This is the moment everybody has been looking for, right. Here are the winners for the three following category: Best Book Cover, Funniest Book and Best Short Story. Some of the categories, I knew right away who would win, some I had to argue with myself all month to decide of a clear winner. Now, I made you wait long enough, here are the winners.
BEST BOOK COVER
Rodrigo Luff and Claudia Noble, for John Hornor Jacobs' SOUTHERN GODS
While they might not have used the most striking colors, I am in awe of the level of detail that has been included in this cover. It looks like a painting you could find in a modern art museum and it reveals a lot of information about the actual story of the book without spoiling anything. This is a dream cover for any writer to have. It strikes the eye from the shelf. Congratulations!
FUNNIEST BOOK
Matthew McBride for FRANK SINATRA IN A BLENDER
I'm sure everybody who has actually read this novel, knew that it was going to win hands down. FRANK SINATRA IN A BLENDER is the funniest novel I have read in years, one of the only one who has made me laugh out loud. Most of the laughter cam from its self-proclaimed functioning alcoholic protagonist, private investigator Nick Valentine. He is one of the great alcoholics in literature. Hopefully, there will be more of his adventures. If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and read it. Congratulations to Matthew McBride!
BEST SHORT STORY
David Cranmer for CLOUDS IN A BUNKER
This was such a difficult choice to make. All the nominated stories were so good, that at one point or another last month, they were all a winner. I might even regret my choice next week, but I have to be honest with myself and the story of a defenseless man's last stand that David Cranmer wrote hit a special spot for me. I got this thing for old folks that have to kiss life goodbye one that at the time. Huge mention for Heath Lowrance's IT WILL ALL BE CARRIED AWAY, which reads like a beautiful piano sonata. Both stories were neck to neck for the longest time. But there has to be a winner. Congratulations to David Cranmer!