Scribe Awards 2022: THE WINNERS!

July 22, 2022 ~ Dayton Ward ~ 2 Comments

Earlier this afternoon out at San Diego Comi-Con, the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers (IAMTW) announced this year’s crop of Scribe Award winners. These awards celebrate excellence in the field of writing licensed works that tie into other media such as television, movies, gaming, or comic books. They include original works set in established universes, and adaptations of stories that have appeared in these other formats, and which include every genre from mainstream police procedurals to science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance just to name a few of the heavier hitters.

The list of nominees and winners includes several people I’m proud to call friends and colleagues, so without further ado:

(Winner in each category boldly listed!)

Best Adapted Novel (novel based on a screenplay or teleplay)
Alien 3: The Unproduced Screenplay, by Pat Cadigan
Freshwater, by Julian Michael Carver
Halloween Kills, by Tim Waggoner

Best Audio Drama
Doctor Who: The Lost Resort, by A.K. Benedict
Doctor Who: The Third Doctor Adventures – The Annihilators, by Nicholas Briggs
Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures – Monsters in Metropolis, by John Dorney
Doctor Who: Peladon – The Truth of Peladon, by Tim Foley
Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures – The Curse of Lady Macbeth, by Lizzie Hopley
Doctor Who: Girl Deconstructed, by Lisa McMullin

Best Graphic Novel
Missy: The Master Plan – A Doctor Who Graphic Novel, by Jody Houser
Star Wars: Darth Vader, Volume 2 – Into the Fire, by Greg Pak
Life Is Strange: Coming Home, by Emma Vieceli

Best Original Novel – General Fiction
Pandemic: Patient Zero, by Amanda Bridgeman
Caleb York: Shootout at Sugar Creek by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins
Murder, She Wrote: Debonair In Death, by Terrie Farley Moran

Best Original Novel – Speculative Fiction
Marvel Legends of Asgard: The Rebels of Vanaheim, by Richard Lee Byers
Legend of the Five Rings: To Chart the Clouds, by Evan Dicken
Marvel Untold: Witches Unleashed, by Carrie Harris
Star Trek: Coda, Book III – Oblivion’s Gate, by David Mack
Star Trek: Picard – Rogue Elements, by John Jackson Miller

Best Original Novel – Young Adult / Middle Grade
Battletech: Crimson Night, by Jennifer Brozek
Jessie Files: Friendship Feature, by Stacia Deutsch
The Flash: Crossover Crisis, Book Three – The Legends of Forever, by Barry Lyga
Marvel: Xavier’s Institute – First Team, by Robbie MacNiven
RWBY: Roman Holiday, by E.C. Myers
Svilland: The Bear King, by Steve Savile

Best Short Story
Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda, “Bon Temps,” by Harlan James
Marvel: Xavier’s Institute – School of X, “Kid Omega Faces the Music,” by Neil Kleid
Arkham Horror: The Devourer Below, “All My Friends Are Monsters,” by Davide Mana
Renegade Legion: Voices of Varuna, “Distress Signals,” by Jean Rabe
Renegade Legion: Voices of Varuna, “Stepping Stones,” by Marsheila Rockwell

Also, friend, fellow word pusher and occasional partner in literary mischief David Mack was named as this year’s winner of the IAMTW’s Faust Award, adding him to the roster of impressive writers elevated to “Grandmaster” status within our little corner of the writing realm. So, be sure to find him on Facebook or Twitter and tell him he done good.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Scribe Awards 2022: The nominees!

June 18, 2022June 19, 2022 ~ Dayton Ward ~ Leave a comment

Awwwwww, yeah. It’s that time again.

Since its founding in 2006, the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers (IAMTW) has acted to advocate for the authors who work across the broad spectrum of publications comprising the field of media tie-in writing.

