Changing Course Gracefully
Honorable Mention
2026 Southern California Book Festival

Elaina Kelly Smith

On paper, you’re successful. Inside, you’re on autopilot. This book offers a practical tool to help you quiet the noise of expectation. The PARQS Framework provides a brick-by-brick practice for disconnecting from “Remote Control Living” and navigating life’s pivots with greater self-trust.

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The Blues Don’t Last Always
Runner Up
2026 Southern California Book Festival

ReGena Bell-Roberts The Blues Don’t Last Always is an uplifting spiritual and culturally rich collection of poetry and prose celebrating strength, healing and the beauty of Black resilience. Through reflections on struggle, survival, love, faith and liberation the text gives voice to the quiet strength that lives in us all.

Exploring California’s Historic Landmarks – Southern Edition
Honorable Mention
2026 Southern California Book Festival

Shawn E Belly Our guide to the stories, places, and people that shaped the southern reaches of the Golden State. This volume features 383 state-registered Historic landmarks across ten Southern California counties, ranging from Spanish missions and adobe ranchos to desert outposts, coastal lighthouses, and the cultural landmarks of Los Angeles and Hollywood.

The Joker’s Revenge
Runner Up
2025 New England Book Festival

NANCY BEAULE A dark family secret lures teenager Darci Miller to a Maine summer camp. As dangerous pranks occur, Darci is drawn into a mysterious game, uncovering shocking revelations about her mother’s past that turn her world upside down. There is no escape, only service. Graduate or die.

Grumpy Goes Home For The Holidays
Winner
2025 New England Book Festival

Susan Marie Chapman Grumpy the Iguana misses his family and decides to surprise them for Christmas. His good friends, Green Parrot and Mr. Squirrel help him prepare for his trip home from Miami to the Florida Keys where Grumpy grew up. He hops on the bus with his suitcase and gifts for his family. This…

Developing Your Marketing Mindset
Winner
2025 New England Book Festival

Leora Halpern Lanz Leora Halpern Lanz reframes marketing as meaningful connection. Drawing on decades in hospitality, marketing and academia, she offers practical lessons for leaders at all levels. Through examples and mini cases, she demonstrates clearly how hospitality principles foster empathy, sustainability, wellness, and community to elevate brands, strengthen teams, and build loyalty.

Out of Time
Honorable Mention
2025 New England Book Festival

M Jacqueline Murray Award-winning debut featuring a 78-year-old trailblazing engineer who spent decades breaking rules in male-dominated fields. Turns out, defying expectations extends to matters of the heart. For readers craving authentic connections over formulaic plots, proof that passion, transformation, and second chances transcend age. Unconventional. Thought-provoking. Unforgettable.

My Warp Threads
Honorable Mention
2025 New England Book Festival

Maureen O’Hera My Warp Threads is a memoir written by Maureen under the name of Maureen O’Hera. It is a story of resilience, perseverance, survival, and the transformative power of unexpected forgiveness. In life, warp threads symbolize the fundamental principles, values, and relationships that provide stability and direction. These foundational elements remain constant as we…

Adventures of Buzzalier
Honorable Mention
2025 Halloween Book Festival

Roya Hendesi Meet Buzzalier, a quirky bee knighted by Queen Zaamiel for his courage. After a funny mishap, he opens a café and then a flower shop. He finally becomes a groovy rock star and gets knighted again by the Queen for being a great leader.

Mysteries of a Middle Schooler: The Time Is Now!!!
Winner
2025 Halloween Book Festival

Dr. Tonmar Johnson When the youngest Wilkins kid is unexpectedly pulled into the year 2036, his siblings back home— Evie, Marcus, along with their best friends Andy, and Anthony— race to build a powerful time traveling drone to make sure Ahmad makes it back home safely before their parents figure out, he is actually gone….