2026 Fiction Book Award Finalists

Evelyn Exley (Evie to those who know her world) fell in love with mythic fantasy as early as age five, when her minister father had her tested and

Phill Featherstone was born and brought up in West Yorkshire. After several years working in Education, he and his wife, Sally Featherstone, set up an

John David writes "ripped-from-the-headlines" mysteries layered with gripping thriller elements. His debut novel, The Bystander , the first

S. Laraia is an Anglo-Italian writer based in Bristol, UK. The Museum of Morality is her debut novel, and is inspired by her experiences in the NGO

Daniel Soha Writer BIOGRAPHY ____________ Born in Aix-en-Provence (France) of Hungarian-speaking parents, Daniel Soha lived and studied in France

Maday is a Cuban-born writer, technologist, and storyteller who blends science, philosophy, and human emotion in her work. After earning a Master of

Called “an irrefutably savage writer” by Self-Publishing Review, Laura specialises in speculative fiction with a focus on people. Her debut novel, The

ANGELA PAGE is an award-winning Latina and Italian American writer and producer with experience in multinationals such as Microsoft, Honeywell, and

Alisa Hope Wagner is an international award-winning author, editor and publisher of over thirty books. She married her high school sweetheart, and

Jeff Ingber is the author of books, short stories, and screenplays, for which he’s won numerous awards. His first screenplay became the story for the

Evelyn Exley (Evie to those who know her world) fell in love with mythic fantasy as early as age five, when her minister father had her tested and

Sair Kaufman (they/them) is an award-winning musical theatre writer and performer based in NYC. They create work that centers queer and disabled joy

Gwyn Bennett is a best-selling author who writes intriguing fast-paced character driven crime and psychological thrillers. She's always been a writer

Evelyn Exley (Evie to those who know her world) fell in love with mythic fantasy as early as age five, when her minister father had her tested and

Evelyn Exley (Evie to those who know her world) fell in love with mythic fantasy as early as age five, when her minister father had her tested and

Mark Bertrand writes psychological thrillers about ordinary individuals trapped inside systems of law, judgment, and authority—systems that

Peter Morris lives in Brisbane, Queensland, with his wife of nearly four decades. He has been clean and sober for more than thirty years, a journey

D. R. Berlin is an award-winning author of mystery, suspense, and thriller fiction, U.S. Army veteran and general surgeon, with degrees from MIT and

Phill Featherstone was born and brought up in West Yorkshire. After several years working in Education, he and his wife, Sally Featherstone, set up an

Robbi Sommers Bryant is an award-winning author whose psychologically driven stories explore obsession, identity, and the hidden forces that shape

Laura-Leigh Celeste has been a fan of horror stories since she first watched Ghostbusters at the age of five. As a teen, she would sneak home the

Evelyn Exley (Evie to those who know her world) fell in love with mythic fantasy as early as age five, when her minister father had her tested and

R.J. Halbert is a twenty-four award-winning, and 3x best-selling husband and wife team who have collaborated as authors of The Goodpasture Chronicles

Mary Murphy is an Irish-born author whose work explores psychological suspense, identity, and inherited memory across genres and tonal range. Her

KN Tristan writes near-future dystopian fiction that blends emotional intensity, razor-sharp wit, and a strong undercurrent of resistance. Her work

Herta Feely is the award-winning author of the recently published Strange Shape of Love and Saving Phoebe Murrow , her critically acclaimed debut

Born and raised in central Iowa, Sharon loves to write about everyday women who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances, the men who make their

Naomi Shibles grew up in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She is an award-winning author living in Charlotte, North Carolina, and enjoys traveling with a good

Claire Dunn (C.F. Dunn) is a British novelist of historical fiction, mystery and suspense. From a long line of Lincolnshire farmers, Claire could have

J J Noad is the author of Fractured Echoes and the forthcoming Original Echoes, psychological suspense novels exploring memory, mystery, and the

Heidi Field was raised in the beautiful countryside of the South of England with her parents and her two sisters. In her twenties, she was a freelance

I didn't plan on being a storyteller. I was a combat rescue medic, then a forensic digital investigator, and then somehow ended up writing a novel

Raquel Y. Levitt has an MFA in Creative Writing and a master’s degree in English. Her paranormal-historical debut novel The Seer has received multiple

Dr. Matthew Huddleston enjoys occasional research projects in magnetospheric space physics, but is primarily a teacher and communicator at heart. The

