Chanticleer Book Reviews

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The 2023 HEARTEN Book Awards Long List for Inspiring & Uplifting Non-Fiction
The Hearten Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Uplifting & Inspiring Non-Fiction and Memoir. The Hearten Book Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (CIBAs).

Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring true stories about adventures, life events, unique experiences, travel, personal journeys, global enlightenment, and more. We will put books about true and inspiring stories to the test and choose the best among them. See our full list of Non-Fiction Divisions here.

These titles have moved forward in the judging rounds from all 2023 Hearten Non-Fiction entries to the 2023 Hearten Book Awards LONG LIST. Entries below are now in competition for the 2023 Hearten Short List. The Short Listers will compete for the Semi-Finalist positions. Finalists will be selected from the Semi-Finalists. All FINALISTS will be announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC24).

The First Place Category Winners, along with the CIBA Division Grand Prize winners, will be selected from the 25 CIBA divisions’ Finalists.

We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, April 20th, 2024 at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Wash. sponsored by the 2024 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

These titles are in the running for the SHORT LIST of the 2023 Hearten Book Awards novel competition for Uplifting and Inspirational Non-Fiction!

Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works in the 2023 CIBAs.
- Lynne M. Kolze – Please Write: Finding Joy and Meaning in the Soulful Art of Handwritten Letters
- Anna Casamento Arrigo – Patience Insanity & Wisdom
- Lisa Niver – Brave-ish, One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty
- Syril Levin Kline – Inspiring Legacy: David and Carmen Kreeger’s Journey to Philanthropy
- Lally Pia – The Fortune Teller’s Prophecy: A Memoir of an Unlikely Doctor
- Alexander V. Girman & Cynthia J Girman – A Voice from Heaven: From Earthly Struggles to Thriving in the Afterlife
- Duncan McLauren – Owning Your Destiny
- Terri Kim – The Enlightenment Stories Represented in the Samgook Yusa and the Princess Bari
- Julie Morrison – Barbed: A Memoir
- Alex Bisset – The Destination Birth
- Shanita Liu – Dear Durga: A Mom’s Guide to Activate Courage and Emerge Victorious
- Theo Boyd – My Grief is Not Like Yours: Learning to Live After Unimaginable Loss, A Daughter’s Journey
- Trudy Wells-Meyer – Some Things Are Simply Meant to Be
- Maria C. Palmer and Ruthie Robbins – On the Rocks
- Tony Jeton Selimi – The Unfakeable Code®
- Tony Jeton Selimi – A Path to Excellence
- Art Berman – Art in the Middle Ages: A Memoir of Midlife Renaissance
- Nove Meyers – Running Away From the Circus
- Patrick M. Garry – The Power of Gratitude: Charting a Path Toward a Joyous and Faith-Filled Life
- Nove Meyers – Running Away From the Circus
- Kate Hudson-Hall – Anxiety Hacks: Proven Techniques, Tools and Tips to Calmness
- Hollie Stuart – I Can See For Miles
- Cory Mortensen – The Buddha and the Bee
- Julie Scolnik – Paris Blue
- Cort Casady – Not Your Father’s America
- Elizabeth Rau – The Good Slope
- Joel Harris – Searching for Steve
- Steven Greenebaum – An Afternoon’s Dictation: Inclusive Revelation for the 21st Century
- Dian Seidel – Kindergarten at 60: A Memoir of Teaching in Thailand
- Aurita Maldonado – The Zen of Dancing in the Rain: Becoming One with the Storm
- Grant Harper Reid – The Apocalypto Kid Goes to College
- Nanette J. Davis Ph.D. – Raging Currents: Mental Illness and Family
- Catherine DeMonte – Beep! Beep! Get Out of My Way!: Seven Tools for Powerful Creation and Living Your Unstoppable Life
- Dr. Kelly Rabenstein – Psychological Secrets for Emotional Success (It’s All About Love)
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Good luck to all as your works move on the next rounds of judging.

The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 HEARTEN Awards is:

Inner Trek
a reluctant pilgrim to the Himalayas

By Mohan Ranga Rao

Click here to see the 2022 Hearten Book Award Winners for Uplifting Non-Fiction

We are now accepting submissions into the 2023 Hearten Book Awards for Uplifting and Inspiring Non-Fiction & Memoir. The 2023 CIBA winners will be announced at CAC24.
- Please click here for more information.
- See our Full List of Non-Fiction Divisions here!
Winners will be announced at the 2023 CIBA Awards Ceremony, sponsored by the 2024 Chanticleer Authors Conference April 18-21, 2024! Register Today!

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 12th annual conference and discover why!
October 12, 2023
A New Chance! There’s still time to submit to the Nellie Bly Awards for Journalistic Non-Fiction

There’s still time to make the front page!

