Pevita Pearce
As the calendar turns to the first of May, the literary landscape of the 11th annual Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO) shifts once again. For the participating authors, readers, and our dedicated panel of judges, this date marks the formal conclusion of the second round of eliminations. As we continue our rigorous process of winnowing down the massive field of 300 entrants, we bid farewell to five distinct voices that graced our reading lists over the past month.
This stage of the competition serves as a vital reminder of the core philosophy of the SPFBO: reading is inherently subjective. A book that fails to resonate with our panel may well be the next "must-read" for a different audience. With this in mind, we offer a comprehensive look at the second group of departures, acknowledging the bravery required to place one’s creative labor into the public arena for critical review.
The Process: How We Navigate the Field
The SPFBO is a gargantuan undertaking. With 300 titles in the running, our panel of judges—a diverse group of veteran readers and critics—does not adhere to a rigid, linear reading order. We do not judge books from "worst to best." Instead, we evaluate in small batches, allowing each title the time it deserves before moving toward our eventual semi-finalists.
The criteria are multifaceted. We look for prose quality, character depth, pacing, worldbuilding, and narrative cohesion. However, even the most technically proficient book can sometimes lack that elusive "spark." The following books, while brimming with potential, simply did not secure the consensus required to advance to the next stage of our 11th annual cycle.
The Second Five to Fall: A Critical Review
Moon Witch by Grace Zhu
Moon Witch offers a classic entry into the portal fantasy genre, centering on Evangeline, a budding photographer, and her best friend Alice. Their discovery of a portal in an abandoned manor leads them into a realm of witches, where they are promptly separated. The narrative thrives on the contrast between the drudgery of modern life and the mesmerizing, high-stakes atmosphere of the magical realm.
The Verdict: While the judges noted the book’s strong opening and applaudable word choice, it ultimately struggled to maintain momentum. For several panelists, the prose felt disconnected, and the central characters failed to leave a lasting impression. While the worldbuilding showed promise, the emotional stakes of the romance with Cassius, the heir to the manor, did not coalesce in a way that compelled the judges to continue the journey.
Oath of Betrayal (The Broken Bonds, #1) by Olena Nikitin
This entry marks a significant shift into the popular "romantasy" subgenre. Oath of Betrayal follows Annika, a protagonist in her 30s navigating a world of dragons, fae, and complex, polyamorous dynamics. The premise is high-stakes: Annika is the survivor of a magical catastrophe and is attempting to hide her identity, only to be drawn into the orbit of a ruthless Commander and a dark Necromancer.
The Verdict: The judges acknowledged the clear appeal for fans of spicy, character-driven romance. However, technical hurdles prevented the book from advancing. The use of multiple first-person perspectives created a barrier to immersion, and some of the terminology used—specifically referring to women as "females"—was cited as a stylistic choice that hindered the narrative’s overall sophistication. Despite the inclusion of dragons and compelling romantic tensions, the density of the lore and the specific tone of the prose kept it from moving forward.
Song of the Wolf by T. C. Smith
Set against the backdrop of an elven kingdom in turmoil, Song of the Wolf is a classic high-fantasy political thriller. The exiled crown prince’s return and the young Queen Talin Zylvaris II’s desperate bid to secure an alliance provide a robust foundation for an epic tale. The inclusion of Hellhounds and court conspiracies adds layers of external and internal threat.
The Verdict: Song of the Wolf represents a "near-miss." The worldbuilding is undeniably the book’s greatest strength, and individual characters are often written with nuance. The primary reason for the book’s elimination was a recurring issue with character decision-making. Inconsistent logic in key plot points made it difficult for our judges to remain emotionally tethered to the narrative arc. While the world felt vibrant, the execution of the plot failed to provide the necessary consistency to advance.
Tethered to Darkness by Matt Falcon
In Tethered to Darkness, we see an ambitious foray into epic fantasy set in Eoden City, a location defined by the encroaching, relentless sands of the wasteland. The protagonist, Shen Auger, is caught between his father’s god-like tyranny and the secrets of the Desolation.
The Verdict: Perhaps the most difficult of this batch to categorize, Tethered to Darkness was a book the judges respected without being moved by it. The consensus was one of mild enjoyment but lack of urgency. As one judge aptly noted: "I never found a reason to put it down, but I also never found myself desperate to pick it back up." While it contained many of the tropes we love—dragons included—it lacked the gravitational pull necessary for a competitive progression.
The Fire Within by John B. Cheek
The Fire Within is an epic military fantasy involving vast armies, Orkhish hordes, and three distinct, tortured souls caught in the crossfire. It features classic tropes: the unwanted half-Orkh, the dishonored cavalry captain, and the nobleman with a secret.
The Verdict: The "what-could-have-been" entry of the group. One judge finished the book in a single sitting, praising the bones of the story, the premise, and the worldbuilding. However, the book suffered from a lack of polish. Significant editing issues throughout the manuscript acted as a distraction. The potential is clearly there, but the work currently requires a more rigorous editorial pass to reach the standard required for the later stages of the SPFBO.
Supporting Data and Context
The SPFBO 11 panel is composed of a seasoned team of 14 judges, including Adawia Asad, Eva Geraghty, Evelyn Grimald (“E.G.” Stone), Julia Kitvaria Sarene, Karen Lucia, Kerry Smith, Kit Caelsto, Maureen Neuman, Robert Max Freeman, Sara Rosevear, Sherry Cammer, Stacey Markle, Tianna Twyman, and Yaniv Rosenfeld Cohen.
Each judge brings unique preferences to the table. Our evaluation process ensures that every book is read by multiple people, mitigating the risk of a single negative review tanking a talented author’s chances. These 1,200+ words of evaluation reflect thousands of hours of reading time invested into these 300 entries.
Implications for Future Contestants
What can authors learn from this second round of cuts? The feedback is consistent:
- Polishing is Paramount: The Fire Within serves as a stark reminder that even the most compelling plot can be undermined by a lack of rigorous copyediting.
- Character Agency: As seen with Song of the Wolf, even the best worldbuilding can be derailed if characters make choices that feel inconsistent or forced.
- Pacing and Engagement: As highlighted by Tethered to Darkness, a book must provide a compelling reason for the reader to return to it. A "fine" read is often not enough in a competition of this caliber.
Looking Ahead
With these five departures, the field of SPFBO 11 continues to shrink, moving us closer to the semi-finalist stage. We have 20 more books to process before we reach the heart of the competition.
We encourage our readers to visit the official SPFBO website to see the full list of remaining contenders. We also invite the authors who were eliminated to view this not as a final judgment, but as a data point in their ongoing careers. The publishing world is vast, and there is a reader for every book—sometimes, that reader just isn’t the specific judge assigned to your batch on this specific day.
For any inquiries regarding the competition or the judging process, please reach out to our editor, Jennie Ivins, via Bluesky or Threads. Thank you to all the authors who put their hearts on the page; we look forward to the next stage of the journey.
Asro
Lina Hope
