2024 Book Award Finalists

Though Deborah L. King has been a writer and storyteller her whole life, publishing her first short story at seven years old, she took 32 years to complete her first novel. As a fiction writer, Deborah loves the work of Octavia Butler, classic Stephen King, Peter David, and the illustrations of Dan

This immersive, multi-genre writer does not shy away from diversity of thought but rather embraces the creative challenge it sets forth. Included in Murphy's portfolio is her multi-genre work of fiction, 'Speaking Of'; a novel – 'The Emerald Diaries-Secrets of an Irish Clan'; Sweet Peas and Bees -

Victoria Liiv is a writer, reader, nature lover and traveller at heart. She has been travelling through magical worlds since a very young age and wants more than anything to share the wonder with everyone else eager to escape from all things mundane. In her own everyday life she found the magic in

During his 40-year mercurial career, Harvey Lee has established himself as one of the world's leading product marketers. Progressive, persistent, and pioneering, he’s helped generate billions in revenue, shattered records, and pioneered categories. He played a key role in launching the original Xbox

A native of Charleston West Virginia, Jeffrey lives with his wife and “spousal unit” of thirty-five years, Jennifer, in North Carolina. With their three grown children out living successful lives, Jeffrey intends to devote more time honing his craft and carving out the next historical military novel

Born in England, breaking into serious novel writing wasn’t something I began in earnest until taking early retirement after selling my business. Two decades of writing non-fiction, graphic design, magazine publication and organic skincare manufacturing, finally led me to my dream job. Writing

This immersive, multi-genre writer does not shy away from diversity of thought but rather embraces the creative challenge it sets forth. Included in Murphy's portfolio is her multi-genre work of fiction, 'Speaking Of'; a novel – 'The Emerald Diaries-Secrets of an Irish Clan'; Sweet Peas and Bees -

Thomas Henry Pope gives the landscapes in his novels as much agency to influence events as he does to his characters. His narrative style draws on his passions of journalism, theater, songwriting and teaching. And his world travels provide grist for his characters and stories. His debut novel

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

Lizann Lightfoot is an experienced writer, editor, and speaker for the military community. After two decades with her Marine—which included seven deployments, six PCS moves, five children, and three years overseas—she specializes in sharing resources and encouragement with families through the many

This immersive, multi-genre writer does not shy away from diversity of thought but rather embraces the creative challenge it sets forth. Included in Murphy's portfolio is her multi-genre work of fiction, 'Speaking Of'; a novel – 'The Emerald Diaries-Secrets of an Irish Clan'; Sweet Peas and Bees -

Annette Kane was a painter for many years, with representation in London, Amsterdam and New York. A book about her work, Being Bold in Watercolour, was released in 2006. She has also worked as a signwriter, screen printer, teacher, Humanist celebrant and Citizens Advice adviser. She now writes

This immersive, multi-genre writer does not shy away from diversity of thought but rather embraces the creative challenge it sets forth. Included in Murphy's portfolio is her multi-genre work of fiction, 'Speaking Of'; a novel – 'The Emerald Diaries-Secrets of an Irish Clan'; Sweet Peas and Bees -

This immersive, multi-genre writer does not shy away from diversity of thought but rather embraces the creative challenge it sets forth. Included in Murphy's portfolio is her multi-genre work of fiction, 'Speaking Of'; a novel – 'The Emerald Diaries-Secrets of an Irish Clan'; Sweet Peas and Bees -

This immersive, multi-genre writer does not shy away from diversity of thought but rather embraces the creative challenge it sets forth. Included in Murphy's portfolio is her multi-genre work of fiction, 'Speaking Of'; a novel – 'The Emerald Diaries-Secrets of an Irish Clan'; Sweet Peas and Bees -

K.E.Andrews has always been an avid reader, which sparked her passion for writing at an early age. Most days she spends her time daydreaming about stories and making mood boards. When she's not writing, she tends to her plants, plans out her next crafting project, and binge-watches shows on Netflix

Lorana Hoopes is the USA Today best-selling author of over forty books and counting. She's originally from Texas which shows as most of her books are set in the great state. As the saying goes, "You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl." Lorana began writing at an

