PREVIEW of 2022 Winners and Finalists

Open AllCATEGORY WINNERS AND FINALISTS

ACTION/ADVENTURE (FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Colombian Betrayal (A Bruce & Smith Thriller Book 1), by Randall Krzak (Randall Krzak)

FINALISTS:

• Babies On Board Part 2 (A Grumpy the Iguana and Green Parrot Adventure Series) Book #7, by Susan Marie Chapman, Illustrated by Natalia Loseva (Canoe Tree Press)
• Double Crossed, by Barry Lidstone (Barry Lidstone, Tellwell)
• Escape from Castro's Cuba, by Tim Wendel (University of Nebraska Press)
• Memory Layne, by Bob Adamov, Edited by John Wisse, Cathy Adamov, Michelle Marchese, Peggy Parker, Illustrated by Ryan Sigler (Packard Island Publishing)
• Thorn The Red Sword Series Book Two, by Norman Wood, Edited by Julie Scandora, Illustrated by Scott Book (Melissa Vail Coffman)

ACTIVITY BOOKS (ALL AGES)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Explore & Color San Francisco Chinatown, by Bibi LeBlanc (Culture To Color, LLC)
• My Favorite Letter: Coloring and Activity Book, by Susan Gilpin, Illustrated by Hailey Footer (KPD)

FINALISTS:

• Dizzy's Busy Day, by Bruce Borich, Edited by Kate McClare, Judy Gale, Illustrated by Bruce Borich; Other Contributors: Judy Borich (Middle River Press)
• Fun with Finn Activity Book: All About Dogs, by Gwen Romack (Gwen Romack - Off Leash Press)
• My Crumby Guide to Failing, by Shannon Addison (Rizing)
• The ABC Yogi, by Krystle Flynn, Illustrated by Erika Busse (Ingramspark)
• The Global Kid: The World's First VR/AR Political Comic Book, by Dr. Maha Hosain Aziz (Amazon KDP)
• The Golden Rule Coloring Book, by Sherrill S Cannon, Illustrated by Kalpart (SBPRA)
• Twin Power: The Best Snow Day Ever, by Benjamin Young & Kiyanda Young, Edited by Tatia Gordon-Troy, Illustrated by Imre Papp; Other Contributors: Shashika Baldwin McLean (Twizzler Bees Entertainment LLC)

AFRICAN AMERICAN (FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• The Souls of Clayhatchee: A Southern Tale, by Anthony Todd Carlisle, Edited by Megan Whitfield, Robert D. Gaines (Hidden Shelf Publishing House)

FINALISTS:

• Conniving Whispers in the Midnight Snow, by Yolanda Randolph (RettieBooks)
• My Friend the President, by Lynn W. Leigh (Heart to Heart Publishing, Inc.)
• REPSOULS: Liberty's Crown, by Eric Goff, Illustrated by Dave Wolf (REPSOULS)
• The Color of Hope, by Diane McBain, Edited by Stone Wallace (Bear Manor Media)
• The Upright Bass, Like Blueberries, by Benjamin Simon (BA Simon) (Kindle Direct Publishing)

AFRICAN AMERICAN (NON-FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Quotes From the Edge of Nowhere - The Art of Noticing Unnoticed Wisdom, by Gary Lewis LeRoy, MD (Dorrance Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• Are You Okay? The Carryover of Kindness, by A.S. Drayton, Edited by Charles Stewart, Illustrated by Luce (Self-Published - A.S. Drayton Books LLC)
• Black History: Tina and Gina Discover Twelve People of Color, by Barbara Freeman, Edited by Raquel Benetar, Illustrated by Ruth Araceli Rodriguez (Laredo Publishing Company)
• Listen Mama, by M.S.P. Williams (Souls Take Flight)
• Survivor's Guilt: Essays on Race and American Identity, by Artress Bethany White (New Rivers Press)
• That They Lived, by Rochelle Riley and Christi Smith-Jones (Wayne State University Press)

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY/CULTURE

WINNER ($100):

• Fabyan Place: Two WWII GIs Fight to Survive and Overcome Racial Strife as POWs, by Peter Angus (Self-Published)

FINALISTS:

• A Mulatto Slave, the Events in the Life of Peter Hunt, 1844-1915, by Denise I. Griggs (Blue Eclipse Publishing)
• African-American Musicians That Changed Music Forever - 100 Legendary Artists That Created The Soundtrack of our Lives, by Michael A. Carson Matthew A. Carson (Double Infinity Publishing)
• Brother Mambo: Finding Africa in the Amazon, by JD Lenoir with Phil (KutuKutu) Ceder (Black Rose Writers)
• Systematic Land Theft, by Jillian Hishaw Esq., Edited by Waymon Hinson, Illustrated by Jillian Hishaw (Cover) (30000 Acres)
• Women and Mixed Race Representation in Film: Eight Star Profiles, by Valerie C Gilbert, Edited by N/A; Other Contributors: N/A (McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers)

ANIMALS/PETS

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Fishes of the Orinoco in the Wild, by Ivan Mikolji (Independent Publisher Network)
• Saving Scruffy, by Randy Katz, Edited by To Press and Beyond, Illustrated by Edwin Camacaro (Self-Published)

FINALISTS:

• 1-Dogpower Garden Team, by Alison Lohans, Illustrated by Gretchen Ehrsam (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
• Brave Buddy, by Chris Yukevich, Illustrated by Sholto Walker (Self-Published)
• Good Boy, Nicco, by Lauren Zurcher, Illustrated by Lauren Zurcher (Spring Cedars)
• Hogan's Hope: Discovering Fun and Favorite Things, by Connie Bombaci, Illustrated by Heather Ferrer (PTL Publishing)
• Let's Go Birding! A Family-Friendly Guide to Forty-Six Birds, by Leslie Bains, Illustrated by Danny Moore (Mascot Books)

ANTHOLOGY

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Blank: Speculations on CLT, by Multiple Authors and Contributors (Applied Research + Design Publishing)
• Traveller: Stories and Songs in the Key of Connection, by Barry Truter, Edited by Marian Buechert (Barry Truter & Beat Root Books)

FINALISTS:

• Flight - Stories of Canadian Aviation, Vol. 3, by Deana J. Driver and Contributors, Edited by Deana J. Driver (DriverWorks Ink)
• Not Keeping Mum: Australian Writers Tell the Truth About Perinatal Anxiety & Depression in Poetry, Fiction & Essay, by Multiple Authors and Contributors, Edited by Maya Linden; Other Contributors: NA (Blurb)
• Pancho And Lefty Ride Again, by Cónal Creedon, Edited by Fiona O'Toole (Irishtown Press)
• Porvenir, ¡Ya! - Citlalzazanilli Mexicatl - Chicano Science Fiction Anthology, by Multiple Authors and Contributors, Edited by Scott Russell Duncan, Jenny Irizary, Armando Rendon (Somos en escrito Literary Foundation Press)
• Tongues: On Longing and Belonging through Language, Edited by Ayelet Tsabari, Eufemia Fantetti, and Leonarda Carranza (Book*hug Press)
• When You Hear Me (You Hear Us): Voices on Youth Incarceration, by Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop (Shout Mouse Press)

ART

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Sesson Shukei. A Zen Monk-Painter in Medieval Japan, by Frank Feltens, Yukio Lippit, Edited by Frank Feltens, Yukio Lippit, Illustrated by Adina Brosnan McGee (Hirmer Publishers)
• Textures: The History and Art of Black Hair, Edited by Tameka Ellington, Kent State University Museum, Joseph L. Underwood, Illustrated by Sophie Friederich (Hirmer Publishers)

FINALISTS:

• Architecture as Art The Work of Stephen M. Sullivan, by Stephen M. Sullivan (ORO Editions)
• Art in the Time of Covid-19, by numerous authors, Edited by D Ferrara, Patricia Florio, Dale Louise, Illustrated by Raul J. Mendez (San Fedele Press)
• Artist Shaman Healer Sage: Timeless Wisdom, Practices, Ritual, and Ceremony to Transform Your Life and Awaken Your Soul, by Katherine Skaggs, Illustrated by Katherine Skaggs (Satiama Publishing)
• EVOLVE: A Children's Book For Adults, by Jean-Pierre Weill, Edited by Emmanuel Yadin Klein, Illustrated by Jean-Pierre Weill (Jean-Pierre Weill)
• Phil Ponder, by Phil Ponder / Duane Chambers, Edited by Duane Chambers (Duane Chambers)
• Sting in the Tale: Art, Hoax, and Provocation, by Antoinette LaFarge; Other Contributors: Designer Ako Joop with Antoinette LaFarge (DoppelHouse Press)
• The Chosen Few: Aesthetics and Ideology in Football-Fan Graffiti and Street Art, by Mitja Velikonja, Edited by Carrie Paterson; Other Contributors: Book Designer: Tauras Stalnionis (DoppelHouse Press)

AUTOBIOGRAPHY/BIOGRAPHY

WINNER ($100):

• Find a Trail or Blaze One: A Biography of Dr. Reatha Clark King, by Kate Leibfried, Edited by Madeleine Vasaly, Laurie Buss Herrmann (Beaver's Pond Press)

FINALISTS:

• Chasing the Ghost: Nobelist Fred Reines And The Neutrino, by Leonard A Cole (World Scientific Publishing)
• Monstrans: Experimenting with Horrormones, by Lino Arruda, Illustrated by Lino Arruda (Self-Published)
• My Father's House: Remembering My Swedish-American Family, by Mona Gustafson (Calumet Editions: Imprint: Wisdom Editions)
• Richard Eager: A Pilot's Story from Tennessee Eagle Scout to General Montgomery's Flying Fortress, by Colonel Richard Ernest Evans, Barbara Evans Kinnear, Edited by Barbara Kinnear (Kieran Publishing)
• Waiting for Rainbows, by Ashley Berry, Edited by Alison Whyte & Elise Volkman (TSPA The Self Publishing Agency)

BEST COVER DESIGN (FICTION)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• A House Full of Windsor, by Kristin Contino (Wyatt-MacKenzie)
• The Grief Eater, by Deirdre Fagan (Adelaide Books NY)

FINALISTS:

• Blood Brothers Montana Territory 1860 - 1890, by Lenore McKelvey Puhek (iUniverse)
• By the Light of Fireflies: A Novel of War Hero Sybil Ludington, by Jenni L. Walsh (Wyatt-MacKenzie)
• Dead Man's Pose, by Susan Rogers and John Roosen, Illustrated by Tess McCabe, Susan Rogers, John Roosen, Christopher Roosen (G-EMS PTY LTD. and PS LLC, an imprint of Yoga Mat Mysteries)
• Every Little Breath: A Tense Psychological Thriller Full of Twists., by Keri Beevis, Edited by Ian Skewis; Other Contributors: Cover Design: Betsy Reavley (Bloodhound Books)
• For the Love of Emma, by Starr Ayers, Edited by Miralee Ferrell (Mountain Brook Ink)
• Me in America, by Kelvin Parker (Kelvin B. Parker, Jr.)
• The Present, by Geanna Culbertson (BQB Publishing)

BEST COVER DESIGN (NON-FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Typology: Collections at the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture, by Diana Zlatanovski; Other Contributors: Designer: David Weik (Harvard Museums of Science & Culture / Scala Arts)

FINALISTS:

