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WELCOME TO personsoftheyear.com WHERE PEOPLE SHINE!

WELCOME TO personsoftheyear.com WHERE PEOPLE SHINE!WELCOME TO personsoftheyear.com WHERE PEOPLE SHINE!WELCOME TO personsoftheyear.com WHERE PEOPLE SHINE!
Home
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LUMINARY PRIZE
POTY BOOK AWARDS
POTY BOOK REVIEWS
POTY AWARDS
MISC.
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  • ABOUT
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PAST WINNERS
SPONSORSHIPS
More
  • Home
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  • POTY BOOK AWARDS
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2025 POTY BOOK AWARDS

One-Category Entry

$39.00
Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

A single-category Book Submission qualifies an author for a category prize as well as the prize of "Author of the Year." A full list of categories is available below or on page 2 of the entry form. 

$39 per title/per category

(Example: One book in two categories equals $78.00--requires separate $39 transactions) 


*AWARD TIMELINE*

NOMINATION DEADLINE:  7/13/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT OF LONGLIST:  8/10/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS: 8/17/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT OF AUTHOR OF THE YEAR: 8/24/2025


SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

• Submit your entry fee online. 

• Email a copy of your completed entry form, along with a PDF copy of your book (including the cover), to "admin@personsoftheyear.com." 

• Attach an author bio and any previous press releases or marketing materials for each title (if available). 

POTY Book Awards Nomination Form

POTY Book Awards Nomination Form (docx)Download

About The POTY Book Awards

OUR MISSION

The mission of the POTY Book Awards is to recognize and honor outstanding achievements in literature while promoting diversity, inclusivity, and the exploration of different perspectives. We aim to celebrate authors who captivate readers with their unique voices, thought-provoking narratives, and contributions to the literary world. 


At the heart of the POTY Book Awards is a passionate and dedicated team of individuals committed to the celebration of literary excellence and diversity. The team brings together diverse talents and expertise, united by a shared love for literature and a belief in the transformative power of storytelling. 


Inaugural Year: 2024 - A Celebration of Stories Begins 


*AWARD TIMELINE*

NOMINATION DEADLINE:  7/13/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT OF LONGLIST:  8/10/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS: 8/24/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT OF AUTHOR OF THE YEAR: 8/24/2025


*UPDATED* 2025 CATEGORIES

FICTION

Adventure

Animals/Pets

Anthologies

Children's

Cover Design

Drama

Dystopian

Fantasy

General

Grief

Historical

Horror

Humor

Inspirational

Legacy (books older than 2021)

LGBTQ

Multicultural

Mystery

New Age

Novella

Poetry

Religion

Romance

Science Fiction

Spirituality

Sports

Suspense

Thriller

Women's

Young Adult


NON-FICTION  

Academic

Animals/Pets

Art 

Biography

Business

Children’s

Cooking

Cover Design

Death and Dying

Drama

Educational

Family

General

Health

History

Hobbies

Humor

Inspirational

Journalism

Law

Legacy (books older than 2021)

LGBTQ

Memoir

Multicultural

Music

Poetry

Politics

Religion

Self-Help

Social Change

Spirituality

Sports

Travel

True Crime

Women's

Young Adult

NOMINATIONS

WHY THE POTY BOOK AWARDS?

The POTY Book Awards presents an affordable entry fee and accepts electronic submissions, eliminating printing and shipping costs. Registering a book in a single category not only qualifies the piece for a category prize but also enters the author for consideration for the prestigious "Author of the Year" award. 


The POTY Book Awards allows entry into multiple categories increasing a book's odds at winning an award. 


Galley copies and Unpublished manuscripts are welcome, offering a fantastic chance to increase your book’s potential for future publishing offers. Submit an edited final manuscript (as a PDF) before publication, and if you win, proudly add a POTY Book Awards seal to your book cover or author website.


The POTY Book Awards stands as a distinctive and unparalleled celebration of literary achievement, we set ourselves apart through a unique and meticulously structured timeline. Our awards unfold with a cadence that adds an element of anticipation and excitement, elevating the recognition of outstanding literary works to a truly special experience—from the announcement of the longlist to the revelation of the eventual winners and the grand announcement of "Author of the Year." This final accolade is a testament to the awarded author's outstanding contributions, capturing the collective admiration of readers and peers alike. Our weekly progression not only builds suspense but also allows authors, readers, and the literary community to savor and appreciate each stage of the journey. 


