By: Lisa Partick
On January 9, Times Square provided a fitting backdrop for a celebration of storytelling, creativity, and achievement as the Four Seasons Book Awards honored its 2024 Grand Prize winners. Set in the heart of New York City, the event marked a public celebration recognizing excellence across independently and traditionally published books from around the world.
The Four Seasons Book Awards is an annual, brand-based, unaffiliated awards program designed to shine a light on the depth and diversity of today’s publishing landscape. Open to authors and publishers worldwide who write for the North American market, the program welcomes both new and previously published titles. Its mission is rooted in accessibility and visibility, offering writers a continual opportunity for recognition throughout the year rather than a single submission window.
At the core of the program are four seasonal competitions, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, each designed to reflect the evolving rhythm of the literary year. Finalists are named at the conclusion of each season, and all seasonal finalists are automatically entered into the year-end Grand Prize competition. This structure allows authors to build momentum, visibility, and brand recognition across multiple touchpoints, reinforcing the idea that every season offers its own moment to be celebrated.
The culmination of that year-long journey takes place on New Year’s Eve, when 15 Grand Prize winners are officially named. The January 9 gathering in Times Square served as a public, in-person celebration of those achievements, bringing the awards from the page into the public square. Hosted by Michael Beas and Dar Dowling, the event highlighted not only the winners but also the broader creative community that supports both independent and traditional publishing.
Reflecting on the spirit of the evening and the broader mission of the awards, Michael Beas emphasized the importance of creating visible, ongoing opportunities for authors at every stage of their journey.
“The Four Seasons Book Awards were built to honor the full lifecycle of a book, not just a single moment,” Beas said. “By celebrating authors across all four seasons and bringing that recognition into a public space like Times Square, we’re reminding writers that their work matters, their voices matter, and there is room for their stories to be seen and celebrated throughout the year.”
Among the honorees, Evan Dash was named Grand Prize Winner for A Dash of Good, a recognition that underscores the book’s resonance with readers and judges alike. Second Place Grand Prize honors were awarded to David Cancio and Humbert Cancio for Bound by Law, reflecting the strength of collaborative storytelling and shared vision.
Several Grand Prize Finalists were also in attendance, adding to the celebratory atmosphere of the evening. These included Jenna Guarneri, author of You Need PR: An Approachable Guide to Public Relations for Early-Stage Companies; Vicky Giouroukakis, whose work Growing Up in an Immigrant Household and Community: Essays by Descendants of Immigrants explores personal and cultural narratives; Eric Aune with The End of the Beginning (The Ripple Effect); and Jodi Velazquez, recognized for Know the Enemy: Preventing Weight Gain, Diabetes, & Disease. Their presence underscored the breadth of voices, genres, and perspectives represented by the awards.
What distinguishes the Four Seasons Book Awards is its emphasis on continuity and inclusion. By offering four competitions each year and rolling all finalists into a single Grand Prize, the program provides authors with sustained opportunities for acknowledgment and growth. It also reinforces the idea that meaningful stories are being published year-round, across all genres and publishing models.
The Times Square celebration served as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a broader affirmation of the literary ecosystem. Against the iconic lights and movement of New York City, the evening highlighted how books—whether independently or traditionally published—continue to connect people, spark conversation, and contribute to cultural life.
A full list of 2024 Grand Prize winners is available through the Four Seasons Book Awards official website, offering readers and industry professionals alike an opportunity to discover the works and voices shaping today’s publishing landscape.
