2017 Unpublished Novella The Relic: Jerusalem to St. Augustine Betsy S. Lee At the 2017 Royal Palm Literary Award Banquet, author Betsy S. Lee won First Place for her unpublished novella, The Relic: Jerusalem to St. Augustine. Each year at the RPLA Banquet, authors experience the joy of earning accolades for all the hard work that is often done in the privacy of the home with little to no recognition. We’re showcasing the best of the best with our First … Read More »

  2017 Published Novella Colby in the Crosshairs John Hope At the 2017 Royal Palm Literary Award Banquet, author John Hope won first place for his published novella Colby in the Crosshairs. Each year at the RPLA Banquet, authors experience the joy of earning accolades for all the hard work that is often done in the privacy of the home with little to no recognition. We’re showcasing the best of the best with our First Place winners spotlight. Not only does … Read More »

  2017 Published Fantasy The harpies, a humanoid, winged species, live in peace on their jungle planet, but evil forces conspire against them, and Shail, their golden ruler, again faces the challenge to save his flock. Flight of the Golden Harpy II, Waylaid Susan Klaus Susan Klaus is the author of award-winning thrillers and fantasy. She is founder and president of Sarasota Authors Connection (250 members) and lives in Myakka City, Florida, raising rodeo bulls. At the 2017 Royal Palm … Read More »

2017 Published Mystery Phyllis Smallman With a twisting plot and a touch of romantic sensuality, this story captures the essence of small town life where no sin can be hidden for long. The discovery of the ravished body of a teenage girl sets in motion a tragic series of events. Secrets and desires are revealed. The second book in the Singer Brown series, Beach Kill is set on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest. Phyllis Smallman’s first novel, Margarita … Read More »

2017 Unpublished Mainstream Fiction Parade of Horribles Rhett DeVane Life can become a parade of horribles—the kind you imagine or the kind you never see coming. Rhett DeVane is the published author of adult and middle-grade fiction. She lives in Tallahassee, Florida, where she splits her time between her dental hygiene practice and writing. At the 2017 Royal Palm Literary Award Banquet, author Rhett DeVane won First Place for her Mainstream Fiction. Each year at the RPLA Banquet, authors experience … Read More »

2017 Published Historical Fiction Nicaea – The Rise of the Imperial Church William Speir A novel about the political intrigue surrounding the Council of Nicaea 325 AD, which created the blueprint for the Christian churches as a tool of statecraft for the Emperor. Award-winning author William Speir was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1962, attended the University of Alabama, and graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1984. At the 2017 Royal Palm Literary Award Banquet, author William … Read More »