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Night in Venice Awards - Final Voting

Final voting for the Night in Venice Awards will take place October 1 through November 1, 2026. During this final voting period, voters may cast one vote per category, per day.

The winners will remain top secret until April 23, 2027, when they will be announced live during our Night in Venice Awards Ceremony at Inks & Echoes: Chapter 1.

Vote daily, support your favorites, and then join us in April as our finalists walk the prestigious Red Carpet before we finally reveal who takes home the awards!
1.
Golden Pen—Book of the Year

The Golden Pen Book of the Year is the highest honor awarded to one exceptional book that stands above the rest. This award recognizes excellence in storytelling, originality, writing quality, character development, emotional impact, and overall reader experience.


Rather than focusing on one specific element or genre, judges should consider the book as a complete work—how successfully all of its elements come together to create a memorable and compelling reading experience.

The winning book should be one that leaves a lasting impression long after the final page and represents outstanding achievement in storytelling.


Judging considerations: Storytelling and plot • Writing quality • Character development • Originality • Emotional impact • Pacing and engagement • Overall execution • Lasting impression

Barley Corn Girl-Mara Sand
X's & O's- Elle Thorpe
Rise of the Twin Flames- Bethany Jones
Burning Twilight-Marissa Montoya
2.
Golden Pen—Author of the Year

The Golden Pen Author of the Year celebrates an author who has made an outstanding impact through their writing, creativity, dedication, and connection with readers over the past year.


This award recognizes more than a single book. It honors the author’s overall body of work and accomplishments during the eligibility period, including the quality of their storytelling, consistency, originality, reader engagement, and contribution to the literary community.

The recipient should represent a passion for storytelling and a commitment to their craft while leaving a meaningful and lasting impression on readers.


Judging considerations: Quality of writing • Storytelling ability • Creativity and originality • Reader engagement • Accomplishments during the year • Consistency • Contribution to the book community • Overall impact

Marissa Montoya
Mara Sand
Bethany Jones
Michael Paul Patrick
3.
Rising Star Female Author

The Rising Star Female Author Award recognizes an emerging female author who is making an exciting and memorable impact in the literary community. This award celebrates a writer who demonstrates exceptional promise, creativity, growth, and dedication to her craft while building a strong connection with readers.


The recipient does not necessarily need to be a debut author. Instead, this honor is intended for an up-and-coming author whose work and presence have shown significant growth and momentum during the eligibility period.


Judging considerations: Quality of writing • Creativity and originality • Growth and momentum • Reader engagement • Dedication to her craft • Emerging presence in the literary community • Future potential • Overall impact

Mara Sand
Marissa Montoya
Crystal Bittel
Bethany Jones
4.

Rising Star Male Author

The Rising Star Male Author Award recognizes an emerging male author who is making an exciting and memorable impact in the literary community. This award celebrates a writer who demonstrates exceptional promise, creativity, growth, and dedication to his craft while building a strong connection with readers.


The recipient does not necessarily need to be a debut author. Instead, this honor is intended for an up-and-coming author whose work and presence have shown significant growth and momentum during the eligibility period.


Judging considerations: Quality of writing • Creativity and originality • Growth and momentum • Reader engagement • Dedication to her craft • Emerging presence in the literary community • Future potential • Overall impact

Michael Paul Patrick
Wes Cambron
JD Torres
AP Beswick
5.
Best Breakout Author

The Best Breakout Author Award recognizes an author who has experienced a standout year, gaining significant attention and establishing a stronger presence within the literary community.


This award celebrates an author whose work has broken through to new audiences, whether through a notable release, increased readership, growing recognition, or exceptional reader enthusiasm. Unlike a debut award, nominees do not need to be first-time authors—the focus is on an author who experienced a defining period of growth or recognition during the eligibility year.


Judging considerations: Growth in readership • Quality of storytelling • Reader enthusiasm and engagement • Increased recognition • Memorable releases • Growth within the book community • Overall breakout impact

Bethany Jones
Mara Sand
Marissa Montoya
Crystal Bittel
6.
Reader's Choice Award

The Reader’s Choice Award celebrates the book that captured the hearts of readers and left a lasting impression. Unlike awards focused on specific elements of writing or judged by an industry panel, this honor is chosen by the readers themselves.