"Author of the Year," Category Winners, and Longlist recipients receive an official POTY Book Awards seal for promotional use, possible website and cover placement, lifetime exposure on our website, media channels, and press releases distributed to 1000+ premium American media outlets--which includes CBS, FOX, ABC, and NBC . 


To further celebrate the achievements of our award-winners, our "Author of the Year" recipient, Category Winners, and Longlisters enjoy a complimentary month-long social media ad campaign following the announcement of prizes. 


The POTY Book Awards not only honors outstanding authors but also elevates the entire literary experience, fostering a sense of community and excitement. Our approach and commitment to recognizing excellence make it the singular choice for those seeking to celebrate and discover the best in contemporary literature. 



KARI GUNTER-SEYMOUR

AUTHOR BIO

 Kari Gunter-Seymour is the Poet Laureate of Ohio. Her poetry collections include Dirt Songs (EastOver Press, 2024) Alone in the House of My Heart (Ohio University Swallow Press, 2022), winner of the 2024 Legacy Book Award, 2023 ABF Best Book Award and finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award; and A Place So Deep Inside America It Can’t Be Seen (Sheila Na Gig Editions, 2020), winner of the 2020 Ohio Poet of the Year Award. A ninth generation Appalachian, she is the editor of I Thought I Heard A Cardinal Sing: Ohio’s Appalachian Voices, funded through an Academy of American Poets Fellowship Grant and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and winner of the 2023 ABF Poetry Anthology "Best Book Award". She is the executive director of the Women of Appalachia Project and editor of its anthology series, Women Speak. Gunter-Seymour holds writing workshops for incarcerated adults and women in recovery. She is a retired instructor in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University; the founder, curator, and host of "Spoken & Heard," a seasonal performance series featuring poets, writers, and musicians from across the country. She was selected to serve as a 2022 Dodge Poetry Festival Poet and is an artist in residence for the Writing the Land Project and a Pillars of Prosperity Fellow for the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Verse Daily, World Literature Today, and on Poem-a-Day. 

DIRT SONGS

 In her third full-length collection, Dirt Songs, Kari Gunter-Seymour's poems are full-throated, raw, deceptively simple, and rippling with candor, providing readers an insider's lens into the larger questions surrounding the many aspects of Appalachian culture, including identity, the impact of poverty,generational afflictions, and the brunt of mainstream America's skewed regard for the region. Readers will discover a musicality of language, a stoic sense of honor, a richly detailed tapestry of experiences, and an inspiring display of humility and courage. Throughout the book there is an overarching determination to endure, to be the last truth teller left standing, arm raised in solidarity with the land and its people. Dirt Songs does what journalists and mainstream media have failed to do: provide a uniquely intimate look at landscape and family generated from within Appalachia, recognizing that one story cannot accurately represent a region or its people. 

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR OF THE YEAR

1. Your poetry often explores themes of place, identity, and resilience. How has your connection to Appalachian culture shaped your writing, and what do you hope readers take away from your portrayal of this region?


My connection to Appalachia is the wellhead of every word that I write. I come from a long line of self-sufficient, resourceful, hardworking folk. My father’s people arrived here in America nine generations ago and settled in Henrico County, VA and from there they made homes in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and then the Ohio Valley. My mama’s people also settled in Virginia, eight generations ago, in Harrison County, which became West Virginia and eventually they also moved into Appalachian Ohio. I could hardly get any finer Appalachian pedigree then these precious roots.

It is my hope that my work is adding to the conversation of setting things right, to re-educate the rest of the country, which has been sold negative preconceived ideas about who/what Appalachians are. I write about honor, endurance, courage, culture, love of family, history, lore, the land, and the way throughout multiple generations we continue to provide evidence of how even against the odds Appalachians continue to thrive and work hard to maintain our culture. We take great pride in our heritage—warts and all.


2. In today’s fast-paced digital world, poetry can often be overlooked. What do you think is the role of poetry in modern society, and how do you make your work resonate with contemporary audiences?


I think everyone in the arts has an obligation to record history as truthfully as possible based on their own experiences. We know that history books leave details out. Art holds history accountable. I write poems that I hope have the power to stir things up, create internal dialogue and therefore get external conversations started. I make use of every opportunity I am given to voice my truths. When I write I am not consciously thinking whether or not my work will resonate with contemporary audiences. I just want to speak as honestly as possible. I have been so blessed—right place, right time—so many people have reached out to me, guided me, lit my path. I want to do the same for others. My voice, spoken and/or on a page is one way I know how to do that. Call me a Pollyanna if you want, but I will never give up on trying to ruffle folks and instigate frank discussions around equality for all, starting with the basics: healthcare, education, nutrition. We can do this! 


