Chanticleer Book Reviews

Author: chanti

October Spotlight on OZMA – FANTASY NOVEL WRITING CONTEST
October Spotlight on the OZMA Awards – All things Fantasy, Magical Realms, Fantastical Creatures, Mythical Beings… you get the picture…

In October there’s a bit of a nip in the morning air, the days begin with mist clinging to the grass, and the sun peeks out in the afternoons. We add an extra layer – sweaters, warm socks, down vests. Late crops are set in and some are ready for harvest, pumpkins in all shapes and colors, broccoli, cabbage. Gone are our vine-ripened tomatoes and sweet peppers. Coffee shops around town offer up all-things pumpkin. October is the month our family pulls out J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy and immerse ourselves in another world because, in October, anything can happen.

A portion of Tiepolo Giambattista, Die Unbefleckte Empfängnis, 1767-1768-Drachen

You may ask yourself, what is OZMA? Simply put, OZMA refers to L. Frank Baum’s book Ozma of Oz, the third book in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz series, in which Dorothy and her uncle travel to Australia. On the way, poor Dorothy is swept overboard with her chicken and are rescued by Princess Ozma of the land of Ev. The story goes on and adventure abounds and at long last Dorothy is returned safely with her chicken to Oz. Fascinating story.

But, this is only the origin of the OZMA Awards.

Chanticleer Book Reviews is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, imaginary worlds, fantastical creatures, legendary beasts, mythical beings, or inventions of fancy that author imaginations dream up without a basis in science as we know it. Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Dragons, Unicorns, Steampunk, Dieselpunk, Gaslight Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, or other out of this world fiction, we will put them to the test and choose the best among them.

The last day to submit your work is October 31, 2018. We invite you to join us, to tell us your stories, and to find out who will take home the prize at CAC19 on April 27th.

As our deadline draws near, don’t pull a disappearing act and forget to enter your fantasy novel! We accept completed manuscripts and published works. Enter today!

We encourage everyone to attend our Awards Ceremony on April 27, 2019, that will take place during the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference. First Place category winners will be whisked up on stage to receive their custom ribbon and wait to see who among them will take home the Grand Prize. It’s an exciting evening of dinner, networking, and celebrations!

First Place category winners and Grand Prize winners will each receive a stunning awards package well worth the price of entry into the OZMA Awards competition(VJ) Lakshman grew up in Bangkok, Thailand, where he first discovered his love of the martial arts, mythological heroes, and exotic lands, all of which influenced the development of characters and the world in his debut fantasy series, Mythborn – Fate of the Sovereign.s.

The OZMA Hall of Fame

2017 Grand Prize Winner:

How to Set the World on Fire by T.K. Riggins is a coming-of-age school of magic novel that readers will find hard to put down.

“T.K. Riggins started writing because of a dare. His friend was searching for something new to read, and after coming up empty-handed, challenged Riggins to take action. Instead of recommending a book, he decided to pen a story of his own.”

2017 First Place Winners include:
- Eva’s Soul by Sarah M. Morin
- Daughter of Aithne by Karin Rita Gastreich
- In Her World: The Dark-Winter War by John W. Lord
- The One Apart: A Novel by Justine Avery
- Runebinder by Alex R. Kahler
- The Engine Woman’s Light by Laurel Anne Hill
- The Bookminder by M. K. Wiseman
2016 Grand Prize Winner:

“Set against the epic backdrop of myths and legends brought to life, Mythborn II continues the sweeping saga of Arek Winterthorn, wayward apprentice of the eldritch Way, as he struggles to survive in the demon realm of Arcadia.” Mythborn Media/Mythborn Books

Vijay Lakshman

“(VJ) Lakshman grew up in Bangkok, Thailand, where he first discovered his love of the martial arts, mythological heroes, and exotic lands, all of which influenced the development of characters and the world in his debut fantasy series, Mythborn – Fate of the Sovereign.”

2016 First Place Winners:
- Almost Mortal by Christopher Leibig
- Song Magick by Elisabeth Hamill
- Amaskan’s Blood by Raven Oak
- Camelot’s Queen by Nicole Evelina
- The Emperor of Babylon by Murray Lee Eiland, Jr.
- Darksea by Gary J. Hurtubise
Our Chanticleer Review Writing Contests feature more than $30,000.00 worth of cash and prizes each year!

~$1000 Overall Grand Prize Winner
~$2800 in Genre Grand Prizes
~$28,980 in reviews, prizes, and promotional opportunities awarded to Category Winners

[fusion_button link=”/services#!/Fantasy-Writing-Contests-Sword-&-Sorcery-Fiction-Chanticleer-Book-Reviews-p57162380″ color=”darkgray” size=”” type=”” shape=”” target=”_blank” title=”” gradient_colors=”|” gradient_hover_colors=”|” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”1px” shadow=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” modal=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ alignment=”center” class=”” id=””]Enter OZMA![/fusion_button]
October 12, 2018
J. D. Barker, MASTER of SUSPENSE, to Keynote and Present at #CAC19

The author of the international bestselling thriller novel series, The Fourth Monkey and The Fifth to Die, along with the highly anticipated gothic horror prequel to Bram Stoker’s masterpiece, Dracul, will keynote and present at the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

J.D. Barker successfully published his debut as an indie and sold enough copies to land on the radar of the traditional publishers in a BIG way including seven-figure advances, two feature films, and a television program. He’ll open his toolbox and explain exactly what he did to make it happen. This is a not-to-be-missed session for any aspiring author or the seasoned veteran trying to find their place in today’s publishing world.

“Not since Hannibal Lecter had a friend for dinner has a serial killer been so skillfully rendered on the page.”
—Taylor Elmore, Writer/Producer of Justified and Limitless

“This book is seriously brilliant: the best serial killer thriller I’ve ever read.”
—Lisa Milton, Executive Editor HarperCollins HQ

“The Fourth Monkey has one of the most ingenious openings that I’ve read in years. This thriller never disappoints.”
—James Patterson, #1 NY Times Bestselling Author

Sold at auction to CBS Films with Bill Todman, Marc Webb, and Taylor Elmore attached, by Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency, Angela Cheng Caplan of Cheng Caplan Company Inc. and attorney Wayne Alexander.

“J.D. Barker is a one-of-a-kind writer and that’s a rare and special thing. Stephen King comes to mind and Lee Child, John Sandford. All one-of-a-kinds. Don’t miss anything J.D. writes.”
—James Patterson, #1 International Bestselling Author

“Barker knows how to evoke chilling imagery and will have readers anxiously looking over their shoulders with each terrifying “clickity, click, click.”
— Library Journal

~Film rights optioned by Paramount with Andy Muschetti (IT, Mama) attached to direct!
~Named a Fall 2018 Buzz Book by Publisher’s Lunch!
~Named one of Publisher’s Weekly Top 10 Books of Fall 2018!
~Starred review at Library Journal!

