For the past several years, the folks who developed the Realm Makers Conference also established their own book awards, including a book of the year award (the Realm Award).

Books may be entered into the following categories:

• Science fiction
• Fantasy
• YA
• Supernatural/Paranormal/Horror/Other
• Debut

From the RM website:

The winners of each category will receive a certificate of honor at the Quill Pen Editorial Awards Dinner, Friday night at Realm Makers 2017. Entries that fall within the five highest scoring books, across all categories, will move on to the Book of the Year (final) round of judging.

The three final round judges will not have access to the previous category scores. All five entries will start on level footing. It’s anyone’s game.

The winner of the Book of the Year award will receive a commemorative plaque and a cash prize of $250.

Besides these genre contests, there is a readers’ choice award (the Alliance Award) and a best book cover award (the Parable Award).

And this year’s winners are

Genre Winners:

Fantasy: A Green and Ancient Light by Frederic Durbin

Science Fiction: Frayed by Kerry Nietz

Supernatural/Horror/Paranormal/Other: Tainted by Morgan Busse

Young Adult: The Ultimate Nyssa Glass by H.L. Burke

Debut: Terra Soul by SJ Abraham

Alliance Award:

A Time to Rise by Nadine Brandes

Parable Award:

A Stolen Kiss by Kelsey Keating, cover art by Jenny Zamanek

The Realm Award:

Frayed by Kerry Nietz

As noted, the winners were announced last Friday at the Realm Makers conference awards dinner, then the list was posted on the Realm Makers Facebook page.

Congratulations to all these winners and to Realm Makers for honoring books of speculative fiction written by Christians.