Each year, the IAMTW sponsors the Scribe Awards as a way to recognize noteworthy accomplishments by those who craft new tales within the “expanded universe” of movie and television franchises. This year’s awards include seven categories to highlight excellence in this often misunderstood or simply overlooked corner of storytelling.

Check out this year’s crop of nominees, for work published during 2021:

Best Adapted Novel (novel based on a screenplay or teleplay)
Alien 3: The Unproduced Screenplay, by Pat Cadigan
Freshwater, by Julian Michael Carver
Halloween Kills, by Tim Waggoner

Best Audio Drama
Doctor Who: The Lost Resort, by A.K. Benedict
Doctor Who: The Third Doctor Adventures – The Annihilators, by Nicholas Briggs
Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures – Monsters in Metropolis, by John Dorney
Doctor Who: Peladon – The Truth of Peladon, by Tim Foley
Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures – The Curse of Lady Macbeth, by Lizzie Hopley
Doctor Who: Girl Deconstructed, by Lisa McMullin

IAMTW President Jonathan Maberry will announce the winners and present the awards on Friday, July 22nd at San Diego Comic-Con, 2:00pm-3:00pm in Panel Room 32AB.

Congratulations to all the nominees!

2021 Scribe Awards announced!

July 3, 2021 ~ Dayton Ward ~ 2 Comments

Last evening, the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers (IAMTW), in the form of the organization’s president, the inimitable Jonathan Maberry hosting via video conference, announced this year’s crop of Scribe Award winners. These awards celebrate excellence in the field of writing licensed works that tie into other media such as television, movies, gaming, or comic books. They include original works set in established universes, and adaptations of stories that have appeared in these other formats, and which include every genre from mainstream police procedurals to science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance just to name a few of the heavier hitters.

The list of nominees and winners includes several people I’m proud to call friends and colleagues, so without further ado:

(Winner in each category boldly listed!)

Audio Drama
Doctor Who: The Enemy of My Enemy by Tracey Ann Baines
Doctor Who: Out of Time by Matt Fitton (tie)
Torchwood: Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4 by Tim Foley (tie)
Torchwood: Save Our Souls by Scott Handcock
Doctor Who: He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not by Carrie Thompson

General and Adapted Novel
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker by Rae Carson
Masquerade for Murder by Max Allan Collins
Mindgame by David J. Howe
Watch Dogs Legion: Day Zero by James Swallow & Josh Reynolds

Graphic Novel
Blade Runner 2019 by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Doctor Who: Two Doctors by Jody Houser
Star Wars: Darth Vader Volume 1 – Dark Heart of the Sith by Greg Pak
Horizon Zero Dawn by Ann Tool
Life is Strange by Emma Vieceli

Original Novel – Speculative
Marvel’s TheAvengers: The Extinction Key by Greg Keyes
Firefly: The Ghost Machine by James Lovegrove
Star Trek (Kelvin Timeline): More Beautiful Than Death by David Mack
Star Trek: Discovery – Die Standing by John Jackson Miller
Star Trek: The Original Series – Agents of Influence by Dayton Ward

Short Story
Overwatch: “Stone by Stone” by Christie Golden (tie)
Warhammer 40,000: “A View from Olympus” by Gareth Hanrahan
KeyForge: “Useful Parasites” by M. K. Hutchins (tie)
KeyForge: “Extermination Examination” by Robbie MacNiven
Wraith: The Oblivion: “Scritch, Scratch” by Monica Valentinelli

Young Adult/Middle Grade
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel by Sheela Chari
Minecraft Dungeons: The Rise of the Archer-Illager by Matt Forbeck
Marvel’s Xavier Institute: Liberty and Justice for All by Carrie Harris
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker by Michael Kogge
Clue: In the Study With the Wrench by Diana Peterfreund

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!

Also, Max Allan Collins was named as this year’s winner of the IAMTW’s Faust Award, adding him to the roster of impressive writers elevated to “Grandmaster” status within our little corner of the writing realm. Max along with fellow writer Lee Goldberg founded the IAMTW out of a desire to elevate the visibility of this often misunderstood genre of publishing, and he exemplies everything it means to be a contributor to this genre not just as a writer and editor but also a mentor to other writers of every stripe.

