2025 Writing Award Finalists

Roxanne O'Connell has nearly two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, focusing on economic and climate justice. Her short story was published in Free Spirit Collection: About the Environment, and her poetry has appeared in Wildfire Magazine. She holds a Master’s degree in International

As a child, Namita struggled with severe dyslexia, constantly failing academically. She hated school—where teachers repeatedly told her she was a failure. Growing up in India, a country where competition is ruthless, her parents were constantly worried about her future. Sitting in class after class

K. M. Saurel won her first writing award at the age of six and decided she aspired to be a starving writer in a garret. She holds a self-designed interdisciplinary B.A. in literature, history, and creative writing, which is definitely a major in writing historical fantasy and not a fancy way of

I am a London-based writer of speculative fiction.

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

Hi, I'm Sophie — a marketer and copywriter by day — and aspiring author by night. I'm currently writing my debut women's fiction novel about a single girl in her thirties who is navigating dating, friendship and fertility. I am also the founder of Story She Wrote — an online community for women

Gayle Hellinger, writing as G. Louise, is a member of the Horror Writers Association and the proud mother of two. After thirty years as an attorney with the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps, she is a retired colonel now seeking literary representation for two completed manuscripts. Writing dark fantasy and

I'm a 56 year old violinist and string teacher, the daughter of a german-jewish holocaust refugee. I grew up in St Andrews, Scotland, where my Dad was a history lecturer in the university. Thereafter, I studied and lived in Sheffield until 2000. For the past 23 years I've been a resident of

Late starter. Spent most of my time working in hospitals, bringing up a family, and in the occasional down times, running, reading and co-authoring science and medical papers - over 50 published, but none of major significance. Started writing fiction in May 2022 - currently writing fourth book

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

Chris Berg and Paul James Smith are award-winning authors who craft crime thrillers inspired by true events. The retired police detectives are former partners and lifelong friends. Their partnership has yielded critical acclaim, including a Claymore Award and recognition as Pageturner Award

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

Renda Knapp is a thriller writer who spent over 25 years delivering babies and delivering justice—on the page, that is. After earning her medical degree from the University of South Florida, she juggled surgical instruments, stethoscopes, and seven children before adding "novelist" to her already

Jace Parker – Resilience Expert, Crime Scene Investigator, and Author of Thrive in Chaos Jace Parker is a resilience expert, seasoned crime scene investigator, and the author of Thrive in Chaos – a brutally honest guide to building unshakeable mental toughness. Drawing on over 20 years of experience

With an M.A. from Stanford, Kincaid came to Hollywood as director Lawrence Kasdan’s AFI Writing and Directing Intern and now works as a Writer/Producer in Movie and TV Advertising, specializing in female markets (kincaidjones.com). She also writes screenplays and HBO docs, and has won a few Clios

I recently completed a 20-year career in public health. Prior to that, my life varied from a period spent in the military as a United Nations Peacekeeper in the Middle East to employment as a refugee relief worker in a camp for Bosnian Muslims in Croatia. To date, excerpts from my novel, A Cypress

Steve Rush’s experience includes tenure as homicide detective and chief forensic investigator for a national consulting firm in the field of forensic and environmental pathology and medicine. Once hailed as, “The best forensic investigator in the United States” by the late Joseph L. Burton, M.D

I am a fiction author who has indulged in storytelling for decades. As a child, I invented short stories, wrote poems and essays while reading each day from all genres. Those experiences started a love of writing, eventually turning into a full-time career. Being trilingual allows me to share this

Michael Pinkus (The Grape Guy) is a multi-award-winning wine writer, national and international wine judge, educator, journalist, social-media content maker, host & co-creator of the podcast Two Guys Talking Wine – plus former President of the Wine Writers’ Circe of Canada (2010-2015) and former

I grew up as a military brat and moved a lot to the point of going to high school on three continents. My time in Okinawa sparked my love for Japanese culture, which imprinted on me in multiple ways. My need to adapt has allowed me to be flexible as a writer. While I have plans for where a story or

Annie McCormick Irish. Martini sipping. Writer... not necessarily in that order. Two years ago, I walked away from the big, non-profit jobs (and salaries) and am house-sitting and pet-sitting around the world. This gives me time to learn the craft and write the stories. I wrote this book sitting

My writing is influenced by my law enforcement career and a love of spy novels, sci-fi stories and noir fiction. I have written two novels, dozens of short stories, and a variety of scripts, including features, tv pilots, and shorts.