• A Rendezvous to Remember: A Memoir of Joy and Heartache at the Dawn of the Sixties, by Terry And Ann Marshall (Sandra Jonas Publishing)
• Brain Dance, by Diane Grimard Wilson (MindStir)
• Cyberjutsu: Cybersecurity for the Modern Ninja, by Ben McCarty, Illustrated by Ben McCarty (Inside), Derek Yee of Octopod Studios (Cover) (No Starch Press)
• EVOLVE: A Children's Book For Adults, by Jean-Pierre Weill, Edited by Emmanuel Yadin Klein, Illustrated by Jean-Pierre Weill (Jean-Pierre Weill)
• Hippie Chick, Coming of Age in the 60s, by Ilene English; Other Contributors: Virginia Laughlin (She Writes Press)
• Life is Messy, by Matthew Kelly; Other Contributors: Ashley Dias (Designer of Cover & interior) (Blue Sparrow)
• Love's Legacy: Viscount Chateaubriand and the Irish Girl, by Daniel Fallon, Edited by Ann Mason, Ellen Kleiner; Other Contributors: Cover Artist: Elena Lacey (Amazonas Publishing)

BEST OVERALL DESIGN (FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Blue Ocean Bob Discovers His Purpose, by Brooks Olbrys, Illustrated by Kevin Keele (Children's Success Unlimited LLC)

FINALISTS:

• Aunt Truly's Tales: Enchantment for Story Lovers, by Laura McHale Holland, Illustrated by Anastasia Khmelevska; Other Contributors: Book Designer: Michelle M. White (Word Forest)
• Dark Cloud, by Sandra Wolff /Jared Barel, Illustrated by Jared Barel (De la Frontera Press, LLC)
• Eirwen, by Jesikah Sundin, Illustrated by MoorBooks Design (Forest Tales Publishing)
• No Ghoulish Green Monsters Here, by Dawn Secord, Illustrated by Dawn Secord (Willow Breeze Publishing)
• REPSOULS: Liberty's Crown, by Eric Goff, Illustrated by Dave Wolf (REPSOULS)
• The Nodders What! You Don't Want to Nap? by Tina Huggins, Illustrated by Brian Schmidt (Beaver's Pond Press)
• What's Wrong with a Pet Dinosaur? Poems and Drawings, by Tony Philips, Illustrated by Tony Philips (Idle Brains Publishing)

BEST OVERALL DESIGN (NON-FICTION)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Print Town. Brattleboro's Legacy of Words, by Multiple Authors, Edited by Michael Fleming, Illustrated by Multiple Illustrators; Other Contributors: James Brisson, Designer; Stephanie Greene, Art Editor (Vermont Historical Society)
• Sneaker Law: All You Need to Know About the Sneaker Business, by Kenneth Anand & Jared Goldstein (Sneaker Law LLC)

FINALISTS:

• Blank: Speculations on CLT, by Multiple Authors and Contributors (Applied Research + Design Publishing)
• First Fly Last Fly - Musings on the Mundane to the Miraculous, by Alistair Brooks (Self-Published and Printed by BPA Print Group)
• Isn't it funny that..., by Jerry Schaefer, Illustrated by Gabriel Berron; Other Contributors: Anne Pace, Design (Shire's Press)
• Love, I Am, by Catherine Athans, Ph.D., Illustrated by Patricia Bacall (Angels Island Press)
• Manifesto: A Call For Men to Become Warriors of Kindness, by Richard Matzkin, Illustrated by Riley K. Smith (First Edition Design Publishers)
• Wholesome Vietnamese Cooking: 100+ Authentic Recipes for Real Flavors and Better Health, by Rosette Nguyen; Other Contributors: Foreword by Christopher King, PhD, MD (Self-Published)
• Your Heart is an Open Book: Finding Answers in God's Word, by Don and Bonnie Sennott; Other Contributors: Book Designer: Michelle M. White (Because He Loves Us Press)

BIPOC (BLACK, INDIGENOUS AND/OR PERSONS OF COLOR)

WINNER ($100):

• Beyond Diversity: 12 Non-Obvious Ways To Build A More Inclusive World, by Rohit Bhargava and Jennifer Brown (IdeaPress Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• Gregory's Big Move, by Bobby Benavides, Illustrated by Leah Seaman (Headline Books)
• Lord, I Don't Want to Die a Christian, by Chandrika D. Phea (ONBrand Books, an imprint of W. Brand Publishing)
• Ride, Gabe, Ride, by Wilfred Burton, Illustrated by Lucille Scott (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
• Systematic Land Theft, by Jillian Hishaw Esq., Edited by Waymon Hinson, Illustrated by Jillian Hishaw (Cover) (30000 Acres)
• Unbelonging, by Gayatri Sethi (Mango and Marigold Press)

BUSINESS

WINNER ($100):

• Sneaker Law: All You Need to Know About the Sneaker Business, by Kenneth Anand & Jared Goldstein (Sneaker Law LLC)

FINALISTS:

• Behemoth, Amazon Rising: Power and Seduction in the Age of Amazon, by Robin Gaster (Incumetrics Inc.)
• Empathy In Action: How to Deliver Great Customer Experiences at Scale, by Tony Bates, Natalie Petouhoff (IdeaPress Publishing)
• Ethical Profit: A Guide to Increasing Profit Using Sustainable Business Practices, by Samantha Richardson, Edited by Mary-Margaret Scrimger, Andrea MacLeod; Other Contributors: Krista Downey (Writing Pixels Publishing)
• Investing Essentials: How To Make Extraordinary Investment Decisions Using Your Own Unique Investment Filtering Scorecard, by Robert S. Olsen, CFP, CPA (Outskirts Press, Inc.)
• Nothing Is Too Big To Fail, by Linda & Kerry Killinger, Edited by Brian Skulnik (Rosetta)

CAREER

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Behind the Sound Cart: A Veteran's Guide to Sound on the Set, by Patrushkha Mierzwa (Mark Ulano Sound Services, Inc.)
• Your Next Big Idea: Improve Your Creativity and Problem-Solving, by Samuel Sanders, Illustrated by David Miles (Heard Publishing, LLC)

FINALISTS:

• Bringing Up The Boss, by Rachel Pacheco (BenBella Books)
• Business Leadership in Turbulent Times: Decision-Making for Value Creation, by Michael Lawrie and George Tsetsekos (Archway Publishing)
• How Architecture Tells: 9 Realities that will Change the Way You See, by Robert Steinberg, Gerald Sindell, and Adam and Catherine Hooper (ORO Editions)
• Listen, Think, & Speak Like a Doctor: Essential Skills for Medical School & Practice, by Smiley Thakur, MD, FRCPC (Better Life Press)
• The Big Book of HR, by Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem (Career Press, an imprint of Red Wheel/Weiser LLC)
• The Career Toolkit: Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You, by Mark A. Herschberg (Cognosco Media, LLC)

CHICK LIT (FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• When We're Thirty, by Casey Dembowski (Red Adept Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• All The Blues Come Through, by Metra Farrari (Wise Ink Creative Publishing)
• And Then There's Margaret, by Carolyn Clarke (Black Rose Writing)
• Fish Heads and Duck Skin, by Lindsey Salatka (She Writes Press)
• Goldenrod for Gunman, by C.R. Fulton (Bluewater Publications)
• Mitzy McGee Diary of a Super-Geek Stuttering Songbird, by January Joyce (DaddyDuckPress)
• The Difference, by C. D'Angelo (Self-Published)

CHILDREN'S BOARD BOOK (0 - 3 YEARS)

WINNER ($100):

• Noah, No! by Kristen Cornell, Illustrated by Rebeca J. Pintos (Self-Published)

FINALISTS:

• Foxy Moxy, by Anne Marie Brown, Illustrated by Amit Dey Studio (Wordeee)
• Have You Seen Tucker? by Jo Ann Jeffries, Edited by Sierra Tabor, Illustrated by Lilian Barac (Bluewater Publications)
• I Believe in You, by Elias Barks, Illustrated by George Bletsis (Hazy Dell Press)
• Rainbow, Rainbow In The Sky, by Subani Maheshwari, Edited by Tamara Rittershaus, Illustrated by Audeva Joseph; Other Contributors: Arlene Soto (Book Designer) (Stories By Subani)
• Welcome To KINDARZOO, by Phillip E. Mahoney, Edited by Rachel Hubbard, Illustrated by Phillip E. Mahoney; Other Contributors: Miranda Mahoney (Phillip E. Mahoney)

CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL PICTURE BOOK (6 YEARS AND UP)

WINNER ($100):

• I'm an Astronomer Now! by Keivan Guadalupe Stassun, Edited by David A Weintraub, Kevin Johnson, Ann Neely (World Scientific Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• A Celebration of Mother's Day for Peace: A Herstory Un Día de las Madres por la Paz, by Womyn Peace Collective, Illustrated by Stefani Pacheco (Shires Press)
• How's Peanut? by Brenda Redman, Illustrated by Wendi Nordell (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
• Imani's Undersea Adventure, by T. M. Jackson, Illustrated by Darwin Marfil (Onyx Prose Publishing)
• Kindness Week, by Tahiya Cooper, Illustrated by Patricia Grannum (Tahiya Cooper)
• Nurse Florence, How Do We Feel Dizzy? by Michael Dow, RN, MS, Illustrated by Daphne Thompson (Dow Creative Enterprises)
• Sean Moses Is Martin Luther, The King Jr., by Moses D. Powe, Illustrated by Angelina Valieva (Fatherless Fathers Publishing - A POWEM Publishers Imprint)

CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK (0-5 YEARS)

WINNER ($100):

• The ForestGirls, with the World Always, by Sissel Waage, Illustrated by Ana-Maria Cosma (Lulu Press)

FINALISTS:

• Greta and the Violin, by Phyllis Matthew, Illustrated by Phyllis Matthew (Paradoxologeo)
• Hugo Deani Runs Late, by Sharon CassanoLochman, Illustrated by Pearly Lim (Ontario Shore Publishing LLC)
• I Love You Through Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall, by Junia Wonders, Illustrated by Daniela Volpari (Gmur Verlag)
• Lily May and the Ruby Shoes Blues, by Danielle Diestl, Illustrated by Fani Bela (Namaste in School)
• Ping Meets Pang: A Story of Otherness, Differences, and Friendship, by Mary Jane Begin, Illustrated by Mary Jane Begin (Wyatt-MacKenzie)
• The Trees, by Georgia Lininger, Illustrated by Emma Whaley; Other Contributors: Art and Text Designer- Jo Gershman (Salus Publishing LLC)
• Tuck-a-tuck Dragon, by Stephan Theo and JL Morin, Illustrated by Stephan Theo and Nicole Theo (Harvard Square Editions)

CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK (NON-FICTION) (ALL AGES)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Rocco Travels with the Presidents! by Rocco Smirne, Illustrated by John Hutton (The White House Historical Association)
• Wildlife on Paper: Animals at Risk Around the Globe, by Kunal Kundu, Illustrated by Kunal Kundu (West Margin Press)

FINALISTS:

• Hypatia - Ancient Alexandria's Female Scholar, by Billie Holladay Skelley, Illustrated by James Paul Skelley (Kids Book Press)
• Teddy Talks: A Paws-itive Story About Type 1 Diabetes, by Vanessa Messenger, Illustrated by Emma Latham (Messenger Books)
• The Sky is her Limit, by Hala Abu Saad (Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press)
• What About Me? by Regina Hennegan, Edited by Mike Motz Publishing, Illustrated by Mike Motz (Mike Motz Publishing)
• You've Got Quirks: And You're Wonderful, by Kristin A. Sherry, Illustrated by Mel Schroeder (Black Rose Writing)

CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK #OWNVOICES

WINNER ($100):

• The Bionic Kid Comic, Issue 2, by Zachary, Christo and Niko Pamboukas, Edited by Matt Dombrowski, Albert Manero, Illustrated by Victor Davila (Limbitless Solutions Comics)

FINALISTS:

• Bravo Anjali, by Sheetal Sheth, Illustrated by Lucia Soto (Mango and Marigold Press)
• Cake Mix: Learning to Love All Your Ingredients, by Mikki Hernandez, Edited by John Fox, Illustrated by Victoria Lewis; Other Contributors: Pete Schwartz and Elizabeth Alan, Book Formatting (MixedKids&Co)
• Katy Has Two Grampas, by Julie Schanke Lyford and Robert A Schanke, Illustrated by Mariia Luzina (Wise Ink Publishing)
• Peepeekisis Atayohkewina: Sacred Stories of Peepeekisis Cree Nation, by Eleanor Brass, Illustrated by Aleigha Agecoutay; Other Contributors: Darryl Chamakese, Inez Deiter , Solomon Ratt (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
• Roly-Poly and the Light, by L. Leigh Love, Illustrated by Sonja Oldenburg (Barringer Publishing)
• The Extraordinarily Ordinary Life of Prince: Everybody's Good at Something, by Prince A. Sanders, Illustrated by Ikhsan Ditya (Dorrance Publishing Co.)

CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK ILLUSTRATION (BEST ILLUSTRATOR)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• I Love You Through Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall, by Junia Wonders, Illustrated by Daniela Volpari (Gmur Verlag)
• Ping Meets Pang: A Story of Otherness, Differences, and Friendship, by Mary Jane Begin, Illustrated by Mary Jane Begin (Wyatt-MacKenzie)

FINALISTS:

• Bilby Bakes A Pie, by Kat Wendling, Illustrated by Kat Wendling (Kat Wendling)
• Brave Buddy, by Chris Yukevich, Illustrated by Sholto Walker (Self-Published)
• Catalina, by Lori Doody, Illustrated by Lori Doody (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides)
• No Ghoulish Green Monsters Here, by Dawn Secord, Illustrated by Dawn Secord (Willow Breeze Publishing)
• The Day It Rained Pink Lemonade, by Shavante Royster, Illustrated by Monique Romischer (Halo Publishing International)
• The Social Chameleon, by Alex Ross, Illustrated by Dani Pendergast (Paper Anvil Press)

CHILDREN'S/JUVENILE (FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Matt Sprouts and The Curse of Ten Broken Toes, by Matt Eicheldinger, Illustrated by Matt Eicheldinger (Wise Ink Creative Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• Benny's Symphony, by Amy Leask, Illustrated by Maria Laura Hurtado (Red T Media)
• Flowman and the Magic Mullet, by Emily Hawkes, Konn Hawkes, Illustrated by Emily Hawkes (Self-Published)
• Hello Mom, by Belinda Grimbeek, Illustrated by Belinda Grimbeek (Bearhead Books)
• Hole in the Rock, by Rebecca Bischoff, Edited by Holli Anderson (Immortal Works)
• Jahan Akua, by Sara Madden, Edited by Tyler Vogelsberg, Illustrated by Hayley Helsten (Authorhouse)
• Mystery of the Khar Chuluu, by Wilson Whitlow (James Perry)
• The Hole Story, by Lori Croy (BookBaby)

CHILDREN'S/JUVENILE (NON-FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• The Friendship Book, by Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D. (Magination Press)

FINALISTS:

• Hypatia - Ancient Alexandria's Female Scholar, by Billie Holladay Skelley, Illustrated by James Paul Skelley (Kids Book Press)
• Mightier Than the Sword: Rebels, Reformers, and Revolutionaries Who Changed the World through Writing, by Rochelle Melander, Illustrated by Melina Ontiveros (Beaming Books)
• Ride, Gabe, Ride, by Wilfred Burton, Illustrated by Lucille Scott (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
• Stand Up! Be An Upstander and Make a Difference, by Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D. (Magination Press)
• The Power of Style, by Christian Allaire (Annick Press)

CHILDREN'S/JUVENILE EARLY READERS/CHAPTER BOOKS (FICTION)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Hare B&B, by Bill Richardson, Illustrated by Bill Pechet (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides)
• Miss Polly and the Crocodile, by Felicia Thomas, Illustrated by Felicia Thomas (Libri Publishing Ltd.)

FINALISTS:

• Adventures on the Circle Star Ranch, by Jackie Cameron, Illustrated by Wendi Nordell (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
• Ellie Juneman: Earth Witch (in training), by Rebecca Burke, Illustrated by Chris Burke (Child's Eye)
• First Watch (Charlie's Secret), by Kathleen O Stickney, Illustrated by Sophia Scull (Outskirts Press)
• Miss Dirt Turtle's Garden Club, by Daniel Boyd, Illustrated by Hector Mexia (Headline Books)
• Spinner the Amazing Dolphin: Sea Rescuer, by L.D. Murray, Edited by Jacqueline A. Kelly, Illustrated by L.D. Murray, Jacqueline A. Kelly (Heart Passage Publishing)
• What's Wrong with a Pet Dinosaur? Poems and Drawings, by Tony Philips, Illustrated by Tony Philips (Idle Brains Publishing)

CHRISTIAN (FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Finding Faith, by Claudia Terry Pemberton (iUniverse)

FINALISTS:

• Blue Man, by John L. Moore (Book Locker)
• Solomon's Porch, by Janet Morris Grimes, Edited by Sue Fairchild, Deb Haggerty (Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.)
• The Last Ornament, by Mikael Johnson, Edited by Concierge marketing, Illustrated by Sarah Nielson (Jay Mikael Publishing)
• The Wayward Path of the Devil and Mr. Snake in the Garden of Eden, by Linda Harkey, Illustrated by Mike Minick (Amazon)
• Time to Follow the Heart, by Carolyn Bru Dee (Self-Published)

CHRISTIAN (NON-FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• The Worrywart's Prayer Book: 40 Help-Me-Get-a-Grip, God Meditations and Prayers, by Allia Zobel Nolan (AlliaWrites)

FINALISTS:

• An Unnatural Beauty: Rediscovering the Beauty of Holiness, by M. Esther Lovejoy, Edited by Debra Butterfield (Cross River Media)
• Dugout Devotions II: Inspirational Hits from MLB's Best, by Del Duduit (New Hope Publishers/Iron Stream Media)
• First Down Devotions II: Inspiration from NFL's Best, by Del Duduit (New Hope Publishers/Iron Stream Media)
• Life's Daily Treasure - 366 Doses of Hope, Optimism, Personal growth, and Encouragement, by Richard V. Battle (Outskirts Press)
• Unlocking A Broken World: A Story of Discovery, by Scott and Connie Payne, Edited by Connie Payne; Other Contributors: N/A (WestBow Press)

COFFEE TABLE BOOK/PHOTOGRAPHY

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Mise-en-Scéne: The Lives and Afterlives of Urban Landscapes, by Chris Reed (ORO Editions)
• Seasons of Ceremonies: Rites and Rituals in Guatemala and Mexico, by William M Frej; Other Contributors: Essayists Anne Frej, Gary Gossen, Frine Castillo Badillo, Philip Coyle and Nicolasa Chavez (Museum of New Mexico Press)

FINALISTS:

• Designing Camelot: The Kennedy White House Restoration and Its Legacy, by James Archer Abbott and Elaine Rice Bachmann (The White House Historical Association)
• Hungry for Home: A Year Together at Hillside Farm, by Ruth McKeaney, Edited by Jessica Glasner (Ruth McKeaney)
• Lockdown: 100 Days in San Francisco Facing COVID-19, Protests, and an Uncertain Future, by Conor Mitchell (Outskirts Press, Inc.)
• New York Stilled Life: Portrait of a City in Lockdown, by Gregory Peterson (Goff Books)
• Our National Monuments: America's Hidden Gems, by QT Luong; Other Contributors: Sally Jewell, Ian Shive (Terra Galleria Press)
• Remember, by Roger Raepple (Self-Published)
• The Infinite, by Phoebe Greenberg, Marie Brassard, Felix Lajeunesse, Paul Raphael, Ryoji Ikeda, Ariane Koek, Daniel Canty, TIME Studios, Annabelle Fiset, Jeffrey Kluger, Tracy Valcourt, Edited by Marie Brassard, Phoebe Greenberg, Illustrated by FEED (Hirmer Publishers)

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• COVID-19: The Science vs. The Lockdowns, by Michael G. Betrus (Headline Books)
• Leaders in Lockdown: Inside Stories of Covid-19 and The New World of Business, by Atholl Duncan (LID Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• A Second Second Chance: A Black Woman's Story of Recovery from Covid-19, by Gwen T. Samuels, Edited by Carolyn Matthews/Amelia Herbert, Illustrated by Jahnia Holterhoff (Triay Arts)
• Plagued, by John Froude (BenBella Books)
• Surviving the Horror of Online Meetings: How to Facilitate Good Virtual Meetings & Manage Meeting Monsters, by Brian Tarallo, Illustrated by Mark Monlux (Lizard Brain)
• The Accidental Plague Diaries: A Covid-19 Pandemic Experience, by Andrew Duxbury MD, Edited by Steve Peha (The Peha Press: Singular Books)
• You Can't Blame the Flower, by Ruthie Stevens; Other Contributors: Cover Designer, Creativindie (Fleurish Art Press)

CURRENT EVENTS

WINNER ($100):

• The Button, by William J. Perry and Tom Z. Collina (BenBella Books)

FINALISTS:

• Animal Lab, by Bob Zeidman (Swiss Creek Publications)
• Beleaguered Superpower: Biden's America Adrift, by Steven Rosefielde and Daniel Quinn Mills (World Scientific Publishing)
• Empower A Refugee, Peace of Thread and the Backyard Humanity Movement, by Patricia Martin Holt (Cune Press)
• Gender(s), by Kathryn Bond Stockton (MIT Press)
• Mise-en-Scéne: The Lives and Afterlives of Urban Landscapes, by Chris Reed (ORO Editions)
• Wireless Wars, by Jonathan Pelson (BenBella Books)

E-BOOK (FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Prairie Sonata, by Sandy Shefrin Rabin (Friesen Press)

FINALISTS:

• EREV - The Evening Years of Reuben Gurewitz, by Anne Shmelzer (Railway Creek Books Canada)
• Maz'hura: Book One of the Twelve Dimensions, by Paul L. Centeno, Edited by Jayne Southern, Illustrated by Paul Pederson (Amazon/Ingram/Indies United Publishing House)
• My Name is Henrietta Rose, by Barbara de la Cuesta, Edited by Leah Maines (Finishing Line Press)
• The Devil Inside, by Susan K. Hamilton (Inkshares)
• The Ten Temples, by M.A.N. (Amazon)

E-BOOK (NON-FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• We The Presidents: How American Presidents Shaped the Last Century, by Ronald Gruner, Edited by Art Lizza, Illustrated by Roustam Nour; Other Contributors: David Wogahn (Libratum Press)

FINALISTS:

• Cyberjutsu: Cybersecurity for the Modern Ninja, by Ben McCarty, Illustrated by Ben McCarty (Inside), Derek Yee of Octopod Studios (Cover) (No Starch Press)
• Drink Your Words-Discovering California's Other Wine Regions, by Carolyn Dismuke (Traveling Star)
• Drop the Skirt: How My Disability Became My Superpower, by Amy Rivera (Amy Rivera & Associates)
• Smokescreen: What the Marijuana Industry Doesn't Want You to Know, by Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D. (Forefront)
• Victory from the Shadows - Growing Up in a New Mexico School for the Blind and Beyond, by Elaine Montague and the late Gary Ted Montague, Edited by Rob Spiegel, Larry Greenly, Gabriella Savarese, Illustrated by Michael Nail (Cover) (GEM)

