2021 Winners
PRINTED BOOKS
Grand Prize Winner:
Needing Normal: Freshman Year by Emme Grange
$100 Drawing Winner:
When the Sky Roars by Katie Weaver
Aging/Senior Living
1st Place: Nursing Home 101: A Daughter's Perspective by Ruthie Rosauer
2nd Place: Peak Brain Plasticity: Remember What You Want to Remember and Forget What You Can't Forget by Said Hasyim
Animals/Pets
1st Place (tie): Bean Saves the Day by Rey A. Banda, illustrated by Chris Sweet
1st Place (tie): Bean's New Home by Rey A. Banda, illustrated by Chris Sweet
2nd Place (tie): Balloons for Tiger by Lori Orlinsky, illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre
2nd Place (tie): Saving Scruffy by Randy Katz, illustrated by Edwin Camacaro
Honorable Mention:
DAWGS: A True Story of Lost Animals and the Kids Who Rescued Them by Diane Trull and Meredith Wargo
The Triumphant Tails of Rescue Dogs: Punk's Plight by Hope Walter, illustrated by Susi Davis
Wagatha's Tale by Erin Gill Reilly, illustrated by Dale Coykendall
The Sea Otters Who Kept Trying by Joan Bang, illustrated by Teguh Sulistio
Puppy Dog Devotions: 75 Fun Fido Facts, Bible Truths, and More! by Michelle Medlock Adams and Wendy Hinote Lanier, illustrated by William H. Hinote
Jig Gets Lost by Julia Kneeland, illustrated by Rachael Budd
Zach and His Cat by Vera Harris
Chandler the Best Unicorn Rider by Callie Chapman, illustrated by Bronwyne Chapman
Ruminations on a Parrot Named Cosmo by Betty Jean Craige
Audiobooks
1st Place: Inner Buddy by Emily 'Madge' Payne, illustrated by Swampy
2nd Place: Snow Globe Travelers: Samuel’s Legacy by K.A. Cummins
Honorable Mention:
Perish by Lindsey Barlow
Pivot by Lindsey Barlow
Long Nose Legacy: A Dog's Story of Royalty and Loyalty by J. G. Eastman
Best Cover Design
1st Place: When the Sky Roars by Katie Weaver
2nd Place: A Thousand Years to Wait by L. Ryan Storms
Honorable Mention:
Bumblebees on the Run by LaShone Grimes and Bessie Ferguson, illustrated by Perle Jones
Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846 by Laurel Anne Hill
TARO: Legendary Boy Hero of Japan by Blue Spruell, illustrated by Miya Outlaw
Fables for Sages of All Ages by Åster Gaudēo
The Sea Otters Who Kept Trying by Joan Bang, illustrated by Teguh Sulistio
I Have to Call Paul! by Corey Lohan, illustrated by Valerie Pechenyk
7 Lessons for Dreamers & Makers by SCAD, illustrated by Michael Mullan
Dogfish Saves the Ocean by Rita Reed, illustrated by Craig Cartwright
Two Times Removed: An Anthology of Indo-Caribbean Fiction by Tiara Chutkhan, illustrated by Chelsi Bhagan
Best Illustrations/Photography
1st Place: Quoll's Great Idea by Joanna Tait, illustrated by Muza Ulasowski
2nd Place: Ring Tail Raffi - Mindfulness in Madagascar by Shari LaRosa, illustrated by Alessandra Cimatoribus
Honorable Mention:
Fables for Sages of All Ages by Åster Gaudēo
According to Corban by Marcy Pusey, illustrated by Daniela Sosa
TARO: Legendary Boy Hero of Japan by Blue Spruell, illustrated by Miya Outlaw
Montana's Memory Day: a nature-themed foster/adoption story by Sue Lawrence, illustrated by Erika Wilson
7 Lessons for Dreamers & Makers by SCAD, illustrated by Michael Mullan
I is for Ichthyophile by Sheila Leavitt
Tex the Explorer: Journey Through Our Solar System by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
Tex the Explorer: Journey Through the Alphabet by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
The Boy Who Turned Lives Around As The World Turned Upside Down! by Celene Ting, illustrated by Tommy Wong
From Hair to There by Cindy Lurie, illustrated by Abigail Banks
Best Interior Design
1st Place: Fables for Sages of All Ages by Åster Gaudēo
Best Photography
1st Place: Moment by Robert Abad
Biography/Autobiography/Memoir
1st Place (tie): Silence of Shame: A Child Caring for Her Bedridden Mother by Wendy J. Menara
1st Place (tie): The Angle of Flickering Light by Gina Troisi
2nd Place: The Ballet with Encores by Pauli Rose Libsohn
Honorable Mention:
While We Slept: Finding Hope and Healing After Homicide by Marcy Pusey with Jeremy Pusey
ENOUGH! Learning to Survive and Thrive in Brokenness by Diana Mood
Most People Don't Talk to Rocks by Jennifer Kuhns
Travels and Tribulations by Tyrel Nelson
Those Darn Stripes by Tyrel Nelson
Book Trailer
1st Place: Peak Human Clock: How to Get up Early, Fix Eating Time Schedule, and Improve Exercise Routines to be Highly Productive by Said Hasyim
2nd Place: Pivot by Lindsey Barlow
Honorable Mention:
The Arabic Alphabet of Huruf Island by Ukht Husni, illustrated by Dian Ovieta
She Had Met Liars Before (Six Stories of Strength and Survival) by Dreena Collins
Wonderful Things by Valerie Doherty, illustrated by Brenda Higgins
Zoobooloo by Christine Villa
Business & Finance
1st Place: Corporate Governance in the Knowledge Economy: Lessons from Case Studies in the Financial Sector by Paul David Richard Griffiths
2nd Place: From Startup to Exit - An Insider's Guide to Launching and Scaling Your Tech Business by Shirish Nadkarni
Honorable Mention:
Gen Z Money $ense: A Personal Finance and Investing Guide by Ella Gupta
The Funding Is Out There! Access the Cash You Need to Impact Your Business by Tiffany C. Wright
Children’s Activity Books
