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:
The Menu
Steven Manchester

2021 Honorable Mention
318 Pages
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Fiction - Inspirational

The Menu by Steven Manchester is an inspirational novel to savor. It's about a man named Phinn Reed, who has the chance of a lifetime. A chance found mostly in fairytales or romance novels. The chance to choose what he wants out of life. Chief among them is love. The heart wants what the heart wants, but what is the recipe for true happiness? Sometimes love can be found where we aren't looking, and this is the case with Phinn. Love doesn't always make sense, but it always finds a way. Out of love comes more than just the physical--faith can come, and so can family. For those who want to know if you can love, lose, then love again, you're going to have to read this book. We live and die with our choices. What will Phinn choose from God's menu?
This book will take you on a deep dive of questions we all have from time to time: What happens when we die? Is there an afterlife? Will we ever be with lost loved ones again? Manchester is a master at crafting a heartrending story that stays with you, characters that are true to life, and plot points that will make you think and break your heart. The author has skillfully wrapped a self-help book inside a poetic novel. He knows how to bring smiles along with the tears. You won't forget Phinn and Maddie, and it's certain you'll find yourself among the pages. If you like stories where love endureth all things, don't miss The Menu by Steven Manchester.
Recommend this book:
Life Lessons
She thought she was learning to be a student midwife - she was learning to be herself. (Lessons of a Student Midwife)
J E Rowney

2021 Bronze Medal
241 Pages
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Fiction - Inspirational

Life Lessons by J.E. Rowney is an inspirational New Adult novel about Violet Cobham who dreams of becoming a midwife. Now the path to midwifery is hard work, and being part of a team, learning how to get along with and respect other members of staff are essential. And while Violet is not afraid to get her hands dirty, the demons of anxiety that have been hounding her since she was eleven trigger her self-doubt. Luckily, her best friend Zoe provides her with much-needed support. But will it be enough to help her get through a vocation that will make immense demands upon her, where there will be days where she becomes more like a social worker for every woman, baby, and even husband?
In Life Lessons, J.E. Rowney deliberately positions Violet as an inspirational character study for others to emulate as she bravely squares off against the challenges of midwifery, and, through the help of her best friend, navigates her way out of anxiety. I salute Rowney for crafting a novel that espouses what many readers could perceive as a well-worn message, but this is delivered in a rare scenario that you least expect. Effectively told in a first-person POV, Life Lessons has an observational and realistic tone that conveys some melodramatic sentiments without any lachrymose clichés. It evolves far more than your typical girl power novel with its well-written prose that supports its inspiring message. It’s a novel that has the potential to brighten up anyone’s day, and for that alone, it deserves your attention.
Recommend this book:
Sugar Birds
A Novel
Cheryl Grey Bostrom

2021 Silver Medal
328 Pages
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Fiction - Inspirational

Sugar Birds, a novel by Cheryl Grey Bostrom, accomplishes so much that you can’t help but fall in love with it. Aggie Hayes enjoys the outdoors and loves climbing trees and sketching the bird nests that she finds. Her father introduced her to sketching and the wonders of nature to keep her mind off her mother’s worsening depression. Her mother had admonished her to stay on the ground as climbing was too dangerous. Cautious not to upset her mother’s volatile condition, she sulks and lights a small campfire that spreads rapidly, setting the woods and their cabin ablaze. Aggie flees the woods with the guilt that her parents have perished in the fire. Meanwhile, sixteen-year-old Celia Burke is also running away from her own problems. She hears about the fire incident that draws her to help search for Aggie, and this is where their lives begin to cross.
Sugar Birds is familial tension at its finest. This is just the right story about young people navigating through growing pains. There is hardly any false step that Cheryl Grey Bostrom has taken in writing a story about coming of age. Both Aggie and Celia are sympathetic characters that complement each other by their distinctive characteristics. Aggie has that spunk and curiosity common among girls her age, while Celia is in her rebellious phase and is trying to make sense of what is happening in her world. As if the travails of growing up are not enough, Bostrom has provided the storyline with antagonists that you will love to hate. Sugar Birds pushed the right emotional buttons for me, and if you love gritty coming of age stories, this is the one to read.
Recommend this book:
Trusting the Currents
Lynnda Pollio

