2022 Writing Award Finalists

Anders Hallengren, author and scholar, born in Stockholm in 1950. Received his doctorate for a dissertation on Ralph Waldo Emerson’s philosophy of law, published in 1994 (The Code of Concord). 188 research works listed in the university database DiVA <www.diva-portal.org> 1974-2022. The author of

LAURA XIAO DONG LIU is a student of life who is aligned with nothing else but life itself. She writes from her life experiences and those of her clients to impart a simple message: Each moment of life offers each human being an opportunity for a direct awakening. Peace, love and joy do not lie in

I am a freelance copy-editor and proof-reader and it feels as though I have been writing stories to entertain friends and family all my life. When a short story I was writing grew in unexpected ways and ended up at almost 90,000 words, I figured it was time to take things seriously. I signed up for

Award-winning author and Mobile Literary Festival founder Jodie Cain Smith spent her childhood exploring the shores of Mobile Bay. She is a graduate of the University of South Alabama and Northern Michigan University because earning a degree on both the southern and northern border happened by

Len Joy’s 4th novel, DRY HEAT was published by BQB Publishing in April 2022. New York Times bestselling author Nickolas Butler described it as “…a page-turner with heart. A tale of star-cross lovers and best-laid plans run amok, this smoothly novel is full of friendship, family, and redemption.” It

My novel "Harvest of Rue' was born following the discovery that my mother had been adopted but never knew she was. When I attempted to discover her records I was astonished to find there were none. She had been born before the legislation that required them. What followed was more revelation about

I was born in Africa, but now reside in Perth, Western Australia. I have never been North of the Equator, but that is on my bucket list. After a fall at work where I dislocated my elbow, I started writing a fantasy about an accidental dragon and the man who loves her. I'm having fun writing it

A former Hollywood development executive, working on such films such as "U-571" and "Terminator 3," Kathleen Hannon rotated her North Carolina desk from west-facing to east when the recession hit and wrote her first middle grade novel for her daughters. "Bye for Now: A Wisher's Story" was published

David W. Berner is a best-selling and award-winning author of several books of memoir and fiction. He has been honored as the Writer-in-Residence at the Jack Kerouac Project in Orlando and at the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Home in Oak Park, Illinois. His books have been recognized by the Society of

Andrea Torrey Balsara is an award-winning children's and young adult author/illustrator and motivational speaker. Her passion is to empower children to think for themselves, to learn about the power and beauty of our diverse human family, and to walk the "Hero's Journey" in real life. Having

Andrea Torrey Balsara is an award-winning children's and young adult author/illustrator and motivational speaker. Her passion is to empower children to think for themselves, to learn about the power and beauty of our diverse human family, and to walk the "Hero's Journey" in real life. Having

In my life I've worked in factories, behind several bars and once ran a livery stable. I spent fifteen years as a software engineer in England, Ireland and Scotland – sorry Wales. In 2007 we moved to France. Now I make jam and sell it on the local markets, which is far less lucrative, but far more

I'm a Canadian-Dutch writer temporarily living in Canada as a caregiver for my elderly father, but my permanent home is in Rotterdam with my Dutch musician husband whom I met in a music forum for fans of the Hollies. My background is in advertising copywriting and, along with my English and History

After gaining a Creative Writing (Novel) M.A. from Middlesex University in 2017, I completed my first novel manuscript in 2020. During 2022, I completed the Writing a Novel course from Faber Academy. I am currently working on my second novel. Previously, I have had over fifty articles and short

Sandy Kundra Verma has an Mst in Creative Writing from Cambridge University. Her first novel ‘Burnt Toast’ was published in 2012 and her short fiction has been published in The Barren Magazine, The Bangalore Review and has won The Michael Holroyd Prize. This manuscript has won the Darling Axe First

Born and raised in County Durham. Growing up with a vivid imagination has gained me access to the creative sector, as I work extensively in the entertainment industry following professional training at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (I'm not an actor, if that's what you're thinking?)

A recent graduate of Georgia Southern University with a degree in Writing & Linguistics and a minor in Art History. Currently pursuing an MFA in Dramatic Writing at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Freelance writer and editor, and lover of all things nerdy!