“Brilliant… Close your windows. Lock your doors. Turn the lights on. Place a silver crucifix around your neck, and make sure to have a few sharp wooden stakes nearby. In other words, prepare yourself for a transfixing journey into the diabolically delicious world of DRACUL — if you dare.”
—Chanticleer Reviews

J.D. Barker’s debut novel that he self-published in 2014 is Forsaken. This is his indie novel that drew the attention of agents and traditional publishers to his debut thriller series, The Fourth Monkey, which lead to pre-empts and auctions worldwide with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt picking up for the U.S. and HarperCollins in the U.K.

J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is an internationally bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural.

J. D. Barker, Master of Suspense, and Intl’ Bestselling Author

We are thrilled to announce that J.D. Barker, Master of Suspense, will keynote and present at the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

We first met JD in New York at the Writers Digest Conference this past August. Clearly thrilled to hear about Dracul, we were also quite impressed with Mr. Barker himself. He struck us as professional (serious), engaging (doesn’t take himself too seriously), and approachable (willing to share what he knows about writing with those who are working hard on their own craft).

In other words, JD Barker is a #SeriousAuthor who, when we asked him to join us at CAC19 as a keynote speaker and to present share his journey and knowledge with Chanticleer authors, not only did he graciously accept but said to count him in for all three days! April cannot come soon enough for us because we cannot wait for you to meet him. Below are a few samples of J.D. sessions for #SeriousAuthors at #CAC19

Below are a couple of the sessions he will present:

MAKING THE LEAP FROM INDIE TO TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING

J.D. Barker successfully published his debut as an indie and sold enough copies to land on the radar of the traditional publishers in a BIG way including seven-figure advances, two feature films, and a television program.

He’ll open his toolbox and explain exactly what he did to make it happen. His sessions are not to be missed by any aspiring author or seasoned veteran trying to find their place in today’s publishing world.

CROSSING GENRE and WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT!

From the moment you send out your first query letter, your work will be labeled by agents, publishers, and booksellers. Instead of resisting the urge to be labeled, J.D. will teach you why you should consider labels a way to make your books, and your author platform, more marketable.

Learn how to avoid the genre box and tell the story you want to tell to the largest possible group with the help of J.D. Barker who has successfully crossed over from horror, to paranormal, to thriller, and back again.

DID WE TELL YOU HOW EXCITED WE ARE THAT JD BARKER IS KEYNOTING at CAC!

Register for CAC19 today! Registrations are limited.

October 10, 2018
The DANTE ROSSETTI Book Awards for YA Fiction – the SHORTLIST for the 2018 CIBAs
The DANTE ROSSETTI Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Young Adult Fiction. The Dante Rossetti Book Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions ( The #CIBAs).

These titles have moved forward in the judging slush rounds to the 2018 Dante Rossetti Book Awards SHORT LIST. These entries are now in competition for the limited 2018 Dante Rossetti Semi-Finalists from which the First Place Category Positions will be chosen. The Dante Rossetti Book Awards Semi-Finalists and First Place Positions along with Dante Rossetti Grand Prize Award Winner will be announced at the Awards Gala on Saturday, April 27th, 2019.

Chanticleer Book Reviews is looking for the best new works featuring stories of all shapes and sizes written to an audience between the ages of about twelve to eighteen (or those who are young at heart).

These titles are in the running for the next round – the SEMI-Finalist positions for the 2018 Rossetti Book Awards novel competition for Young Adult Fiction. Good Luck to All!

2018 Dante Rossetti Book Awards for Young Adult Fiction – The SHORTLIST
- Mara Gan – Joined
- Dan Morales – The Scouts of St. Michael Operation Archangel
- Luke Jacket – Stuck-up Scumbags of the Eighth Grade
- Janeen Swart – The Hidden Truth
- JoAnna Rowe – Flowers & Fire
- Robert Wright Jr – Unwanted
- Alexander Edlund – Keelic and the Pathfinders
- KB Shaw – From the Shadows
- Tom Edwards – The Honourable Catherine
- Carmela A. Martino – Playing by Heart
- Gina Detwiler – Forlorn
- Cheryl G. Bostrom – Climb, Run, Drown
- Alex Paul – Tookan Attack
- Lynn Yvonne Moon – Whispers
- Anne Sweazy-Kulju – Grog Wars, Dos
- C.A. Gray – Uncanny Valley
- Molly Lazer – Owl Eyes: A Fairy Tale
- Tiffany Brooks – Reality Gold
- Andrea and William Vaughan – 2nd Gen
- P. L. Hamilton – League of Potioneers
- Denise Lammi – Lucid World
- Jacinta Jade – Change of Chaos
- Chuck Vance – Sneaking Out
- Andrea Murray – Something New
- Julie Moffett – White Knights
- Susan Faw – Soul Sacrifice
- Sarah Mendivel – Sam’s Theory
- Christy Nicholas – The Enchanted Swans
- Jennifer Alsever – Ember Burning: Trinity Forest Book 1
Congratulations to these authors for their works moving up to the Short List from the slush pile. These novels will now compete for the (Semi-Finalists) Positions!

The Rossetti Short Listers will compete for the SemiFinalists positions that will compete for the Rossetti First-In-Category Positions. First Place Category Award winners will automatically be entered into the Dante Rossetti GRAND PRIZE AWARD competition. The CBR Grand Prize Genre Winners will compete for the CIBA Overall Grand Prize for Best Book and its $1,000 purse.

Click here for the link to the 2018 Rossetti Long List (Slushpile Survivors)

The deadline for submissions into the 2018 Rossetti Book Awards was May 30th, 2018

We are now accepting submissions into the 2019 Rossetti Book Awards writing competition. Please click here for more information.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions at Info@ChantiReviews.com.
October 5, 2018
The CHATELAINE Book Awards for Romantic Fiction – The SHORTLIST for the 2018 CIBAs
The CHATELAINE Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Romantic Fiction and Women’s Fiction. The Chatelaine Book Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions ( The #CIBAs).

These titles have moved forward in the judging slush rounds to the 2018 Chatelaine Book Awards SHORT LIST. These entries are now in competition for the limited 2018 Chatelaine Semi-Finalists from which the First Place Category Positions will be chosen. The Chatelaine Book Awards Semi-Finalists and First Place Positions along with Chatelaine Grand Prize Award Winner will be announced at the Awards Gala on Saturday, April 27th, 2019.

We are looking for the best new books featuring romantic themes and adventures of the heart, historical love affairs, perhaps a little steamy romance, and stories that appeal especially to women.

