The publishing world has its next big awards cycle to watch, as PenMasters Global crowns its 2026 literary champions and immediately throws open the door for the next wave of contenders. Authors and publishers now have a clear deadline: May 16, 2027, to submit their work across 81 categories.
Joe Battaglia’s Beneath The Rings Named Grand Prize Book of the Year as PMG Celebrates Achievement-Invites Authors Worldwide to Compete for Recognition in 2027
Every word is a beginning, every story is a journey, and every author has the power to leave a legacy that lasts beyond a lifetime.”— PenMasters Global
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Write Boldly. Rise Globally.
PenMasters Global has officially announced the winners and finalists for the 2026 PenMasters Global Award for Literary Excellence, the organization’s flagship international competition that recognizes standout writing in fiction, nonfiction, children’s literature, poetry, and a range of specialty categories. Alongside that announcement, the group is now accepting entries for the 2027 edition, which will feature the same broad array of 81 award categories.
This competition was designed to honor authors who push the boundaries of storytelling, rewarding works that deliver fresh perspectives, emotional resonance, intellectual depth, and creative originality. Whether an author is just starting out or already an established literary voice, PenMasters Global aims to spotlight exceptional books while offering meaningful opportunities for exposure and lasting recognition.
Joe Battaglia’s Beneath The Rings Named 2026 Grand Prize Book of the Year
The highest honor of the competition, the 2026 Grand Prize Book of the Year, went to Joe Battaglia for Beneath The Rings, which was published by Franklin Publishers. That same title also earned Fiction Book of the Year and additional category awards for Thriller/Adventure and Best Debut Book, making Battaglia’s novel one of the most decorated entries of the entire cycle.
“The Grand Prize Book of the Year represents the highest recognition we bestow upon an author, and we congratulate Joe Battaglia on this remarkable achievement,” said the PMG Awards Team. “His success is a reminder of what is possible when writers have the determination to bring their stories to life and share them with the world.”
Five Category Books of the Year Recognized
Beyond the top prize, PenMasters Global honored five titles as 2026 Category Books of the Year, each representing excellence in a major literary division:
- Fiction Book of the Year: Beneath The Rings — Joe Battaglia (Franklin Publishers)
- Children’s Book of the Year: How to Dress a Dinosaur — Robin Currie (Familius)
- Nonfiction Book of the Year: The Good Death: A Guide for Supporting Your Loved One Through the End of Life — Suzanne B. O’Brien, RN (Little, Brown Spark)
- Poetry Book of the Year: Exits — Stephen C. Pollock (Windtree Press)
- Special Categories Book of the Year: Running As Fast As I Can — John David Graham (Don Quixote Press, LLC)
These selections showcase the wide range of literary achievement that PenMasters Global celebrates, spanning imaginative fiction, children’s storytelling, meaningful nonfiction, poetry, and independent publishing.
Celebrating the 2026 Category Winners and Finalists
Numerous individual category awards were also handed out during the 2026 cycle. In fiction, Igor Stefanovic took Literary Fiction for The Seven, while Cathy Schieffelin earned Historical Fiction honors for Snakeroot and Cohosh. Jeannee Sacken won Women’s Fiction with The Women Who Stand Between, and B.L. Mostyn captured the Fantasy award for Heroes of Another Age.
Other notable fiction winners included Jesse Muehlbauer, whose All the Moonlight on Earth earned the Science Fiction award and whose hardcover edition also received Best Cover Design recognition; Michael J. Bowler, who won Young Adult Fiction for Losing Austin and Middle Grade Fiction for Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil; and John David Graham, whose Running As Fast As I Can earned honors in Inspirational Fiction and Best Indie-Published Book.
In children’s literature, Robin Currie received the Children’s Picture Book award for How to Dress a Dinosaur, while A.M. Berkowitz won Chapter Book for The Magical Farm Mysteries: Bubble Gum Rocks. Eileen Hobbs was recognized in Children’s Inspirational Book for The Girl from Korn.
The nonfiction categories celebrated an equally diverse group of authors. Tammy S. Dietz earned the Memoir award for Falling from Disgrace, Tony Jeton Selimi won Business/Finance for Climb Greater Heights, and S. Lee Funk, Ed.D. received the True Crime award for How Rampage Killers Interpret Their Worlds.
In poetry, Stephen C. Pollock received the Poetry (General) award for Exits, while Theodore McDowell earned recognition for Go in Peace in Narrative Poetry and Stained Glass Tainted by Dementia in Spiritual Poetry.
Special category honorees included Dr. Gregory M. Lee, whose My Good Life was recognized as Best Senior Author, and Corey Frazier, whose ORION: Heavenfall received the Best Genre Fiction award.
PenMasters Global also congratulates the many finalists recognized throughout the competition. Finalist designations are determined by judging results and the strength of the submissions within each category, rather than by a predetermined number of available positions.
