2023 Writing Award Finalists

Page Turner Awards is delighted to announce our 2023 Writing Award finalists, shown in random order!

Please join us in congratulating these rising stars by leaving them a comment at the bottom of their finalist submission. Click 'see more' to read their submission. And you can also congratulate the finalists in our forum.

Wherever you see duplicate faces, it's not a mistake, those writers are to be applauded for having more than one submission reach the finals!

Find entrants by adding a first name or surname into the search box below, don't search for the submission title.

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John Slayton for "Lake Brightside"
Genre: Horror

My debut novel, Running to Graceland, won the Independent Book Publishers gold medal in popular fiction in 2019. I have published fiction in Close to the Bone, Flash Fiction Magazine, Vermont Magazine and a young adult short story anthology published by Simon and Schuster, Soul Searching (2002). I

eugene AUCOIN for "You and God - a Unique Friendship"
Genre: Christian

Eugene Aucoin is a published author whose first book won Asia’s Best Book of the Year in Theology in 2020: The Cardinal Sin Award. His book, "Has Science Killed God? – Three Powerful Ideas that Will Reignite your Faith" (Manila: St Pauls’ Books, 2019), was also published in French in Canada in July

Michelle Iantosca for "The Dominant One"
Genre: Suspense & Thriller

Greetings! My name is Michelle Iantosca. I was born and raised in New England, where I still reside today. I am a fulltime health care worker, an avid reader of Suspense, Thrillers, and Horror, and I spend my free time sharpening my skills as a novelist. I aspire to create three-dimensional and

Alida Winternheimer for "Saving Annabelle"
Genre: Historical Fiction

Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning writer, editor, and teacher. The creator of the Story Works Round Table podcast, the Story Works Fiction online school of creative writing, and developmental editor and writing coach at Word Essential, she has published two craft books, and multiple stories

Owen Levy for "Beyond the Bridge"
Genre: American Urban Street Fiction

OWEN LEVY is the author of two well-received novels, the seminal A Brother’s Touch, set in the early days of the Stonewall liberation movement, and Goodbye Heiko Goodbye Berlin plays out in the early turbulent days after the Fall of the Berlin Wall and move toward German Reunification. A Fellow of

Nick Slessor for "Ruby Rock"
Genre: Young Adult

Although Nick always has scribbled and jotted, he waited until half-time before taking his writing seriously. In the meantime he played the drums, rode motorbikes, worked really hard, moved to the beach. Now he is writing like his life depends on it. His first ever short story won the Northern

Meg Gaertner for "A VERY STRANGE ENCHANTED"
Genre: Young Adult

I am a senior acquiring editor of middle grade and young adult fiction for Jolly Fish Press and Flux, the author of several children’s nonfiction books, a 2019 Pitch Wars mentee, and a graduate of the MFA in Creative Writing program at Antioch University L.A.

Gustav Temple for "HOTEL QUARANTINE"
Genre: Suspense & Thriller

Gustav Temple has been editor of The Chap, a British men's style magazine, for 20 years. This career has allowed him to develop strong writing and editing skills within journalism, while he has also been busy writing fiction in his spare time. As well as Hotel Quarantine, his submission to The Page

Alex Delve for "The Town Between the Sea and the Shore"
Genre: Fantasy

Alex is the the author of THE ELSEWHERE, a genre-twisting paranormal thriller about the voices in our heads and the lengths we go to to avoid them. His aim is not to invent new worlds or fill his books with huge, sprawling maps but instead to tilt our own world, just a little, until we see it from a

Meg Gaertner for "WIND RIDER"
Genre: Young Adult

I am a senior acquiring editor of middle grade and young adult fiction for Jolly Fish Press and Flux, the author of several children’s nonfiction books, a 2019 Pitch Wars mentee, and a graduate of the MFA in Creative Writing program at Antioch University L.A.