These titles are in the running for the next round – the SEMI-Finalist positions for the 2018 Chatelaine Book Awards novel competition for Romantic Fiction and Women’s Fiction. Good Luck to All!
- L.E. Rico – Mischief and Mayhem
- L.E. Rico – Blame It on the Bet
- Trent Meunier – Flowers and Milkshakes
- Pamela LePage – Virtuous Souls
- Gail Noble-Sanderson – The Lavender House in Meuse
- J.P. Kenna – Allurement Westward
- Mona Sedrak – Six Months
- Cerella Sechrist – The Way Back to Erin
- Kate Vale – Friends Forever
- Malinda Andrews – The Irish Baker
- Rebekah N. Bryan – Brit with the Pink Hair
- Lauren E. Rico – Solo
- Karen Fitzpatrick – Sincerely, Amelia
- Elizabeth Crowens – Dear Bernie, I’m Glad You’re Dead
- Elizabeth Crowens – Dear Mr. Hitchcock
- F. E. Greene – The Next Forever
- Elena Mikalsen – Wrapped in the Stars
- Diane Shute – Midnight Crossing
- Lucinda Brant – Satyr’s Son: A Georgian Historical Romance
- Alix Nichols – Playing with Fire
- Alix Nichols – The Traitor’s Bride
- Nicola Slade – The House at Ladywell
- Michelle Cox – A Promise Given
- Diana A. Hicks – Love Over Lattes
- Tammy Mannersly – Persuading Lucy
Congratulations to these authors for their works moving up to the Short List from the slush pile. These novels will now compete for the (Semi-Finalists) Positions!

Chatelaine Grand Prize Winner M. A. Clarke Scott

The Chatelaine Short Listers will compete for the SemiFinalists positions that will compete for the Chatelaine First-In-Category Positions. First Place Category Award winners will automatically be entered into the Chatelaine GRAND PRIZE AWARD competition. The CBR Grand Prize Genre Winners will compete for the CIBA Overall Grand Prize for Best Book and its $1,000 purse.

We are now accepting submissions into the 2019 Chatelaine Book Awards writing competition. The deadline for submissions into the 2019 Chatelaine Book Awards is August 30th, 2019. Please click here for more information.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions at Info@ChantiReviews.com.
September 25, 2018
Master of Suspense, J.D. Barker, to Keynote and Present at Chanticleer Authors Conference 2019

Welcome to STORYTELLERS and STORY MAKERS!

The 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference

This year J.D. BARKER, MASTER of SUSPENSE, is coming to CAC19 as a keynote speaker and workshop presenter. We are THRILLED!

J.D. Barker successfully published his debut novel as an indie and sold enough copies to land on the radar of the traditional publishers in a BIG way including seven-figure advances, two feature films, and a television program.

J.D. Barker: International Bestselling Author whose works incorporate elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural…

J.D. Barker is the internationally best-selling author of THE FOURTH MONKEY and FORSAKEN. As a finalist for the Bram Stoker Award and winner of the New Apple Medalist Award, his work has been compared to Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Thomas Harris.

His third novel, THE FIFTH TO DIE, released in June 2018.

He has been asked by the Stoker family to co-author the forthcoming prequel to DRACULA due out in fall 2018. His novels have been translated into numerous languages and optioned for both film and television.

We first met JD in New York at the Writers Digest Conference this past August. Clearly thrilled to hear about Dracul, we were also quite impressed with Mr. Barker himself. He struck us as professional (serious), engaging (doesn’t take himself too seriously), and approachable (willing to share what he knows about writing with those who are working hard on their own craft).

In other words, JD Barker is a #SeriousAuthor who, when asked to join us at CAC19, not only did he graciously accept, but said to count him info all 3 days! April cannot come soon enough for us because we cannot wait for you to meet him.

Below are a few samples of J.D. sessions for #SeriousAuthors.

MAKING THE LEAP FROM INDIE TO TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING

J.D. Barker successfully published his debut as an indie and sold enough copies to land on the radar of the traditional publishers in a BIG way including seven-figure advances, two feature films, and a television program.

He’ll open his toolbox and explain exactly what he did to make it happen. His sessions are not to be missed by any aspiring author or seasoned veteran trying to find their place in today’s publishing world.

CROSSING GENRE and WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT!

From the moment you send out your first query letter, your work will be labeled by agents, publishers, and booksellers. Instead of resisting the urge to be labeled, J.D. will teach you why you should consider labels a way to make your books, and your author platform, more marketable.

Learn how to avoid the genre box and tell the story you want to tell to the largest possible group with the help of J.D. Barker who has successfully crossed over from horror, to paranormal, to thriller, and back again.

DID WE TELL YOU HOW EXCITED WE ARE THAT JD BARKER IS KEYNOTING at CAC!

You’ll want to check out his website, but here is a little bit from his bio:

While in college, one of his writing assignment found its way into the hands of Paul Gallotta of Circus Magazine. Gallotta reached out to Barker and asked him to join the staff of 25th Parallel Magazine where he worked alongside the man who would later become Marilyn Manson. Assignments dropped him into the center of pop culture and by 1991 Barker branched out, interviewing celebrities for the likes of Seventeen, TeenBeat, and other national and local publications.

In 1992, Barker syndicated a small newspaper column called Revealed which centered around the investigation of haunted places and supernatural occurrences. While he often cites these early endeavors as a crash course in tightening prose, his heart remained with fiction. He began work as a book doctor and ghostwriter shortly thereafter, helping others fine-tune their writing for publication. Barker has said this experience proved invaluable, teaching him what works and what doesn’t in today’s popular fiction. He would continue in this profession until 2012 when he wrote a novel of his own, titled Forsaken.

Stephen King read portions of Forsaken prior to publication and granted Barker permission to utilize the character of Leland Gaunt of King’s Needful Things in the novel. Indie-published in late 2014, the book went on to hit several major milestones – #2 on Audible (Harper Lee with Go Set a Watchman held #1), #44 on Amazon U.S., #2 on Amazon Canada, and #22 on Amazon UK. Forsaken was also nominated for a Bram Stoker Award (Best Debut Novel) and won a handful of others including a New Apple Medalist Award.

After reading Forsaken, Bram Stoker’s family reached out to Barker and asked him to co-author a prequel to Dracula utilizing Bram’s original notes and journals, much of which has never been made public. The novel, titled Dracul, sold at auction to G.P. Putnam & Sons, with film rights going to Paramount. Andy Muschietti (IT, Mama) is attached to direct.

Barker’s initial indie success drew the attention of traditional agents and publishers and in early 2016 his debut thriller, The Fourth Monkey, sold in a series of pre-empts and auctions worldwide with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt set to publish in the U.S. and HarperCollins in the UK. The book has also sold for both film and television.

Save the dates – April 26-26, 2019 – for 3 days that will change your life. #CAC19 #SeriousAuthors

We have the perfect registration packet for you!

[Editor’s Note of Interest: Brian Hugh Warner (born January 5, 1969), stage name was formed by combining and juxtaposing the names of two American pop cultural icons of the 1960s: actress Marilyn Monroe and criminal Charles Manson… Commentators have referred to the band’s lead singer as being one of the most iconic and controversial figures in heavy metal music, with some going so far as to call him a “pop culture icon.” Paste magazine said there were “few artists in the 90s as shocking as Marilyn Manson, the most famous of the shock-rockers.” – Wikipedia citing]

September 20, 2018
S is for September Spotlight on LITTLE PEEPS Awards – Children’s Literature, Picture Books, Educational Books, Beginning Chapter Books, Activity Books
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[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” last=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_text]

In September we welcome rich and beautiful, inspiring and fascinating stories for our pre-readers, for those who are learning to read, and for those who love reading stories to the wee ones in their lives…

S is for September, and
September is for Little Peeps.

