2026 Fiction Book Award Finalists

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 remained rooted to the land. Instead she spent her childhood on the move with her Forces family, developing a vivid imagination and a love 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 educational publishing company. They ran this from 1998 until they sold it in 2009. It wasn't until then that Phill found the time to fulfil his long

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 Stephen King novels she borrowed from friends to read under cover of night after everyone else had already gone to bed, and she knew even back then that

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 Torday Memorial Award in 2024. She is now a member of the Crime Writers Association and has written a Tuscan murder mystery, Montecatini, that won a

Linda Hartley studied dance and creative writing at Dartington College of Arts, UK, then went on to train as a somatic movement therapist and psychotherapist. She has worked in these fields for five decades, as a therapist and teacher, developing professional training programmes in Germany, the UK

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 Yarmouth during a family seaside holiday. My five year old son and four of his new found friends had to shelter in our beach tent during a typically heavy

Robbi Sommers Bryant is an award-winning author whose psychologically driven stories explore obsession, identity, and the hidden forces that shape human behavior. Her work blends psychological suspense with dark literary themes, creating characters who live on the edge of moral choice and emotional

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 educational publishing company. They ran this from 1998 until they sold it in 2009. It wasn't until then that Phill found the time to fulfil his long

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 novel, The Floating Castle, is an Indie Ink Awards finalist. Her short stories can be found in Space, Collisions, a micro-chapbook first published by

Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List (2026); First Horizon Award Finalist – Eric Hoffer Award Author of the Year Finalist - International Impact Awards A retired military officer, a licensed attorney, and global IT executive. In retirement, I lean into the rhythms that matter most: vinyl

Bob Palmer has been, in chronological order, a construction worker, town planner, rock drummer, graphic designer, award-winning adman, entrepreneur, scriptwriter and movie producer. He gets bored easily. In his spare time, he's been caught in a Utah desert flash flood, set off the alarms at Area 51

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 simply creating texts. My goal is to build a full-fledged universe in which books come to life: illustrations, music, and cinematic scenes complement the

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 sorts of ideas started arriving. One of them was about a small town museum — how interesting that could be. After some life changes and tribulations, I

Claire Merchant is an award-winning Australian author, screenwriter, and storyteller. The author of more than 40 novels, she writes heartfelt contemporary fiction, romance, and fantasy, inviting readers into an unforgettable world and characters they’ll want to revisit long after the final page.

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 Sports Massage Therapist. She achieved a Degree in Zoology at the age of thirty and then went on to raise two boys and became the stepmother of three

Daniel Soha Writer BIOGRAPHY ____________ Born in Aix-en-Provence (France) of Hungarian-speaking parents, Daniel Soha lived and studied in France until his mid-20s. He is the holder of a Master’s degree in Anglo-American studies and a Masters of Education from the University of Aix-Marseille. As

MIA K ROSE lives in the Gold Coast, Australia (Yugambeh Country) with her husband, two children, and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. When not writing, you’ll find her in a D&D campaign, reading the latest romantasy, adding to her book trophy collection, or on a pilates reformer to assist with

Born and raised in central Iowa, Sharon loves to write about everyday women who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances, the men who make their hearts race, and villains you love to hate. She doesn't remember a time she wasn't reading or imagining what it would be like to stumble upon 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 discovered she was reading over two hundred words per minute. Seeing the need to feed her thirsty young mind, he placed epic fantasy books (most of them

Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List (2026); First Horizon Award Finalist – Eric Hoffer Award Author of the Year Finalist - International Impact Awards A retired military officer, a licensed attorney, and global IT executive. In retirement, I lean into the rhythms that matter most: vinyl

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, muralist, and believer in people. Lisa lives in Silverton, Oregon, where she enjoys gorging on berries, walking behind waterfalls, and welcoming wildlife to

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

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, a supernatural fantasy trilogy that blends mystery, suspense, endurance, and triumph into an epic adventure. Book one in the series, CARETAKER

Alisa Hope Wagner is an international award-winning author, editor and publisher of over thirty books. She married her high school sweetheart, and together they raise their three children in a Christ-centered home. Though an introvert by nature, Alisa easily expresses herself through social media

