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Blog – Posted on Thursday, Dec 19

Introducing the Discovery Editors' Choice Awards

Introducing the Discovery Editors' Choice Awards

At Discovery, it’s always been our mission to give indie authors a platform and unearth publishing’s hidden gems. This year, we’re introducing the Discovery Editors’ Choice Award — a celebration of indie literature.

Over 2,000 books were submitted to Discovery in 2024, from romantasy novels to memoirs to everything in between. We’ve sifted through all of them to select 16 exceptional works from a wide variety of genres that reflect Discovery’s diverse offerings. Each of these titles received a glowing review on Discovery, and many received acclaim and recognition on other platforms as well. Most importantly, each one succeeds at what great literature does best: these books transport us to new worlds, stimulate our curiosity, and tell memorable stories.

Enjoy the shortlist below, and check back soon for our winners!


The Killer Chorus

The Killer Chorus by Jack Conlan (Mystery & Thriller)

A country music legend is found murdered in her Nashville home in what quickly becomes a murder case of national interest. Detective Jed Hatcher is tasked with tracking down the killer while battling his own demons and mounting pressure from inside his department.

The Killer Chorus is a tense page-turner that will have readers hooked by its compelling characters and irresistible plot.

The Tender Silver Stars

The Tender Silver Stars by Pamela Stockwell (Women's Fiction)

The Tender Silver Stars brings the reader back to the southern United States in the early 1970s, where the world is embarking on progressive change but not necessarily quickly enough for women and members of the Black community.

Vivid characters, emotional connections, and uplifting messages make this novel a powerful and inspired read.

A Curse in Kyoto

A Curse in Kyoto by S.J. Cullen (Mystery & Crime)

A Curse in Kyoto is a thrilling mystery about growing up, solving a mystery, and adjusting to a new home. The prose is gripping, and Cullen does an excellent job of developing believable characters.

Anyone interested in Japanese culture, thrillers, mysteries, and three-dimensional characters will love this book.

Transference

Transference by Ian Patterson (Sci-Fi)

Nicholas Fiveboroughs takes on others’ illnesses for a living — until a brush with death urges him to take action against the upper class who uphold this system of abuse.

Transference is a “thought-provoking sci-fi read in the vein of Blade Runner and Annihilation that asks interesting questions,” perfect for any fan of speculative and dystopian reads.

From the Sun

From the Sun by K.M. Parke (Romantasy)

“A treacherously mystical journey with a side of deliciously captivating tension. Parke creates a whirlwind of adventure, mystery, and fantasy in this rich and windy romantasy gem.”

Readers will love the rich characters in From the Sun and enjoy the growth they undertake as they delve into the magical realm of Endence.

The Rules We Live By: Stories and Reflections on Unlearning Patriarchal Masculinity

The Rules We Live By by Destyn Land (Self-Improvement)

The Rules We Live By encourages readers to challenge patriarchy by learning feminist theory, reflecting on their privilege and biases, and confronting the harms of sexual assault and trauma.

Land offers a refreshing perspective on masculinity and conveys complex topics in a highly readable format.

Children of Madness

Children of Madness by Jarrett Brandon Early (Epic Fantasy)

Set in the realm of Quaan, a group of five outcast children are the beacon of hope against the pervasive Gloomtide, a deadly disease ravaging the Titan Empire. The Sour Flower Gang, led by the resilient Fincher Bugg, embarks on a perilous quest through treacherous lands to bridge the gap between the divine and the forsaken.

Children of Madness is an addictive epic fantasy that tugs at readers’ emotions and makes us question our own prejudices.

Take Me There: A Speculative Anthology of Travel

Take Me There by Winston Malone (Anthologies)

“An engaging collection of short stories that spans speculative sci-fi, horror, and everything in between.” These stories cover an array of diverse topics, such as an android’s capability to dream, the return of a presumed dead friend, and many others.

Take Me There is a pool of ideas, with each story offering an in-depth viewpoint into its respective genre.

Yes No Maybe

Yes No Maybe by Jessica Sherry (Contemporary Romance)

Opposites attract and sparks fly when Rowan Mackey moves house after a botched proposal effort by her long-time boyfriend. "Jessica Sherry nailed everything from the characters to the plot to navigating difficult topics with grace.”

Yes No Maybe is a triumph of contemporary romance written with compassion in addictive prose.

A Paper Orchestra

A Paper Orchestra by Michael Jamin (Comedy)

In this collection, Emmy-nominated screenwriter Michael Jamin brings his writing chops to the personal essay genre. Brimming with wit and entirely authentic, A Paper Orchestra is a tour of Jamin’s life that offers poignant self-examination and a plethora of laugh-out-loud moments for readers to enjoy.


Ghostly

Ghostly by Kate Serzenta (Paranormal Romance)

“A cynical lawyer, Gabriel, discovers love thanks to Ida, the perky Victorian ghost haunting his house in this charming and heartwarming paranormal romance. Ghostly is a cute and fuzzy read filled with humor and heart.”

Gabriel and Ida are charming protagonists: their banter and interactions are delightfully underscored by a flawless chemistry that makes this story a standout.


Back Focus: My Life Behind the Reality Lens

Back Focus: My Life Behind the Reality Lens by DJ Cash Bar (Biographies & Memoirs)

Written by an experienced TV camera operator and director, Back Focus is “both a fascinating and disturbing read.” DJ Cash Bar showcases some of the challenging conditions enforced on those working behind the scenes to churn out instant hits.

This is an eye-opening memoir, unveiling the hidden backstories behind reality TV production in the 2000s.


The Sower of Black Field

The Sower of Black Field by Katherine Koch (Historical Fiction)

Fr. Viktor Koch, C.P., is dedicated to his parishioners in the Bavarian village of Schwarzenfeld, but attempting to keep their faith alive might be more than he can sustain during Nazi rule.

A true story about Nazi occupation, American liberation, and the testament of a small community's innocence, The Sower of Black Field will hook readers with its well-developed characters and thorough exploration of their internal struggles.

Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky

Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky by Avery Davis (Children’s)

This vibrant children's book explores the timeless idea of dreams turning into reality.

Bursting with whimsy, “Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky is an explosion of color that will dazzle readers old and young. Page after page, readers witness a dreamer's imagination coming alive in vivid detail thanks to the brilliant illustrations by Tang Wei.”


The Girl No One Loved

The Girl No One Loved by S.C. Shannon (Psychological Thriller)

When Savannah abandons her old life for a new beginning, her attempts to forget lead her right back to where she started. The Girl No One Loved weaves suspense, revenge, and a touch of romance into a triumphant psychological thriller.

Readers will be captured by Savannah’s journey and internal conflict: a must-read for fans of the genre.

A Life Full of Quarks

A Life Full of Quarks by C. W. Johnson

In A Life Full of Quarks, John Chant explores the mysteries of the universe, meeting a host of whimsical characters along the way.

Described as “inspiring and stimulating in a way that will allure fans of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy”, this book is brimming with absurdist humour and memorable moments.


***

Thank you to the authors, reviewers, and readers who contributed to such a wonderful selection of books in 2024. Check back soon to find out the winners of this year’s Discovery Editors’ Choice Award!

Browse more great reads of 2024 on Discovery

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