When I opened my email this morning, I was surprised to find this exciting note from Dagmara at Spillwords Press (photo above courtesy of Spillwords):

Dear Writers,

We hope this message finds you well. We’re reaching out to share some exciting news—your outstanding pieces have garnered nominations in one or more categories for the 2025 Spillwords Press Awards.

Congratulations to all on this well-deserved recognition, and we eagerly anticipate celebrating the winners throughout February.

Voting is officially scheduled from January 26th to January 31st on our voting page: https://spillwords.com/vote/.

We encourage you to share this link with your family, friends, and supporters, as their votes can make all the difference.

Please note, that registration and/or login are prerequisites for casting your votes.

The Author of the Year award winner will be prominently featured on the sidebar of Spillwords.com for the entire following month. Additionally, all winners will be showcased in a special publication on Spillwords.com.

Below, you’ll find the complete list of nominations:
  
SPILLWORDS PRESS AWARDS NOMINATIONS:
  
AUTHOR OF THE YEAR
 
Dawn Pisturino
Ash Douglas
Antonia Wang
Lisa H. Owens
Melissa Lemay
Teodora Vamvu
Ernie Stricsek
Lou Storey
Sanu Sharma
Gabriella Balcom
Joseph L.M. Sturm
Michael McCarthy
James Nelli

PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR (POETIC)
 
This World is Yours by Michael L. Utley
Tapestry of Dreams by Ginny M. Jones
Haunt by Emma Wells
Empty Lines by Smitha V
In Your Face by Ximena Escobar
Black Flies by David Estringel
Song of Soul by Suman Pokhrel
Isn’t It a Pity? by Daedalus Chaos
Worn Slap Out by Joni Caggiano
Sentimental Ebb by Aurora Kastanias
Birth Dance by SR Inciardi
Treats Only, Please! by Lauren Scott
Ethereal Encounter in the Night’s Embrace by Yasmin Hemmat
A Squirrel’s Front Teeth Never Stop Growing by Barbara Harris Leonhard
 
PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR (NON-POETIC)
 
Miriam and Her 13,149 Days by Janete Cabral
The Grand Adventure by Jim Bartlett
The Seagull by Patricia Furstenberg
Precious Moments by Valli Henry-Boldini
A Christmas Heckler by John Christopher
Moccona With Two Sugars by Sarah Kelleher
Dunker Church by Robert Walton
One Life to Live by Lise Rowlandson
Kaivopuisto by S. Anand
Adrift by Julie London
Tasseography by Dominic Rivron
Murmurs by June Hunter
New Beginnings by Lisa Rivers Kiesling
The Night My Daughter Never Came Home by Diana Burns
 
PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR (INTERNATIONAL)
 
Willow! In an Ocean of Green! by Thaddeus Hutyra
Namalowałeś… by Danuta Czerwińska Murawska
No te Olvides de Mi by Francisco Bravo Cabrera
The Apple Tree of Paradise by Marian Dziwisz
El Primero by José A Gómez
Rzeka by Mirosława Stojak
Summer Haiku by Maurizio Brancaleoni
Ay! Pobre Corazon by Nancy E. Campos
Boquiblando by Alexis Soto Ramírez
Gli Alberi di Gaza by Francesco Abate
Soli by Natalia Castelluccio
Coś do Powiedzenia by Katarzyna Koziorowska
Significar Ninguna Vez by Romulaizer Pardo
Złoty Ryngraf Nieba by Katarzyna Dominik
 
Best of luck to all nominees! We express our heartfelt gratitude for your exceptional collaboration and participation.

Warm regards,

Editing Team | Editing Department
editor@spillwords.com

I’m not only thrilled that my poem from Halloween last year, “Treats Only, Please!” is nominated for Publication of the Year for 2025 (after winning Publication of the Month for October 2024), but I’m honored to stand beside so many talented authors. There are several categories to vote in, so I hope you take the time to sign in and vote! Voting begins today, January 26th, and will end on January 31st. A Huge Thanks to Dagmara and her amazing team at Spillwords for continuing to share my work. It’s a privilege to be a part of her wonderful literary community. ❤️🙏

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Now as promised from my previous post, I’m sharing my first group of book reviews that I gave 5 stars. Please note that the length of my reviews is irrelevant. All of these books are different but highly recommended, so my thoughts vary on each…

They Call Me Mom by Pete Springer
https://petespringerauthor.wordpress.com/

The one thing Pete Springer knew post high school graduation was that he wasn’t going to college. He worked several odd jobs, but then through his dad’s friend, Springer found himself working in a position that developed into a rewarding experience. He was doing something that mattered, which motivated him to consider college again, only this time with a goal in mind.

