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 creators have been recognised for exceptional narrative contribution in 2025:

Radiance Award

Recognises fiction writers whose work captivates, inspires, and leaves lasting impact.

• Percival Everett – James: Reframes a classic narrative with empathy and insight.
• Madeline Miller – Circe and The Song of Achilles: Brings ancient myths to life with emotional depth.
• J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter series: Builds a world with lasting cultural and literary impact.

Beacon Award

Recognises storytellers whose non-fiction work illuminates real-life experiences and inspires understanding.

• Rebecca Skloot – The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: Balances science and humanity while exploring ethical and social impact.
• Brené Brown – Various Works: Translates complex human emotions into practical frameworks for personal and social change.
• Joan Didion – The Year of Magical Thinking and essays: Captures cultural and personal undercurrents with precision and insight.
• Tara Westover – Educated: Chronicles educational and personal awakening with empathetic clarity.

Brilliance Award

Recognises photographers whose work tells compelling, emotionally resonant stories through images.

• Steve McCurry – Captures global cultures and human experiences with vibrant, narrative-driven photography.
• Milan Stojanovic – Crafts authentic, evocative photo essays that convey personal and emotional stories.

Panorama Award

Recognises magazine storytellers whose features inform, engage, and connect readers through compelling narratives.

• Mimi Nguyen – Article on Cafely: Connects heritage and innovation in Vietnamese coffee with personal storytelling.
• Alex Smereczniak – Feature on Franzy: Chronicles entrepreneurial journey with insight and narrative depth.
• Paul Herskovitz – Feature on Discount Lots: Makes land ownership accessible and relatable through human-focused storytelling.

Weave Award

Recognises creators whose text-based posts on Threads engage, inform, and connect audiences through clever, insightful, or human-centered storytelling.

• McNay Art Museum – Uses humor and irreverence to make art approachable and spark local engagement.
• Casey Newton – Blends tech insights with personal reflection to inform and inspire conversation.

Ripple Award

Recognises storytellers who use Facebook to share intimate, impactful stories that foster empathy, community, and connection.

• Brandon Stanton / Humans of New York (HONY) – Shares candid portraits and interviews, creating heartfelt narratives that inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Luminary Award

Recognises creators whose storytelling leaves a lasting legacy across generations, shaping perspectives and inspiring empathy.

• Ken Burns – Brings history to life with immersive, insightful narratives.
• Anthony Bourdain – Humanizes cultures through authentic, empathetic storytelling.
• Hayao Miyazaki – Crafts worlds where emotions and imagination drive the story.
• Johnny Cash – Tells complete, emotionally resonant stories in song.
• Walt Disney – Builds magical worlds that connect and inspire generations.
• Maya Angelou – Gives voice to unheard experiences through poetry and memoir.

Pulse Award

Recognises creators who use Twitter/X threads to tell compelling, informative, and immersive stories.

• Noah Kagan – Turns business lessons into vivid, memorable narrative threads.
• Matt Navarra – Breaks down complex digital trends into concise, story-driven insights.

Vivid Award

Recognises creators who excel at storytelling through Instagram, Reels, and Stories, turning short-form visuals into meaningful narratives.

• Jay Shetty – Uses Reels and carousels to make complex ideas relatable and visually engaging.
• Leah Thomas – Makes environmental issues accessible and actionable through personal storytelling.
• Humans of New York – Combines portraits and narrative to create intimate, human-centered stories.
• A Guy and a Golden – Turns everyday life with Teddy into cinematic, humorous, and engaging story arcs.

Legacy Award

Recognises storytellers who preserve and celebrate cultural heritage through narratives that keep traditions, crafts, and languages alive.

• City Unscripted – Uses storytelling to revive endangered artisan traditions and create sustainable cultural tourism opportunities.

Chime Award

Recognises audio storytellers who engage, inspire, and create lasting impact through podcasts and spoken-word content.

• Nora McInerny – Terrible, Thanks for Asking: Uses raw storytelling to help listeners articulate grief and resilience.
• Alex Hormozi – The Game with Alex Hormozi: Translates business lessons into practical, relatable narratives.
• Jasmine Star – Jasmine Star Show: Shares personal challenges to connect and empower women founders.
• George the Poet – Have You Heard George’s Podcast?: Blends spoken word, music, and cultural commentary to illuminate social realities.
• Hanah Lee – The Wild Party Podcast: Highlights the human side of sustainable entrepreneurship through thoughtful interviews.

Flare Award

Recognises bloggers and online writers whose work inspires hope, resilience, and perseverance through authentic storytelling.

• Justin Belmont – Prose Media Blog: Shows how setbacks can become turning points through reflective storytelling.
• Colin Potts – One More Step: Shares raw personal experiences to create space for healing and resilience.
• Vincent Carrié – Zaturn Agency Story: Chronicles business struggles to comfort and motivate fellow founders.

Echo Award

Recognises YouTube creators who turn video content into compelling, human-centered narratives.

• Johnny Harris – Video Essays on Culture & Events: Connects personal experiences to global issues with cinematic storytelling.
• NativLang – Language & Linguistics Videos: Makes complex language topics engaging through research, humor, and visuals.

Resonance Award

Recognises TikTok creators who turn short-form video into compelling, memorable storytelling.

• Chris Olsen – TikTok Videos: Crafts humor and personal journeys into brief clips that engage and resonate.

Spotlyts Story Award

Recognises books that tell compelling, memorable stories, inspiring readers and leaving a lasting impact.

• Yankeeland by Lacy Fewer
• Geri o Shimasu: Adventures of a Baka Gaijin by Alia Luria
• Young Anastrina and Companions by Luminescence Goh
• Never Have I Ever by Harker Jones
• 100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions, Volume 2 by Ross Brand
• Know Your Mind by Peter Massam
• Dreams and Illusions by Rebecca Olmstead
• It Was Her New York by C.O. Moed
• Mary Poser (YA Edition) by Angel A
• Daylight Saving Time: The Power of Growing Older by David W. Berner
• Apprenticed to the Night by LindaAnn LoSchiavo
• Moose Conquering Fear by Peter Massam
• Until September by Harker Jones
• The Meaning of Okay by Cortney Raymond
• Child of Secrets From Afar by Carolyn Summer Quinn
• More Future Dreams and Nightmares by Donald Firesmith
• Living on the Fringe of the Mob by Joseph P. O’Donnell (as told by E. Steven Sachs)
• Muddy the Water by Jessica Barrows Beebe and Matt Barrows
• Hatfield 1677 by Laura C. Rader
• Taking Flight: Short Stories of the Unexpected by Jacques Sardas
• My Unexpected Life by Jennifer Gasner
• Unheard by Bhavini Bhargava
• Golden by S.S. Turner
• Two Crowns, Three Blades by Robert A. Walker
• Story and Structure by Leon Conrad
• A Time to Forget in East Berlin by C.G. Fewston
• The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor by D.R. Berlin
• The Matters of Friendship by Rona D. Drinkard

Spotlyts 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.

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