
1st Place
“Hank Brodt Holocaust Memoirs”
Deborah Donnelly, Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
“Revelation Through Science” James Martin
"The Making of a Physician" Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
2nd Place
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglass Reynolds
“Living with Trisomy 18/Edwards Syndrome” Josie Murrell
“The Team Game” Bellaria Jimenez and John F. Bucsek
3rd Place
“Negotiate Like a CEO” Jotham S. Stein
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Fiction Book of Spring 2022
1st Place
“Finding Grace” Gary Lee Miller
2nd Place
“Just Arrived” Bona Udeze
“Stumbling Through Adulthood” John Sheirer
3rd Place
“Paltronis” David V. Mammina
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
“A Major League Love” Domenic Melillo
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Children's Book of Spring 2022
1st Place
“Garrett Bear Learning from Failure” K. Tang
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
2nd Place
“Chesapeake Nursery Rhyme” Kay Swann-Gregor
“The Boy with the Funny Name” MeChelle Paterek
“Fixing Nick” Howie Groff
3rd Place
“Dance Stance” Once Upon a Dance
“Sam Learns to Hug” Diana Duncan
“Story of Tree & Cloud” Daryl McCullough
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Art of Spring 2022
1st Place
“Statue of Liberty on Fire” Kristan Ryan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Business for Spring 2022
1st Place
Sauced Up Salsa LLC
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Video Game for Spring 2022
1st Place
“Last Soul” by Wulum Games
“Kaiju Wars” by Foolish Mortals Games
Best Non-Fiction Book of Spring 2022
1st Place
“Hank Brodt Holocaust Memoirs”
Deborah Donnelly, Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
“Revelation Through Science” James Martin
"The Making of a Physician" Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
2nd Place
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglass Reynolds
“Living with Trisomy 18/Edwards Syndrome” Josie Murrell
“The Team Game” Bellaria Jimenez and John F. Bucsek
3rd Place
“Negotiate Like a CEO” Jotham S. Stein
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Fiction Book of Spring 2022
1st Place
“Finding Grace” Gary Lee Miller
2nd Place
“Just Arrived” Bona Udeze
“Stumbling Through Adulthood” John Sheirer
3rd Place
“Paltronis” David V. Mammina
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
“A Major League Love” Domenic Melillo
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Children's Book of Spring 2022
1st Place
“Garrett Bear Learning from Failure” K. Tang
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
2nd Place
“Chesapeake Nursery Rhyme” Kay Swann-Gregor
“The Boy with the Funny Name” MeChelle Paterek
“Fixing Nick” Howie Groff
3rd Place
“Dance Stance” Once Upon a Dance
“Sam Learns to Hug” Diana Duncan
“Story of Tree & Cloud” Daryl McCullough
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Art of Spring 2022
1st Place
“Statue of Liberty on Fire” Kristan Ryan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Business for Spring 2022
1st Place
Sauced Up Salsa LLC
Outstanding Creator Award for
Best Video Game for Spring 2022
1st Place
“Last Soul” by Wulum Games
“Kaiju Wars” by Foolish Mortals Games
CATEGORY WINNERS
Outstanding Creator Award for
Fantasy
1st Place
“Paltronis” David V. Mammina
2nd Place
“Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” David V. Mammina
“The Wand” Marieke Lexmond
“The Prophecy” J.B. LIQUORISH
3rd Place
“Gilraen Returns” Dr. Joanne Reid
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science-Fiction
1st Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
“Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” David V. Mammina
Outstanding Creator Award for
Thriller/Suspense
1st Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
“Diminished Capacity” Leighton Rockafellow
2nd Place
“The Prophecy” J.B. LIQUORISH
3rd Place
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Legal Thrillers
1st Place
“Diminished Capacity” Leighton Rockafellow
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science
1st Place
"Revelation Through Science" James Martin
"The Making of a Physician" Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Poetry
1st Place
“Make it a Double” Randall McNair
Outstanding Creator Award for
Business & Entrepreneurship
1st Place
“The Team Game” Bellaria Jimenez, John F. Bucsek
2nd Place
“Negotiate Like a CEO” Jotham S. Stein
3rd Place
“Secrets of the Permafree Book” Dale L. Roberts
Outstanding Creator Award for
Writing & Publishing
1st Place
“Secrets of the Permafree Book” Dale L. Roberts
Outstanding Creator Award for
Psychiatry
1st Place
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
Outstanding Creator Award for
Young-Adult/Teen-Fiction
1st Place
“Paltronis” David V. Mammina
2nd Place
“Grounded” Sarah Hualde
Outstanding Creator Award for
Paranormal Mystery
1st Place
“Grounded” Sarah Hualde
“The Prophecy” J.B. LIQUORISH
Outstanding Creator Award for
Historical Fiction & Fantasy
1st Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
2nd Place
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
3rd Place
“The Cottage” William Thon
Outstanding Creator Award for
Anthologies/Short-Stories/Collections
1st Place
“Stumbling Through Adulthood” John Sheirer
2nd Place
“Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” David V. Mammina
Outstanding Creator Award for
Short-Story
1st Place
“Cry of the Forest” Godwin Cornelius-Udagbor
Outstanding Creator Award for
Health
1st Place
“Living with Trisomy 18/Edwards Syndrome” Josie Murrell
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C
2nd Place
“CARE GIVING GIFT OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE” DAVID SOH POH HUAT
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mental Health
1st Place
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglas Reynolds
2nd Place
“Make it a Double” Randall McNair
“Building with Discarded Stones” Timothy Buckley
Outstanding Creator Award for
Politics (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“Wisdom” Jason Merchey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Politics (Fiction)
1st Place
“Stumbling Through Adulthood” John Sheirer
2nd Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
Outstanding Creator Award for
Politics (Art)
1st Place
“Statue of Liberty on Fire” Kristan Ryan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Self-Help