Katie Schenck for "The Tides That Bind"
Genre: Women's Fiction

Katie Eagan Schenck writes sweet romance and women’s fiction that warms the heart and gives all the feels. She has an MFA in creative writing from Queens University of Charlotte and her debut novel, A Home for Christmas, was released in October of 2022. When she's not writing she's either drafting

Robert Honeywood for "Friends of the Family"
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Rob was born and bred in Surrey, with stints in Oxford and Freiburg, Germany, to study French and German, and is now based in South East London. He is fifteen years deep into an advertising career, but has always written during spare time as a creative outlet. Looking to elevate his craft, Rob

Linda Gorelova for "The Romanovs Wish You Health in the New Year "
Genre: Historical Fiction

Dear Page Turner Awards Judges, I'm honored to submit my work for your consideration. I've written three novels about the Russian Revolution and the ensuing civil war which center around the Romanovs. The first one, THE MOTH ORCHID (historical, about 99,000 words) starts with the assassination of

Len Cobb for "Cemi Precious"
Genre: Suspense & Thriller

Len Cobb is an emerging author and recovering structural engineer. He has completed one novel and is polishing his second. Len lives in Puerto Rico with his wife, two dogs, and three paddleboards. When not writing or stuck in his day job, he can be found surfing small waves or bicycling. He is not

Adara Spence for "Drawing Red"
Genre: Paranormal & Supernatural

I am a house-bound writer who lives happily with my husband and two cats, spending my days hopping from world to world via audiobooks and manga. I've wanted to be an author since I was 6, or so I've been told. Other options included: doctor, plumber, scientist, accountant, pilot and pokemon trainer

Kathleen Mayes for "THE GUITARIST, THE HIT MAN, AND THE PINES"
Genre: Suspense & Thriller

I am a trained classical guitarist with a BA in music from Rowan University and an MS from Drexel University. I spent thirty years teaching guitar and playing background music, recorded four studio albums, and performed at Carnegie Hall. I am a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, The

Meg Gaertner for "THE FORGOTTEN"
Genre: Young Adult

I am a senior acquiring editor of middle grade and young adult fiction for Jolly Fish Press and Flux, the author of several children’s nonfiction books, a 2019 Pitch Wars mentee, and a graduate of the MFA in Creative Writing program at Antioch University L.A.

Jilly Carrell for "The Origins of Poppies"
Genre: Women's Fiction

Jilly Carrell has been an army wife for the past 18 years, and her husband’s six Afghan tours with the British Army were the inspiration for her submission. Following his death, two years ago, she took a year long sabbatical to spend time with her young daughters and to complete an MA in Creative

Ankit Gupta for "Mind Your Money"
Genre: Non-Fiction

Ankit Gupta is a young passionate Author and a TEDx speaker based in London, United Kingdom. He is a Certified Financial Specialist, accredited by Financial Planning Standards Board, USA, currently recognized globally in 27 countries. Ankit is extremely passionate about Personal Finance and that is

Nick McLoughlin for "Slings and Arrows"
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Nick McLoughlin was born and brought up in Derby. After university he escaped teaching by running away to the French Alps to go snowboarding. He is still there. He is an alumni of the respected Faber 'Writing a Novel' course, and is currently working on his second novel.

Jason Mann for "The Echoing Shore"
Genre: Suspense & Thriller

I have been a journalist in Devon and Cornwall much of my life, but it is only in the past year that I have had the time to pursue my great passion for writing thrillers set on Cornwall’s Atlantic coast. I have swum and surfed there since I was a child and, in fact, my father was one of the county’s

Katherine Powlett for "Between Us"
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Between Us is my first novel inspired by the discovery that most unwanted pregnancies in the UK are for people who already have children, and my fascination with communication between couples - what is said and not said. My flash fiction is published in the Fish Anthology 2021 and will be in the