New Deadline for The Nellie Bly Awards is now October 31st

We recently reorganized our Book Awards program at the request of our readers to keep a more even balance for reading and to lighten the load during the holiday season. As we settle into this new schedule, we’re hearing great feedback from authors regarding the best times for them to submit their work. This depends on conferences and workshops (many of which are genre specific) where they can regularly receive feedback and writing retreats that allow them to finish their manuscripts. Thank you to everyone who reaches out and makes our Awards a success every year!

You now have until the end of October to submit to the Nellie Bly Awards for Journalistic Non-Fiction!

Elizabeth Cochran Seaman (Better known by her Pen Name, Nellie Bly) created a new brand of Investigative Journalism. Best known for beating Jules Verne’s Around The World in 80 Days in 72 days, and even more amazingly, Going undercover to get herself put into a New York Mental Hospital to then publish an exposé on the unlivable conditions and mistreatment of marginalized women. Journalist, Novelist, Inventor and overall amazing Woman. So its only fitting that our Division for Investigative Journalism be named for the woman who made the genre.

We’re excited to share some of our favorite reviews featuring Journalistic Non-Fiction worthy of (and often winning) the Nellie Bly Awards!

The Black Foster Youth Handbook
By Angela Quijada-Banks

The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I Learned to successfully Age-Out of Foster Care and Holistically Heal is a distinguished compilation of award-winning author Ángela Quijada-Banks’ insights, seeking to assist those in foster care to stay optimistic and triumph over traumatic experiences.

The text features the author’s candid revelations regarding the disarray she encountered in foster care and the overwhelming emotional roller coaster she underwent through family upheavals and a heart-breaking rift between her siblings.

Foster care had seen her forget her goals and aspirations, as traumas and emotional misfortunes spread their venom in her soul. Banks had found herself misplaced, perplexed, wounded, irate, and unloved. Her background, past wounds, and pessimistic beliefs ruled over her. In a painful recap, she reveals how she became accustomed to constant alarming incidents, creating in her a perpetual state of survival.

Read More Here

Prison From the Inside Out
By William ‘Mecca’ Elmore and Susan Simone

Prison from Inside Out: One Man’s Journey from a Life Sentence to Freedom is an illuminating chronicle that tells the story of a man who not only survived the stoniest soil but used his experiences to thrive as a human being.

This arresting memoir is essentially a road trip of William ‘Mecca’ Elmore, a man with a tumultuous childhood, growing up in a neighborhood chock full of social problems. It is in this environment that Elmore is involved in a crime that consequently leads to his arrest and trial. The story builds upon his incarceration in various correctional facilities, his experiences, his release through a Mutual Agreement Parole Program, and his eventual redemption.

Read More Here

Federal Prison Handbook
By Christopher Zoukis

In the Federal Prison Handbook-The Definitive Guide to Surviving the Federal Bureau of Prison, Christopher Zoukis has meticulously identified, collected, and organized a compendium of information regarding life in federal prison. Zoukis’ straightforward writing, free of personal bias or opinion, is neither mysterious nor titillating—reality is not sensationalized—it’s not fiction, it’s the facts.

However, if through some twist of fate, you or a loved one finds yourself in the unthinkable situation of going to prison, it may become the best book you’ve ever read.

Consider. You’ve been sentenced to serve time in one of the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ 125 stand-alone facilities, a private contract facility, or a satellite prison camp scattered throughout the United States. You, who need directions to find your way through Costco to the deli, must now enter an unfamiliar world with its own lexicon, rules, and consequences. How will you survive?

Read More Here

The Breast is History
By Bronwyn Hope

A realistic, up-close look at life as a cancer patient and survivor. The Breast Is History is a strong tool of hope and humor in the darkest days of any woman’s life.

In September 2011, Bronwyn Hope received her initial diagnosis of breast cancer; by March 2013 she had had both breasts removed, had gone through numerous chemo and radiation treatments, taken thousands of pills, and come out of it with a gritty, positive philosophy.

When she was first diagnosed, a close friend advised her to start a blog, something very far from her mind at that moment. But, her friend reasoned, she could inspire others with her story. This was not a fanciful idea, given that Bronwyn was and is a powerhouse—an avid athlete, media maven, entrepreneur, activist, mother, and writer. She took her friend’s advice and this book is the result, a sometimes day-by-day journal of her battle with a disease she admits we often think of as a death sentence.

Read More Here

A Home on the South Fork
By Margaret A. Hellyer

For untold millennia, the region that would come to be known as Whatcom was occupied by the indigenous conglomerate of tribes known as the Salish, who were peaceful and civilized. The Nooksack, who are a part of the Coast Salish, spent their time fishing, building canoes, weaving, and farming. In the 1850s, that began to change as the native peoples had to learn to co-exist with a new incursion of settlers—hardy people from the Eastern states and as far away as Europe.

They came to the region with the lure of inexpensive land ownership that had been made possible by the Homestead Act. A few had drifted in earlier when false rumors of gold were sounded, those early explorations revealing arable land and an abundance of natural resources.

