It’s that time of year again Factioneers! Time for the 11th Annual Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off to begin!
We at Fantasy-Faction have been judging the contest since its inception way back in 2015. Along the way we have discovered some amazing self-published books and authors and had the privilege to share them with you! We can’t wait to see what this year brings!
How It Works
For those who are new to our site or new to the Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (or SPFBO), let me explain how it works.
Before the contest begins, self-published authors submit their stories. Then 300 books are divided between ten different SFF review blogs. This year, those blogs are:
- Fantasy-Faction (us)
- Fantasy Book Critic
- The Weatherwax Report
- Before We Go Blog
- FanFiAddict
- The Fantasy Hive
- SFF Insiders
- Abel Montero
- Tali’s Library
- Noah Brisk
In Round One, each blog reads through their slush pile of thirty books and picks their favorite to go onto the finals. This works differently for each blog, but here we review five books at a time, saving our favorites for last. Then each of our semi-finalists gets its own review, and then we announce our finalist.
In Round Two, after all finalists have been picked, each blog reads the other nine finalists, and rates them on a scale of 10. Whichever book scores the highest is the winner!
What Books Are We Reading?
Here is our list of 30 books for round one of this year’s contest. They are listed in alphabetical order by title. You can click on each book to see its Goodreads page. If you like you can check out all the covers on our Pinterest board here.
You can see the entire list of 300 books on Mark Lawrence’s website.
- Adamant in Dust by Willamette Sutta
- Arche by Erebus Esprit
- The Artificer’s Knot by Eric Lewis
- Changebringer by Jean K. Silver
- City of Stone by K. T. Holder
- The Crimson Court by Brendan Noble
- Dragon’s Son by M. K. Casperson
- The Fire Within by John B. Cheek
- Heroes of Valhalla by C. K. Kesterson
- Home For Retired Supervillains by SF Sowter
- Hunter’s Apprentice by Simon Shugar
- Island of the Dying Goddess by Ronit J.
- Keeper of the Gate by Margaret Feuerman
- Leave No Dragon Stone Unturned by Alexa Grave
- Legacy Bound by Elizabeth Daly
- Liches Get Scritches by H. J. Tolson
- Moon Witch by Grace Zhu
- The Non-Magical Declan Moore by Nathan Taylor
- Oath of Betrayal by Olena Nikitin
- Of Mages and Makers by Rel Carroll
- Physical Magic by William C. Tracy
- Remnant by K. R. Solberg and C. R. Jacobson
- Shadow of the Pyre by R. T. Silveus
- Shattered Peace by Megan Russ
- Sigil of Enderune by Rosaire Bushey
- Song of the Wolf by T. C. Smith
- Sweet & Wild by Alex Larkspur
- Tethered to Darkness by Matt Falcon
- The Waking of Storm and Flame by N. A. Betts
- The Winter Mage by TJ Muir
Who Will Be Judging?
Fantasy-Faction has a big team this year with a bunch of new people from all over the globe! And all of us are super excited to get into our set of books. But let us introduce ourselves first.
Adawia Asad
I’m an Australian-born Palestinian, mother of seven, wedding dress embellisher, foodbank volunteer, crafter (or maybe a collector of crafting supplies), and this is my third year as a judge with Fantasy-Faction for SPFBO. I’m also a former avid reader of literary fiction, occasional reader of science fiction, currently reading mostly indie fantasy—possible over-user of the em dash.
Eva Geraghty
I’m a lifelong fantasy reader, an aspiring developmental editor, and a millennial whose tastes were shaped by stories like The Mists of Avalon, Eragon, and The Princess Bride. My husband typically finds me on the couch, nestled in with a book and flanked by my two Hovawart-mix pups.
- Facebook: Eva Geraghty
- Instagram: evageraghty
- Goodreads: Eva Geraghty
Evelyn Grimald “E.G.” Stone
Author of cozy and epic fantasy, editor of fantasy, reader of all the books.
- Facebook: E.G. Stone
- Goodreads: E.G. Stone
- Storygraph: egswriter
- Instagram: egswriter
- Threads: egswriter
- TikTok: egswriter
- YouTube: Evelyn Grimald Stone
Jennie Ivins (Me)
I am the editor of Fantasy-Faction and have been with the site since its beginning in the fall of 2010. I’m also a neurodivergent stay-at-home mom from New Jersey with three autistic boys, a fantasy writer, computer addict, and lover of geeky things!
- Bluesky: jennieivins.bsky.social
- Instagram: jennie.ivins
- Threads: jennie.ivins
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
A reviewer with 21 years of bookselling experience and a love for indie and self-published fantasy. An assistant editor and reviewer for Fantasy-Faction and a judge for SPFBO since its second year. A lifelong book hoarder and audiobook devotee, always chasing the next great fantasy adventure.