And finally, Jonathan presented Deborah Stevenson with the first-ever IAMTW Service Award. For whatever the heck my opinion’s worth, I can think of no individual more deserving of such recognition. Her contributions to the IAMTW cannot be overstated, and she’s just an awesome lady, to boot. Congrats, Deb!

It was an honor to be nominated again this year, and to stand next to friends and colleagues in what is an extremely competitive category year after year. It drives me to work ever harder, and for that I can never sufficiently thank my comrades for continuing to provide that inspiration.

Announcing the 2021 Scribe Awards and…hey! Whaddayaknow?

June 7, 2021July 2, 2021 ~ Dayton Ward ~ 4 Comments

The International Association of Media Tie-In Writers (IAMTW) recognizes the wide range of authors who work on media tie-ins. Often overlooked, these writers craft exciting tales using beloved characters and settings of franchises including the likes of Mike Hammer, Firefly, Murder She Wrote, James Bond, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Star Trek. These stories can be original adventures, or adaptations of movies or television episodes. They include all genres and a wide range of lengths and formats.

To recognize the accomplishments of the unsung authors in this particular field, the IAMTW sponsors the annual Scribe Awards. This year’s awards have six categories to highlight excellence in Novels: Adapted and Original–General, Original–Speculative, Short Stories, Audio Dramas, Young Adult/Middle Grade works, and Graphic Novels:

Audio Drama
Doctor Who: The Enemy of My Enemy by Tracey Ann Baines
Doctor Who: Out of Time by Matt Fitton
Torchwood: Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4 by Tim Foley
Torchwood: Save Our Souls by Scott Handcock
Doctor Who: He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not by Carrie Thompson

Short Story
Overwatch: “Stone by Stone” by Christie Golden
Warhammer 40,000: “A View from Olympus” by Gareth Hanrahan
KeyForge: “Useful Parasites” by M. K. Hutchins
KeyForge: “Extermination Examination” by Robbie MacNiven
Wraith: The Oblivion: “Scritch, Scratch” by Monica Valentinelli

Young Adult/Middle Grade
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel by Sheela Chari
Minecraft Dungeons: The Rise of the Archer-Illager by Matt Forbeck
Marvel’s Xavier Institute: Liberty and Justice for All by Carrie Harris
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker by Michael Kogge
Clue: In the Study With the Wrench by Diana Peterfreund

Congratulations to all the nominees!

IAMTW President Jonathan Maberry will announce the winners on Friday July 2 at 4pm Pacific time via Facebook Live on the organization’s group page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/42410867659.

Congratulations also to the IAMTW’s 2021 Faust Award Recipient, this year’s Grandmaster: Max Allan Collins!

As the saying goes, “It’s an honor just to be nominated,” but make no mistake: I am truly thrilled to be nominated for Agents of Influence. As a lifelong fan of the original Star Trek series, it’s always a treat for me to get to write a new story featuring Captain Kirk and his merry band. That this one was strong enough for the judges to include in their list of nominations is – in point of fact – a genuine honor as well as a point of supreme personal satisfaction for me.

However, I’m also keenly aware that the “Original Novel – Speculative” category of the Scribe Awards features a strong list of nominees. That’s pretty much been the case every single year since the Scribes were founded. The other categories are no cakewalk, either, but there’s just something about this particular grouping always seems like it carries an extra level of intensity. I’m both proud and petrified to be listed alongside people I consider friends and colleagues. No matter who wins, I’ll be applauding their success. Meanwhile, other friends and fellow word pushers have recieved nominations in the other categories, and I’ll be cheering them on, as well.

Now we just have to wait for July 2nd, when Jonathan Maberry announces the winners!

Scribe Award Winners!