I am a creative soul, the first in my family to get to go to University where I studied film. Unfortunately, I was never able to break into the entertainment industry, but still have a passion for storytelling and look for opportunities to express creativity. I was in the short list last for last

Mandy Munro has a degree in English Literature and Psychology, lives in the northern beaches of Sydney and has travelled extensively, gathering inspiration and research for her writing. In 2022, Mandy longlisted for the Page Turner 2022 Writing Award with The Circle of Choice, the first book in her

I am a 23 year old English writer living in Staffordshire, UK. I enjoy spending time with my horses and both reading and writing fantasy. After becoming lost in the worlds of my favourite books such as Sarah J Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Jennifer L Armentrout's From Blood And Ash, i

I am a forty something, multicultural writer from London who believes in creating stories about characters that are able to break free from the pressures of tradition, religion, class and sexual stereotyping in order to discover who they truly are. I have two teenage children and two wonderful

Masha Shukovich (she/they) is a writer, poet, storyteller, folklorist, teacher, independent scholar, and intuitive chef with ancestry and indigenous roots in the Balkans; the Mediterranean; and West, Central, and Northeast Asia (Siberia). She is a mother, demigirl, neurodivergent person, practical

I'm a member of the Writers’ League of Texas and RWA who's been mentored by a NY Times bestselling author for many years. Last year I was chosen for the Page Turner Awards 'Writers Awards Longlist.' I am a Flight Attendant by day and writer by night, where I get to create lives full of thrills

When Emerson isn't writing historical fiction, she's teaching English literature and creative writing to fabulous students who motivate her to bring her best to every class. Her current story won the ACFW's First Impressions contest and is a finalist in both the Genesis contest and the Page Turner

I'm a proud native of Suffolk, but now live in Wiltshire, divorced with two adult sons, in a small house with a garden I've made from scratch, and two loving, beautiful, mischievous and entertaining Burmese kittens. I've been writing since I was a small child, and began my first published book at

I was born in North Carolina, grew up in Virginia, and returned briefly to North Carolina to complete my bachelor’s degree in business. I’ve spent my professional life, to date, in sales and marketing positions, and as an entrepreneur. Along the way, I discovered my passion for people is only

I am professor of health services research at the London School of Hygiene &amp; Tropical Medicine where I have spent the last 35 years studying and teaching about health care policy, evaluation of services and how to improve them. I have extensive experience of writing non-fiction - research papers

SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF JOCELYN WATSON I was born and grew up in Hong Kong. I have a mixed racial heritage: my mother is Indian and my father English. The Asian Women’s Writers Collective was my first writing home. I am feminist of colour, an activist, a lesbian and a socialist. My first degree was in

I grew up in my native England but in another life and for twenty years, I lived in California where I raised my three children. I began writing my first book, a memoir, in 2013 at the same time I started my blog. As time went on I prioritised my book, life's challenges adding years to the work of

Lois Kennis is a tenacious writer and avid reader who "writes to stir hearts" with a gleam of hope. Kennis is a 2022 Genesis Contest Semifinalist in American Christian Fiction Writers. In 2021, she was a Writing Award Finalist in the Page Turner Awards. Kennis won the American Christian Fiction

Born in London, Liz grew up in the English Lakes and now lives in Noosa, Australia. Her left-brained analytical ability as a teenager allowed her to successfully gain an Oxford Biochemistry degree but hindered her mid-life ambition of becoming an author - something she is attempting to rectify with

David Turner is an engineer with an eye toward the future. He spent ten years working on NASA’s mission critical software, including the Artemis missions that will send humans back to the moon. He enjoys home improvement projects, bartending for his friends, and hiking—especially in national parks

Donna Conrad is an award-winning author, journalist, activist, and teacher whose core values revolve around individual empowerment. Her first published work, House of the Moon: Surviving the Sixties, has received critical acclaim. Upcoming books include historical novels about the lives and

My first published book was about veterinary dermatology, a rather dry text with some disgusting photographs. However, it made my name as a veterinary nurse and helped a few people understand the topic. In 2021, Veneficia Publications published my novel, The Listener, a historical romance with some

