Category Archives: Awards

Awards, Blog, Events

Short Story Awards from the PA Press Club

We had a beautiful afternoon for the Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon on 30 May at Gilligan’s Bar and Grill in Harrisburg, PA where I picked up two awards for my short stories.
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First Place: “Where Halloween Never Ends” (Black Cat Weekly Magazine Issue 216. Wildside Press, October 2025). This story will advance to compete at the national level in the National Federation of Press Women contest. Results will be announced in June. Stay tuned!
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Honorable Mention: “Give Them Peace” (Writing a Wrong. Greater Lehigh Valley Publishing Group, March 2025)
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Congrats to all of the winners!
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2026 PA Press Club Communications Contest honorable mention certificate for Phil Giunta's short story "Give Them Peace"
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Group photo of award winners at the 2026 PA Press Club Awards Luncheon in Harrisburg, PA
Awards, Blog, Conventions, Events, New Releases, Writing Retreats

New Video Newsletter is Up on YouTube!

Had a few minutes to breathe today, so I recorded a new video newsletter. It’s a bit long at 18 minutes, but it covers a lot of ground including The Easton Book Festival, Shore Leave 45 SF convention, Lehigh Valley Comic Con in August, my recent Pennsylvania Press Club awards, and my latest short stories in the new Bright Mirror and Retreat anthologies. Click here to listen.

Bright Mirror Cover Retreat Anthology Cover showing an open gate in the middle of a forest with golden light shining down from above

 

Awards, Blog, Writing Contest

Testing the Prisoner Takes Second Place in The BookFest Spring 2024 Competition

On the heels of the PA Press Club award earlier this week, Testing the Prisoner wins another one! Second place in The BookFest Spring 2024 competition. Third award since November. Always grateful for the recognition.
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Congrats to all of the Spring 2024 winners listed here (use the drop down list to view First, Second, Third, and Honorable Mentions).
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As a reminder, April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and 100% of the proceeds from the sale of Testing the Prisoner will be donated to Prevent Child Abuse America from now until April 30.  Thank you for your support!
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Testing the Prisoner - Second Place - BookFest Spring 2024
Awards, Blog, Charity, Writing Contest

Testing the Prisoner Takes First Place!

Testing the Prisoner Front CoverExcited to announce that my paranormal mystery novel, Testing the Prisoner, took First Place in “Books-Fiction for Adult Readers” category in the 2024 Pennsylvania Press Club Communications Contest.
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All first place entries are forwarded to the National Federation of Press Women for a second round of competition against other state affiliates. Winners in that round will be announced in June during NFPW’s annual conference in St. Louis, MO. The top three winners in the national competition receive cash awards.
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As a reminder, April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and 100% of the proceeds from the sale of Testing the Prisoner will be donated to Prevent Child Abuse America from now until April 30.  Thank you for your support!
Awards, Blog, Writing and Publishing, Writing Contest

Testing the Prisoner is a 2023 American Book Fest FINALIST!

Best Book Award Finalist LogoI’m excited to announce that my novel, Testing the Prisoner, was a finalist in American Book Fest’s 2023 Best Book Awards in the Horror category!
Testing the Prisoner print promoI wrote this book to increase awareness and prevention of child abuse and domestic violence. After all, the best fiction tackles difficult and often uncomfortable social issues. It’s nice to see some recognition at this level. Not too shabby! I have the book out in one other contest but won’t hear the results until March.
 Testing the Prisoner wins Finalist in 2023 Best Book Awards