Richard O'Halloran for "Explicit Consent"
Genre: Suspense & Thriller

Richard O’Halloran is an Australian born, London based writer, and graduate of the University of East Anglia MA in Creative Writing (Prose Fiction)

alexandrea weis for "Murder Race"
Genre: Horror

Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning, international bestselling author, screenwriter, and advanced practice registered nurse who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to

Darren Roberts for "The Correctors"
Genre: Young Adult

A little about me, hmmmmm, where to start? Ok, so, I'm a married father of 6, yes SIX, two grown up kids from failed experiment 1.0 and four from experiment 2.0. This experiment is going strong with my ring finger being dressed for a decade, come this November. If anyone deserves an award, it’s my

Ben Alvord for "The Flames of the Son"
Genre: Young Adult

Ben Alvord has been writing across many different mediums since he was a kid. He's worked in screenwriting, slam poetry, live storytelling, sketch comedy and his original love, fiction. Ben lives in the Hudson Valley of New York with his wife and pitbull mix. When he's not writing, he's working his

Vincent Stoia for "Little Fox"
Genre: Historical Fiction

I grew up in Boston, but I lived abroad for fifteen years. I spent three years in Australia, eleven in Taiwan and one in Japan. While I lived in Taiwan, I published two novels. The first, Jin Village, came out in 2013. The second, Dark Blossom, came out in 2014. I currently live in Los Angeles

Lowri Sian Amies for "The Missing Stitch"
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Writer, actor, tutor and mother (including one bun in the oven!). A little about me: I have written a couple of one-woman shows, most notably ‘Words, words, words’, which was an exploration of the seven stages of grief told through the lens of Shakespeare’s seven ages of man. Here is a link to my

Bryony Seager for "Hide Me In Plain Sight"
Genre: Fantasy

I'm Bryony. I'm 29, and I'm from Northern England. I've been writing, in various capacities, since I was 12.

Loraine Fergusson for "The Fever Box"
Genre: Suspense & Thriller

I grew up in Great Britain on the borders of Wales in a Tudor house on the banks of the River Wye. As LP Fergusson I write serious historical fiction dealing with the Second World War and the War of Spanish Succession. As Loraine Fergusson I write cozy mysteries inspired by my time working in one of

Linda Gorelova for "Half Caribou Man"
Genre: Historical Fiction

Dear Page Turner Awards Judges, I'm honored to submit my work for your consideration. I've written three novels about the Russian Revolution and the ensuing civil war which center around the Romanovs. The first one, THE MOTH ORCHID (historical, about 99,000 words) starts with the assassination of

Pebbles Lacasse for "Snowman’s Burden"
Genre: Romance

The genre I prefer to write is erotic romance, but I have written thrillers and sci-fi fantasy novels under a different pseudonym. My stories are always about the human connection and how precious that can be, no matter the genre. Being loved, truly loved, is what we all hope for. Between everyday

Alan Behr for "Once Upon A Crime"
Genre: Suspense & Thriller

After graduating from Texas A&I University with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, I worked in law enforcement, including an undercover assignment on the east coast. My experience included a stint as a Special Deputy US Marshal traveling to Europe and the Middle East. I received an Outstanding Law

Jamie Clark for "BEFORE I GO"
Genre: Women's Fiction

I am a business owner, mother, military wife and live a short drive from the coast of Maine. My storytelling has historically been done through business branding and marketing until I poured my heart onto pages in the form of my first manuscript, BEFORE I GO. I am currently querying BEFORE I GO and

Nick Slessor for "The Ballad of Bourbon Jones"
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Although Nick always has scribbled and jotted, he waited until half-time before taking his writing seriously. In the meantime he played the drums, rode motorbikes, worked really hard, moved to the beach. Now he is writing like his life depends on it. His first ever short story won the Northern

Meg Gaertner for "THE VOID HAS NEON EYES"
Genre: Young Adult

I am a senior acquiring editor of middle grade and young adult fiction for Jolly Fish Press and Flux, the author of several children’s nonfiction books, a 2019 Pitch Wars mentee, and a graduate of the MFA in Creative Writing program at Antioch University L.A.