- Bluesky: kitvaria.bsky.social
- Goodreads: Julia Sarene
- Storygraph: kitvaria_sarene
- Fable: Julia Kitvaria Sarene
Karen Lucia
I read across all realms of speculative fiction and all subgenres of fantasy. I’m excited to see what stories SPFBO 11 is bringing to the table. I’m stepping across the border from competitor to judge this year, and will be posting on my socials as well as on Divination Hollow Reviews.
- Facebook: Karen Lucia
- Instagram: karenluciawrites
- Bluesky: karenlucia.bsky.social
- Goodreads: Karen H. Lucia
Kerry Smith
Pakeha Woman from Aotearoa NZ, I have been an avid reader for 50+ years with fantasy and sci-fi being my most read genres. As well as SPFBO, I also judge for SPSFC (the sci-fi version of SPFBO). I tend to prefer character driven stories especially ones that have representation of marginalised groups in society.
- Goodreads: The Reading Ruru
- Bluesky: devildauta.bsky.social
Kit Caelsto
Multi-grenre published author for over two decades, author technologist, editor, author coach, and spiritual storyteller passionate about all things speculative fiction, horses, books, and chickens. First time SPFBO judge; long time reader. Books make the world a better place.
- Bluesky: kitauthor.com
- Book Reviews: Reader Barn
- Storygraph: readerbarn
Maureen Neuman
Avid SFF reader all my life, Top 5 Goodreaders reviewer. Writer, unpublished as of yet. Easily caught up in anything but writing, such working on my website (also unpublished as of yet). Editor. Found family is one of my favorite tropes, whether fantasy or sci-fi. I read widely within those two genres.
Goodreads: Maureen
Robert Max Freeman
Weirdo obsessed with Muppets, Gravity Falls, Steven Universe, Studio Ghibli, and the movie Clue.
- Facebook: Robert Max Freeman
- Bluesky: stillmellow.bsky.social
- Discord: stillmellow
Sara Rosevear
I love all things fantasy and fairytales! I also enjoy board games and knitting/crocheting and you can often find me on a long walk enjoying nature (and my audiobook). First time with SPFBO and excited to find some amazing indie reads!
- Instagram: rin_the_reader
- Goodreads: Sara
Sherry Cammer
I’ve been an avid reader since I first learned how to read. I could be found in my childhood with a flashlight under the blankets reading way past my bedtime. I retired 2 years ago on March 29. Since retirement I enjoy reading or listening to books whenever I get the chance. Love spending time with my grandkids. And I have a spoiled weiner dog named Oliver.
- Goodreads: Sherry Cammer
- Facebook: Sherry Miller Cammer
Stacey Markle
Certified book hoarder with over 50 years of reading, I’m fantasy obsessed and horror addicted. Indie and self-published champion and audiobook enthusiast where narration matters as much as story. First time SPFBO judge. I’d rather be reading than just about anything at all.
- Goodreads: Stacey Markle
- Storygraph: stacey_unchecked
- Instagram: stacey_unchecked
- Threads: stacey_unchecked
- Bluesky: stacey-unchecked.bsky.social
Tianna Twyman
Neurodivergent fantasy reader who loves everything magic and dragons. I love indie books and will often be found reading a new ARC from one of my favourite authors or re-reading. I have a large TBR that seems be forever expanding but not decreasing.
First time SPFBO judge and looking forward to discovering new books.
- Instagram: confessions_booklover
- Storygraph: ttwyman
- Reviews: Grimoire Ink Reviews
Yaniv Rosenfeld Cohen
I’m an Israeli fantasy and science fiction lover from a young age. Chocolate is my lifeline while being balanced out by great cooking and adrenaline-infused sports watching. I also have a background in social entrepreneurship in the field of mental health and believe in the combination of technology, people, and good intentions. Any genre book or audiobook with well-crafted mental health representation, definitely will have a warm place in my heart.
I discovered SPFBO and indie fantasy in general before covid and absolutely love the community it creates, plus all the fun banter involved. I’ve participated in several local Comic Cons, love to connect with fellow geeks and am especially looking for some dark or epic historical fantasy standalones.
- Instagram: yaniv.r.cohen
So that’s us and the contest. We will be posting an article about once a month as we let go five books at a time. The first will be in February. Stay tuned to see what gems we find this year in the 11th Annual Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO 11)!
Good luck to everyone competing and may the best book win! Happy Reading!
If you’d like to follow along more closely, you can join the SPFBO Facebook group and follow the #SPFBO tag on social media! (You can follow Fantasy-Faction on Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, and Threads.) You can also keep up to date with all the books’ scores on Mark Lawrence’s website!
Logo image by Tithi Luadthong.
Julia Kitvaria Sarene