Author: chanti

  • The 2021 HEMINGWAY Book Awards for 20th Century Wartime Fiction – The Finalists – CIBAs

    The 2021 HEMINGWAY Book Awards for 20th Century Wartime Fiction – The Finalists – CIBAs

    Ernest Hemingway looking off to the right

    The Hemingway Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works for 20th Century Wartime Fiction.  The Hemingway Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).

    The Hemingway Book Awards competition is named for Ernest Hemingway who was born July 21, 1899

    Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring 20th Century Wartime Fiction in Historical Fiction; Romance and Romantic Fiction; Mysteries, Thrillers, and Suspense Fiction of the time; Literary works and Satire and anything else that author imaginations can dream up for the HEMINGWAY Book Awards division. We will put them to the test and choose the best among them. For Post-1750s Historical Fiction, see our Goethe Awards here.

    These titles have moved forward in the judging rounds from the 2021 Hemingway 20th Century Wartime Fiction Short List to the 2021 Hemingway Book Awards Finalists. All FINALISTS will be announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC22).

    The First Place Category Winners, along with the CIBA Division Grand Prize winners, will be selected from the 17 CIBA divisions’ Finalists.

    We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, June 25th, 2022 at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Wash. sponsored by the 2022 Chanticleer Authors Conference–whether virtual, hybrid, or in-person. 

    These titles are in the running for the FIRST PLACE WINNERS of the 2021 Hemingway Book Awards novel competition for 20th Century Wartime Fiction!

    Blue and Gold Finalist Hemingway Badge

    Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works in the 2021 CIBAs.

    • Judith Berlowitz – Home So Far Away
    • Lorelei Brush – Chasing the American Dream
    • Murray Pura & Patrick E. Craig – The Scepter And The Isle
    • Murray Pura & Patrick E. Craig – Far On The Ringing Plains
    • Marian Exall – Daughters of War
    • Carrie Kwiatkowski – Out of  The  Woods
    • W. Hock Hochheim – The China Alamo
    • Marina Osipova – Too Many Wolves in the Local Woods
    • Scott A. Porter – Here They Come
    • Kathryn Gauci – The Secret of the Grand Hotel du Lac
    • Kathryn Gauci – The Blue Dolphin – A WWII Novel
    • Dave Mason – EO-N
    • Richard Alan Schwartz – The Soldier: A Novel of the Vietnam War Era
    • Jerena Tobiasen – The Emerald, Book II of The Prophecy

    Good luck to all in the next rounds for the 2021 Hemingway Book Awards First Place Positions and Grand Prize.

      PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS! 

      This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook Page. We try to tag all authors listed here in the FB post. However, for FB to allow us to tag an author, that author must LIKE our page and Follow Chanticleer Reviews. FB rules — not ours.

      Please click here to visit our page to LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE on Facebook.

      Additionally, we also post on Twitter. Chanticleer Twitter’s handle is @ChantiReviews

      Or click here to go directly to Chanticleer’s Twitter feed.

      Good luck to all as your works move on the next rounds of judging.

       

      Click here to see the 2020 Hemingway Book Award Winners for 20th c. WartimeFiction.

      The 2020 Grand Prize Winner for the Hemingway Awards is J. L. Oakley for The QUISLING FACTOR

      Cover of The Quisling Factor by JL Oakley

      Blue and Gold Grand Prize Winner Badge for the 2020 Hemingway Awards for JL Oakley's The Quisling Factor

      We are now accepting submissions into the 2022 Hemingway Book Awards for 20th c. Wartime Fiction. The 2022 CIBA winners will be announced at CAC 2023. 

      Please click here for more information.

      For our other Historical Fiction Awards, please see the following:

      Winners will be announced at the 2021 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2022 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

      VIRTUAL and IN-Person –  June 23 – 26, 2022! Register Today!

      FLEXIBLE REGISTRATIONS ARE AVAILABLE for these challenging times.

      Seating is Limited. The  esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887)  has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.

      Join us for our 10th annual conference and discover why!

      Featuring: International Best Selling Author Cathy Ace along with A+ list film producer Scott Steindorff.

       

    • The 2021 MARK TWAIN Book Awards for Humor and Satire – The Finalists – CIBAs 2021

      The 2021 MARK TWAIN Book Awards for Humor and Satire – The Finalists – CIBAs 2021

      The Mark Twain Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in Humor and Satire.  The Mark Twain Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).

      Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring  satire, humor, political ideology, parody, fantasy, and allegory or fable. These books have advanced to the next judging rounds. We will put them to the test and choose the best among them.

      These titles have moved forward in the judging rounds from the 2021 Mark Twain Humor and Satire Fiction Short List to the 2021 Mark Twain Book Awards FINALIST. All FINALISTS will be announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC22).

      The First Place Category Winners, along with the CIBA Division Grand Prize winners, will be selected from the 24 CIBA divisions’ Finalists.

      We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, June 25th, 2022 at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Wash. sponsored by the 2022 Chanticleer Authors Conference–which will be VIRTUAL and IN-person. 

      These titles are in the running for the FIRST PLACE WINNERS of the 2021 Mark Twain Book Awards novel competition for Humor and Satire!

      Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works in the 2021 CIBAs.

      • Linda Stewart Henley – Waterbury Winter
      • Anne Pfeffer – Binge
      • Chief John J. Mandeville – The Admiral of Bolivia
      • Charlie Suisman – Hot Air
      • Roger Wilson-Crane – Certified
      • Barry Robbins – Oh Daddy Chronicles
      • Pamela Hamilton – Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale
      • Andy Becker – The Kissing Rabbi: Lust, Betrayal, and a Community Turned Inside Out
      • Elizabeth Crowens – Babs and Basil, and the Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles
      • Lou Dischler – My Only Sunshine: Getting Straight with the Bomb
      • David Perlmutter – Orthicon
      • John Prather – The Jesus Nut

        PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS! 

        This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook Page. We try to tag all authors listed here in the FB post. However, for FB to allow us to tag an author, that author must LIKE our page and Follow Chanticleer Reviews. FB rules — not ours.

