Dana J. Summers is an award-winning editorial cartoonist, author, and a familiar name on the Royal Palm Literary Awards scene. This year, his novel From Hell’s Heart won the Royal Palm Literary Award for Best Unpublished Book of the Year and Gold in the Thriller/Suspense (Unpublished) category. Other RPLA recognitions include his novel Drawn and Buried which was number one in the Thriller/Suspense (Unpublished) category in 2013 and his novel Downhill Fast which was named Best Unpublished Book of the … Read More »

Barbara Rein is no stranger to recognition for her hilarious and delightfully creepy short stories. In2ition Magazine named her “2021 Short Story Writer of the Year.” Now her book, Tales from the Eerie Canal, has earned her the 2021 Royal Palm Literary Award for Best Published Book of the Year. 2021 Royal Palm Literary Award for Best Published Book of the Year According to Barbara, she “writes ‘horror lite’ short stories (more goosebumps than gore) filled with delightfully creepy twists. … Read More »

The 2021 Royal Palm Literary Award winners were announced during an online ceremony skillfully hosted by RPLA Chair Chris Coward and Chris Hamilton this past Saturday. Winners were cheered by spirited attendees in the online chat and at watch parties across the state. Grand Prize Winners Tales from the Eerie Canal: Murder by toilet plunger. Revenge by pie. A birthday gift of a trip to hell. Twenty-two stories infused with a gaggle of goosebumps. Don’t turn out the lights. Barbara … Read More »

  We are celebrating a huge milestone this year, our big twentieth anniversary. Two decades of writers reaching out to other writers and helping them on their journeys, wherever they made lead. Let’s take some time to look at our own journey, from humble beginnings to the well-known statewide organization we are today. And even some exciting special events happening just for this special year! How It All Began There were already many writers organizations out there in the year … Read More »

Here are the top five Florida Writers fan favorites! Thank you for reading! #1 Scrivener vs. Final Draft: Choosing the One that’s Right For You   #2 RPLA Finalists, Please Stand Up!   #3 KDP vs. Ingram Spark: Two POD Powerhouses   #4 Book Cover Design: CMYK vs RGB   #5 What Every Book That Matters Must Have

The first time I realized that I needed to make a Power Point presentation, I flipped out. “Giving a presentation is something for professional public speakers, teachers, ministers—people who are accustomed to orating to a mass or class of people.” At least that’s what I thought. As a writer, the idea hit home that author visits and book talks came with the territory. I was not sure how to get started. That was back in 2015. Just like with anything … Read More »