IndieReader Discovery Awards 2026 Entrants
Added as our reviewers read them, find the latest verdicts for the 2026 IndieReader Discovery Award entrants, leading up to the big winner announcement in June!
UNSCRIPTED by Morgan D. Grey hit like one of those nights you can’t forget: full of hope, awkward moments, and emotional fallout. Hannah walks into Keira’s party with a straight-forward plan, but what follows forces her to reckon with feelings and consequences she never expected. Ben, who’s always learned to blend into the background, suddenly finds himself seen in a way that terrifies and changes him at the same time. And Eddie begins to crack under the weight of who everyone thinks he is versus who he actually feels like inside. The way these three collide made the story feel raw and real, like watching someone’s carefully filtered life unravel in real time (behind the scenes of sorts.) It captures the messy, uncomfortable truth behind how we perform for the world and what it looks like when the mask slips for good.
RESONANCE PORTAL WARS: Book 1 – The Secret WW2 History They Never Told You by Mike Rawson blends the shadowed backdrop of World War II with immersive fantasy to create an unexpectedly thrilling narrative. As mythical forces and historical figures collide in a high-stakes struggle for survival, the novel delivers emotional intensity that will appeal to readers who enjoy imaginative, genre-crossing historical fiction.
BAD AMERICANS: Part II by Tejas Desai continues at the Hamptons estate of Olive Mixer where various harmful acts are done to the residents including sexual assault during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second installment to BAD AMERICANS: Part I intends to help everyone rekindle humanity and find love, turned into a fight for their dignity and even their livelihood. The book takes inspiration from the classics like The Canterbury Tales with a twist of reality TV like The Bachelor and Big Brother which adds a whole new level of excitement. Perfect read for those desperate for a thrill ride.
OPEN WATER by Alex Dean is more than a memoir but a genuine life story. Dean is openly telling every aspect of his life no holds barred including the toxic environment at his home in Pittsburgh, Kansas, the custody battle he got caught in the middle, and to top it all off, a severe eating disorder. The perseverance, tenacity, and fortitude of Dean are inspiring and heroic. This is a perfect read for a rainy day.
INFINET’S SHADOW by Tom Milton is a story unlike other science fiction stories. Starting with the power of the Gravitometer to the A.I. power of the InfinET ship, this is the ultimate time warp to be energized by. Even though the book transitions to the past quite a bit, the structure is clear and easy to follow. The settings, transitions, and an unforgettable sci-fi plot will ignite powerful euphoria.
SWIMMING WITH MANATEES by Bill Bennett follows Detective Ava Martinez as mounting bodies and mismatched clues point toward a web of corporate greed. Bennett’s staccato prose and eerie atmosphere sustain a steady sense of unease, resulting in a mystery that will appeal to readers who enjoy tension-driven, character-focused thrillers.
GR8_NATE by Christina R. Adams follows a young man who feels safest inside video games as he battles anxiety, depression, and the fallout of a life-threatening decision after high school. When real-world support fails him, an online friendship becomes a fragile lifeline, forcing Nate to confront painful truths about himself, his family, and what it really means to survive. Honest, gentle, and quietly powerful, the novel thoughtfully explores mental health, demonstrating how small moments of connection can slowly pull a person back from the edge.
RAVEN: A Novel by Robert T. Kelley is set in the tense world of 1990s MIT, where a sharp, restless computer researcher becomes entangled in a dangerous Cold War pursuit involving Soviet spies, the FBI, and Boston’s criminal underbelly. As early internet technology turns into a powerful weapon, the narrative moves through labs, back rooms, and shadowy deals where a single mistake can prove fatal. Smart, fast-paced, and grounded in authentic technical detail, this techno-thriller pairs high-stakes espionage with a compelling human struggle for trust and survival.
THE PRAYER: Rise with Jesus—30 Days to Transform Your Life by Stefania Fernanda Leao and Alexander Debelov is a devotional guide offering daily scripture readings, reflections, and prayers curated to help readers build a consistent prayer habit while navigating life’s challenges, such as healing, loss, and finding purpose. The book combines accessible language with genuine encouragement and presents practical chapters on overcoming doubt and building prayer routines—with prayers for specific seasons and situations, including marriage, new beginnings, and grief. Enhanced by Alexander Debelov’s illustrations, this devotional serves as both a spiritual companion and a practical tool for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with God through consistent prayer and scripture meditation.