Readers are encouraged to vote for the book that gave them an unforgettable reading experience—the story they couldn’t put down, couldn’t stop thinking about, recommended to friends, or would happily read all over again.

This award is about connection, enjoyment, and impact. There are no technical judging criteria—the readers decide which story deserves their vote.


Voting considerations: Overall enjoyment • Emotional connection • Memorable characters • Unputdownable storytelling • Lasting impression • The book you’d recommend to others

Burning Twilight- Marissa Montoya
Barley Corn Girl-Mara Sand
Dearly Beloved—Rae Worth
Scaredy- Sharon Leino
7.
Best Fantasy

The Best Fantasy Award recognizes an outstanding book that transports readers beyond the ordinary through imaginative storytelling, immersive world-building, and unforgettable characters.


This award celebrates stories that bring magic, mythology, supernatural elements, fantastical worlds, or extraordinary adventures to life. Whether the story is epic fantasy, romantasy, urban fantasy, dark fantasy, or another branch of the genre, the winning book should create a world readers can lose themselves in.


Judging considerations: World-building • Originality and imagination • Character development • Plot and pacing • Fantasy elements • Writing quality • Emotional impact • Overall reading experience

Unbalanced and Unprepared—Wes Cambron
Zelina & the First Glyph—Stephanie Faye
Burning Twilight—Marissa Montoya
Rise of the Twin Flames—Bethany Jones
8.
Best Romance

The Best Romance Award recognizes an exceptional love story that captivates readers through chemistry, emotional depth, memorable characters, and a compelling romantic journey.


Whether contemporary, historical, paranormal, dark, romantic comedy, or another romance subgenre, the heart of the story should center on the development of the romantic relationship. The winning book should make readers invested in the couple’s journey, from the first spark and obstacles they face to the emotional payoff of their story.


Judging considerations: Romantic chemistry • Character development • Emotional depth • Relationship progression • Plot and pacing • Writing quality • Memorable moments • Overall romantic impact

Resist Me—Kelsie Rae
The Pack—Crystal Bittel
Dearly Beloved—Rae Worth
The Barley Corn Girl—Mara Sand
9.
Best Psychological Thriller

The Best Psychological Thriller Award recognizes an exceptional story that keeps readers questioning, guessing, and turning pages through suspense, psychological tension, unexpected twists, and complex characters.


This award celebrates books that explore the darker and more complicated sides of the human mind while creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and intrigue. Whether driven by secrets, manipulation, unreliable narrators, obsession, deception, or hidden motives, the winning story should keep readers emotionally and mentally invested until the very end.


Judging considerations: Suspense and tension • Psychological depth • Plot development • Twists and surprises • Character complexity • Pacing • Originality • Atmosphere • Overall impact

A Murder of Crowes—Michael Paul Patrick
The Doctor Will See You Now—Tom Carter
Mystic Angel—Debbie Ihler Rasmussen
Godfall Requiem—JD Torres
10.
Best Science Fiction

The Best Science Fiction Award recognizes an outstanding story that pushes the boundaries of imagination through innovative concepts, compelling characters, and thought-provoking exploration of science, technology, society, or the future.


Whether set in deep space, a dystopian future, an alternate reality, or a world transformed by technological advancement, the winning book should use science-fiction elements as an essential part of its storytelling while creating an immersive and memorable experience for readers.


Judging considerations: Originality and imagination • World-building • Science-fiction concepts • Character development • Plot and pacing • Writing quality • Creativity • Emotional or intellectual impact • Overall reading experience

Prowler—Nic Plume
Trigger Discipline—Jacqueline McCall
Other Worldly—Allora Lee
11.

Best Lit-RPG

The Best LitRPG Award recognizes an outstanding story that successfully blends traditional storytelling with role-playing game mechanics, creating an immersive world where progression, challenges, and character growth are central to the reading experience.