July 16, 2020 ~ Dayton Ward ~ Leave a comment

iamtw It’s that time of year again!

Even without San Diego Comic-Con to provide a venue for the festivities this time around, the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers was still able to convene and review submissions for its annual Scribe Awards. The Scribes celebrate excellence in the field of writing licensed works that tie into other media such as television, movies, gaming, or comic books. They include original works set in established universes as well as adaptations of stories that have appeared in these other formats. They appear in every genre from mainstream police procedurals to science fiction, fantasy, and horror to romance.

I don’t need to waste any more time ramping up for this. Instead, I’m totally taking the email sent out by IAMTW president and all-around awesome dude, Jonathan Maberry, and providing it here. The list of nominees and winners includes several people I’m proud to call friends and colleagues, so without further ado:

Continue reading “Scribe Award Winners!” →

2020 Scribe Awards nominees announced!

June 15, 2020June 16, 2020 ~ Dayton Ward ~ Leave a comment

iamtw It’s that time of year again!

The International Association of Media Tie-In Writers (IAMTW) has announced their nominees for this year’s Scribe Awards. Among the nominees are several people I’m proud to call friends and colleagues, or just sources of inspiration and admiration. Some of the names listed are people whose work I’ve been reading for years. Winners for this year’s awards will be announced on July 15th, but for now here’s a list of nominees:

ADAPTED NOVEL – GENERAL & SPECULATIVE

Alita: Battle Angel by Pat Cadigan
Batman: The Killing Joke by Christa Faust and Gary Phillips
Doctor Who: Scratch Man by Tom Baker & James Goss
Godzilla: King of the Monsters by Greg Keyes

AUDIO DRAMAS

Diary of River Song: Concealed Weapon by Scott Handcock
Doctor Who: Companion Chronicles – Daybreak by John Pritchard
Doctor Who: 10 Doctor Adventures – The Creeping Death by Roy Gill
Torchwood: Sargasso by Christopher Cooper
Warhammer: Watcher in the Rain by Alex Worley

GRAPHIC NOVEL

Blade Runner 2019: Los Angeles by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor – Old Friends by Jody Houser
Pet Noir by Anne Toole, Christie Yant, and Pati Nagle
Star Trek: Year Five – Valentine’s Day Special by Paul Cornell
The Wrath of Fantômas by Olivier Bouquet

ORIGINAL NOVEL – GENERAL

Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: The Bitterest Pill – Reed Farrel Coleman
Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer: Murder, My Love – Max Allan Collins
Murder, She Wrote: A Taste For Murder – John Land

ORIGINAL NOVEL SPECULATIVE

Batman: The Court of Owls by Greg Cox
Firefly: The Magnificent Nine by James Lovegrove
Star Trek: The Next Generation – Collateral Damage by David Mack
Star Trek: Discovery – The Enterprise War by John Jackson Miller
Star Wars: Galaxy Edge – Black Spire by Delilah S. Dawson
Warhammer: The Red Feast by Gav Thorpe

SHORT STORY

Deadlands: “Cookie” by Shane Lacy Hensley
Tales of Basil and Meobis Fresh Hells: “Cutter & Razz” by Chris A. Jackson
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: “The Girl’s Best Friend Matter” by Bobby Nash
Lethbridge-Stewart, the HAVOC Files: “Pure History” by George Ivanoff
Dragonband: “Queen Slayer” by Jean Rabe

YOUNG ADULT & MIDDLE GRADE

Battletech: Rogue Academy – Iron Dawn by Jennifer Brozek
Halo: Battle Born by Cassandra Rose Clarke
The Lucy Wilson Mysteries: The Midnight People by John Peel
Warhammer Adventures: Attack of the Necron by Cavan Scott
Warhammer Adventures: City of Lifestone by Tom Huddleston

-Jonathan Maberry, President IAMTW
-D.S. Stevenson, Vice-president

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE NOMINEES!