What are the LITTLE PEEPS Awards? Here we have stories that help children look into lives and experiences different from their own, stories that spark the imagination, and drive discovery. These stories teach and comfort, entertain and inspire. These are the carefully crafted stories that open the doors of wonder and invite the children of the world to fall in love with reading. Welcome to the LITTLE PEEPS!

Chanticleer Book Reviews is looking for the best books featuring stories of all shapes and sizes written to an audience for Early Readers. Storybooks, Beginning Chapter Books, Picture Books, Activity Books & Educational Books we will put them to the test and choose the best Children’s Books among them.

The very last day to submit your work is September 30, 2018. We invite you to join us, to tell us your stories, and to find out who will take home the prize at CAC19 on April 27th.

As our deadline draws near, don’t miss this opportunity to earn distinction for your Children’s Book. Enter today!

All category winners have the opportunity to attend our Awards Ceremony on April 27, 2019, that will take place during the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference. First Place category winners will be whisked up on stage to receive their custom ribbon and wait to see who among them will take home the Grand Prize. It’s an exciting evening of dinner, networking, and celebrations!

First Place category winners and Grand Prize winners will each receive a stunning awards package well worth the price of entry into the LITTLE PEEPS Awards competitions.

The LITTLE PEEPS Awards for the best Children’s Literature:

The Grand Prize LITTLE PEEPS Winner in 2017:

Midnight and Moonlight by Peggy Sullivan, M.Ed.“…is a heartwarming story about two different cats who find that friendship is what matters most.”

Peggy Sullivan, M.Ed., Counseling, LMHC, NCC, CHT is dedicated to helping her clients, young and not so young, live their fullest lives. She had many books for all ages, but we are so thankful she submitted Midnight and Moonlight to the LITTLE PEEPS Awards! Grand Prize Winner sounds very nice!

2017 Little Peeps Book Awards for Early Readers First in Category Winners are:
- Lessons from a Cat: The Moon and Star; Midnight and Moonlight by Peggy Sullivan
- A Tall Tale About a Dachshund and a Pelican: How a Friendship Came to Be by Kizzie Jones
- Rainbow Monsters by Sylva Fae
- Angel on Assignment by Wanda Carter Roush
- Wishes and Kisses by Heather Pallotta
Grand Prize LITTLE PEEPS Winner of 2016:

The Tooth Collector Fairies: Batina’s Best First Day by Denise Ditto Satterfield is a story about trying new things and finding out that you can do a job you once believed was too big for you.

Denise Ditto Satterfield says this about herself, “When I think about writing, I get happy. My brain kicks into overdrive and the ideas flow freely like Niagara Falls!” She is a busy author and loves what she does. For more on Denise, check out her 10 Question Author Interview right here.

1st Place Category Winners in 2016:
- Story Book: The Blue Beetle by Sara Dahmen
- Chapter Grade Book: The Tooth Collector Fairies, Batina’s Best First Day by Denise Ditto Satterfield
- Activity Book: Rikki & the Rocket Twins Adventure 1: Discovering the Solar System by Kneko Burney
- Educational Book: The Adventures of Frank and Mustard: Stuck in the Mud by Simon Calcavecchia
- Picture Book: The Mouse and the Mole Hill by Donna Washington
Your Children’s Book could earn a place in our LITTLE PEEPS hall of fame for the CIBA 2018 Best Books.

All you have to do is to enter your manuscript or published Children’s Book.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container backgroundcolor=”” backgroundimage=”” backgroundrepeat=”no-repeat” backgroundposition=”left top” backgroundattachment=”scroll” video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” bordersize=”0px” bordercolor=”” borderstyle=”” paddingtop=”20px” paddingbottom=”20px” paddingleft=”0px” paddingright=”0px” menu_anchor=”” equal_height_columns=”no” hundred_percent=”no” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” last=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”single solid” sep_color=”transparent” class=”” id=””]What are the Little Peeps Awards?[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”3_5″ layout=”3_5″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” class=”” id=”” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_text]Our Little Peeps Awards are Chanticleer’s search for the best in Children’s Literature!

We are 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 & Educational Books we will put them to the test and choose the best Children’s Books among them. (For Middle-Grade entries see our Gertrude Warner Awards) [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”2_5″ layout=”2_5″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”1px” border_color=”#606060″ border_style=”solid” padding_top=”10px” padding_right=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px” padding_left=”10px” class=”” id=”” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_text]

Our Chanticleer Review Writing Contests feature more than $30,000.00 worth of cash and prizes each year!
- All First in Category Winning Titles will be placed in the queue to receive a coveted Chanticleer Book Review Package (value $395) and go on to compete for the genre Grand Prize and the Overall Grand Prize.
- The Overall Grand Prize Winner is named Chanticleer Reviews Best Book of the Year and awarded the $1000 prize
- All Winners receive a Chanticleer Prize Package which includes a digital badge, a ribbon and a whole assortment of goodies
[/fusion_text][fusion_button link=”/services#!/Little-Peeps-Fiction-Writing-Contests-Chanticleer-Book-Reviews/p/58078150/category=5193080″ color=”darkgray” size=”” type=”” shape=”” target=”_blank” title=”” button_gradient_top_color=”” button_gradient_bottom_color=”” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”1px” shadow=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” modal=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ alignment=”center” class=”” id=””]Enter Now![/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
September 19, 2018
10 Questions Author Interview with KEITH TITTLE – 2016 CLUE Awards GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Meet Keith Tittle!

Keith took home the 2016 Grand Prize in the CIBA CLUE category for A Matter of Justice. He’s a quiet man whose chosen genre, Mystery/Thriller, fits well. He’s a baseball fan who writes with clarity and fleshes out his lead characters with believable determination and grit.

Chanticleer: Tell us a little about yourself, Keith, how did you start writing?

Tittle: I have been writing creatively for most of my life. In fact, there is a picture of four-year-old me sitting in front of my dad’s old portable typewriter, probably caught in the throes of my first case of writer’s block. But I never seriously considered the possibility of doing something with my writing until I took an Introduction to Writing Fiction course — taught by Sheila Simonson, the author of the Lark Dodge and Latouche County Mystery series — and came away with a much better sense of my abilities.

Chanticleer: That’s a good way to start! When did you realize you that you were indeed an author?

Tittle: I don’t think the transition from writer to author happened for me until I held the proof copy of my first mystery, Drawn Back. It’s an amazing feeling to see your name on the cover of a book but, until that moment, I still harbored nagging self-doubts about my ability to see a novel through from beginning to end.

Chanticleer: That’s a big fear for many authors. How to get from Beginning to End. But once you start writing, the answer comes. What genre best describes your work?

