150 Award Genres
Children
- Children - Action
- Children - Adventure
- Children - Animals
- Children - Audiobook
- Children - Christian
- Children - Coming of Age
- Children - Concept
- Children - Educational
- Children - Fable
- Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Children - General
- Children - Grade 4th-6th
- Children - Grade K-3rd
- Children - Mystery
- Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Children - Non-Fiction
- Children - Picture Book
- Children - Preschool
- Children - Preteen
- Children - Religious Theme
- Children - Social Issues
Christian
- Christian - Amish
- Christian - Biblical Counseling
- Christian - Devotion/Study
- Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Christian - Fiction
- Christian - General
- Christian - Historical Fiction
- Christian - Living
- Christian - Non-Fiction
- Christian - Romance - Contemporary
- Christian - Romance - General
- Christian - Romance - Historical
- Christian - Thriller
Fiction
- Fiction - Action
- Fiction - Adventure
- Fiction - Animals
- Fiction - Anthology
- Fiction - Audiobook
- Fiction - Chick Lit
- Fiction - Crime
- Fiction - Cultural
- Fiction - Drama
- Fiction - Dystopia
- Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
- Fiction - Fantasy - General
- Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
- Fiction - General
- Fiction - Graphic Novel/Comic
- Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
- Fiction - Historical - Personage
- Fiction - Holiday
- Fiction - Horror
- Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Fiction - Inspirational
- Fiction - Intrigue
- Fiction - LGBTQ
- Fiction - Literary
- Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
- Fiction - Military
- Fiction - Mystery - General
- Fiction - Mystery - Historical
- Fiction - Mystery - Legal
- Fiction - Mystery - Murder
- Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
- Fiction - Mythology
- Fiction - New Adult
- Fiction - Paranormal
- Fiction - Realistic
- Fiction - Religious Theme
- Fiction - Science Fiction
- Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Fiction - Social Issues
- Fiction - Southern
- Fiction - Sports
- Fiction - Supernatural
- Fiction - Suspense
- Fiction - Tall Tale
- Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
- Fiction - Thriller - Environmental
- Fiction - Thriller - Espionage
- Fiction - Thriller - General
- Fiction - Thriller - Legal
- Fiction - Thriller - Medical
- Fiction - Thriller - Political
- Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
- Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist
- Fiction - Time Travel
- Fiction - Urban
- Fiction - Visionary
- Fiction - Western
- Fiction - Womens
Non-Fiction
- Non-Fiction - Adventure
- Non-Fiction - Animals
- Non-Fiction - Anthology
- Non-Fiction - Art/Photography
- Non-Fiction - Audiobook
- Non-Fiction - Autobiography
- Non-Fiction - Biography
- Non-Fiction - Business/Finance
- Non-Fiction - Cooking/Food
- Non-Fiction - Cultural
- Non-Fiction - Drama
- Non-Fiction - Education
- Non-Fiction - Environment
- Non-Fiction - Genealogy
- Non-Fiction - General
- Non-Fiction - Gov/Politics
- Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
- Non-Fiction - Health - Fitness
- Non-Fiction - Health - Medical
- Non-Fiction - Historical
- Non-Fiction - Hobby
- Non-Fiction - Home/Crafts
- Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Non-Fiction - Inspirational
- Non-Fiction - LGBTQ
- Non-Fiction - Marketing
- Non-Fiction - Memoir
- Non-Fiction - Military
- Non-Fiction - Motivational
- Non-Fiction - Music/Entertainment
- Non-Fiction - New Age
- Non-Fiction - Occupational
- Non-Fiction - Parenting
- Non-Fiction - Relationships
- Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
- Non-Fiction - Retirement
- Non-Fiction - Self Help
- Non-Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Non-Fiction - Social Issues
- Non-Fiction - Spiritual/Supernatural
- Non-Fiction - Sports
- Non-Fiction - Travel
- Non-Fiction - True Crime
- Non-Fiction - Womens
- Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
Poetry
Romance
Young Adult
- Young Adult - Action
- Young Adult - Adventure
- Young Adult - Coming of Age
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
- Young Adult - Fantasy - General
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Urban
- Young Adult - General
- Young Adult - Horror
- Young Adult - Mystery
- Young Adult - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Young Adult - Non-Fiction
- Young Adult - Paranormal
- Young Adult - Religious Theme
- Young Adult - Romance
- Young Adult - Sci-Fi
- Young Adult - Social Issues
- Young Adult - Thriller
Illustration Award
Recommend this book:
14 Steps to Self-Publishing a Book
Mike Kowis
2017 Honorable Mention
68 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
Writing a book is one great undertaking. But when it’s done and ready to produce in book form, is the writer’s job really done? How many publishers should a writer approach before giving up? Or should the writer ever give up? Well, there is another alternative. In today’s quagmire of book publishing options, writers don’t have to restrict their options to the big name traditional publishing houses. In fact, the very idea of self-publishing, which may terrify many writers, has a lot of positive aspects, not the least of which is maintaining complete control over the book from start to finish, from writing and editing, to printing, marketing and distributing. It’s not easy, but it can be done with a little bit of help from a veteran author, as well as a blue-collar tax attorney and business professional, Mike Kowis, Esq. and his latest book, 14 Steps to Self-Publishing a Book.