Whether set inside a virtual game, a fantasy world governed by game-like rules, or a reality transformed by a leveling system, the winning book should seamlessly incorporate elements such as levels, skills, stats, quests, classes, abilities, or progression systems without losing sight of compelling characters and an engaging story.


Judging considerations: Integration of game mechanics • Progression system • World-building • Character development • Plot and pacing • Creativity and originality • Stakes and challenges • Writing quality • Overall immersion and enjoyment

Golem Master—TJ Lombardi
Kobolds, Mimics, & Orcs—Crithappens
Celestial Twins—CJ Astrea
12.
Best Young Adult

The Best Young Adult Award recognizes an outstanding story written for young adult readers that delivers engaging storytelling, authentic characters, emotional depth, and meaningful themes.

The winning book should feature young characters and experiences that resonate with a young adult audience while exploring themes such as identity, relationships, friendship, family, belonging, independence, personal growth, or finding one’s place in the world. Books across genres—including romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and contemporary fiction—may qualify as long as they are primarily written for a young adult readership.

Judging considerations: Character authenticity • Character growth • Plot and pacing • Emotional impact • Relatable or meaningful themes • Originality • Writing quality • Audience appeal • Overall reading experience

Zelina & the First Glyph—Stephanie Faye
Born of the Shadow—Nicole Conway
Fractures of the Fallen—Ella Dupuie
Sticky Sadness—Sharon Leino
13.
Best Contemporary Fiction

The Best Contemporary Fiction Award recognizes an outstanding story set in the modern world that captures the complexities of everyday life, relationships, personal struggles, and the human experience.


This award celebrates books that tell compelling and relatable stories grounded in present-day settings and circumstances. Whether exploring family, friendship, love, loss, identity, career, healing, or major life changes, the winning book should connect with readers through authentic characters, meaningful themes, and emotionally engaging storytelling.


Judging considerations: Character development • Authenticity and relatability • Plot and pacing • Emotional depth • Contemporary themes • Writing quality • Originality • Overall reader impact

Beach Besties Revelation—Leigh Scott
Sticky Sadness—Sharon Leino
Unbalanced & Unprepared—Wes Cambron
14.
Best Historical Fiction

The Best Historical Fiction Award recognizes an outstanding story that brings the past to life through compelling storytelling, memorable characters, and an immersive historical setting.


Whether inspired by real events and people or featuring entirely fictional characters within a historical period, the winning book should transport readers to another time while thoughtfully incorporating the culture, atmosphere, social realities, and details of its era. Historical elements should feel integral to the story rather than simply serving as a backdrop.


Judging considerations: Historical setting and atmosphere • Authenticity and research • Character development • Plot and pacing • Integration of historical details • Writing quality • Emotional impact • Originality • Overall reading experience

A Walk Among Heroes—James McDevitt
Cójame - Daniel Ortiz
She Who Broke the Covenant—Marly Monroe
15.
Best Character Development

The Best Character Development Award recognizes a book that demonstrates exceptional growth, depth, and evolution of its characters throughout the story.

This award celebrates characters who feel complex, authentic, and fully realized, with experiences and challenges that meaningfully shape who they become. Whether the transformation is dramatic or subtle, the winning book should take readers on a compelling emotional journey and allow them to understand the characters’ motivations, struggles, relationships, and personal growth.


Characters do not need to become “better” people—the focus is on believable, meaningful development that enhances the overall story.


Judging considerations: Character depth • Believable growth or transformation • Motivations and internal conflict • Emotional complexity • Relationship development • Consistency • Memorable characterization • Overall impact on the story

Fated Through Time—Jillian Riley
Barley Corn Girl—Mara Sand
Mystic Angel—Debbie Ihler Rasmussen
The Crowes Triology—Michael Paul Patrick
16.
Best World Building

The Best World Building Award recognizes a book that creates an exceptionally immersive, detailed, and believable world that draws readers into the story and makes them feel as though they are truly part of it.