        Please click here to visit our page to LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE on Facebook.

        Additionally, we also post on Twitter. Chanticleer Twitter’s handle is @ChantiReviews

        Or click here to go directly to Chanticleer’s Twitter feed.

        Good luck to all as your works move on the next rounds of judging for the 2021 Mark Twain Book Awards First Place and Grand Prize Winner positions. 

         

        The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2020 Mark Twain Awards is Charlie Suisman for Arnold Falls

        Cover of Arnold Falls by Charlie Suisman

        Blue and gold Grand Prize Winner in Mark Twain Awards for Arnold Falls by Charlie Suisman

        Click here to see the 2020 Mark Twain Book Award Winners for Humor and Satire.

        We are now accepting submissions into the 2022 Mark Twain Book Awards for Humor and Satire Fiction. The 2022 CIBA winners will be announced at CAC 2023. 

        Please click here for more information.

        Winners will be announced at the 2021 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2022 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

        VIRTUAL and IN-Person –  June 23 – 26, 2022! Register Today!

        FLEXIBLE REGISTRATIONS ARE AVAILABLE for these challenging times.

        Seating is Limited. The  esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887)  has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.

        Join us for our 10th annual conference and discover why!

        Featuring: International Best Selling Author Cathy Ace along with A+ list film producer Scott Steindorff.

      • WESTERN SKIES By Darden Smith – Song Writing, Photography, Natural Beauty, Texas

        WESTERN SKIES By Darden Smith – Song Writing, Photography, Natural Beauty, Texas

         

        Sometimes, when the world feels like it’s closing in and life doesn’t make sense, the best thing to do is take a road trip.

        Just get in the car and drive, letting the scenery pass by, allowing thoughts, memories and reflections to flow freely. In Western Skies by singer and writer Darden Smith, he invites us on just such a trip through his home state of Texas, and treats us to a glimpse of his time on the road in prose. Western Skies is a companion book for Smith’s album of the same name and features Polaroids (taken with an old Polaroid from Smith’s garage and tossed in a box on the front seat of his car while driving), along with his original prose and lyrics from that album.

        The pictures seem like glimpses of a time past, captured in sepia tones, and are haunting, dusty, and sometimes blurry-like the view out the window of a car. Collectively, they show us a different side of Texas: the wide-open skies, stands of oaks and yuccas, and long stretches of road dotted by radio towers, stucco houses, abandoned Quonset huts and diesel fuel pumps. They complement the descriptions, from the vast expanses of Texas highways: “The road rises steady from the Pecos Past the truck stop visions of Fort Stockton, The northern reaches of the Davis Mountains And the gatherings of Van Horn” (Sierra Blanca), to the uniqueness of its cities: “Juárez is the girl your instinct tells you to walk, no, run from But whose memory wakes you in the night” (Juarez) and the challenges of its climate. Anyone who has ever been in a monsoon will understand the warning in “Rain” when he starts out with “The smell of cloud catches the heart of the most jaded. For even they know the promise of what may follow” and contains the warning that “Torrents are longed for and dreaded in equal measure. Their quantity dreamed of, Speed and destruction often remembered too late as the flood runs wild over road and arroyo.”

        Western Skies is an intimate and personal book.

        Listening to Darden Smith’s album while reading it, one might wonder who caused the heartbreak and hope in his lyrics (and possibly sent him on his road trip) when he says, “Well I keep holding on even though it’s wrong ’Cause your memory makes me smile”(Perfect for a Little While) and “No matter how far you run, how fast you’ve sinned I’d forgive what you done, where you’ve been” (The High Road).

        For those just finding Darden Smith, Western Skies is the opportunity to get to know this artist on a much deeper level than through only his songs. For fans who already have found Darden Smith, this companion book will be a joy to share his vision of Texas and get a more personal glimpse of this talented singer-songwriter/photographer and writer.

        We definitely recommend listening to the accompanying music for this story. You can find that on Darden’s bandcamp here.

         

        5 Stars! Best Book Chanticleer Book Reviews

      • Twitter Tips for Authors and What’s Elon Musk Up To? — A Chanticleer Toolbox Article by David Beaumier

        Twitter Tips for Authors and What’s Elon Musk Up To? — A Chanticleer Toolbox Article by David Beaumier

        Tweets, Character Limits, & Hashtags, oh my!

        A face covered in white makeup with red hashtags drawn on
        You will not look like this by the end of this artilce…probably

        While everyone has questions about social media, one of the big ones for writers is often Twitter. Founded in March of 2006, Twitter is now one of the go-to places for hot takes, cold takes, pitching agents, and generally trying to go viral on just about anything.

        Plus, what on earth is Elon Musk doing on there, and what’s our number one piece of advice for social media?

        One of the first things agents and publishers will do while researching an author is check to see if they have any sort of social media presence. Author platform comes first in the majority of cases, rather than an author being discovered and then being set up with an incredible platform by people who believe in their book. And a digital presence is work.

        So, how do you establish a following on Twitter?

        Set yourself up for success

        To begin with, you’ll want a profile picture and cover photo that fits with your author brand. Your author brand should be in line with the genre of your books. This means it puts your readers in mind of what you write when they visit your site. If you’re a Non-Fiction author who focuses on social justice and journalism, you want readers interested in social justice to think of you when they think about your genre.

        Of course, we’re thinking of someone specific. Check out the homepage for Dr. Janice Ellis’s Twitter profile.

        Twitter profile of Dr. Janice Ellis

        We’ve added some letters to the image to help us better understand and discuss what she’s doing here.

        A. Ellis is a professional journalist with a PhD, and her picture reflects that level of expertise.

        B. Here we have Dr. Ellis standing next to covers of her book. The background color we can see was drawn in part from the color of her Chanticleer Nellie Bly Grand Prize winner From Liberty to Magnolia. This helps tie the whole image together. She even includes a personal mission statement: “Experience and Knowledge Fuel the Mission to Promote the Good”

        C. You can search everywhere for Janice S. Ellis, PhD, and find that her name is consistent across platforms.

        D. This is her Twitter handle. You can see that it clearly links to her name that appears, which is good because you want to be as easy to find as possible.

