2024 Writing Award Finalists

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

MULTI-AWARD WINNING SCREENWRITER AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR. Samantha Lee Howe began her professional writing career in 2007 and has been working as a freelance writer for small, medium and large publishers ever since. She is a multi-award winning author and screenwriter and a USA Today

Genre: Historical After completing my PhD on the writings of Elizabeth Gaskell, I decided to turn my extensive knowledge of the nineteenth century into a novel, concerning the plight of a young girl whom Gaskell, along with Charles Dickens helped. I have studied with the Faber Academy and The

I was born in the south but grew up in Virginia, returning 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 exceeded by

Cameron Thompson is an Editorial Coordinator for the Today Newspaper Group, based in Ipswich, Queensland. He has worked as a journalist since 1981, at regional centres and in capital cities across Australia. Cameron was a Member of the Australian Commonwealth Parliament in the lower house seat of

Paul's academic focus was urban planning, human geography, environmental studies, and Australian politics. His research essays on urban development issues, human health disparities, population, and pandemic responses in socio-economically disadvantaged communities earned distinctions. But it was

Cameron Thompson is an Editorial Coordinator for the Today Newspaper Group, based in Ipswich, Queensland. He has worked as a journalist since 1981, at regional centres and in capital cities across Australia. Cameron was a Member of the Australian Commonwealth Parliament in the lower house seat of

Madison Hamill is the Ockham award-winning author of Specimen: Personal Essays. She is currently embarking on a PhD in Wellington, New Zealand, where she enjoys speedy ocean dips, painting pictures of her friends and turning her life into bestseller material.

A Massachusetts native, Abby Sandman was on skis before she could walk, and this early tendency towards adventure has carried her from the canyons of Peru to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. She is an associate editor for Indagare Travel, where she writes for the company’s tri-annual magazine and

Sue Abell, writing as MS Abell and Sabella MaKamish, has been writing since early childhood – short stories, novels and even a play. Her style of writing is organic … rarely does a novel form from an outline. Most often, her novels come from the dreams she has while sleeping. Sue lucid dreams: she

A Massachusetts native, Abby Sandman was on skis before she could walk, and this early tendency towards adventure has carried her from the canyons of Peru to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. She is an associate editor for Indagare Travel, where she writes for the company’s tri-annual magazine and

Eric Miller is a former hip-hop artist, former political economist, former medical professional, and a current father of three. His two previous novels, a middle-grade fantasy, and a YA superhero/sci-fi, remain unpublished, yet he soldiers on.

Growing up in Canada, the U.S., Spain, England and the Czech Republic has given my novels their international flavours. My parents were diplomats and my mother was British so I spent two years in a British boarding school while my parents were posted behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. Now

During my thirty year career in education, I was Head of English and later Headteacher of two schools in the UK, as well as CEO of five international schools in The Hague, the Netherlands. Now, as a “digital nomad” I have travelled extensively in Latin America and have spent a lot of time in Peru

Sara is passionate about representation for teenagers who are impacted by the care and justice systems in fiction. She taught English in Scottish High Schools for 15 years before moving into a Child Protection role. She is dedicated to showing children impacted by neglect, abuse and familial

My name is Elena Violaris and I was born in Manchester, UK, to Greek Cypriot parents. I received my BA, MPhil and PhD in English Literature from the University of Cambridge, and I'm now a Research Fellow at the University of Oxford. I'm currently researching the experiences of British 'postmigrants'

I have had two novels published with independent presses: Work For Four Hands (Starborn Books) and A Diamond in the Sky (Honno). New Books Magazine, now nb.magazine, said of Work for Four Hands: ‘A wonderful, cleverly written novel.’ Oxford Magazine said of A Diamond in the Sky: 'Pelling has an

I'm a trilingual storyteller, international journalist, and fiction novelist with a love of ancient history, astronomy, fantasy, and beautiful words that make you swoon.

Sue Abell, writing as MS Abell and Sabella MaKamish, has been writing since early childhood – short stories, novels and even a play. Her style of writing is organic … rarely does a novel form from an outline. Most often, her novels come from the dreams she has while sleeping. Sue lucid dreams: she

I’m a member of the Florida Writers Association and hold a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Writing from MIT. A graduate of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, I’m a General Surgeon in Jacksonville, Florida. Drafted as the unofficial photographer of my children’s sports teams, I

I'm a trilingual storyteller, international journalist, and fiction novelist with a love of ancient history, astronomy, fantasy, and beautiful words that make you swoon.

Sue Abell, writing as MS Abell and Sabella MaKamish, has been writing since early childhood – short stories, novels and even a play. Her style of writing is organic … rarely does a novel form from an outline. Most often, her novels come from the dreams she has while sleeping. Sue lucid dreams: she

Kevin Kordziel is a retired attorney with a passion for reading, reviewing, and writing fiction under the pen name Kevin Joseph. His first novel, The Champion Maker, published in 2005, explores legal and ethical issues at the intersection of genetic engineering and athletics. Praised as “a genuine

Sue Abell, writing as MS Abell and Sabella MaKamish, has been writing since early childhood – short stories, novels and even a play. Her style of writing is organic … rarely does a novel form from an outline. Most often, her novels come from the dreams she has while sleeping. Sue lucid dreams: she

Maria is a British Zillennial who loves languages, photography and travelling. She has a First Class degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Lancaster University and works in recruitment. She recently won the ‘Thriller’ category in The People’s Friend Writing Competition (2024), was