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 educational publishing company. They ran this from 1998 until they sold it in 2009. It wasn't until then that Phill found the time to fulfil his long

I write emotionally charged, psychologically rich stories about flawed people and their complicated relationships. My characters are painfully human. They make mistakes, carry secrets, love imperfectly, and wrestle with identity, morality, grief, and the internal wounds that shape their choices

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 educational publishing company. They ran this from 1998 until they sold it in 2009. It wasn't until then that Phill found the time to fulfil his long

BIO - Cheryl K Sharpe Cheryl worked in corporate management with an emphasis on Computer science, budget and finance, and project management for thirty years at Caterpillar, Inc. She retired in 2009 and lives in Alpharetta, Georgia with her husband, Tom. They have two grown children and are

Jo-Anne van Gelder writes tense, emotional psychological thrillers where memory lies, loyalty fractures, and the past never stays buried. Her work explores the spaces between truth and trauma — where silence becomes survival, friendship turns dangerous, and the people we think we know can still

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 about children fleeing a surveillance state. I was born in Hamburg. I followed someone I loved to America, filled out the forms, raised my hand, and

Sheelagh is a visually impaired author based in the UK who has been writing since she could hold a pen. In-Between Girl is the first book in The Birchwood Inheritance. Book 2 – The Lost Daughter will be published in July 2026. Sheelagh is a member of the groundbreaking Resolute Books. A writer’s

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

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 collections of children’s stories. The first, The Adventures of Jix —about a heroic little monster in a world of fantastical creatures—is an early reader

R.A.(Rob) Johnson is a cross-genre author whose writing stretches from micro-fiction to novel series, and spans historical adventures, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and even speculative non-fiction, for YA readers through adults. Born and raised and still living in Pennsylvania, Rob's stories

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 executive specializing in e-commerce, for years I’ve channeled my story-telling passion into writing thousands of words in the form of published

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 twists and turns, that pose ethical and moral dilemmas. When I sit down to write a book, I have three non-negotiables: 1. It needs to concern a

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 absolutely no previous writing experience and in truth I had no firm plans to author a book, however when I retired from work my story just kind of developed

N. Degen, a seven-time award-winning author, holds a degree in philology and is the proud father of two children. His passion for storytelling, adventure, and language comes alive in his best-selling middle grade fantasy novel “Ray Taylor and the Torn and Tattered Treasure Map”. He invites readers

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 family. His life since has continued in the fashion, starting off one place and winding up somewhere altogether unexpected. After finishing high school in

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 Protestant who fled England during the perilous reign of Mary Tudor, my lineage is a testament to resilience and adaptation. My ancestor’s courageous

Monique Singleton writes compelling stories that mix fantasy with realistic psychological suspense and unique insights into the mind of the main characters. Her writing voice stands out because it combines moral depth, psychological struggle, and high-stakes action in a way that feels visceral and

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 25-year career in advertising, M.A.Batten returned to his childhood dream of telling stories but without brands or their ridiculous reasons to buy

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 – of any kind – but, more than

Cathryn deVries is a multi-award-winning fantasy and sci-fi author who explores themes of restorative justice, empowerment, connection with earth and spirit, and finding the true self in her work—all wrapped up in an epic package of immersive world-building and clean romance. A former Air Force

Anita Harlan was born in California and has lived all over the state, collecting zip codes the way some people little trinkets. Though she jokingly calls it "she likes to think of it as “method research” for storytelling. By middleschool, she was happily lost in the worlds of science fiction and

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. Now retired, he writes the kind of story that's funny right up until it isn't. RANDOM MAN is his debut novel. He lives in Escondido, California.

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 discovered she was reading over two hundred words per minute. Seeing the need to feed her thirsty young mind, he placed epic fantasy books (most of them

Jennifer Collins began writing novels in 2020. A retired physical therapist and college professor, she became inspired to write after experiencing the loss of several loved ones. From her debut award-winning novel, Comfort in the Wings, arose two additional books to comprise the Love That Does Not

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 dream to write novels, but you know what they say, life happens while you’re busy making other plans! So although I had to wait until I was sixty to

Born and raised in central Iowa, Sharon loves to write about everyday women who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances, the men who make their hearts race, and villains you love to hate. She doesn't remember a time she wasn't reading or imagining what it would be like to stumble upon the

Gwyn Bennett is a best-selling author who writes intriguing fast-paced character driven crime and psychological thrillers. She's always been a writer, initially working as a broadcast journalist and newsreader for the BBC and ITN in London, before focusing on her fiction. Gwyn undertakes a lot of

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 writing gripping epic fantasy stories, they're probably arguing about homophones. K. R. has turned daydreaming into a career. As a graphic artist

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. She speaks several languages and draws on her diverse upbringing to craft worlds that feel rich, authentic, and alive. Perrin writes stories that range

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 sector; her time working in the civil service; as well as her lifelong interest in applied ethics.