Diane Davies, award-winning author of Life in the Neck New Friends, Life in the Neck Squirrel Trouble, Life in the Neck Advent of Christmas, and Jeannie Ann’s Grandma Has Breast Cancer, lives in the Neck right next to the animals making their home there. You’ll find her in one of the Neck’s two

A. Keith Carreiro is an author, poet, and classical guitarist with a lifelong addiction to storytelling. Mountain ranges and coastlines fascinate him, yet he still remains stymied in suburbia. Faith, music, family, friends, a Calico cat named Tick-Tack, and a young golden retriever named Blaise

Novelist, poet and scriptwriter, Gail Aldwin has been writing for over a decade. Her first two coming-of-age novels were runners-up in the Dorchester Literary Festival Writing Prize 2020 and 2022. Gail was awarded a creative writing PhD in 2018 and still laughs whenever she’s called Doctor Gail. She

My work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, Writer’s Digest and Family Circle. A Pushcart Prize nominee, I won the Grand Prize in the annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition and received a Finalist Award in Prose from the Illinois Arts Council. I graduated with a

A Welsh poet and author from the Rhondda Valleys, Philip M John graduated from the University of South Wales in 2014 before working and living across the border in Bristol. He has since returned to Wales and now resides in Monmouthshire. Philip has published four volumes of poetry – Home Truths

I have always loved reading and sharing books with others. I never thought I'd write my own, and it wasn't until I hit my fifties that I decided to give it a go. It has been a steep learning curve, but one I've enjoyed from the first step to now. I started writing historical romance, and that

Alisa Hope Wagner is an international award-winning author, editor and publisher of over thirty books. She married her high school sweetheart, and together they raise their three children in a Christ-centered home. Though an introvert by nature, Alisa easily expresses herself through social media

Alisa Hope Wagner is an international award-winning author, editor and publisher of over thirty books. She married her high school sweetheart, and together they raise their three children in a Christ-centered home. Though an introvert by nature, Alisa easily expresses herself through social media

Steve conveys perspectives and emotions in poems and songs. His draft memoir, Galvanized, tells how he overcame timidity as an air cavalry officer in the Vietnam War. A tuxedo cat from a shelter encourages him from a perch over his PC keyboard. Steve assists disabled veterans in getting government

As a child, Susea was always engrossed in a book. It really wasn’t surprising when she chose lower primary for her career. A retired classroom teacher who majored in English and Children's Literature, Susea spent 23 years making literacy learning fun for her young students. Her favourite time of day

As a child, Susea was always engrossed in a book. It really wasn’t surprising when she chose lower primary for her career. A retired classroom teacher who majored in English and Children's Literature, Susea spent 23 years making literacy learning fun for her young students. Her favourite time of day

Stevie Turner is a British author of Romantic Suspense, Humour, Paranormal, and Women’s Fiction (family dramas). She won an inter-schools' essay competition at the age of 11, and this gave her encouragement to write further. She has now written 15 novels, 6 novellas, 1 memoir, and 18 short stories

B. Romero is a writer, teacher, student, wife, mother, activist, and everything in between. Writing has been her passion since a young age and she is also a lover of all things horror. When she is not writing, B. enjoys reading, gaming, and watching horror movies. During school hours, you can catch

Jeremy Bending spent his life as a hospital doctor and consultant physician. During that time he continued to write fiction and short stories, some of which were brought together in his book 'A Listening Doctor', published by Quartet Books London in 2018. After hanging up his stethoscope, he

Corporate turned creative. Swapping life in a FTSE for freedom, I now enjoy more creative days as an aspiring writer and a business and marketing consultant. My novels, written with screenplay adaptation in mind, draw on the reality of today - the highs and lows, twists and turns of modern life and

Andrew Phillips for "SHOES," "WHISPERS," RIMBOMBO," AND "HOPE OF GLIMMER" I am currently retired from the public education system in North Carolina. My career spans nearly thirty years of teaching early childhood classes, working as a Home/School Coordinator, Arts Coordinator and elementary