The author, having already successfully self-published his own book, Engaging College Students: A Fun and Edgy Guide for Professors, has first-hand experience, which he shares in an orderly and well presented, easy-to-follow manner. He begins with the very basic necessity of finishing the book, editing it and preparing it for publication. He moves through some obvious and some not-so-obvious steps necessary to produce and market the book, with useful tips and links to other publications and websites to further assist the self-published author, including, most importantly, the basic one of registering copyright and obtaining ISBN numbers. All very important information and all very succinctly presented. A very useful guide. And, as the author points out in his conclusion, it’s not really so difficult to self-publish because, “If I [meaning the author] can do it, anyone can.”
Recommend this book:
Write!
Find the Truth in Your Fiction
Gerald DiPego
2017 Bronze Medal
146 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
Do you have a burning desire to write? Are you ready to take the leap and sit down to pen your first novel? But how do you get started? Write!: Find The Truth In Your Fiction by Gerald DiPego is a fiction writer's guide that starts the reader on a writing journey. Beginning with the bare basics, brainstorming, this book helps the reader learn the mechanics of writing by using extensive examples of well-known novelists, along with some of his better-known works. Touching on different subjects such as Character Development, Dialogue, Plotting, and Outlining, this book can be considered a great alternative to a beginner's creative writing course. The book is written in a conversational style that invites the reader's inner writer to come out and play. Complete with sections on screenwriting and editing, this book has many creative writing gems worth exploring. Are you ready to write?
Write!: Find Your Truth In Fiction by Gerald DiPego is a beginning writer's handbook. The author is a well-known novelist, playwright, and screenwriter, who has won several awards and worked with top talents such as John Travolta, Anthony Hopkins, Juliette Binoche, Kevin Costner, Jennifer Lopez, and many others. Although I expected more from such a celebrated author, I feel that this book is perfect for the aspiring writer just breaking into the field as it covers the basics of fiction writing. I would recommend this book for those that are new to writing fiction and are ready to make their writing dreams come true.
Recommend this book:
Writing Memoir
The Practical Guide to Writing and Publishing the Story of Your Life
Jerry Payne
2017 Silver Medal
126 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
In a short amount of space, Writing Memoir: The Practical Guide to Writing and Publishing the Story of Your Life educates the aspiring memoir writer on every aspect of book construction, including pitches, themes, writing techniques and publishing. Author Jerry Payne does not sugarcoat the facts of book publishing, but holds the reader’s hand as they start with a concept for a memoir and develop a manuscript. Included in the book are reasons why people might write a memoir, advice on how to stick to the facts of a story while honoring private names and places, writing tips, examples of story structures, and how to outline. There are invaluable examples of other memoirs, as well as what to do when you are finished writing. Writers, experienced and new, should find something helpful in this book.
Reading Writing Memoir: The Practical Guide to Writing and Publishing the Story of Your Life happened to coincide with a class I’m taking on memoir writing and nonfiction. I have to say that this book is more straightforward and entertaining than my class textbook, and I indeed learned more through Jerry Payne’s examples and advice. Some of the highlights would include the perfect start to finish the structure of the book, the advice to connect with a reader and make the memoir less about you, and the editing and publishing advice toward the end of the book. Many books of this genre do not offer that kind of help for the reader. All in all, this book was a delight to read, extremely informative, and will no doubt help me with my own writing endeavors. I recommend it to anyone looking to start a memoir for any reason, whether as a family keepsake or to sell to the public.