1st Place
“The Team Game” Bellaria Jimenez, John F. Bucsek
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
2nd Place
“Negotiate Like a CEO” Jotham S. Stein
3rd Place
“Secrets of the Permafree Book” Dale L. Roberts
Outstanding Creator Award for
Marriage & Relationships
1st Place
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
“Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Biographies
1st Place
“Hank Brodt Holocaust Memoirs” Deborah Donnelly, Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C. (Regarding Dr. Charles F. Wooley)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Memoirs & Autobiographies
1st Place
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglass Reynolds
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
"Hank Brodt Holocaust Memoirs"
Deborah Donnelly, Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk
2nd Place
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
Outstanding Creator Award for
Acrylic Art
1st Place
“Statue of Liberty on Fire” Kristan Ryan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science & Technology
1st Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
2nd Place
“Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” David V. Mammina
3rd Place
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
Outstanding Creator Award for
Dystopia/Post-Apocalypse
1st Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
“Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” David V. Mammina
Outstanding Creator Award for
Illustrated & Picture Books (Short)
1st Place
“Garrett Bear Learning from Failure” K. Tang
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
2nd Place
“Fixing Nick” Howie Groff
“Chesapeake Nursery Rhyme” Kay Swann-Gregor
“The Boy with the Funny Name” MeChelle Paterek
3rd Place
“Dance Stance” Once Upon a Dance
“Sam Learns to Hug” Diana Duncan
“Story of Tree and Cloud” Daryl McCullough
Honorable Mentions
“Izza's Tea Party” Hashmat Effendi
“Solita and the Purple Moon” Miriam Isabell Elliott
Outstanding Creator Award for
Illustrated & Picture Books (Long)
1st Place
“Plant Folklore: 120 Stories” Connie L. Taylor
2nd Place
“Using Japanese Paper for Digital Printing” Carl-Evert Jonsson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Reference
1st Place
“Revelation Through Science” James Martin
2nd Place
“Living with Trisomy 18/Edwards Syndrome” Josie Murrel
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
“The Team Game” Bellaria Jimenez, John F. Bucsek
3rd Place
“Negotiate Like a CEO” Jotham S. Stein
Honorable Mentions:
“Plant Folklore: 120 Stories” Connie L. Taylor
“Secrets of the Permafree Book” Dale L. Roberts
“Salt & Light: The Complete Jesus” Jonathan Dean
Outstanding Creator Award for
Religion
1st Place
“Revelation Through Science” James Martin
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
2nd Place
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
“Salt & Light: The Complete Jesus” Jonathan Dean
3rd Place
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
Honorable Mention:
“Dead Men Still Snore” Tammy Tyree
Outstanding Creator Award for
Spirituality
1st Place
“Dead Men Still Snore” Tammy Tyree
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
Outstanding Creator Award for
History (Fiction)
1st Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
Outstanding Creator Award for
History (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“Hank Brodt Holocaust Memoirs”
Deborah Donnelly, Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk
Outstanding Creator Award for
Addiction & Recovery
1st Place
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglass Reynolds
2nd Place
“Make it a Double” Randall McNair
Outstanding Creator Award for
Sports (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“The Team Game” Bellaria Jimenez, John F. Bucsek
Outstanding Creator Award for
Sports (Fiction)
1st Place
“A Major League Love” Domenic Melillo
Outstanding Creator Award for
Gamelit
1st Place
“Gilraen Returns” Dr. Joanne Reid
Outstanding Creator Award for
Dark Fantasy
1st Place
“Paltronis” David V. Mammina
2nd Place
“The Cottage” William Thon
Outstanding Creator Award for
Social Issues/Current Events/Activism
1st Place
“Stumbling Through Adulthood” John Sheirer
2nd Place
“Wisdom” Jason Merchey
3rd Place
“The Cottage” William Thon
Outstanding Creator Award for
Chick Lit
1st Place
“Finding Grace” Gary lee Miller
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
2nd Place
“Grounded” Sarah Hualde
3rd Place
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Crime Drama
1st Place
“Diminished Capacity” Leighton Rockafellow
Outstanding Creator Award for
True Crime
1st Place
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglass Reynolds
Outstanding Creator Award for
Drama
1st Place
“Finding Grace” Gary Lee Miller
2nd Place
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglass Reynolds
“Just Arrived” Bona Udeze
3rd Place
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
“A Major League Love” Domenic Melillo
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
“Diminished Capacity” Leighton Rockafellow
Honorable Mention:
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Christianity
1st Place
“Revelation Through Science” James Martin
2nd Place
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
3rd Place
“Salt & Light: The Complete Jesus” Jonathan Dean
“Building with Discarded Stones” Timothy Buckley
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
Outstanding Creator Award for
Myths & Legends
1st Place
“Cry of the Forest” Godwin-Cornelius Udagbor
“The Wand” Marieke Lexmond
Outstanding Creator Award for
Performing Arts
1st Place
“Dance Stance” Once Upon a Dance
Outstanding Creator Award for
Cozy Mysteries
1st Place
“Grounded” Sarah Hualde
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mysteries
1st Place
“Grounded” Sarah Hualde
Outstanding Creator Award for
Philosophy
1st Place
“Revelation Through Science” James Martin
2nd Place
“Wisdom” Jason Merchey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Contemporary Fiction
1st Place
“Finding Grace” Gary Lee Miller
2nd Place
“Just Arrived” Bona Udeze
“Stumbling Through Adulthood” John Sheirer
“A Major League Love” Domenic Melillo
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
3rd Place
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Romance
1st Place
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
