Tag: Shelley Awards

  • The 2025 Shelley Short List for Paranormal Fiction

    The Shelley Awards for Paranormal Fiction features an image of Mary Shelley at her writing deskThe Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).

    The Shelley Awards were formerly known as the Paranormal Awards. We are delighted to be able to honor the mother of science fiction with this award!

    Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, weird other-worldly stories, super humans (ex. Jessica Jones, Wonder Woman), magical beings & supernatural entities (ex. Dresden Files), vampires & werewolves (ex. Twilight), angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, magical systems and elements. We will put them to the test and discover the best among them for the 2025 Paranormal Book Awards!

    Each of these authors is already winning with their books are now featured on our high-traffic website, shared across our social media, and promoted to our newsletter subscribers. But this is just the beginning of their CIBA journey.

    These titles have moved forward from the 2025 SHELLEY Paranormal Fiction Long List to the 2025 Shelley Awards Short List. These entries are now in competition for the 2025 Shelley Semi-Finalists. Finalists will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC26.

    We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday April 18th, 2026 in beautiful Bellingham, WA. 

    These titles are in the running for the Semi-Finalists of the 2025 Shelley Book Awards novel competition for Paranormal Fiction!

    Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works!

    • AJ Humphreys – Trip: A Psychological Horror Novel
    • Amy S Cutler – A Shadow of Love
    • Amy S Cutler – To Have and To Hold To Love and To Kill an Agreement of Souls
    • Antoinette Chalmers – Midnight Stone
    • Bryan Alaspa – The Given
    • Dan Morris-Young – The Music Building
    • Diane Corso – Broken Things
    • E.L. Deards – The Lavender Blade
    • Evette Davis – The Campaign
    • George Petersen – The Summer of Haight
    • Gina Detwiler – Forever
    • H.J. Ramsay – Love and Other Cures for the Recently Undead
    • Heather Murphy – Bring Out Your Dead
    • Isaac Thorne – Tab’s Terrible Third Eye
    • Jared TLC – Destiny Lane
    • Katy Nyquist – A Holy Maiden’s Guide To Getting Kidnapped
    • Keith Steinbaum – The Poe Consequence
    • Kevin S. Moul – Lander’s Gate
    • L. J. Aldon – Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher
    • Lloyd Jeffries – Embers of Shadow Ages of Malice Book III
    • Logan D. Irons – City of Wolves
    • Lou Pugliese – Blame It on the Moon
    • Louisa West – Kiss of Death
    • Mark Mustian – Boy with Wings
    • Matt Ozanich – Priestess: The Tears of Promises Book One
    • Matthew Minson – The Lupin Gene
    • Melanie Forde – Guardian of the Crossroads
    • Raquel Y. Levitt – The Seer
    • Rebekah L Webb – Burrows of Blood and Shadow
    • Sheila English – The Deadly Pieces
    • Sherri L Dodd – Moonset on Desert Sands
    • T.V. Holiday – Cataclysm Legend of the Iron Warrior Vol. 2
    • Tom Dolan – Boba Wars Zero
    • Tracy Shew – Book Group

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

    PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS!

    This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook, LinkedIn, and Bluesky pages. We try to tag all authors listed here on Facebook. However, it is easier for us to tag authors when they have Liked and Followed @ChantiReviews on these platforms.

    Please click here to visit our page to LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE! We are @ChantiReviews everywhere!

    We will also be promoting this list in our Newsletter, which you can sign up for here!

    Congratulations once more to the 2024 Shelley Grand Prize Winner

    Time-Marked Warlock

    By Shami Stovall

    Time-Marked Warlock Cover

    Click here to see the full list of 2024 SHELLEY Book Award Winners for Paranormal Fiction.

    Ready to Submit?

    Submissions for the 2026 Shelley Awards and other Speculative Fiction Divisions are open now! For other genres, we still have 25 divisions open for the 2025 CIBAs! Whether you write mystery, romance, historical fiction, or something entirely different, there’s likely a perfect fit for your work.

    Blue button that says Enter a Writing Contest

    Winners will be announced at the 2025 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2026 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

    April 17-19, 2026! Save the Date for Registration!

    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 14th annual conference and discover why!

    Chanticleer Authors Conference, people, CAC2025

  • TIME-MARKED WARLOCK: The Chronos Chronicles Book 1 by Shami Stovall – Urban Fantasy, Murder Mystery, Supernatural Mystery

     

    Shelley (paranormal) Grand Prize Badge for Shami Stovall The Time-Marked WarlockShami Stovall’s Time-Marked Warlock rewinds urban fantasy with fresh magic.

    Adair Finch is the world’s most powerful warlock – and he’s done with it all. In Time-Marked Warlock, Shami Stovall crafts a brilliant urban fantasy that feels like Groundhogs Day meets Harry Dresden, delivering a take on magical investigation that will leave readers spellbound from the first page.

    A reluctant mentor meets his match in a twelve-year-old witch.

    After losing his brother in a case gone wrong, Finch has sworn off the paranormal world entirely. But when young Bree Blackstone pounds on his door in the middle of the night – her mother murdered, her father kidnapped – Finch wades back into the magical chaos he’d tried to escape. What starts as a favor for an old friend becomes a twisting mystery that threatens everything he thought he knew about his world.