Whether the setting is an entirely imagined fantasy realm, a futuristic society, a historical period, or a richly developed version of the real world, the winning book should establish a strong sense of place, culture, atmosphere, history, and internal consistency. The world should enhance the story without overwhelming it and feel like an essential part of the characters’ experiences.


Judging considerations: Immersion and atmosphere • Setting and environmental detail • Culture and society • History and lore • Consistency and believability • Originality • Integration with the plot • Influence on characters • Overall sense of place

Barley Corn Girl—Mara Sand
Zelina & the First Glyph—Stephanie Faye
A Mirror of Roots & Ruin—Gina Grace
Frozen Dusk—Marissa Montoya
17.
Best Plot Twist

The Best Plot Twist Award recognizes a book that delivers an unexpected, memorable, and expertly executed revelation or turn of events that changes the reader’s understanding of the story.

The winning twist should feel surprising without feeling random. Ideally, readers can look back and recognize subtle clues, foreshadowing, or details that were there all along, making the reveal both shocking and believable. The twist should meaningfully affect the characters, plot, or reader’s perception of what came before.


This award can apply to any genre and should celebrate the moment that made readers gasp, immediately turn back a few pages, or think, “I did NOT see that coming.”


Judging considerations: Surprise factor • Effective foreshadowing • Originality • Believability • Timing and execution • Impact on the story • Emotional reaction • Lasting impression

Twin Flame—Julie S. Blake
The Elemental—T.B. Wise
Dearly Beloved—Rae Worth
As the Crowe Flies—Michael Paul Patrick
18.
Best Villain

The Best Villain Award recognizes an unforgettable antagonist who brings conflict, tension, complexity, and compelling stakes to a story.


The winning villain should be more than simply “the bad guy.” Whether terrifying, manipulative, charming, morally complicated, or someone readers absolutely love to hate, they should have clear motivations, a strong presence, and a meaningful impact on the protagonist and the overall story.

Villains from any genre are eligible, from fantasy tyrants and supernatural threats to calculating killers, corrupt leaders, rivals, or seemingly ordinary people capable of extraordinary harm.


Judging considerations: Character depth • Motivations • Impact on the story • Presence and memorability • Complexity • Conflict created • Originality • Emotional reaction • Overall effectiveness as an antagonist

Mikey the Clown—Elisa S. Daniels
The Reaper—Crypt of the Lost Souls—Molly R. Anderson
Charles—She Who Broke the Covenant—Marly Monroe
Captain Hook—Neverland Chronicles—T.S. Kinley
19.
Best Series

The Best Series Award recognizes an exceptional collection of connected books that creates a compelling, cohesive, and memorable reading experience across multiple installments.

Whether the books follow the same characters, introduce new characters within a shared world, or continue one overarching storyline, the winning series should give readers a reason to keep coming back. Each book should contribute something meaningful while strengthening the larger story, world, or character connections.


The series should demonstrate consistency while continuing to evolve, giving readers satisfying individual stories as well as a rewarding experience when the books are read together.


Judging considerations: Continuity and cohesion • Character development across books • World-building • Story progression • Consistency in quality • Connections between installments • Reader investment • Overall series impact

Adventures in Lusaire—Sharon Leino
The Shattered Crown Series—Crystal Bittel
The Amethyst Adventures—Marissa Montoya
Brash Brothers-Jenna Myles
20.

Best Character Duo

The Best Character Duo Award recognizes two characters whose chemistry, connection, and dynamic make them unforgettable together.

The duo can be romantic partners, best friends, siblings, rivals, partners in crime, enemies forced to work together, or any other pairing whose relationship plays a memorable role in the story. The winning characters should complement, challenge, or bring out something meaningful in one another, creating interactions readers look forward to.


This award isn't necessarily about romance—it's about the magic that happens when these two characters share the page.


Judging considerations: Chemistry and connection • Character dynamics • Dialogue and interactions • Relationship development • Emotional impact • Memorable moments • How well the characters complement or challenge one another • Overall reader investment

Ayden & Rayna—Rise of the Twin Flames—Bethany Jones
Flynn & Everelle—The Pack—Crystal Bittel
Veronica & Sebastian- Dearly Beloved—Rae Worth
Damien & Dave Wolfman—Unbalanced & Unprepared—Wes Cambron
21.