Stevie Rae Diehl is a Romance Writers of America award-winning author with seven contest wins, four runner-up placements, and a Best of the Best title in the 2018 Golden Opportunity contest, along with dual-finalist honors in the 2019 Golden Heart. Previously published under the pen name Evie Drae

I am an LGBT son of Cuban immigrants. My experience of being a double minority (queer & latinX) and son of a national psychologist radio host/author for Latin Americans (Dr. Isabel Gomez-Bassols) taught me to have a high level of compassion for others. My mother has consistently used her national

Lily is a 24-year-old graduate of the University of Toronto. Her writing dream is to publish one or more of her novels. She enjoys writing character-driven fantasy with complex plotlines and magical worlds that reflect our own. Readers have described her works as "descriptive and well-paced" and "an

Greetings. My name is Elizabeth Larson, and my pen name is Elise Lowing. I am an aspiring writer who loves a great story. I am particularly interested in writing middle-grade and teen novels, as I feel that is a time in life when they need the most inspiration. I want to write stories that inspire

I'm a graduate of Institute of Children's Literature with work featured in The St. Petersburg times and Guidepost Magazine. I write full-time in Palmetto, Florida.

I am a London-based writer of speculative fiction.

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

My name is Sijun Cui, born on March 14, 1964, and my pen name is John Rose. I am an Australian living in Melbourne. As a poet, I wrote over 1,700 pieces and authored the widely acclaimed “Treatise on Poetry.” I also previously wrote a short story and a screenplay. My academic interests encompass a

At last, I am retired and can concentrate full-time on writing. Inspired by my work as a psychotherapist, my novel, Raven's Wing, is now complete and is submitted here. It's very loosely based on a true story and set in 1980s Scotland, during the final years of the large psychiatric hospitals and

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

Founder of Melissa Beaty's Bible Resource Library, Melissa has dedicated her life to helping others explore the riches of Scripture. Since her conversion from atheism, she has applied her formal training in philosophy and education to help others understand biblical principles from both Christian

Len Cobb is an emerging author and recovering structural engineer. He has completed two novels and is polishing two more. He's had a short story published and his work was longlisted in the 2023 Page Turner Awards. Len lives in Puerto Rico with his wife, two dogs, three guitars, and four

At last, I am retired and can concentrate full-time on writing. Inspired by my work as a psychotherapist, my novel, Raven's Wing, is now complete and is submitted here. It's very loosely based on a true story and set in 1980s Scotland, during the final years of the large psychiatric hospitals and

Valerie Anne Burns has had essays from her upcoming book, Caution: Mermaid Crossing, Voyages of a Motherless Daughter published in Sad Girl Diaries, Grande Dame Literary, Sea to Sky Review, and HerStry. Essays in print include Romance Anthology by Deep Overstock, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tough

Katie Moran began her career as a teenager, providing photos and words for various music publications. She began touring professionally after high school and left the road for a stint at The Agency Group’s Los Angeles office. In 2009, she returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to join

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

Kitiera Morey is a lively perfectionist with the mouth of a drunken sailor. When she's not singing off-key for the entire world to hear or chasing after a chaos demon, Kitiera is indulging her Stardew Valley addiction. She lives in New York with her beautiful daughter, four cats and two dogs.

Growing up in London in the 1960s, an exciting time and place to be a teenager, Richard's passions were books and music. He always wanted to be a writer, but was diverted into writing music rather than books. After completing a BA in philosophy and creative writing, he played keyboards in various

Andy Sykes is a retired engineer turned writer. He has used various resources, such as National Centre for Writing, Jericho Writers and Curtis Brown Creative, over a few years to learn the craft of creative writing. He is the founder of Stockport Storytellers, a short story writing group, who

I was born and raised in Spain and moved to live in the UK when I was 25. Learning a new language wasn’t easy for me; so, I challenged myself to write in English as a way to improve the language. Characters and their stories have crowded my head from a young age, wanting to be told; one day I gave

A.P. Harper writes to make sense of the beautiful mess that is being human. Her work leans into themes of memory, identity, and the quiet spaces we don’t always talk about—but often feel. Whether in novels or short stories, she gravitates toward characters who are lost, searching, or on the edge of

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

Will Adkins is a graduated student of psychology from Purdue University. While a student of social science, he has a lifelong interest in folktales, legends, and mythology. He is also an amateur visual artist and has a passion for the sequential art of comics.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I bring a wealth of life experience to my writing, particularly in exploring themes of unconscious bias, identity, and the quiet complexities of human relationships. My stories often examine how people navigate societal expectations and personal struggles, with

Kaitlin Harvey is a thriller novelist and digital content manager at CyberArk. With nearly 10 years experience in both journalism and marketing, and having published dozens of bylined blogs (including ghostwritten executive pieces in "Security Magazine" and "CPO Magazine"), her content on quantum

My writing is influenced by my law enforcement career and a love of spy novels, sci-fi stories and noir fiction. I have written two novels, dozens of short stories, and a variety of scripts, including features, tv pilots, and shorts.