2027 PenMasters Global Award for Literary Excellence Now Accepting Entries
Building on the momentum of the 2026 competition, PenMasters Global is inviting authors, independent publishers, and traditional publishing houses worldwide to submit their books for the 2027 PenMasters Global Award for Literary Excellence. As the organization’s flagship literary competition, the award recognizes exceptional writing across 81 categories, offering opportunities for authors representing nearly every major literary genre. Categories include literary fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, romance, memoir, biography, business, health and wellness, children’s literature, poetry, and numerous specialty categories.
Special recognitions include Best Debut Book, Best Indie-Published Book, Best Self-Published Book, Best Book Series, Best Illustrated Book, Best Cover Design, Best Cross-Genre Book, Best Youth Author, Best College-Aged Author, Best Senior Author, and Best Teen Debut. Every eligible entry is considered for both its selected category award and the prestigious Grand Prize Book of the Year.
Eligibility and Submission Requirements
To ensure the competition highlights fresh literary voices and contemporary works, only unpublished manuscripts and books published within the last five years (2022–2027) are eligible for the 2027 awards. The competition welcomes authors worldwide, including traditionally published, independently published, and self-published writers. The entry fee is $39 per book, per category. Authors may enter the same title in multiple categories, with a separate entry fee required for each.
Registration involves a simple two-step process: process the applicable entry fee, then email the completed entry form and digital book files to support@penmastersglobal.com. The deadline to enter is May 16, 2027.
More Than an Award: Recognition That Lasts
At PenMasters Global, literary recognition extends beyond the announcement of winners and finalists. The organization believes that the most meaningful rewards of literary achievement are visibility, credibility, and lasting recognition. To help authors build awareness of their work and celebrate their accomplishments, the 2027 competition offers several promotional benefits. Winners and finalists receive distinguished digital award seals that can be displayed on book covers, websites, social media, and promotional materials; ongoing promotional opportunities through the PenMasters Global platform, email campaigns, and curated author and book features; and a permanent place for winners on the “PenMasters for Life” Wall of Honor, celebrating their literary achievements long after the competition concludes.
“At PenMasters Global, we believe that an award should represent more than a moment of recognition,” said the PMG Awards Team. “Our goal is to celebrate exceptional writing while helping authors build visibility, credibility, and connections that continue long after the winners are announced.”
Write Boldly. Rise Globally.
PenMasters Global’s guiding message, “Write Boldly. Rise Globally.,” reflects its belief that every author deserves the opportunity to share their work and pursue recognition beyond geographical boundaries. Whether an author is publishing a first manuscript or a fiftieth book, the organization seeks to create a supportive literary community where creativity is encouraged, achievement is celebrated, and deserving voices are given opportunities to reach new readers.
“The true measure of a writer is not the awards they receive, but the courage to write when recognition is never guaranteed,” said the PenMasters Global Awards Team. “Every completed book represents an accomplishment, and every author deserves recognition for the dedication required to turn an idea into a finished work.”
PenMasters Global congratulates 2026 Grand Prize Book of the Year recipient Joe Battaglia, all Category Book of the Year recipients, category winners, and finalists. The organization also thanks every author who participated in the competition, recognizing the dedication and creativity behind each submission.
Enter the 2027 PenMasters Global Award for Literary Excellence
Authors and publishers seeking literary recognition, promotional opportunities, and greater visibility for their books are encouraged to participate in the 2027 competition.
2027 Competition Details
- Competition: PenMasters Global Award for Literary Excellence
- Official Motto: Write Boldly. Rise Globally.
- Award Categories: 81
- Entry Fee: $39 per book, per category
- Eligibility: Unpublished manuscripts and books published from 2022–2027
- Submission Deadline: May 16, 2027
- Grand Prize: Book of the Year
- Submission Email: support@penmastersglobal.com
- Website: www.PenMastersGlobal.com
For complete category listings, entry forms, submission instructions, and information about the 2026 winners and finalists, visit www.PenMastersGlobal.com.
About PenMasters Global
PenMasters Global is an international literary awards organization dedicated to recognizing exceptional writing, promoting authors, and celebrating creative achievement across a broad range of literary genres. Through its flagship Award for Literary Excellence and other literary competitions, PenMasters Global seeks to provide meaningful recognition, lasting visibility, and promotional opportunities for both emerging and established authors. Guided by its motto, “Write Boldly. Rise Globally.,” the organization is committed to championing literary voices, supporting creative ambition, and celebrating the stories that connect readers around the world.
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support@penmastersglobal.com
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Why it matters: For authors seeking real-world exposure and credibility, a structured international competition like this one offers a tangible path to recognition that can boost sales, attract agents, and build a lasting readership. With a modest entry fee and a five-year eligibility window, PenMasters Global is positioning itself as an accessible gateway for both debut and veteran writers to gain institutional validation for their work.