Most Emotional Impact

The Most Emotional Impact Award recognizes a book that creates a powerful and lasting emotional connection with its readers.

Whether it makes readers laugh, cry, grieve, hope, heal, fall in love, or experience a roller coaster of emotions, the winning book should evoke feelings that extend beyond the final page. This award celebrates stories that make readers feel deeply through their characters, relationships, themes, and pivotal moments.


The emotional impact does not have to come from tragedy. A book may be heartbreaking, uplifting, healing, joyful, bittersweet, or a combination of emotions. What matters most is the strength, authenticity, and lasting effect of the emotional experience.


Judging considerations: Emotional depth • Reader connection • Authenticity of emotion • Powerful or memorable moments • Character investment • Thematic impact • Lasting impression • Overall emotional experience

Call Her Filly- Jacqueline McCall
The Yellow Was a Lie—Cheyanna Fields
Twin Flame- Julie S. Blake
The Voice in Your Head- Noah Wraith
22.

Golden Mic — Male Narrator of the Year

The Golden Mic Male Narrator of the Year is the highest honor recognizing an outstanding male audiobook narrator whose performances demonstrate exceptional vocal talent, storytelling ability, versatility, and emotional depth.


This award celebrates the narrator’s overall body of work during the eligibility period, rather than a single performance. The recipient should consistently bring stories and characters to life, creating distinct voices, capturing emotion authentically, and delivering performances that elevate the author’s words and immerse listeners in the story.

The winning narrator should demonstrate not only technical skill but also the ability to make listeners forget they’re being read to and feel as though they are experiencing the story firsthand.


Judging considerations: Vocal performance • Character differentiation • Emotional delivery • Pacing and timing • Versatility • Consistency across performances • Storytelling ability • Listener immersion • Overall impact

Fallen Synclair
Todd Voss
Garrett Couture
23.

Golden Mic — Female Narrator of the Year

The Golden Mic Female Narrator of the Year is the highest honor recognizing an outstanding female audiobook narrator whose performances demonstrate exceptional vocal talent, storytelling ability, versatility, and emotional depth.


This award celebrates the narrator’s overall body of work during the eligibility period, rather than a single performance. The recipient should consistently bring stories and characters to life, creating distinct voices, capturing emotion authentically, and delivering performances that elevate the author’s words and immerse listeners in the story.


The winning narrator should demonstrate not only technical skill but also the ability to make listeners forget they’re being read to and feel as though they are experiencing the story firsthand.


Judging considerations: Vocal performance • Character differentiation • Emotional delivery • Pacing and timing • Versatility • Consistency across performances • Storytelling ability • Listener immersion • Overall impact

JC Veyr
Rachel Dane
Marie Hawkins
Stephanie Betschart
24.

Rising Star — Male Narrator

The Rising Star Male Narrator Award recognizes an emerging male audiobook narrator who is making an exciting and memorable impact in the audiobook community.

This award celebrates a narrator who demonstrates exceptional promise, vocal talent, growth, and dedication to the craft while beginning to establish a recognizable presence among authors and listeners. Nominees do not need to be brand-new narrators; the focus is on an up-and-coming talent who has shown significant growth, momentum, or recognition during the eligibility period.


The recipient should demonstrate the potential to become a standout voice in audiobook narration through engaging performances that bring characters and stories to life.


Judging considerations: Vocal performance • Character differentiation • Emotional delivery • Growth and momentum • Versatility • Storytelling ability • Listener engagement • Emerging presence in the audiobook community • Future potential

Devon Ryder
Garrett Couture
Todd Voss
25.

Rising Star — Female Narrator

The Rising Star Female Narrator Award recognizes an emerging female audiobook narrator who is making an exciting and memorable impact in the audiobook community.

This award celebrates a narrator who demonstrates exceptional promise, vocal talent, growth, and dedication to the craft while beginning to establish a recognizable presence among authors and listeners. Nominees do not need to be brand-new narrators; the focus is on an up-and-coming talent who has shown significant growth, momentum, or recognition during the eligibility period.


