Fictional Book Genre (Adult)

Fiction ranks as the second most popular literary genre, celebrated for its vast and loyal readership. At the PenCraft Book Awards, we’ve had the honor of recognizing exceptionally talented authors who craft compelling fictional stories. We hope we can add your book to this list of exceptional winners. Not one of this winners are published by the big five publishing houses.

In 2018, we were introduced to a remarkable book published by Black Rose Writing: The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple. This heartfelt novel earned 1st Place in our “Fiction-Drama” category, and its impact has only grown since. Today, it boasts over 42,592 reviews on Amazon—a true testament to its literary excellence and enduring appeal.

Also in 2018, A Grave Misunderstanding: A Simon Grave Mystery by Len Boswell achieved significant recognition, winning a prestigious PenCraft First Place Award for Literary Excellence in the Mystery genre. Since then, the book has reached impressive milestones, amassing over 1,472 reviews on Amazon and continuing to captivate readers.

Shattered Triangle by William P. Messenger is a gripping suspense novel that has captivated readers everywhere. With a compelling plot full of twists and turns, it’s no surprise the book earned 1st place in the 2018 PenCraft Awards. Boasting 1,126 Amazon reviews, this masterfully written story has resonated with fans of the genre, making it a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery.

In 2019, we received a remarkable book titled Managed Care by Joe Barrett. This laugh-out-loud comedy is a celebration of poor decisions made for the right reasons. Managed Care tells the offbeat and heartwarming story of three misfits navigating life on the fringes of suburban society. The book captured the hearts of our judges and was honored with PenCraft’s Best Fiction Book of the Year award in 2019. Since then, it has earned over 3,222 reviews on Amazon and continues to sell impressively well.

Another big winner in 2019 was 1st Place Psychological Thriller winner Kimberly Belle with her gripping and suspenseful novel, “Dear Wife.” This chilling story has captivated tens of thousands of readers with its twist-filled plot and haunting characters, earning it widespread acclaim. The book has garnered an impressive 9,366 reviews on Amazon and over 46,250 ratings on Goodreads, solidifying its place as a must-read for thriller enthusiasts. With its fast-paced narrative and shocking surprises, “Dear Wife” continues to leave readers on the edge of their seats.

The 2020 Best Book of the Year winner was The Winter Sisters by Tim Westover. This captivating novel, celebrated for its rich storytelling and historical detail, garnered over 1,678 reviews on Amazon, with readers praising its depth and charm. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is Westover's generosity—he donated a significant portion of his income from the book’s sales to support various charitable causes, making both a literary and philanthropic impact.

The 2020 1st Place PenCraft Award Winner in the Psychological Thriller category was Danielle Esplin's highly acclaimed novel, “Give it Back.” This gripping psychological thriller captivated readers with its intricate plot and compelling characters, earning widespread praise. As of this date, the book has received an impressive 3,575 reviews on Amazon, reflecting its popularity and impact among fans of the genre.

T.J. Champitto’s thrilling novel, The Medina Device,. emerged as a standout in 2020, captivating readers with its gripping storyline and unforgettable characters. The book claimed 1st place in the fiction category, a testament to its exceptional storytelling and wide appeal. In addition to this achievement, it was honored with the prestigious 2020 Maxy Award, further solidifying its reputation as a must-read. Since its release, The Medina Device has garnered an impressive 1,197 reviews on Amazon, with readers praising its fast-paced action and intricate plot, cementing its place as a crowd favorite and a modern literary success..

Another big winner of our PenCraft Book Awards was in 2021 for the gripping novel, “Furious: Sailing into Terror,” by Jeffrey James Higgins. This thrilling book took home 1st Place in the highly competitive Suspense Category, showcasing its exceptional storytelling and edge-of-your-seat plot. Since winning the award, it has quickly gained a massive readership, earning widespread praise for its intense narrative and compelling characters. The book now boasts more than 1,674 reviews on Amazon, cementing its place as a standout in the suspense genre.

In 2022, Chasing Rabbits by Rodolfo Del Toro was honored with PenCraft’s Best Fiction Book of the Year award, a testament to its captivating storytelling and wide appeal. Since its release, the book has continued to perform exceptionally well, garnering over 1,408 glowing Amazon reviews from readers who praise its complex characters and engaging plot. Rodolfo Del Toro has solidified his place as a standout author in modern fiction, with this novel continuing to attract new audiences worldwide.

2023 brought us another standout Best Book of the Year winner with Paul Levine’s gripping thriller, Early Grave. This compelling novel is a standalone addition to the Jake Lassiter Legal Thrillers series, known for its sharp storytelling and unforgettable characters. Early Grave keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its twists, legal drama, and fast-paced action. With over 3,668 glowing Amazon reviews, it’s clear this book has resonated with fans of the genre and newcomers alike, solidifying Levine’s place as a master of legal thrillers.

In 2024, Kathleen Donnelly, a former police officer with firsthand knowledge of law enforcement, submitted her gripping novel, Hunting the Truth: A Thrilling K-9 Suspense from the acclaimed National Forest K-9 series (Book 2). This thrilling story, featuring expertly crafted suspense and a deep dive into the bond between K-9 units and their handlers, captured the hearts of readers and won our prestigious 2024 PenCraft’s BEST BOOK of the YEAR award. Following this recognition, the book has achieved remarkable success, boasting over 2,123 glowing Amazon reviews and continuing to grow in popularity among fans of crime and suspense fiction. Like many of our past winners, Kathleen’s work stands as a testament to outstanding storytelling and resonates deeply with readers.

• Model: Seasonal & The Annual PenCraft Book Awards
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