    Stovall excels at creating an unlikely partnership, one crackling with energy and humor. Bree isn’t your typical helpless child in need of rescue – she’s a young witch with questions, opinions, and magical abilities that complement Finch’s considerable power. Their banter and growing mentor-student relationship provides both emotional depth and genuine laughs throughout the investigation.

    Time magic creates a game-changing twist on fantastical investigation.

    The real genius of Time-Marked Warlock lies in Finch’s unique ability to rewind time and witness events as they actually happened. When someone tries to kill both Finch and Bree, his ability to see the attack unfold adds layers of complexity that keep readers guessing right alongside the characters.

    Stovall uses this temporal element not as a gimmick but as a sophisticated plot device that deepens the mystery while raising the stakes. Each revelation through time manipulation reveals another clue towards conspiracy, transforming what appears to be a straightforward murder case into something even more sinister and far-reaching.

    A standout series launch that reinvents urban fantasy tropes.

    Time-Marked Warlock succeeds because of the originality it infuses into familiar urban fantasy elements – powerful warlocks, magical investigations, supernatural threats. The world-building feels both lived-in and vivacious, populated with complex characters whose flaws make them more compelling than perfect heroes ever could be.

    Stovall’s writing sparkles with wit and energy, moving at breakneck pace while never sacrificing character development. Finch’s journey from bitter retirement to reluctant heroism feels earned, while the emotional resonance of Bree’s evolution from terrified child to capable young witch elevates the entire narrative.

    As the opening volume of The Chronos Chronicles trilogy, Time-Marked Warlock establishes a magical world readers will want to revisit again and again. Fans of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files and Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid Chronicles will find their new favorite series in Stovall’s perfect combination of urban fantasy adventure and time-bending mystery.

    Time-Marked Warlock by Shami Stovall won Grand Prize in the 2024 CIBA Shelley Awards for Supernatural Fiction.

     

  • The 2025 Shelley Long List for Paranormal Fiction

    The Shelley Awards for Paranormal Fiction features an image of Mary Shelley at her writing deskThe Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).

    The Shelley Awards were formerly known as the Paranormal Awards. We are delighted to be able to honor the mother of science fiction with this award!

    Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, weird other-worldly stories, super humans (ex. Jessica Jones, Wonder Woman), magical beings & supernatural entities (ex. Dresden Files), vampires & werewolves (ex. Twilight), angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, magical systems and elements. We will put them to the test and discover the best among them for the 2025 Paranormal Book Awards!

    Each of these authors is already winning with their books are now featured on our high-traffic website, shared across our social media, and promoted to our newsletter subscribers. But this is just the beginning of their CIBA journey.

    These titles have moved forward in the first look rounds from all 2025 SHELLEY Paranormal Fiction entries to the 2025 Shelley Book Awards Long List. These entries are now in competition for the 2025 Shelley Short List. The Short Listers will compete for the Semi-Finalists positions. Finalists will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC26.

    We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday April 18th, 2026 in beautiful Bellingham, WA. 

    These titles are in the running for the SHORT LIST of the 2025 Shelley Book Awards novel competition for Paranormal Fiction!

    Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works!

    • AJ Humphreys – Trip: A Psychological Horror Novel
    • Alexandra Pugachevsky – Lilou the Shadyside Chronicles
    • Amy S Cutler – A Shadow of Love
    • Amy S Cutler – To Have and To Hold To Love and To Kill an Agreement of Souls
    • Antoinette Chalmers – Midnight Stone
    • Bryan Alaspa – The Given
    • C.V. Vobh – Somnus Palace
    • Charlie Robinson – Bow Tie Sex
    • D.D. Franklin – Silver Lake Awakening
    • Dan Morris-Young – The Music Building
    • Derek Wachter – While We Wait
    • Diane Corso – Broken Things
    • E.L. Deards – The Lavender Blade
    • Evette Davis – The Campaign
    • George Petersen – The Summer of Haight
    • Gina Detwiler – Forever
    • H.J. Ramsay – Love and Other Cures for the Recently Undead
    • Heather Murphy – Bring Out Your Dead
    • Isaac Thorne – Tab’s Terrible Third Eye
    • Jared Tlc – Destiny Lane
    • Jonathan Fossler – Where the Children Play
    • Katy Nyquist – A Holy Maiden’s Guide To Getting Kidnapped
    • Keith Steinbaum – The Poe Consequence
    • Kevin S. Moul – Lander’s Gate
    • L. J. Aldon – Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher
    • Lloyd Jeffries – Embers of Shadow Ages of Malice Book III
    • Logan D. Irons – City of Wolves
    • Lou Pugliese – Blame It on the Moon
    • Louisa West – Kiss of Death
    • M. Flagg – Memories of a Hunter’s Moon
    • Mark Mustian – Boy with Wings
    • Matt Ozanich – Priestess: The Tears of Promises Book One
    • Matthew Minson – The Lupin Gene
    • Melanie Forde – Guardian of the Crossroads
    • Raquel Y. Levitt – The Seer
    • Rebekah L Webb – Burrows of Blood and Shadow
    • Sheila English – The Deadly Pieces
    • Sherri L Dodd – Moonset on Desert Sands
    • T.V. Holiday – Cataclysm Legend of the Iron Warrior Vol. 2
    • Tom Dolan – Boba Wars Zero
    • Tracy Shew – Book Group

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

    PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS!