Jenny Epstein for "This I Have Done For You"
Genre: Suspense & Thriller

Jenny is a doctor; a job that has long involved observing people, writing and story-telling. Instead of medical articles, now she is writing psychological thrillers. Jenny works full time as an NHS hospital paediatrician. She lives in West London with her partner, two children and two Russian Blue

Victoria Prince for "The Other Side of Snow"
Genre: Young Adult

I have been a practising psychotherapist for over 15 years, specialising in trauma, emotional disorders, psychosis, suicide and self-harm. That experience has informed my portrayal of authentic depictions of lived experiences with mental illness in fiction. I have had short stories published in

Fiona Taylor for "tRuth"
Genre: Women's Fiction

Although I am British I was raised in Zimbabwe and I have also lived in Italy, Spain, Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa, each of which has enriched the texture of my life and allowed my childhood dream of writing a novel to brew over time. A detour that involved a career in sales and marketing

Fergal O'Donnell for "Proconnesus"
Genre: Sci-Fi

Fergal O’Donnell spent twenty years as a senior executive in the technology industry. With a diverse scientific background and a love of travel and adventure, he has written many fiction and non-fiction pieces. Proconnesus is his first novel.

Claire Mitchell for "Felled"
Genre: Women's Fiction

I'm a freelance copywriter living a (mostly) quiet life in South Devon, after spending a decade in the city. I enjoy live music, travel, psychology and spending time outside, and am currently working on my second novel.

Kim Black for "The Traveling Companion"
Genre: Mystery & Cozy Mystery

Kim Black is a not-quite-cozy genre mixologist and award-winning author. She loves learning new things and returned to school in her fifties to receive her certification in screenwriting. She is a member of the Texas High Plains Writers, one of the oldest writers' groups in America. She speaks to

Becky Adams for "Be Brave, Be True, Belong"
Genre: Childrens Middle Grade Books

Becky Adams grew up in a small New England town, the oldest of three daughters. She learned to read in kindergarten and has loved books ever since. Her favorite childhood pastimes were climbing trees and reading books; sometimes reading books in trees. Becky graduated summa cum laude from the

Angela Newton for "And One Fine Morning"
Genre: Women's Fiction

Born in South Dakota, I grew up in Oklahoma and Michigan, and have lived in Chicago, New York, Boston, London, Prague and, for the past 15 years, Paris. I have degrees from the University of Michigan and Harvard, and I'm working on a third at University College London. I have worked as a babysitter

Glenn Miller for "Goon"
Genre: Young Adult

I am an award-winning author of two books: a YA novel “Camper Girl” (Fitzroy Books, 2020), and a picture book, “Red’s First Snow” (Corn Crib Publishing, 2020). I teach college English and volunteer as a youth mentor.

David Turner for "Spacewalker"
Genre: Sci-Fi

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

Leigh Clay for "Instead of Doing Nothing"
Genre: Historical Fiction

Since I was a girl, books have captivated me. As an adult, I've had fun writing stories that make people think and feel. You'll often find topics from my criminology and victimology teaching background in my writing - I infuse elements from these areas to grab readers in a relatable way.

Alex Rogowsky for "On Three"
Genre: Mystery & Cozy Mystery

Alex is a library manager from Brandon, Manitoba.

Wendy Zuccarello for "Loudening Silence"
Genre: Romance

I have my MFA from Southern New Hampshire University. I have self-published eighteen books under my name and the pen name Michelle Rider. I write contemporary romance and romantic suspense. I married my high school sweetheart and we have two amazing teenagers. I spent the first half of my career

Frances Hurd for "The Beautiful Ghost"
Genre: LGBT

I have a PhD in history and specialise in researching the social and emotional impact of the First World War, particularly for gay servicemen and conscientious objectors, whose 'outsider' status meant they had more in common that might be imagined.This novel arose from my original research on gay