The recipient should demonstrate the potential to become a standout voice in audiobook narration through engaging performances that bring characters and stories to life.


Judging considerations: Vocal performance • Character differentiation • Emotional delivery • Growth and momentum • Versatility • Storytelling ability • Listener engagement • Emerging presence in the audiobook community • Future potential

JC Veyr
Rachel Dane
Marie Hawkins
Lucy Vale
26.

Audiobook of the Year

The Audiobook of the Year Award recognizes an exceptional audiobook that delivers an unforgettable combination of storytelling, narration, performance, and production.

Unlike awards that recognize an individual narrator, this award celebrates the audiobook as a complete listening experience. The winning production should demonstrate how effectively the narrator or narration team brings the author’s story to life through character voices, emotional delivery, pacing, chemistry, and overall performance.


Whether performed by a solo narrator, dual or duet narrators, or a full cast, the audiobook should enhance the written story and create an immersive experience that feels uniquely powerful in audio form.


Judging considerations: Overall narration • Character performances • Emotional delivery • Narrator chemistry, when applicable • Pacing and flow • Production quality • Story immersion • Enhancement of the written work • Memorability • Overall listening experience

Dearly Beloved—Rae Worth-Ty Flame, Lucy Vale
Rise of the Twin Flames—Bethany Jones, Marie Hawkins & Cast
The Barley Corn Girl—Mara Sand, Todd Voss, Ann Dahlia
Underneath Our Walls—Nicole Kralis, Megan C., Tyler, Daniel Hord
27.

Best Character Duet

The Best Character Duet Award recognizes two audiobook narrators whose performances come together to create an exceptional and memorable portrayal of a character pairing.

This award celebrates the chemistry between two narrators and their ability to complement one another through vocal performance, emotional delivery, timing, and character interpretation. Whether portraying romantic leads, friends, rivals, enemies, or another central pairing, the narrators should make the relationship feel authentic and engaging through audio.


The winning duet should demonstrate how two distinct performances can work together to elevate the characters’ connection and create an immersive listening experience.


Judging considerations: Narrator chemistry • Character portrayal • Vocal compatibility • Emotional delivery • Timing and interaction • Character consistency • Authenticity of the relationship • Listener immersion • Overall impact of the duet

Ty Flame & Lucy Vale
Todd Voss & Stephanie Betschart
Garrett Couture & JC Veyr
Fallen Synclair & Vin
28.

Best Emotional Performance

The Best Emotional Performance Award recognizes an audiobook narrator whose performance delivers exceptional emotional depth, authenticity, and impact, allowing listeners to truly feel the story alongside the characters.


The winning performance should go beyond simply reading the words on the page. Through tone, pacing, vulnerability, intensity, and vocal expression, the narrator should convincingly capture the emotions of the characters and enhance the most meaningful moments of the story.

The performance may make listeners cry, laugh, ache, hope, fall in love, or experience a range of emotions. What matters most is the narrator’s ability to make those feelings sound genuine and create a powerful emotional connection with the listener.


Judging considerations: Emotional authenticity • Vocal expression • Range and versatility • Delivery of pivotal scenes • Connection to the character • Subtlety and nuance • Listener emotional response • Immersion • Lasting impact

Fallen Synclair-Chaotic
Ann Dahlia- Barley Corn Girl
Garrett Couture-Burning Twilight
29.

Listener’s Choice Award

The Listener’s Choice Award celebrates the audiobook performance that captured the hearts—and ears—of listeners and delivered an experience they won’t soon forget.

Unlike categories focused on a specific element of narration, this award is chosen by the listeners themselves. Voters should select the audiobook or narrator performance they connected with most—the one they couldn’t stop listening to, immediately recommended to others, or would happily experience all over again.


This award is about the overall listener experience, from memorable character voices and emotional moments to narration that made the story truly come alive.