EDUCATION/ACADEMIC (NON-FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Edu-Chameleon - Leverage 7 Dynamic Learning Zones to Enhance Young Children's Concept-Based Understanding, by Lili-Ann Kriegler (Ultimate World Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• 25 Years of Ed Tech, by Martin Weller (Athabasca University Press)
• American Tax Trivia: The Ultimate Quiz on U.S. Taxation, by Mike Kowis, Edited by Melody Huber (Lecture PRO Publishing)
• Communication is Care: 9 Empowering Strategies to Guide Patient Healing, by Jennifer George (Wellness Ink)
• Create Contracts Clients Love, by Verity White (Checklist Legal)
• Field Guide to the School of Belonging, by David Levine (Teaching Empathy Institute)
• Writing It Real: Creating an Online Course for Fun and Profit, by Melanie Faith, Edited by Alexis Paige; Other Contributors: Cover Designer and Publisher--Jessica Bell (Vine Leaves Press)

FANTASY

WINNER ($100):

• Asperfell, by Jamie Thomas (Uproar Books)

FINALISTS:

• Ascendant (Songs of Chaos #1), by Michael R. Miller (Monolith Books)
• Chasing the Darkness, by Cassie Sanchez (Morgan James Publishing)
• Dark Cloud, by Sandra Wolff /Jared Barel, Illustrated by Jared Barel (De la Frontera Press, LLC)
• Rea and the Blood of the Nectar, by Payal Doshi (Mango and Marigold Press)
• Remnants Of Blood, by H F Cunningham, Edited by E.B. Editorial Services (HF Cunningham)
• The Mountain, by Matthew C. Lucas (Montag Press)

FIRST NOVEL (40,000 TO 70,000 WORDS)

WINNER ($100):

• Prairie Anne, by Carolyn Hagen Lardy (Self-Published)

FINALISTS:

• Dogs Don't Cook, by Catherine Alexander (Hatchfield Press)
• Needing Normal: Freshman Year, by Emme Grange, Edited by Janet Rae-Dupree (aTYPICAL AUTHOR press)
• Soul of the Matter, by Michael A. Kroll (Amazon)
• The Upright Bass, Like Blueberries, by Benjamin Simon (BA Simon) (Kindle Direct Publishing)
• Who We Are Heroes and Bullies, by Sara Madden (AuthorHouse)

FIRST NOVEL (70,000 TO 90,000 WORDS)

WINNER ($100):

• Class Dismissed, by Kevin M. McIntosh (Regal House Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• Double Crossed, by Barry Lidstone (Barry Lidstone, Tellwell)
• Imperfect, by Holly Carr (IndieMosh)
• In A Raven's Shadow, by Peter Browning; Other Contributors: Jun Vertudazo (project manager) (Tellwell Publishing)
• One More Day, by Diane Chiddister (Boyle & Dalton)
• The Auction, by Tom Galvin (Drexel Books)

FIRST NOVEL (OVER 90,000 WORDS)

WINNER ($100):

• If Tenderness Be Gold, by Eleanor Albanese (Latitude 46 Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• Good Friends Are Hard To Come By, by Douglas Buckland (Mirador Publishing)
• Poison Girls, by Cheryl Reed (Chesapeake Bay Press)
• The Case of the Missing Game Warden, by Steven T. Callan (Epicenter Press)
• Ticket, by Charles Logan, Edited by Cheyenne Munawar, Illustrated by AlphaVision Studio (Vagrant Publishing Group)
• Under an Azure Sky - Elysia Dayne: Book One, by Wil Chan (Self-Published)
• Unleashed, by Barbara Clifton Gross (Self-Published)

FIRST NOVEL (UNDER 50,000 WORDS)

WINNER ($100):

• Mapping Eden, by Carol Japha (Croton Road Books)

FINALISTS:

• A Dog of Many Names, by Douglas Green (Circuit Breaker Books)
• Mystery of the Khar Chuluu, by Wilson Whitlow (James Perry)
• Pacific, by Trevor J. Houser, Edited by Kay Grey; Other Contributors: Summer Stewart (Unsolicited Press)
• The Other Realm, by Tristan Hui, Illustrated by Eli Breyer Essiam (Cover), Claire Jiang (Map) (Children's Art Foundation - Stone Soup Inc.)
• Treading Water, by Belle A. DeCosta (Stillwater River Publications)

GENERAL FICTION/NOVEL (70,000 TO 100,000 WORDS)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Blinding the Moon, by Marti Healy, Edited by Marti Healy (The Design Group Press)
• Colors of Truth, by Paula Paul (BookBaby)

FINALISTS:

• Debt Bomb, by Michael E. Ginsberg (BQB Publishing)
• Floating Underwater, by Tracy Shawn (Turbulent Muse Publishing)
• Geographies of the Heart, by Caitlin Hamilton Summie (Fomite Press)
• My Famous Brain, by Diane Wald (She Writes Press)
• Never Stop Singing to Me, by Charley Linden Thorp (Flourish Write Consult)
• Prairie Sonata, by Sandy Shefrin Rabin (Friesen Press)
• Sugar Birds: A Novel, by Cheryl Grey Bostrom (She Writes Press)

GENERAL FICTION/NOVEL (OVER 100,000 WORDS)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Bride of the Buddha, by Barbara McHugh (Monkfish Book Publishing Company)
• Town Lawe, by Bruno Pirecki, Illustrated by Bruno Pirecki (Redfern Ink)

FINALISTS:

• A Thing with Feathers, by J. John Nordstrom, Edited by Joseph Sale; Other Contributors: Ross Jeffery (The Writing Collective)
• Children of Dust, by Marlin Barton (Regal House Publishing)
• Lifeline to Marionette, by Jennifer Waitte (Self-Published)
• Seeking Two Elks Fighting, by Joseph Dorris, Illustrated by Joseph Dorris (iUniverse)
• The Brothers Silver, by Marc Jampole (Owl Canyon Press)
• The Trail: a novel, by Ethan Gallogly, Illustrated by Jeremy Ashcroft (Sierra Nevada Press)

GENERAL FICTION/NOVEL (UNDER 70,000 WORDS)

WINNER ($100):

• Memory Layne, by Bob Adamov, Edited by John Wisse, Cathy Adamov, Michelle Marchese, Peggy Parker, Illustrated by Ryan Sigler (Packard Island Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• Game Over, by Elliot Torres (Elliot Torres)
• Mapping Eden, by Carol Japha (Croton Road Books)
• Tapestry: A Lowcountry Rapunzel, by Sophia Alexander (Onalex Books)
• Under The Divi Tree - True Love Needs No Reason, by Michael Solomon (Book Locker)
• Who We Are Heroes and Bullies, by Sara Madden (AuthorHouse)

GENERAL NON-FICTION

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Getting Out: My Story Plus The Exercises And Experience I Learned That Can Help You Get Out From The Wheelchair, by Greg Siofer (Zukit Publishing)
• The Right to Bear Arms: A Constitutional Right of the People or a Privilege of the Ruling Class? by Stephen P. Halbrook; Other Contributors: Ren?e Lettow Lerner, Foreword (Bombardier Books, Post Hill Press for the Independent Institute)

FINALISTS:

• Should I Shoot?, Volume 2 - 25 Deadly Force Scenarios That'll Sharpen Your Concealed Carry Instincts, by Kevin Michalowski, Edited by Carla Dickmann and Frank Jastrzembski., Illustrated by Graphic Design: Dusty Reid; Other Contributors: Foreword by: Ed Combs. (Delta Defense, LLC/USCCA)
• The Great Chair: A Window on Effective Board Leadership, by Brian Hayward, Illustrated by Doowah Design (Friesen Press)
• The Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton, by Neal Hutcheson, Illustrated by Neal Hutcheson (Reliable Archetype)
• This One's For You, by Tiffany Smith, Edited by 105 Publishing (105 Publishing)
• Waiting for Rainbows, by Ashley Berry, Edited by Alison Whyte & Elise Volkman (TSPA The Self Publishing Agency)
• What Lurks in the Woods, Struggle and Hope in the Midst of Chronic Illness, A Memoir, by Nicole Bell, Edited by Nancy L. Erickson (Stonebrook Publishing)

GIFT

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Clouds: love poems from above the fray., by Jon Meyer (Joshua Tree Interactive)
• Hare B&B, by Bill Richardson, Illustrated by Bill Pechet (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides)

FINALISTS:

• Emerging from the Flames: Poetic and Artistic Musings on Life, Spirituality and the Coronavirus, by Eleanor Hubbard, Illustrated by Pamela McKinnie (Bolder Press)
• Isn't it funny that..., by Jerry Schaefer, Illustrated by Gabriel Berron; Other Contributors: Anne Pace, Design (Shire's Press)
• Mother's Thoughts for the Day Journal: Create Your Own Collection of Loving Wisdom, by M.C. Sungaila (Crystal Cove Press)
• Seriously! Are We There Yet?! by Paolina Milana, Illustrated by Whitney Horton (Madness To Magic)
• Sisters! Bonded by Love and Laughter, by Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop (Marcia Stewart and Teri Rizvi), Edited by Marcia Stewart and Teri Rizvi, Illustrated by Drue Wagner; Other Contributors: Mindy Hoffbauer, proofreader; Ilona Bray, editor/proofreader (Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop)
• The Gift of Green Time: 50 Ways for Families to Disconnect (and Reconnect) Outdoors - Door County, by Beverly L. Gillen; Other Contributors: Megan C. Rosvold, graphic designer (Partners in Parenting Consulting LLC)
• The Vermont Homesteader's Christmas Memories: Wit, Wisdom & Holiday Recipes, by Nancy Carey Johnson (Honeyberry Books)

HEALTH/WELLNESS (NON-FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Master Your Core: A Science-Based Guide to Achieve Peak Performance and Resilience to Injury, by Dr. Bohdanna Zazulak (TCK Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• Break the Chains of Dieting, by David Medansky, Edited by Penny Hill (Spotlight Publishing)
• OMG That's ME! 3 Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD and Humor, by Dave Mowry and Tara Rolstad (Vandever Publishing)
• Shelter from our Secrets: Silence and Shame; How Our Stories Can Keep Us Stuck or Set Us Free, by Rebecca Brown, Edited by Tell Well Talent (Tell Well Talent)
• The Physics & Poetry of Eastern Herbal Medicine, by Judyth Shamosh, Ph.D., Edited by Kelly Lydick (Pure Carbon Publishing)
• Write Yourself Into Your Dreams: with the Essential Life Story Method, by Teri Wade (TEA House Press)

HISTORICAL (FICTION) (PRE 1900'S)

WINNER ($100):

• Dread Tribunal of Last Resort, by Brian Kaufman (Five Star)

FINALISTS:

• Caligula and I, by Cy Stein (Abeel Street Press)
• Gunslingers A Story of the Old West, by John Layne; Other Contributors: Christine Baker, CB Creative (Labrador Publishing)
• Last Hummingbird West of Chile, by Nicholas Ruddock (Breakwater Books Ltd.)
• Signed, A Paddy, by Lisa Boyle (Independently Published)
• The Fabian Waltz, by Kris Hall, Illustrated by Kimberly Harbour (Inky Books)

HISTORICAL (FICTION) (1900'S)

WINNER ($100):

• A Place to Hide, by David Salner (Apprentice House Press)

FINALISTS:

