Congratulations Joni Iraci
Please take a moment to congratulate Joni for her award-winning book “Vatican Daughter.” The American Legacy Book Awards chose Joni’s book as the #1 winner in the religious thriller category!
Joni Marie Iraci is a retired Registered Nurse who returned to school in her later years to pursue her love of writing, earning a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and an MFA in creative writing (fiction) from Columbia University.
Vatican Daughter is a story of a young woman who relentlessly searches for her child while coming head-to-head with the most powerful entity on earth.
Prestigious Starred Review, Congratulations
Independent Book Review has awarded Sharon Wagner’s new novel, Chorus Of Crows, a coveted starred review, a mark of distinction given only to books of exceptional quality. This honor highlights how the title stands out in its genre.
Sharon is an award-winning author whose imagination conjures magical worlds.
Chorus of Crows follows retired farmer Oren Walton, who meets a mysterious woman in his RV. His daughter, Sedona, doubts the reality of the encounter.
International Impact Book Award
Congratulations to GCWA’s new member, Akiya Maston, whose book The Sleepover That Went Oh, So Terribly Wrong! recently received the International Impact Book Award, a global program honoring outstanding authors and impactful storytelling.
This heartfelt story captures the ups and downs of middle school while exploring friendship, fitting in, and peer pressure.
With over two decades of experience as a principal, former dean, and assistant principal, Akiya Maston is a 4-time award-winning author.
Tom Cossie Live on the
Ray Carr Show
Congratulations to GCWA member Tom Cossie, whose 60-year career in the recording industry includes serving as president and owner of several record labels.
Tom now shares his firsthand experiences through his book, Music Business Stories, giving readers a rare inside look at the industry from someone who truly lived it.
Tom was featured on the Ray Carr Radio Show, based out of Cleveland, where he discussed his decades in the music industry and the powerful stories behind his career.
Amazon Bestseller Author
Brian Sluga’s The Shriek I Do Remember: Winning The Race Of Life And Other Stories was just released. Let’s recognize his dedication, hard work, and the honors that reflect his success.
#1 Bestseller in Men’s Personal Spiritual Growth
#1 Hot New Release in Men’s Personal Spiritual Growth
#1 Hot New Release in Cancer
#2 Bestseller in Biography Reference & Collections
#2 Hot New Release in Biography
Gold Moonbeam Children’s Book Award
Deana Plaskon, PhD, LMHC, book Bella and Bird Explore Anger won a Gold Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for excellence in writing, illustration, and publishing.
Deana is a SWFL local author who is new to GCWA. Let’s give her a warm welcome. She has a PhD in Education, specializing in human behavior, and two master’s degrees.
Her first book, Bella and Bird Explore Anger, did so well that it is currently out of stock but will be back soon. Her second book, Bella and Bird Explore Sadness, is set to release in March, 2026.
Award Winning: The Lost Dresses Of Italy
Marty Ambrose won a gold medal from the Florida Writers Association for her book, The Lost Dresses Of Italy.
Marty Ambrose is an award-winning, multi-published author of nine novels, including her recent historical mystery.
The Lost Dresses of Italy, published by Alcove Press, is a dual narrative of two creative women: a 19th-century poet and a 20th-century fashion curator whose lives intertwine around a century-old conspiracy in Verona, Italy
Bad JuJu in Cleveland Audiobook Receives an Award Nomination
The audiobook by Thekla Madsen and co-author Karl Bort has been nominated for a special award.
Mike Cantrell, the naraator has been nominated for a 2026 Voice Arts Award in recognition of outstanding audio storytelling and performance.
The award will be decided on January 18!
Previous Recognitions
October/November 2025
Celebrating Our Members’ Achievements
As we roll into fall, we’re proud to celebrate two GCWA members whose talent and dedication continue to inspire our writing community.
Mary Charles was recognized for her outstanding work in short stories, and Ronald Harvey Wohl received honors for his exceptional poetry.
Their success is a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship found within GCWA — a community where writers belong.
We’re thrilled to share that GCWA member Mary Charles won First Place in The Writer magazine’s writing contest with her story, A Viking Funeral. Mary’s outstanding achievement is not only a testament to her talent and dedication but also a proud reflection of the caliber of writers who make up GCWA’s vibrant and supportive community.
Ronald Harvey Wohl won first place for his poem, Adirondack Facilitation, from the Rose Theater in Washington, D.C., which was set to music composed explicitly for it. On April 29th, 2025, a professional actress read the poem at Glen Echo Park, a vibrant cultural and historical site just northwest of Washington, D.C.
August Spotlight
Gulf Coast Writers is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of two of our talented members: Ginger Wakem and Patti M. Walsh.
On August 2nd, Ginger Wakem and Patti M. Walsh received the prestigious Florida Authors and Publishers Association (FAPA) Awards. Their achievements reflect the talent, support, and creative spirit at the core of the Gulf Coast Writers Association community.
The FAPA President’s Book Awards honor excellence in writing, design, and publishing. This national award recognizes standout books published in English between 2023 and 2025. Winning a medal is a true mark of talent and achievement.
Ginger Wakem accepted the FAPA Silver award for her powerful debut novel, Trust No One, Promise Nothing. Ginger Wakem’s latest release has earned top honors—an Amazon #1 bestseller in Mafia Romance and named Best of 2024 in Mysteries & Thrillers by Munn Avenue Press.
Patti M. Walsh received the FAPA Gold award for her novel Hounded, a compelling Young Adult story. Patty is no stranger to literary accolades, having previously won awards for Best Children’s Fiction, Silver in Middle-Grade Fiction, and Bronze in Middle-Grade Fiction.