    This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook, LinkedIn, and Bluesky pages. We try to tag all authors listed here on Facebook. However, it is easier for us to tag authors when they have Liked and Followed @ChantiReviews on these platforms.

    Please click here to visit our page to LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE! We are @ChantiReviews everywhere!

    We will also be promoting this list in our Newsletter, which you can sign up for here!

    Congratulations once more to the 2024 Shelley Grand Prize Winner

    Time-Marked Warlock

    By Shami Stovall

    Time-Marked Warlock Cover

    Click here to see the full list of 2024 SHELLEY Book Award Winners for Paranormal Fiction.

    Ready to Submit?

    Submissions for the 2026 Shelley Awards and other Speculative Fiction Divisions are open now! For other genres, we still have 25 divisions open for the 2025 CIBAs! Whether you write mystery, romance, historical fiction, or something entirely different, there’s likely a perfect fit for your work.

    Blue button that says Enter a Writing Contest

    Winners will be announced at the 2025 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2026 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

    April 17-19, 2026! Save the Date for Registration!

    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 14th annual conference and discover why!

    Chanticleer Authors Conference, people, CAC2025

  • All the Things that Go BUMP! in the Night — The Varied Word of Horror Sub-Genres

    Zombies, Spectors, Psychos—Oh, My!

    A frightened woman reads a red horror book!

    The horror fiction genre is full of scary and scintillating sub-genres, each offering its own unique flavor of terror and suspense. From the eerie atmosphere of gothic horror to the intense, cerebral tension of psychological horror, there are sub-genres that cater to a wide range of tastes and interests. Like romance, including a little horror can elevate your story and drag the reader kicking and screaming to the next page. 

    The key to effective horror writing lies in choosing the right sub-genre approach for your story’s needs. Each sub-genre offers unique methods for building suspense, developing atmosphere, and connecting with readers who crave that spine-tingling experience.

    A graveyard as an example of the gothic horror genre

    Classic Foundations: Where Horror Began

    Gothic Horror

    Gothic horror combines atmospheric dread with romantic elements, creating stories that feel both timeless and deeply emotional. Think Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Bram Stoker’s Dracula—these foundational works established horror tropes that continue to captivate readers today. Gothic horror typically features decaying settings, family secrets, and protagonists caught between love and terror. The underlying themes often explore human nature’s darker impulses, making readers question what we’re truly capable of when pushed to our limits.

    Perfect for: Historical fiction writers, romance authors seeking darker themes, or fantasy writers building atmospheric world-building.

    Psychological Horror

    Rather than relying on jump scares or gore, psychological horror gets under your skin by exploiting fundamental human fears: losing control, being manipulated, or questioning reality itself. This sub-genre creates tension that lingers long after readers close the book because the horror is experienced internally. When done subtly—settling into the subconscious without overt horrifying acts—it’s called “quiet horror.”

    Perfect for: Literary fiction, contemporary drama, or any story exploring mental health, family dynamics, or social pressures.

    A red misted window with a dark hand for thriller horror genre

    Action-Driven Horror: High Stakes and High Fear

    Slasher Horror

    When a slasher is on the loose, no one is safe. These antagonists hunt methodically, treating their victims like prey in stories designed to keep readers on edge. The appeal lies in the relentless pursuit and the question of who, if anyone, will survive. A newer variation, “splatter horror,” emphasizes excessive blood and gore as integral story elements—messy, shocking, and viscerally terrifying.

    Perfect for: Thriller writers, action-adventure authors, or anyone crafting high-stakes survival scenarios.

    Survival Horror

    Survival horror places characters in environments where death lurks constantly—whether from supernatural beings, natural disasters, or post-apocalyptic scenarios. The key is creating relatable situations that could theoretically happen to anyone, then amplifying the danger beyond normal human experience. Zombie fiction falls into this category, with its methodical, unstoppable threats that transform familiar environments into deadly landscapes.

    Perfect for: Post-apocalyptic fiction, adventure stories, or science fiction exploring environmental collapse.

    Speculative Horror: Beyond Our World

    Paranormal and Supernatural Horror

    This sub-genre ventures beyond known reality into realms of magic, spirits, and otherworldly phenomena. Characters face threats they can’t fully understand or prepare for—extrasensory perception, ghostly encounters, cryptozoology, and unexplained phenomena that leave everyone tenuously off-balance. While similar to gothic horror, paranormal horror often features contemporary settings and modern characters encountering ancient or otherworldly forces.

    Perfect for: Fantasy writers, urban fantasy, or contemporary fiction with magical elements.

    Science Fiction Horror

    Sci-fi horror blends familiar horror elements with scientific complexity, introducing innovative threats that make readers question what’s possible. H.P. Lovecraft mastered this fusion, creating cosmic horror that made humanity feel insignificant against vast, unknowable forces. Modern sci-fi horror might explore AI gone rogue, genetic manipulation, or extraterrestrial threats that view humans as nothing more than obstacles.

    Perfect for: Science fiction writers, dystopian fiction, or stories exploring technological advancement’s dark side.

    eldritch beings for fantasy and paranormal horror genres

    Dark Fantasy

    When horror meets fantasy worlds, anything becomes a potential threat. Witches, shapeshifters, dark wizards—these antagonists wield magic that defies conventional solutions. Characters face seemingly insurmountable odds against supernatural powers, creating terror through the unknown capabilities of magical threats. The fantasy setting allows for creative freedom in crafting unique, otherworldly fears.