• Blood Before Dawn, Book 2 of the Dung Beetles of Liberia Series, by Daniel V. Meier, Jr., Edited by Caleb Guard, Illustrated by Rosana Keleher (BQB Publishing)
• Frieda's Song, by Ellen Prentiss Campbell, Edited by Kevin Atticks (Apprentice House Press, Loyola University, Maryland)
• Sins in Blue, by Brian Kaufman (Black Rose Writing)
• The Able Archers, by Brian J. Morra (Koehler Books)
• Without Let or Hindrance, by Geoffrey Charin (The Book Guild Ltd. - Imprint of Troubador Publishing)

HISTORICAL (NON-FICTION)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• James Hoban: Designer and Builder of the White House, by Stewart D. McLaurin (The White House Historical Association)
• The United Nations and New York City: A Home to the World, Edited by Raul Barreneche (ORO Editions)

FINALISTS:

• Behind the Camera: American Women Photographers Who Shaped How We See the World, by Maria Ausherman (Goff Books)
• Federalism, Preemption, and the Nationalization of American Wildlife Management: The Dynamic Balance Between State and Federal Authority, by Lowell E. Baier (Rowman & Littlefield)
• Love's Legacy: Viscount Chateaubriand and the Irish Girl, by Daniel Fallon, Edited by Ann Mason, Ellen Kleiner; Other Contributors: Cover Artist: Elena Lacey (Amazonas Publishing)
• Military Wives in Arizona Territory: A History of Women Who Shaped the Frontier, by Jan Cleere (TwoDot, an imprint of Rowman & Littlefield Publishing)
• Print Town. Brattleboro's Legacy of Words, by Multiple Authors, Edited by Michael Fleming, Illustrated by Multiple Illustrators; Other Contributors: James Brisson, Designer; Stephanie Greene, Art Editor (Vermont Historical Society)
• Vaccines & Bayonets: Fighting Smallpox in Africa amid Tribalism, Terror and the Cold War, by Bee Bloeser (Wheatmark Publishing)

HORROR

WINNER ($100):

• The Workshop of Filthy Creation, by Richard Gadz (Deixis Press)

FINALISTS:

• Face the Night, by Alan Lastufka (Shortwave Media)
• Fit for Consumption: Stories Both Queer and Horrifying, by Steve Berman (Lethe Press)
• Hotel Chelsea, by Jeremy Bates (Ghillinnein Books)
• Peak, by L.C. Barlow (California Coldblood Books/Rare Bird Books)
• The Wrath of Horus, by Catherine Schaff-Stump, Edited by Kate Heartfield; Other Contributors: Graphics Artist: Michele Maakestad; Cover Artist: J. Kathleen Cheney (Self-Published Imprint: Mistraldol Press)

HUMOR/COMEDY

WINNER ($100):

• Uncle Joe's Muse, by Micah Thorp (Open Books)

FINALISTS:

• Find Happiness through Negative Thinking, by Larry Gotterer (larryvision)
• Fun On The Farm 3 - True Tales of Farm Life, by Compiled and edited by Deana J. Driver, Edited by Deana J. Driver (DriverWorks Ink)
• I Am Herod, by Richard Kelly Kemick (Goose Lane Editions)
• I'm Just a Girl, by D.S. England (Page Publishing)
• The Stuffed Owl Returns: Newly Collected Poetical Mishaps and Absurdities, by Lindsay Crane; Other Contributors: Jill Ronsley, Designer (Print and Pixel Books)

ILLUSTRATIONS

WINNER ($100):

• The Sillybillies Find Stripes and Spots, by Julie Dawson, Illustrated by Julie Dawson (Gordon Lane Press)

FINALISTS:

• Explore & Color San Francisco Chinatown, by Bibi LeBlanc (Culture To Color, LLC)
• The Bumbling Traveller: Sketching the World, by Tom Schmidt, Illustrated by Tom Schmidt (Kakibubu Media Limited)
• The Owl Watchman, by Frietha Lawrence (Mecate Press, Ricketts-White Design)
• The Year the World Stood Still, by Susan Brescia, Edited by Susan Brescia / Denise McGill, Illustrated by Susan Brescia (A Poet's Hand)
• Theodore and The Cat with the Missing Sock, by Cory Q Tan, Illustrated by Cory Q Tan (The Luminous Cat)

INSPIRATIONAL (FICTION)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• The Lip Reader, by Michael Thal, Edited by Jan Seeley, Illustrated by April Klein; Other Contributors: Steven Radecki (Paper Angel Press)
• The Prisoner and The Executioner, by Catee Ryan, Edited by Heather Flournoy (Atmosphere Press)

FINALISTS:

• Forever is Today, by Janet-Lynn Morrison, Edited by Kathryn Young; Other Contributors: Anne Karklins (Cover & Book Design) (Hasmark Publishing International)
• Hearting With Herman: You Are Never Alone, by Kerry Keegan, Illustrated by Li Liu (Hearting Publishing)
• Lifeline to Marionette, by Jennifer Waitte (Self-Published)
• Mt. Moriah's Wake, by Melissa Norton Carro (She Writes Press)
• The Trail: a novel, by Ethan Gallogly, Illustrated by Jeremy Ashcroft (Sierra Nevada Press)

INSPIRATIONAL (NON-FICTION)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• A Mother's Promise: A Civil War Survivor and Her Pursuit of the American Dream, by Bol Maywal (SPARK Publications)
• Hungry for Home: A Year Together at Hillside Farm, by Ruth McKeaney, Edited by Jessica Glasner (Ruth McKeaney)

FINALISTS:

• Almost Innocent: From Searching to Saved in America's Criminal Justice System, by Shanti Brien (Amplify Publishing)
• Dancing with Death - Reflections from a Student of Pain, by Elayna Fernández (thePositiveMOM.com)
• Dugout Devotions II: Inspirational Hits from MLB's Best, by Del Duduit (New Hope Publishers/Iron Stream Media)
• Expecting Mountains: Overcoming the Overwhelming Lows in Life, by Shaunwell Posley, Edited by Shaunwell Posley, Illustrated by Youness El Hindami; Other Contributors: Cover (Posley GLOBAL, LLC)
• Love, I Am, by Catherine Athans, Ph.D., Illustrated by Patricia Bacall (Angels Island Press)
• Prayed Upon: Breaking Free from Therapist Abuse, by Amy Nordhues, Illustrated by Ken Weigand; Other Contributors: David K Pooler, Ph.D., LCSW (Three E Publishing)
• When I Met Jesus, A Lifelong Journey of Faith, Hope and Trust, by Debra Moore Ewing; Other Contributors: Shanda Trofe (Transcendent Publishing)

LGBTQ+ (LESBIAN/GAY/BISEXUAL/TRANSGENDER/QUEER+)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Banned from California: Jim Foshee- Persecution, Redemption, Liberation ... and the Gay Civil Rights Movement, by Robert C. Steele (Wentworth-Schwartz Publishing Company)
• Coming Alive, by Anne Ierardi (Shanti Arts)

FINALISTS:

• Changing Majors, by Ana Hartnett Reichardt, Edited by Barbara Ann Wright (Bold Strokes Books)
• Every Grain of Sand, by David P. Wichman (W. Brand Publishing)
• Excellent Sons: A Love Story in Three Acts, by Larry Benjamin, Edited by Debbie McGowan (Beaten Track Publishing)
• Men I've Never Been: A Memoir, by Michael Sadowski (University of Wisconsin Press)
• Mrs. Watson: Untold Stories, by L.A. Fields (Lethe Press)
• The Boy In The Cupboard, by Harshala Gupte, Edited by Niyati Joshi, Illustrated by Priya Dali (Gaysi Family & Lettori Press)
• You'll Be Fine, by Jen Michalski (NineStar Press)

LIFESTYLE/COOKING/HOW TO/HOME

WINNER ($100):

• Wholesome Vietnamese Cooking: 100+ Authentic Recipes for Real Flavors and Better Health, by Rosette Nguyen; Other Contributors: Foreword by Christopher King, PhD, MD (Self-Published)

FINALISTS:

• Amalia's Mesoamerican Table-Ancient Culinary Traditions with Gourmet Infusions, by Amalia Moreno-Damgaard (Wise Ink Publishing)
• BC Spirits Cocktail Book, by Shawn Soole, Illustrated by Nick Halim (Friesen Press)
• Coming Home: Recipes and Reflections from a Life in the Spotlight, by Barbara McKay (SPARK Publications)
• Haute Couture Architecture: The Art of Living without Walls, by Anneke van Waesberghe, Susan Cohn Rockefeller, Robert Thurman, and William Andrews McDonough (ORO Editions)
• Press for Champagne: A Guide to Enjoying the World's Greatest Sparkling Wine, by Christopher S. Ruhland (Christopher S. Ruhland)
• To Wine, by Graham Bathgate (Fine Line Press)

MEMOIRS (CAREER)

WINNER ($100):

• More Busting Bad Guys: True Crime Stories of Cocaine, Cockfights, and Cold-Blooded Killers, by Mark Langan; Other Contributors: Concierge Marketing Book Publishing Services (MTL838 LLC)

FINALISTS:

• Almost Innocent: From Searching to Saved in America's Criminal Justice System, by Shanti Brien (Amplify Publishing)
• Care Under Fire, by Bill Strusinski; Other Contributors: Cover: Jon Van Amber (Calumet Editions: Imprint: Wisdom Editions)
• Don't They Kick When You Do That? Stories of a Prairie Veterinarian, by Dr. Gary Hoium, Edited by Deana J. Driver (DriverWorks Ink)
• DRAFTED, A Memoir of the '60s, by Heywood Gould (Tolmitch Press)
• Gilligan's Dreams: The Other Side of the Island, by Dreama Denver (Headline Books)
• Scratching the Surface, by Harvey Ovshinsky (Wayne State University Press)

MEMOIRS (HISTORICAL/LEGACY)

WINNER ($100):

• Love's Legacy: Viscount Chateaubriand and the Irish Girl, by Daniel Fallon, Edited by Ann Mason, Ellen Kleiner; Other Contributors: Cover Artist: Elena Lacey (Amazonas Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• Among the Remnants, by Josh Gortler; Other Contributors: Gigi Yellen (Coffeetown Press)
• Dancing with My Father: His hidden past. Her quest for truth. How Nazi Vienna shaped a family's identity., by Jo Sorochinsky (Amsterdam Publishers)
• Heart Songs-A Holocaust Memoir, by Barbara Gilford, Edited by Lorraine Ash (Amsterdam Publishers, The Netherlands)
• Witchcraft Legacy: Stories from the Big Attic, by Richard Warren Brewster (Protean Press)
• Zack's Left Hand: A Story of Loss and Recovery, by Marilyn June Coffey; Other Contributors: Concierge Marketing Book Publishing Services (Omega Cottonwood Press)

MEMOIRS (OTHER)

WINNER ($100):

• How to Walk with Steve, by Robert Fromberg (Latah Books)

FINALISTS:

• Are You Okay? The Carryover of Kindness, by A.S. Drayton, Edited by Charles Stewart, Illustrated by Luce (Self-Published - A.S. Drayton Books LLC)
• Fifty First Dates After Fifty: A Memoir, by Carolyn Lee Arnold (She Writes Press)
• Kilo 3: The True Story of a Marine Rifleman's Tour from the Intense Fighting in Vietnam to the Superficial Pageantry of Washington, DC, by Richard W. Foster, Jr. (Outskirts Press, Inc.)
• Silence of Shame: A Child Caring for Her Bedridden Mother, by Wendy J. Menara, Edited by Jean Mansen (Turtle Mountain Stories)
• The Followers "Holy Hell" and the Disciples of Narcissistic Leaders; How My Years in a Notorious Cult Parallel Today's Cultural Mania, by Radhia Gleis, Edited by Carol Gaskin (Sage Card Publishing)
• These Walls Between Us: A Memoir of Friendship Across Race and Class, by Wendy Sanford (She Writes Press)