2021 Gold Medal
288 Pages
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Fiction - Inspirational

Trusting the Currents by Lynnda Pollio is an uplifting story about the spiritual journey of self-discovery, faith, forgiveness and courage of the author, and inspires readers to rise above the insecurities and obstacles in their lives and face the fear of darkness and uncertainty head on. The book teaches readers acceptance and also to learn from their experiences in life and make positive changes in their lives. The presence of a mother and her love during ups and downs in life runs through the book. The book is inspirational and encourages readers to look inward and effect the positive transformation that makes life more meaningful.
The narrator's spiritual awakening, her falling in love, her stepfather and cousin Jenny form an integral part of the story that speaks to readers about the author's transformation. The author teaches readers to trust their own hearts and open their eyes to their surroundings. The book also helps to bring inner peace and happiness and it also touches readers in many ways. Many readers will be able to relate to the author's experiences and this book will sow the seeds of hope in their souls. The writing style is powerful, expressive, exquisite and descriptive. All the characters are memorable and will remain in readers' heart for a long time. This timeless story of love, courage and spiritual transformation is definitely worth reading and also owning in one's personal collection.
Recommend this book:
Finding James
Nancy Blaha

2020 Finalist
304 Pages
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Fiction - Inspirational

Karen hasn’t been back to her hometown in South Carolina since her twin brother killed himself years earlier. Getting a call from her alcoholic mother on the day she finds out her husband has been seeing another woman, she heads back to the place where she grew up to see the father that abandoned her and her brother when they were kids. Karen immediately is confronted by her memories of the past and the people she left behind. From an ex-boyfriend that decided to let her go rather than make the journey to California, to the best friend who didn’t care to keep in touch after her brother James’ death, Karen tries to keep her feelings in check during this brief visit.
I enjoyed reading Finding James by Nancy Blaha. I thought it was a very realistic storyline and a plot with very relatable characters. It was really easy to get into the story and feel the heartbreak Karen was feeling about her husband and then finding out about her father. It’s a lovers' triangle, but it has a very unique and different approach which made it easier for me to enjoy. Romance typically isn’t my genre, but I found myself enjoying Finding James and following Karen's journey back to her hometown and the road bumps and issues she faces finally coming home to see her sick father. I think Nancy Blaha has created a wonderful story of heartache, first love, and forgiveness. It’s a book I would recommend and I cannot wait to read more of the author's work.
Recommend this book:
The Calling
Unleash your true self
Priya Kumar

2020 Honorable Mention
166 Pages
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Fiction - Inspirational

The Calling: Unleash Your True Self by Priya Kumar is an inspirational book that fans of The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho and The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma will enjoy. Arjun is on the point of a divorce and feeling as though nothing works in his life. After an accident, an unusual encounter sets him on a spiritual odyssey into the heart of the Himalayas on the counsel of a sadhu. His life is about to change as the experience strips him of burdens, leaving him face to face with the most essential: his purpose. At the start of the story, he is a man who goes through a serious breakdown: dislocated shoulder, injuries to the head, a broken neck, kidneys that are failing, blocked valves in the heart, and other imperfections that the sadhu sees. But can this journey mend him?
This is a story told in a unique voice that is both compassionate and compelling. It is the voice of wisdom. In this book, Priya Kumar teaches readers about the power of facing their truth, of looking at their own self with courage. The Calling: Unleash Your True Self is a story that proposes a path to unveiling one’s purpose in life and how to find the courage to embrace it. The story is filled with insights about life and a spiritual depth that ushers readers into a new kind consciousness, prompting them to look past the ordinary things of life and to tap into their spiritual source to find their strength and purpose. This book will change the way readers see themselves and life. It is both entertaining and enlightening, written in prose that is fluid and in a tone that draws the reader in irresistibly.
Recommend this book:
Cycle
Jay Amberg

2020 Bronze Medal
183 Pages
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Fiction - Inspirational

“The Cycle” by Jay Amberg is a very different, but very interesting, type of book. I am not sure how to classify it, but I think it should be required reading for a lot of people, from students to corporate CEO’s. The 'Cycle' Jay is writing about is, in its simplest form, the life cycle. But it is also much more than that, expanding its frame of reference to include the planetary cycle of existence. It is a book told in four parts, from the perspective of a Redwood tree, a Monarch butterfly, a Wolf pack and a Sperm whale. Each of these diverse perspectives begins at birth, of either the narrating organism, or its offspring. As they narrate their “typical” lives, they also relate evolutionarily recent intrusions into their lives, which have had, or are having, a negative impact on their respective existences.
The Redwood tree discusses the “recent” sound of chainsaws drawing nearer to it each year, although it does not know they are chainsaws. It DOES know post-storm runoff has become more violent and dirty each year, to the point of undercutting some of its kin. The Monarch begins as an egg, and narrates it entire life cycle up to the point at which it migrates to its wintering grounds in a Mexican forest, only to find that the forest is no longer there. The Wolf matriarch’s tale is by far the longest, beginning with her having just given birth to another litter. She relates all the hardships they encounter, including the death of a high percentage of the pups she has birthed during her reproductive life span. Intrusions by a “giant black bird” (actually a helicopter) impact the clan by discharging scientists who study them. Finally, the Sperm whale concludes the story by expressing how human interaction over the past several hundred years has had escalating impacts on not just Sperm whales, but on the ocean itself, and even the planet as a whole. This book is not fiction, beyond the talking trees and animals. However, the message of the book is an important one which we humans all need to become aware of. I highly recommend this book for all who intend to spend their life on planet Earth.
Recommend this book:
A Mind to Mind Conversation
Change Your Mind, Change Your Life
Denis Hachey