“A Major League Love” Domenic Melillo
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
2nd Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
“Gilraen Returns” Dr. Joanne Reid
3rd Place
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Motivational/Inspirational
1st Place
“Living with Trisomy 18/Edwards Syndrome” Josie Murrell
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
“Hank Brodt Holocaust Memoirs”
Deborah Donnelly. Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglass Reynolds
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
2nd Place
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
“Dead Men Don't Snore” Tammy Tyree
“Building with Discarded Stones” Timothy Buckley
3rd Place
“CARE GIVING GIFT OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE” David Soh Poh Huat
Outstanding Creator Award for
Ethics & Moral Development
1st Place
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
2nd Place
"Wisdom" Jason Merchey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Career
1st Place
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
“Negotiate Like a CEO” Jotham Stein
Outstanding Creator Award for
Safety Books
1st Place
“Izza's Tea Party” Hashmat Effendi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Children's Workbooks
1st Place
“Izza's Tea Party” Hashmat Effendi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Bilingual/Multilingual
1st Place
“Solita and the Purple Moon” Miriam Isabel Elliott
Outstanding Creator Award for
Travel
1st Place
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
“Just Arrived” Bona Udeze
Outstanding Creator Award for
Workbooks
1st Place
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
2nd Place
"Izza's Tea Party" Hashmat Effendi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Children's Inspirational Books
1st Place
“Garrett Bear Learning from Failure” K. Tang
“Story of Tree & Cloud” Daryl McCullough
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
2nd Place
“Sam Learns to Hug” Diana Duncan
“Solita and the Purple Moon” Miriam Isabel Elliott
Outstanding Creator Award for
Literary Fiction
1st Place
“Finding Grace” Gary Lee Miller
2nd Place
“Just Arrived” Bona Udeze
“Stumbling Through Adulthood” John Sheirer
“A Major League Love” Domenic Melillo
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
3rd Place
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Visionary Fiction
1st Place
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
Outstanding Creator Award for
Children's Religious Books
1st Place
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Death, Dying and Grief
1st Place
“Dead Men Still Snore” Tammy Tyree
“Finding Grace” Gary Lee Miller
“Story of Tree & Cloud” by Daryl McCullough
Outstanding Creator Award for
Photography
1st Place
“Using Japanese Paper for Digital Printing” Carl-Evert Jonsson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Education
1st Place
"Dance Stance" Once Upon a Dance
"Building with Discarded Stones" Timothy Buckley
"Revelation Through Science" James Martin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Children's Educational
1st Place
“Garrett Bear Learning from Failure” K. Tang
2nd Place
“Fixing Nick” Howie Groff
“Chesapeake Nursery Rhyme” Kay Swann-Gregor
“The Boy with the Funny Name” MeChelle Paterek
3rd Place
“Dance Stance” Once Upon a Dance
“Sam Learns to Hug” Diana Duncan
“Story of Tree & Cloud” Daryl McCullough
Honorable Mentions:
“Izza's Tea Party” Hashmat Effendi
“Solita and the Purple Moon” Miriam Isabel Elliott
Outstanding Creator Award for
African Literature
1st Place
“Just Arrived” Bona Udeze
2nd Place
“Cry of the Forest” Godwin-Cornelius Udagbor
Outstanding Creator Award for
Personal Growth
1st Place
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
2nd Place
“Wisdom” Jason Merchey
Fantasy
1st Place
“Paltronis” David V. Mammina
2nd Place
“Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” David V. Mammina
“The Wand” Marieke Lexmond
“The Prophecy” J.B. LIQUORISH
3rd Place
“Gilraen Returns” Dr. Joanne Reid
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science-Fiction
1st Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
“Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” David V. Mammina
Outstanding Creator Award for
Thriller/Suspense
1st Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
“Diminished Capacity” Leighton Rockafellow
2nd Place
“The Prophecy” J.B. LIQUORISH
3rd Place
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Legal Thrillers
1st Place
“Diminished Capacity” Leighton Rockafellow
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science
1st Place
"Revelation Through Science" James Martin
"The Making of a Physician" Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Poetry
1st Place
“Make it a Double” Randall McNair
Outstanding Creator Award for
Business & Entrepreneurship
1st Place
“The Team Game” Bellaria Jimenez, John F. Bucsek
2nd Place
“Negotiate Like a CEO” Jotham S. Stein
3rd Place
“Secrets of the Permafree Book” Dale L. Roberts
Outstanding Creator Award for
Writing & Publishing
1st Place
“Secrets of the Permafree Book” Dale L. Roberts
Outstanding Creator Award for
Psychiatry
1st Place
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
Outstanding Creator Award for
Young-Adult/Teen-Fiction
1st Place
“Paltronis” David V. Mammina
2nd Place
“Grounded” Sarah Hualde
Outstanding Creator Award for
Paranormal Mystery
1st Place
“Grounded” Sarah Hualde
“The Prophecy” J.B. LIQUORISH
Outstanding Creator Award for
Historical Fiction & Fantasy
1st Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
2nd Place
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
3rd Place
“The Cottage” William Thon
Outstanding Creator Award for
Anthologies/Short-Stories/Collections
1st Place
“Stumbling Through Adulthood” John Sheirer
2nd Place
“Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” David V. Mammina
Outstanding Creator Award for
Short-Story
1st Place
“Cry of the Forest” Godwin Cornelius-Udagbor
Outstanding Creator Award for
Health
1st Place
“Living with Trisomy 18/Edwards Syndrome” Josie Murrell
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C
2nd Place
“CARE GIVING GIFT OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE” DAVID SOH POH HUAT
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mental Health
1st Place
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglas Reynolds
2nd Place