MEMOIRS (OVERCOMING ADVERSITY/TRAGEDY)

WINNER ($100):

• Joy: The story of a dolphin trainer, filmmaker, and cancer survivor, by Joy Clausen Soto (Self-Published)

FINALISTS:

• Beyond the Breakpoint, by Deborah Faris, Edited by Jack Watts; Other Contributors: Ernest Pullen (Riverstone Publishing Group)
• From Mud To Lotus; I meant to behave but there were too many other options, by Pratibha Eastwood, Edited by Collee Clopton (Dorrance publishing)
• Marathon Man: My Life, My Father's Stroke and Running 35 Marathons in 35 Days, by Alan Corcoran, Edited by The Inkwell Group (Tivoli Publishing House)
• Maybe You Die - The true story of a couple living the all-American nightmare, by Nancy Lee (Black Rose Writing)
• The Art of Reassembly: A Memoir of Early Mother Loss and Aftergrief, by Peg Conway (She Writes Press)
• Travels and Tribulations, by Tyrel Nelson (Tyrel Nelson)
• Womb Of Diamonds: A True Adventure From Child Bride Of Syria To Celebrity Businesswoman Of Japan, by Ezra Choueke, Edited by Laura Haupt, Madeline Hopson (Ezra Choueke)

MEMOIRS (PERSONAL STRUGGLE/HEALTH ISSUES)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• All The Leavings, by Laurie Easter (Oregon State University Press)
• Mortality, with Friends, by Fleda Brown (Wayne State University Press)

FINALISTS:

• Cancer R.I.P., The Ultimate Fight, by Steve Kelley, Edited by Carol McAdoo Rehme; Other Contributors: Book Team: Meredith Dunn, Charissa & Robert Newell, Trina Kaye, Dez Savoy, Serena Finocchio (One Stop Publishing)
• Embracing What Remains: A Memoir, by Andrea Couture (Self-Published with HJH Press)
• Joy: The story of a dolphin trainer, filmmaker, and cancer survivor, by Joy Clausen Soto (Self-Published)
• Lisbon to Shanghai in Four Summers: A Memoir, by Tom Sweeney (Self-Published)
• The Journey Home: Portraits of Healing, by Gabriel Bron, Illustrated by Gabriel Bron (iUniverse)
• Type One Determination: Transforming Life with Type 1 Diabetes through Personal Experience, Scientific Evidence, and a Dash of Disobedience, by Lauren Plunkett (Wise Ink Creative Publishing)
• Uncommon Sense: An Autistic Journey, by Adam Mardero (Latitude 46 Publishing)

MILITARY

WINNER ($100):

• Saving Lives, Saving Honor: The 39th Evacuation Hospital during World War II, by Jeremy Schwendiman (Jeremy Schwendiman)

FINALISTS:

• 13 Months: In the Bush, in Vietnam, In 1968, by Bruce A. Bastien (iUniverse)
• Calmed. Growth After Trauma, by Jennifer Hobbs (Burning Soul Press Publishing)
• Care Under Fire, by Bill Strusinski; Other Contributors: Cover: Jon Van Amber (Calumet Editions: Imprint: Wisdom Editions)
• Richard Eager: A Pilot's Story from Tennessee Eagle Scout to General Montgomery's Flying Fortress, by Colonel Richard Ernest Evans, Barbara Evans Kinnear, Edited by Barbara Kinnear (Kieran Publishing)
• The Right to Bear Arms: A Constitutional Right of the People or a Privilege of the Ruling Class? by Stephen P. Halbrook; Other Contributors: Ren?e Lettow Lerner, Foreword (Bombardier Books, Post Hill Press for the Independent Institute)

MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT

WINNER ($100):

• The Naked Truth About Breast Cancer, by Jane Marshall, Illustrated by Harriet Sheffer (Publish Central)

FINALISTS:

• Calm Comfort Meditations, by Diane Langlois Stallings, Edited by Diane Langlois Stallings (Diane Langlois Stallings)
• Enlightenment in February, by Charley Linden Thorp & Mariko Kinoshita, Illustrated by Mariko Kinoshita (Flourish Write Consult)
• Tai Chi Concepts and Experiments: Hidden Strength, Natural Movement, and Timing, by Robert Chuckrow, PH.D. (YMAA Publication Center)
• The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent, by Betty Martin, D.C. (Luminare Press)
• The Four Relationships: Seeking Connection in a World of Disconnect, by Korinn S. Hawkins (KSH LLC)
• The Necktie and The Jaguar: A Memoir to Help you Change Your Story and Find Fulfillment, by Carl Greer (Chiron Publications)

MOTIVATIONAL

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• An Overachiever's Guide To Breaking The Rules: How To Let Go Of Perfect and Live Your Truth, by Heather Whelpley (Wise Ink Creative Publishing)
• Where Do I Go from Here? by Torrey C. Butler (Gatekeeper Press)

FINALISTS:

• A NEW NOW: Your Guide to Mastering Wisdom Daily, Achieving Equilibrium, and Empowering Your Nobler Self, by Michael Goddart (Clear Path Press)
• Enlighten Up! - Finding Clarity, Contentment and Resilience in a Complicated World, by Elizabeth Ann Gibbs (Emerald Lake Books)
• Expecting Mountains: Overcoming the Overwhelming Lows in Life, by Shaunwell Posley, Edited by Shaunwell Posley, Illustrated by Youness El Hindami; Other Contributors: Cover (Posley GLOBAL, LLC)
• Gift Mindset: Unwrap the 12 Gifts to Lead and Live a Life of Purpose, Connection and Contribution, by Renee Giarrusso (Major Street Publisher)
• Grief Reimagined: 50 Creative Strategies to Build Resilience, by Catherine Tyink and Christine Kortbein (MindChART, LLC)
• KENTUCKY PASSION: Wildcat Wisdom and Inspiration, by Dr. John Huang and Del Duduit; Other Contributors: Photos courtesy Dr. Michael Huang Photography (Red Lightning Books)
• The Naked Truth About Breast Cancer, by Jane Marshall, Illustrated by Harriet Sheffer (Publish Central)

MULTICULTURAL (FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• My Stories Have No Endings, by Gayle Gonsalves (Yellow Bell Publications)

FINALISTS:

• Flowers by Night, by Lucy May Lennox (Self-Published)
• Light Chaser, by Zahra Omar Shansab (Headline Books)
• Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846, by Laurel Anne Hill; Other Contributors: Cover Art: Julie Dillon (Sand Hill Review Press)
• Red's Nest, by Belinda Grimbeek, Illustrated by Belinda Grimbeek (Bearhead Books)
• Seeking Two Elks Fighting, by Joseph Dorris, Illustrated by Joseph Dorris (iUniverse)
• The Road Home, by Christina Berry (Black Rose Writing)

MYSTERY

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Madison Square Murders, by C.S. Poe (Emporium Press)
• The Long-Lost Jules, by Jane Elizabeth Hughes (SparkPress)

FINALISTS:

• Dead Regular, by Harry Colfer (Harry Colfer Books)
• Dr. Altman and the Concubines, by Jacqueline Shortell-McSweeney (Archway Publications)
• Ghost Daughter, by Helen Currie Foster (Stuart's Creek Press, LLC)
• Honest John and the Sticky Wicket, by Michael Dell (One Nine Books)
• Murder in Second Position: On Pointe Mystery Book 2, by Lori Robbins, Edited by Shawn Reilly Simmons (Level Best Books)
• Tokyo Zangyo, by Michael Pronko (Raked Gravel Press)
• You Can't Candle the Truth, by Sarah E. Burr (Kindle Direct Publishing)

NEW AGE

WINNER ($100):

• Artist Shaman Healer Sage: Timeless Wisdom, Practices, Ritual, and Ceremony to Transform Your Life and Awaken Your Soul, by Katherine Skaggs, Illustrated by Katherine Skaggs (Satiama Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• Beyond Death: Continuing Stories in the Afterlife, by Sally Muir (Outskirts Press, Inc.)
• Bhakti Shakti: Goddess of Divine Love, by Pranada Comtois (Chandra Media)
• Bhakti: A journey of Soul discovery, by Jennifer Duke (Anubhava Publishing)
• Symbol & Synchronicity: Learning the Soul's Language in Dreams and Waking Life, by Julie Loar, Illustrated by Sue Lion (Satiama Publishing)
• Third Eye Meditations: Awaken Your Mind, Spirit, and Intuition, by Susan Shumsky (Red Wheel / Weiser, LLC)

NOVELLA (UNDER 40,000 WORDS)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• A Place That Should Not Be, by Vic Kerry (Pants McGee Press)
• Save Her, by Chris Patchell (Chris Patchell)

FINALISTS:

• Cayo Hueso Literary Writings and Artwork From Key West, by Vicki Riley, Edited by Hanna Kjeldbjerg, Illustrated by Linda Cabrera; Other Contributors: James Monroe Design LLC (Beaver's Pond Press, Inc)
• Dio in the Dark, by Rizwan Asad, Edited by Dave Pasquantonio, Illustrated by Casey Gerber (Cover) (Ness House Press)
• Half an Arc & Artifacts & Then the Other Half: A Novella & Stories, by Dan Tremaglio, Edited by M. Scott Douglass (Mint Hill Books/Main Street Rag)
• I Think We Missed Our Turn, by L.A. Witt, Edited by Jules Robin (Self-Published)
• Memories Between Us, by S.M. Grady (Scattered Thoughtz, LLC)
• The Coward of Grimsby, by Eric Daniel Ryan (Eric Ryan)

PARANORMAL

WINNER ($100):

• The Devil Inside, by Susan K. Hamilton (Inkshares)

FINALISTS:

• A Bargain of Blood & Gold, by Kristin Jacques (City Owl Press)
• Grains of Sand: Tales of a Paranormal Life, by Brian J. Cano (Roswell Press)
• My Famous Brain, by Diane Wald (She Writes Press)
• Peak, by L.C. Barlow (California Coldblood Books/Rare Bird Books)
• The Lives of Diamond Bessie, by Jody Hadlock (SparkPress)

PARENTING/FAMILY (NON-FICTION)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Spotting Danger Before It Spots Your Kids: Teaching Situational Awareness to Keep Children Safe, by Gary Quesenberry (YMAA Publication Center)
• The Art of Reassembly: A Memoir of Early Mother Loss and Aftergrief, by Peg Conway (She Writes Press)

FINALISTS:

• Create a Home of Learning: Screen-Free Toys and Techniques for Your Developing Child, by Jodi Dee, Edited by Amanda Waterfield Brodkin (Jodi Dee Publishing)
• How to Walk with Steve, by Robert Fromberg (Latah Books)
• Simple Habits for Effective Parenting: Specific Skills and Tools That Achieve Extraordinary Results in Raising a Child, by Dr. Randy Schroeder (CrossLink Publishing)
• Unraveling Bias, by Christia Spears Brown (BenBella Books)
• Victory from the Shadows - Growing Up in a New Mexico School for the Blind and Beyond, by Elaine Montague and the late Gary Ted Montague, Edited by Rob Spiegel, Larry Greenly, Gabriella Savarese, Illustrated by Michael Nail (Cover) (GEM)

POETRY

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• A Necessary Explosion: Collected Poems, by Dan Burns (Chicago Arts Press)
• While Listening to the Enigma Variations: New and Selected Poems, by Diane Frank (Glass Lyre Press)

