The Road to the Finals: Fantasy-Faction Crowns its SPFBO 11 Champion

After a grueling, highly competitive journey through thirty exceptional indie-published fantasy titles, the team at Fantasy-Faction has finally reached the summit of Round One in the 11th annual Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO 11). The competition, which has become the gold standard for independent fantasy recognition, has concluded its internal judging phase, resulting in the crowning of a single finalist to move forward to the grand stage.

The winning title, Of Mages and Makers by Rel Carroll, emerged from a crowded field of semi-finalists to secure its place as the blog’s representative in the next phase of the international competition.

The Journey Through the Semis: A Field of Excellence

The path to the final selection was anything but simple. The judges at Fantasy-Faction navigated through thirty initial submissions, eventually narrowing the list down to four standout semi-finalists. Each of these books represented a unique corner of the modern fantasy landscape, from gaslamp intrigue to character-driven survival stories.

Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off #11: Finalist Announcement!

The Semi-Finalist Cohort

Before the final announcement, it is vital to acknowledge the caliber of the works that made it to the penultimate stage of the Fantasy-Faction bracket:

"The Artificer’s Knot" by Eric Lewis: This novel captivated the judging panel with its razor-sharp prose and a complex, multi-layered world that expertly blended gaslamp fantasy with high-stakes political intrigue. While the team noted occasional fluctuations in pacing, the consensus was unanimous regarding the high quality of writing and the compelling characterization of Nebb.
"City of Stone" by K. T. Holder: A masterclass in "found family" tropes, City of Stone resonated with the judges due to its emotional core and the genuine vulnerability of its young protagonists. Though the narrative rhythm was a subject of debate among the panel, the book’s immense heart and potential for future installments made it a formidable contender.
"Physical Magic" by William C. Tracy: This entry was noted for its distinct, refreshing setting that diverged from standard fantasy tropes. By exploring themes of belonging and individual worth, Tracy crafted a narrative that felt "quietly special," earning high marks for thematic depth and a protagonist whose growth felt earned and authentic.
"Of Mages and Makers" by Rel Carroll: Ultimately, it was this title that seized the momentum. Described by the judges as a "breezy, warm-hearted gaslamp romp," the novel was lauded for its witty banter, high-stakes charm, and a central duo whose chemistry anchored the entire experience.

Chronology: How the Finalist Was Chosen

The process of determining a finalist is a rigorous, multi-month endeavor. It begins with the initial ingestion of thirty books, followed by a collaborative reading phase where the diverse panel of fourteen judges evaluates each manuscript.

Initial Triage: Over the first quarter of the year, the panel immersed themselves in the thirty submissions, ensuring each book received fair consideration.
The Shortlisting: By mid-spring, the field was narrowed to the four aforementioned semi-finalists. This allowed the judges to engage in a deeper, second-pass reading of the top-tier candidates.
Deliberation: The final weeks were characterized by a quantitative and qualitative assessment. As individual ratings were logged, the judges compared notes on narrative structure, world-building, and character arc development.
The Climax: While the competition remained fierce throughout the final stretch, Of Mages and Makers slowly but consistently pulled ahead in the aggregate scoring, ultimately securing the consensus required to be named the official Fantasy-Faction finalist.

Supporting Data: Why "Of Mages and Makers" Prevailed

In a competition where every entrant is a professional-grade work, the margin of victory is often paper-thin. Of Mages and Makers succeeded because it mastered the "readability factor"—a critical metric for the Fantasy-Faction team.

Judges highlighted the "breezy" nature of the prose, noting that it was the book they found themselves reaching for even when they weren’t strictly "on the clock." In the context of SPFBO, where judges read dozens of books, a novel that retains a sense of joy and momentum is rare. The dialogue, described as "sharp enough to make you grin," provided the necessary levity to balance the intricate world-building, resulting in a reading experience that kept the panelists turning pages well into the night.

Official Responses and Reflections

The announcement, spearheaded by Fantasy-Faction editor Jennie Ivins and reviewer Julia Kitvaria Sarene, was met with enthusiasm from the indie author community.

"Putting your work forward for a competition takes real courage," said the editorial team in their official statement. "We are absolutely delighted to send Of Mages and Makers into Round Two, and we cannot wait to see how it fares against the best of the other blogs."

The judges—a diverse group including Adawia Asad, Eva Geraghty, E.G. Stone, and others—emphasized that the scoring process was not just about finding a "perfect" book, but about finding the work that best exemplified the spirit of the genre this year. By highlighting the courage of all authors involved, the panel underscored the collaborative and supportive nature of the SPFBO community.

Implications for the Future of Indie Fantasy

The selection of Of Mages and Makers as the Fantasy-Faction finalist has significant implications for the broader SPFBO 11 contest. As the competition moves into Round Two, the stakes shift from internal blog deliberation to a head-to-head comparison against the finalists of other prominent fantasy blogs.

What Comes Next?

Cross-Blog Evaluation: The finalists from each participating blog will now be evaluated by a wider, secondary group of judges. This ensures that the eventual winner of SPFBO 11 receives a comprehensive review from a variety of perspectives.
The Global Stage: The official SPFBO website, managed by creator Mark Lawrence, serves as the central hub for this next phase. Readers can follow the scoreboard to see how Carroll’s work stands against the finalists from other outlets.
Visibility for Indie Authors: The primary goal of this contest remains the amplification of independent voices. Regardless of which book takes the top prize, the exposure gained by the thirty initial entrants—and specifically the four semi-finalists—serves as a crucial career milestone for these authors.

For those interested in following the progress of Of Mages and Makers, the official SPFBO website provides ongoing updates. Meanwhile, the Fantasy-Faction team remains committed to their mission: providing a spotlight for the best in genre fiction, ensuring that readers and authors alike have a space where "no such thing as too many books" remains the guiding philosophy.

As the competition enters this final chapter, the spotlight is firmly on Rel Carroll. With its charm, wit, and immersive world, Of Mages and Makers is poised to represent the Fantasy-Faction team with distinction in the weeks to come.

About the Panel

The Fantasy-Faction judging team for SPFBO 11 consisted of:

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.

For any inquiries regarding the competition or the judging process, interested parties are encouraged to reach out to editor Jennie Ivins via Bluesky or Threads.