Recommend this book:
The Writer's Process
Getting Your Brain in Gear
Anne Janzer
2017 Gold Medal
201 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
This is one of the best books on writing that I have had the pleasure to read. The Writer’s Process: Getting Your Brain in Gear is filled with writing tips and how to avoid some of the traps writers fall into, mainly social media, productivity issues, and the dreaded writer’s block. Author Anne H. Janzer explains many techniques that help writers, including the Pomodoro Technique, how to focus using the muse and the scribe, ways to get into the flow of writing without being self-critical, and how to find inspiration when stuck on a writing project. The book even includes recommendations for writing apps to help productivity, as well as some troubleshooting ideas for finding time for writing and dealing with writer’s block. There are research plans and steps for the nonfiction writer and, while the book focuses on nonfiction, there are helpful tips for the fiction writer as well.
It is very rare to come across a nonfiction book that grabs the reader and holds their attention as well as this one does. Throughout the book, I was engaged in the instructions and the writing and found myself immersed in The Writer’s Process as though it were a work of fiction. There were so many highlights, including the baking bread metaphor, the instructions on outlining and blueprinting, the seven step writing process, the many ways to avoid the temptations of social media and the internet, and the advice to let a piece of writing sit before jumping back in for edits or revisions. Author Anne H. Janzer is a superb writer who knows her craft and has done a fine job of educating others. I will take away a list of writing tips after reading this book, and I will certainly become a more productive writer. I recommend this book to all writers in all genres. There is something here for everyone!
Recommend this book:
My Guide: How to Write a Novel
Rebecca Richmond,Claire Pickering
2014 Bronze Medal
325 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
I read a lot of self-help books and when I do, I want them to inform me, give me specific, practical, and above all useful information in a particular area. It helps, of course, if the book is organized and well written. My Guide: How to Write a Novel by Rebecca Richmond and Claire Pickering gets five stars. It meets all the criteria for becoming a great self-help classic. It is thorough, comprehensive, and very well written. I have read several books about writing, in particular writing a novel, and many of them were informative about particular areas of the process, but this book covers everything and it covers it all well. I was pleasantly surprised and very impressed. Most of all, I was inspired to dust off my own unfinished manuscript and go to work again.
My Guide: How to Write a Novel has eleven chapters. There are three hundred and four pages when you include the bibliography and index. Rebecca Richmond and Clare Pickering are thorough and professional as they lay out a road map for the aspiring writer and deserve all the success and acclaim that should follow a job well done. My Guide: How to Write a Novel is not dry reading of information. There are many interesting facts about the history of writing and inspirational tidbits about famous authors. But the meat is there, too. All aspects from getting started to actual publication are covered in My Guide: How to Write a Novel. I give it five stars.
Recommend this book:
Fire up Your Fiction
An Editor's Guide to Writing Compelling Stories
Jodie Renner
2014 Silver Medal
191 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
Jodie Renner has done fiction writers a huge favor by compiling her blogs into Fire Up Your Fiction: An Editor’s Guide to Writing Compelling Stories. She covers subjects that can get a story moving and not only draw the reader in, but hold their attention and keep them turning pages. She covers the issues involved with creating and keeping conflict, tension, and action burning throughout your story and showing rather than telling. She addresses how the market and the reader have changed in the past several decades and how their lack of patience no longer allows the author to wander off on detailed descriptions that did not used to bother the reader. She also discusses wordiness and the use of clichés, as well as cutting down your word count in order to get to the action and keep it moving. She also gives excellent advice on how to make your dialogue sizzle; a problem for nearly every author. All in all, this volume is packed with plenty of digestible literary protein that will feed writers and make them eager for action.
As a novelist who also has a few years behind me, I was extremely appreciative of the insights and reminders that Jodie Renner provided for me in Fire Up Your Fiction: An Editor’s Guide to Writing Compelling Stories. Many of these lessons were taught in my literature and creative writing classes in college, but that was almost 30 years ago and I had forgotten a few things. Additionally, I was unaware of the impatience of modern readers and had been writing in a way that favored the older, more patient reader. Updating my style has become a critical focus for me. Packed with information, accurate and inspiring, Fire Up Your Fiction: An Editor’s Guide to Writing Compelling Stories will help you transform your fiction into a more marketable product.