“Make it a Double” Randall McNair
“Building with Discarded Stones” Timothy Buckley
Outstanding Creator Award for
Politics (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“Wisdom” Jason Merchey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Politics (Fiction)
1st Place
“Stumbling Through Adulthood” John Sheirer
2nd Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
Outstanding Creator Award for
Politics (Art)
1st Place
“Statue of Liberty on Fire” Kristan Ryan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Self-Help
1st Place
“The Team Game” Bellaria Jimenez, John F. Bucsek
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
2nd Place
“Negotiate Like a CEO” Jotham S. Stein
3rd Place
“Secrets of the Permafree Book” Dale L. Roberts
Outstanding Creator Award for
Marriage & Relationships
1st Place
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
“Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
Outstanding Creator Award for
Biographies
1st Place
“Hank Brodt Holocaust Memoirs” Deborah Donnelly, Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C. (Regarding Dr. Charles F. Wooley)
Outstanding Creator Award for
Memoirs & Autobiographies
1st Place
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglass Reynolds
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
"Hank Brodt Holocaust Memoirs"
Deborah Donnelly, Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk
2nd Place
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
Outstanding Creator Award for
Acrylic Art
1st Place
“Statue of Liberty on Fire” Kristan Ryan
Outstanding Creator Award for
Science & Technology
1st Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
2nd Place
“Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” David V. Mammina
3rd Place
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
Outstanding Creator Award for
Dystopia/Post-Apocalypse
1st Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
“Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” David V. Mammina
Outstanding Creator Award for
Illustrated & Picture Books (Short)
1st Place
“Garrett Bear Learning from Failure” K. Tang
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
2nd Place
“Fixing Nick” Howie Groff
“Chesapeake Nursery Rhyme” Kay Swann-Gregor
“The Boy with the Funny Name” MeChelle Paterek
3rd Place
“Dance Stance” Once Upon a Dance
“Sam Learns to Hug” Diana Duncan
“Story of Tree and Cloud” Daryl McCullough
Honorable Mentions
“Izza's Tea Party” Hashmat Effendi
“Solita and the Purple Moon” Miriam Isabell Elliott
Outstanding Creator Award for
Illustrated & Picture Books (Long)
1st Place
“Plant Folklore: 120 Stories” Connie L. Taylor
2nd Place
“Using Japanese Paper for Digital Printing” Carl-Evert Jonsson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Reference
1st Place
“Revelation Through Science” James Martin
2nd Place
“Living with Trisomy 18/Edwards Syndrome” Josie Murrel
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
“The Team Game” Bellaria Jimenez, John F. Bucsek
3rd Place
“Negotiate Like a CEO” Jotham S. Stein
Honorable Mentions:
“Plant Folklore: 120 Stories” Connie L. Taylor
“Secrets of the Permafree Book” Dale L. Roberts
“Salt & Light: The Complete Jesus” Jonathan Dean
Outstanding Creator Award for
Religion
1st Place
“Revelation Through Science” James Martin
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
2nd Place
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
“Salt & Light: The Complete Jesus” Jonathan Dean
3rd Place
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
Honorable Mention:
“Dead Men Still Snore” Tammy Tyree
Outstanding Creator Award for
Spirituality
1st Place
“Dead Men Still Snore” Tammy Tyree
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
Outstanding Creator Award for
History (Fiction)
1st Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
Outstanding Creator Award for
History (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“Hank Brodt Holocaust Memoirs”
Deborah Donnelly, Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk
Outstanding Creator Award for
Addiction & Recovery
1st Place
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglass Reynolds
2nd Place
“Make it a Double” Randall McNair
Outstanding Creator Award for
Sports (Non-Fiction)
1st Place
“The Team Game” Bellaria Jimenez, John F. Bucsek
Outstanding Creator Award for
Sports (Fiction)
1st Place
“A Major League Love” Domenic Melillo
Outstanding Creator Award for
Gamelit
1st Place
“Gilraen Returns” Dr. Joanne Reid
Outstanding Creator Award for
Dark Fantasy
1st Place
“Paltronis” David V. Mammina
2nd Place
“The Cottage” William Thon
Outstanding Creator Award for
Social Issues/Current Events/Activism
1st Place
“Stumbling Through Adulthood” John Sheirer
2nd Place
“Wisdom” Jason Merchey
3rd Place
“The Cottage” William Thon
Outstanding Creator Award for
Chick Lit
1st Place
“Finding Grace” Gary lee Miller
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
2nd Place
“Grounded” Sarah Hualde
3rd Place
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Crime Drama
1st Place
“Diminished Capacity” Leighton Rockafellow
Outstanding Creator Award for
True Crime
1st Place
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglass Reynolds
Outstanding Creator Award for
Drama
1st Place
“Finding Grace” Gary Lee Miller
2nd Place
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglass Reynolds
“Just Arrived” Bona Udeze
3rd Place
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
“A Major League Love” Domenic Melillo
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
“Diminished Capacity” Leighton Rockafellow
Honorable Mention:
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Christianity
1st Place
“Revelation Through Science” James Martin
2nd Place
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
3rd Place
“Salt & Light: The Complete Jesus” Jonathan Dean
“Building with Discarded Stones” Timothy Buckley
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
Outstanding Creator Award for
Myths & Legends
1st Place
“Cry of the Forest” Godwin-Cornelius Udagbor
“The Wand” Marieke Lexmond
Outstanding Creator Award for
Performing Arts
1st Place
“Dance Stance” Once Upon a Dance
Outstanding Creator Award for
Cozy Mysteries
1st Place
“Grounded” Sarah Hualde
Outstanding Creator Award for
Mysteries
1st Place
“Grounded” Sarah Hualde
Outstanding Creator Award for
Philosophy
1st Place
“Revelation Through Science” James Martin
2nd Place