Early homesteaders found the resources both sustaining and at times, daunting. For example, the trees themselves were so enormous that felling them was perilous, and logjams were frequent, cutting off the river’s flow. The winters were harsh and the summers, bug-infested. But families like the Galbraiths (the author’s ancestors) were hardy and determined. By the early 1900s, a thriving town had been established.

Read More Here

The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 NELLIE BLY Awards was:

Saints & Soldiers

by Rita Katz

A gripping account of the parallel rise of Islamic Terrorist groups compared to White Supremacist Groups. Thoroughly researched, an expert author, and a chilling book.

Explore the accomplished minds that have graced the winner’s circle of the Nellie Bly Awards. Be inspired by the depth and breadth of investigative journalism as we celebrate the achievements of the 2022 Nellie Bly Award Winners.

Be Part of the Legacy: Submit your Journalistic Non-Fiction to the Nellie Bly Awards today!

As the deadline for the 2023 Nellie Bly Awards creeps closer, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the exceptional achievers.

Seeking avenues for your non-fiction prowess? Explore all our Non-Fiction Divisions that provide platforms for various genres and styles.

With over $30,000 in rewards and prizes given away every year, what are you waiting for? Submit today!

The Grand Prize Winners of the 2022 Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards!

October 10, 2023
Mind & Spirit Hall Of Fame — Celebrating Books that Bring us Balance

Looking for Balance in your Life?

The Mind & Spirit Awards are here for you

***Enter your book today***

Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction

At the heart of the Mind & Spirit Awards is a celebration of transformation and enlightenment. It embraces the power of words to uplift, inspire, and guide, creating a ripple effect that resonates with readers on a soulful level. This division acknowledges the significance of the mind-spirit connection, delving into the realms of spirituality, mindfulness, well-being, and self-discovery.

Let’s celebrate the Grand Prize Winners of the Mind and Spirit Awards

Enlighten Up
By Beth Gibbs

Beth Gibb’s Enlighten Up! Finding Clarity Contentment and Resilience in A Complicated World is not a simple how-to book, but rather an invitation to begin a journey of self-discovery.

This journey follows the “five-layer method,” based on the Upanishads, a 3,000-year-old East-Indian wisdom tradition. After a quick history lesson on the pursuit of self-awareness, Gibbs walks readers through the five layers of achieving it, for a happy and fulfilling life. Throughout the book, Gibbs includes breaks for mindfulness and grounding exercises to get the most out of each section.

Gibbs writes about the assumption that the goal of enlightenment is to, “suppress or eliminate their emotions, live everlasting bliss, and face every situation with equanimity,” and how that assumption is unrealistic.

Read More Here

Exit The Maze
By Dr. Donna Marks

Exit The Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure by Dr. Donna Marks is a welcoming and comprehensive enchiridion of untapped wisdom that offers a step-to-step guide to getting out of any form of addiction.

No one sets out to become an addict; it catches us off guard. An addiction can happen quickly or slowly and can affect anyone regardless of intelligence, social class, ethnic group, or religion. With pitch-perfect prose, Dr. Donna Marks invites readers into the root causes of different forms of addiction, while offering pragmatic and evidence-based solutions that are bound to yield results.

Buoyed by the personal experiences of the author along with numerous case studies, Dr. Marks further offers deep insights into the inadequacies of traditional treatment models. For example, she notes that most rehab centers lack adequate staffing and overstep the limits of their capabilities. Another example is the famous 12 steps of fighting addiction which she believes do help to stop a behavior and develop a solid support system, however, she also sees that the program falls short.

Read More Here

The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 MIND & SPIRIT Awards is:

A Sky of Infinite Blue

By Kyomi O’Connor

A review is in the works for A Sky of Infinite Blue. You can see the First Place Winners of the 2022 Mind & Spirit Awards here.

Now that you’re set on your next reads, what are you waiting for? The only way to join this amazing list of Mind & Spirit Winners is to submit today!

Those who submit and advance will have the chance to win the Overall Grand Prize of the CIBAs and $1000!

Be Part of the Legacy: Join the Illustrious Roster of Winners

As the deadline for the 2023 Mind & Spirit Awards arrives, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the exceptional achievers.

Seeking avenues for your non-fiction prowess? Explore all our Non-Fiction Divisions that provide platforms for various genres and styles.

With over $30,000 in rewards and prizes given away every year, what are you waiting for? Submit today!

The Grand Prize Winners of the 2022 Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards!

August 21, 2023
Nellie Bly 2023 Hall of Fame Celebrating Journalistic Non-Fiction

Truth Matters Now More Than Ever

Your Work can Add to the Conversation

***Make Your Story Known Today***

You have until August 31st to submit to the 2023 CIBAs!

