Spotlyts Awards shine a spotlight on storytelling that moves, inspires, and connects us — whether through written word, visual media, or digital narrative. At a time when narratives shape how we understand ourselves and others, the 2025 winners remind us why great stories matter: they illuminate the human experience, spark reflection, and create community through shared insight.
The Spotlyts Awards, presented by Spotlyts Magazine, honour creators and voices behind impactful narratives that resonate across genres and formats. From memoir and long-form essays to multimedia storytelling and digital creations, this year’s winners represent the breadth and depth of what it means to tell a story that truly matters.
🏆 Spotlyts Story Award Winners (2025)
The following have been recognised for exceptional narrative contribution in 2025:
Spotlyts Story Award
Recognises books that tell compelling, memorable stories, inspiring readers and leaving a lasting impact.
Click the links below to read more about our awardees for this category.
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Yankeeland by Lacy Fewer
Have you ever felt that history has quietly erased stories that should have been shouted from the rooftops? In Yankeeland, Lacy Fewer unearths one such tale, forcing us to reconsider the past we think we know.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: “Geri o Shimasu: Adventures of a Baka Gaijin” by Alia Luria
Have you ever wondered what happens when self-doubt, public toilets, and ancient philosophy collide in a Tokyo guesthouse at 2 a.m.? Discover how this unlikely fusion unfolds inside this reflective letter.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Young Anastrina and Companions by Luminescence Goh
Have you ever wondered if history unfairly turns the desperate into villains? In Young Anastrina and Companions, you’ll confront unsettling truths about justice, sacrifice, and how stories are really written.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Never Have I Ever by Harker Jones
What if silence was the most dangerous sound of all? In Never Have I Ever, Harker Jones explores how secrets, like whispers in the dark, can shape, shatter, or save a life.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: 100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions, Volume 2 by Ross Brand
What do a livestreamed puddle, AI-driven engagement, and the future of digital trust have in common? In 100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions, Volume 2, discover how today’s top creators are shaping tomorrow’s digital landscape. Will you adapt—or be left behind? Read on to find out.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Know Your Mind by Peter Massam
Ever tried brushing your teeth with your eyes closed just to see if your mind can “see” the brush? What if the key to understanding yourself lay in the unnoticed, the unexplained, and the ordinary? Know Your Mind challenges our perception of reality in ways that may just change how you experience your own existence.…
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Dreams and Illusions by Rebecca Olmstead
Would you ignore a dream that seemed to predict the future? What if that dream led to a murder? Dreams and Illusions takes you deep into the eerie and the unexplained—read on to find out how.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: It Was Her New York by C.O. Moed
Have you ever had to argue to keep someone out of the hospital? Or felt a city slip away beneath your feet? In It Was Her New York, C.O. Moed reveals the fight against forgetting.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Mary Poser (YA Edition) by Angel A
What’s heavier—an overstuffed suitcase or the invisible weight of expectations? Mary Poser (YA Edition) unpacks this question through love, culture, and identity. Read on to discover what truly holds us back.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: “Daylight Saving Time: The Power of Growing Older” by David W. Berner
Have you ever forgotten the date of a loved one’s passing—but remembered the scent of their favorite coffee? Discover how time plays tricks on memory and meaning in this reflective journey.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Apprenticed to the Night by LindaAnn LoSchiavo
Have you ever felt that nighttime knows something about you that daylight never will? Apprenticed to the Night by LindaAnn LoSchiavo plunges into that eerie familiarity.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: “Moose Conquering Fear” by Peter Massam
Can fear be inherited? If your parents avoided risks, does that mean you will too? Moose Conquering Fear explores the roots of fear—not just in the mind, but in history, society, and even genetics. Read on to uncover how.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Until September by Harker Jones
Have you ever wondered how a single gaze across a summer’s beach could change the course of your life? In this review, we unravel the answer hidden in the poignant pages of Until September.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: The Meaning of Okay by Cortney Raymond
Have you ever walked into a room and suddenly felt like a stranger in your own skin? Discover how this unsettling phenomenon shapes a life in ways most never notice—read the full write-up.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Child of Secrets From Afar by Carolyn Summer Quinn
Why do names matter so much in shaping our identity? In Child of Secrets From Afar, Carolyn Summer Quinn explores how names—and love—transform lives. Curious? Read the full review to uncover this truth.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: More Future Dreams and Nightmares by Donald Firesmith
What would you do if the robot assisting your surgery begged you not to hurt it? More Future Dreams and Nightmares explores such dilemmas in stories that blur the line between progress and peril.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Living on the Fringe of the Mob by Joseph P. O’Donnell (as told by E. Steven Sachs)
This book isn’t what you expect. And that’s exactly why you should read it.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Muddy the Water by Jessica Barrows Beebe and Matt Barrows
Barrows and Beebe strike thunderously with their debut. Muddy the Water is not just a mystery; it’s an exploration of humanity’s darker shores, challenging us to ask: What lies beneath our own reflections in the water?
