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.

Get Notified For 2024 Awards

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

Arthur Atherton Collin for "Flicking Cigarettes at the Sun"
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

I have worked as an architect and designer in Britain and Australia and now live in Sydney. I draw on personal experience for my writing, having lived an eventful life full of strange, wonderful, and traumatic experiences. I completed the year-long Faber Academy Work in Progress program in 2021 and

Pamela Belle for "A Parcel of Rogues"
Genre: Historical Fiction

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

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

Chas Harrington for "The Oblivious Victims of Stephen McGuire"
Genre: Suspense & Thriller

I am a new writer from the south east, I worked as a script reader for a few years writing some of my own short scripts along the way. I have only recently started writing fiction novella as a way to tell more complex stories in a way that is more artistic than what is allowed in screen format. I

Amanda Poll for "Stay And Watch Me Die"
Genre: Young Adult

Hi! I'm Amanda and I live in London, UK. :) Having spent ten years working as a Barrister in Criminal Law, I live and love all things crime! Hence all my books have a strong crime element, based on murder cases I prosecuted and are embedded with twists and conspiracies. As I have teenage children

Amanda Poll for "Beth Death"
Genre: Young Adult

Hi! I'm Amanda and I live in London, UK. :) Having spent ten years working as a Barrister in Criminal Law, I live and love all things crime! Hence all my books have a strong crime element, based on murder cases I prosecuted and are embedded with twists and conspiracies. As I have teenage children

Karin Maatman for "The Second Choice"
Genre: Young Adult

Karin is an autistic mathematician, and writer of science fiction, fantasy and thrillers. After twelve moves within the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France and the UK, she settled in the Garden of England (a.k.a. Kent). As a writer/reader, she is passionate about diversity – any kind – but, more than

Elin Daniels for "The Hollow Mountain"
Genre: Paranormal & Supernatural

I am a graduate of the Curtis Brown Creative Novel-Writing Course, winner of the 2021 Blue Pencil Agency Pitch Prize and have been long listed for Mslexia Novel Writing competitions. The Hollow Mountain is my third novel. I trained as a pharmacist, ultimately heading up a department supporting

Craig Laferriere for "A Christian Living in the Post-Apocalyptic Age"
Genre: Christian

JAC Laferriere is almost a retired scientist. He has numerous publications on a wide range of topics in vaccine research and development, from how to manufacture a vaccine to the health economics of publicly funded immunisation programs. He especially enjoys writing poems, novels and plays with a

Bridget McHugh for "The Dark Consort"
Genre: Fantasy

I’m a psychologist who develops equitable credentialing exams. I live in Alexandria, VA, where I’m the last person who still believes Pokémon Go is cool. When I’m not writing, I’m snapping photos of Pikachu in front of national monuments.

Herb Williams-Dalgart for "Jingle Boys"
Genre: Historical Fiction

Herb Williams-Dalgart is an award-winning author and screenwriter, recognized for developing rich, memorable stories, layered characters, and fresh dialogue across many genres. The grandson of a World War II veteran, Herb maintains a great respect for and fascination with “The Greatest Generation.”

Chad Broughman for "The Fall of Bellwether"
Genre: Historical Fiction

Chad V. Broughman was the recipient of the Rusty Scythe Prize Book award in 2016 and in 2017 was awarded the Adobe Cottage Writers Retreat honor in New Mexico. As well, Chad was awarded two chapbook contracts for his short story collections––“the forsaken” and "slighted"––both published by Etchings

Esme Carpenter for "The Queen's Necromancer"
Genre: Fantasy

Esme Carpenter was born in England where she started writing at a young age. She graduated from the University of East Anglia's BA in English Literature and Creative Writing and went on to become an English teacher. Esme writes fantasy and science-fiction for young adults and adult readers

Gordon Scott for "Sins of the Fathers"
Genre: Crime

I have been awarded second place in the final judging of Hastings Litfest, (a submission from a previous crime thriller), and ‘Sins of the Fathers’ reached a longlist of 20 in the Bridport Prize. (1629 entries). It also achieved a Highly Commended 4th place in the Yeovil Novel Prize, the longlist of

Tim Callaghan for "The Listening Place"
Genre: Fantasy

A life left to my own devices all over the world bred mythical mysteries, fantasies and misery. So I'm an author. I have a feather quill tattoo.

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

T. Christopher Barrett for "COMPADRES"
Genre: Action Adventure

I am eighty-two years young. Born in Batesville, Arkansas. I graduated from Lutcher Stark High School in Orange, Texas. I received my BA Degree with a Major in Voice and Minors in Speech and Drama and Secondary Education from Arkansas College (now known as Lyon College). I taught Choir, Band and

Jennifer Johnson BScN RN for "Nursing Intuition: How to Trust Your Gut, Save Your Sanity and Survive Your Career"
Genre: Non-Fiction

Hi! I'm Nurse Jenn. A wife, mother, ER nurse and author. After over 14 years in the emergency room, I've learned a thing or two, usually that thing is you have no idea what's going to walk through the door next. My debut novel, Nursing Intuition: How to Trust Your Gut, is a mix of Eastern meet

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Karen Milner for "Devil's Claw Bay"
Genre: Suspense & Thriller

I have always written and though I have never been published, I’ve been placed in many writing competitions: most recently I have been longlisted in the CWA’s Debut Dagger, The Yeovil Literary Prize, Flash 500 Novel Comp, The Joan Dempsey First Chapter Contest and shortlisted in The Retreat West

Scott Rye for "KEY WITNESS"
Genre: Crime

Scott Rye is a decorated veteran who served throughout the Middle East and Africa. The author of two non-fiction books, Scott has worked as a newspaper correspondent, magazine editor, advertising copywriter and was a partner and Chief Operating Officer of an ad agency before founding his own crisis

Tracey Shillito for "Throwing Starfish"
Genre: Suspense & Thriller

I was born into a working-class family in the North of England. My family on my father's side are Romany Gypsies who lived a travelling lifestyle. Education wasn't a priority in my family but I was fortunate in that I attended a grammar school which enabled me to get a university education. I have

David Imrie for "The Lost Piece"
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

David Imrie is a British author and literary editor who lives in Galicia (NW Spain). His two novels to date are 'The Lost Piece' and 'Ghosts' (both 2024). Born in Oxford in 1973, during his childhood David's family moved first to Dorset and then to Thurso in the Scottish Highlands, where he went to

Sophie Neville for "LOVE IS FOR THE BRAVE"
Genre: Historical Fiction

After gaining a degree in Anthropology, Sophie went into television production directing her first documentary for Channel 4 when driving from London to Johannesburg. Having produced an INSET series for BBC Education, she set up wildlife films in Botswana and a BLUE PETER exploration of South Africa

Erin Swann for "Awakener"
Genre: Sci-Fi

Erin L. Swann is an avid home cook who has taught visual art for eighteen years in Central Maryland. She recently became an online writing instructor for Authors Publish and has given several free online lectures through them as well. Her work appears in numerous anthologies and publications

Jennifer Newbold for "On Wounds of Woe"
Genre: Historical Fiction

Author of "The Private Misadventures of Nell Nobody," and "On Wounds of Woe," Jennifer Newbold came to fiction writing from a historical perspective, with a belief that history can be immediate and relevant, and that fiction can be a means to making history accessible. But fiction can do so much

Kate Ker for "Slender As The Willow"
Genre: Non-Fiction

Kate, now retired, has been writing since her teens, finding her voice through humorous poems, short stories, and illustrated books for children. In her early twenties she found her work in the Samaritans profoundly affecting and led to a deep interest in people; what influences our beliefs and the