Elizabeth Cochran Seaman (Better known by her Pen Name, Nellie Bly) created a new brand of Investigative Journalism. Best known for beating Jules Verne’s Around The World in 80 Days in 72 days, and even more amazingly, Going undercover to get herself put into a New York Mental Hospital to then publish an exposé on the unlivable conditions and mistreatment of marginalized women. Journalist, Novelist, Inventor and overall amazing Woman. So its only fitting that our Division for Investigative Journalism be named for the woman who made the genre.

We’re excited to celebrate the excellent caliber of work that we have had the honor of promoting in the CIBAs for Longform Journalism.

The Nellie Bly Awards are one of a kind. Check out the following books to find out why!

Prison From The Inside Out
By William “Mecca” Elmore and Susan Simone

Prison from Inside Out: One Man’s Journey from a Life Sentence to Freedom is an illuminating chronicle that tells the story of a man who not only survived the stoniest soil but used his experiences to thrive as a human being.

This arresting memoir is essentially a road trip of William ‘Mecca’ Elmore, a man with a tumultuous childhood, growing up in a neighborhood chock full of social problems. It is in this environment that Elmore is involved in a crime that consequently leads to his arrest and trial. The story builds upon his incarceration in various correctional facilities, his experiences, his release through a Mutual Agreement Parole Program, and his eventual redemption.

Read More Here

Shaping Public Opinion
By Janice S. Ellis, Ph.D.

Janice S. Ellis, Ph.D., introduces the journalistic theories of Walter Lippmann in her new non-fiction work, Shaping Public Opinion: How Real Advocacy Journalism™ Should be Practiced.

Walter Lippmann, considered one of the foremost journalists in the field over the last 100 years, was a mentor in absentia of Dr. Ellis in the art of advocacy journalism. During Lippmann’s 40+ year career, his columns were syndicated in over 250 newspapers nationwide and over 25 other international news and information outlets. Lippman focused on the ethical dissemination of information, especially about communities, society, and the world. A theory, which Dr. Ellis calls Real Advocacy Journalism™.

Read More Here

Reviews are forthcoming for recent winners, and you can see the full list of 2021 winners here and 2022 winners here. Huge congratulations again to all our Winners!

The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2021 NELLIE BLY Awards is:

America’s Forgotten Suffragists: Virginia and Francis Minor

by Nicole Evelina

The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 NELLIE BLY Awards is:

Saints & Soldiers

by Rita Katz

Now that you’re set on your next reads, what are you waiting for? The only way to join this amazing list of Nellie Bly Winners is to submit today!

Those who submit and advance will have the chance to win the Overall Grand Prize of the CIBAs and $1000!

Be Part of the Legacy: Join the Illustrious Roster of Winners

As the deadline for the 2023 Nellie Bly Awards creeps closer, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the exceptional achievers.

Seeking avenues for your non-fiction prowess? Explore all our Non-Fiction Divisions that provide platforms for various genres and styles.

With over $30,000 in rewards and prizes given away every year, what are you waiting for? Submit today!

The Grand Prize Winners of the 2022 Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards

August 18, 2023
Don’t have time for a full book? The Shorts Awards Hall of Fame has Something for Everyone! Submissions Open Now!

Short and Sweet? We want your prose today!

The Shorts Awards are here to bring you excellence in Novellas, Story Collections, or Individual Short Stories and Essays

***Got a Short to Share?***

You’ve got until August 31st to share your Stories with us and Enter the 2023 CIBAs!

For Short Prose and Collections

Join us as we delve into the Hall of Fame for Grand Prize Winners of the Shorts Awards – a realm where short fiction goes beyond genre. Starting in with the 2021 winners while the reviews for 2022 are processed!

New York: Give Me Your Best or Your Worst
By Elizabeth Crowens

Prepare to be carried away to bustling, vivacious streets as you read Elizabeth Crowens’ New York: Give Me Your Best or Your Worst.

This captivating literary anthology is a love letter to the great city from a group of brilliant artists and authors, which delves into the multifaceted lives of New Yorkers.

Short fiction and a few poems describe the ins and outs of New York living. Murder mysteries, revenge, family struggles, family sagas, and, of course, the most important questions regarding real estate. Finding the perfect place to live in the city may be difficult, but this story brings into vivid relief the heart of what makes New York special: the people.

Read More Here

Homegoing
By Toni Ann Johnson

Homegoing by Toni Ann Johnson is an intimate portrait of a middle-aged African-American woman dragging herself hand over hand out of grief and despair.

This story begins with her aching, echoing pain after the one-two punch of a miscarriage and the dissolution of her marriage. Her journey takes her back to the upper-middle-class white suburb where she grew up, through childhood memories that refuse to be denied and to, of all times and places, a funeral.

Something and someone is supposed to be buried. Certainly the deceased. But quite possibly the woman who has held on to her losses and her grudges long enough to poison her own future.

Read More Here

Savonne, Not Vonny
By Robin Lee Lovelace

Robin Lee Lovelace evokes a world in which the mystical intertwines with the everyday in Savonne, Not Vonny, a coming-of-age story set in rural Louisiana.

