– Winner –
Not Her Daughter
by Rea Frey
Rea Frey is the author of several nonfiction books and four domestic suspense novels (with several more on the way). She is also the founder and CEO of Writeway, where first-time authors become published. In the last two years alone, Writeway has secured 100 first-time authors with agents and book deals. She is also the co-host of The Real Story podcast, which demystifies the publishing industry and helps empower authors along the way. To learn more, please visit reafrey.com or writewayco.com.
– Runner-Up –
The Fantastic Family Whipple
by Matthew Ward
Matthew Ward is the author of the middle-grade novels The Fantastic Family Whipple
and War of the World Records (both from Penguin Random House), as well as the
upcoming picture book, Unflappable (HarperCollins, Fall 2023). His books have been
selected for the Lincoln City Fellowship and the “Buzz Panel” at BookExpo America. For film, they have been previously optioned by DreamWorks Animation, 20th Century Fox, and 21 Laps Entertainment (Night at the Museum; Stranger Things).
Matt lives in San Diego with his wife and three sons. They have a pretty good time.