Tittle: This should be a far easier question for me to answer than it is. I would classify both Drawn Back and A Matter of Justice as Mystery/Suspense at their core, and yet they are as different from each other as they are alike. A Matter of Justice dances on the edge of being a thriller. Drawn Back is a little more character-driven, and has elements of romance and time travel. But if you’re going to hold my feet to the fire, I’ll say I write Mystery/Suspense.

Chanti: What led you to write in this genre?

Tittle: I like to tell people that I wrote my first novel for a demographic of one; the only person I could be sure would buy my book was my mother, and she loved both mysteries and stories of time travel. But it’s also true that the plot for Drawn Back chose me, rather than the other way around. As the story unfolded for me I found that I loved the challenge of writing a complex mystery with so many moving parts. I also enjoyed the opportunities the genre offered to explore my characters’ motivations and morality in the darkest of circumstances.

Chanti: Do you find yourself following the rules or do you like to make up your own rules?

Tittle: Rules regarding genre make excellent guidelines, especially for new writers, but I think if you adhere to them too closely you risk being formulaic. My writing always begins with a basic premise, a general idea of where the story begins and where I think it will end. In the back of my mind, I have the details of the crimes being solved, the why and the how and the who. How the story then unfolds after that is dictated almost entirely by the characters I’ve put in place. There is no outline, no formula … and no rules.

Chanti: That is fascinating. It takes a lot of trust in your author abilities to be able to do that. Give us some of your favorite authors and describe how they influence your work.

Tittle: My approach to storytelling and dialogue has probably been more strongly influenced by my love of movies — particularly those of the 1930s and 40s — than by any specific author, but there are a few I would love to be favorable compared to.

I’ve always been drawn to the humor and versatility of Terry Pratchett and Christopher Moore. Both excel at creating characters who are intensely human, entirely relatable, and completely individual. I certainly strive for that in my own books. Within my genre, I think Dashiell Hammett should be a required read for any writer who wants to join the ‘murder and mayhem’ club. From Red Harvest and The Maltese Falcon to the Continental Op short stories, Hammett was an absolute master. Another mystery writer I’m addicted to is Timothy Hallinan. I love the wit and humanity he instills into his revolving cast of characters, and his Junior Bender series is about as much fun as you can have in the world of crime fiction.

Chanti: Love those authors. Good choices! You mentioned that you were influenced by the movies of the 30’s and 40’s; why that period, specifically?

Tittle: I think it has to do with the Production Code that was in place at the time. The strict rules regarding sexuality, language and violence forced writers and directors to be more creative and subtle in their storytelling. The best of them, people like Preston Sturges and Howard Hawks, were geniuses at providing just enough detail for the audience to fill in the more salacious — or graphic — blanks for themselves. Moviegoers, as well as readers, are far more intuitive than they are sometimes given credit for.

Chanti: Right. Good point. What areas in your writing are you most confident in? What advice would you give someone who is struggling in that area?

Tittle: My approach to storytelling tends to be more cinematic, with multiple viewpoints and quick cuts. Because of that, I think I’ve had to become fairly adept at creating, and then inhabiting, a diverse cast of characters in each of my books. Male and female, Irish, Russian … I work hard to make each voice distinct and consistent, without seeming like a cliché or caricature.

As for advice, I encourage new writers to become more active observers of the people around them. Tune into the way people speak, which words they emphasize, their cadence and inflection, their body language. Then, as an exercise, challenge yourself to write something — anything — from that person’s viewpoint. Try to capture their internal thoughts and spoken dialogue, as well as the physical ‘beats.’ To improve your dialogue, flip that exercise completely and write an entire scene with absolutely no physical beats or attributions. If you can still easily differentiate between your characters, you’re that much closer to writing tight scenes without all the unnecessary ‘he said/she said.’

Chanti: That’s brilliant! And a great way to further character development. Thanks for that. What are you working on now? What can we look forward to seeing next from you?

Tittle: I love exploring old crimes, and how they continue to affect people years later. The second book in the Jefferson Dawes series, The War on Cain, revolves around a decades-old, race-related murder in Portland that resurfaces. With current racial tensions running high, the DA’s office is reluctant to reopen the investigation, so it falls to Jeff to find the people responsible.

Chanti: Sounds good! Who’s the perfect reader for your book?

Tittle: Readers of mystery and suspense, certainly, but I think anyone who enjoys losing themselves in the characters they’re reading about — regardless of the genre — will probably enjoy the ride.

You know what to do now, right? If you’ve enjoyed this 10 Question Interview with Keith Tittle, please “like” & “share” it!

Check out Keith’s website at https://www.keithtittle.com/

And check out his books

September 15, 2018
The GOETHE Book Awards for Post 1750s Historical Fiction – The SHORTLIST for the 2018 CIBAs
The Goethe Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Late Historical Fiction set after the 1750s. The Goethe Book Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards (#CIBA).

Chanticleer Book Reviews is looking for the best books featuring Late Period Historical Fiction. Regency, Victorian,18th Century, 19th Century, 20th Century, World and other wars, history of non-western cultures, set after the 1750s, we will put them to the test and choose the best among them. (Looking for Chaucer Pre-1750 Book Awards or Laramie Western/Pioneer/Civil War Book Awards, just click on the links.)

The 2018 Goethe Book Awards Competition Rounds

These Goethe Short Listers are now in competition for the 2018 GOETHE Semi-Finalists List, which will pair this list down to 18 titles or less. Semi-Finalists will compete for the coveted five positions of the First Place Category Winners of the 2018 GOETHE Book Awards in the final rounds of judging. The First Place Category winners will automatically be entered into the Goethe GRAND PRIZE AWARD competition. The 16 CBR Grand Prize Genre Winners will compete for the CBR Overall Grand Prize for Best Book and its $1,000 purse. First Place Category and Grand Prize Awards will be announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Awards Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, April 27th, 2019, Bellingham, Washington.

These titles are in the running for the limited Semi-Finalists positions of the 2018 GOETHE Book Awards novel competition for post-1750s Post Historical Novels.

Good luck to all in these next intensive rounds to see which titles will move forward.
- Carol M. Cram – The Muse of Fire
- Josanna Thompson – A Maiden’s Honor
- J.P. Kenna – Allurement Westward
- Richard Alan – American Journeys: From Ireland to the Pacific Northwest (1854-1900) Book 2
- J.L. Oakley – Mist-chi-mas: A Novel of Captivity
- Noelle Clark – Stone of Heaven and Earth
- Richard Alan – A Female Doctor in the Civil War
- J. R. Collins – Living Where the Rabbits Dance
- Jocelyn Cullity – Amah & the Silk-Winged Pigeons
- Ellen Notbohm – The River by Starlight
- Rosalind Spitzer – Anna’s Home
- Neal Katz – Scandalous: The Victoria Woodhull Saga, Volume II: Fame, Infamy, and Paradise Lost
- Rita Dragonette – The Fourteenth of September
- Sharon Hart-Green – Come Back for Me: A Novel
- Meredith Pechta – The Prejudice That Divides Us
- Jeffrey K. Walker – None of Us the Same
- Ronald E. Yates – The Lost Years of Billy Battles (Book 3, Finding Billy Battles Trilogy)
- John Thomas Everett – No Slave To Reason
- J. Victor Tomaszek – The Tatra Eagle
- Pat Wahler – I am Mrs. Jesse James
- R. S. Rowland – Portrait of a Bitter Spy
- Kit Sergeant – 355: The Women of Washington’s Spy Ring
- Ruth Hull Chatlien – Blood Moon: A Captive’s Tale
- John Hansen – Unfortunate Words
- Patricia Suprenant – Behind the Scarlet Letter
- Peter Curtis – Cafe Budapest
- Bruce Joel Brittain – Brother Daniel’s Good News Revival
- Michelle Cox – A Promise Given
- Tom Edwards – Jane Sinclair
- Trevor D’Silva – Fateful Decisions
- K. M. Sandrick – The Pear Tree
All Short Listers and SemiFinalists will receive high visibility along with special badges to wear during the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala.