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 educational publishing company. They ran this from 1998 until they sold it in 2009. It wasn't until then that Phill found the time to fulfil his long

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 International Schools and rural schools in Uganda, reading aloud wonderful books, and now she can finally read aloud her own! Cathy's passion is to write

Mary Murphy is an Irish-born author whose work explores psychological suspense, identity, and inherited memory across genres and tonal range. Her latest release, The Confidence Thief (2026), is a work of crime fiction with literary depth and emotional intensity, continuing her examination of

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 Sports Massage Therapist. She achieved a Degree in Zoology at the age of thirty and then went on to raise two boys and became the stepmother of three

Sophie Mutiara Nova (they/them) – is a Queer, mixed Indonesian American, immunocompromised Writer-Director and punk. They’re the Writing Fellow of Lambda Literary and the ACEX TV Initiative. They’ve won the Launchpad Pilot Competition, ScreenCraft Horror Competition, and over eighty other awards

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 family with many teachers and schoolmasters, she let her godmother enter her into a writing contest when she was in middle school. She then realised that

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 Sacred Heart in Rockville, Maryland from the 1rst through 5th grade. She attended the Georgetown Day School in Washington, DC from the 6th grade onward

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 where everything breaks, and the journey to a "happily ever after" is hard-won and wholly deserved. She writes contemporary romance for readers who

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

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 and read manga. Over time, those ideas evolved into something that felt bigger than daydreams. One day, after sharing these thoughts with my wife

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 writing gripping epic fantasy stories, they're probably arguing about homophones. K. R. has turned daydreaming into a career. As a graphic artist

Jo Fenton grew up in Hertfordshire, UK. She devoured books from an early age, particularly enjoying adventure books, school stories and fantasy. She wanted to be a scientist from aged six after being given a wonderful book titled “Science Can Be Fun”. At eleven, she discovered Agatha Christie and

Victoria Randall was born near Chicago, Illinois, where her father was a well-known artist, creator of Bill Randall's Datebook. She attended Oberlin College. She is the mother of four children, including Keith Graham, an artist, and Brandon Graham, author of graphic novels King City and Escalator

Bálint Makai is a Hungarian writer whose work spans eco-fiction, speculative realism, and psychological fantasy. His stories weave animal symbolism with human moral conflict, creating deeply reflective narratives rooted in nature and ethical inquiry. A member of the Pannonius Literary Circle, Makai

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 student, he traded lecture halls for the roads of West Africa, coming to know its land and people firsthand. That restless curiosity became his life's

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, she weaves romantic Science Fiction adventures set in the future, and fantasy romances set in the distant past or the present time. A romantic at heart

Called “an irrefutably savage writer” by Self-Publishing Review, Laura specialises in speculative fiction with a focus on people. Her debut novel, The Fool, was released in 2025 to very positive commercial response. She completed her Bachelor of Arts with Distinction (double-majoring in Literature

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 that has profoundly influenced both his life and his writing. His debut novel, The Long Grass, explores crime, addiction, redemption and the lasting

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 country town solicitor, she is now a freelance writer/editor and the maker of literary travel videos, visiting the locations in her novels to do

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 her latest novel, SPRING MELT, is set. SPRING MELT, her first historical-suspense novel, released March 10. Her previous novels include NEVER LET GO, a

ANGELA PAGE is an award-winning Latina and Italian American writer and producer with experience in multinationals such as Microsoft, Honeywell, and Siemens. A graduate of NYU’s Stern School of Business and The London School of Economics. She has also studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute in London