        E. Here Dr. Ellis has been clever by including a website where she is frequently published and a hashtag that attaches to what she’s known for. We’ll talk more about hashtags later on.

        F. Here the key is that Dr. Ellis has included her own website. Having your own personal site independent from social media is always an important component of any author platform.

        Sell yourself, not your book

        While this might seem counter-intuitive, it makes sense when you realize people want to follow a human being, not an inanimate object. On Twitter, you can do the following things:

        • Follow: Like many social media platforms, you should follow who you want to follow. Ideally, keep in mind your brand and author platform as you do this.
        • Tweet: Regular posting at least once a day is ideal. Mix it up with pictures, videos, whatever strikes your fancy.
        • Retweet: This reposts someone else’s Tweet to your timeline
        • Quote Tweet: This reposts someone else’s Tweet to your timeline, and you can comment on it. This is a great way to start a conversation or answer a fun question
        • Comment: This is simply commenting and responding to people who have either created their own post, responded to a post, or responded to your post.
        • Direct Message (DM): This one should only be done with explicit permission. You can ask to DM someone, or they may say “DMs open” – otherwise you should always leave a public comment.
        The word options in the middle of a maze
        You have a lot of choices on how to handle Twitter

        The big questions that come up here are how to interact with agents and publishers on Twitter. Follow the ones who you think might be interested in your work, but as mentioned above, don’t DM them unless you have permission to do so. Interact with them like a human being, and keep an eye out for when they’re open to submissions.

        One thing agents and small presses talk about on Twitter is that they appreciate it when someone continues to submit to them. This is confirmed in Jane Friedman’s The Business of Being a Writer:

        “‘Getting rejected by a magazine repeatedly and then, finally, getting work accepted is, actually, fairly normal. It’s a little frustrating for an editor,’ she said, ‘when a writer submits to us five times and then just stops, and we never get a chance to read the writer’s work again.’” (78)

        Persistence pays off in more ways than one.

        So When can I sell my Book?

        Generally posting once a week about your book is plenty. During releases, or if you’re participating in Book Awards like the CIBAs or receiving a Review, then you can post more. Just make sure there’s a reason you’re posting about it beyond “buy my book!”

        Hashtags and Pitch Wars

        One thing to keep in mind anytime you read something (this included) about social media is that what you’re reading is already out of date. For example, while the idea of #PitchWars is still going, #PitMad, the original founding idea, appears to be defunct as of this year. What are these programs?

        You can get a thorough rundown with hashtag suggestions for #PitchWars from The Writing Cooperative here, but the short version is they’re opportunities to promote your work on Twitter directly to agents who are interested in what you have to sell. Usually the rules are you post hashtags appropriate to the pitch day, and then you go and support your friends by Retweeting their posts. Be careful not to Like any posts, because that is an action reserved for Agents, and indicates they are open to being contacted about reviewing their work. If you do Like one of these Tweets by mistake, you’re likely to receive a polite DM asking you to Retweet instead, which isn’t a tragedy, but it can feel a little embarrassing to make a faux pas like that.

        What about more commonly used hashtags outside of special events?

        Well, the following are pretty common:

        • #WritingCommunity
        • #AmWriting
        • #AmQuerying
        • #WritersLift
        A writer floating as she tries to type
        Note: Physical lifting is uncommon in a #WritersLift

        All of those can be used in fairly self-explanatory ways, except for #WritersLift. A #WritersLift comes with an invitation for authors to put links to their work on your post, and then there is the expectation that you will follow them on Twitter, and they will follow you back. Making a #WritersLift post can be a quick and easy way to boost your Twitter following and maybe make new friends!

        Other hashtags that are genre specific can be used fairly easily, such as #Fantasy or #Journalism. If you have a hashtag based on your book such as #TFioS (The Fault in our Stars by John Green, pronounces “tif-ee-oh-s”) those are great to use, but always pair them with more popular hashtags.

        How 'the Fault in Our Stars' Became a Box-Office Phenomenon
        Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters snuggling up in the movie “The Fault in Our Stars”

        Another great time to use Hashtags is anytime your book wins an award or receives a review. Big milestones like that can make a huge difference when it comes to getting noticed, so if your book because a finalist in the CIBAs or receives a Chanticleer Book Review, tell your friends and followers all about it!

        Note: Conferences and Writing Events often have a specific tag like #CAC and #CIBAs (for Chanticleer Authors Conference and Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards). Using those specific tags can be a great way to have the organization notice you.

        Blocking

        It’s always good to talk about blocking people on any social media platform. On Twitter, blocking someone is often an act of self-love. Rather than getting into a fight with a stranger on the internet, just click that block button and don’t worry about talking to them ever again. Your mental health isn’t worth trying to reach someone who just wants to be mean.

        So what’s Elon Musk got to do with all of this?

        Elon Musk giving a sideways thumbs up
        Billionaire and would-be-Twitter-Owner Elon Musk

        Recently it came out that Musk has invested enough to own 9.2% of Twitter. If you really want to dive into this, you can check out this article from CNET here, but these are the highlights. In addition to owning a substantial share of Twitter, Musk has now offered to buy the company. If Twitter says no, he could divest his stock and drive the price of Twitter down, harming the platform. If they say yes, he’s sure to transform the platform into something quite different from what it is now. Should we be worried?

        Well, probably not.

        There might be a bit of an upset, but it’s more likely things will continue as they have for Twitter, and Musk might just try to make his own social media website. However, this brings us back to the importance of having your own author website. Companies like Twitter and Meta (that’s Facebook and Instagram) are eventually going to go the way of MySpace, and then we’ll all have to collectively jump onto a new social network. If all our eggs are in the basket that ends up losing popularity or shutting down, then we lose our entire author platform at one go. So, keeping your website as a hub that tells people who you are, and directs folks to your social media makes your position much more stable.

        Our best advice for social media?