DL Hammons wrote his first piece of fiction decades ago to impress a girl (he was moderately successful) and never looked back. Growing up as a military brat, DL moved around quite a bit as a kid. After graduating from LSU and raising a family in several southern states, he makes his home in Central

Ruth Estevez is the author of six novels, including the Jiddy Vardy trilogy, which is inspired by a real-life female smuggler from Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire. She is a semi-finalist in the BBNYA Awards and was the Guest Speaker in the Cheshire Prize for Literature 2023. Ruth has previously worked

Ruth Estevez is the author of six novels, including the Jiddy Vardy trilogy, which is inspired by a real-life female smuggler from Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire. She is a semi-finalist in the BBNYA Awards and was the Guest Speaker in the Cheshire Prize for Literature 2023. Ruth has previously worked

Ruth Estevez is the author of six novels, including the Jiddy Vardy trilogy, which is inspired by a real-life female smuggler from Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire. She is a semi-finalist in the BBNYA Awards and was the Guest Speaker in the Cheshire Prize for Literature 2023. Ruth has previously worked

“At age thirty, I decided to pursue a career in law. I left my job in the corporate world to retrain as a solicitor. Three years later, I was diagnosed with several conditions, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia. I was thirty-three, and it was a Wednesday. Shortly after being diagnosed

Before Melissa started writing romantic comedies and women’s fiction, she worked as a surgical Physician Associate in Nashville, where one of her favorite procedures was re-suturing a lower-lumbar tattoo. Her stories, like herself, are always a mix: light and dark, laughter and tears, outlandish and

Though Deborah L. King has been a writer and storyteller her whole life, publishing her first short story at seven years old, she took 32 years to complete her first novel. As a fiction writer, Deborah loves the work of Octavia Butler, classic Stephen King, Peter David, and the illustrations of Dan

Though Deborah L. King has been a writer and storyteller her whole life, publishing her first short story at seven years old, she took 32 years to complete her first novel. As a fiction writer, Deborah loves the work of Octavia Butler, classic Stephen King, Peter David, and the illustrations of Dan

Pauline Tait is an award-winning children’s author, romantic suspense novelist, writing mentor to children’s authors and Editorial Manager for online magazine, Writers’ Narrative. Pauline is also the voice behind Reluctant Readers, a weekly newsletter for parents and carers of children who are

Nemanja Jovanovic was born in Novi Sad, Serbia. He went to Karlovci Grammar School and graduated from University of Novi Sad. Nemanja is a certified sommelier, film photographer and a self-published author.

Jennifer Burkinshaw studied English and Classics at Cambridge University before teaching English and Drama in various schools in England and France. Feeling the urge to write in her early 40s, she studied for an MA in Creative Writing for Children at MMU. Her award-winning debut YA novel, 'Igloo'

I am a writer and performer from Essex born to an Anglo-Indian mother and Anglo-Burmese father. I have been writing since I was twelve years old, after spending most of my evenings reading stories from the school library. I live in Colchester with my husband, dog and cat. Hexed is my first published

As a First Nations educator, Ashlee Alicea is dedicated to helping children ask the “I wonder” questions. Her playful and imaginative style of writing helps tap into a child’s curiosity. Creating stories that all children can enjoy while also highlighting the language, culture, and identity of

After studying ceramics in Japan for two and a half years, I returned to the Midwest and launched Linden Hills Pottery with my wife, Cynthia Mosedale. Over the last 30 years, we have received multiple honors selling our ceramic art at shows throughout the country. The greatest honor was making a

Born in the UK and currently living in Switzerland, Paul has written four novels, two of which have been published. The other two will probably never again see the light of day, although they have good titles. As a writer, Paul tries to stick to the adage ‘write what you know’, although with the

Born into a non academic family background and brought up on several council estates, Sharon's parents dismissed her enthusiasm to join the artistic world. Repeatedly insisting it wasn’t a real career with any prospects or financial stability. Continually being ridiculed by her Father, she didn’t