Good Luck to each of you as your works compete for the 2018 GOETHE Awards Semi-Finalists positions.

2017 Goethe Book Awards Winners Joe Vitovic & Peter Greene, Goethe Grand Prize

To view the 2017 Goethe Book Awards winners, please click here.

The Goethe Grand Prize Winner and the First Place Category Position award winners will be announced at the April 27th, 2019 Chanticleer Book Awards Annual Awards Gala, which takes place at the Chanticleer Authors Conference that will be held in Bellingham, Wash.

We are now accepting submissions into the 2019 GOETHE Book Awards writing competition. The deadline for submissions is June 30th, 2019. Please click here for more information.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions at Info@ChantiReviews.com.
September 14, 2018
September Spotlight is on the CLUE Awards – Mysteries, Thrillers/Suspense, Detective Novels
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]September brings countless clues and unsolved mysteries! Who will crack the case and emerge a winner? Stay tuned…

The game’s afoot this September with thrilling adventure, nail-biting suspense, keen detective work, and more. Perhaps you’ll need a private eye on the case or follow police procedural to the letter. What’s certain, while authors work hard at crime solving, when September draws to an end, all of our cases will be closed!

What are the CLUE Awards? Thrillers, Suspense, the grip of Mystery. CLUE is all about the uncertain– detectives and private eyes, cops and criminals; those who have something to hide and those who hunt to bring those dark secrets to light. CLUE novels thrive on questions and build suspense with each turning of the page. For writers who scatter pieces of a mystery throughout their stories, and readers who enjoy putting those pieces together, CLUE is the genre of choice.

The deadline is just around the corner! Who will survive the Slush? Who will be Longlisted and Shortlisted?
Who will take home the prize at CAC19 on April 27th?

Kaylin McFarren, CLUE Grand Prize Winner

Avoid the crime of letting this deadline slip by! Send in your stories of thrilling detectives, super sleuths, daring and flawed police detectives today. We will put them to the test and choose the best among them.

As the September 30th deadline for submissions draws closer, don’t miss this opportunity to earn distinction for your novel. Enter today!

All category winners have the opportunity to attend our Awards Ceremony on April 27, 2019, that will take place during the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference. First Place category winners will be whisked up on stage to receive their custom ribbon and await to see who among them will take home the Grand Prize. It’s an exciting and electrifying evening of dinner, networking, and celebrations!

First Place category winners and Grand Prize winners will each receive a stunning awards package well worth the price of entry into the CLUE Awards competitions.

The CLUE Awards for the best Thriller & Suspense Fiction novels

HALL of FAME

The Grand Prize CLUE Winner in 2017:

Twisted Threads by Kaylin McFarren won the “Suspense/Thriller” category in the Clue Awards and then took home the Clue Grand Prize! Twisted Threads is the fourth book in her Threads Series set on a cruise ship, “With killers on the loose and no avenue for escape, tension is ratcheted to a breaking point, forcing everyone to choose between love and loyalty – or deeply held honor – in order to survive.”

Kaylin McFarren is a multi-award winning author who has earned more than forty national literary awards. “She keeps a glass of wine close by while writing love scenes, Kleenex on her desk while writing heartbreakers, and has been known to empty a box of chocolates when she’s completely stumped.“

1st Place Category Winners in 2017:
- Do Not Ask by Elaine Williams Crockett
- 100 Days of Terror by Larry Temple
- The Butcher’s Bill by SMartin Roy Hill
- The Criminalist: A Novel of Forensic Science Suspense by John Houde
- Aged in Charcoal by Jeffrey Ridenour
Grand Prize Winner of 2016:

A Matter of Justice by Keith Tittle won the “Suspense/Thriller” category in the 2016 Clue Awards and went on to win the Grand Prize! “Author Keith Tittle rings all the challenges in this complex, gripping mystery. His story combines diverse elements lending the story opportunity for multiple mayhems. Jeff Dawes is a believable hero – determined, diligent, dogged by past failures that spur him to try harder. The setting – Portland, Oregon, with its scenic natural environs makes for a variety of well-staged scenarios.“

Keith Tittle is “…a lifelong history buff, baseball fan, and resident of the Pacific Northwest, and lives with his wife in southwest Washington.” Keith is working on the second novel in this series.

1st Place Category Winners in 2016:
- Private Eye/Noir: The Innocent Dead by Keith Dixon
- Legal Thriller: Almost Mortal by Christopher Leibig
- Suspense: The Sage Wind Blows Cold by Clint Hollingsworth
- International Espionage: Epstein’s Pancake by Bjarne Rostaing
- U.S. Political Thriller: Do Not Assume by Elaine Williams Crockett
- Undercover Work: Behind The Mask by Dana Ridenour
- Eco/Natural Resources Thriller: Seed of Control by Lawrence Verigin
- Investigative: Striking Blind by Lonna Enox
Grand Prize CLUE Winner in 2015:

In 2015, Lonna Enox’s Blood Relations won the CLUE Grand Prize. This is the second book in Lonna’s Sorrel Janes Mysteries series set in the contemporary Southwest. In Blood Relations, “… a tangled web of mystery and lies, [proves that] the truth can only be discovered if the seeker can survive.“

Lonna Enox says this about herself, “I’m a ‘what if’ person. I’m also curious, and ask lots of questions, read about things, try things, & always investigate.”

1st Place Category Winners in 2015:
- Blended Genre: Timothy S. Johnston – The Tanner Sequence: The Furnace, The Freezer, The Void,
- Suspense/Thriller: K. J. Klemme – Tourist Trapped
- Mystery/Crime: Patrick M. Garry – Blind Spots
- Manuscript Mystery/Crime: Scott D. Smith – Guilty Deeds
- Espionage/Spy: Michele Daniel – The Red Circle
- Contemporary Suspense: Christine Benedict – Anonymous
- Mystery: Lonna Enox – Blood Relations
- Historical/Vintage Thriller: Michael Scheffel – St. Louis Affair: The Adventures of Herbert Falken
- Legal/Medical/Police Procedural: Laurie Stevens for The Mask of Midnight
- Courtroom Drama: Hubert Crouch for The Word
- True Crime: Zach Fortier for CurbChek Reload
- International Mystery & Crime: Marian Exall – A Dangerous Descent
Grand Prize CLUE Winner in 2014:

The Red Ribbon by Rachel B. Ledge won the 2014 Clue Grand Prize. This historical fiction thriller set in London 1773 about a young woman who struggles to adjust to life after witnessing the murder of her closest friend by the man she loves.