THREEPENCE ON THE CARPET by David Whittet is a thoughtful and engaging work that draws readers in through its close attention to detail and its quietly confident narrative voice. The author has a clear feel for atmosphere, shaping scenes that are rooted in memory, place, and everyday human experience. The prose is expressive without being overstated, allowing moments of insight to surface naturally and stay with the reader. Well paced and carefully assembled, the book maintains interest while giving its ideas room to breathe. Readers who enjoy reflective storytelling grounded in authenticity will find THREEPENCE ON THE CARPET a rewarding and worthwhile read.
CARL THE CATFISH AND THE WISDOM OF THE SANTA HAT is a whimsical, wry meta-narrative about perfectionism, writing struggles, characters who won’t behave themselves, and ideas that seem perfect until the time comes to put them on paper. The illustrations and format are adorable if a bit amateurish, but that is, after all, part of the point of the book. Despite the title and the style, this isn’t a book for very young children, but rather for older children and adults who are caught in the crossfire between creative ideas and the courage and will to put them down on paper even if they’re not perfect. It’s a reasonable argument, charmingly and appealingly made—the best way to deal with writers’ block is to write about it.
K. S. Lynn's A THOUSAND MORE is a family saga of heartbreaks and betrayals eventually leading to newly found chances at love and hope. At times inconceivably fortuitous, the narrative still retains the reader's heed through its tear-jerking portrayal of grief, death, loneliness and love. The ending especially does great service to readers of poignant and convoluted family drama, as well as seekers of the sweet, yet uplifting feeling that the triumph of love over loss always offers.
After four years in the Idaho wilderness following his parents' disappearance, with only a copy of the Riverside Shakespeare and visits from his weird, uncanny friend, “MK,” sixteen-year-old Clayton Solomon Stonefly-Bergmann is rescued by his Granma Lina and Dammit the dog. In Junction City, he must confront his destiny while wrestling with grotesque nightmares of The Terror, “Das Ungeheuer,” and defending himself against the town's diabolical pastor, Big Jim.
In this literary equivalent of a fantastical fever dream, Dust Kunkel weaves Shakespeare, folktales, and American Gothic into a hypnotic, genre-bending story driven by the compelling Clayton, the child of the son of the mountains and the daughter of the seas. Rich in prophecy and poetry, FLY STONE, FLY is haunting, hallucinatory, and quite unique, a must-read for fans of intense magical realism and folkloric horror.
David Lane’s THE HOLY LIZARD! is a warm and humorous picture book for children, concluding with an interesting question at the end. Featuring charming illustrations by Caleb McBee, this whimsical book is perfect for young readers who enjoy uplifting stories with a dash of wit and meaning. Simple, fun, and unique, the book also introduces children to interesting facts about different species of lizards.
ENEMY AT THE HELM explores leadership under pressure through a tense and thoughtfully constructed narrative. Mark Dickson’s attention to detail and focus on strategic decision-making will resonate with readers interested in military, political, or organizational leadership themes
Eileen Cahill’s PIÑATAS FOR THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON brings together conversations with thirteen non-Koreans—current and former expatriates, alongside a couple whose connection to the country remains unofficial. Through these voices, the book puts before readers the complexities of life abroad, from cultural friction and financial instability to the quiet resilience required to endure displacement. It’s a thought-provoking read that will resonate with readers seeking a deeper understanding of life as an expat.
Brett and Kelly Stouffer's THE SEASONED MARRIAGE is a loving, faith-based 31-day devotional that encourages Christian couples to slow down, think, and engage intentionally in their relationship. Through relevant everyday events, Scripture, and guided questions, it provides practical encouragement for communication, trust, priorities, and spiritual connection. It's an excellent choice for couples who want an easy-to-follow devotional that keeps God at the center while enhancing their real-life relationship.
Glenna Hecht's HOW OLD ARE YOU TODAY?: Dementia, A Mother, A Daughter, and The Game That Transformed Their Lives is a poignant, deeply personal story about loving someone with dementia, told with candor, sincerity, and genuine affection. Hecht's simple How old are you? inquiry game teaches caretakers a calm, practical way to establish connection, dignity, and even joy in circumstances that would otherwise feel weighty and distressing. This book will especially appeal to family caregivers who desire both emotional consolation and a practical way to staying close to someone whose memory is fading.