3. Can you share some insights into your creative process for this collection? Were there any specific challenges or breakthroughs that stood out to you during its creation? 

  

I set aside writing time every Sunday morning, faithfully, and by that I mean, yes, it is my church time, but also the gift I give myself, this quiet time of meditation and concentration every week. I am one of those people who listens for the muse, so when she is being stubborn I use specific tactics to fire her up: list making, word maps, I walk outdoors or inside the house in search of unusual smells, sounds or textures that can trigger my creativity. I keep my ears open. Some of my best poems are based on something I overheard or was told, or when I hear someone like Maggie Rogers or Jason Isbell on Spotify. 

These methods work really well for me. My goal is to write a poem a week. Let me be clear, some of these weekly poems are real clunkers, but I am often able to extract a line or two and begin a new poem. I am compelled to write and am acutely aware of how the writing heals me. That’s really the reward, the healing. The rest is cake and icing.



4. As a celebrated poet and advocate for Appalachian culture, how do you balance the deeply personal aspects of your work with broader social and political themes? Do you find that one informs the other, or do you approach them separately?


One definitely informs the other. I am often at odds with louder journalistic and political misunderstandings of the region, and I feel an obligation to address these afflictions, to push back. I hope my poetry does that. I take risks, take on tough topics like racism, addiction, war, rape, and domestic violence. Not everyone wants to read poems about these subjects, but I believe we all need to. I try to continue to grow, to represent myself and the region with dignity, exhibit grace like my grandmother taught me. I work at being a good listener and a good friend. I put all of this in my writing. But I want to say right up front that it is impossible for one person, or their work, to represent an entire region. I share what’s happening in mine. Those who want to get a truly accurate view of Appalachia need to read the work of many regional poets/writers.


5. What advice would you give to emerging poets who are looking to find their voice in today’s literary landscape? Are there any specific practices or experiences that have been particularly valuable in your own journey as a writer?


Attend live and online readings, a person can learn so much about voice and what is good poetry and bad poetry simply by listening, especially at open mic nights. Enroll in workshops. Write down topic thoughts in a journal. Read other poets, read and read some more. This is such a tough business, every poem straight from the gut, you need to learn to not take critique and/or submission rejections personally. Be kind. Be joyous every time someone you know gets published or lifted up in some way. I think what most of us really want even more than recognition is to find community. We all need to support each other and to be supported. Once you begin to practice it, communal joy can be lusciously infectious. No matter what, keep writing!

CONGRATULATIONS CATEGORY WINNERS!

Your contributions to literature have captivated readers and critics alike, earning you a well-deserved place among the best in the field. This year's competition was particularly fierce, with an extensive and diverse range of works showcasing talent, creativity, and dedication. 

POTY BOOK AWARDS

CATEGORY WINNERS--FICTION

ADVENTURE

  TITLE: Tomboy And Tomgirl: Earth's Unconventional Superheroes 

AUTHOR: Gavin Thomas 

PUBLISHER: Gavin Thomas

ANIMALS/PETS

  TITLE: Infinity Tales

AUTHOR: M. C. Ryder

PUBLISHER: M.E.C. Publishing

CHILDREN'S

  TITLE: Digger the Colony Worker Ant

AUTHOR: Christian Kueng

PUBLISHER: Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.

GENERAL

  TITLE: The War Ends At Four

AUTHOR: Rosanna Staffa

PUBLISHER: Regal House Publishing

HISTORICAL

  TITLE: Book of Dreams 

AUTHOR: R. LeClair 

PUBLISHER: WestBow Press

HORROR

  TITLE: All the Monsters Are Here: Thirteen Spooky Tales

AUTHOR: Aaron Ray Ballard

PUBLISHER: Page Publishing

HUMOR

  TITLE: Tomboy And Tomgirl: Earth's Unconventional Superheroes 

AUTHOR: Gavin Thomas 

PUBLISHER: Gavin Thomas

LEGACY

  

