Ricardo Quintana-Vallejo After 9/11, a young Mexican boy relocates to an Indiana town with his mother and brother. Facing a society wary of foreigners, he navigates the complexities of identity, sexuality, and bullies, alongside his steadfast friends Ji-Hyeok and Emily Rossi. As he matures, his youthful voice takes the form of free verse, filled with…
CLIMATE DRAGONWinner
2024 New York Book Festival
S.W. Lawrence, MD Newly minted engineering professor Jake Harper and physician Abbey London operate Dragonfly Inn outside of Washington, D.C., where Jake chances upon information about an imminent attack on a major generating plant and Abbey confronts a novel, deadly virus infecting drug users in the Capital.
Eyes on the HorizonHonorable mention
2024 New York Book Festival
Carrie Lynn Fazzolari Contemplative, warm, and enchanting, Eyes on the Horizon is the story of a heartbroken—yet hopeful—woman whose introspection and yearning takes readers on an engrossing journey as she realizes the greatest honor she can offer her loved ones is to live her life fully.
Timmy’s Wish: Lessons From HeavenHonorable mention
2024 New York Book Festival
Richard Kirk Timmy, a nine-year-old boy with a strong faith, writes his ‘Wish’ before being diagnosed with a brain tumor. His Wish guides his family through challenges that ultimately lead to finding their purpose in life.
True GraceRunner-Up
2024 New York Book Festival
Karen E. Osborne “The first time my husband died, I felt fear, shame, and guilt. The second time he died…” so begins a page-turning, powerful story about love, courage, sacrifice, and hope. Set in Harlem in 1924, inspired by real people and events, readers will find themselves hooked from the first riveting chapter.
Driving For JusticeRunner-Up
2024 Beach Book Festival
Justin K. Kojok “Driving for Justice” follows John, a high-profile lawyer turned part-time Laafia driver, whose daily encounters with New York City passengers inspire him to confront his past and redefine justice. His journey leads to establishing a pro-bono legal clinic, proving small acts can spark profound change in the quest for justice.
A Perfect MiracleWinner
2024 San Francisco Book Festival
Katrina Alexander Jacobs Landing is a town in Maine that convinces even the most jaded that love is possible. A second chance at happiness is the last thing on Gabrielle Levesque’s mind when she finds a stray dog. Veterinarian, Andrew Leland will need a perfect miracle to convince Gabrielle they belong together.
Living on a PrayerRunner-Up
2024 Los Angeles Book Festival
Katrina Alexander Thomas Martin wasn’t looking for love, until it knocked him off his feet. Before he can convince Eve Tucker they belong together, she disappears. With death stalking them, can Eve and Thomas defeat the odds for a chance at happiness? If not, they will spend life living on a prayer.
Amber’s WayRunner-Up
2024 San Francisco Book Festival
Gloria Galloway Amber’s Way is a tender, humorous and inspiring story of the bond of love between a mother and daughter in the face of the devastating disease of childhood cancer. It stirs the heart and will have readers laughing and crying and wanting to hold their loved ones close.
Hollis and GrayWinner
2024 San Francisco Book Festival
J.P. Zeigler Frank Hollis is a private investigator whose health is failing. Serafina Gray is more like a daughter to him than an employee. As Hollis comes to grips with the fact that his time is dwindling, he’s all the more eager to find answers for Serafina, to take care of her however he can….