“Rachel B. Ledge is an award-winning author of historical novels with elements of suspense, romance, and time travel. She grew up in Idaho, Texas, Utah and California due to circumstances that didn’t involve the military. An expat since 2008, she and her husband lived in Sydney for five years before sailing to Singapore, where they lived on a boat for a while before transitioning onto terra firma. She can be found sitting up late at night, reading anything with a compelling storyline.”

1st Place Category Winners in 2014:
- Historical: Rachel B. Ledge for The Red Ribbon
- Romantic Suspense: Mimi Barbour for Special Agent Francesca
- International Intrigue/World Events: Lawrence Verigin for The Dark Seed
- Contemporary Mystery/Suspense: Pamela Beason for The Only Clue
- Private Eye/Noir: Keith Dixon for The Bleak
- Police Procedural: Jode Susan Millman for The Midnight Call
- Spy/Espionage: Michelle Daniel for The Red Circle
- Psychological Thriller: Rebecca Nolen for Deadly Thyme
- Cozy/Amateur Sleuth: JoAnn Basset for I’m Kona Love You Forever
- True Crime: Gayle Nix Jackson for Orville Nix: The Missing JFK Assassination Film
Grand Prize CLUE Winner in 2013:

In 2013, Clyde Curley took home the Grand Prize for his novel Raggedy Man, the first in the Detective Toussaint Novels. Here’s a top-notch detective murder mystery set in the Pacific Northwest, Portland Oregon, to be exact. “His novels are prodigious—yes they come in at more than 500 pages, but you will be wishing it were longer—and are page-turners that tackle and explore the big ethical and societal issues of today. Curley’s deft use of murder mysteries to microscopically explore society’s ethical issues is nothing short of brilliant.” – Chanticleer Reviews

Clyde Curley tells us “…this is all that matters: I’ve grown up and now I’m an author. For me, the permanence of art stands as a bulwark against the slings and arrows of outrageous real life. The highest, richest form of art is that which is formed from words—the first and most important attribute of humans striving to behave less like animals and more like gods.”

1st Place Category Winners in 2013:
- Romantic Suspense: Small Town Storm by Elise K. Ackers
- Steamy/Action/Thriller: Buried Threads by Kaylin McFarren
- Debut Novel: The Last Dance by Lonna Enox
- Historical Mystery: Forevermore by Jim Musgrave
- Caper/Adventure: Too Many Violins by Mark Reutlinger
- Private Eye: Fire Trap by Richard Mann
- Police Procedural: Eleven by Carolyn Arnold
- Classic Detective: Raggedy Man by Clyde Curley
- Mystery/Crime: Deadly Recall by Donnell Ann Bell
- Amateur Sleuth: Death Over Easy by Toby Speed
- Thriller/Suspense: Grind His Bones by Richard Newell Smith
- Medical: Without Consent by Bev Irwin
- Psychological Thriller: The Grave Blogger by Donna Fontenot
The Grand Prize CLUE Winner in 2012:

Pamela Beason’s Mystery/Thriller, The Only Witness tied for Grand Prize in 2012. The Only Witness is a marvel of story-telling. Pamela Beason’s novel is one of those rare gems that is intelligent and informative but also embracing and charmingly accessible.

A former private investigator, Pamela Beason “…lives in the Pacific Northwest. Pam challenges the human assumption that we are the superior species. Each of her titles takes readers on an adventure while reminding us that drifting through life is not enough; you have to live it…”

1st Place Category Winners in 2012:
- Shadow Games by Jeanette-Marie Mirich
- Corporate Insanity by Tom Pors
- New Smyrna Swing by D.D. Queens
- Made in China by Mark Reutlinger
- Mrs. Kaplan in the Soup; The Matzoh Ball of Death by Mark Reutlinger
- Murder Strikes a Pose, A Downward Dog Mystery by Tracy Weber
Your book could earn a place in our CLUE hall of fame for the CIBA 2018 Best Books.

All you have to do is to enter your manuscript or published novel.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container backgroundcolor=”” backgroundimage=”” backgroundrepeat=”no-repeat” backgroundposition=”left top” backgroundattachment=”scroll” video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” bordersize=”0px” bordercolor=”” borderstyle=”” paddingtop=”20px” paddingbottom=”20px” paddingleft=”0px” paddingright=”0px” menu_anchor=”” equal_height_columns=”no” hundred_percent=”no” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”single solid” sep_color=”transparent” class=”” id=””]What are the Clue Awards?[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”3_5″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Our Clue Awards are Chanticleer Reviews search for the best mystery, suspense, and thriller fiction novels of 2018!

We are looking for the best books featuring suspense, thrilling adventure, detective work, private eye, police procedural, and crime solving, we will put them to the test and choose the best among them. (For light-hearted Mystery and Suspense entries see our Mystery & Mayhem Awards) [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”2_5″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”1px” border_color=”#606060″ border_style=”solid” padding=”10px” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]

Our Chanticleer Review Writing Contests feature more than $30,000.00 worth of cash and prizes each year!
- All First in Category Winning Titles will be placed in the queue to receive a coveted Chanticleer Book Review Package (value $395) for the winning title (reviews are non-transferable) and go on to compete for the genre Grand Prize and the Overall Grand Prize.
- The Overall Grand Prize Winner is named Chanticleer Reviews Best Book of the Year and awarded the $1000 prize
- All Winners receive a Chanticleer Prize Package which includes a digital badge, a ribbon and a whole assortment of goodies
[/fusion_text][fusion_button link=”/services#!/Mystery-Thriller-Suspense-Writing-Contest/p/21521209/category=5193080″ color=”darkgray” size=”” type=”” shape=”” target=”_blank” title=”” gradient_colors=”|” gradient_hover_colors=”|” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”1px” shadow=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” modal=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ alignment=”center” class=”” id=””]Enter Now![/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
September 10, 2018
10 Questions Interview with R.L. STELZER – 2017 GERTRUDE WARNER AWARD WINNER – Middle Grade Books, Sword and Stone Fantasy, Literacy

Meet Rebekah Stelzer!

Rebekah is a Gertrude Warner Awards winner for her middle-grade sword and stone fantasy, The Queen and the Knights of Nor. She loves her family, her writing, and her community. Read on to hear how one author started her fantastic journey!

Chanticleer: Tell us a little about yourself: How did you start writing?

Stelzer: I have been writing stories since around fourth grade. I struggled in my early elementary years with reading, but once I got it, I loved it and began making up my own stories. This became an invaluable skill as an Army brat. Being able to make up my own stories as I looked out the window during our cross-country moves helped pass the time before tablets and in-car DVD players.