        Chalkboard that reads "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted --Aesop

        This might seem obvious, but always be polite. Being rude on social media is a great way to get blocked. As we tell kids, the internet is forever. When a person explodes or swears at someone online, that sort of thing has a way of making it onto Watch Dog sites like Writer Beware, ALLi, or Absolute Write. These spaces can mean the difference between someone deciding to work with an author or not, which can have huge consequences when it comes to sales.

        A few words from Kiffer.

        Be kind. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t post anything at all.

        And be sure not to hi-jack someone else’s post. This is just plain rude. IF someone tries to hi-jack your post, you can choose 1) not to respond – at all  2) delete the comment if it is egregious or 3) if someone is trying to sell their book on your social platform — well, that is just plain out tacky! If the person doing this persists (we all make blunders – and I would like to think most of the time unintentionally), then you may have to block that particular person. Facebook and Twitter do NOT notify the person that they have been blocked. You just won’t have to see their comments on your posts anymore. On Twitter, this is called “thread-jacking” — someone interjecting in a discussion in order to divert it in a different direction.

        My advice for social media is Be kind. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t post anything at all. 

        What is posted on the internet is there forever and for everyone. – Kiffer

        Post note:  Keep in mind, that the publishing world is a small one.


        Thank you for joining us for this Writer’s Toolbox Article, and good luck out there on the web!

        Writer’s Toolbox

        Writer Toolbox Helpful Links: 

        The Business of Being a Writer website

        Your Guide to Twitter Pitch Events in 2022

        Elon Musk Offers to Buy Twitter: Everything You Need to Know

        The traditional publishing tool that indie authors can use to propel their writing careers to new levels? Read The Seven Must-Haves for Authors – Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Publishing Series by Kiffer Brown

        Looking for more quality time with us?

        VIRTUAL and IN-Person –  June 23 – 26, 2022! Register Today!

        FLEXIBLE REGISTRATIONS ARE AVAILABLE for these challenging times.

        Seating is Limited. The  esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887)  has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.

        Join us for our 10th annual conference and discover why!

        Featuring: International Best Selling Authors: Cathy Ace along with A+ list film producer Scott Steindorff.

      • BUTTERFLY AWAKENS: A Memoir of Transformation Through Grief by Meg Nocero – Non-Fiction, Mother Daughter Relationship, Death of a Parent, Healing

        BUTTERFLY AWAKENS: A Memoir of Transformation Through Grief by Meg Nocero – Non-Fiction, Mother Daughter Relationship, Death of a Parent, Healing

        In this beautiful and transforming memoir, a loving daughter navigates a journey to move beyond the heart-wrenching boundaries of grief to ultimately discover her own sense of purpose. Here the quest brings about a miraculous metamorphosis as she uncovers life’s true joys.

        In the opening segment of her three-part journey in Butterfly Awakens, wife, mother, and federal immigration lawyer Meg Nocero, quietly draws readers into the close relationship she had with her mother. Soon she intimately shares her mother’s unexpected breast cancer diagnosis. Here she meets the challenges of both traditional and alternative treatments, but ultimately her mother succumbs to the disease.

        After losing a parent who was also her best friend, part two explores the downward spiral of Nocero’s mental health. Plagued by dreams and nightmares, and dealing with severe bouts of depression, anxiety, and the stress of a law career stifled by superiors, Nocero seeks help in the form of therapeutic and spiritual outlets. Here the core suggestions all pointed Nocero in the direction of being her own guide and learning to follow her own bliss.

        Before long, a life-changing decision sets her on a path to publish an inspiring work entitled The Magical Guide to Bliss, which allows her to forge ahead and share her message with others. Whether hunkered down in her closet during the tears of depression, attempting to expand her creative soul by following the course from The Artist’s Way, battling the severity of stress-induced tinnitus, or experiencing joyous meetings with the likes of the iconic Oprah Winfrey and well-known author Liz Gilbert of Eat, Pray, Love fame, Nocero displays a roller coaster of emotions. Slowly she steps outside her comfort zone to reap the rewards that life has to offer.

        Nocero’s story ultimately culminates with a trek along the renowned El Camino de Santiago in northern Spain.

        Though seemingly ill-prepared for such an arduous venture, Nocero gloriously proves she not only talks the talk, but she can literally walk the walk. The spiritual pilgrimage serves as a tribute to both her mom, and the victims of the Parkland shootings in her home state of Florida. Stops in fairytale-like hamlets and visits to churches and monasteries along a route that culminates at a Finisterre lighthouse envisioned when her mother passed, Nocero makes peace with her inner pain and realizes she is free to choose a future of happiness.

        Nocero’s Italian heritage dictates that when a family member passes on, their spirit morphs into a butterfly. The use of such symbolism throughout the book, whether in the form of a keychain, the design on a child’s shirt, or the gossamer winged creature itself helps emphasize the theme of change. Each chapter also opens with an inspirational quote that helps set the tone for the next direction on Nocero’s path. A complimentary photo journal at the book’s end also provides visual highlights throughout Nocero’s personal journey.

        The popular adage that dictates “without change there would be no butterflies” is undoubtedly brought to light in Nocero’s memoir.

        Her message of hope and transformation is a positive beacon to help others get through difficult times and recognize their own self-worth. Exploring the power of family, friends, love, faith, and synchronicity, Nocero teaches that we are not defined by our grief, drama, tensions, or emotionally draining careers, but that we can rise above these situations and soar to new heights.

        Butterfly Awakens is an inspiring revelation of self-discovery and openly serves as a tribute to a beloved mother. Through Nocero’s absorbing and authentic voice her story addresses a personal experience, it is also intended to help readers searching for light at the end of their own darkened tunnels. A thought-provoking odyssey for those on a similar whirlwind path, this life-affirming, triumphant book proves a well-crafted empowering guide for personal change and growth.

        5 Stars! Best Book Chanticleer Book Reviews

      • Happy Earth Day 2022! Celebrating our Environmental Authors

        Happy Earth Day 2022! Celebrating our Environmental Authors

        Reading for a Better Earth Day

        Being a Rooster, Chanticleer is pretty keen on the idea of Earth Day.