Black writes in a variety of genres. Mystery, romance, or fantasy, her character-driven stories combine imagination and experience to weave dramatic plots with believable characters in descriptive contemporary settings, sometimes with fantasy worlds within them. In most of her publications, a four

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 home are central themes of her work. Her novel Becoming Sand, presented a fictional Francophone family’s history in Canada. Time Enough, Oprelle

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 student, he traded lecture halls for the roads of West Africa, coming to know its land and people firsthand. That restless curiosity became his life's

Inspired by our friendship, our countless parenting fails, and lifelong passion for cosy crime, together wenwrite The AnonyMums book series where school mum friends unwittingly solve murders whilst navigating school politics and sleep deprivation. Our first book, A Bloody Merry Murder, has been long

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. She now lives in Guernsey with her endlessly patient husband and their ageing but ever-spirited Labradinger. When she’s not writing or reading, she

Jennifer Collins began writing novels in 2020. A retired physical therapist and college professor, she became inspired to write after experiencing the loss of several loved ones. From her debut award-winning novel, Comfort in the Wings, arose two additional books to comprise the Love That Does Not

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 educational publishing company. They ran this from 1998 until they sold it in 2009. It wasn't until then that Phill found the time to fulfil his long

Black writes in a variety of genres. Mystery, romance, or fantasy, her character-driven stories combine imagination and experience to weave dramatic plots with believable characters in descriptive contemporary settings, sometimes with fantasy worlds within them. In most of her publications, a four

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 romance. A fan of strong female characters, she loves fast cars, motorcycles, horseback riding, and gaming in World of Warcraft and Overwatch 2. When not

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 discovered she was reading over two hundred words per minute. Seeing the need to feed her thirsty young mind, he placed epic fantasy books (most of them

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 the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She is the author of The Third Estate series, a cinematic thriller world of espionage, conspiracy, family

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 magical realism; sometimes I manage to stay within it. Usually, though, I can be found driving onto the pavement and alarming the pedestrians

Michael Maloof is the author of the Kate Preacher Thriller Series— Relentless, Unstoppable, and Defiant —international thrillers built around believable “what if?” scenarios, ordinary people facing extraordinary choices, and consequences that refuse to stay contained. His debut novel, Relentless

Jo Fenton grew up in Hertfordshire, UK. She devoured books from an early age, particularly enjoying adventure books, school stories and fantasy. She wanted to be a scientist from aged six after being given a wonderful book titled “Science Can Be Fun”. At eleven, she discovered Agatha Christie and

Mark Bertrand writes psychological thrillers about ordinary individuals trapped inside systems of law, judgment, and authority—systems that criminalize everyday life while claiming to preserve order. His novels are driven by a single premise: when law exceeds human scale, obedience replaces morality

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 inspired in 2019 after spending a week doing the Munay Ki with shamans, but the first draft was put on hold while I concentrated on another story during an

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

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 pages of books, which sparked my deep love for words and ultimately led me to pursue writing myself. I believe stories have the power to transport

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, acting, and, above all, writing. What could be greater than creating real and thoughtful feelings in people through creative mediums? I have been

Mary Murphy is an Irish-born author whose work explores psychological suspense, identity, and inherited memory across genres and tonal range. Her latest release, The Confidence Thief (2026), is a work of crime fiction with literary depth and emotional intensity, continuing her examination of

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

I spent many years immersed in the fast-paced world of tech startups—jotting down notes, observations, and the occasional eyebrow-raising story that slowly brewed in my imagination. Eventually, these scribbles evolved into The Techboys, a steamy, heartfelt, and sometimes wickedly fun romance series

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 an avid reader all her life. But she had a story to tell. Not just any story, but a true story that rivals any fiction creation. She brought the

Maday is a Cuban-born writer, technologist, and storyteller who blends science, philosophy, and human emotion in her work. After earning a Master of Science in Cybernetics of Chemical Processes and building a professional career in information technology, she began exploring storytelling as a way to

Claire Merchant is an award-winning Australian author, screenwriter, and storyteller. The author of more than 40 novels, she writes heartfelt contemporary fiction, romance, and fantasy, inviting readers into an unforgettable world and characters they’ll want to revisit long after the final page.