2019 Scribe Award Nominees announced!

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019 ~ Dayton Ward ~ 4 Comments

iamtw The International Association of Media Tie-In Writers (IAMTW) has announced their nominees for this year’s Scribe Awards. Among the nominees are several people I’m proud to call friends and colleagues, or just sources of inspiration and admiration. Some of the names listed are people whose work I’ve been reading for years. Read on for the official announcement and complete list of nominees!

Continue reading “2019 Scribe Award Nominees announced!” →

2018 Scribe Awards Announced!

July 21, 2018July 21, 2018 ~ Dayton Ward ~ Leave a comment

iamtw Yesterday at Comic-con International in San Diego, the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers (IAMTW) held the annual “Scribe Awards,” which celebrates excellence in the field of writing licensed works that tie into other media such as television, movies, gaming, or comic books. They include original works set in established universes, and adaptations of stories that have appeared in these other formats, and which include every genre from mainstream police procedurals to science fiction, fantasy, and horror to romance.

Here’s the complete list of nominees, with the winner in each category in bold.

The Twelfth Annual Scribe Awards

Short Story (tie!)
Joe Ledger: “Ganbatte” by Keith DeCandido
Planet of the Apes: “Banana Republic” by Jonathan Maberry
Planet of the Apes: “Pacing Place” by Bob Mayer
Planet of the Apes: “Murderers’ Row” by John Jackson Miller
Deadworld: “Rear Guard” by Sarah Stegall
Predator: “Storm Blood” by Peter Wacks and David Boop

Adapted Speculative and General
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets by Christie Golden
Doctor Who: The Pirate Planet by James Goss
Kong: Skull Island by Tim Lebbon
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter by Tim Waggoner

Original Speculative
The Librarians and the Mother Goose Chase by Greg Cox
Halo: Legacy of Onyx by Matt Forbeck
Star Wars Battlefront II: Inferno Squad by Christie Golden
Star Trek: Discovery: Desperate Hours by David Mack
Supernatural: The Usual Sacrifices by Yvonne Navarro
Interface Zero: Solar Singularity by Peter J. Wacks, Guy Anthony Demarco, and Josh Vogt

Original General
Don Pendleton’s The Executioner: Fatal Prescription by Michael A. Black
Robert B. Parker’s The Hangman’s Sonnet: A Jesse Stone Novel by Reed Farrel Coleman
The Will to Kill by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins

Young Adult Original
Warriors Three: Godhood’s End by Keith R. A. DeCandido
X-Files Origins: Devil’s Advocate by Jonathan Maberry
Star Wars: Adventures in Wild Space – The Cold by Cavan Scott

Audio
Doctor Who: Across the Darkened City by David Bartlett
Doctor Who: Cold Vengeance by Matt Fitton
Warhammer 40,000: Agent of the Throne, Blood and Lies by John French
Torchwood: Cascade by Scott Handcock
Torchwood: The Dying Room by Lizzie Hopley

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, especially to my good friend Greg Cox, who not only won this year for his Librarians novel but also received from IAMTW the Faust Award, elevating him to Grandmaster status within our little cabal. He now stands alongside previous recipients Alan Dean Foster, Terrance Dicks, William Johnston, Diane Duane, Donald Bain, Kevin J. Anderson, Ann Crispin, Peter David, Keith R.A. DeCandido, and Christie Golden.

Many thanks to the judges and the rest of the IAMTW membership for continuing to sponsor the Scribes and for helping to shine some light and attention on an oft-overlooked and unappreciated corner of the publishing world.

Klingon Travel Guide wins PubWest Gold Medal!

June 15, 2018June 15, 2018 ~ Dayton Ward ~ Leave a comment

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

Look, by any reasonable measure, I’ve had a pretty good week. The highlights included Michi’s birthday and both kids doing awesome at the second meet of this year’s neighborhood swim league. On the work front, I have two new releases on store shelves, I was able to announce a new writing project, and just yesterday I was offered yet another one. What more do I need to make the week end on a high note?

