The Contest and Other Stories

Inspired by the works of international artists, this award-winning collection contains nineteen spellbinding Young Adult - New Adult magical realist, paranormal, slipstream, alternate history, and fabulist tales linked by a novella:

Peter John Rizzo, a 1960 graduate of Yale University's journalism program, inherits a floundering art magazine from his uncle, John Rizzo, with the provision that he must increase the circulation or forfeit all assets to creditors. Peter Rizzo, Pete's father, is a banker who scorns careers in the Arts and Humanities, and is jealous of his late brother's influence upon his wife and son.

Classic Art Expose's devoted but unorthodox editorial assistant, Jason, and two university interns, sisters Shirley and Evie, help Pete start a monthly short story contest with artwork prompts, hoping to expand and save the business.

As the four friends publish the winning (and sometimes disturbing) stories over the following eighteen months, Pete battles his father's attempts to ruin his business and his reputation, and in the process, discovers a sordid family secret. What else could possibly go astray?

2018 Eric Hoffer - Da Vinci Eye Award Finalist for excellence in cover art
2018 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist Young New Adult (17 years and up)
2018 The US Review of Books - RECOMMENDED
2019 Literary Titan Book Award
2019 Global Ebooks Award Silver Medalist for Short stories / essay