Chanticleer: When did you realize you that you were an author?

Stelzer: I realized that I could be an author when I started writing down the bed-time stories I was telling my daughters. Writing after they went to bed gave me a creative outlet. During this time, my kids were really little and as a harpist, practicing was difficult because my kids wanted to play to harp with me or climb on the soundboard. Practicing after bed-time was not an option because I did not want to wake them up. Writing became a way for me to connect with the arts. I realized I loved writing, I loved editing, and I did not mind constructive criticism. But I really felt like an author when I held a book in my hands with my name on the cover. It was a wonderful feeling.

Chanticleer: I know the feeling! Nothing like holding the actual book in your hands and gazing at your name on the cover. Talk about genre. What genre best describes your work?

Stelzer: I love to talk about genre. Being a newbie in the writing field, I assumed that my writing was geared towards young adults, but my wise mother told me it was better suited to younger readers. With a little research, I discovered MIDDLE-GRADE fiction. I realized that many of my favorite books fall into this category and several of my favorite authors wrote to this audience. The Chanticleer Gertrude Warner Award helped me to narrow down my focus as well by helping me to define the genre that suited my work best. This allowed me to establish a framework and focus for my writing overall.

Chanticleer: What led you to write in this genre?

Stelzer: I feel that middle-grade fiction tends to be less angsty than young adult fiction and tackles more complex issues than children’s fiction. I am drawn to the sense of hope that I have found in many middle-grade stories. It’s a genre where authors can tackle some tough concepts, like homelessness as seen in Crenshaw by Kathrine Applegate, or loss and redemption like in The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis while balancing the seriousness of such topics with resilience.

The kids I know in this age group want to know things. They want to know what is going on in the world around them. They are trying to piece together reasons for why the world is the way it is. They then try to create solutions to the problems they see with an innocence and hope that is refreshing to me as a grown-up. I enjoy writing and telling stories with that sense of hope, that has a satisfying, but not always perfect “happily-ever-after” ending.

Chanticleer: That is really insightful. Do you find yourself following the rules or do you like to make up your own rules?

Stelzer: I definitely make up my own rules. My mom, who is always my first reader, makes sure I follow basic English and grammar rules, but as far as storytelling goes, I’m not very formulated in how I go about things.

Chanticleer: What do you do when you’re not writing? Tells us a little about your hobbies.

Stelzer: As I said earlier, I am a harpist. At this point in my life, however, most of my time is spent homeschooling my daughters and taxiing them around to soccer, dance, harp lessons, and playdates. I also volunteer as a youth leader at my church.

Chanticleer: You are busy! How structured are you in your writing work?

Stelzer: I am not structured in many aspects of my life and that includes my writing. I will go months without doing much of anything with writing besides thinking about characters and plotlines, then spend every night for six weeks writing and editing. But I enjoy every minute of it.

Chanticleer: Cute kitty! Name five of your favorite authors and describe how they influence your work.

Stelzer: C.S. Lewis is hands down my favorite author. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe was one of the first books to capture my imagination and get me hooked on reading. I really love Lewis’ way of communicating very profound things in simple everyday ways. He also has a sarcastic bite to his writing that I greatly admire.

George MacDonald won my heart with The Princess and the Goblin, and The Lost Princess. Particularly with The Lost Princess, I saw how an author could weave important life lessons into an engaging and entertaining tale. Nesbitt’s Enchanted Castle is so quirky, slightly strange, and completely imaginative. This work broadened my ideas of fantasy. Unlike Lewis who took the Pevensie children out of our world into another world, Nesbitt brought the magic to earth, and I loved that.

Rebecca Davis is the author of a biography entitled With Daring Faith, the story of the life and service of Amy Carmichael. Carmichael was a woman who did not back down even in the face of death. She learned that her perceived flaws were actually God-given gifts that helped her to save countless children from slavery and prostitution and provide them with shelter, food clothing, education and medical care. I learned through Davis’ account, that each of us has something to contribute to our communities. Her retelling of Amy’s courage has helped me to have courage, on a lesser scale, and to not give up when the way ahead seems blocked. I think that is a lesson every writer needs.

Jessie Sanders, author of the Grover Cleveland Academy series must be on this list. She was my childhood friend who, from the moment the question was asked of her, “What are you going to be when you grow up?” she responded, “An author, of course!” and never deviated from it.

When I began to look for publishers I reached out to her and she gave me great advice, and encouragement. It helped to know someone who had pursued writing and was succeeding in the field. She made the dream seem obtainable, and I am so grateful for that.

Chanticleer: That’s an impressive list! What do you do in your community to improve/promote literacy?

The biggest contribution at the moment is teaching my kids to love reading! My oldest is writing her own stories now, my middle-daughter read her first chapter book this summer and my youngest is really getting excited about learning to read in kindergarten.

I have also had the privilege of encouraging a couple of young writers who are just beginning to pursue their dreams.

For the last two summers, I had the privilege of chaperoning a youth trip to NYC. On these trips, we assist a permanent organization that teaches English to immigrants for free. I love watching the adults we work with learn to read. They come from all backgrounds. This summer I was able to work with a man who was a doctor in his home country, and an older woman who had never gone to school. Teaching our adult students in New York is an amazing experience, but I get the double blessing of watching the teenagers I work with a weekly basis, teach others.

Chanticleer: What are you working on now? What can we look forward to seeing next from you?

I am currently in final edits on my second book Susa’s Story, the prequel to my first work The Queen and Knights of Nor.

It follows Susa a young woman training to be a lady-in-waiting to the King’s betrothed, but her loyalties are torn as she has promised to help her childhood friend Draka win the King’s heart. In her quest to become queen, Draka along with Susa and their friend Loeta, partner with Graken, a dragon with immense powers. Graken guides the young women in the magic arts, but these lessons do not come without a price. Susa has some hesitations along the way but feels justified because she is helping her friend. Little does she know that the consequences of their actions will plague the kingdom for generations to come. As two of the women pursue their newfound powers with reckless abandon, one will lose all that she loves most.

In addition to editing, I’m learning about cover art, layout design, and formatting as I am going to indie publish this time around. I hope to release Susa’s Story this fall.

Chanticleer: You parted ways with your publisher? How did that happen?

Stelzer: I parted amicably with my publisher in January. They were awesome in helping me to move over into an indie-type venture. They weren’t sure what to do with me, never having published middle-grade and I didn’t know about anything. So it was a clean split and I have nothing but good feelings towards them.

Chanticleer: That is truly the best of all worlds! Thank you for spending some time with us today, Rebekah. Best of luck with Susa’s Story. We are looking forward to reading and talking about that!

If you love Middle-Grade Fantasy, you will absolutely be enthralled with R.L. Stelzer’s work!

Pick up a copy of her award-winning book, The Queen and the Knights of Nor and write a review. Author’s love reviews.

Check out Rebekah’s website here: Legendsofnor.com

Facebook is Facebook.com/legendsofnor

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August 31, 2018