BAM.

PubWest 2018 Book Design Awards!

What are we talking about? According to their website, “PubWest is a vibrant, dynamic trade association of small- and medium-sized book publishers, printers, editors, proofreaders, graphic designers, binderies, and related editorial and service companies. Established in 1977 as the Rocky Mountain Book Publishers Association, PubWest is now dedicated to helping member book publishers succeed and has grown to include members in 31 states and 4 countries.”

As for their annual awards, which have been a thing for over 40 years, they “recognize industry innovators, those who have influenced publishing in the West, exemplary book design and production, and extraordinary service to PubWest and its membership.”

Sounds pretty cool, right?

Unbeknownst to me, the good folks at Insight Editions submitted Hidden Universe Travel Guides – Star Trek: The Klingon Empire for this year’s award consideration. Specifically, it was submitted for the award program’s “Guide and Travel Book” category.

I’m not even kidding.

And wouldn’t you know the book took the Gold Medal in this category? How insanely cool is that?

Now, what this means is that the artistic and design talents of everyone involved in the book – Elaine Quo, Alix Nicholaeff, Chrissy Kwasnik, Ashley Quackenbush, Livio Ramondelli, Peter Markowski, and my editor, Chris Prince – are all as kick-ass awesome as this very slick tome they helped create. This award recognizes their efforts in turning my pages of pithy descriptions and other blah blah blah text into an amazing book.

Take a bow, everyone. Each and every one of you deserves it, along with who knows how many people working behind the scenes that I’ve never had the chance to meet or thank for their hard work.

2018 Scribe Awards nominees!

April 28, 2018July 19, 2019 ~ Dayton Ward ~ 2 Comments

iamtw The International Association of Media Tie-In Writers (IAMTW) has announced their nominees for this year’s Scribe Awards. Among the nominees several people I’m proud to call friends and colleagues, or just sources of inspiration and admiration. Some of the names listed are people whose work I’ve been reading for years. Behold this year’s list of nominees!

Short Story
Planet of the Apes: “Banana Republic” by Jonathan Maberry
Joe Ledger: “Ganbatte” by Keith DeCandido
Planet of the Apes: “Murderers’ Row” by John Jackson Miller
Planet of the Apes: “Pacing Place” by Bob Mayer
Deadworld: “Rear Guard” by Sarah Stegall
Predator: “Storm Blood” by Peter Wacks and David Boop

Adapted Speculative and General
Doctor Who: The Pirate Planet by James Goss
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter by Tim Waggoner
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets by Christie Golden
Kong: Skull Island by Tim Lebbon

Original Speculative
The Librarians and the Mother Goose Chase by Greg Cox
Interface Zero: Solar Singularity by Peter J. Wacks, Guy Anthony Demarco, and Josh Vogt
Halo: Legacy of Onyx by Matt Forbeck
Star Wars Battlefront II: Inferno Squad by Christie Golden
Star Trek: Discovery: Desperate Hours by David Mack
Supernatural: The Usual Sacrifices by Yvonne Navarro

Original General
Don Pendleton’s The Executioner: Fatal Prescription by Michael A. Black
The Will to Kill by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins
Robert B. Parker’s The Hangman’s Sonnet: A Jesse Stone Novel by Reed Farrel Coleman

Young Adult Original
Star Wars: Adventures in Wild Space – The Cold by Cavan Scott
Warriors Three: Godhood’s End by Keith R. A. DeCandido
X-Files Origins: Devil’s Advocate by Jonathan Maberry

Also announced was the winner of this year’s Faust Award, in recognition of their significant contributions to the realm of tie-in writing over the course of a prolific career. This year, IAMTW has voted for author Greg Cox to be elevated to “Grandmaster” status.

The Scribe winners will be announced in July, at San Diego Comic-con. Congratulations to all of the nominees, and to Greg!