    Perfect for: Fantasy writers seeking darker themes, fairy tale retellings, or urban fantasy with horror elements.

    Specialized Horror Approaches

    Body Horror

    Body horror exploits our fundamental fear of physical transformation and decay. From Oscar Wilde’s The Portrait of Dorian Gray (accelerated aging) to Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis (human-to-insect transformation), this sub-genre makes the human body itself the source of terror. Modern body horror might explore medical experimentation, genetic mutation, or loss of physical control.

    a dark skull for the body horror genre

    Occult Horror

    Satan, demons, and religious corruption dominate occult horror. Stories like Ira Levin’s Rosemary’s Baby blend supernatural terror with religious themes, creating atmosphere through familiar spiritual concepts turned malevolent. The power of faith—and its potential corruption—provides rich material for exploring good versus evil.

    Eco Horror

    Environmental catastrophes and nature’s revenge characterize eco horror, serving as metaphors for real-world ecological crises. Samanta Schweblin’s Fever Dream exemplifies this sub-genre, combining maternal anxiety with environmental pollution. Common elements include deadly toxins, mutated creatures, animated plants, and killer viruses—all reflecting our complex relationship with the natural world.

    Techno Horror

    When technology becomes the enemy, techno horror explores our dependence on systems we don’t fully understand. AI malfunctions, computer viruses, and rogue robots create scenarios where characters must fight threats beyond their technical capabilities. This sub-genre resonates particularly well in our increasingly digital world.

    Hybrid and Flexible Approaches

    Comedy Horror

    Sometimes writers want chuckles instead of screams. Comedy horror takes terrifying elements and places them in absurd situations, creating three distinct approaches: black comedy, parody, and spoof. Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow demonstrates how humor can actually enhance horror by making readers lower their guard before delivering genuine scares.

    A frightening zombie that's honestly a little too scary for the horror comedy genre.

    Teen Horror

    Stephen King’s Carrie perfectly exemplifies teen horror, where adolescent experiences—physical changes, social pressures, identity formation—intersect with supernatural or horrific elements. This sub-genre recognizes that teenage years already feel terrifying to many people, then amplifies those fears through genre elements.

    Pulp Horror

    Fast-paced and lurid, pulp horror embraces accessibility and entertainment value. Born in the late 19th century and popularized in the 1950s, pulp horror delivers quick thrills through sex, drugs, violence, and supernatural elements. It’s horror designed for pure entertainment rather than deep psychological exploration.

    Finding Your Horror Approach

    The beauty of horror sub-genres lies in their flexibility. Writers can blend multiple approaches—combining psychological elements with supernatural threats, or mixing sci-fi concepts with body horror. The goal isn’t purity but effectiveness: which horror elements serve your story’s emotional core?

    Consider your primary genre first, then identify which horror sub-genre complements your story’s needs. A romance writer might find gothic horror perfect for historical settings, while a contemporary fiction author could use psychological horror to explore family trauma.

    A spooky necromancer holding a skull with rainbow smoke.

    With all these fun and frightening horror sub-genres, writers can mix and match them or go heavy one specific theme. With a goal to twist their readers into knots with plots that will keep them up at night, these stories will have you questioning every noise you hear and every shadow that passes your way.

    Thanks for reading about these spooky Horror Sub-genres,
    and don’t be scared of that beast under your bed tonight!


    Recognition for Genre-Blending Excellence

    *Gasp!* Don’t miss out on your chance to submit to these fabulous Awards!

    Whether you’re writing pure horror or incorporating horrific elements into other genres, professional recognition celebrates the craft behind effective fear. The Chanticleer International Book Awards recognize outstanding speculative fiction across multiple divisions that welcome horror elements:

    The 2025 deadline is June 30th—less than a week away! These awards recognize the skillful blending of genres that creates memorable, impactful fiction.

    Horror isn’t about shocking readers—it’s about creating emotional experiences that resonate long after the final page. Whatever your primary genre, the right horror elements can transform good stories into unforgettable ones.

    Submit before June 30th and let professional judges recognize your skill in crafting compelling, genre-blending fiction.

  • Chanticleerians in the News: Go from Page to Screen with Kim Hornsby

    Masterclass Instructor, USA Today Bestselling Author, and Chanticleer Keynote Kim Hornsby invites you to join her on the next adventure! 

    Kim Hornsby, a young white woman with blonde hair and glasses wearing a stylish yellow jacket with a blue scarf

    Realize your book-to-screen dreams in Greece this fall!

    When your mission is to Discover Today’s Best Books, you come across good news regarding authors!

    Kim Hornsby came to Chanticleer as a First Place Winner for the Paranormal Awards (now Shelley Awards) almost a decade ago for her book Dream Jumper, which has been optioned for film. She gave the Friday keynote at the last Chanticleer Authors Conference where she shared insights from her journey from bestselling novelist to produced screenwriter—and she’s ready to show authors how to follow in her footsteps.

    Braving Rapids is streaming now!

    Hornsby’s family adventure film Braving Rapids launched May 15th across streaming platforms, bringing her rafting screenplay to life with what she describes as “a darling puppy” and a heartwarming story about a grieving family’s healing journey. And the good news keeps coming as her Lifetime Thriller, Secret Life of My Other Wife recently premiered on LMN!