Nine-year-old Savonne lives in a small room at the back of Mama Gwen’s whorehouse, in Indianapolis in the ’60s. Her mama is one of the working girls, and her father is Mama Gwen’s own son. Savonne’s daddy dotes on her, and Mama Gwen loves Savonne like the daughter she never had; the two of them together make a loving home for Savonne, in the midst of their raucous brothel.

By contrast, Savonne’s birth mother rarely pays her any mind. A “crazy-ass woman” with a temper “as hot as a Mississippi afternoon,” Coco is not at all opposed to beating the bejesus out of someone. In a fury one night, she does something that cannot be undone, and in her headlong flight out of town, she takes Savonne with her.

Read More Here

A Week at Surfside Beach
By Pierce Koslosky Jr.

Vacationers from all walks of life converge on Portofino II-317C, South Carolina, a quaint blue beach house, in Pierce Koslosky Jr.’s short story collection, A Week at Surfside Beach.

From May 30th-December 26th each group of people comes to stay one week at a time, to forget their cares of the big city, to work, to celebrate, or to simply get away. Surfside Beach has much to show them, including temperamental weather.

The small town itself offers a charming supermarket where fishing supplies, whoopie pies, and local southern favorites can be found. The Christmas vacationers, the final of the thirteen beach house renters, struggle to find a tree in time; a real tree simply wouldn’t allow enough space for the family to sleep, and the fake tree would cost too much. But they find arts and crafts supplies in town, to fashion a paper Christmas tree during a day of rainy weather.

Read More Here

The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 SHORTS Awards for Collections is:

God, the Mafia, My Dad, and Me

by Lori Lee Peters

The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 SHORTS Awards for Short Stories is:

Old Man Baseball

by Mike Murphey

You can see the full list of winners for longer work here and for shorter work here.

Now that you’re set on your next reads, what are you waiting for? The only way to join this amazing list of Shorts Winners is to submit today!

Those who submit and advance will have the chance to win the Overall Grand Prize of the CIBAs and $1000!

Be Part of the Legacy: Join the Illustrious Roster of Winners

As the deadline for the 2023 Shorts Awards approaches, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the exceptional achievers who have come before.

Seeking avenues for your non-fiction prowess? Explore all our Divisions that provide platforms for various genres and styles.

With over $30,000 in rewards and prizes given away every year, what are you waiting for? Submit today!

The Grand Prize Winners of the 2022 Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards!

August 18, 2023
Spotlight on the 2023 Mind & Spirit Awards for Metaphysical Non-Fiction
Embark on a Journey of Mind and Spirit

Mind and Spirit Non-Fiction

In the quiet moments of introspection, where the mind converges with the essence of being, profound narratives unfold.

The allure of spiritual exploration and the quest for well-being beckon authors and seekers alike. The Mind & Spirit Awards stand as a tribute to these transformative works, celebrating the realms of Spirituality, Enlightenment, Self-Help, Mindfulness, Well-being, Meditation, and Energy. Join us as we traverse the corridors of consciousness and unveil the power of the mind-spirit connection.

Submit Your Work Today!

The Mind & Spirit Awards weave tales of enlightenment, offering guidance in the pursuit of mindfulness, or illuminating the path to well-being, your words have the potential to inspire, uplift, and transform.

In the vast tapestry of human experience, countless paths lead to enlightenment. The Mind & Spirit Awards embrace a diverse array of genres and voices, uniting the realms of spirituality, wisdom, and personal development. From profound self-help manuals to enlightening explorations of mindfulness, this division encapsulates the boundless journey of the human soul.

Navigating the Spiritual Landscape: A Harmonious Blend

As self-help literature finds its way into the hearts of readers, the concept of mindfulness has flourished, becoming a beacon of inner awareness. Publishers Weekly offers a word of caution for this difficult to write genre:

The term mindfulness can be “very fraught,” agreed Lil Copan, senior acquisitions editor at Broadleaf Books, particularly if it has been “diluted in its origin” in Buddhism. Christian authors often want to avoid acknowledging the Buddhist roots of mindfulness as a practice, connecting it instead with Christian contemplative practices they trace to the early church, or merely using “mindfulness” as a substitute for words like “presence” or, in the Quaker context, “quietude.” Still, Copan said that even amid concern about using the term, mindfulness is “such a good word. It does so much work that I can’t think of another word in which you aren’t saying 30 words or long sentences to get at what most people think of as mindfulness.”

