You’ve been waiting, anticipating… And now, without further ado, here are the finalists of the 2021 Realm Awards!
NOVELS
Debut
The Carter Files: Phoenix by Lori Janeski, published by Amazon
Dust by Kara Swanson, published by Enclave Publishing
Empire of Blood by Olivia Cornwell, published by Olivia Cornwell
The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes, published by Blackstone Publishing
Songflight by Michelle Bruhn, published by Songweaver Media
We had so many fantasy submissions this year and exactly half of them were Epic Fantasy submissions that we decided to split fantasy into two genre categories: Epic Fantasy and Fantasy (general)
Epic Fantasy
Empire of Blood by Olivia Cornwell, published by Olivia Cornwell
Forsaken Island by Sharon Hinck, published by Enclave Publishing
The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes, published by Blackstone Publishing
Songflight by Michelle Bruhn, published by Songweaver Media
The Story Hunter by Lindsay Franklin, published by Enclave Publishing
Fantasy
Dust by Kara Swanson, published by Enclave
An Echo of the Fae by Jenelle Schmidt, published by Stormcave
Mortal Sight by Sandra Fernandez Rhoads, published by Enclave Escape
Reformed by H. L. Burke, published by H. L. Burke
Ruby Dragon Kingdom by Michele Israel Harper, published by Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing, LLC
Middle Grade
An Echo of the Fae by Jenelle Schmidt, published by Stormcave
Iggy & Oz: The Soda Pop Wars by JJ Johnson, published by Dark Side Geeks
Legend of the Storm Sneezer by Kristiana Sfirlea, published by Monster Ivy Publishing
The Lost Tale of Sir Larpsalot by David Michael Williams, published by One Million Words
Ruby Dragon Kingdom by Michele Israel Harper, published by Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing, LLC
Paranormal/Supernatural
Legend of the Storm Sneezer by Kristiana Sfirlea, published by Monster Ivy Publishing
Mercury at Risk by Steve Rzasa, published by Steve Rzasa
Red Rider Rising by D.A. Randall, published by Character Entertainment
Stealing Embers by Julie Hall, published by Julie Hall
Warrior Saints – Creator by Carla Thorne, published by Carla Thorne
Science Fiction
Apprentice by Kristen Young, published by Enclave
The Carter Files: Phoenix by Lori Janeski, published by Amazon
Dawn of Vengeance by Ronie Kendig, published by Enclave Publishing
Fugue for the Sacred Songbook: In E-flat Minor by Keith Robinson, published by Keith Robinson
Heaven Came Down by Bryan Davis, published by Mountain Brook Ink
Young Adult
Dust by Kara Swanson, published by Enclave
Songflight by Michelle Bruhn, published by Songweaver Media
The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes, published by Blackstone Publishing
Stealing Embers by Julie Hall, published by Julie Hall
The Story Hunter by Lindsay Franklin, published by Enclave Publishing
We did not receive enough Horror or Children’s novel submissions this year to be able to offer awards in these genre categories.
READERS CHOICE
Cry of the Raven (The Ravenwood Saga Book #3) by Morgan L. Busse
Dust (Heirs of Neverland Book #1) by Kara Swanson
Hidden Current (The Dancing Realms Book #1) by Sharon Hinck
Moonscript (Kings of Aselvia Book #1) by H. S. J. Williams
Stealing Embers (Fallen Legacies Book #1) by Julie Hall
NOVELLA/NOVELETTE
Shadow Light by Sarah Delena White, published by Sarah Delena White
Gone Wishing: A Steel City Genie Short Novella by Janeen Ippolito, published by Janeen Ippolito LLC
Mercury out Cold by Steve Rzasa, published by Steve Rzasa
Treason’s Crown by Anne Wheeler, published by Catherine Wheeler
Watson and Holmes by E.B. Dawson, published by E.B. Dawson
COVER DESIGN
Dawn of Vengeance by Ronie Kendig, published by Enclave Publishing, designed by Kirk DouPonce
Dust by Kara Swanson, published by Enclave Publishing, designed by Kirk DouPonce
Fugue for the Sacred Songbook: In E-flat Minor by Keith Robinson, published by Keith Robinson, designed by Amalia Chitulescu
Huntress by Julie Hall, published by Julie Hall, designed by Amalia Chitulescu
The Story Hunter by Lindsay Franklin, published by Enclave Publishing, designed by Kirk DouPonce
SHORT FICTION
Short Story
Breath of the Cherubim by Clint Hall, published by WordFire Press
Eryri by Laura Baugh, published by Tyche Books
The Eyes of the Barghest by Jillane Purrazzi, published by The Phoenix Fiction Writers
H.E.R.O. by Beth Wangler, published by The Phoenix Fiction Writers
One More Day by Clint Hall, published by Mt. Zion Ridge Press
Flash Fiction
Asylum by Elizabeth Lewis, published by Havok Publishing
Earl’s Dilemma by Jenelle Schmidt, published by Havok Publishing
The Hero of Parker City by Emily Grant, published by Havok Publishing
The Voice of Cancer by Ronnell Gibson, published by Havok Publishing
A Taste of Grace by Beka Gremikova, published by Havok Publishing
AUDIO
Audiobook
Fierce Heart by Tara Grayce, published by Sword & Cross Publishing, narrated by Liz Brand/Centenial Sound
Cry of the Raven by Morgan Busse, published by Oasis Audio, narrated by Jaimee Draper
The Story Raider by Lindsay Franklin, published by Oasis Audio, narrated by Pam Turlow
Tainted by Morgan Busse, published by Oasis Audio, narrated by Jaimee Draper
Shade: The Frankenstein Saga, Book 1: A Re-Imagining of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein by Merrie Destefano, published by Merrie G. Destefano, narrated by Katherine Holt
Audio Drama
The Centimorgans in the Crypt by Benjamin Kempf, published by Ben Kempf/A Bit of Time Travel, directed by Benjamin Kempf
The Snowball Effect by Benjamin Kempf, published by Ben Kempf/A Bit of Time Travel, directed by Benjamin Kempf
The Unmaking of Monsters by J.P. Leck, published by J.P. Leck, narrated by J.P. Leck
Wight Christmas by Laura VanArendonk Baugh, published by Untold Podcast, narrated by Kristin L. Norman/Nathan James Norman
Audio Short
Everyday Hero by Brianna Tibbetts, published by Havok Publishing/Havok Story Podcast, narrated by Magnus Carlssen
Small Hours by Jordan Wade, published by Just B. Jordan, narrated by Just B. Jordan
Sun Eater by Jordan Wade, published by Just B. Jordan, narrated by Just B. Jordan
Why God Made Beer by A.C. Williams, published by Havok Publishing/Havok Story Podcast, narrated by Magnus Carlssen
Congratulations, finalists!
THANK YOU, AUTHORS for entering your stories into this year’s awards!!! We had so many quality entries, more than ever before! The judges had an incredibly tough time selecting our finalists, because the scores were so close.
And thank you to our judges, who read tirelessly, and gave us great insight into our many entires this year! If you’re judging the finals, expect an email with your entries by the end of the week.
Don’t see your favorite novel on this list? You can still nominate it for our Readers’ Choice Award! Nominations are open through April 23rd.