After reading the first few pages, it didn’t take me long to learn that Springer was a caring and dedicated elementary school teacher. The kind that all parents wish for their children. They Call Me Mom reads like a memoir of how becoming an educator impacted his life in a positive way, as well as the positive difference he made in his students’ lives. Readers are guided on a journey spanning over three decades of his career. Springer offers sage advice to new teachers beginning from setting up the classroom to the importance of getting to know the students. “The obvious question is, how does one go about connecting with students? Well, it starts on the first day of school.” Working with parents and creating teamwork among staff and administrators is also paramount in obtaining trust.

Springer’s memories made me laugh, and some tugged at my heart. His personal goal was to be the best he could be for each classroom ranging from second grade to sixth grade. Some of Springer’s former students stay in contact with him too, which is telling in itself. And it wasn’t all about the curriculum – so much more goes into teaching than simply following a textbook. Through his anecdotes, he talks about the joys, challenges, and rewards of a profession that should be valued to the highest degree. Springer’s compassionate character evokes memories of my high school choir teacher, Mr. Perry, who encouraged me to step out of my singing comfort zone. Because of his support, I was able to realize my dream at the time.

I highly recommend They Call Me Mom as a tool for new teachers, and for current teachers to be reminded of the valuable reason they chose their career in the first place. Parents will also gain more insight, finding this book extremely useful. For those of us who don’t work in education, Springer’s book speaks to creating healthy relationships which is inspiring and can be applied to everyday life. I have a much deeper appreciation for teachers after reading this account of a fulfilling teaching career.

Surviving Sue by Vickie Atkinson
https://victoriaponders.com/

Vicki Atkinson’s book is an honest and emotional memoir about living with her mom, Sue, who was plagued with mental health and addiction issues. Sue’s moods would shift from joyful to rage in no time, causing confusion and pain to anyone nearby. Vicki disclosed only the truth, no sugarcoating any situation, and even inserted humor at times. In the midst of chaos and after she moved out from her mother’s house, she remained concerned about her disabled sister, Lisa, who landed on the receiving end of their mother’s manipulation and abuse.

How Vicki met each challenging moment with resilience, compassion, and strength was absolutely amazing to discover. She uncovered the means for coping while also providing us a glimpse of the good side of Sue…her fun, entertaining qualities, and empathetic heart that advocated for others. I found this perspective to be heartwarming and inspirational. Vicki became a licensed counselor, so I’m sure living with her mom’s unstable personality offered insight for her future to counsel others. This book truly demonstrates what it means to love and forgive, and to stay strong in turbulent times. Highly recommended!

Just One Goodbye by Balroop Singh
https://balroop2013.wordpress.com/

When Balroop Singh’s husband unexpectedly passed away, she turned to writing poetry to provide a place for her grief to exist. Just One Goodbye is Singh’s invitation to join her on a journey that will make your heart ache. I can’t pretend to know how she feels because I haven’t experienced the loss of my husband. However, I can understand a love so strong, and a husband who became my best friend that even imagining a world without him is unimaginable.

Singh begins the collection with “A Journey through Grief” in which she speaks of how the tears flowed when she wrote these poems, and how they flowed again when she re-read them to edit. After reading the first poem “Just One Goodbye” I knew her collection was going to be heart-tugging and emotional…

…I look at the door
wishing it could open one more time
I yearn for one more smile
One more hug
I promise I’ll let you go
Just let me say goodbye

The love and bond shared between Singh and her husband was profound, so Singh’s grief is intense. When a loved one passes suddenly, especially a spouse, how does one make sense of such a heartbreaking moment? Sorrow takes the spotlight in the beginning, but as I turned the pages, I began to see a slight ray of hope. Singh begins to write about a future without her husband, expressing that such a feat is possible, though the grieving will never end. The shift in Singh’s writing from sorrow to hope is encouraging for all of us who will have to say ‘good-bye’ to a loved one at some time in our lives.