    This Amazon #1 and USA Today bestselling author wants to share her book-to-screen expertise. Hornsby is heading to the Greek Isle of Patmos this September 20-25, 2025 to mentor writers at an exclusive retreat focused on transforming novels into screenplays.

    Beautiful Patmos, Greece

    Authors can learn to write a screenplay while staring at the cerulean Aegean Sea, and already one Chanticleer author has signed up for the adventure. For authors dreaming of seeing their stories on screen, this is a rare opportunity to learn from someone who’s actually done it. From her island home off Seattle, Hornsby has transformed her Chanticleer-recognized paranormal fiction into a multimedia success spanning streaming platforms, cable networks, and film options.

    Registration is open now, and spots are limited!


    Ready to turn your own stories into award-winning successes?

    You know you want it…

    Don’t miss out! Several Chanticleer International Book Award divisions have deadlines fast approaching. Kim’s journey from Shelley Award winner to produced screenwriter shows exactly what recognition can launch. Whether you’re crafting paranormal fiction for our Shelley Awards or working in any of our genre divisions, professional recognition opens doors to opportunities you might never have imagined.

    Submit your manuscript today before deadlines close!

     

  • V.C. Andrews – The Author that’s Still Publishing Forty Years After Her Passing

    V.C. Andrews was trapped in an attic

    And she created worlds of gothic horror

    The gothic horror and paranormal fiction that V.C. Andrews pioneered continues to captivate readers today—and at Chanticleer, we know exactly what makes these dark, atmospheric stories work. That’s why our Shelley Awards (named for Mary Shelley, the Mother of Horror) celebrate the best in paranormal and horror fiction each year.

    V.C. Andrews, rose, blonde, woman

    V.C. Andrews, born Cleo Virginia Andrews on June 6, 1923 in Portsmouth, VA, faced a secluded life in her parent’s home, but that didn’t stop her from creating several series with unique characters and plots that will keep you up at night.

    From Personal Struggle to Gothic Masterpiece

    Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews follows the lives of four children whose mother kept them imprisoned in an attic for years in order to collect an inheritance. Released in 1979, it became an instant sensation and led her to write four more books in the Dollanganger Family Series. Its dark themes of family strife and isolation reflected a similar scenario playing out in Andrews’ own life, and she used her experience to speak through the character Cathy Dollanganger, who narrates the story.

    V.C. Andrews, Flowers in the Attic, Books, covers, series

    The dark tale of children kept locked away in an attic somewhat mirrored Andrews’ own life. Born the youngest child and only daughter of three children, she suffered a devastating fall from a stairwell at school as a teen. The accident required several surgeries and resulted in crippling arthritis that left her wheelchair bound and in the care of her mother for much of her life. Just as with many children, that close relationship with her emotionally distant mother, even as she fully supported her daughter’s writing career, proved difficult at times and, when her father passed away in 1957, Andrews used the commissions from her art sales to support her family.

    VC Andrews, painting, art, girl

    The Fast-Paced Formula That Hooked Millions

    Later in life, Andrews turned to writing, beginning with a science fiction novel in 1972 titled Gods of Green Mountain, which was published posthumously in 2004 as an ebook. In 1975, Andrews completed the manuscript for Flowers in the Attic in two weeks, only to have the novel returned with a note to “spice up” and expand the story. Published in 1979, it was an instant success, reaching the top of the bestseller lists in just two weeks. Andrews published a new novel every year after that, earning Andrews larger advances and a growing readership.

    “I think I tell a whopping good story. And I don’t drift away from it a great deal into descriptive material,” she stated in Faces of Fear in 1985. “When I read, if a book doesn’t hold my interest in what’s going to happen next, I put it down and don’t finish it. So, I’m not going to let anybody put one of my books down and not finish it. My stuff is a very fast read.”

     

    V.C. Andrews, red, watch, finger, blonde, plant, woman

    A Literary Legacy That Defies Death

    V.C. Andrews wrote novels that combine Gothic horror and family saga, often revolving around family secrets and forbidden love. Her best-known novel, Flowers in the Attic, was the catalyst to a career that spanned decades, with stories exploring those same themes. Today, her fans have 104 books and 27 series that continue to enthrall readers and inspire Hollywood filmmakers.

    V.C. Andres, books, covers

    After Andrews’s death from breast cancer in 1986, ghostwriter Andrew Neiderman was hired, initially, to complete two unfinished works, Garden of Shadows and Fallen Hearts that were published soon after. It’s these two novels that are considered the last novels to be almost completely written by Andrews herself, but many more books inspired by her writing and written by Neiderman continued to be published. Forty years later, Andrews’ literary legacy continues to grow, inspiring not only the ghostwriter who continues her stories, but also the many readers who have escaped into her world of family drama and isolation—making Andrews one of the most beloved modern horror writers today.

    American gothic, Grant wood, Flowers in the Attic, VC. Andrews

    Gothic Art Meets Family Nightmares

    When I think of Andrews’ novels, particularly Flowers in the Attic, I’m reminded of the famous artwork, American Gothic by Grant Wood—family dynamics painted with a nod to the type of horror that penetrates and unsettles the family dynamic. Surely, Andrews must have pulled from her own conflicted emotions about her family to create a novel that resonates with the love/hate relationships we all grapple with. — Dena Weigel

     

    V.C. Andrews, book, woman, blonde

    Happy Birthday to V.C. Andrews, an author whose legacy in horror extends beyond her life to entertain and unsettle readers for years to come!