        It may surprise you to hear that Earth Day is the largest secular holiday in the world, celebrated for the past 50 years! You can read our last article that focused on the origins of Earth Day, as well as the powerful impact literature can have on the environment, as happened with Silent Spring by Rachel Carson.

        Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring

        This year, we want to take time to recognize and cheer on some of the Chanticleer authors who have made their own contributions to environmental literature. While nature focused writing can fit into almost any genre, the genres we most often see with environmental stories are: Global Thriller Awards, Journey Awards, Little Peeps Awards, Hearten Awards, and, of course, our Cygnus Awards with the rise of the Cli-Fi genre!

        Books show where we put our focus and attention, and we’re glad that these authors did such a great job highlighting the world in their work!

        WISHES, SINS, and the WISSAHICKON CREEK
        By PJ Devlin
        Somerset First Place Winner

        Wishes Sins and the Wissahickon Creek

        The award-winning Wishes, Sins, and the Wissahickon Creek by PJ Delvin is a contemporary masterpiece in short story collections. Highly Recommended!

        PJ’s newest book, The Chamber is available for purchase now! You can also read our review of her first book, Wissahickon Souls, here.

        KILLING DRAGONS: Order of the Dolphin, Book One
        By Kristie Clark

        Killing Dragons Order of the Dolphin Book 1 cover

        A smart, science fiction thriller that will have readers looking twice at dolphins – and scanning the waters for something far more menacing. Highly recommended.

        Kristie Clark is a pediatrician with the heart of a writer. She always knew that she wanted to write and began writing poetry in middle school. Her mother read to her at night, instilling a love of books. As a child, C.S. Lewis’s Narnia series impacted her greatly, and as a teenager, she began reading science fiction for fun, enjoying books by Arthur C. Clarke.

        Big congratulations are in order for Kristie Clark as this book recently made the Finalists list for our Global Thriller Awards. Her newest book, Dragon Gold, is on the Finalist list for the Cygnus Awards, and her short story “Dragon of the Sea” is a Finalist for the Shorts Awards. Way to go Kristie!

        All Book Award Winners will be announced at the Chanticleer Authors Conference. 

        A DIVINE WIND
        By Norman M. Jacobs MD, MS

        A Divine Wind Book Cover

        An intelligent techno-thriller that won’t leave you even after the final page is read. Highly recommended!

        Norman M. Jacobs MD, MS is an award-winning writer and former bookstore owner. He’s a scientist and physician and has published many newspaper and scientific articles. He has a master’s degree in physics, passed a PhD exam in physics at the University of Pennsylvania, and completed a residency program in radiology at Duke University Medical Center with specialty training in neuroradiology. Congratulations Norman on being a Finalist in the Global Thriller Awards! 

        KOBEE MANATEE® – Climate Change and the Great Blue Hole Hazard
        By Robert Scott Thayer
        Illustrated by Lauren Gallegos

        Kobee Manatee Climate Change and the Great Blue Hole Hazard book cover image

        Kobee Manatee® Climate Change and the Great Blue Hole Hazard is a fantastic journey showcasing fun, friendship, and the necessity of keeping our oceans clean.

        You can find all 4 of the Kobee Manatee® books here!

        Robert Scott Thayer always had a passion for manatees, oceans, weather, and sea life. He is also an award-winning recording artist who writes and sings in the pop, jazz, and children’s genres. Robert’s newest children’s tune, Kobee’s Song, is available on iTunes.

        Lauren Gallegos earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Illustration from Cal State Fullerton in 2009 and has been illustrating ever since. When it comes to stories, Lauren has always loved books that warm the heart and touch the soul; timeless narratives that speak to your inner child. As a young girl she loved to pour over illustrations that were rich and full. Lauren still loves books that take you to mysterious places and let your imagination run wild with possibilities. Her biggest illustration influences are Chris Van Allsburg, Loren Long, Chris Sheban, Arthur Rackham, and Scott Gustafson to name only a few.

        Over
        By Sean P. Curley

        In a world where the rich obtain immortality, a forbidden love can either bridge the gap of unimaginable inequity or drive the disparaging classes even farther apart. A science-fiction novel with an earthly conscious.

        Sean Curley’s new book, Anika’s Gift is making good progress through the cover design process, and ARCs are being sent out now. Sean is a renaissance man who loves new experiences, diversity, and challenges (though more intellectual than physical). He is also the author of the the 2014 Chaucer Grand Prize for Early Historical Fiction with his book PropositumSean will also be at the Chanticleer Authors Conference June 23-26, 2022!


        Are you a Chanticleer Author who has some good news to share? Let us know! We’re always looking for a reason to crow about Chanticleerians! Here are some recent updates from our authors:

        Reach out with your news to info@ChantiReviews.com

        VIRTUAL and IN-Person –  June 23 – 26, 2022! Register Today!

        FLEXIBLE REGISTRATIONS ARE AVAILABLE for these challenging times.

        The  esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887)  has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.

        Join us for our 10th annual conference and discover why!

        Featuring: International Best Selling Author Cathy Ace along with A+ list film producer Scott Steindorff.

         

      • The 2021 Finalists for the CYGNUS Book Awards for Science Fiction – a Division of the 2021 CIBAs

        The 2021 Finalists for the CYGNUS Book Awards for Science Fiction – a Division of the 2021 CIBAs

        Cygnus Award for Science Fiction

        The Cygnus Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Science Fiction, Steampunk, Alternative History, and Speculative Fiction. The Cygnus Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).

        Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring space, time travel, life on other planets, parallel universes, alternate reality, and all the science, technology, major social or environmental changes of the future that author imaginations can dream up for the CYGNUS Book Awards division. Hard Science Fiction, Soft Science Fiction, Apocalyptic Fiction, Cyberpunk, Time Travel, Genetic Modification, Aliens, Super Humans, Interplanetary Travel, Climate -Fiction, and Settlers on the Galactic Frontier, Dystopian, our judges from across North America and the U.K. will put them to the test and choose the best among them.