1st Place: Mindful Monsters Therapeutic Workbook by Lauren Stockly, illustrated by Ellen Surrey
2nd Place: BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships by Jessica Speer, illustrated by Elowyn Dickerson
Honorable Mention:
The Ultimate Boredom Buster Activity Book for Kids by Anu Misa
Eat God's Food by Susan Neal, illustrated by Courtney Smith
The Golden Rule Coloring Book by Sherrill S. Cannon, illustrated by Kalpart
Children’s Chapter Books
1st Place: The Odyssey and Henry's Box by Sarah Aris, illustrated by Stephanie Nieves
2nd Place: The Sparkling Adventures of Becky and Friends by Diane Campbell Green, illustrated by Linda E. Jones
Honorable Mention:
Eraser Cookies by Rosina Schnurr, illustrated by Suzanne Marsden
A Cat's Journey Finding Joy by Marietta Litton, illustrated by Cheryl Litton
Voyage To Bravery by Jeremiah Shelton, illustrated by Sarah Hameed
The Garden and the Glen by Elizabeth Moseley, illustrated by Maggie Green
OSCAR & LILI: The Inventors Club by Ruben Lora and Ksenia Startseva-Lora, illustrated by Jorge and Emmanuel Perez
My Bully, My Friend by Norman Alston, illustrated by Eric Westray
The Adventures of Logan & Lilly and the Lost Treasure by Candace Valek, illustrated by Gaspar Sabater
Bonez by Mr. Roses, illustrated by Amber L. Luecke
Children’s Nonfiction
1st Place: Have You Ever Wondered What You Will Be? by Junia Wonders, illustrated by Chiara Nasi
2nd Place: Little Giants: 10 Hispanic Women Who Made History by Raynelda Calderon, illustrated by Donna Wiscombe
Honorable Mention:
Moment by Robert Abad
Puppy Dog Devotions: 75 Fun Fido Facts, Bible Truths, and More! by Michelle Medlock Adams and Wendy Hinote Lanier, illustrated by William H. Hinote
More Than Words: A Book About Body Language by Amy Jivani
Ava Antibody Explains Your Body and Vaccines by Andrea Alemani, illustrated by Roman Diaz
The Adventures of Susu by Sonya Afnan, illustrated by Mike Motz
Children’s Poetry Books
1st Place (tie): A Beautiful Girl Like You by Nikki Rogers
1st Place (tie): Have You Ever Wondered What You Will Be? by Junia Wonders, illustrated by Chiara Nasi
2nd Place: When The Sky Roars by Katie Weaver
Honorable Mention:
Fables for Sages of All Ages by Åster Gaudēo
Reggie Was A Veggie Bear by Farah Selena
Timeless Tales: Poems of Childhood by E.V. Eklund
I is for Ichthyophile by Sheila Leavitt
Collection of Short Stories
1st Place: Ten Seconds In-Between by Doug Hoekstra
2nd Place: On Traigh Lar Beach by Dianne Ebertt Beeaff
Honorable Mention:
A Tail Among Tales by Bill Sheehan
Webb Wilder, Last of the Full Grown Men "Mole Men" & "The Doll" by Shane Caldwell and Steve Boyle
Two Times Removed: An Anthology of Indo-Caribbean Fiction by Tiara Chutkhan, illustrated by Chelsi Bhagan
She Had Met Liars Before (Six Stories of Strength and Survival) by Dreena Collins
Cultural Diversity
1st Place: Moment by Robert Abad
2nd Place: Two Times Removed: An Anthology of Indo-Caribbean Fiction by Tiara Chutkhan, illustrated by Chelsi Bhagan
Honorable Mention:
Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846 by Laurel Anne Hill
Yep, That's My Mommy by Jean Mountain, illustrated by Ashley Finch
Education
1st Place: 7 Lessons for Dreamers & Makers by Michael Mullan
2nd Place: Peak Brain Plasticity: Remember What You Want to Remember and Forget What You Can't Forget by Said Hasyim
Honorable Mention:
Breathe, Ollie! by Krista Betcher, illustrated by Kevin Cannon
Parents, Technology, and Lawmakers Let’s Keep Children Safe on the Internet! Best Practices to Fight Sex Trafficking by Gene and Sandy Hill
Fiction: Novel
1st Place: Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale by Pamela Hamilton
2nd Place: The King of Nigh: Book Two of The Dolphin Code Trilogy by Davina Liberty
Honorable Mention:
Faron Goss by Diane Lechleitner
Hungry Mother Creek by Heather W. Cobham
Harry Harambee's Kenyan Sundowner: A Novel by Gerald Everett Jones
The Mother Tree by Heather W. Cobham
Fine Art/Photography
1st Place: Coffee Coma: poems and photos about our love affair and life with coffee by Sheree K. Nielsen
Food-Related
1st Place: My Collection of Original Desserts, The Art of Creative Baking by Nikos Ligidakis
General
1st Place: The Power of Tattoos: Twelve Hidden Energy Secrets of Body Art Every Tattoo Enthusiast Should Know by Cary Weldy
2nd Place: Two Times Removed: An Anthology of Indo-Caribbean Fiction by Tiara Chutkhan, illustrated by Chelsi Bhagan
Graphic Novel
1st Place: Amazing Adventures with Glurr and Blurr on Planet Doo Dah by Cody Howard
Green Books/Environmental
1st Place: Anna Across the Arctic by Liz O'Connell and Arin Underwood
2nd Place: Fred the Super Saves the Mangroves by Pina Bird, illustrated by Tetiana Kopytova
Honorable Mention:
Tuktuk: Tundra Tale by Robin Currie, illustrated by Phyllis Saroff
Dogfish Saves the Ocean by Rita Reed, illustrated by Craig Cartwright
The Abundance of Less: A Social Experiment of Not Buying Anything New for One Year by Marcy Pusey
The Outta Space Café by Thomas Marlow, illustrated by Ingrid Marlow
Health, Diet, Nutrition
1st Place: How My Brain Works: A Guide to Understanding It Better and Keeping It Healthy by Dr. Barbara Koltuska-Haskin
