The PenCraft Book Awards has announced the runner-up winners for its 2025 competition, recognizing a wide array of literary talent across numerous genres. This year's selection process was notably challenging due to the high volume of outstanding submissions, reflecting the diversity and depth of contemporary storytelling. The awards highlight works that not only demonstrate remarkable craftsmanship but also engage with the human experience, offering new perspectives to readers.
David Hearne, Editor-In-Chief of the PenCraft Book Awards, stated that the organization is proud to celebrate these authors and their achievements. He emphasized that the awards aim to help struggling authors gain visibility and sales, showcasing talented new writers and their stories. The competition's mission is to inspire, entertain, and provide every writer with a fair opportunity for recognition, countering exclusions based on publisher or high entry fees. Since its inception, PenCraft has been committed to supporting authors worldwide by acknowledging and promoting their creative work.
The runner-up list includes titles across children's literature, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, romance, and young adult categories. In children's literature, works like "Treasure of the North" by Minda Gomez and "Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision" by R. Karl Hebenstreit were recognized in the 4th-6th grade genre. Other notable children's books include "Dot's Spots" by Lisa Mueller and "Sally's Musical Tale" by Rosie J. Pova in the animals category, and "Rewilding" by Lisa Gerlits and "Memoirs of Lady Greta" by Heather Piper for dealing with emotions.
Fiction categories feature a broad range of genres. In fantasy, titles such as "A Memory of Song" by Scott Palmer and "The Dryad's Crown" by David Hopkins were selected. Historical fiction includes "Starlight in the Dawn" by Naveen Sridhar and "The Rabbi's Knight" by Michael Cooper. Mystery and suspense works like "Villain in the Vineyard" by Judy L Murray and "The Gardener's Secret" by Sheila Hansberger also received recognition. Science fiction entries include "Galacticide" by Bert-Oliver Boehmer and "First Elite" by Emmanuel Arriaga.
Non-fiction runner-ups cover topics from business and finance to memoir and self-help. "Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI" by Faisal Hoque and "Layered Leadership: Drive Double-Digit Growth and Dominate Your Competition with Creative Strategies and Execution" by Lawrence Armstrong were noted in business/finance. In memoir, "Odyssey Moscow" by Michael Calvey and "The Full Catastrophe" by Casey Mulligan Walsh were highlighted. Self-help titles include "Becoming HER: Straight Talk for Healing, Embodying, and Radiating as Your Most Powerful Self" by Monica Yates and "Your Happiness Equation" by Leighton Campbell.
Young adult literature saw recognition for works like "Richard: War Erupts" by Michael Hickman in coming of age, and "Miscreant" by Kynsie Cole in fantasy/sci-fi. The awards also included categories for poetry, romance, and other specialized genres, demonstrating the competition's comprehensive scope. The PenCraft Book Awards is an inclusive literary contest that celebrates all authors, with hundreds of nominations and only the best receiving awards. More information about the awards can be found at https://pencraftaward.com.
This announcement is significant as it underscores the vitality of the literary world, showcasing emerging and established voices across diverse genres. For readers, it provides a curated list of high-quality books that promise engaging narratives and insightful perspectives. For the publishing industry, it highlights trends in storytelling and reader interests, potentially influencing future publications. Globally, such recognition supports cultural exchange and the dissemination of ideas, reinforcing the importance of literature in reflecting and shaping human experiences. The PenCraft Book Awards' commitment to inclusivity and fairness in literary competitions sets a positive example for promoting artistic expression worldwide.