“Wisdom” Jason Merchey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Contemporary Fiction
1st Place
“Finding Grace” Gary Lee Miller
2nd Place
“Just Arrived” Bona Udeze
“Stumbling Through Adulthood” John Sheirer
“A Major League Love” Domenic Melillo
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
3rd Place
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Romance
1st Place
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
“A Major League Love” Domenic Melillo
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
2nd Place
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
“Gilraen Returns” Dr. Joanne Reid
3rd Place
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Motivational/Inspirational
1st Place
“Living with Trisomy 18/Edwards Syndrome” Josie Murrell
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
“Hank Brodt Holocaust Memoirs”
Deborah Donnelly. Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk
“Black, White and Gray All Over” Frederick Douglass Reynolds
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
2nd Place
“Dying for a Drink” Amelia Baker
“Dead Men Don't Snore” Tammy Tyree
“Building with Discarded Stones” Timothy Buckley
3rd Place
“CARE GIVING GIFT OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE” David Soh Poh Huat
Outstanding Creator Award for
Ethics & Moral Development
1st Place
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
2nd Place
"Wisdom" Jason Merchey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Career
1st Place
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
“Negotiate Like a CEO” Jotham Stein
Outstanding Creator Award for
Safety Books
1st Place
“Izza's Tea Party” Hashmat Effendi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Children's Workbooks
1st Place
“Izza's Tea Party” Hashmat Effendi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Bilingual/Multilingual
1st Place
“Solita and the Purple Moon” Miriam Isabel Elliott
Outstanding Creator Award for
Travel
1st Place
“Paris Blue” Julie Scolnik
“Just Arrived” Bona Udeze
Outstanding Creator Award for
Workbooks
1st Place
“Ambushed by Betrayal” Michele Saffier
2nd Place
"Izza's Tea Party" Hashmat Effendi
Outstanding Creator Award for
Children's Inspirational Books
1st Place
“Garrett Bear Learning from Failure” K. Tang
“Story of Tree & Cloud” Daryl McCullough
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
2nd Place
“Sam Learns to Hug” Diana Duncan
“Solita and the Purple Moon” Miriam Isabel Elliott
Outstanding Creator Award for
Literary Fiction
1st Place
“Finding Grace” Gary Lee Miller
2nd Place
“Just Arrived” Bona Udeze
“Stumbling Through Adulthood” John Sheirer
“A Major League Love” Domenic Melillo
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
3rd Place
“A Hundred Honeymoons” J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Visionary Fiction
1st Place
“My Famous Brain” Diane Wald
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
Outstanding Creator Award for
Children's Religious Books
1st Place
“God Made it All” Ruthie Godfrey
Outstanding Creator Award for
Death, Dying and Grief
1st Place
“Dead Men Still Snore” Tammy Tyree
“Finding Grace” Gary Lee Miller
“Story of Tree & Cloud” by Daryl McCullough
Outstanding Creator Award for
Photography
1st Place
“Using Japanese Paper for Digital Printing” Carl-Evert Jonsson
Outstanding Creator Award for
Education
1st Place
"Dance Stance" Once Upon a Dance
"Building with Discarded Stones" Timothy Buckley
"Revelation Through Science" James Martin
Outstanding Creator Award for
Children's Educational
1st Place
“Garrett Bear Learning from Failure” K. Tang
2nd Place
“Fixing Nick” Howie Groff
“Chesapeake Nursery Rhyme” Kay Swann-Gregor
“The Boy with the Funny Name” MeChelle Paterek
3rd Place
“Dance Stance” Once Upon a Dance
“Sam Learns to Hug” Diana Duncan
“Story of Tree & Cloud” Daryl McCullough
Honorable Mentions:
“Izza's Tea Party” Hashmat Effendi
“Solita and the Purple Moon” Miriam Isabel Elliott
Outstanding Creator Award for
African Literature
1st Place
“Just Arrived” Bona Udeze
2nd Place
“Cry of the Forest” Godwin-Cornelius Udagbor
Outstanding Creator Award for
Personal Growth
1st Place
“Enough About Me” Richard Lui
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
2nd Place
“Wisdom” Jason Merchey
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 Book Cover”
Winner:
“The Wand” Marieke Lexmond
Honorable Mentions:
"Dying for a Drink" Amelia Baker
“Dead Men Don't Snore” Tammy Tyree
“The Boy with the Funny Name” MeChelle Paterek
“Grounded” Sarah Hualde
“Gilraen Returns” Dr. Joanne Reid
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
“Garrett Bear Learning from Failure” K. Tang
"Black, White and Gray All Over" Frederick Douglass Reynolds
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Fiction)”
Winner: Gary Lee Miller (“Finding Grace”)
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Non-Fiction)”
Winner: Deborah Donnelly, Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk (“Hank Brodt Holocaust Memoirs”)
Honorable Mention:
“Revelation Through Science” James Martin
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Research”
Winner:
James Martin (“Revelation Through Science”)
Honorable Mentions:
Jonathan Dean (“Salt & Light: The Complete Jesus”)
Jotham Stein (“Negotiate Like a CEO”)
Connie L. Taylor (“Plant Folklore: 120 Stories”)
Bellaria Jimenez, John F. Bucsek (“The Team Game”)
Charles Ross (“The Future is a Memory”)
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best World-Building”
Winners:
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
Honorable Mentions:
“Gilraen Returns” Dr. Joanne Reid
“Paltronis” David V. Mammina
“The Prophecy” J.B. LIQUORISH
"Just Arrived" Bona Udeze
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Character”
Winners:
Emeka from “Just Arrived” by Bona Udeze
Judith from “Finding Grace” by Gary Lee Miller
Ores the Spirit Warrior from “Paltronis” by David V. Mammina
Honorable Mentions:
Jack MacLeod from “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
President Paula Sheridan from "The Future is a Memory" by Charles Ross
Maeve from "The Wand" by Marieke Lexmond
Penny Nichols from “Grounded” by Sarah Hualde
Luca Milano, Sammi Jo (Samantha Jolene Jackson) from “A Major League Love” by Domenic Melillo
Wawrick from “The Prophecy” by J.B. LIQUORISH
Larry Ross from “Diminished Capacity” by Leighton Rockafellow
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Supporting Character”