FINALISTS:

• Clouds: love poems from above the fray., by Jon Meyer (Joshua Tree Interactive)
• Herman Gorter: Selected Poems, by Herman Gorter; Other Contributors: Lloyd Haft (Translator), Eva Polakovi?ová (Cover design) (Arimei Books)
• In Light of Stars, by Bruce Willard, Edited by Martha Rhodes (Four Way Books)
• Long Falling Light: Poems 1965 -- 2020, by Mark Louis Lehman (Little Possum Press)
• Tongue of a Crow, by Peter Coyote, Edited by Martha Rhodes (Four Way Books)
• What's Wrong with a Pet Dinosaur? Poems and Drawings, by Tony Philips, Illustrated by Tony Philips (Idle Brains Publishing)
• When We Talk of Stolen Sisters: New and Revised Poems, by Jessica Mehta (Not a Pipe Publishing)

REGIONAL (FICTION)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Cayo Hueso Literary Writings and Artwork From Key West, by Vicki Riley, Edited by Hanna Kjeldbjerg, Illustrated by Linda Cabrera; Other Contributors: James Monroe Design LLC (Beaver's Pond Press, Inc)
• The Artist Colony, by Joanna FitzPatrick (She Writes Press)

FINALISTS:

• Ain't Nothin' Personal, by Chris Kelsey; Other Contributors: Lisa Kelsey, Design (Black Rose Writing)
• Blood Brothers Montana Territory 1860 - 1890, by Lenore McKelvey Puhek (iUniverse)
• Jacobo's Rainbow, by David Hirshberg (Fig Tree Books LLC)
• Little Hours, by Lil Copan (One Bird Books)
• Prairie Sonata, by Sandy Shefrin Rabin (Friesen Press)
• Seeking Two Elks Fighting, by Joseph Dorris, Illustrated by Joseph Dorris (iUniverse)
• The Trail: a novel, by Ethan Gallogly, Illustrated by Jeremy Ashcroft (Sierra Nevada Press)

REGIONAL (NON-FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Social Urbanism: Reframing Spatial Design - Discourses from Latin America, by María Bellalta (Applied Research + Design Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• Aimé Césaire, by Elizabeth Walcott-Hackshaw (The University of the West Indies Press)
• Black Snake: Standing Rock, the Dakota Access Pipeline, and Environmental Justice, by Katherine Wiltenburg Todrys (Bison Books)
• James Hoban: Designer and Builder of the White House, by Stewart D. McLaurin (The White House Historical Association)
• The Palm Beach Story, by Jane Foster and Ann Bellah Copeland (Palmetto Publishing)
• The Seventh Shot, by Ann Burke (Latitude 46 Publishing)
• Uncommon Sense: An Autistic Journey, by Adam Mardero (Latitude 46 Publishing)

RELATIONSHIPS (NON-FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Sisters! Bonded by Love and Laughter, by Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop (Marcia Stewart and Teri Rizvi), Edited by Marcia Stewart and Teri Rizvi, Illustrated by Drue Wagner; Other Contributors: Mindy Hoffbauer, proofreader; Ilona Bray, editor/proofreader (Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop)

FINALISTS:

• First Date Stories: Women's Romantic and Ridiculous Midlife Adventures, by Jodi Klein (She Writes Press)
• Invitation to Intimacy: What the Marriage of Two Couples Therapists Reveals About Risk, Transformation, and the Astonishing Healing Power of Intimacy, by Judy Tiesel-Jensen (Et Alia Press)
• Never Again! Dating After Divorce: How To Protect Yourself, Your Children And Your Assets, by James M. Graham and Catherine Oneil (Amazon)
• The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent, by Betty Martin, D.C. (Luminare Press)
• The Healthy Love & Money Way: How the Four Attachment Styles Impact Your Financial Well-Being, by Ed Coambs (SPARK Publications)

RELIGIOUS (FICTION)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• The Encounters of Quintas Livius, by Patrick M. Garry (Kenric Books)
• The Vivaldi Cipher, by Gary McAvoy (Literati Editions)

FINALISTS:

• A Saint For Any Season, by D.M. Langdon (Vivid Publishing, Western Australia)
• Guardians of the Garden, by Theresa Pocock, Edited by John Olsen (Immortal Works)
• Hunt for Understanding: Onoma Series Book 4, by Alisa Hope Wagner (Marked Writers Publishing)
• In Things Unseen, by Gar Anthony Haywood (Slant Books)
• Prairie Sonata, by Sandy Shefrin Rabin (Friesen Press)
• The Price of Salvation, by John Anderson, Edited by Julia Nagle, Illustrated by Kimberly Wilson (Dorrance Publishing)
• Winter Blessings: Warm Stories from The Village Life, by Izzy Abrahmson (Light Publications)

ROMANCE (FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Cinder Bella, by Kathleen Shoop (Independently Published)

FINALISTS:

• Code of Ethics, by April White (Smartypants Romance)
• Missing Charlie: A Fairytale Romance, by Jess K Hardy, Illustrated by Courtney Blazon (Black Rose Writing)
• School Days, School Daze, by Angela Ferrelli (Outskirts Press, Inc.)
• The Husband Plot: A Marriage of Convenience, by Katherine Grant (Self)
• The Treehouse on Dog River Road, by Catherine Drake (She Writes Press)

SCIENCE FICTION

WINNER ($100):

• Toffy's Divide, by Nifemi Aluko (New Degree Press)

FINALISTS:

• Adhara's Sonder, by Mark Alexander McClish, Illustrated by Mark Alexander McClish (Curious Corvid Publishing)
• Black Table, by Anttimatti Pennanen, Edited by Kim Smith (Anttimatti Pennanen)
• Consent, Vol. 1: Erdos, by Wilson Whitlow (James Perry)
• KRILL: When the Good Choices are Gone, by Susan Hasler, Edited by Bill Spencer (Bear Page Press)
• The Arden, by L.S. Popovich, Illustrated by L.S. Popovich (Black Rose Writing)

SCIENCE/NATURE/ENVIRONMENT

WINNER ($100):

• Fishes of the Orinoco in the Wild, by Ivan Mikolji (Independent Publisher Network)

FINALISTS:

• Beyond Carbon Neutral: How We Fix the Climate Crisis Now, by Samuel M. Goodman (New Degree Press)
• Correlation, Multiple Regression and Three-Way Anova, by Peter James Kpolovie (Independently Published on AMAZON KDP)
• Federalism, Preemption, and the Nationalization of American Wildlife Management: The Dynamic Balance Between State and Federal Authority, by Lowell E. Baier (Rowman & Littlefield)
• Let's Go Birding! A Family-Friendly Guide to Forty-Six Birds, by Leslie Bains, Illustrated by Danny Moore (Mascot Books)
• The Brain Under Siege, by Howard L. Weiner (BenBella Books)

SECOND NOVEL

WINNER ($100):

• The Degrees of Barley Lick, by Susan Flanagan (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides)

FINALISTS:

• A River For Gemma, by Debra Whiting Alexander (The Wild Rose Press)
• And Raise Hell, by C.D. "Tony" Hylton III (Headline Books)
• Smashers Synched, Ceiling Smashers: Book 2, by Shaz Kahng (OLOM Press)
• Suspension of the Rules: A Washington Statehouse Mystery, by Don Stuart (Northwest Corner Books - an imprint of Epicenter Press)
• Thorn The Red Sword Series Book Two, by Norman Wood, Edited by Julie Scandora, Illustrated by Scott Book (Melissa Vail Coffman)

SELF-HELP (NON-FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Life is Messy, by Matthew Kelly; Other Contributors: Ashley Dias (Designer of Cover & interior) (Blue Sparrow)

FINALISTS:

• Coercive Relationships: Find the Answers You Seek, by Jennifer C. Parker, MSSW (Black Rose Writing)
• Gift Mindset: Unwrap the 12 Gifts to Lead and Live a Life of Purpose, Connection and Contribution, by Renee Giarrusso (Major Street Publisher)
• Life Giving Dementia Care: Let's Talk: How to Bring Confidence, Compassion and Joy Into Your Role as a Caregiver, by Toni Kanzler, Edited by Sky Rodio (Toni Kanzler)
• Thriving After Sexual Abuse: Break Your Bondage to the Past and Live a Life You Love, by Denise Bossarte; Other Contributors: Foreword, Beverly Engel (Passion For Life Press)
• Write Yourself Into Your Dreams: with the Essential Life Story Method, by Teri Wade (TEA House Press)

SERIES (FICTION) MINIMUM THREE BOOKS, ONE MUST BE WITHIN CURRENT YEAR GUIDELINES

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Threads West Series: Book 1 - Threads West an American Saga, Book 2 - Maps Of Fate, Book 3 - Uncompahgre, Book 4 - Moccasin Track, by Reid Lance Rosenthal, Edited by Page Lambert; Other Contributors: Jennifer Unflat - Senior Publisher's Assistant (Sastrugi Press)
• Transylvanian Trilogy (Books 1-3), by Roberta Seret (Wayzgoose Press)

FINALISTS:

• A Tony Harrington Series: Book 1-Burying the Lede, Book 2-Cry from an Unknown Grave, Book 3-The Third Side of Murder, Book 4-Performing Murder, by Joseph LeValley (Bookpress Publishing)
• Book 1 - Jailbait, Book 2 - Bastard's Bluff, Book 3 - Woman Trouble, by David Benjamin, Illustrated by Greg Holfeld (Last Kid Books)
• Emmett Hardy Mysteries (Books 1-4), by Chris Kelsey; Other Contributors: Lisa Kelsey, Design (Black Rose Writing)
• Hazel Watson Mysteries Book 1 - The Sapphire Necklace, Book 2 - Justice For The Slain, Book 3 - Whispers From The Swamp, by C. A. Varian, Edited by Bambi Sommers (Cherie Varian)
• Homicide Detective John Francis Kelly Detective Murder Mystery Series (Books 1-4), by R.B. Gartrell (Word-2-Kindle/Amazon)
• Northern Lakes Mysteries (Books 1-3), by Jeff Nania (Little Creek Press)
• The Silverado Journals (Books 1-3), by A. Cort Sinnes, Illustrated by A. Cort Sinnes (Hearth & Garden Productions)

SHORT STORY COLLECTIONS

WINNER ($100):

• The Topography of Hidden Stories, by Julia MacDonnell (Fomite Press)

FINALISTS:

• Cayo Hueso Literary Writings and Artwork From Key West, by Vicki Riley, Edited by Hanna Kjeldbjerg, Illustrated by Linda Cabrera; Other Contributors: James Monroe Design LLC (Beaver's Pond Press, Inc)
• Getaway, by Glen Pourciau, Edited by Martha Rhodes (Four Way Books)
• Pearl City: Stories from Japan and Elsewhere, by Simon Rowe (Mighty Tales)
• Seasons of Love: A Collection of Short Stories, by Virag Dombay, Edited by Harry Fritsch, Illustrated by Ingrid Bartkowiak (InHouse Publishing)
• Ten Seconds In-Between, by Doug Hoekstra (Better Than Starbucks Publications)
• The Grief Eater, by Deirdre Fagan (Adelaide Books NY)
• The Inquisition and Other Stories, by Michael Tabor (S&S BookEnds LLC)

SOCIAL CHANGE

WINNER ($100):