2nd Place: Peak Human Clock: How to Get up Early, Fix Eating Time Schedule, and Improve Exercise Routines to be Highly Productive by Said Hasyim
Honorable Mention:
Teddy Talks: A Paws-itive Story About Type 1 Diabetes by Vanessa Messenger, illustrated by Emma Latham
Historical Fiction
1st Place (tie): Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale by Pamela Hamilton
1st Place (tie): The Sand Pounder: Love and Drama on Horseback in WWII by M.J. Evans
2nd Place: Truth Is in the House by Michael Coffino
Honorable Mention:
Where Madness Lies by Sylvia True
Blood and Silver by Vali Benson
Dragonfly Dreams by Eleanor Cooper
Holiday
1st Place: Dachshund Through the Snow by Michelle Medlock Adams, illustrated by Ana Sebastian
2nd Place: Jesús, Mary, and Joseph by Kathleen Pelley, illustrated by Dubravka Kolanovic
Honorable Mention:
Rambee Boo & the Christmas Sock! by Reena Korde Pagnoni, illustrated by Frances Rose Espanol
Bruce the Spruce: A New York City Fairytale About the True Meaning of Christmas Trees by A.A. Cristi
The Midnight Monster Train by E.V. Eklund
Northopolis: Ryan's Christmas Dream by Rey A. Banda, illustrated by Dan Coe
How-To
1st Place: Parenting Children of Trauma: The Foster-Adoption Guide to Understanding Attachment Disorder by Marcy Pusey
2nd Place: The Write Way to Get a Girlfriend by Alfred Taylor
Humor
1st Place: Do Not Wish for A Pet Ostrich! by Sarina Siebenaler, illustrated by Gabby Correia
2nd Place: That Monster on the Block by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Luke Flowers
Letters, Journals, Diaries
1st Place: The Ballet with Encores by Pauli Rose Libsohn
LGBTQ+
1st Place: A Gay Man's Guide to Life: Get Real, Stand Tall, and Take Your Place by Britt East
2nd Place: Yep, That's My Mommy by Jean Mountain, illustrated by Ashley Finch
Marketing Kit
1st Place: Wonderful Things by Valerie Doherty, illustrated by Brenda Higgins
Middle Grade Fiction
1st Place (tie): Jenny’s Journey by Nita Brady
1st Place (tie): Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi
2nd Place: Dragonfly Dreams by Eleanor Cooper
Honorable Mention:
Fossil Frenzy the Adamson Adventures 3 by Sandra Bennett
Mystery in the Jackson House by Judy Sheer Watters
Voyage To Bravery by Jeremiah Shelton, illustrated by Sarah Hameed
Norm And Ginger Enter The Hidden by Betty Fudge
CLUB US SERIES - Peril in Paris Mya Reyes by Claudia Gadottti
Notorious Nora by Kelly Jones
Victor Survives Being a Kid! by Heidi Vertrees, illustrated by Marcy Bisher
Behind the Veil by Amy Brailey, illustrated by Cireliz Alaniz
Notorious Nora: The Mystery of the Lost Treasure by Kelly Jones
Broken Twigs: Realm of the Thunderbird by Charlotte L. Taylor, illustrated by Kezzia Crossley
James's Ragtag Adventures in Questworld: Return of the Goblin Queen by M. Doyle
Military
1st Place: GROWING YOUR FAMILY: Learn How to Flourish and Thrive as a Military Family by Pearl Alimo
Mystery
1st Place: Havana Brown by Lynn-Steven Johanson
2nd Place: Him, Me and Paulie: Drugs, Murder, and Undercover by K. B. Pellegrino
New Author: Fiction
1st Place (tie): A Firefly’s Journey by Kat Rees D'Ambola, illustrated by Alana McCarthy
1st Place (tie): Oliver and the Wishing Star by Jennifer Decker, illustrated by Chrish Vindhy
1st Place (tie): Cool Kids by Arlene Freeman
2nd Place (tie): When the Sky Roars by Katie Weaver
2nd Place (tie): Pivot by Lindsey Barlow
Honorable Mention:
Reggie was a Veggie Bear by Farah Selena
A Thousand Years to Wait by L. Ryan Storms
TARO: Legendary Boy Hero of Japan by Blue Spruell, illustrated by Miya Outlaw
Blood and Silver by Vali Benson
Voyage To Bravery by Jeremiah Shelton, illustrated by Sarah Hameed
The Sea Otters Who Kept Trying by Joan Bang, illustrated by Teguh Sulistio
I Have to Call Paul! by Corey Lohan, illustrated by Valerie Pechenyk
Let Your Light Shine Brightly by Courtney Bradford
Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi
Buried But Never Forgotten: A Journey Through Earth by Elisa Chastaine
Dark Tales from Dreamdale: Nightmares Are Everywhere Here! by Jeremy Robertson
Two Times Removed: An Anthology of Indo-Caribbean Fiction by Tiara Chutkhan, illustrated by Chelsi Bhagan
Amazing Adventures with Glurr and Blurr on Planet Doo Dah by Cody Howard
New Author: Nonfiction
1st Place: Peak Human Clock: How to Get up Early, Fix Eating Time Schedule, and Improve Exercise Routines to be Highly Productive by Said Hasyim
2nd Place: The Angle of Flickering Light by Gina Troisi
Honorable Mention:
Wake Up Mom! Can’t You See Your Son is an Addict? by Linda Lee Henderson
A Gay Man's Guide to Life: Get Real, Stand Tall, and Take Your Place by Britt East
Apollo's Lyre: The Art of Spiritual Psychotherapy by Kenneth Porter
A Constitution for a Democracy (An excursion in nonfiction) by Rohit Kajaria
Saving Scruffy by Randy Katz, illustrated by Edwin Camacaro
Other Nonfiction
1st Place: Heart of a Hoosier: A Year of Inspiration From IU Men's Basketball by Michelle Medlock Adams and Del Duduit
2nd Place: Voices from the Fallen: True Stories of Addiction, Grief, Recovery and Courage by Michael Tourville
Honorable Mention:
My Mother and Shakespeare: A Daughter's Journey by Pauli Libsohn
A Promise to Astrid by Michael K. Tourville and William Tourville