About the Author Simon Bullock is a British-born writer living in the Netherlands. His work spans speculative fiction, psychological thrillers, comic

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

Jennifer Collins began writing novels in 2020. A retired physical therapist and college professor, she became inspired to write after experiencing the

Alisa Hope Wagner is an international award-winning author, editor and publisher of over thirty books. She married her high school sweetheart, and

Mary Murphy is an Irish-born author whose work explores psychological suspense, identity, and inherited memory across genres and tonal range. Her

Dan Garson spent his career as a chemical engineer turned CEO — which is partly why RANDOM MAN's hero tries to solve the apocalypse with a notebook

I spent many years immersed in the fast-paced world of tech startups—jotting down notes, observations, and the occasional eyebrow-raising story that

My debut historical fiction novel, THE LAST GYPSY QUEEN, published April 16, 2026. I write women’s upmarket and historical fiction. As a former retail

Erik D. Larson is an Illinois farm boy turned MIT rocket scientist, decorated Air Force captain, Silicon Valley entrepreneur, avid gardener, and

Steven Crandell has been a writer ever since he almost flunked second grade for having very messy handwriting. He has four children and two

Award Winning Screenwriter currently based in Los Angeles. Also credited as D. Hunter Fein Education Emerson College BA, Film Production Pepperdine MA

Alisa Hope Wagner is an international award-winning author, editor and publisher of over thirty books. She married her high school sweetheart, and

By day, Jan juggles consultancy work with her family, but by night she sneaks off, into the past. Her penchant for sprinkling history with magic is

Bob Palmer has been, in chronological order, a construction worker, town planner, rock drummer, graphic designer, award-winning adman, entrepreneur

I was born in Kuwait to British parents in the late 1950s, arriving in the UK in 1960. We moved around, so I filled a sometimes lonely childhood

Cathryn deVries is a multi-award-winning fantasy and sci-fi author who explores themes of restorative justice, empowerment, connection with earth and

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

Jo Fenton grew up in Hertfordshire, UK. She devoured books from an early age, particularly enjoying adventure books, school stories and fantasy. She

Born and raised in central Iowa, Sharon loves to write about everyday women who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances, the men who make their

Diana Davis is an award-winning storyteller and nationally recognized copywriter whose sharp, comedic voice has powered campaigns for major brands

Welcome all, I'm Annabelle. Writing is in my blood. I've been surrounded by creatives all my life - as well as psychotherapists, so you can imagine

Black writes in a variety of genres. Mystery, romance, or fantasy, her character-driven stories combine imagination and experience to weave dramatic

Eduard Banulescu is a music and sports journalist, a singer-songwriter and, now, a novelist. Eduard Banulescu, for the most part, and on most days

Wayne Kramer lives in the Southern Indiana countryside. He loves the open spaces and fresh air. His family keeps a small greenhouse, usually a little

Phill Featherstone was born and brought up in West Yorkshire. After several years working in Education, he and his wife, Sally Featherstone, set up an

Caroline Swinburne originally studied music and joined the BBC aiming to work for Radio 3 but became side-tracked by speech radio. For over two

Victoria Randall was born near Chicago, Illinois, where her father was a well-known artist, creator of Bill Randall's Datebook. She attended Oberlin

Ryan MacDonald is a Scottish author and freelance crime and justice journalist. A former senior police officer with three decades of experience across

Sheelagh is a visually impaired author based in the UK who has been writing since she could hold a pen. A retired vicar with more in common with The

Phill Featherstone was born and brought up in West Yorkshire. After several years working in Education, he and his wife, Sally Featherstone, set up an

C W Facey writes thrillers where British noir meets ancient magic. His work explores what happens when ordinary people encounter forces older than

Jeza Belle is a drag queen, comedian, and multiple award-winning author whose work spans gritty realism, humor, and overlooked histories. A 2026

Gia Cobie is an Amazon best-selling and award-winning author living in upstate New York with her husband and pets. In her spare time, Gia enjoys

As Eleanor Roosevelt once famously said ‘the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams’ and it has been almost my lifelong

USC Cinema alum and once-upon-a-time wannabe screenwriter. I finally wrote a book.