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Hatfield 1677 by Laura C. Rader
Hatfield 1677 is a masterful blend of meticulous research, evocative storytelling, and deep empathy for its characters.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: “Taking Flight: Short Stories of the Unexpected” by Jacques Sardas
Taking Flight challenges readers to find meaning in the unlikeliest places and reminds us that, as the poet Rumi said, “Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you.” Jacques Sardas shows us how.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: My Unexpected Life by Jennifer Gasner
Jennifer Gasner’s My Unexpected Life is not merely a memoir; it’s an intricate alchemy of human resilience interwoven with societal commentary, nostalgia, and quiet revelations.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: “Unheard” by Bhavini Bhargava
What if silence spoke louder than words? In this review of “Unheard” by Bhavini Bhargava, we look into that very mystery.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Golden by S.S. Turner
Its thoughtful exploration of identity and resilience, combined with Turner’s humor and unique voice, makes Golden worthy of the Spotlyts Story Award.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: Two Crowns, Three Blades by Robert A. Walker
What do medieval trade routes, a grieving daughter’s dream, and Adam Smith’s economic theories have in common? Discover how Two Crowns, Three Blades by Robert A. Walker connects these threads in unexpected, unforgettable ways.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: “Story and Structure” by Leon Conrad
Is storytelling closer to science than magic? Discover how Leon Conrad reveals the hidden mathematics behind narratives and how this understanding can transform the way you experience stories forever.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: A Time to Forget in East Berlin by C.G. Fewston
C.G. Fewston’s A Time to Forget in East Berlin isn’t merely a Cold War drama—it’s a meditation on the human spirit’s resilience.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: “The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor” by D.R. Berlin
Have you ever wondered if courage smells like jet fuel and adrenaline? Explore Sophie Allard’s world in “The Third Estate” to uncover how bravery, doubt, and resilience collide in life’s most turbulent moments.
Keep reading
Spotlyts Story Awardee: The Matters of Friendship by Rona D. Drinkard
The Matters of Friendship by Rona D. Drinkard plunges into an intricate web, unpacking the silent forces that bind and unravel human connections.
Keep readingOther Winners
Click the links below to read more about our awardees for other Spotlyts Story Awards categories.
Radiance Award Winners: Standout Fiction Storytellers
What if a familiar story suddenly felt entirely new—how would it change the way you see the world? This piece explores how fiction can transform perspective and imagination.
Keep reading
Beacon Award Winners: Compelling True Storytelling
What if the stories that shape us the most are hidden in plain sight, in moments others overlook? This piece reveals how masterful storytellers bring those truths to light.
Keep reading
Brilliance Award Winners: Evocative Storytelling in Photo Collections
If you could freeze a single heartbeat forever, what story would it tell? In this piece, you’ll uncover how photography transforms fleeting instants into lasting narratives worth remembering.
Keep reading
Panorama Award Winners: Standout Storytelling in Magazines
Have you ever wondered why some stories feel like shared memories rather than information? In this piece, you’ll discover how storytellers create that effect and why it matters.
Keep reading
Weave Award Winners: Engaging Storytellers to Follow on Threads
What happens when a few clever lines on Threads capture more attention than an entire article? Discover how top influencers are reshaping engagement, storytelling, and community connection in this feature.
Keep reading
Ripple Award Winner: The Storyteller Using Facebook to Share Heartfelt Stories
Ever wondered why a simple Facebook post can make strangers pause, connect, and even act? Discover how Humans of New York turns everyday stories into powerful experiences in this expert roundup.
Keep reading
Luminary Award Winners Shape Storytelling Legacy
What makes a story so powerful it lingers for decades—or even a lifetime? In this piece, you’ll discover how Luminary Award storytellers create narratives that endure and inspire across generations.
Keep reading
Pulse Award Winners: Powerful Storytellers on Twitter/X
Why do some Twitter threads feel like binge-worthy TV shows while others fade instantly? In this roundup, you’ll learn how award-winning storytellers craft posts that keep readers hooked until the end.