Parenting
1st Place: Growing Compassionate Children: Grower's Guide by Sonja Wendt
2nd Place: Raising Kids Who Care: Practical conversations for exploring stuff that matters, together by Susy Lee
Honorable Mention:
Reclaiming Hope: Overcoming the Challenges of Parenting Foster and Adopted Children by Marcy Pusey
GROWING YOUR FAMILY: Learn How to Flourish and Thrive as a Military Family by Pearl Alimo
Shlok's Dad: A Father's Perspective of Parenthood by Vivek Sharma
365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories by Julie Lavender
How are you today? by Anna Marta
Parents, Technology, and Lawmakers Let’s Keep Children Safe on the Internet! Best Practices to Fight Sex Trafficking by Gene and Sandy Hill
Picture Books 5 & Younger
1st Place (tie): I Love You Through Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall by Junia Wonders, illustrated by Daniela Volpari
1st Place (tie): Anna Across the Arctic by Liz O'Connell and Arin Underwood
1st Place (tie): Please Don't Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit by Michelle Feinberg, illustrated by Anna Mosca
1st Place (tie): Chipper Makes Merry by Kimber Morgan, illustrated by Kim Sponaugle
1st Place (tie): Ellie and Her Emotional Dragons: Ellie's First Day of School by Joseph Goodrich, illustrated by Traci Van Wagoner
2nd place (tie): A Firefly’s Journey by Kat Rees D'Ambola, illustrated by Alana McCarthy
2nd place (tie): Fred the Super Saves the Mangroves by Pina Bird, illustrated by Tetiana Kopytova
Honorable Mention:
Reggie was a Veggie Bear by Farah Selena
Skedaddle by Jacqueline Leigh, illustrated by Erika Wilson
When The Sky Roars by Katie Weaver
Wonderful Things by Valerie Doherty, illustrated by Brenda Higgins
Bumblebees on the Run by LaShone Grimes and Bessie Ferguson, illustrated by Perle Jones
Cedar Creek Critters: From A to Z by Jonathan Masterson, illustrated by Joshua Masterson
Montana's Memory Day: a nature-themed foster/adoption story by Sue Lawrence, illustrated by Erika Wilson
Tex the Explorer: Journey Through the Alphabet by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
The Magic of Sharing by Ruben Lora and Ksenia Startseva-Lora, illustrated by John Joven
The Sea Otters Who Kept Trying by Joan Bang, illustrated by Teguh Sulistio
Breathe, Ollie! by Krista Betcher, illustrated by Kevin Cannon
Don’t Bite the Cat by Ryan Allen
Fred the Super Friend by Pina Bird, illustrated by Tetiana Kopytova
Larry The Lion Has A Crazy Mane Day by Darrell Warren, illustrated by Alex Crump
Goodnight Little Owlet by Anne Marie Brown, illustrated by Amit Dey
It's Time for Bed Sweet Child of Mine by Bonnie Reading, illustrated by Brit Ali
Dogfish Saves the Ocean by Rita Reed, illustrated by Craig Cartwright
I is for Ichthyophile by Sheila Leavitt
Luchadormice by Libby Ward
Quoll's Great Idea by Joanna Tait, illustrated by Muza Ulasowski
Sabir's Paradise by Amal Alaboud, illustrated by Nour Altouba
That Monster on the Block by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Luke Flowers
A Farm Animals' Christmas-No Ordinary Farm by Stephanie Matolyak, illustrated by Deborah Bailey
The Leaning Tower of Pizza by Derek Taylor Kent, illustrated by Bright Jungle Studios
Tex the Explorer: Journey Through Our Solar System by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
Chandler the Best Unicorn Rider by Callie Chapman, illustrated by Bronwyne Chapman
Little Fish's Fruity Roll Song by Saniya Chughtai
Ants In Your Pants by Jenny Lichty
All Aboard the Potty Train by Elizabeth Szewczyk, illustrated by Brian Werts
Tabby Kittens at Midnight by Christine Thomas Doran, illustrated by Kathi Bixler
Tercules by Marcy Pusey, illustrated by Megan Frank
Charlie the Clickbug by Raymond Sobrino Jr.
Runaway by Mitzi Libsohn, adapted by Pauli Rose Libsohn
Neville and the Adventure to Cricket Creek by Juliana Houston, illustrated by Karsen Andrews
The Story of Doves by Lynne Goldsmith
Picture Books 6 & Older
1st Place (tie): Chipper Makes Merry by Kimber Fox Morgan, illustrated by Kim Sponaugle
1st Place (tie): Dachshund Through the Snow by Michelle Medlock Adams, illustrated by Ana Sebastian
1st Place (tie): Ellie and Her Emotional Dragons: Ellie's First Day of School by Joseph Goodrich, illustrated by Traci Van Wagoner
1st Place (tie): Speranza's Sweater: One Child's Journey Through Foster Care and Adoption by Marcy Pusey, illustrated by Beatriz Mello
2nd Place (tie): No Dinosaurs Allowed by Deborah Hunt, illustrated by Ashleigh Heyns
2nd Place (tie): The Magic Paintbrush by Christine L. Villa, illustrated by Kathrina Iris
2nd Place (tie): One Box Many Hearts by Bayan Khaled
Honorable Mention:
A Firefly’s Journey by Kat Rees D'Ambola, illustrated by Alana McCarthy
A Letter For Molly by Mitzi Libsohn, adapted by Pauli Libsohn
Aunt Bugs Little Life Lessons: Safety Mission by Jemma Ryan, illustrated by Chelsea Davis
Be A Smile Maker by Beth W. Roberts, illustrated by Kate Furman
Ellibot and Aunt Maple by Sharon CassanoLochman, illustrated by Lucy Belle
Fables for Sages of All Ages by Åster Gaudēo
Pax the Planet Saving Pup by Niam Patel, illustrated by Natia Gogiashvili
Smokey's Christmas Adventure by D. L. Mensch