Voting considerations: Overall enjoyment • Listener connection • Narration quality • Character performances • Emotional impact • Immersion • Memorability • Re-listen appeal • Overall listening experience

The Barley Corn Girl
Scaredy
Rise of the Twin Flames
Dearly Beloved
30.

Most Emotional Impact

The Most Emotional Impact Award recognizes an audiobook performance that leaves a powerful and lasting emotional impression on listeners.

This award celebrates narration that transforms the emotions written on the page into an experience listeners can truly feel. Whether the performance brings tears, laughter, heartbreak, joy, anger, hope, or healing, the narrator should create an authentic emotional connection that stays with the listener long after the audiobook ends.


Unlike Best Emotional Performance, which focuses primarily on the narrator’s technical and artistic ability to portray emotion, Most Emotional Impact focuses on the effect the overall performance has on the listener.


Judging considerations: Emotional connection • Listener response • Impact of pivotal scenes • Authenticity • Character investment • Immersion • Memorable emotional moments • Lasting impression • Overall emotional experience

Barley Corn Girl
Dearly Beloved
Scaredy
The Yellow Was a Lie
31.

Best Fantasy Audiobook

The Best Fantasy Audiobook Award recognizes an exceptional audio performance that brings a fantasy world to life through immersive narration, memorable character voices, and captivating storytelling.

Whether epic fantasy, romantasy, urban fantasy, dark fantasy, paranormal fantasy, or another fantasy subgenre, the winning audiobook should transport listeners into its world. Narration should enhance the story’s magic, creatures, cultures, characters, and atmosphere, making even the most imaginative elements feel vivid and believable.


Whether performed by a solo narrator, duet, dual narration, or full cast, the performance should complement the author’s world-building while creating a listening experience that feels like stepping directly into another world.


Judging considerations: Narration quality • Character voices and differentiation • World immersion • Emotional delivery • Handling of fantasy terminology and names • Pacing • Atmosphere • Performance consistency • Overall listening experience

Barley Corn Girl
Rise of the Twin Flames
Scaredy
32.

Best Romance Audiobook

The Best Romance Audiobook Award recognizes an exceptional audio performance that brings a love story to life through chemistry, emotional delivery, engaging narration, and memorable character performances.

Whether contemporary, historical, paranormal, dark, romantic comedy, or another romance subgenre, the winning audiobook should make listeners feel deeply invested in the central relationship. The narration should capture everything from tension and vulnerability to humor, intimacy, heartbreak, and love, enhancing the romantic journey written on the page.


Whether performed by a solo narrator, dual or duet narrators, or a full cast, the performance should make the characters’ connection feel authentic, compelling, and unforgettable.


Judging considerations: Romantic chemistry • Emotional delivery • Character voices • Narrator chemistry, when applicable • Authenticity of the relationship • Pacing and timing • Listener immersion • Memorable romantic moments • Overall listening experience

Underneath Our Walls—Nicole Kralis
The Barley Corn Girl—Mara Sand
Dearly Beloved—Rae Worth
33.

Best Rom-Com Audiobook

The Best Rom-Com Audiobook Award recognizes an exceptional romantic comedy audiobook that perfectly blends romance, humor, chemistry, and engaging narration.

The winning audiobook should bring both the love story and comedic moments to life through strong character performances, natural comedic timing, playful dialogue, and authentic romantic chemistry. Narration should enhance the humor without making it feel forced while still delivering the emotional and romantic moments that keep listeners invested in the relationship.


Whether performed by a solo narrator, dual or duet narrators, or a full cast, the performance should leave listeners laughing, swooning, and rooting for the characters from beginning to end.


Judging considerations: Comedic timing • Romantic chemistry • Character voices • Humor and delivery • Emotional performance • Narrator chemistry, when applicable • Pacing • Listener engagement • Overall entertainment and listening experience

Sweetly Obsessed—Kira Cole
Bake it 'Til You Make It—Kassie Jones
34.

Best Bookish Support Content Award

The Best Bookish Support Content Award recognizes a creator who consistently uses their platform to support, celebrate, and uplift books, authors, narrators, and the reading community through engaging and meaningful content.