Inspired by our friendship, our countless parenting fails, and lifelong passion for cosy crime, together wenwrite The AnonyMums book series where

R.A.(Rob) Johnson is a cross-genre author whose writing stretches from micro-fiction to novel series, and spans historical adventures, science fiction

Jo-Anne van Gelder writes tense, emotional psychological thrillers where memory lies, loyalty fractures, and the past never stays buried. Her work

I have imagined having powers for as long as I can remember. It started with comic books when I was young and later became stronger as I watched anime

Stu Strumwasser studied in the creative writing program at Cornell University and then pursued dual careers as a writer and investment professional

Black writes in a variety of genres. Mystery, romance, or fantasy, her character-driven stories combine imagination and experience to weave dramatic

Heidi Field was raised in the beautiful countryside of the South of England with her parents and her two sisters. In her twenties, she was a freelance

Cheryl Wilfong is the author of a historical travel book, Following the Nez Perce Trail . She used to write award-winning gardening and mindfulness

Carla Kerr is a programme manager by day and a fantasy writer at all other times. A voracious reader from a young age, reading turned to daydreaming

Sosena Audain was born to a Haitian father and an Ethiopian mother in 2008 in Silver Spring, Maryland. She attended the Stone Ridge School of the

Claire Merchant is an award-winning Australian author, screenwriter, and storyteller. The author of more than 40 novels, she writes heartfelt

Paul Olding is a BAFTA nominated (Best Director), multi-award-winning television writer/director. As well as two non-fiction books ( The Urban

Robbi Sommers Bryant is an award-winning author whose psychologically driven stories explore obsession, identity, and the hidden forces that shape

Phill Featherstone was born and brought up in West Yorkshire. After several years working in Education, he and his wife, Sally Featherstone, set up an

Ignacio André is the author of Echoes of My Family, a historical novella based on the true story of his family in Montevideo, Uruguay between the

Phill Featherstone was born and brought up in West Yorkshire. After several years working in Education, he and his wife, Sally Featherstone, set up an

I am Yurii Shymanskyi - an entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience. Writing has always been my true passion, but I strive for much more than

Since 2020 I've been lucky to have had three stories longlisted in the Page Turner Awards, with one getting as far as a finalist. This entry was

Evelyn Exley (Evie to those who know her world) fell in love with mythic fantasy as early as age five, when her minister father had her tested and

Mark Bertrand writes psychological thrillers about ordinary individuals trapped inside systems of law, judgment, and authority—systems that

Philip Nourse was born in Wells, Somerset, and educated at St George's School, Windsor Castle, Marlborough College and Brunel University. After

J.S. Ash, author of Abducted, has spent over a decade working in media at one of the largest tech companies in the world, though his true love remains

I am an independent, self-published author with a BA in English who specializes in erotic literary fiction with esoteric, occult themes. (My lane is

Martha Novak’s last book, Blood Mountain, a “hold-onto-your-seat” mystery-thriller, won the Storytrade Award for 2024’s Best Traditional Mystery and

Cathy Kreutter, is a teacher, librarian, publisher, and dual citizen of the USA and Uganda. She worked as a teacher librarian for 25 years at both

Tim Johnston is the award-winning author of RECIPROCITY (optioned by Universal Television Studios), FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND OTHER STORIES (winner of the

Jo Fenton grew up in Hertfordshire, UK. She devoured books from an early age, particularly enjoying adventure books, school stories and fantasy. She

Tracey Magruder writes romance stories filled with heart, humor, and the kind of emotional chemistry that refuses to be ignored. A lifelong

Heidi Field was raised in the beautiful countryside of the South of England with her parents and her two sisters. In her twenties, she was a freelance

Dean De Servienti has never sat still. Born in Italy, he left home at seventeen to see the world—and never really stopped. As a Political Science

About the Author: Richard Randon Richard Randon is a British author with a flair for blending absurdity with cosmic adventures, creating quirky

I try to make sense of this beautiful, crazy world we inhabit through my stories—thrillers that are super well researched inside complex plots full of

In 2009, Barry Finlay went up a mountain as an accountant and came down as a philanthropist. After over thirty years in various financial roles with

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

Near-Sighted Fellow Works is a collection of writing and games designed by R.J. Barna. R.J. was born in New Jersey and adopted by a Pennsylvania

Mary Murphy is an Irish-born author whose work explores psychological suspense, identity, and inherited memory across genres and tonal range. Her

I am an independent, self-published author with a BA in English who specializes in erotic literary fiction with esoteric, occult themes. (My lane is