I live in London and I work for the NHS. The Light Beyond The Mountains is inspired by my own experience as a second-generation immigrant, as I spent my teenage years not knowing where I truly belonged. I visited Mussoorie – the majestic Himalayan setting of my story – as a teenager and it left a

Jo is a writer with a passion for commercial fiction, and anything that makes her laugh. She lives in Cornwall with a bitey cat and her (thankfully less bitey) partner. Her work has previously been shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print unpublished novel prize.

Born in New York, and raised in Toronto, Jill Culiner, writer, social critical artist, and photographer has spent most of her life in France, England, Germany, Hungary, Turkey, Holland, and North Africa. Her photographic exhibition about the First and Second World Wars, La Mémoire Effacée, toured

Steve Rush’s experience includes tenure as homicide detective and chief forensic investigator for a national consulting firm in the field of forensic and environmental pathology and medicine. Once hailed as, “The best forensic investigator in the United States” by the late Joseph L. Burton, M.D

Leaving Palmer’s School in 1953, I served two years in the R.A.F. and thereafter became too involved in building a career to allow myself the time to develop my talent for scribbling (although I did write a sales manual!). After a 40 year career, first in retail in UK, later in chemicals in UK and

Edson Knapp, M.D. is a board-certified radiologist with a fellowship in oncologic imaging and intervention, currently on staff at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska. Born and raised in Tanzania, East Africa, Dr. Knapp brings authentic cultural insights to his debut thriller novel set in Kenya

Cindy MacDonald is a middle grade and young adult writer living on the East Coast of Canada. She is a former eLearning technical writer, designer, and project manager, Bed and Breakfast owner, and stained glass artist. When not running, she enjoys golfing with friends, and hiking and travelling with

Debut novelist

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

Founder of Melissa Beaty's Bible Resource Library, Melissa has dedicated her life to helping others explore the riches of Scripture. Since her conversion from atheism, she has applied her formal training in philosophy and education to help others understand biblical principles from both Christian

Originally from Hungary, I graduated from the University of Leeds with a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Human Resource Management, and I still live in the city with my partner. In my day job, I’m an HR professional. I love the challenges and the variety I experience through my work, but writing is

Len Cobb is an emerging author and recovering structural engineer. He has completed two novels and is polishing two more. He's had a short story published and his work was longlisted in the 2023 Page Turner Awards. Len lives in Puerto Rico with his wife, two dogs, three guitars, and four

I’m a queer writer with a passion for transformation—both literal and figurative. I earned my English degree with a minor in Classical Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. A former public educator, I taught English and theater arts to middle and high school students in high-transient

Gayle Hellinger, writing as G. Louise, is a member of the Horror Writers Association and the proud mother of two. After thirty years as an attorney with the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps, she is a retired colonel now seeking literary representation for two completed manuscripts. Writing dark fantasy and

Carolin M. Paradis is a business professional turned author and blogger. She takes an award-winning communication style and turns toward spiritual matters: a quest to more intimately connect with God. Years of volunteer work plus supporting her local Christian faith community–liturgical, spiritual

I am a Canadian-born, former financial journalist, now living in London. I worked in Australia, Britain and the US, in print and radio, reporting on topics from Mexican bull-fighting to economics to street gangs. My novel, A Beautiful Land, is inspired by the contrast I found between the pressure of

I was born and raised in Spain and moved to live in the UK when I was 25. Learning a new language wasn’t easy for me; so, I challenged myself to write in English as a way to improve the language. Characters and their stories have crowded my head from a young age, wanting to be told; one day I gave

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

Hi, I'm Morag Higgins. I am passionate about writing and have in the past written articles for equestrian magazines (I am a horse trainer to trade). I have published several equestrian training books but my real passion is for fiction. My first published book was Bruja. The true story of my first

Ravi Bodalia is a resident doctor and writing content-creator with over three million views across YouTube and TikTok. He has previously been a finalist in the Page Turner Awards for the Book Adaptation Needed category, and he has been longlisted in the Jericho Writers 500 Words Competition. His