We are delighted to celebrate the 2022 Winners of the Mind & Spirit Awards who have already started to make their mark on the genre!
- Ananta Ripa Ajmera – The Way of the Goddess: Daily Rituals to Awaken Your Inner Warrior and Discover Your True Self
- Nico Marceca and illustrated by Karen Sue Chen – The One Week Journal
- Deborah Vinall, PsyD, LMFT – Gaslighting: A Step-by-Step Recovery Guide to Heal from Emotional Abuse and Build Healthy Relationships
- D Terrence Foster. M.D – The Stress Book: Forty-Plus Ways to Manage Stress & Enjoy Your Life
- Donna McCart Welser – Rue’s Butterfly
The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 MIND & SPIRIT Awards is:

A Sky of Infinite Blue

By Kyomi O’Connor

The Mind & Spirit Awards are uniquely attuned to works that delve deep into the spiritual journey, resonating with readers seeking solace, clarity, and transcendence. Every word penned in a Mind & Spirit book holds the potential to ignite transformation. As an author, your role in guiding readers toward inner growth is paramount. Vulnerability and authenticity are powerful tools that invite readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

Seize the opportunity to share your enlightening narrative with the world. Submit your work to the Mind & Spirit Awards by the August 31, 2023 deadline. Join the lineage of authors who have contributed to the evolution of spiritual literature and well-being.

When you’re ready, did you know that Chanticleer offers editorial services? We do and have been doing so since 2011.

Our professional editors are top-notch and are experts in the Chicago Manual of Style. They have and are working for the top publishing houses (TOR, McMillian, Thomas Mercer, Penguin Random House, Simon Schuster, etc.).

If you would like more information, we invite you to email Kiffer or David at KBrown@ChantiReviews.com or DBeaumier@ChantiReviews.com for more information, testimonials, and fees.

We work with a small number of exclusive clients who want to collaborate with our team of top-editors on an on-going basis. Contact us today!

Chanticleer Editorial Services also offers writing craft sessions and masterclasses. Sign up to find out where, when, and how sessions being held.
- A great way to get started is with our manuscript evaluation service, with more information available here.
- And we do editorial consultations for $75. Learn more here.
- If you’re confident in your book, consider submitting it for a Editorial Book Review here or to one of our Chanticleer International Awards here.
The 2022 Grand Prize Winners from CAC23!

And remember! Our 12th Anniversary Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC24) will be April 18-21, 2024, where our 2023 CIBA winners will be announced. Space is limited and seats are already filling up. Sign up and see the latest updates here!
August 17, 2023
Spotlight on the 2023 Nellie Bly Book Awards celebrating Journalistic Non-Fiction
Discover the Power of Investigative Journalism!

Submit by 8/31/23!

Does the pulse of truth echo through your words?

The deadline for the prestigious Nellie Bly Awards is approaching swiftly, inviting those who strive to show the world as it is and bring those narratives which we desperately need to hear to light! The Nellie Bly Book Awards celebrate the prowess of Investigative, Long-form Journalism, and Biographies. Don’t miss this opportunity to shine a spotlight on your impactful work!

Who Inspires the Nellie Bly Awards?

The Nellie Bly Awards are named for the remarkable American investigative journalist, Elizabeth Jane Cochran, famously known as Nellie Bly. Her indomitable spirit led her to infiltrate the depths of an asylum on Blackwell’s Island, where she unveiled shocking abuses through her exposé. Her tenacity and courage cemented her position as a trailblazer in investigative journalism.

Illustration of Blackwell’s Asylum

Her Legacy: Immediate Impact

The power of Bly’s pen was undeniable. Her compelling articles triggered swift positive changes within the very institution she exposed. Improved living conditions, enhanced sanitation, and humane treatment became the result of her courageous reporting. Nellie Bly’s legacy exemplifies the profound influence of investigative journalism in shaping a better world.

Nellie Bly – Pioneering Spirit and Enduring Legacy

Nellie Bly traveled around the world in 72 days!

Before her groundbreaking exposé, Nellie Bly contributed to the Pittsburgh Dispatch under her pen name. Her life journey and achievements are intricately woven, capturing the essence of her adventurous spirit. Inspired by a song by Stephen Foster, she embraced the moniker Nellie Bly and embarked on a career that uncovered the dark corners of society, from sweatshops to the globe-spanning race against time.

We’ve continued to recognize and celebrate the spirit of Nellie Bly by continuing to celebrate our Grand Prize Winners long after the Conference and Awards Ceremony have finished. From Nicole Evelina’s biography on Francis and Virginia Minor to Dr. Janice Ellis’ timely and important news articles

Ready to Unveil Your Narrative?
Submit by August 31st for the 2023 Nellie Bly Awards!

The 2022 First Place Winners for the Nellie Bly Awards were
- Susan Lehmann – The Execution of Robert Butts
- Lana Melman – Artists Under Fire: The BDS War against Celebrities, Jews, and Israel
- Joshua Frank – Atomic Days: The Untold Story of the Most Toxic Place in America
- Jeff Kavanaugh and Corey Glickman – Practical Sustainability: Circular Commerce, Smarter Spaces and Happier Humans
- Janice S. Ellis – Using My Word Power: Advocating for a More Civilized Society, Book III: Patriotism & Politics
The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 NELLIE BLY Awards was:

Saints & Soldiers

by Rita Katz

A gripping account of the parallel rise of Islamic Terrorist groups compared to White Supremacist Groups. Thoroughly researched, an expert author, and a chilling book.