Donna lives in Somerset, United Kingdom. Her love of fantasy books began with the Belgariad, Discworld and the Dragons of Pern. She pestered her

P.T.L. Perrin is an award-winning author, former military brat, and voracious reader who grew up in Europe and writes in the genres she loves most

Phill Featherstone was born and brought up in West Yorkshire. After several years working in Education, he and his wife, Sally Featherstone, set up an

A former crime reporter, Lori Duffy Foster was born and raised in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, where a piece of her heart remains and

Hywela Lyn spent most of her life in Wales, whose beautiful landscapes and wealth of myths and legends inspired her to write. A horse and dog lover

Deborah Jay writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy featuring complex, quirky characters and multi-layered plots – just what she likes to read

I am a writer whose work embodies the profound depth of my richly interwoven cultural heritage and historical legacy. As a descendant of an English

Bálint Makai is a Hungarian writer whose work spans eco-fiction, speculative realism, and psychological fantasy. His stories weave animal symbolism

I am a debut novelist with a lifelong passion for storytelling and literature. From a young age, I found comfort, inspiration, and escape within the

Jeza Belle is a drag queen, comedian, and multiple award-winning author whose work spans gritty realism, humor, and overlooked histories. A 2026

Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List (2026); First Horizon Award Finalist – Eric Hoffer Award Author of the Year Finalist - International Impact

I write emotionally charged, psychologically rich stories about flawed people and their complicated relationships. My characters are painfully human

Dean De Servienti has never sat still. Born in Italy, he left home at seventeen to see the world—and never really stopped. As a Political Science

Dean De Servienti has never sat still. Born in Italy, he left home at seventeen to see the world—and never really stopped. As a Political Science

My name is Simon Wright, I am 52 years of age and this is my debut novel. My pseudonym is Rex Wright. I am based in Glasgow, Scotland. I have

Evelyn Exley (Evie to those who know her world) fell in love with mythic fantasy as early as age five, when her minister father had her tested and

Phill Featherstone was born and brought up in West Yorkshire. After several years working in Education, he and his wife, Sally Featherstone, set up an

Michael Maloof is the author of the Kate Preacher Thriller Series— Relentless, Unstoppable, and Defiant —international thrillers built around

Erin Hopkins writing as Anita Harlan. Anita Harlan was born in California and has lived all over the state, collecting zip codes the way some people

Pria Dee aka VPrice ( Victoria Price) is an American author, who lives in Michigan. She writes children’s books and clean new adult/young adult women

BIO - Cheryl K Sharpe Cheryl worked in corporate management with an emphasis on Computer science, budget and finance, and project management for

Born in 1992 in northern France, Emilie Mayeur developed a love of reading at a very young age, especially in thriller and fantasy. Coming from a

Lise Mayne, B.Ed., M.Ed., writes poetry, fiction and non-fiction, from her home in Nanton, Alberta, Canada. Historical injustice and the search for

Now an octogenarian it has taken almost forty years to commit my Jimmy Crikey stories to the publication. Jimmy was born on the beach at Great

Karin is an autistic mathematician, and writer of science fiction, fantasy and thrillers. After twelve moves within the Netherlands, Luxembourg

Jo Fenton grew up in Hertfordshire, UK. She devoured books from an early age, particularly enjoying adventure books, school stories and fantasy. She

K. R. Solberg is one half of the writing duo behind the epic fantasy series, The Palimar Saga, along with her mother, C. R. Jacobson. When they're not

Janet Pywell has published 17 books including the Mikky dos Santos international crime thrillers, the Ronda George domestic thrillers and the Westbay

Sophie Mutiara Nova (they/them) – is a Queer, mixed Indonesian American, immunocompromised Writer-Director and punk. They’re the Writing Fellow of

Monique Singleton writes compelling stories that mix fantasy with realistic psychological suspense and unique insights into the mind of the main

Alisa Hope Wagner is an international award-winning author, editor and publisher of over thirty books. She married her high school sweetheart, and

Michael McClellan is a proud United States Air Force veteran whose 20 years of service instilled in him a deep appreciation for dedication, family

Linda Hartley studied dance and creative writing at Dartington College of Arts, UK, then went on to train as a somatic movement therapist and

Evelyn Exley (Evie to those who know her world) fell in love with mythic fantasy as early as age five, when her minister father had her tested and

Sue Barnard is a British novelist, short-story writer and award-winning poet whose family background is far stranger than any work of fiction. She