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 accolades and awards, including Literary Global Book Awards 2025 Fiction Book of the Year. Her short stories have been published in literary journals

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 discovered she was reading over two hundred words per minute. Seeing the need to feed her thirsty young mind, he placed epic fantasy books (most of them

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 College Dublin. He now lives in Ireland and works as a mechanical design engineer. He is a part-time novelist who writes Historical-Fiction / Horror

Paul Olding is a BAFTA nominated (Best Director), multi-award-winning television writer/director. As well as two non-fiction books ( The Urban Vineyard and Return to the Berber Village ), he has written and directed over sixty films for TV, travelling the globe to document the natural world, ancient

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 held leadership roles in national and international marketing communications. His short stories and essays have been published in numerous journals

Alisa Hope Wagner is an international award-winning author, editor and publisher of over thirty books. She married her high school sweetheart, and together they raise their three children in a Christ-centered home. Though an introvert by nature, Alisa easily expresses herself through social media

Steven Crandell has been a writer ever since he almost flunked second grade for having very messy handwriting. He has four children and two grandchildren, all of whom bring him joy. Besides Amy, he’s the author of Silver Tongue: Secrets of Mr. Santa Barbara. He also writes a newsletter on LinkedIn (

Tim Johnston is the award-winning author of RECIPROCITY (optioned by Universal Television Studios), FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND OTHER STORIES (winner of the 2017 International Book Award for Best Short Fiction), WEEDING FOR EISENHOWER: STORIES, and now his new thriller, THE FURTHERER (named a Finalist for

Mark Bertrand writes psychological thrillers about ordinary individuals trapped inside systems of law, judgment, and authority—systems that criminalize everyday life while claiming to preserve order. His novels are driven by a single premise: when law exceeds human scale, obedience replaces morality

Deborah Jay writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy featuring complex, quirky characters and multi-layered plots – just what she likes to read. Fortunate to live near Loch Ness in the majestic, mystery-filled, Scottish Highlands, with her partner and a pack of rescue dogs, she can often be found

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 educational publishing company. They ran this from 1998 until they sold it in 2009. It wasn't until then that Phill found the time to fulfil his long

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 student, he traded lecture halls for the roads of West Africa, coming to know its land and people firsthand. That restless curiosity became his life's

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

Michael Gorton is a 17x serial entrepreneur, adventurer bestselling author, and recognized pioneer of the telemedicine and internet industries. His companies have helped create industries that have changed the world and generated over a trillion dollars impact to the markets. Best known as the

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

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 reading and spending time in the Adirondacks, and also has a soft spot for reality romance shows and buying too many books. Gia loves writing about

Janet Pywell has published 17 books including the Mikky dos Santos international crime thrillers, the Ronda George domestic thrillers and the Westbay Romance Series, and two books of short stories. She runs her own Novel Mentoring course. With a thirty-year background in travel and tourism, she

Diana Davis is an award-winning storyteller and nationally recognized copywriter whose sharp, comedic voice has powered campaigns for major brands, celebrity talent, and leading entertainment platforms. Her work has earned Clio, ADDY, GEMA, and Shorty Awards, and her screenwriting has placed in top

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” and the children’s book “The Bird Who Was Afraid to Fly.” His short thrillers “Cole & Colette” and “One-Hit Wonder” have been accepted into more than

Mark Murphy is a native of Savannah, Georgia. He’s worked as a fast-food worker, marine biologist, orderly, ordained minister, and gastroenterologist, his current “day job.” When he’s not healing the sick, he writes anything he can—newspaper columns, short stories, magazine articles, and textbook

Jo Fenton grew up in Hertfordshire, UK. She devoured books from an early age, particularly enjoying adventure books, school stories and fantasy. She wanted to be a scientist from aged six after being given a wonderful book titled “Science Can Be Fun”. At eleven, she discovered Agatha Christie and

Alisa Hope Wagner is an international award-winning author, editor and publisher of over thirty books. She married her high school sweetheart, and together they raise their three children in a Christ-centered home. Though an introvert by nature, Alisa easily expresses herself through social media

Tracey Magruder writes romance stories filled with heart, humor, and the kind of emotional chemistry that refuses to be ignored. A lifelong storyteller and music instructor by day, she’s spent years helping others find their voice—now she’s finally using hers on the page. Whether she’s crafting