Keep reading
Vivid Award Highlights Instagram Storytelling Excellence
Why do some 15-second clips feel more memorable than full-length films? In this roundup, you’ll discover how award-winning creators craft Instagram stories that linger long after the scroll ends.
Keep reading
Legacy Award Winner: Storytelling That Preserves and Celebrates Cultural Heritage
What if a family recipe, a weaving pattern, or a pottery glaze held the key to cultural survival? This piece explores how storytelling keeps endangered traditions alive for future generations.
Keep reading
Chime Award Winners: Redefining Audio Storytelling
What if the voices we choose to listen to could reshape how we grieve, grow, or even build businesses? In this roundup, you’ll uncover how award-winning audio storytellers do exactly that.
Keep reading
Flare Award Winners: Blog or Online Articles Inspiring Hope, Resilience, and Perseverance
Have you ever noticed how reading someone else’s toughest moment can strangely make your own feel lighter? This piece uncovers why shared struggles in storytelling connect us so deeply.
Keep reading
Echo Award Winners: YouTube Creators with Outstanding Video Storytelling
Have you ever wondered why some stories feel like documentaries while others feel like conversations with a friend? In this piece, you’ll discover how award-winning creators make that magic happen.
Keep reading
Resonance Award Winner: The TikTok Creator Who Mastered Short-Form Video Storytelling
Ever wondered what makes a fleeting video clip unforgettable or why some stories stick in your mind instantly? Discover the award-winning storyteller’s secrets in this fascinating expert roundup.
Keep readingSpotlyts Awards
At Spotlyts Magazine, we believe that every story—whether written, visual, or digital—has the power to move, inspire, and connect us. The Spotlyts Awards honor outstanding storytelling across diverse formats and genres, recognizing the creators and voices behind impactful narratives that deserve to shine.
Request for a review of your book and have it nominated for the award here.
To nominate for a non-book category of the award or to know more about the award, click here.
DISCLAIMER: Spotlyts Magazine does not provide any form of professional advice. All content is for informational purposes only, and the views expressed are those of individual contributors and may not reflect the official position of Spotlyts Magazine. While we strive for accuracy and follow editorial standards, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and seek professional assistance tailored to their specific needs. Any links included are for reference only, and Spotlyts Magazine is not responsible for the content or availability of external sites. For more details, please visit our full Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.
Highlight of the Day
“With great power comes great responsibility.”
— Uncle Ben, Spider-Man
More Stories for You
The Most Underrated Changes Coming Soon
Not all game-changing trends are obvious. Industry leaders reveal the underappreciated shifts quietly shaping the next five years—before they become impossible to ignore.
Keep reading
In the Spotlight: Alan Horowitz on Heritage, Skill, and the Human Side of Custom Design
What happens when decades of family tradition meet modern demands for fit, quality, and purpose? Discover how Alan David Horowitz adapts bespoke tailoring to today’s world in this interview.
Keep reading
In the Spotlight: David W. Berner on Writing, Observation, and Turning Life into Stories
What if time itself were the story’s quiet narrator? This interview explores how a writer reflects on aging, creativity, and attention—inviting readers to discover the answers by reading the full conversation.
Keep reading
New Year Habits and Mindsets to Showcase Your Talents and Growth
What if career momentum isn’t about working harder, but about noticing, recording, and sharing what you’re already learning? Read on to see how small habits make progress visible.
Keep readingSomething went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Related Posts
Bridges of Words: Haikus Uniting Cultures from 57 Countries of the World by Esperanza Pretila
This book feels like a passport—not stamped with borders, but with moments.
Keep reading
The Cultural Stories Giving People Strength and Identity Today
What if a forgotten memoir or a single song could rewrite how you see yourself and your culture? Discover surprising stories that challenge identity—read on to explore these powerful personal…
Keep reading
In the Spotlight: Peter Massam on Memory, Place, and Purpose
What happens when decades-old letters unlock forgotten worlds and shape how we understand culture and memory? Discover how Peter Massam’s journey reveals the power of storytelling—read the full interview to…
Keep reading
In the Spotlight: Luminescene Goh on Resilience, Identity, and Storytelling
What do astrology, fantasy fiction, and mindfulness have in common? You might be surprised. Discover how these seemingly different elements come together in a writer’s journey to inspire and empower…
Keep readingSomething went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Spotlyts 
Leave a comment