Explore the accomplished minds that have graced the winner’s circle of the Nellie Bly Awards. Be inspired by the depth and breadth of investigative journalism as we celebrate the achievements of the 2022 Nellie Bly Award Winners.

Be Part of the Legacy: Join the Illustrious Roster of Winners

As the deadline for the 2023 Nellie Bly Awards creeps closer, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the exceptional achievers.

Seeking avenues for your non-fiction prowess? Explore all our Non-Fiction Divisions that provide platforms for various genres and styles.

With over $30,000 in rewards and prizes given away every year, what are you waiting for? Submit today!

The Grand Prize Winners of the 2022 Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards!
August 15, 2023
Spotlight on the 2023 Shorts Awards, a Division of the CIBAs!

Times is short, and maybe your prose is too!

The Shorts Awards close at the end of August!

Submit your work by 8/31/23

“Short stories are tiny windows into other worlds and other minds and other dreams. They are journeys you can make to the far side of the universe and still be back in time for dinner.”
― Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman

The Shorts Awards: Celebrating the Power of Concise Storytelling

The Shorts Awards, one of our newer divisions, have quickly become a cherished space for recognizing and celebrating the magic of short prose. While initially limited to fiction, the overwhelming demand from our authors prompted us to also embrace short non-fiction. As always, our commitment to meeting authors’ needs remains unwavering, and we’re thrilled to provide this platform for their literary achievements.

Short Prose: Where Seeds of Creativity Flourish

Short prose serves as both a starting point and a catalyst for literary journeys. It offers emerging writers a brilliant entryway to the world of publishing, allowing them to introduce their unique voices to readers. These brief narratives can often ignite the spark for larger projects, as exemplified by Robin Lee Lovelace’s Savonne Not Vonny, a hint of what was to come with her captivating collection A Wild Region. Lovelace’s brilliantly weird and magical tales tales of wonder and enchantment blossomed from the seed of short fiction.

Robin Lee Lovelace with her excellent fiction

Whether it’s mystery, romance, science fiction, or fantasy, short stories can transport readers across a spectrum of emotions and genres. This concise format becomes a canvas for authors to explore diverse themes and experiment with various narrative styles. Just as Karen Russell’s wonderful School for Girls Raised by Wolves provides the a launch point for her acclaimed novel Swamplandia short fiction often serves as the fertile ground where authors sow the seeds of larger tales.

Capturing Moments, Echoing Emotions

The succinct nature of short stories allows readers to hold an entire world in their hearts with a single reading. As Paolo Bacigalupi aptly noted, short fiction delivers targeted narratives—vivid hand grenades of ideas that explode in the reader’s mind, leaving an indelible mark. The brevity enables authors to encapsulate specific moments, emotions, and characters, resulting in stories that linger and provoke reflection. Indeed, while longer works may scatter across memory, short prose remains vivid and focused.

“Short fiction seems more targeted – hand grenades of ideas, if you will. When they work, they hit, they explode, and you never forget them. Long fiction feels more like atmosphere: it’s a lot smokier and less defined.”

― Paolo Bacigalupi

Paolo Bacigalupi

Evolving Ideas, Inspiring Creativity

The evolution of ideas often commences in the realms of short fiction. Authors nurture fledgling concepts within these concise narratives, which may eventually flourish into extensive novels or novellas. The transformation of small tales into grand sagas speaks to the inherent power of short stories as seeds that germinate into larger, more intricate narratives.

The Shorts Awards shine a spotlight on talented authors who are forging their paths through short prose. This division acts as a stepping stone for emerging writers, enabling them to connect with readers and gain recognition. Stories birthed within this realm can be the catalyst for a writer’s creative journey, ultimately leading to the exploration of diverse storytelling forms.

As Ezra Pound once said, “Poetry is a sort of inspired mathematics.” In a similar vein, short fiction celebrates the art of crafting narratives with precision, each word chosen with care and intention. The Shorts Awards showcase this brilliance, highlighting the power of brevity to ignite imagination, evoke emotions, and leave lasting impressions. Whether through fiction or non-fiction, these stories showcase the beauty of concise storytelling that resonates deeply within us.

Discover the Short Treasures

We invite you to explore the Shorts Awards section and immerse yourself in the world of captivating short stories and essays. Engage with these tales, share your experiences, and celebrate the remarkable journey that unfolds within each succinct narrative. We’re delighted to be able to recognize the excellent short stories, essays, novellas, and collections that come through these Awards. Sometimes, the little things really do matter the most.

The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 SHORTS Awards for Collections and Anthologies was: God, the Mafia, My Dad, and Me by Lori Lee Peters

The Grand Prize Winner for the CIBA 2022 SHORTS Awards for Short Stories and Essays was Old Man Baseball by Mike Murphey

Reviews of each of these titles are forthcoming, and you can see the full list of Shorts Awards Winners here and here.