Ryan MacDonald is a Scottish author and freelance crime and justice journalist. A former senior police officer with three decades of experience across policing and the military, his work focuses on policing, trauma, justice, and institutional accountability. He is the author of Blue Lights, Dark

Mary Murphy is an Irish-born author whose work explores psychological suspense, identity, and inherited memory across genres and tonal range. Her latest release, The Confidence Thief (2026), is a work of crime fiction with literary depth and emotional intensity, continuing her examination of

Alisa Hope Wagner is an international award-winning author, editor and publisher of over thirty books. She married her high school sweetheart, and together they raise their three children in a Christ-centered home. Though an introvert by nature, Alisa easily expresses herself through social media

Erik D. Larson is an Illinois farm boy turned MIT rocket scientist, decorated Air Force captain, Silicon Valley entrepreneur, avid gardener, and aspiring waterman. He splits his time between Marin County and Hanalei, two versions of paradise. He has written poetry, edited university newspapers and

J J Noad is the author of Fractured Echoes and the forthcoming Original Echoes, psychological suspense novels exploring memory, mystery, and the fragile boundary between reality and loss. A long-time resident of Lancashire, he draws deeply on its towns, coastlines, and histories to shape the

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 Juliet in the ninth grade but being embarrassed to admit it. Ninth-grade boys in small-town Indiana didn’t like poetry. I also was so captivated by an

About the Author Simon Bullock is a British-born writer living in the Netherlands. His work spans speculative fiction, psychological thrillers, comic science fiction and historically inspired novels, often blending sharp character work with dark humour, emotional realism and a strong sense of place

Cheryl Wilfong is the author of a historical travel book, Following the Nez Perce Trail . She used to write award-winning gardening and mindfulness books and blogs, memoir, travelogue, and one excellent Dharma book— Breast Cancer Meets Mindfulness . During the autumn of her life, she is switching

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. Sair has been featured in the New York Times, and Broadway World described their writing as “laugh-out-loud.” Recipient of the Danny Award for

Stu Strumwasser studied in the creative writing program at Cornell University and then pursued dual careers as a writer and investment professional. His first novel, The Organ Broker, was published by Skyhorse (distributed by Simon & Schuster) in May of 2015 and short-listed as one of five 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 discovered she was reading over two hundred words per minute. Seeing the need to feed her thirsty young mind, he placed epic fantasy books (most of them

Jo Fenton grew up in Hertfordshire, UK. She devoured books from an early age, particularly enjoying adventure books, school stories and fantasy. She wanted to be a scientist from aged six after being given a wonderful book titled “Science Can Be Fun”. At eleven, she discovered Agatha Christie and

Robbi Sommers Bryant is an award-winning author whose psychologically driven stories explore obsession, identity, and the hidden forces that shape human behavior. Her work blends psychological suspense with dark literary themes, creating characters who live on the edge of moral choice and emotional

Donna lives in Somerset, United Kingdom. Her love of fantasy books began with the Belgariad, Discworld and the Dragons of Pern. She pestered her secondary school librarians to get every one of the Pern books until they finally gave in. When she later found the darker world of Brent Weeks, Mark

Herta Feely is the award-winning author of the recently published Strange Shape of Love and Saving Phoebe Murrow , her critically acclaimed debut novel. Both works of fiction explore the dangers of social media. Her fiction and memoir short stories have been published in numerous anthologies and

About the Author: Richard Randon Richard Randon is a British author with a flair for blending absurdity with cosmic adventures, creating quirky characters and unpredictable situations that are as humorous as they are imaginative. Inspired by the likes of Douglas Adams, Robert Rankin, and other

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 educational publishing company. They ran this from 1998 until they sold it in 2009. It wasn't until then that Phill found the time to fulfil his long

Jeza Belle is a drag queen, comedian, and multiple award-winning author whose work spans gritty realism, humor, and overlooked histories. A 2026 Saints & Sinners Fiction finalist, her work was recently longlisted for the SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction, and her poetry is forthcoming in

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 discovered she was reading over two hundred words per minute. Seeing the need to feed her thirsty young mind, he placed epic fantasy books (most of them

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 book.

