True Story Award For Published Books ~ Opens January 2026 and Closes 30 June 2026!
True Story Award Submission Types
Your true story can be submitted as a:
- Published Book
- Unpublished Manuscript
- Screenplay or TV Script
True Story Award Sub-Categories
Your submission can be entered into any of the following categories:
- Most Impactful True Story - for stories that create social awareness
- Unsung Hero Award - for stories about everyday heroes
- Against All Odds Award - for the most inspiring survival/resilience story
- Best True Crime - for compelling accounts of real criminal cases and investigations
- Best Historical True Story - for stories that illuminate significant historical events or periods
True Story Award Sub-Genres
- Based on a True Story (mostly true, but some elements fictionalized)Memoir (personal life story)
- Biography (another person's story you've written)
- Creative Nonfiction (true stories told using literary techniques and narrative structure)
- Memoir (personal life story)
- Inspired by a True Story (mostly fictionalized, but inspired by a true story or event)
- Survival & Resilience Stories (overcoming adversity, illness, trauma, or life challenges)
Judging Criteria
True Story Award submissions will be judged on the following:
- Emotional Impact & Storytelling - Does the story move the readers (a judge or reader) and demonstrate strong narrative craft?
- Universal Relatability - Can readers connect with the themes and characters regardless of their own experiences?
- Writing Quality - Is the prose engaging, well-structured, and professionally presented?
Please Note: Creative Nonfiction describes a writing style (literary storytelling of true events) rather than a content type. Your submission can fit multiple sub-genres - for example, a memoir written with creative nonfiction techniques, but the choice is yours to select any of the sub-genres.
See our 2026 judging panel below.
2026 True Story Award Judges
Humanitarian Laureate, Pramudith D. Rupasinghe, is judging the 2024 Page Turner Book Award hoping to find cultural stories that cross the borders of human interests.
Laureate of Golden Aster Award
Juan is a Marketing graduate and professional book cover designer with over 10 years of experience. He specializes in creating covers for major platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and
HeyitsCarlyRae will be judging the 2025 Page Turner Book Awards, hoping to find new talented authors to read.
Carly-Rae has a Bachelor of Liberal Arts from Harvard University Extension School with
Pulane (Laney) Chaka is judging Page Turner Awards Book Award for aspiring authors who are looking for their published work to be recognised by industry professionals.
She is a seasoned
Rick Holland is judging the Page Turner Book Award for Best Book Cover and hoping to see compelling covers that draw readers in.
Rick is the owner of Vision Press. He has been designing for over 20
Humanitarian, published author, entrepreneur, and scientist, Asal Shirazi BEM, Founder of Autoimmune Support and Awareness Foundation, is judging the Page Turner Book Award and hoping to discover
Experienced editor, Jenny Rarden is judging the Page Turner Book Award (for published books) and our Writing Award (for unpublished manuscripts) and is excited to be involved with this unique
Katja Kaine is judging our 2026 Page Turner Awards Book award.
Katja Kaine is a Yorkshire-based writer of feminist YA fantasy novels. She has won multiple awards for writing, including the
Ran Walker is judging the Page Turner Awards Book Award for published authors.
Ran (he/him) is an award-winning author and filmmaker, who has written over 30 books. Specializing in very short
As a retired schoolteacher turned script and screenwriter, his forty-year career included extensive overseas teaching, lecturing, and drama training, which he credits as providing a deep well of
Author Charlotte Valentine is judging the Page Turner Book Award.
After studying Law in London, Charlotte moved into the corporate world where she was a Managing Director in Investment Banking
Author Jessica Hatch is judging the 2026 Page Turner Book Award with the hope of finding published novels that wraps her up in the story.
Jessica has a passion for writing laugh-out-loud fiction
With 26 years of experience in theatre, broadcast media, and coaching, Stuart has developed a deep love of character. His journey began with a passion for comic books, TV, and diverse literature
Falguni Jain is judging the Page Turner Awards international writing contest. She is an editor and writing consultant. But, most importantly, she is a compulsive reader, who loves to live in the