I have always admired Singh’s beautiful poetry, and this collection was a continuation of her brilliant writing talent. I’m only saddened that the subject matter was painful for her, but I hope that as time passes, grief will loosen its grip, and writing will continue to provide comfort. I highly recommend this powerful poetry collection.

Celebrating Poetry by Cindy Georgakas
https://uniquelyfitblog.com/

Celebrating Poetry by Cindy Georgakas is a companion guide to her successful debut book, Re-Create and Celebrate, but this collection of conversational poems can easily be read alone. While immersing myself into her beautiful writing, I felt as though she and I were chatting over a cup of coffee in my home about the ups and downs life has delivered. In a world where tragedy appears to be never-ending, the inspiration and motivation found in each poem is warmly welcomed. On the other hand, Georgakas dips into vulnerability and authenticity that we all can relate to; no words are minced, a fine detail of her writing that I love. I suggest you keep this book nearby for easy access on your coffee table or nightstand. Many poems also speak to the healing magic of nature which resonates with me because of my love for hiking, camping, and backpacking.

Even though we’ve heard it before, Georgakas reiterates: “Be who you are. Everyone else is taken.” And in “Be the Tree: We are pods in the tree of life: our stories will not go untold. From ashes we are to ashes we must go, as we take root, trusting with all our might.”

Celebrating Poetry inspires and touches souls, whether they feel whole or broken. Many poems resonate, remind, and enlighten, but I’m spotlighting one that really stands out:

The Insidious Mind

The mind is so insidious. We thrash our inner world to pieces,
judging, critiquing, berating ourselves to a bloody pulp.

It’s no wonder the world is full of hatred
and ugliness when we can’t even treat ourselves kindly.

Self-doubt reflected becomes too painful to feel,
so, we wear a mask of false bravado, hoping no one will see our fractured parts.

This inner war invading our world is the culprit of hiding our greatness,
turning us inside out, free for the taking.

Bring it to light, remember this is the job of the mind and not who you are.
Release these demons so you can be free.

Don’t let these words live rent free in your head,
you deserve better than these lies and deception they’ll have you believe.
Be your own best friend, evict them with no further notice,
so you can get the show on the road and take your power back.

As a matter of fact, this poem should be read and processed by everyone. Then maybe the never-ending tragedy would finally reach its expiration date. An empowering and lovely poetry collection highly recommended.

Sesi says goodbye to Granny by Robbie and Michael Cheadle
https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/

Sesi Says Goodbye to Granny is a beautiful mother-son collaboration by Robbie and Michael Cheadle. Together they have written a delightful story about Sesi, an elephant calf, who is worried about the matriarch leaving the herd. Young Sesi questions that if her treasured Granny leaves, who will guide and take care of her family? In this charming tale, we learn about African Bush Elephants and are pleasantly entertained with exquisite images and artwork by Robbie Cheadle. I bought the paperback and was captivated by the vivid colors and stunning visuals with each turn of a page. My fascination with elephants began years ago, so it was interesting to learn more about the magnificent animals. Sesi’s adventure is a real treat for children; I can only imagine the curiosity and excitement a child would feel, but honestly, her story is for all ages because of the educational element. If you wonder about Granny and the future of the herd like Sesi does, then you’ll need to purchase your copy, and I highly recommend that you do!

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I know I’ve packed a lot into this one post, but with my family and work, time won’t allow me to post or blog every day. So, your takeaways today are to VOTE at Spillwords Press by simply clicking on the link above and signing in. If I am honored to receive your vote then I thank you in advance. Most of all, I encourage you to support the wonderful authors whose writing enriches all of our lives.

And now you have more books to read! You can click on the titles that will gently carry you over to Amazon to purchase your copy. I wouldn’t be a normal author if I didn’t include a plug for my book too, so here it is. 🙂 Click on the image below to purchase your copy of Cora’s Quest (a children’s book that will be enjoyed by kids from 2-92!) And remember that reviews are like hugs, so if you enjoy any books here or in general, please consider sharing a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. No rules apply: short or long, it doesn’t matter. Your time and support are appreciated by all Indie Authors. ❤️

Lastly, I am so grateful that you chose to visit me in your busy blogging schedule. I know it’s hard to keep up, so thank you! And I wish you a great day and week ahead!

~ Lauren 💖

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.