        These titles have moved forward in the judging rounds from all 2021 CYGNUS Science Fiction Semi-Finalists to the 2021 Cygnus Book Awards FINALISTS. All FINALISTS will be recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference. First Place and Grand Prize Winners will be chosen from the 24 Division Categories. 

        Congratulations to the 2021 CYGNUS Book Awards for Science Fiction Semi-Finalists!

        • J.W. Zarek – The Devil Pulls the Strings  
        • Sarah Lahey – Nostalgia Is Heartless, Book Two 
        • Spaulding Taylor – Last Star Standing
        • Akosua Sankofa – Monmouth Deep   
        • Rhett C. Bruno – Vicarious   
        • Peter Greene – Light of Ganymede   
        • Kristie Clark – Dragon Gold
        • Charlene Newcomb – Echoes of the Storm   
        • D.H. Ford – Cosmic Swap    
        • William M. Hayes – Save Him   
        • William X. Adams – Alien Dream Machine   
        • PA Vasey – Trinity Evolution    
        • Daniel C. McWhorter – Revival: The Gaia Origin, Book Two     
        • Jenn Lees – Restoring Time: Community Chronicles Book 4         
        • William X. Adams – Alien Panic     
        • Elizabeth Crowens – A War in Too Many Worlds   
        • Sandra J. Jackson – Catching Butterflies
        • Dana Claire – The Connection      
        • Gina Detwiler – Forgiven       
        • Sam Stea – The Edge of Elsewhere   
        • Steven Seril – The Destroyer of Worlds: ‘An Answer to Every Question’

        We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, June 25th, 2022 at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Wash. sponsored by the 2022 Chanticleer Authors Conference

        These titles are in the running for the FIRST PLACE WINNERS positions of the 2021 Cygnus Book Awards novel competition for Science Fiction!

        Cygnus Science Fiction 1st Place Blue and Gold CIBA Badge

        Good luck to all as your works compete on the next rounds of judging.

        The next round of judging will decide which books move on to the Finalist positions for the 2021 CYGNUS Book Awards for Science Fiction novels.

        PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS! 

        This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook Page. We try to tag all authors listed here in the FB post. However, for FB to allow us to tag an author, that author must LIKE our page and Follow Chanticleer Reviews. FB rules — not ours.

        Please click here to visit our page to LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE on Facebook.

        Additionally, we also post on Twitter. Chanticleer Twitter’s handle is @ChantiReviews

        Or click here to go directly to Chanticleer’s Twitter feed.

        The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2020 CYGNUS Awards is Rhett C. Bruno & Jaime Castle for The Luna Missile Crisis

        Cover of The Luna Missile Crisis by Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle

        Click here to see the 2020 CYGNUS Book Award Winners for Science Fiction.

        We are now accepting submissions into the 2022 CYGNUS  Awards writing competition.

        Please click here for more information.

        Winners will be announced at the 2021 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2022 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

        VIRTUAL and IN-Person –  June 23 – 26, 2022! Register Today!

        FLEXIBLE REGISTRATIONS ARE AVAILABLE for these challenging times.

        Seating is Limited. The  esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887)  has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.

        Join us for our 10th annual conference and discover why!

        Featuring: International Best Selling Author Cathy Ace along with A+ list film producer Scott Steindorff.

         

         

      • The 2021 MIND and SPIRIT Book Awards for Enlightenment and Well-Being Non-Fiction – CIBAs Short List 2021

        The 2021 MIND and SPIRIT Book Awards for Enlightenment and Well-Being Non-Fiction – CIBAs Short List 2021

        Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction Awards CIBA Badge
        Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction

        The Mind and Spirit Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Enlightenment and Well-Being Non-Fiction and Memoir. The Mind and Spirit Book Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (CIBAs).

        Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring enlightenment, motivational/self-help, spirituality, mindfulness, well-being, meditation, and energy. We will put books about true and inspiring stories to the test and choose the best among them. See our full list of Non-Fiction Divisions here. 

        These titles have moved forward in the judging rounds from the 2021 Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction Long List to the 2021 Mind and Spirit Book Awards SHORT LIST. The Short Listers will compete for the Finalist positions. All FINALISTS will be announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC22).

        The First Place Category Winners, along with the CIBA Division Grand Prize winners, will be selected from the 24 CIBA divisions’ Finalists.

        We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, June 25th, 2022 at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Wash. sponsored by the 2022 Chanticleer Authors Conference

        These titles are in the running for the FINALISTS of the 2021 Mind and Spirit Book Awards novel competition for Enlightenment and Well-Being Non-Fiction!

        Short Listed for the 2021 CIBAs

        Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works in the 2021 CIBAs.

        • Ramzi Najjar – The Ultimate Human Secrets 
        • Mike Lutz – Jesus Speaking
        • Tammy Green – Living Without Skin: Everything I Never Knew About Fierce Vulnerability
        • Beth Gibbs – Enlighten Up!
        • Rosemary A. Schmidt – The Happy Clam
        • Carolyn Lee Arnold – Fifty First Dates After Fifty: A Memoir
        • Starr Regan DiCiurcio – Divine Sparks: Interfaith Wisdom for a Postmodern World
        • Randi Benator – Awaken to Your Calling
        • Richard Lui – Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness
        • George Marino , CPA, CFP – Beyond Balancing the Books: Sheer Mindfulness for Professionals in Work and Life
        • Bedri Cag Cetin Ph.D. – Sacred Life: Healing from the Virus in Consciousness
        • Reagan J. Pasternak – Griffin’s Heart: Mourning Your Pet With No Apologies
        • Carlo Pietro Sanfilippo – AfterLIFE, Waking up from My American Dream
        • Ramzi Najjar – The YOU beyond you: The knowledge of the willing
        • Judith Briles – When God Says NO – Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present 
        • Labar Laskie – Above the Din: Diary of the HepC Wonder Drugs
        • Meg Nocero – Butterfly Awakens: A Memoir of Transformation Through Grief
        • Angela Quijada-Banks – The Black Foster Youth Handbook
        • James Martin – Revelation Through Science
        • David Soh Poh Huat – Nature Gifts of the Soursop Leaves

        Good Luck to All!

          PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS! 

          This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook Page. We try to tag all authors listed here in the FB post. However, for FB to allow us to tag an author, that author must LIKE our page and Follow Chanticleer Reviews. FB rules — not ours.

          Please click here to visit our page to LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE on Facebook.

          Additionally, we also post on Twitter. Chanticleer Twitter’s handle is @ChantiReviews

          Or click here to go directly to Chanticleer’s Twitter feed.

          Good luck to all as your works move on the next rounds of judging.

          The Grand Prize Winner for the 2020 Mind and Spirit Awards is Dr. Donna Marks for Exit the Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure

          Cover for Exit the Maze

          Blue and Gold badge for the Mind and Spirit 2020 Grand Prize Winner for Dr. Donna Marks' EXIT the MAZE: One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure 

          Click here to see the 2020 Mind and Spirit Book Award Winners

          We are now accepting submissions into the 2022 Mind and Spirit Book Awards for Enlightenment and Well-Being Non-Fiction & Memoir. The 2022 CIBA winners will be announced at CAC 2023. 

          Please click here for more information.

          See our Full List of Non-Fiction Divisions here!

          Winners will be announced at the 2021 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2022 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

          VIRTUAL and IN-Person –  June 23 – 26, 2022! Register Today!

          FLEXIBLE REGISTRATIONS ARE AVAILABLE for these challenging times.

          Seating is Limited. The  esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887)  has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.

          Join us for our 10th annual conference and discover why!

          Featuring: International Best Selling Author Cathy Ace along with A+ list film producer Scott Steindorff.

           

        • The 2021 LITTLE PEEPS Book Awards for Early Readers & Picture Books – CIBAs Short List

          The 2021 LITTLE PEEPS Book Awards for Early Readers & Picture Books – CIBAs Short List

          Two little chicks, fresh from their egg

          The Little Peeps Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in Early Readers. The Little Peeps Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).

          Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring stories of all shapes and sizes written to an audience for Early Readers. Story books, Beginning Chapter Books, Picture Books, Activity Books, and Educational Books. These books have advanced to the Long List for the 2021 CIBAs. (For Young Adult Fiction see our Dante Rossetti Awards, for Middle Grade Readers see our Gertrude Warner Awards.)

          These titles have moved forward in the judging rounds from the 2021 Little Peeps Early Readers Long List to the 2021 Little Peeps Book Awards SHORT LIST. The Short Listers will compete for the Semi-Finalist positions. Finalists will be selected from the Semi-Finalists. All FINALISTS will be announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC22).

          The First Place Category Winners, along with the CIBA Division Grand Prize winners, will be selected from the 24 CIBA divisions’ Finalists.

          We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, June 25th, 2022 at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Wash. sponsored by the 2022 Chanticleer Authors Conference

          These titles are in the running for the SEMI-FINALISTS of the 2021 Little Peeps Book Awards novel competition for Early Readers!

          Short Listed for the 2021 CIBAs

          Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works in the 2021 CIBAs.

          •  David Horn – Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room Takeover
          • Brooks Olbrys – Blue Ocean Bob Discovers His Purpose
          • Peggy Sullivan – Shadow Walkers, The Secret Lives of the Shy Sisters
          • M. Lisa Rinaca – Matt Needs A Werewolf
          • Dana Brackob – Molly: A Love Story
          • Andrea Vaughan – Victoria and the Big, Brave Breath 
          • Linda Harkey – The Remarkable Story of Willie the Crow
          • Brenda Faatz & Peter Trimarco – Now What?
          • Susan Faw – Poppy Ogopogo
          • Katy McQuaid – Everybody Loves Grace: An Amazing True Story of How Grace Brings Love to Everyone She Meets
          • Vincent Kelly – All People are Beautiful
          • Wanda Carter Roush – You Got This – A Tale of Courage
          • Denise Ditto – Tooth Fairy Day Celebration
          •  Avril van der Merwe – I Don’t Want To Be a Hyena
          • Stephanie Matolyak & Deborah Bailey – A Farm Animals’ Christmas – No Ordinary Farm
          • Ellie Smith – Tex the Explorer Journey Through Our Solar System
          • Steven Haggard – There’s an Elephant in My Room!
          • Zaynab Al-Yassiri – LunchBox Wisdom
          • Cindy A. Bell – I Love You, Fiorella, Flaws and All!
          • Kevin Brougher – Grandpa Kevin’s…Jack and the Bean Stalk
          • Rebecca Dwight Bruff – Stars of Wonder
          • Lauren Stockly – Mindful Monsters Therapeutic Workbook
          • Lauren Stockly – Be Mindful of Monsters
          • Kyle Poehls – From Nicholas To Christmas
          • Michael Ferrone – Frankenbots: Sunken City of Scraps
          • Karen B. Kurtz – Sophia’s Gift
          • M. Lisa Rinaca – Just James
          • Cynthia Kern O’Brien – I Don’t Want to go to Preschool, the Fairy Queen Call
          • Megan Herr – Lucas Takes His Food Allergies to Daycare
          • E. Alan Fleischauer – Charlie Lou Goes to the Rodeo
          • Deborah Serani – Sometimes When I’m Mad

           


          PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS! 

          This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook Page. We try to tag all authors listed here in the FB post. However, for FB to allow us to tag an author, that author must LIKE our page and Follow Chanticleer Reviews. FB rules — not ours.

          Please click here to visit our page to LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE on Facebook.

          Additionally, we also post on Twitter. Chanticleer Twitter’s handle is @ChantiReviews

          Or click here to go directly to Chanticleer’s Twitter feed.

          Good luck to all as your works move on the next rounds of judging.

           

          The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2020 LITTLE PEEPS Awards is Masoud Malekyari for Great As A Button

          Cover for Great as a Button by Masoud Malekyari

          A blue and gold badge for the 2020 Grand Prize Winner for Little Peeps Children’s Books Great as a Button by Masoud Malekyari

          Click here to see the 2020 Little Peeps Book Award Winners for Early Readers Fiction.

