One of the best writing contests in the country (maybe the world) is the Colorado Gold sponsored by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. The winners will be announced at the Colorado Gold Conference at the Westin in Westminster September 5-7. (And just so you know, there are only 60-something spots left to sign up for this outstanding conference. Last chance to sign up before registrations are closed. Go here.)

The Finalists:

Action/Thriller
The Homeplace, Kevin Wolf (Littleton, CO)
The Lineage, Vanessa Lillie (Providence, RI)
The Treasure of Seleucia, Powl Smith (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)

Mainstream
The Breath of a Sea Gypsy, Rebecca Hopkins (Indonesia)
Book Two, Monica Comas (New York, NY)
The Cookbook, Monica Comas
The Shape of a Kiss, Charis Himeda (Worcester, MA)
A Sister in Need, Jenny Hansen (Orange County, CA)

Mystery/Suspense
The First Cut, Mary Birk (Centennial, CO)
Iced, Hamilton Crow (Breckenridge, CO)
The Last Government Girl, Ellen Herbert (Falls Church, VA)
Low Country Blood, Sue Hinkin (Littleton, CO)
Until We Meet Again, Jill Flateland (Arvada, CO)

Romance
Beloved Foe, Janet Baltz (Lakewood, CO)
Cherub’s Play, Steven Moores (Littleton, CO)
Love’s Last Stand, Steven Moores
The Reluctant Heart, Annie Parnell

Speculative Fiction
Beauty is for Suckers, Michael Carson (Montrose, CO)
Don’t Wake Me if I’m Dreaming, Darla Upchurch (Westminster, CO)
Immortality Reborn, Tracy Brisendine (Denver, CO)
The Jack of Souls, Stephen Merlino (Seattle, WA)
Wicked Thorn, Kristina Wright (San Jose, CA)

Young Adult/Middle Grade
The Amulet of Isis, S. D. Keeling (Nixa, MO)
Never Believe a Lie Twice, Kathleen Pinckard (Brea, CA)
Requiem in La Paz, Jonna Gjevre (Broomfield, CO)
The Shuvani’s Spell, Kara Seal (Parker, CO)
Virago, Ida Olson (Cheyenne, WY)

Congratulations to all of the finalists!