Anita Selzer is an acclaimed author of fourteen books in adult and children’s non-fiction. Her interest is in women, gender and culture, and history. She has earned a BA, Dip Ed, Master of Education, PhD in Education and Grad Dip in Women’s Studies at universities in Melbourne, and was awarded the

Barry W. Levy is an award-winning actor, filmmaker, and screenwriter. He holds a Fine Arts degree from The University of British Columbia's Department of Theatre, Film, and Creative Writing, (1991). His two feature films, ‘Spook’ and ‘The Shasta Triangle’, both of which he wrote and directed, have

John Nassari is an award-winning portrait and wedding photographer with notable exhibitions at the National Portrait Gallery and a shortlist for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize. He also holds a PhD in Refugee Studies, focusing on personal and family narratives. With a lifelong passion

I am an artist, writer and market trader, now seventy-six years old and working as hard as ever. I pursued a long and rewarding career as an advertising artist in London, but I began writing seriously after attending a creative writing course in 2001. Since that time I have written a successful non

Mikhail Sergeev (Ph.D. in religious studies from Temple University, 1997) is a religion, philosophy, and modern art historian. He has served as an editor of the book series Contemporary Russian Philosophy at Brill Publishers in the Netherlands (2016–2019) and as Chair of the Department of Religion

Early years professional turned eco business founder, Dani Seatter, combines a love of education with a passion for sustainability to write and publish her award winning sustainable children's books. Author of 'Away' and 'Oceans Away', which are designed with unique black and white illustrations

C.J. Martin grew up in Sydney, Australia, and loves dance, music, history, gardening and cooking as well as literature. She has a PhD in history and has been a university lecturer, a teacher and an Air Force Officer. She now lives with her family near Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.

Jennifer / JL Lycette is a novelist, award-winning essayist, rural physician, wife, and mom. Mid-career, she discovered narrative medicine on her path back from physician burnout and has been writing ever since. She is an alumna of the 2019 Pitch Wars Novel Mentoring program and is now a published

Murray Bailey Is the author of Amazon bestseller Map of the Dead, the first of the series based on his interest in Egyptology. His main series however is the Ash Carter thrillers, inspired by his father's experience in the Royal Military Police in Singapore in the early 1950s. Murray is well

Justin K. Kojok, PMP, CISSP, CISM, CASP+, CEH. Justin is a Multi-award winning author and an accomplished writer from his formative years in secondary school. His aptitude for writing established a strong foundation and paved the way for his thriving career in journalism. He was a research

Murray Bailey Is the author of Amazon bestseller Map of the Dead, the first of the series based on his interest in Egyptology. His main series however is the Ash Carter thrillers, inspired by his father's experience in the Royal Military Police in Singapore in the early 1950s. Murray is well

Glen R Stansfield likes to kill people – in stories – mostly! Born in Rossendale, in the Lancashire Pennines, he grew up with a freedom and innocence he believes children no longer enjoy. They were magical times when play was a product of the imagination; a tree trunk became a pirate ship, a stick

L.P. Simone lives and writes in Washington D.C, is known to feed a stray cat or two, and definitely believes in ghosts, dragons, and other mythical beings.

Sandeep Kumar Mishra has received " Vedvyas Award-2022", "Readers Favorite Award-21", "Indian Achievers Award-21", “IPR Poetry Award-2020” and “Literary Titan Book Award-2020”. He has been shortlisted for "the 2023 Commonwealth Story Prize", "the 2021 International Book Awards", "the 52nd New

Karen Gilleland, the hand behind the Diamond-Dennison Mysteries, spent much of her career in corporate communications. During the pandemic, Karen discovered the thrill of mystery writing. As a fan of Golden Age of mysteries, she became inspired to create intriguing characters and plots that delight

I'm Dr. Bevan Choate. . At thirty-five, I had endured medical school and a long residency and had come into my own as a legitimate surgeon. Then, the music stopped. I suffered a life-threatening stroke. My memoir, ‘The Stroke Artist’, speaks to those who have at one time or another faced life’s

ANDREA WILSON WOODS is a writer who loves to tell stories, and a patient advocate who founded the nonprofit Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association. Andrea is the CEO and co-founder of Cancer University, a for-profit, social-benefit, digital health company. With Cancer U, Andrea