This award celebrates bookish creators across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, blogs, podcasts, and other social spaces. Content may include book reviews, recommendations, author or narrator spotlights, release support, reading reactions, interviews, book discussions, or other creative ways of connecting readers with stories and creators.


The recipient should demonstrate a genuine passion for the book community while creating content that helps books and the people behind them reach new audiences.


Judging considerations: Quality and creativity of content • Consistency of support • Engagement with the book community • Promotion and discovery of books • Support of authors and narrators • Authenticity • Positive community impact • Overall contribution to the bookish world

Precious Book Gal
Whitney Casarez
Andrew Crit-Crit Happens
Jules Unmuted
35.

Community Impact Award

The Community Impact Award recognizes an individual, group, organization, or bookish business that has made a meaningful and positive difference within the book community.

This award celebrates those who go beyond promoting books to actively support, encourage, connect, and uplift others. Their impact may come through organizing events, creating inclusive spaces, supporting authors and narrators, mentoring others, providing resources, encouraging collaboration, fundraising or charitable efforts, or simply being a consistent source of encouragement within the community.


The recipient should demonstrate a genuine commitment to making the bookish community stronger, more welcoming, and more connected.


Judging considerations: Positive community influence • Support of others • Inclusivity and encouragement • Community involvement • Collaboration • Consistency • Meaningful contributions • Reach and impact • Overall dedication to the bookish community

Ameche Treasure
Jules Unmuted
Dawn.reads.books
Novel Idea Bookstore—Michelle Gambardella
36.

Most Supportive Book Podcast

The Most Supportive Book Podcast Award recognizes a podcast that consistently uses its platform to celebrate, promote, and uplift authors, narrators, books, and the greater bookish community.

This award celebrates podcasts that go beyond discussing books by actively creating opportunities for others through author and narrator interviews, book spotlights, release features, recommendations, thoughtful discussions, community involvement, and exposure for both established and emerging voices.


The winning podcast should demonstrate a genuine passion for books while creating a welcoming and engaging space where stories and the people behind them can be discovered and celebrated.


Judging considerations: Support of authors and narrators • Quality of bookish content • Community involvement • Inclusivity • Opportunities provided to emerging voices • Consistency • Listener engagement • Positive influence • Overall contribution to the book community

My Book Boyfriend Podcast
Roundy's Rants, Raves, & Reviews
BigJsWorld
Crit Happens
37.

Best Copyeditor

The Best Copyeditor Award recognizes a copyeditor who demonstrates exceptional skill in polishing an author’s manuscript while preserving the author’s unique voice and storytelling style.

This award celebrates professionals who help prepare books for publication by improving grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence clarity, consistency, word usage, and overall readability. A great copyeditor strengthens the technical quality of a manuscript without rewriting it into something that no longer feels like the author’s work.


The recipient should also demonstrate professionalism, attention to detail, clear communication, reliability, and respect for the author’s creative vision throughout the editing process.


Judging considerations: Attention to detail • Grammar and language expertise • Consistency • Clarity and readability • Preservation of author voice • Quality of feedback • Communication • Professionalism and reliability • Overall contribution to the finished book

Shakera Blakely
Mandolin Marie
Asata Radcliff
Nicole Kralis
38.

Best Cover Artist

The Best Cover Artist Award recognizes a talented cover artist or designer who creates eye-catching, memorable, and professionally crafted book covers that bring an author’s vision to life.

This award celebrates artists who understand how to combine imagery, typography, composition, color, and genre expectations to create covers that not only look beautiful but also communicate the tone and feel of the story within. Their work should help books stand out while maintaining a unique and recognizable identity.


The recipient should demonstrate creativity, artistic skill, versatility, professionalism, and the ability to collaborate with authors to transform an idea into a finished cover that readers want to pick up.


Judging considerations: Creativity and originality • Visual impact • Artistic quality • Typography and composition • Genre representation • Ability to capture the story’s tone • Professionalism • Collaboration with authors • Overall quality and memorability of their cover work

Kelly Moran
Kevin Stone
Yonque. artist
DJ Krimmer
image result