Winner:
Don from “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
Honorable Mentions:
Grace, Johnny from “Finding Grace” by Gary Lee Miller
Eliza, Sarah from “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
Princess Idunessa from “Paltronis” by David V. Mammina
Rowan from “The Prophecy” by J.B. LIQUORISH
Marilyse from “Of Freedom, Fear and Fantasy” by David V. Mammina
Puddle from “Story of Tree & Cloud” by Daryl McCullough
Papa from "Garrett Bear Learning from Failure" by K. Tang
Michel from "The Boy with the Funny Name" by MeChelle Paterek
Athena, Apollo from “The Cottage” by William Thon
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Villain”
Winner:
Wally Mussel from “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
King Garside from “Paltronis” by David V. Mammina
Mrs. V from “A Hundred Honeymoons” by J.S. Wilson
Honorable Mentions:
Queen Mab from “The Wand” by Marieke Lexmond
Speaker of the House Richard Thorne from “The Future is a Memory” by Charles Ross
Infernos from “Paltronis” by David V. Mammina
Dragons from “The Prophecy” by J.B. LIQUORISH
Pope Eugene IV, Cadmus Upton from “The Cottage” by William Thon
Cynthia from “A Major League Love” by Domenic Melillo
Deadlash from “Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” by David V. Mammina
Janice Rockland from "Grounded" by Sarah Hualde
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Hottest Character”
Winners:
Jack MacLeod from “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
Princess Idunessa from “Paltronis” by David V. Mammina
Veronica from “The Future is a Memory” by Charles Ross
Honorable Mentions:
The mom from “The Boy with the Funny Name” by MeChelle Paterek
Luca Milano, Sammi Jo, Savannah from “A Major League Love” by Domenic Melillo
Maeve from “The Wand” by Marieke Lexmond
Nicole from “Just Arrived” by Bona Udeze
Dr. Sarah Bowe from "My Famous Brain" by Diane Wald
Johnny from “Finding Grace” by Gary Lee Miller
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Couple”
Winners:
Puddle & Folie from “Story of Tree & Cloud” by Daryl McCullough
Luca & Sammi Jo from “A Major League Love” by Domenic Melillo
Honorable Mentions:
Emeka & Nicole from “Just Arrived” by Bona Udeze
Jake & Marilyse from “Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” by David V. Mammina
Gilraen & William from “Gilraen Returns” by Dr. Joanne Reid
Ores & Idunessa from “Paltronis” by David V. Mammina
Jack & Eliza from “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
Todd & Sally from “A Hundred Honeymoons” by J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Funny & Bizarre Moment(s)”
Winners:
* In “The Cottage” by William Thon, Porius (the protagonist) preaches to the reader about how "impressionable and gullible" humanity will learn to listen to and trust science instead of “some imaginary godlike being in the sky” after repeatedly and gladly receiving help and advice from Athena and Apollo, two mythological gods, throughout the whole story.
* In “The Future is a Memory” by Charles Ross, a villainous politician must hand-pick a running mate, so he decides he must choose “Someone so far to the left that they were right and thus fascist.”
* Gestapo-like representatives from Amazon come to punish an Amazon author for poor book sales in "Stumbling Through Adulthood" by John Sheirer
Honorable Mentions:
* “Who cleans up the baby? Who breastfeeds the dishes?” from “Enough About Me” by Richard Lui (Intentional)
* Gilraen being an insufferable bridezilla in “Gilraen Returns” by Dr. Joanne Reid
* Careening sharply off of a cliff with relentless political ranting in “Stumbling Through Adulthood” by John Sheirer after one of the best first-halves of any book
* The protagonists in a sword & sandal fantasy complaining about the evils of automobiles and plastics in “The Cottage” by William Thon
* A character dies by being drowned in a mop bucket in “Grounded” by Sarah Hualde. In reality, this would be extremely difficult to pull off due to the angle that an adult person would need to be in to drown in a fully-assembled Rubbermaid mop bucket. The assailant would have to support most of their body weight at that angle. Also, any struggle whatsoever would knock the bucket over.
* In “Grounded” by Sarah Hualde, the character of Penny Nichols, who is firmly established as being overweight, uses her big butt to push a suspicious Terry out of the doorway, then says that her huge butt was at least good for times like that.
* In “Secrets of the Permafree Book” by Dale L. Roberts, the author abruptly jumps to the ending of the book after briefly introducing some trusted services.
* Instances of uncontrolled, unbridled, one-sided ranting in “Wisdom” by Jason Merchey despite one of the theses of the book seeming to be to think more rationally and less emotionally
* Very sparse, vague, and unspecific instructions in “Using Japanese Paper for Digital Printing” that may lead to your printer getting jammed or your home smelling like eggs
* Trying to figure out when to shout warning prompts at the characters in “Izza's Tea Party” by Hashmat Effendi because the hand sign is confusing or unclear at times
* Frederick Douglass Reynolds and other officers repeatedly calling criminals, suspects, bad officers, and the multitude of stupid people they encounter “d***h***s” in “Black, White and Gray All Over.”
* 40+ instances of “m****r******r(s)” being uttered in “Black, White and Gray All Over” by Frederick Douglass Reynolds
* Every character―male or female―wants to sleep with Jack despite him being old and suffering from erectile dysfunction in “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
* The American soldier on the cover of "A Hundred Honeymoons" by J.S. Wilson is clearly dressed in modern military gear, but Todd served during the Vietnam War. He would not be dressed like that in Vietnam.
* Emeka being cutely and ridiculously socially awkward in “Just Arrived” by Bona Udeze including walking several miles to and from work to avoid his coworkers finding out that he doesn't own a car and not heating up his meals in the same microwave as others because the smell embarrasses him. He would rather eat these meals cold than be embarrassed. While on a lunch date he can't afford, he tries to order something small while his date is away but instead gets into a small argument with the waiter over the cost of a bottle of water.