2020 Silver Medal
161 Pages
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Fiction - Inspirational

A Mind to Mind Conversation (Change Your Mind, Change Your Life) by Denis Hachey is an inspirational fiction novel that would appeal most to a mixed audience of young adults and adults who enjoy a story while also learning about the mind. As a child, David developed a negative mindset that led to him blaming others for his struggles, failings, and the wrath that is directed at him. This mindset led to David living a life filled with negative emotions until an accident lands him in the hospital. The accident and the hospitalization that follows present David with a chance to change his life for the better. Are you ready to follow David, and his mentor Aunt Sally on the journey of his subconscious mind?
A Mind to Mind Conversation (Change Your Mind, Change Your Life) by Denis Hachey is a well-written book with a thought-provoking cover image that practically begs to be read. As a graduate psychology student, this book was of great interest to me with how it explored the mind through a fictional lens. This unique method of exploration really appealed to me as David’s story made me feel a personal connection to David. This helped me to better retain the information I learned about the mind. I personally found the facts about a negative mindset and the importance of a positive mindset matched up with what I have learned in positive psychology, yet the author made the topic much more interesting than my professor did. Overall, I enjoyed this book from both an entertainment and educational perspective!
Recommend this book:
Valiance
Adversity Means Nothing in the Face of His Perseverance
Vanessa Caraveo

2020 Gold Medal
250 Pages
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Fiction - Inspirational

Valiance by Vanessa Caraveo is a young adult story that will inspire and educate people of all ages and creeds. Diego Herrera was born deaf and mute and his parents are illegal immigrants from Mexico. All these things mean that life is not easy for Diego from the start. His sister resents him and his father leaves their family without a word. At school, Diego does well but there is always a bully to call him a freak. The only bright spot is his love of soccer. He fell in love with the beautiful game from the first game he watched before his fifth birthday. He wants to play soccer above all else, just like the professional German soccer player who is like him. But it won't be easy.
As the subtitle says Adversity Means Nothing in the Face of His Perseverance, Diego had true grit. I felt his love of soccer and the real pressure on him every time he reached a stumbling block. He didn’t give up, he kept on going even when it seemed there was no way through. Valiance is a heartwarming tale that opened my eyes to the struggles of being deaf and mute. This is the kind of book that will teach children to be compassionate and to never give up on a dream. Life truly favors the bold. I also sympathized to a small extent with his father and sister. Parents should be balanced in their love of their children despite their special needs to avoid petty jealousy. I was disappointed when Diego’s father ran away but was happy that he acknowledged his mistake in the end. A must-read for teens and adults.
Recommend this book:
The Harsh Truths
a ONE chapter book
W.T. Hamilton

2019 Finalist
145 Pages
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Fiction - Inspirational

The Harsh Truths by W.T. Hamilton isn't your run-of-the-mill novel but is a uniquely inspirational story that explores the secrets of failure and success. In the tradition of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, the author of this book presents an enigmatic character, Peter, a struggling entrepreneur who wants success. Peter seeks the help and counsel of a friend and what follows is a journey that unveils truths about what it takes to win and why many fail. The protagonist is forced to look at himself, at the reality before him, and at the challenges that lie between him and his dream.
In The Harsh Truths, W.T. Hamilton shares powerful secrets about success and unveils the code that will help readers find their path to success. The book is intriguing and filled with uncomfortable truths. It is well imagined and written in a style that is both accessible and engaging. Peter is the character that I identified with the most. He is overwhelmed and literally going under. But an unexpected intellectual journey opens his eyes to life-transforming truths. The message contained in this slim yet compelling narrative is challenging and the author adopts a style that enables readers to enjoy both the relationship between the characters and the art of communication. A gold mine for those who are looking for what it takes to succeed in life and business. A page-turner, packed with wisdom and insight.