    Does Your Gothic Horror Deserve the Same Recognition?

    The Shelley Awards for Paranormal Fiction features an image of Mary Shelley at her writing desk

    The gothic horror and paranormal fiction that V.C. Andrews pioneered continues to captivate readers today—and at Chanticleer, we know exactly what makes these dark, atmospheric stories work. That’s why our Shelley Awards (named for Mary Shelley, the Mother of Horror) celebrate the best in paranormal and horror fiction each year.

    If your horror novel carries themes of family secrets, supernatural elements, psychological terror, or gothic atmosphere like Andrews’ masterworks, the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA) Shelley Division wants to discover it. Our judges understand the nuances that separate good horror from unforgettable horror—the kind that keeps readers turning pages late into the night.

    You know you want it…

    The 2025 Shelley deadline is June 30th—just weeks away! Whether your work explores paranormal romance, supernatural powers, unexplained phenomena, or psychological horror, professional recognition through the Shelley Awards gives your book the credibility boost that social media alone cannot provide.

    Thriller Suspense Fiction Award

    For suspense and thriller authors, don’t overlook our Clue Awards division, perfect for works that blend mystery with darker elements.

    Submit to the Shelley Awards before the June 30th deadline and join the ranks of professionally recognized horror and paranormal fiction.

    Check back next week as we’ll be featuring several articles about outstanding paranormal fiction and the authors who master this challenging genre!

  • The 2024 Shelley Book Awards Finalists for Paranormal Fiction!

    The Shelley Awards for Paranormal Fiction features an image of Mary Shelley at her writing deskThe Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).

    The Shelley Awards were formerly known as the Paranormal Awards. We are delighted to be able to honor the mother of science fiction with this award!

    Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, weird other-worldly stories, super humans (ex. Jessica Jones, Wonder Woman), magical beings & supernatural entities (ex. Harry Potter), vampires & werewolves (ex. Twilight), angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, magical systems and elements. We will put them to the test and discover the best among them for the 2024 Paranormal Book Awards!

    These titles have moved forward from the 2024 Shelley Supernatural Fiction SEMI-FINALISTS to the 2024 Shelley Book Awards FINALISTS. FINALISTS will be recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC25.

    We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, April 5th, 2025 in beautiful Bellingham, WA at the Bellingham Yacht Club sponsored by the 2025 Chanticleer Authors Conference

    A Wreath with the words "CAC 2025" on it to celebrate the Chanticleer Author's Conference!

    These titles are in the running for the FIRST PLACE and GRAND PRIZE WINNERS of the 2024 Shelley Book Awards novel competition for Paranormal Fiction!

    Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works!

    • Jennifer Anne Gordon – Pretty Ugly
    • Evette Davis – The Gift
    • Peter B. Dedek – Possessed
    • C.W. James – Mindfield: a Paranormal Thriller for Teens
    • Alexander Fernandez – Above the Ashes
    • Keith Steinbaum – In Lieu of Flowers
    • Tim Facciola – Ghosts of Rheynia
    • AA DaSilva – Periphery
    • Charles Allen – A Graveyard of Ships
    • E. L. Werbitsky – The Marsh Keeper
    • Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle – Vein Pursuits
    • Evette Davis – The Others
    • Dennis D. Skirvin – Nicholas Knocker
    • Joy Ross Davis – The Singer Sisters
    • Shami Stovall – Time-Marked Warlock

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

    PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS! 

    This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook Page. We try to tag all authors listed here in the Facebook post. However, it is easier for us to tag authors when they have Liked and Followed us on Facebook.

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

    We will also be promoting this list in our Newsletter, which you can sign up for here!

    Congratulations once more to the 2023 Paranormal Grand Prize Winner

    Becoming Crone

    By Lydia M. Hawke

    Blue and Gold Badge recognizing Becoming Crone by Lydia M Hawke for the 2023 Paranormal Grand Prize

    Click here to see the full list of 2023 Paranormal Book Award Winners for Supernatural Fiction.

    We are now accepting submissions into the 2025 Shelley Book Awards for Supernatural Fiction.

    Please click here for more information.

    Winners will be announced at the 2024 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2025 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

    April 3 – 6, 2025! Save the Date for Registration!

    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 annual conference as we enter our second decade and discover why!

  • The 2024 Shelley Book Awards Semi-Finalists for Paranormal Fiction!

    The Shelley Awards for Paranormal Fiction features an image of Mary Shelley at her writing deskThe Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).

    The Shelley Awards were formerly known as the Paranormal Awards. We are delighted to be able to honor the mother of science fiction with this award!

    Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, weird other-worldly stories, super humans (ex. Jessica Jones, Wonder Woman), magical beings & supernatural entities (ex. Harry Potter), vampires & werewolves (ex. Twilight), angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, magical systems and elements. We will put them to the test and discover the best among them for the 2024 Paranormal Book Awards!

    These titles have moved forward from the 2024 Shelley Supernatural Fiction SHORT LIST to the 2024 Shelley Book Awards SEMI-FINALISTS. FINALISTS will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC25.

    We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, April 5th, 2025 in beautiful Bellingham, WA at the Bellingham Yacht Club sponsored by the 2025 Chanticleer Authors Conference

    A Wreath with the words "CAC 2025" on it to celebrate the Chanticleer Author's Conference!