TITLE: Until September

AUTHOR: Harker Jones

PUBLISHER: Harker Jones

MUTLICULTURAL

  TITLE: The MALA BEADS ~ A Novel of Hope and Discovery in a Time of Chaos

AUTHOR: Kathy Aspden

PUBLISHER : Kathy Aspden

NOVELLA

  TITLE: Who Will Rescue Us? A Love Story

AUTHOR: Judy DuCharme

PUBLISHER: Ambassador International

POETRY

  TITLE: DIRT SONGS

AUTHOR: Kari Gunter-Seymour

PUBLISHER: EastOver Press

RELIGION

  FULL BOOK TITLE: Quest for the Scroll… 

AUTHOR NAME: R. L. Rinne 

PUBLISHER NAME: Winged publications

ROMANCE

  TITLE: Tomboy And Tomgirl: Earth's Unconventional Superheroes 

AUTHOR: Gavin Thomas 

PUBLISHER: Gavin Thomas

SPIRITUALITY

  TITLE: Quest for the Scroll… 

AUTHOR: R. L. Rinne 

PUBLISHER: Winged publications

SUSPENSE

SUSPENSE

  TITLE: Your Brain’s Still Flashing

AUTHOR: Jim Lively

PUBLISHER: Treaty Oak Publishers

THRILLER

SUSPENSE

 TITLE: Your Brain’s Still Flashing

AUTHOR: Jim Lively

PUBLISHER: Treaty Oak Publishers

WOMEN'S

  TITLE: The Death of a Diet

AUTHOR: Debbie Rae Triplett

PUBLISHER: Palmetto Publishing

YOUNG ADULT

  

TITLE: The Darkened Enchantment

AUTHOR: M. C. Ryder

PUBLISHER: M.E.C. Publishing

CATEGORY WINNERS--NONFICTION

BIOGRAPHY

  TITLE: I Drink Coffee and Make Shit Up 

AUTHOR: Baer Charlton 

PUBLISHER: Mordant Media

BUSINESS

  TITLE: The Second-Best Business Book Ever Written: THE PURSUIT of THOUGHT LEADERSH IP IN SALES, MARKETING, and LIFE

AUTHOR: Tom Marks

PUBLISHER: Tom Marks

EDUCATIONAL

    TITLE: An Educational Organizational Puzzle: Professional Learning Communities with Fidelity

AUTHOR: Dr. Natasha Cox-Magno

PUBLISHER: School Rubric Inc.

FAMILY

  TITLE: Grandma, Tell Me Your Story: A Memoir 

AUTHOR: Patsy Ohlau 

PUBLISHER: Patsy Ohlau

GENERAL

  TITLE: Naked Iron: An Improbable Quest in the Sport of Triathlon 

AUTHOR: Craig Ohlau 

PUBLISHER: Craig Ohlau

HEALTH

  TITLE: UNCOVERING YOUR MIND: HOW THE BRAIN LEARNS AND ADAPTS 

AUTHOR: HENRY OH 

PUBLISHER: HENRY OH

HISTORY

   TITLE: Black Woman: The Quintessential Embodiment of Hope (Rise Up and Walk) 

AUTHOR: Michael James 

PUBLISHER: HOPE (Helping Oppressed People Emerge) 

INSPIRATIONAL

  TITLE: GOING FOR IT!

AUTHOR: Paul Salfen

PUBLISHER: Clovercroft Publishing

MEMOIR

  TITLE: Black, White, and Gray All Over; a Black Man’s Odyssey in Life and Law Enforcement 

AUTHOR: Frederick Douglass Reynolds 

PUBLISHER: Mindstir Media

MULTICULTURAL

  TITLE: Ninety-Nine Fire Hoops

AUTHOR: Allison Hong Merrill

PUBLISHER: She Writes Pres

MUSIC

  TITLE: Every Note Tells a Story

AUTHOR: Shie Rozow

PUBLISHER: Whispering Wind Media, Inc.

SELF-HELP

  TITLE: You Aren’t Depression’s Victim

AUTHOR: Debra Atlas

PUBLISHER: BookBaby

RELIGION

  TITLE: THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE 3

AUTHOR: Timeout A. Taumua

PUBLISHER: Timeout A. Taumua

SOCIAL CHANGE

  TITLE: Stolen Voices: Missing and Murdered in Big Horn County

AUTHOR: Bonnie Bley

PUBLISHER: NY Publishers

SPORTS

  TITLE: Coming Home: MY AMAZIN’ LIFE WITH THE NEW YORK METS

AUTHOR: Cleon Jones, Gary Kaschak 

PUBLISHER: Triumph Books

TRUE CRIME

  TITLE: Saint Bloodbath 

AUTHOR: Frederick Douglass Reynolds 

PUBLISHER: DeltonRamsey, LLC

WOMEN'S

WOMEN'S

  TITLE: Seeing Life Through One Lens 

AUTHOR: Dr. C. Denise Shook 

PUBLISHER: Dr. C. Denise Shook

2024 POTY BOOK AWARDS LONGLISTERS

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