MIA K ROSE lives in the Gold Coast, Australia (Yugambeh Country) with her husband, two children, and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. When not

Rowan Hugh Patrick O’Neill was born in 1987 in Dublin, Ireland. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Materials Science & Engineering from University

Jasmaine Payne is a Guyanese author, editor, and writing coach whose debut novel Leech won the Guyana Prize for Literature - Best First Book Award in

M.A.Batten is a neuro-diverse writer of fantasy, science fiction, and dark fiction. After winning over 150 creative awards during a hugely successful

Jennifer Collins began writing novels in 2020. A retired physical therapist and college professor, she became inspired to write after experiencing the

Born in New York, Justine Gilbert grew up in England. She has also lived in Italy. Her debut novel was shortlisted for the Society of Author's Paul

I’m a writer, illustrator, educator, and author of picture books, a children’s novel called The Improbable Voyage of The Poof! Academy , and two

N. Degen, an eleven-time award-winning author, holds a degree in philology and is the proud father of two children. His passion for storytelling

Born in the real Queen City and raised in the backwoods between farm fields, L. N. Holmes is your typical weird Midwesterner. Her dark, epic fantasy

Lynn Westhoff, a former Army Nurse with 21 years of service and 31 years as an SICU Nurse and educator, thrives in the world of fantasy paranormal

RJ Verity grew up in Yorkshire and studied at King’s College London before spending more than twenty years working in financial services across Asia

Mark Norberg teaches middle school English in Burbank, CA. He previously worked in corporate advertising – with side excursions into the worlds of

Phill Featherstone was born and brought up in West Yorkshire. After several years working in Education, he and his wife, Sally Featherstone, set up an

James Irwin is the author of the novels Nina's Friends and Lucky Guy. Before turning full time to writing he was a filmmaker and media artist, and

David James (DJ) lives in Northborough, Massachusetts, with his wife, Tonya, who has somehow endured thirty years of his endless parade of ridiculous

Since my youth, I have had a deep love for history and literature. I remember being struck by the beauty of the poetry of Shakespeare’s Romeo and

Joelle Habbaki believes the hardest chapters often lead to the most beautiful beginnings. She is drawn to the fracture points in a life. The moments

Lisa Gerlits is the author of A Many Feathered Thing (Capstone 2020), which received an Oregon Spirit Book Award. She is an award-winning poet

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

I am a 30-year-old, Irish, female author. I have been passionately creative in many avenues my whole life. Since childhood, I have loved art, music

Journalist, ex-BBC correspondent, novelist. Author of The Candidate's Husband (SRL Publishing & Bolinda Audio)

K. R. Solberg is one half of the writing duo behind the epic fantasy series, The Palimar Saga, along with her mother, C. R. Jacobson. When they're not

Jan Sikes writes compelling and creative stories from the heart. She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author, although she’s been

Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List (2026); First Horizon Award Finalist – Eric Hoffer Award Author of the Year Finalist - International Impact

Phill Featherstone was born and brought up in West Yorkshire. After several years working in Education, he and his wife, Sally Featherstone, set up an

Evelyn Exley (Evie to those who know her world) fell in love with mythic fantasy as early as age five, when her minister father had her tested and

Claire Merchant is an award-winning Australian author, screenwriter, and storyteller. The author of more than 40 novels, she writes heartfelt

Michael Gorton is a 17x serial entrepreneur, adventurer bestselling author, and recognized pioneer of the telemedicine and internet industries. His

Mark Murphy is a native of Savannah, Georgia. He’s worked as a fast-food worker, marine biologist, orderly, ordained minister, and gastroenterologist

Harker Jones is the author of three award-winning books: the best-selling love story “Until September,” the young-adult thriller “Never Have I Ever”

Phill Featherstone was born and brought up in West Yorkshire. After several years working in Education, he and his wife, Sally Featherstone, set up an

Jude Munro is a native of Australia, currently living in Canada. She is the author of the historical fiction series, The Seasons Trilogy. Formerly a

I was living in the capital, and as far as I was concerned, that was where I would stay. Then COVID happened, and when everything went quiet, all

By day, Jan juggles consultancy work with her family, but by night she sneaks off, into the past. Her penchant for sprinkling history with magic is

Jo Fenton grew up in Hertfordshire, UK. She devoured books from an early age, particularly enjoying adventure books, school stories and fantasy. She