• Future Philanthropy: The Tech, Trends & Talent Defining New Civic Leadership, by Ryan Ginard, Illustrated by Josh Durham & Partrick Maloney; Other Contributors: Beth Kanter (Afterword) (Wise Ink Creative Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• Broke in America, by Joanne Samuel Goldblum and Colleen Shaddox (BenBella Books)
• Critical Masses: Who Wins, Who Loses, Who Decides, by Julie Banks Lewis (JBL Press)
• EYO! Educate Your Opinion, by Mystqx Skye (Mystqx Skye)
• Stand Up! Be An Upstander and Make a Difference, by Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D. (Magination Press)
• Wisdom: A Very Valuable Virtue That Cannot Be Bought, by Jason A. Merchey (Values of the Wise, LLC)

SOCIAL JUSTICE

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Easy Marks: Cracking a University's Academic Integrity Con, by Catherine Wagner (Sunlight Works)
• Smokescreen: What the Marijuana Industry Doesn't Want You to Know, by Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D. (Forefront)

FINALISTS:

• Almost Innocent: From Searching to Saved in America's Criminal Justice System, by Shanti Brien (Amplify Publishing)
• Critical Masses: Who Wins, Who Loses, Who Decides, by Julie Banks Lewis (JBL Press)
• Hello Mom, by Belinda Grimbeek, Illustrated by Belinda Grimbeek (Bearhead Books)
• Media Reform and the Climate Emergency: Rethinking Communication in the Struggle for a Sustainable Future, by David J. Park (University of Michigan Press)
• The New Internationalists: Activist Volunteers in the European Refugee Crisis, by Sue Clayton (Goldsmiths Press)
• These Walls Between Us: A Memoir of Friendship Across Race and Class, by Wendy Sanford (She Writes Press)

SPECIALTY/NOVELTY BOOK

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Remember, by Roger Raepple (Self-Published)
• The United Nations and New York City: A Home to the World, Edited by Raul Barreneche (ORO Editions)

FINALISTS:

• Artwords, by Beatriz M. Robles, Edited by Danton Remoto, Illustrated by Beatriz M. Robles (Authors Press)
• Be Like Mel: 22 Secrets to Living a Badass Life, Edited by Sherre DeMao (SPARK Publications)
• For the Love of Wine: Steamboat Winery's Year of Wine Facts, by Penney Adams (SPARK Publications)
• Monstrous Mythologies, Edited by Steve Berman, Illustrated by Michael Bukowski; Other Contributors: Steve Berman, Skinner (Lethe Press)
• Quartraits: Portrait of a Community in Quarantine, by Innis Casey * Kimberley Lovato (Gatekeeper Press)
• Sneaker Law: All You Need to Know About the Sneaker Business, by Kenneth Anand & Jared Goldstein (Sneaker Law LLC)

SPIRITUALITY

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Fox Light, Magic Hidden in Plain Sight, by Susan Andra Lion, Illustrated by Susan Andra Lion (Wild Vale Press)
• The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul, by Connie Zweig (Inner Traditions)

FINALISTS:

• Broken Little Believer: Finding Purpose in All the Pretty Painful Pieces, by Shane Svorec, Edited by Jill Armijo and John D. Capobianco, D.O., F.A.A.O. (AAE)
• Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us into the Sacred, by Victoria Loorz (Broadleaf Books)
• Estrellas - Moments of Illumination Along El Camino de Santiago, by Suzanne Maggio (Adelaide Books New York)
• Feats of Weakness, by April Bulmer (April Bulmer)
• Lord, I Don't Want to Die a Christian, by Chandrika D. Phea (ONBrand Books, an imprint of W. Brand Publishing)
• Warrior Spirit Rising, a Native American Spiritual Journey, by Dianna Good Sky (Good Sky Global Enterprises)

SUSPENSE

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Her Perfect Secret, by T.J. Brearton (Joffe Books)
• The Woman in the Attic, by Emily Hepditch (Flanker Press Limited)

FINALISTS:

• A Time to Forget in East Berlin, by CG FEWSTON (Independent)
• Better to Trust, by Heather Frimmer (Wyatt-MacKenzie)
• Bowl of Night, by Kathrin King Segal (Bucket List Books)
• Good Lookin': A Joe Turner Mystery, by T.L. Bequette (The Wild Rose Press)
• The Lives of Diamond Bessie, by Jody Hadlock (SparkPress)
• The Music Stalker, by Bruce J. Berger (Black Rose Writing)

THRILLER

WINNER ($100):

• Debt Bomb, by Michael E. Ginsberg (BQB Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• Beyond Sacrifice, by Alicia Dill (Circuit Breaker Books)
• Colombian Betrayal (A Bruce & Smith Thriller Book 1), by Randall Krzak (Randall Krzak)
• In A Raven's Shadow, by Peter Browning; Other Contributors: Jun Vertudazo (project manager) (Tellwell Publishing)
• The Tattoo Murder, by Bob Brill, Illustrated by Photo credits Paula Jean Brill (Tuscany Bay Books)
• Unavoidable, by Geoff Habiger and Coy Kissee (Shadow Dragon Press)

TRAVEL/TRAVEL GUIDE

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• The Professional Guide's Handbook, by Colby Brokvist, Edited by Alison Auch, Illustrated by Kateri Kramer (Cover); Other Contributors: Patty Maher helped with the design of the book (Fulcrum Publishing)
• What Happened to You?: A Solo Wheelchair Travel Memoir, by Sylvia Longmire, Edited by Kelsey Tressler (Spin the Globe)

FINALISTS:

• A Toubab In The Gambia, by Nick Hamlyn (KDP)
• Lisbon to Shanghai in Four Summers: A Memoir, by Tom Sweeney (Self-Published)
• Paddling Northern Saskatchewan: A Guide to 80 Canoe Routes, by Ric Driediger (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
• Photographing Acadia National Park: The Essential Guide to When, Where, and How (2nd Edition), by Colleen J. Miniuk, Edited by Erik Berg; Other Contributors: Proofreader: Lori A. Johnson, Graphic Design: Paul Gill/Gill Photo Graphics (Analemma Press)
• The Dancing Bridge of Kamanjoma, by Teresa O'Kane (Flat Dog Books)

WOMEN'S ISSUES (NON-FICTION)

WINNER ($100):

• Shortlisted: Women in the Shadows of the Supreme Court, by Hannah Brenner Johnson and Renee Knake Jefferson, Edited by N/A; Other Contributors: N/A (NYU Press)

FINALISTS:

• #SheWins 2, Stories and Photographs of Women who Survived Domestic Abuse, by Alisa Divine (Personal Power Press)
• And How Are the Children? by Marjorie Margolies (Wyatt-MacKenzie)
• Em's Awful Good Fortune, by Marcie Maxfield (She Writes Press)
• Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself, by Lisa Marchiano (Sounds True)
• Surviving Dirty John, by Debra Newell and M. William Phelps (BenBella Books)

WOMEN'S LITERATURE (NON-FICTION)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Over, Under, Around and Through, by Jill S. Tietjen & (Elinor Miller Greenberg, who is now deceased) (Fulcrum Publishing)
• She Rises, Overcoming Sexual Abuse & Domestic Violence What All Women Want To Know, by Kayla Hayes & Alisa Divine (Personal Power Press)

FINALISTS:

• All The Leavings, by Laurie Easter (Oregon State University Press)
• Behind the Camera: American Women Photographers Who Shaped How We See the World, by Maria Ausherman (Goff Books)
• Drop the Skirt: How My Disability Became My Superpower, by Amy Rivera (Amy Rivera & Associates)
• Into Dark Corridors: A Tale of Hands, Heart, and Home, by Constance Hood, Edited by Toni Lopopolo (Waves Press)
• Letters to Myself, by Alexandra Mireanu (Alexandra Mireanu)
• Lock Her Up, by Tina Parker, Edited by Katerina Stoykova (Accents Publishing)
• The Angle of Flickering Light, by Gina Troisi (Vine Leaves Press)

WRITING/PUBLISHING (NON-FICTION)

WINNERS ($100): TIE

• Self-Publish & Succeed: The No Boring Books Way to Writing a Non-Fiction Book that Sells, by Julie Broad (Stick Horse Publishing)
• Where Do You Hang Your Hammock? Finding Peace of Mind While You Write, Publish, and Promote Your Book, by Bella Mahaya Carter, Edited by Annie Tucker, Illustrated by Elke Barter (Cover and Design), Tabitha Lahr (Interior); Other Contributors: Shannon Green, project manager (She Writes Press)

FINALISTS:

• How to Man-Ur-Script, by EK Jasmine, Edited by Lee Ann (CLM Publishing)
• Secrets of the Permafree Book, by Dale L. Roberts (Archangel Ink)
• The Leadhead's Pencil Blog Volume 7, by Jonathan A. Veley (Self-Published)
• The Well-Fed Writer (Third Edition): Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Commercial Freelancer in Six Months or Less, by Peter Bowerman (Fanove Publishing)
• Wide Open Writing: Embrace Your Creative Genius, by Nancy Coleman, Edited by Kim Brown (WOW Rising Press, an imprint of Minerva Rising Press)

YOUNG ADULT (FICTION) (12 YEARS TO 16 YEARS)

WINNER ($100):

• Dim Stars: A Novel of Outer-Space Shenanigans, by Brian P. Rubin (Critical Eye Publishing)

FINALISTS:

• Calling Magic, by Kummam Al-Maadeed (Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press)
• Like Dust, I Rise, by Ginny Rorby (Black Rose Writing)
• Prairie Anne, by Carolyn Hagen Lardy (Self-Published)
• Raven Creek, by Therese Pautz (Beyond Eden Press LLC)
• The Apology Box, by Naomi Ulsted (Idle Time Press)
• The Field Agent (The Agent Bennet Saga), by R. S. Twells (FriesenPress)
• War Bunny, by Christopher St. John (Harvest Oak Press)

YOUNG AUTHOR (WRITTEN BY UNDER AGE 25)

WINNER ($100):

• Easy Marks: Cracking a University's Academic Integrity Con, by Catherine Wagner (Sunlight Works)

FINALISTS:

• Born on the First of Two, by Anya Geist, Edited by Emma Winsor Wood (Children's Art Foundation-Stone Soup Inc.)
• The Bionic Kid Comic, Issue 2, by Zachary, Christo and Niko Pamboukas, Edited by Matt Dombrowski, Albert Manero, Illustrated by Victor Davila (Limbitless Solutions Comics)
• The Book of Uriel: A Novel of WWII, by Elyse Hoffman (Project 613 Publishing)
• The Dust That Danced, by A. Cavuto (New Degree Press)
• The Girl with No Sol, by Karen Vega (Karen Vega)
• The Only One, by Kaylee Duda, Edited by Sueann Wells, Illustrated by Kaylee Duda (Spirited Muse Press)

YOUNG NEW ADULT (FICTION) (17 YEARS AND UP)

WINNER ($100):

• Kelly Is Unbreakable, by Jackson Keller, Edited by Alex Lehto-Clark (Self-Published)

FINALISTS:

• Benyu Born of Ash (The Ischyro Chronicles, #1), by Katie Feavel, Edited by Leslie Ferguson (Acorn Publishing)
• Fedor, by Brant Vickers (Atmosphere Press)
• Shattered, A Story of Betrayal and Courage, by C. Lee McKenzie (Evernight Teen)
• Ski Weekend, by Rektok Ross, Edited by Amy Tipton (SparkPress)
• The Hands of Enemies - Book One of the Speed of Light Series, by Roger L. Greene (Divergent Mind, LLC)
• The Pizza-Pyre, by Charleigh Brennan, Edited by TNT Editing, Illustrated by Emily Zelasko (Cover); Other Contributors: Cait Marie (Cover Designer) (Balance of Seven)