All the 2022 Grand Prize Winners are pictured below! See them all here.

Join the Grand Prize Winners and submit today!

Join the amazing CIBA Winners today!

August 10, 2023
The 2022 CIBAs Finalists for Shorts and Series!
A Huge Congratulations to all of the Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards (CIBAs) Finalists!

Every tier of the CIBAs is an important one, though few manage to rise this far in the ranks.

For our Shorts and Series Authors, this post has links to all of the Finalist Awards for the 3 CIBA Division Lists we have for Longform work like collections, anthologies, and novellas; Short Prose like Short Stories and Essays; and Series. We will have a separate post for Fiction and Non-Fiction.

All Finalists in attendance will be recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, and we will announce the Winners at the CIBAs Ceremonies on Saturday, April 29th at the Chanticleer Banquet. We can’t express how excited we are to be able to do this in person with our fully vaccinated and boosted staff in a healthy metro area.

Now let’s take a step back and look at where we came from to make this happen.

The remaining tiers are the First Place Winner, the Grand Prize Winners, and finally, the coveted Overall Grand Prize Winners. The Overall Grand Prize Winner takes home the $1000 and more! See the Book Award details here.

Now, presenting the links to the Non-Fiction Awards Finalists
The Official 2022 CIBA Lists of the First Place and Grand Prize Winners for all Divisions of the CIBAs will start to be posted April 29th, 2023.

We have badges available starting with the Short List. If you need a digital badge reflecting your tier level, please email info@ChantiReviews.com with your division and rank, and we will send you one as soon as possible.

The 11th Anniversary Chanticleer Authors Conference is April 27-30, 2023

Don’t Delay, Register Today!

Goodreads Icon

Make sure your Award gets the attention it deserves on Goodreads.com

In the Librarian Manual on Goodreads, you can go to your Book Edit Page — Literary Awards.

You want to list the Award for Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA) Winners, and be sure to include the year and what place you received. For example:

The year Long List, Short List, Semi-Finalist, or Finalist.

Note from Goodreads: “To add a new award or edit an existing award, you’ll need help from one of our volunteer librarians or a staff member.” For assistance, post in the Goodreads Librarians Group.

Always double check that you’ve written everything correctly before posting it. The search function for Awards on Goodreads is both case and punctuation sensitive.

The Overall Grand Prize Winner for the 2021 CIBAs was J.W. Zarek’s book THE DEVIL PULLS THE STRINGS

Remember, you don’t have to be present to win, but it sure is a lot more fun!

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.
April 5, 2023
The 2022 CIBAs Finalists for Non-Fiction!
A Huge Congratulations to all of the Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards (CIBAs)

2022 Non-Fiction Book Awards Finalists!

Every tier of the CIBAs is an important one, though few manage to rise this far in the ranks.

For our Non-Fiction Authors, this post has links to all of the Finalist Awards for the 7 CIBA Divisions we have for Non-Fiction. We will have a separate post for Fiction and one more post for the Shorts Awards for both Individual Works and Collected Works, as well as the Series Book Awards.

All Finalists in attendance will be recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, and we will announce the Winners at the CIBAs Ceremonies on Saturday, April 29th, 2023 at the Chanticleer Banquet.

Now let’s take a step back and look at where we came from to make this happen.

The remaining tiers are the First Place Winner, the Grand Prize Winners, and finally, the coveted Overall Grand Prize Winners. The Overall Grand Prize Winner takes home the $1000 and more! See the Book Award details here.

Now, presenting the links to the Non-Fiction Awards Finalists
The Official 2022 CIBA Lists of the First Place and Grand Prize Winners for all Divisions of the CIBAs will start to be posted April 29th, 2023.

We have badges available starting with the Short List. If you need a digital badge reflecting your tier level, please email info@ChantiReviews.com with your division and rank, and we will send you one as soon as possible.

The 11th Anniversary Chanticleer Authors Conference is April 27-30, 2023

Don’t Delay, Register Today!

Goodreads Icon

Make sure your Award gets the attention it deserves on Goodreads.com

In the Librarian Manual on Goodreads, you can go to your Book Edit Page — Literary Awards.

You want to list the Award for Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA) Winners, and be sure to include the year and what place you received. For example:

The year Long List, Short List, Semi-Finalist, or Finalist.

Note from Goodreads: “To add a new award or edit an existing award, you’ll need help from one of our volunteer librarians or a staff member.” For assistance, post in the Goodreads Librarians Group.

Always double check that you’ve written everything correctly before posting it. The search function for Awards on Goodreads is both case and punctuation sensitive.

The Overall Grand Prize Winner for the 2021 CIBAs was J.W. Zarek’s book THE DEVIL PULLS THE STRINGS

Remember, you don’t have to be present to win, but it sure is a lot more fun!

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.
April 5, 2023