Maria is a British Zillennial who loves languages, photography and travelling. She has a First Class degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Lancaster University and works in recruitment. She recently won the ‘Thriller’ category in The People’s Friend Writing Competition (2024), was

My debut historical fiction novel, THE LAST GYPSY QUEEN, will publish April 16, 2026. I write women’s upmarket and historical fiction. As a former retail executive specializing in e-commerce, for years I’ve channeled my story-telling passion into writing thousands of words in the form of published

Celeste Lovick is a Canadian author and singer-songwriter residing in Norfolk, England with her husband and son. Her first novel, 'Medicine Song', was self-published in 2017 and was inspired by her experiences performing at greenfield festivals over the years. She has released four solo albums of

Writing has always been a part of Hannah Martinez's life, from writing skits in high school to writing a short film called Groom Search. After acting in Los Angeles, she became a Data Specialist while writing her first book. Currently, she's a mother to two beautiful children and is writing a new

Half British, half Spanish, with a hint of Belgian. Here to write and learn and enjoy every step along the way (even those where I trip).

Anne Lacourrege was raised in New Orleans. There has always been the desire to do creative writing and this was Anne’s first attempt. My father was the inspiration for this story. He was such a happy, go-lucky guy that loved life. Unfortunately, he ended up with Alzheimer’s. With those sad days of

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

Therena is an award-winning, internationally published photographer and artist. She writes epic romantic fantasy novels and creates fantasy illustrations. She loves transporting readers and art lovers into a world of love, magic, and adventure. Born to be an artist and author, she delights in

Dorit d’Scarlett is a CaLD poet and writer ‘of a certain age’ whose short stories and prize-winning poetry have featured in Rattle, Meniscus, Antler Velvet, and other international literary journals. Her long-form fiction has been both short and long-listed for multiple writing awards. Recently

Dorit d’Scarlett is a CaLD poet and writer ‘of a certain age’ whose short stories and prize-winning poetry have featured in Rattle, Meniscus, Antler Velvet, and other international literary journals. Her long-form fiction has been both short and long-listed for multiple writing awards. Recently

Kat Trigarszky (pen name: Katharine Rogers) is a freelance writer and copy editor originally from the UK who now lives in Stockholm, Sweden. When not working on her latest WIP – historical fiction set in Sweden during the Second World War – she is a co-host of the online historical fiction community

I’ve drafted novels for decades, but couldn’t find my niché. Then twelve years ago I had a job in a think tank, building intelligence databases. It inspired me to write espionage stories about the real world of modern intelligence. It’s full of human stories, but seemingly too complex for thrillers

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

Ayesha lives in Norway with her husband and two daughters. Originally from Pakistan, she spent several years working in Islamabad as a young mother before relocating to Norway. By day, Ayesha works as a Product Lead, translating between cryptic tech jargon and the ever-evolving needs of business

Born in Spain, raised in Australia, I now live in Ireland with my husband and two teenagers. I like to tap into the heart and mind of my protagonists, so readers connect to them on an emotional level. I'm a self-taught writer and In Her Skin is my debut novel. I'm active in writing/critique groups

Pat Sayer studied history as an undergraduate. Later, she taught Life Sciences at Washington State University, Vancouver. She is writing an American family saga set in the 19th century, adding speculative elements, rich setting and psychological complexity to the stories. Pat lives in the Pacific

My first attempt at serious writing was a play in Spanish in my sixth form at school. Much later, I wrote stage plays for my local amateur dramatic society, Cobham Players, in Surrey, for which I have acted as Chairman. I’ve attended several writing courses, including two at Cambridge University’s

I am an LGBTQ+ writer hailing from Newry in Northern Ireland, right on the border. I graduated with a B.Ed Hons degree in English and Drama in 1995 and have been a Primary School teacher ever since. I am also very lucky to teach and perform Burlesque with my dance troupe, The Scarlet Belles. I have

Tanya's upbringing lacked adult supervision, allowing her to frolic through the 1970s on the sunny beaches of California. She's an Author Accelerator Book Coach, a real estate Broker, and obsessed with puzzles & paint-by-numbers. Her greatest achievement to date has been raising a decent human. She

I don’t remember the first story I wrote but at high school I do remember writing a ‘science fiction’ story featuring a pair of goggles that allowed you to see inside other people’s minds and reverse their deeds. As a teen I favoured poetry. I relished the straightjacket form of a haiku and the

Page Turner 2022 Genre Award winner for her recently published debut novel, I, SAID THE FLY (award under its working title: The Assassin Who Loved Me), Jay Jones is currently working on book 2 in The D.I. and The Assassin series. Originally from India, Jay and her husband now live in Worcestershire

Pria Dee aka VPrice ( Victoria Price) is an American author, who lives in Michigan. She writes children’s books, clean new adult/young adult women’s fiction . While not writing, she loves to travel, read and and garden. Pria Dee Social Media https://www.tiktok.com/@priadeeauthor https://www

Jay’s short fiction has appeared in Elevator Stories by Third West Publishing, The Legendary, Pythia Journal, Oblong Magazine and Eunoia Review. You can read more at www.jayhodgkins.com. He is the co-author of "Athlete Brands: How to Benefit from Your Name, Image & Likeness" from Darden Business

I am married with two teenage children and live in Bedford, Bedfordshire. Teaching is my passion and I have been teaching primary school children now for 10 years. I love all things supernatural ever since I saw a ghost on the side of the road while driving home one day. I love writing and creating

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