Zoey and the Magical Hummingbirds by Ebonie P. Fields
Jesús, Mary, and Joseph by Kathleen Pelley, illustrated by Dubravka Kolanovic
Moment by Robert Abad
Safe In Starry Arms by Christie Lea, illustrated by Di Izdebski
Tell The Truth Timmy by Tashonda McCormick, illustrated by Mike Motz
My first day as a Junior Park Ranger by Jennifer Benito-Kowalski, illustrated by Harvey Lanot
Shine Bright - A Tale of Courage by Melanie Ann
Wagatha's Tale by Erin Gill Reilly, illustrated by Dale Coykendall
Zenie and the Magical Hummingbirds by Ebonie P. Fields, illustrated by Sonny Heston
Ring Tail Raffi - Mindfulness in Madagascar by Shari LaRosa, illustrated by Alessandra Cimatoribus
The Sea Otters Who Kept Trying by Joan Bang, illustrated by Teguh Sulistio
I Have to Call Paul! by Corey Lohan, illustrated by Valerie Pechenyk
Emma Kate and Her Dazzling Tea Party by Melissa Balderas, illustrated by Rosemarie Gillen
Jig Gets Lost by Julia Kneeland, illustrated by Rachael Budd
The Adventures of Veggieman: Food Fight! by Karla Farach, illustrated by Rob Foote
The Hero of Hawk's Nest Beach: A Sea Turtle Rescue by Barbara Gervais Ciancimino, illustrated by Diana Delosh
Did You Say Pasghetti? Dusty and Danny Tackle Dyslexia by Tammy Fortune
Sophie Stands Out by Katie Storey, illustrated by Kellie Steinbeigle
Lii' Lita and Her Special Elephant by Nina Rickenbacker Edwards, illustrated by Cameron Wilson
The Little Monster by Sheri Fink
Be Mindful of Monsters by Lauren Stockly, illustrated by Ellen Surrey
How are you today? by Anna Marta
Nellie Learns Patience by Jessica Almeida, illustrated by Justine Tobin
The Fin-Tastic Cleanup by Laura Mancuso, illustrated by Jenna Guidi
Ella Lee in To Catch a Hummingbird by Michael Pekala
Tex the Explorer: Journey Through Our Solar System by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
Tex the Explorer: Journey Through the Alphabet by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
Marvelous Maxx and the Bumblebee by John and Catherine Higgins, illustrated by Ashley Lanni
Yep, That's My Mommy by Jean Mountain, illustrated by Ashley Finch
My Ginormous Bearded Dragon by Rachelle Jones Smith, illustrated by Mykhailo Ridkous
The Four-Leaf Clover by Shannon K. Mazurick
Tweed the Little Amp Who Found His Song by Gary Benson
Zoobooloo by Christine L. Villa, illustrated by Kathrina Iris
The Night the Monsters Came by Junia Wonders, illustrated by Lisa Ciccone
Zeeko, The Bunny Who Lost His Way by Nita Brady, illustrated by Ruth McKinsey
Grandfather by Mitzi Libsohn, adapted by Pauli Rose Libsohn
From Hair to There by Cindy Lurie, illustrated by Abigail Banks
The Boy Who Turned Lives Around As The World Turned Upside Down! by Celene Ting, illustrated by Tommy Wong
The Red Fence by Ed Damiano, illustrated by Jenn Polk
Poetry
1st Place: Black Forest Dreams, A Journey Through Germany by Joseph Kuhn Carey
2nd Place: Rosetta by Karina Borowicz
Honorable Mention:
Voices of Diversity by Vanessa Caraveo
Glamoury by Susan Sheppard
Old Stones Understand by Stacey Murphy
Coffee Coma: poems and photos about our love affair and life with coffee by Sheree K. Nielsen
Songs Of You - A Postscript by Mitzi Libsohn
Stone Roses by Linda Neal Reising
Grim Honey by Jessica Barksdale
I Am the Rage by Martina McGowan
Visiting Hours: Poems by Andrew McFadyen-Ketchum
Death, With Occasional Smiling by Tony Medina
Hearts, Tears, & The Journey of Life by Tarif Youssef-Agha
The Keeping by Linda Neal Reising
A Place So Deep Inside America It Can't Be Seen by Kari Gunter-Seymour
Kaleidoscope of Colors II by Robert A. Cozzi
Ash by Gloria Mindock
Psychology
1st Place: Parenting Children of Trauma: The Foster-Adoption Guide to Understanding Attachment Disorder by Marcy Pusey
2nd Place: Apollo's Lyre: The Art of Spiritual Psychotherapy by Kenneth Porter
Honorable Mention:
Blissfully Single, A Single's Guide to Finding Happiness by Peggy Sullivan
Relationships
1st Place: To Love a Hummingbird by Carolyn Cutler Hughes
Religion/Spirituality
1st Place: The Best Gift of All by Michelle Lazurek, illustrated by Kelly Artieri
2nd Place: The Very Best Story Ever Told by Robin Currie, illustrated by David Kurtz William
Honorable Mention:
Apollo's Lyre: The Art of Spiritual Psychotherapy by Kenneth Porter
Dancing with Nana by Michelle Lazurek, illustrated by Alison Wright
Romance
1st Place: Dead Cereus by Kira Kanani Seamon
Science Fiction/Fantasy
1st Place (tie): Perish by Lindsey Barlow
1st Place (tie): Pivot by Lindsey Barlow
2nd Place (tie): A Tincture in Time by Hannah Desmond
2nd Place (tie): TARO: Legendary Boy Hero of Japan by Blue Spruell, illustrated by Miya Outlaw
Honorable Mention:
Deehabta’s Song by Stephen Alder
Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi
The Arc of the Universe Quartet by Mark Whiteway
Naiya and the Foxdragon by Naomi VanDoren
The Mistakes by David Davis
Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846 by Laurel Anne Hill
Teal Haven by Randi Beers
The King of Nigh: Book Two of The Dolphin Code Trilogy by Davina Liberty
Buried But Never Forgotten: A Journey Through Earth by Elisa Chastaine
Visitant: The Hidden Genome (A Young Adult Sci-Fi Novel) by Pamela Cannalte
Self-Help/Inspirational