          We are now accepting submissions into the 2022 Little Peeps Book Awards for Children’s Literature. The 2022 CIBA winners will be announced at CAC 2023. 

          Please click here for more information.

          For our other Youth Reader Fiction Awards, please see the following:

          Winners will be announced at the 2021 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2022 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

          VIRTUAL and IN-Person –  June 23 – 26, 2022! Register Today!

          FLEXIBLE REGISTRATIONS ARE AVAILABLE for these challenging times.

          Seating is Limited. The  esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887)  has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.

          Join us for our 10th annual conference and discover why!

          Featuring: International Best Selling Author Cathy Ace along with A+ list film producer Scott Steindorff.

        • The 2021 SOMERSET Book Awards for Literary and Contemporary Fiction – The Semi-Finalists – CIBAs 2021

          The 2021 SOMERSET Book Awards for Literary and Contemporary Fiction – The Semi-Finalists – CIBAs 2021

          The SOMERSET Book Awards recognize emerging talent and outstanding works in the genre of Literary and Contemporary Fiction. The Somerset Book Awards is a genre division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).

          Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring contemporary stories, literary themes, adventure, magical realism, or women and family themes. These books have advanced to the next judging rounds. We will put them to the test and choose the best among them.

          These titles have moved forward in the judging rounds from the 2021 Somerset Literary and Contemporary Fiction Short List to the 2021 Somerset Book Awards SEMI-FINALISTS. The Finalists will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists. All FINALISTS will be announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC22).

          The First Place Category Winners, along with the CIBA Division Grand Prize winners, will be selected from the 24 CIBA divisions’ Finalists.

          We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, June 25th, 2022 at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Wash. sponsored by the 2022 Chanticleer Authors Conference

          These titles are the SEMI-FINALISTS of the 2021 Somerset Book Awards program for Literary and Contemporary Fiction!

          Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works in the 2021 CIBAs.

          • Ben Sharpton – The Awakening of Jim Bishop: This Changes Things
          • Adrian Spratt – Caroline
          • Linda Stewart Henley – Waterbury Winter
          • M. J. Simms-Maddox – The Mysterious Affair at the Met
          • Anne Pfeffer – Binge
          • E. A. Coe – The Other Side Of Good
          • Margaret Ann Spence – Joyous Lies
          • Suzanne Kamata – The Baseball Widow
          • Vicki Volden – All the After
          • Kent Politsch – Beebe and Bostelmann, a historical novel
          • Ruthie Stevens – You Can’t Blame the Flower
          • V.N. Writer – Who Stole My Hula Hoop?
          • Teng Rong – Brilliant White Peaks
          • Natalie Symons – Lies in Bone
          • Ruth Hull Chatlien – Katie, Bar the Door
          • Dawn Newton – The Remnants of Summer
          • Douglas Green – A Dog of Many Names
          • Robert Gwaltney – The Cicada Tree
          • Sarah E Zilkowski – Beasts of War
          • Vanessa Carlisle – Take Me With You
          • Richard C. Brusca – In the Land of the Feathered Serpent
          • Natalie Symons – Lies in Bone
          • Judy Keeslar Santamaria – Jetty Cat Palace Café
          • Charlie Suisman – Hot Air
          • Sandra Vasoli – The Masterpiece Pursuit
          • Suzanne Simonetti – The Sound of Wings
          • John Hansen – Old Water
          • Alex Sirotkin – The Long Desert Road
          • John Hansen – Badger Creek
          • Pamela Hamilton – Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale
          • Sue Phillips – You Oughta Know
          • Chera Thompson & NF Johnson – A Time to Wander
          • Cara Sue Achterberg – Blind Turn
          • Susan Lynn Solomon – Dancing Backwards
          • Debra Whiting Alexander – A River for Gemma
          • Anne Moose – House of Fragile Dreams
          • Jane Ward – In the Aftermath
          • Drema Drudge – Victorine
          • Malcolm Spicer – Freedom from Privilege
          • Rick Lenz – Hello, Rest of My Life
          • Gene Helfman – Beyond the Human Realm
          • Emily A. Myers – The Truth About Unspeakable Things
          • Roberta Seret – Love Odyssey
          • Barbara Linn Probst – The Sound Between the Notes
          • Florence Reiss Kraut – How to Make a Life: a novel
          • Susannah Marren – A Palm Beach Scandal
          • Mekiya Walters – Ashes, Ashes

            These titles and their authors will compete to advance to the FINALISTS Positions of the 2021 Somerset Book Awards for Literary and Contemporary Fiction. Good Luck to All!

            PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS! 

            This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook Page. We try to tag all authors listed here in the FB post. However, for FB to allow us to tag an author, that author must LIKE our page and Follow Chanticleer Reviews. FB rules — not ours.

            Please click here to visit our page to LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE on Facebook.

            Additionally, we also post on Twitter. Chanticleer Twitter’s handle is @ChantiReviews

            Or click here to go directly to Chanticleer’s Twitter feed.

            The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2020 Somerset Awards is

            Gregory Erich Phillips

            for A Season in Lights

            Cover for A Season in Lights by Gregory Erich Phillips

            Blue and Gold Grand Prize 2020 Somerset Winner Badge for A Season in LIghts by Gregory Erich Phillips

            Click here to see the 2020 Somerset Book Award Winners for Literary and Contemporary Fiction.

            We are now accepting submissions into the 2022 Somerset Book Awards for Literary and Contemporary Fiction. The 2022 CIBA winners will be announced at CAC 2023. 

            Please click here for more information.

            Winners will be announced at the 2021 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2022 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

            VIRTUAL and IN-Person –  June 23 – 26, 2022! Register Today!

            FLEXIBLE REGISTRATIONS ARE AVAILABLE for these challenging times.

            Seating is Limited. The  esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887)  has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.

            Join us for our 10th annual conference and discover why!

            Featuring: International Best Selling Author Cathy Ace along with A+ list film producer Scott Steindorff.