* Author James Martin in “Revelation Through Science” essentially wrote an encyclopedia of science just because he could (having a PhD in organic chemistry from Princeton), however, much of this information seems to have little to nothing to do with the concerns of the target audience.
* The names of characters in “The Wand” by Marieke Lexmond (like Neumann, Lockwood, and O'seachnasaigh) reminding us of characters from mainstream comedies
* The long history lectures that repeatedly interrupt the labyrinthine and temperamental plot of “The Future is a Memory” by Charles Ross
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Quote”
Winner:
* “I... wanted to remain the son my mother would recognize. That was all I had left to give her.”
- Hank Brodt from “Holocaust Memoirs” by Deborah Donnelly, Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk
Context: A young Hank Brodt, who had already suffered in a Nazi concentration camp, dared to sacrifice some of his water for an older, dying Jewish man on a cattle car because he wanted to be the son that his mother would recognize. Ironically, it's very likely that his mother had already died at that point. Also, Hank owned close to nothing during his ordeal but constantly fought to keep at least a cup and shoes. This is partly why he felt he didn't have much to give. This quote brings multiple aspects of this harrowing true story and Hank's personal arc together.
Honorable Mentions:
* “When I heard the term “no-go zone,” my first thought was, I’m gonna go there."
- Richard Lui from “Enough About Me”
* “You see, we don’t just get to know a loved one’s physical shape... We learn to know that person’s spirit and fall in love with his or her soul. When someone we love leaves us, that person’s beautiful spirit lives on within us, alongside us, and in the atmosphere around us. We just have to look for signs and listen carefully, because that spirit is always with us."
- Daryl McCullough from “Story of Tree & Cloud”
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Book Cover”
Winner:
“The Wand” Marieke Lexmond
Honorable Mentions:
"Dying for a Drink" Amelia Baker
“Dead Men Don't Snore” Tammy Tyree
“The Boy with the Funny Name” MeChelle Paterek
“Grounded” Sarah Hualde
“Gilraen Returns” Dr. Joanne Reid
“The Making of a Physician” Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.
“Garrett Bear Learning from Failure” K. Tang
"Black, White and Gray All Over" Frederick Douglass Reynolds
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Fiction)”
Winner: Gary Lee Miller (“Finding Grace”)
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Writing (Non-Fiction)”
Winner: Deborah Donnelly, Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk (“Hank Brodt Holocaust Memoirs”)
Honorable Mention:
“Revelation Through Science” James Martin
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Research”
Winner:
James Martin (“Revelation Through Science”)
Honorable Mentions:
Jonathan Dean (“Salt & Light: The Complete Jesus”)
Jotham Stein (“Negotiate Like a CEO”)
Connie L. Taylor (“Plant Folklore: 120 Stories”)
Bellaria Jimenez, John F. Bucsek (“The Team Game”)
Charles Ross (“The Future is a Memory”)
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best World-Building”
Winners:
“The Future is a Memory” Charles Ross
Honorable Mentions:
“Gilraen Returns” Dr. Joanne Reid
“Paltronis” David V. Mammina
“The Prophecy” J.B. LIQUORISH
"Just Arrived" Bona Udeze
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Character”
Winners:
Emeka from “Just Arrived” by Bona Udeze
Judith from “Finding Grace” by Gary Lee Miller
Ores the Spirit Warrior from “Paltronis” by David V. Mammina
Honorable Mentions:
Jack MacLeod from “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
President Paula Sheridan from "The Future is a Memory" by Charles Ross
Maeve from "The Wand" by Marieke Lexmond
Penny Nichols from “Grounded” by Sarah Hualde
Luca Milano, Sammi Jo (Samantha Jolene Jackson) from “A Major League Love” by Domenic Melillo
Wawrick from “The Prophecy” by J.B. LIQUORISH
Larry Ross from “Diminished Capacity” by Leighton Rockafellow
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Supporting Character”
Winner:
Don from “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
Honorable Mentions:
Grace, Johnny from “Finding Grace” by Gary Lee Miller
Eliza, Sarah from “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
Princess Idunessa from “Paltronis” by David V. Mammina
Rowan from “The Prophecy” by J.B. LIQUORISH
Marilyse from “Of Freedom, Fear and Fantasy” by David V. Mammina
Puddle from “Story of Tree & Cloud” by Daryl McCullough
Papa from "Garrett Bear Learning from Failure" by K. Tang
Michel from "The Boy with the Funny Name" by MeChelle Paterek
Athena, Apollo from “The Cottage” by William Thon
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Villain”
Winner:
Wally Mussel from “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
King Garside from “Paltronis” by David V. Mammina
Mrs. V from “A Hundred Honeymoons” by J.S. Wilson
Honorable Mentions:
Queen Mab from “The Wand” by Marieke Lexmond
Speaker of the House Richard Thorne from “The Future is a Memory” by Charles Ross
Infernos from “Paltronis” by David V. Mammina
Dragons from “The Prophecy” by J.B. LIQUORISH
Pope Eugene IV, Cadmus Upton from “The Cottage” by William Thon
Cynthia from “A Major League Love” by Domenic Melillo
Deadlash from “Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” by David V. Mammina
Janice Rockland from "Grounded" by Sarah Hualde
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Hottest Character”
Winners:
Jack MacLeod from “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
Princess Idunessa from “Paltronis” by David V. Mammina
Veronica from “The Future is a Memory” by Charles Ross
Honorable Mentions:
The mom from “The Boy with the Funny Name” by MeChelle Paterek
Luca Milano, Sammi Jo, Savannah from “A Major League Love” by Domenic Melillo
Maeve from “The Wand” by Marieke Lexmond
Nicole from “Just Arrived” by Bona Udeze
Dr. Sarah Bowe from "My Famous Brain" by Diane Wald
Johnny from “Finding Grace” by Gary Lee Miller
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Couple”
Winners:
Puddle & Folie from “Story of Tree & Cloud” by Daryl McCullough
Luca & Sammi Jo from “A Major League Love” by Domenic Melillo
Honorable Mentions:
Emeka & Nicole from “Just Arrived” by Bona Udeze
Jake & Marilyse from “Of Freedom, Fear & Fantasy” by David V. Mammina
Gilraen & William from “Gilraen Returns” by Dr. Joanne Reid
Ores & Idunessa from “Paltronis” by David V. Mammina
Jack & Eliza from “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
Todd & Sally from “A Hundred Honeymoons” by J.S. Wilson
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Funny & Bizarre Moment(s)”
Winners:
* In “The Cottage” by William Thon, Porius (the protagonist) preaches to the reader about how "impressionable and gullible" humanity will learn to listen to and trust science instead of “some imaginary godlike being in the sky” after repeatedly and gladly receiving help and advice from Athena and Apollo, two mythological gods, throughout the whole story.