1st Place: The Addiction Manifesto by JR Weaver
2nd Place (tie): The Noble Edge: Reclaiming an Ethical World One Choice at a Time by Christopher Gilbert, PhD
2nd Place (tie): Wake Up Mom! Can’t You See Your Son is an Addict? by Linda Lee Henderson
Honorable Mention:
Thriving After Sexual Abuse: Break Your Bondage to the Past and Live a Live You Love by Denise Bossarte
A Gay Man's Guide to Life: Get Real, Stand Tall, and Take Your Place by Britt East
Reclaiming Hope: Overcoming the Challenges of Parenting Foster and Adopted Children by Marcy Pusey
The Power of Tattoos: Twelve Hidden Energy Secrets of Body Art Every Tattoo Enthusiast Should Know by Cary Weldy
Writing & Selling Children's Books in the Christian Market: From Board Books to YA by Michelle Medlock Adams and Cyle Young
Voyage To Bravery by Jeremiah Shelton, illustrated by Sarah Hameed
7 Lessons for Dreamers & Makers by SCAD, illustrated by Michael Mullan
Blissfully Single, A Single's Guide to Finding Happiness by Peggy Sullivan
Special Needs/Disability Awareness
1st Place: Needing Normal: Freshman Year by Emme Grange
2nd Place: Did You Say Pasghetti? Dusty and Danny Tackle Dyslexia by Tammy Fortune
Honorable Mention:
Artism and Me, Autism Within My Heart in Color by Maggie Russell
Charlie Mae’s First Day by Hannah Wilson, illustrated by Kim Soderberg
A Sibling's Guide To Autism by Irene Kim, illustrated by Sumi Kim
Sports/Fitness
1st Place: Master Your Core: A Science-Based Guide to Achieve Peak Performance and Resilience to Injury by Bohdanna Zazulak
STEM
1st Place (tie): Taylor's STEM Adventures: Hawaii by Dr. Mary Payton, illustrated by M. Ridho Mentarie
1st Place (tie): Taylor's STEM Adventures: Texas by Dr. Mary Payton, illustrated by Jorge Mansilla
2nd Place: The Boy Who Turned Lives Around As The World Turned Upside Down! by Celene Ting, illustrated by Tommy Wong
Travel
1st Place: Stories from Ecuador: A Collection by Tyrel Nelson
Unpublished Manuscript
Honorable Mention: Dragonfly Escaping by Raya Khedker
Westerns
1st Place: Blood and Silver by Vali Benson
2nd Place: The Feudist: A Novel of the Pleasant Valley War by Daniel Herman
Honorable Mention:
Gallant: Call of the Trail by Claire Eckard, illustrated by Phylicia Mann
Women’s Interests
1st Place: No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily
2nd Place: Two Times Removed: An Anthology of Indo-Caribbean Fiction by Tiara Chutkhan, illustrated by Chelsi Bhagan
Honorable Mention:
Life is Your Imaginations' Reality by Tricia Renee
Writing/Publishing
1st Place: Writing & Selling Children's Books in the Christian Market: From Board Books to YA by Michelle Medlock Adams and Cyle Young
Young Adult Fiction
1st Place (tie): A Thousand Years to Wait by L. Ryan Storms
1st Place (tie): The Sand Pounder: Love and Drama on Horseback in WWII by M.J. Evans
2nd Place: Signs in the Dark by Susan Miura
Honorable Mention:
Blood and Silver by Vali Benson
Burning Rose by Lyndsey LaVan
Naiya and the Foxdragon by Naomi VanDoren
Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846 by Laurel Anne Hill
Just Breathe by Barbara Utley
Forever Homes by Marcy Pusey
Visitant: The Hidden Genome (A Young Adult Sci-Fi Novel) by Pamela Cannalte
Calling Magic by Kummam Al-Maadeed
Young Adult Nonfiction
1st Place: Gen Z Money $ense: A Personal Finance and Investing Guide by Ella Gupta
2nd Place: 7 Lessons for Dreamers & Makers by SCAD, illustrated by Michael Mullan
Honorable Mention:
When Animals were Gods: An Ancient Egypt Zoo by Alberto Rava
Youth Author Fiction
1st Place: Twin Tales: Alike and Different by Brielle Dupervil and Nadia Dupervil, illustrated by FolksnFables
2nd Place: Kate the Great by Leanne Van Dongen
Honorable Mention:
Death Life by Leanne Van Dongen
Stage Fright by Leanne Van Dongen
The Trio by Leanne Van Dongen
Chandler the Best Unicorn Rider by Callie Chapman, illustrated by Bronwyne Chapman
Youth Author Nonfiction
1st Place: Gen Z Money $ense: A Personal Finance and Investing Guide by Ella Gupta
EBOOKS
Animals/Pets
1st Place (tie): My Cat Is Blue by Sarah Sommer, illustrated by Bulankina Ka
1st Place (tie): Hickory Doc's Tales - The Pack: First Generation by Linda Harkey
2nd Place: Chicken Nibbles by Alan Corbett, illustrated by Mark Lynch
Honorable Mention:
The Problem with Poppy by Emma Sandford, illustrated by Olena Osadcha
Best Cover Design
1st Place: War, What Comes After by Brendan Bigney
2nd Place: A Night at The King's Inn by Alec Arbogast
Best Illustrations
1st Place: My Cat Is Blue by Sarah Sommer, illustrated by Bulankina Ka
2nd Place: Tex the Explorer: Journey Through Our Solar System by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
Honorable Mention:
Inner Buddy by Emily 'Madge' Payne, illustrated by Swampy
Biography/Autobiography/Memoir
1st Place: Honor Through Sacrifice by Robert Lofthouse
2nd Place: MICHAELISM: My POV on Life with Autism by Michael Tanzer
Honorable Mention:
Based on a True (Traumatic) Brain History: a Short Memoir by Mark Allen
My Mother Next Door by Diane Danvers Simmons
The Demon In Disguise by Ashley Elliott
Wild Colts Make the Best Horses by Mary Rae Mauch
Journey Between Two Worlds by Karola M. Schuette
Lamlash Street: A Portrait of 1960's Post-War London Through One Family's Story by J.M. Phillips