    These titles are in the running for the FINALISTS of the 2024 Shelley Book Awards novel competition for Paranormal Fiction!

    Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works!

    • Jennifer Anne Gordon – Pretty Ugly
    • E.S. Magill – Magica Book Rise of the Cult
    • Evette Davis – The Gift
    • Charles Allen – Maid of the Feast
    • Kristin Homer – A Taste for Fear
    • Miki Mitayn – Heated Earth Aedgar Moves In
    • Peter B. Dedek – Possessed
    • Jenny Allen – The Lotus Tree Book 3 in the Lilith Adams Series
    • C.W. James – Mindfield: a Paranormal Thriller for Teens
    • Alexander Fernandez – Above the Ashes
    • Gracie Dix – Vork Chronicles Welcome to Superhero School
    • Keith Steinbaum – In Lieu of Flowers
    • Tim Facciola – Ghosts of Rheynia
    • Beth Castrodale – The Inhabitants
    • AA DaSilva – Periphery
    • Charles Allen – A Graveyard of Ships
    • E. L. Werbitsky – The Marsh Keeper
    • Mark Sabbas – The Monarchs
    • Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle – Vein Pursuits
    • Evette Davis – The Others
    • Brian Blackwood – Fractured
    • Bradford Tatum – Hot Berry Punch
    • LS Delorme – Bright Midnights
    • Dennis D. Skirvin – Nicholas Knocker
    • Joy Ross Davis – The Singer Sisters
    • Shami Stovall – Time-Marked Warlock
    • L. J. Aldon – Riddle of the Haunted Hoard

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

    PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS! 

    This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook Page. We try to tag all authors listed here in the Facebook post. However, it is easier for us to tag authors when they have Liked and Followed us on Facebook.

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

    We will also be promoting this list in our Newsletter, which you can sign up for here!

    Congratulations once more to the 2023 Paranormal Grand Prize Winner

    Becoming Crone

    By Lydia M. Hawke

    Blue and Gold Badge recognizing Becoming Crone by Lydia M Hawke for the 2023 Paranormal Grand Prize

    Click here to see the full list of 2023 Paranormal Book Award Winners for Supernatural Fiction.

    We are now accepting submissions into the 2025 Shelley Book Awards for Supernatural Fiction.

    Please click here for more information.

    Winners will be announced at the 2024 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2025 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

    April 3 – 6, 2025! Save the Date for Registration!

    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 annual conference as we enter our second decade and discover why!

  • The 2024 Shelley Short List for Paranormal Fiction!

    The Shelley Awards for Paranormal Fiction features an image of Mary Shelley at her writing deskThe Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).

    The Shelley Awards were formerly known as the Paranormal Awards. We are delighted to be able to honor the mother of science fiction with this award!

    Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, weird other-worldly stories, super humans (ex. Jessica Jones, Wonder Woman), magical beings & supernatural entities (ex. Harry Potter), vampires & werewolves (ex. Twilight), angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, magical systems and elements. We will put them to the test and discover the best among them for the 2024 Paranormal Book Awards!

    These titles have moved forward from the 2024 Shelley Supernatural Fiction LONG LIST to the 2024 Shelley Book Awards SHORT LIST. The Short Listers will compete for the Semi-Finalists positions. FINALISTS will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC25.

    We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, April 5th, 2025 in beautiful Bellingham, WA at the Bellingham Yacht Club sponsored by the 2025 Chanticleer Authors Conference

    A Wreath with the words "CAC 2025" on it to celebrate the Chanticleer Author's Conference!

    These titles are in the running for the SEMI-FINALISTS of the 2024 Shelley Book Awards novel competition for Paranormal Fiction!

    Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works!

    • Stephanie Edwards – Lowcountry Charm
    • Jennifer Anne Gordon – Pretty Ugly
    • E.S. Magill – Magica Book Rise of the Cult
    • Evette Davis – The Gift
    • Charles Allen – Maid of the Feast
    • Kristin Homer – A Taste for Fear
    • Miki Mitayn – Heated Earth Aedgar Moves In
    • Peter B. Dedek – Possessed
    • Jenny Allen – The Lotus Tree Book 3 in the Lilith Adams Series
    • C.W. James – Mindfield: a Paranormal Thriller for Teens
    • Alexander Fernandez – Above the Ashes
    • Gracie Dix – Vork Chronicles Welcome to Superhero School
    • Keith Steinbaum – In Lieu of Flowers
    • Tim Facciola – Ghosts of Rheynia
    • Beth Castrodale – The Inhabitants
    • AA DaSilva – Periphery
    • Anika Savoy – Mayhem in Disguise
    • Charles Allen – A Graveyard of Ships
    • E. L. Werbitsky – The Marsh Keeper
    • Mark Sabbas – The Monarchs
    • Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle – Vein Pursuits
    • Sharon Barnes – Shanghai Sunset
    • Evette Davis – The Others
    • Brian Blackwood – Fractured
    • Mike Fiorito – For All We Know: A UFO Manifesto
    • W.B.J. Williams – Johnny Talon and the Goddess of Love and War
    • Sherri L Dodd – Murder Under Redwood Moon
    • Bradford Tatum – Hot Berry Punch
    • LS Delorme – Bright Midnights
    • Dennis D. Skirvin – Nicholas Knocker
    • Joy Ross Davis – The Singer Sisters
    • Shami Stovall – Time-Marked Warlock
    • L. J. Aldon – Riddle of the Haunted Hoard

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

    PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS! 