* In “The Future is a Memory” by Charles Ross, a villainous politician must hand-pick a running mate, so he decides he must choose “Someone so far to the left that they were right and thus fascist.”
* Gestapo-like representatives from Amazon come to punish an Amazon author for poor book sales in "Stumbling Through Adulthood" by John Sheirer
Honorable Mentions:
* “Who cleans up the baby? Who breastfeeds the dishes?” from “Enough About Me” by Richard Lui (Intentional)
* Gilraen being an insufferable bridezilla in “Gilraen Returns” by Dr. Joanne Reid
* Careening sharply off of a cliff with relentless political ranting in “Stumbling Through Adulthood” by John Sheirer after one of the best first-halves of any book
* The protagonists in a sword & sandal fantasy complaining about the evils of automobiles and plastics in “The Cottage” by William Thon
* A character dies by being drowned in a mop bucket in “Grounded” by Sarah Hualde. In reality, this would be extremely difficult to pull off due to the angle that an adult person would need to be in to drown in a fully-assembled Rubbermaid mop bucket. The assailant would have to support most of their body weight at that angle. Also, any struggle whatsoever would knock the bucket over.
* In “Grounded” by Sarah Hualde, the character of Penny Nichols, who is firmly established as being overweight, uses her big butt to push a suspicious Terry out of the doorway, then says that her huge butt was at least good for times like that.
* In “Secrets of the Permafree Book” by Dale L. Roberts, the author abruptly jumps to the ending of the book after briefly introducing some trusted services.
* Instances of uncontrolled, unbridled, one-sided ranting in “Wisdom” by Jason Merchey despite one of the theses of the book seeming to be to think more rationally and less emotionally
* Very sparse, vague, and unspecific instructions in “Using Japanese Paper for Digital Printing” that may lead to your printer getting jammed or your home smelling like eggs
* Trying to figure out when to shout warning prompts at the characters in “Izza's Tea Party” by Hashmat Effendi because the hand sign is confusing or unclear at times
* Frederick Douglass Reynolds and other officers repeatedly calling criminals, suspects, bad officers, and the multitude of stupid people they encounter “d***h***s” in “Black, White and Gray All Over.”
* 40+ instances of “m****r******r(s)” being uttered in “Black, White and Gray All Over” by Frederick Douglass Reynolds
* Every character―male or female―wants to sleep with Jack despite him being old and suffering from erectile dysfunction in “My Famous Brain” by Diane Wald
* The American soldier on the cover of "A Hundred Honeymoons" by J.S. Wilson is clearly dressed in modern military gear, but Todd served during the Vietnam War. He would not be dressed like that in Vietnam.
* Emeka being cutely and ridiculously socially awkward in “Just Arrived” by Bona Udeze including walking several miles to and from work to avoid his coworkers finding out that he doesn't own a car and not heating up his meals in the same microwave as others because the smell embarrasses him. He would rather eat these meals cold than be embarrassed. While on a lunch date he can't afford, he tries to order something small while his date is away but instead gets into a small argument with the waiter over the cost of a bottle of water.
* Author James Martin in “Revelation Through Science” essentially wrote an encyclopedia of science just because he could (having a PhD in organic chemistry from Princeton), however, much of this information seems to have little to nothing to do with the concerns of the target audience.
* The names of characters in “The Wand” by Marieke Lexmond (like Neumann, Lockwood, and O'seachnasaigh) reminding us of characters from mainstream comedies
* The long history lectures that repeatedly interrupt the labyrinthine and temperamental plot of “The Future is a Memory” by Charles Ross
Outstanding Creator Award for
“Best Quote”
Winner:
* “I... wanted to remain the son my mother would recognize. That was all I had left to give her.”
- Hank Brodt from “Holocaust Memoirs” by Deborah Donnelly, Hank Brodt, Liesbeth Heenk
Context: A young Hank Brodt, who had already suffered in a Nazi concentration camp, dared to sacrifice some of his water for an older, dying Jewish man on a cattle car because he wanted to be the son that his mother would recognize. Ironically, it's very likely that his mother had already died at that point. Also, Hank owned close to nothing during his ordeal but constantly fought to keep at least a cup and shoes. This is partly why he felt he didn't have much to give. This quote brings multiple aspects of this harrowing true story and Hank's personal arc together.
Honorable Mentions:
* “When I heard the term “no-go zone,” my first thought was, I’m gonna go there."
- Richard Lui from “Enough About Me”
* “You see, we don’t just get to know a loved one’s physical shape... We learn to know that person’s spirit and fall in love with his or her soul. When someone we love leaves us, that person’s beautiful spirit lives on within us, alongside us, and in the atmosphere around us. We just have to look for signs and listen carefully, because that spirit is always with us."
- Daryl McCullough from “Story of Tree & Cloud”