When to Run, Born Scared by Stephanie King
Business/Finance
1st Place: Self-Publish & Succeed by Julie Broad
2nd Place: The Art of War in Business Technology: Simple Tactics for Conquering IT & Cybersecurity Challenges on the Small Business Battlefield by A-Jay Orr
Honorable Mention:
How to Hack Humans: Storytelling for Startups by Seth Erickson
The Team Game: How Your Business Can Dominate Year After Year by Bellaria Jimenez and John F. Bucsek
Always End with the Beginning in Mind by Donald White
Children’s Chapter Books
1st Place: Putney and the Magic eyePad by MK Tufft
2nd Place: The Animal Squad and the Mystical Topax Amulet by Jan Sier, illustrated by Mojgan Mirza
Honorable Mention:
The Cardboard Boat Race, Putney and the Magic eyePad–Book 2 by MK Tufft
Blessed - A Laboratory Research Dog by Tamara Tokash, illustrated by Romi Caron
Tales of the Monkey King by Teresa Jones, illustrated by Gennel Marie Sollano
Children’s Poetry
1st Place: Fun Poems for Your Child by Jenny Carey
2nd Place: Nighttime Fantasy by Suzanne M. Shields
Coffee Table Books
1st Place: Battle Carried: Imperial Japanese Tiger Art Good Luck Flags of World War Two by Michael A. Bortner
2nd Place: Dancing, and Other Problems by Norville Parchment
Collection of Short Stories
1st Place: The Book of Ashes by Elizabeth Stephens
2nd Place: Three Dimensions: Lizzies Fizzies by Elizabeth Reinach
Cultural Diversity
1st Place: The Apapa Six: West Africa from a 60S Perspective by John Berryman
2nd Place: Cockatoos in the Mangroves by Vanessa S. Lee-AhMat
Honorable Mention:
The Recruiter (The Rewired Series Book 1) by Alexander Mukte
Deeply Rooted Dreams (The Rewired Series Book 2) by Alexander Mukte
Battle Carried: Imperial Japanese Tiger Art Good Luck Flags of World War Two by Michael A. Bortner
Education
1st Place: Teaching Professionals by Nigel Wilson
2nd Place: Something In The Water by Juliana Marston
Fiction Novel
1st Place (tie): Ophelia's Room by Michael Garvin
1st Place (tie): Lies in Bone by Natalie Symons
2nd Place: The Wilderness Between Us by Penny Haw
Honorable Mention:
No Other Name by Robert Beatty
Fine Art/Photography
1st Place: Using Japanese Paper for Digital Printing of Photographs by Carl-Evert Jonsson
Food-Related
1st Place: The Gentleman's Guide to Cooking by Randy Motilall
Green Books/Environmental
1st Place (tie): Something In The Water by Juliana Marston
1st Place (tie): Peri and Her Plant by Michael Girgenti
2nd Place: Poppy's Purpose to Prevent Pollution by Melissa Kay Moore
Honorable Mention:
Carrie Anne's World: An Odyssey through Space and Time by Mark Whiteway
Health/Diet/Nutrition
1st Place: The Truth about Dietary Supplements by Mahtab Jafari
Historical Fiction
1st Place: A Night at The King's Inn by Alec Arbogast
2nd Place: Heirs of Deceits by Elizabeth Reinach
Historical Nonfiction
1st Place: War, What Comes After by Brendan Bigney
2nd Place: Plotting to Stop the British Slave Trade by Jane Reeve
Honorable Mention:
Battle Carried: Imperial Japanese Tiger Art Good Luck Flags of World War Two by Michael A. Bortner
Pages and Leaflets of North Oxfordshire by Angela Fortnum
How-To
1st Place: The Amazon Self Publisher by Dale L. Roberts
2nd Place: How to Win Your Case by Thomas Curtis, MD
Humor
1st Place: Oh Daddy Chronicles by Barry Robbins
2nd Place: Tales of the Elder Statesman by Edward Faith
Honorable Mention:
Dancing, and Other Problems by Norville Parchment
Different Essays by Charles Pinwill
Letters/Journals/Diaries
1st Place: 100 Days in Vietnam by Joseph F. Tallon and Matthew A. Tallon
2nd Place: 13 Months by Bruce A. Bastien
Honorable Mention:
Boys' Secrets and Men's Loves by David A.J. Richards
LGBTQ+
1st Place: The Making of a Woman by Jewels
2nd Place: Callisto 2.0 - A novel of the future by Susan English
Middle Grade
1st Place: Gorin Zander: The Mystery on Terrible Street by Matthew Rothenberg
2nd Place: The Mystery at Moz Hollow by A. K. Hicks
Honorable Mention:
Notorious Nora by Kelly Jones
Notorious Nora “The Mystery of the Lost Treasure” by Kelly Jones
The Adventures of Clara and Anton by Stefan Waidelich
Sammy the Flying Squirrel by Zivile Cecilia Brubeck
Military
1st Place: War, What Comes After by Brendan Bigney
2nd Place: One Kingdom Under Heaven by Alastair Luft
Mystery
1st Place: Ophelia's Room by Michael Garvin
2nd Place: The Recruiter (The Rewired Series Book 1) by Alexander Mukte
Honorable Mention:
Escapade by Margery Neely
Coldwater Revenge by James Ross
Confronting the Enemy by George McNeil
A Night at The King's Inn by Alec Arbogast
Hot Shot by Wayne Daye
After the Rising & Before the Fall Centenary Edition by Orna Ross
Three Dimensions: Lizzies Scaries by Elizabeth Reinach
Game of Bones by Geraldine Evans
New Author: Fiction
1st Place (tie): Rise: Birth of a Revolution by Mark Moore
1st Place (tie): Catwalk by Nicole Gabor
2nd Place: Putney and the Magic eyePad by MK Tufft
Honorable Mention:
Broken Like Me by Kaitie Howie
The Recruiter (The Rewired Series Book 1) by Alexander Mukte
The Patriot’s Grill by Steven Day
My Sister, My Best Friend by Keisha Woodfork-Raggs, illustrated by Tobi Adeleye
Performing Arts