KN Tristan writes near-future dystopian fiction that blends emotional intensity, razor-sharp wit, and a strong undercurrent of resistance. Her work explores the cracks in controlled systems and the people bold enough to push back, with a touch of romance and a healthy dose of snark. A lifelong genre

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 decades she worked as a reporter and producer making features about the developing world. Following the birth of her two sons, she retrained as a music

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, which turned to writing, as evidenced by the piles of notebooks full of stories and ideas left behind! Having survived lockdown by writing, she has

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 educational publishing company. They ran this from 1998 until they sold it in 2009. It wasn't until then that Phill found the time to fulfil his long

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 discovered she was reading over two hundred words per minute. Seeing the need to feed her thirsty young mind, he placed epic fantasy books (most of them

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 discovered she was reading over two hundred words per minute. Seeing the need to feed her thirsty young mind, he placed epic fantasy books (most of them

John David writes "ripped-from-the-headlines" mysteries layered with gripping thriller elements. His debut novel, The Bystander , the first installment in The Lemaster Files, earned critical acclaim in the United States and abroad. The book was named a 2025 BestThrillers Book Awards finalist

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 garden, chickens, and an overweight cat. He has been married to his wife and best friend, Kaly, since 2004. They have five daughters with the nature

Jeza Belle is a drag queen, comedian, and multiple award-winning author whose work spans gritty realism, humor, and overlooked histories. A 2026 Saints & Sinners Fiction finalist, her work was recently longlisted for the SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction, and her poetry is forthcoming in

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 the Canadian federal government, he took his life in a different direction and climbed Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro at age 60 with his son Chris. The

Philip Nourse was born in Wells, Somerset, and educated at St George's School, Windsor Castle, Marlborough College and Brunel University. After qualifying as a chartered surveyor, he worked in London and Hong Kong where he and his second wife, Diane, lived for thirty-three years. In 2005, Philip

David James (DJ) lives in Northborough, Massachusetts, with his wife, Tonya, who has somehow endured thirty years of his endless parade of ridiculous character voices echoing through the house. Together they’ve raised three wonderful children, now off conquering the world through college, law school

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 discovered she was reading over two hundred words per minute. Seeing the need to feed her thirsty young mind, he placed epic fantasy books (most of them

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 is an Amazon bestseller. It launched at #20 on Amazon’s list of “Hot New Releases.” As a corporate coach, Martha has published two niche-market books

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 fueled by coffee and Cadburys. When not writing, Jan takes her dogs and small monsters into the countryside, especially if there is a castle or historic

Dr. Matthew Huddleston spent most of his childhood in a small jungle village in the Democratic Republic of Congo (what was then called Zaire) while his father worked as a linguist to develop a writing system for the language of the Bali people. Returning to the US, he received a Masters in space

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

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 educational publishing company. They ran this from 1998 until they sold it in 2009. It wasn't until then that Phill found the time to fulfil his long

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 magical realism; sometimes I manage to stay within it. Usually, though, I can be found driving onto the pavement and alarming the pedestrians

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 Sports Massage Therapist. She achieved a Degree in Zoology at the age of thirty and then went on to raise two boys and became the stepmother of three

Mark Norberg teaches middle school English in Burbank, CA. He previously worked in corporate advertising – with side excursions into the worlds of sketch comedy, film, and theater. This is his first novel.

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 fueled by coffee and Cadburys. When not writing, Jan takes her dogs and small monsters into the countryside, especially if there is a castle or historic

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 August 2026 and placed Second in the Fiction Category of the 2026 Bookfest Awards. LEECH cements her place as the first female Guyanese writer

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 2019 film “Crypto,” starring Kurt Russell. One of his novels, “Shattered Lives,” was made into a documentary film by MacTavish Productions. He’s had

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 storytelling. His creative DNA was forged in the 90s—a blend of blockbuster action cinema, console gaming, and the high-stakes melodrama of the era’s

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 educational publishing company. They ran this from 1998 until they sold it in 2009. It wasn't until then that Phill found the time to fulfil his long

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 1880s and 1920s. A descendant of the Platero family, he wrote this book as a tribute to his grandmother Mima and to preserve a story passed down through

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 imagining fantastical adventures and heroic epics. I struggled to read and write until an inspirational teacher in junior school unlocked the joy of