    This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook Page. We try to tag all authors listed here in the Facebook post. However, it is easier for us to tag authors when they have Liked and Followed us on Facebook.

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

    We will also be promoting this list in our Newsletter, which you can sign up for here!

    Congratulations once more to the 2023 Paranormal Grand Prize Winner

    Becoming Crone

    By Lydia M. Hawke

    Blue and Gold Badge recognizing Becoming Crone by Lydia M Hawke for the 2023 Paranormal Grand Prize

    Click here to see the full list of 2023 Paranormal Book Award Winners for Supernatural Fiction.

    We are now accepting submissions into the 2025 Shelley Book Awards for Supernatural Fiction.

    Please click here for more information.

    Winners will be announced at the 2024 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2025 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

    April 3 – 6, 2025! Save the Date for Registration!

    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 annual conference as we enter our second decade and discover why!

     

  • The 2024 Shelley Long List for Paranormal Fiction!

    The Shelley Awards for Paranormal Fiction features an image of Mary Shelley at her writing deskThe Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).

    The Shelley Awards were formerly known as the Paranormal Awards. We are delighted to be able to honor the mother of science fiction with this award!

    Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, weird other-worldly stories, super humans (ex. Jessica Jones, Wonder Woman), magical beings & supernatural entities (ex. Harry Potter), vampires & werewolves (ex. Twilight), angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, magical systems and elements. We will put them to the test and discover the best among them for the 2024 Paranormal Book Awards!

    These titles have moved forward in the first readers of the 2024 Shelley Supernatural Fiction entries to the 2024 Shelley Book Awards LONG LIST. These entries are now in competition for the 2024 Shelley Short List. The Short Listers will compete for the Semi-Finalists positions. FINALISTS will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC25.

    We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, April 5th, 2025 in beautiful Bellingham, WA at the Bellingham Yacht Club sponsored by the 2025 Chanticleer Authors Conference

    A Wreath with the words "CAC 2025" on it to celebrate the Chanticleer Author's Conference!

    These titles are in the running for the SHORT LIST of the 2024 Shelley Book Awards novel competition for Paranormal Fiction!

    Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works!

    • Peter B. Dedek – Captives of the River
    • Stephanie Edwards – Lowcountry Charm
    • Jennifer Anne Gordon – Pretty Ugly
    • E.S. Magill – Magica Book Rise of the Cult
    • Evette Davis – The Gift
    • Charles Allen – Maid of the Feast
    • Kristin Homer – A Taste for Fear
    • D. L. Wilburn Jr – Vulture House
    • Miki Mitayn – Heated Earth Aedgar Moves In
    • Peter B. Dedek – Possessed
    • Jenny Allen – The Lotus Tree Book 3 in the Lilith Adams Series
    • C.W. James – Mindfield: a Paranormal Thriller for Teens
    • L.E. Brooks – Avelina, The Cult of Anick: Book One
    • Alexander Fernandez – Above the Ashes
    • Gracie Dix – Vork Chronicles Welcome to Superhero School
    • Keith Steinbaum – In Lieu of Flowers
    • Tim Facciola – Ghosts of Rheynia
    • Beth Castrodale – The Inhabitants
    • AA DaSilva – Periphery
    • Anika Savoy – Mayhem in Disguise
    • Derek Wachter – Hidebehind
    • Charles Allen – A Graveyard of Ships
    • R.F PINA – Tears of the Aeon The Gothic War
    • E. L. Werbitsky – The Marsh Keeper
    • Derek Wachter – Solipsism
    • Mark Sabbas – The Monarchs
    • Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle – Vein Pursuits
    • Sharon Barnes – Shanghai Sunset
    • Evette Davis – The Others
    • Brian Blackwood – Fractured
    • Mike Fiorito – For All We Know: A UFO Manifesto
    • W.B.J. Williams – Johnny Talon and the Goddess of Love and War
    • Sherri L Dodd – Murder Under Redwood Moon
    • Bradford Tatum – Hot Berry Punch
    • LS Delorme – Bright Midnights
    • Omayra Vélez – The General’s Gift
    • Dennis D. Skirvin – Nicholas Knocker
    • Joy Ross Davis – The Singer Sisters
    • Shami Stovall – Time-Marked Warlock
    • L. J. Aldon – Riddle of the Haunted Hoard

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

    PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS! 

    This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook Page. We try to tag all authors listed here in the Facebook post. However, it is easier for us to tag authors when they have Liked and Followed us on Facebook.

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

    We will also be promoting this list in our Newsletter, which you can sign up for here!

    Congratulations once more to the 2023 Paranormal Grand Prize Winner

    Becoming Crone

    By Lydia M. Hawke

    Blue and Gold Badge recognizing Becoming Crone by Lydia M Hawke for the 2023 Paranormal Grand Prize

    Click here to see the full list of 2023 Paranormal Book Award Winners for Supernatural Fiction.

    We are now accepting submissions into the 2025 Shelley Book Awards for Supernatural Fiction.

    Please click here for more information.

    Winners will be announced at the 2024 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2025 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

    April 3 – 6, 2025! Save the Date for Registration!

    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 annual conference as we enter our second decade and discover why!