1st Place (tie): Belluna's Big Adventure in the Sky: A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story for Young Movers by Once Upon a Dance, illustrated by Stella Mongodi
1st Place (tie): Fearlessly Different by Mickey Rowe
Picture Books 5 & Younger
1st Place (tie): My Cat Is Blue by Sarah Sommer, illustrated by Bulankina Ka
1st Place (tie): It Must Be Autumn by Michelle Wang
2nd Place: Siggy Loves Sausages by Brian Frederick
Honorable Mention:
The Day The Colours Went Away by Christopher Quirk
Garrett Bear: Planning For Sports Day by K. Tang
A Few Seasons by Howie Groff
Monty's Rainbow Road Adventure Tina Kid
Larry at Number 10 by Elizabeth Radcliffe
Animal Acres by Colby Becknell Hardison
Hockey Hiccups by Gerry Cav
Merry Christmas, Bobby the Bear! by Ryan O'Connor, illustrated by Xiang Manke
Tex the Explorer: Journey Through Our Solar System by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
Porter's Magic Apple Pie by Deborah Moon, illustrated by Gennel Marie Sollano
Picture Books 6 & Older
1st Place (tie): My Cat Is Blue by Sarah Sommer, illustrated by Bulankina Ka
1st Place (tie): Doc, Willie, and the Pack: Secrets, Gifts, Family by Linda Harkey
2nd Place: Poppy's Purpose to Prevent Pollution by Melissa Kay Moore
Honorable Mention:
The Great Inventor of the Stars by Avery Davis, illustrated by Luo Xi
Something In The Water by Juliana Marston
Lulu The Moon Catcher by Tyler Zen
Helen by Simon Spence
Theodore and The Cat with the Missing Sock by Cory Q Tan
The Problem with Poppy by Emma Sandford, illustrated by Olena Osadcha
Tex the Explorer: Journey Through Our Solar System by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson
Lilbeebye Stings Bully by Theresa Shields
Poetry
1st Place: Allowing Now: A Book of Mindfulness Poetry by Orna Ross
2nd Place: In Days Divine: Poems from Both Sides of the Pond by F. E. Greene
Honorable Mention:
War, What Comes After by Brendan Bigney
Dispatches from the Swinging Door Saloon by Randall McNair
Tom the Cat by Elizabeth Reinach, illustrated by Brian Rivera
Politics
1st Place: Eternal Vigilance by Ralph L. Bayrer
2nd Place: LINK-UP 2 LIFT-UP by Doreszell Cohen
Relationships
1st Place: The Sound of Wings by Suzanne Simonetti
2nd Place: The Magical Sex Book by Frank Wiegers and Judith Claire
Honorable Mention:
The Greatest Light by Tim and Cindy Morrison
Religion/Spirituality
1st Place: The Great Inventor of the Stars by Avery Davis, illustrated by Luo Xi
2nd Place: How to be a Buddhist Millionaire: 9 practical steps to being happy in a materialist world by Matt Jardine
Honorable Mention:
The Prodigal Father by Forrest Hutter
My Grandma's Guardian Angels by Lindsay DeRollo, illustrated by Denny Poliquit
August Kibler's Stories for Tyler: Voices of Context from Eden to Patmos by T.P. Graf
Here with the Winter by J. Penrod Scott
Romance
1st Place: A Consuming Love by Kelly Miller
2nd Place: Broken Like Me by Kaitie Howie
Honorable Mention:
A Reckless Heart by Jennifer Wilck
Survival by Anthony Antonio
Science Fiction/Fantasy
1st Place: How Icasia Bloom Touched Happiness by Jessica Bell
2nd Place: Miss Bennet's Dragon by M. Verant
Honorable Mention:
Carrie Anne's World: An Odyssey through Space and Time by Mark Whiteway
Earth 101: Time to Run by Emae Church
Pastel Pink by Nikki Minty
The Lambda Factor by Dimple Desai
Arcane by Alyssa Milani
The Book of Ashes by Elizabeth Stephens
Into the Flames by Angelina Kerner
Dreamworms Book 1: The Advent of Dreamtech by Isaac Petrov
Deeply Rooted Dreams (The Rewired Series Book 2) by Alexander Mukte
The Patriot’s Grill by Steven Day
Before: Jared's Story by Gina Q. Detwiler
grydscaen: dark by Natsuya Uesugi DuBois
The We and the They by Kyra Ann Dawkins
A Night at The King's Inn by Alec Arbogast
Hamlet in Baltimore by Pavel Cerny
Neglected Merge by Eve Koguce
Deehabta's Song by Stephen Alder
Journey of 200 by Joyce Creighton
Self-Help/Inspirational
1st Place: Butterfly Awakens: A Memoir of Transformation Through Grief by Meg Nocero
2nd Place: Birth of a Unicorn by Heather Wilde
Honorable Mention:
How to be a Buddhist Millionaire: 9 practical steps to being happy in a materialist world by Matt Jardine
Learning to Dance in the Rain II by Shelby Wagner
Brainwashed by Ramdyal Bhola
10 Steps to Help You Get On With Your Life by Mary Dunbar
How to Live a Life of Hope byAlphonsus Obayuwana
Special Needs/Disability Awareness
1st Place: Oscar the Osprey by Edward Polansky, illustrated by Jean Rosow
Sports/Fitness
1st Place: Coaching Like a Champion by Steve Miller
STEM
1st Place: Putney and the Magic eyePad by MK Tufft
2nd Place: The Butterfly Detective, Putney and the Magic eyePad–Book 2 by MK Tufft
Honorable Mention:
The Cardboard Boat Race, Putney and the Magic eyePad–Book 2 by MK Tufft
Revelation Through Science by James Martin
Women’s Interests
1st Place: Comfort Foods by Kimberly Fish
2nd Place: All This Was Mission by S.J. Cunningham
Young Adult Fiction
1st Place (tie): The Sigil Masters by Rick Duffy
1st Place (tie): Catwalk by Nicole Gabor
2nd Place: The Magic of the Mortokai by Desmond Palmer, illustrated by Polour Engine
Honorable Mention:
Bellocaro by P.S. Meraux
Somnium Reawakened by Kristy Kamin
Agents of Angels: Diamond in the Rough by Treena Wynes