Fantasy-Faction Crowns ‘Of Mages and Makers’ by Rel Carroll as SPFBO 11 Finalist, Advancing to Grand Stage
London, UK – After weeks of intense deliberation, immersive reading, and spirited debate, Fantasy-Faction, one of the esteemed judging blogs for the 11th annual Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO 11), has officially announced its chosen finalist: Rel Carroll’s captivating gaslamp romp, Of Mages and Makers. This vibrant tale now carries the banner for Fantasy-Faction into Round Two, where it will contend against the finalists from fourteen other renowned fantasy blogs for the ultimate SPFBO 11 champion title.
The announcement marks the culmination of a rigorous Round One for Fantasy-Faction, which saw its dedicated team of judges meticulously sift through thirty diverse self-published fantasy novels. The journey was a testament to the thriving creativity within the independent fantasy publishing scene, showcasing a wealth of talent and imaginative storytelling. Of Mages and Makers distinguished itself amongst a remarkably strong field of four semi-finalists, earning its place through sheer charm, sharp wit, and an undeniable ability to captivate readers.
The Rigorous Road to the Final: A Chronology of Discovery
The SPFBO, conceived by acclaimed fantasy author Mark Lawrence, stands as a pivotal event in the self-published fantasy calendar. Its mission is to shine a spotlight on the exceptional quality and innovative spirit of independently published fantasy novels, providing authors with unparalleled visibility and readers with a curated selection of hidden gems. Fantasy-Faction’s involvement as a judging blog entails a multi-stage process designed to ensure fairness, thoroughness, and critical discernment.
Initial Intake and Evaluation: Round One commenced with Fantasy-Faction receiving its allocated thirty entries. Each book represented an author’s passion, countless hours of dedication, and a hopeful bid for recognition. The initial phase involved a broad evaluation, with judges reading through opening chapters and initial sections to gauge narrative hook, prose quality, character voice, and world-building potential. This extensive initial cull helped narrow the field, identifying titles with the strongest promise.
Emergence of the Semi-Finalists: From this initial pool, four books began to consistently rise above the rest, demonstrating a unique blend of compelling storytelling, strong characterization, and imaginative concepts. These were not merely good books; they were books that sparked discussion, left lasting impressions, and elicited passionate arguments amongst the judging panel. Each of these four semi-finalists earned a dedicated spotlight post on Fantasy-Faction, celebrating their individual strengths and giving readers a deeper insight into what made them stand out. The selection of these semi-finalists represented the first major milestone, affirming the exceptional quality that would define the latter stages of Round One.
Intense Deliberation and Final Consensus: The period leading up to the finalist announcement was characterized by intense reading and re-reading, detailed discussions, and the careful aggregation of scores and critical notes from the entire judging panel. Every judge contributed their unique perspective, weighing elements such as plot intricacy, character development, thematic depth, prose elegance, pacing, and overall reader enjoyment. The process was not simply about identifying the "best" book in a subjective sense, but about finding the one that most consistently excelled across multiple criteria and resonated most deeply with the collective judging sensibility of Fantasy-Faction. The scores, while a crucial quantitative measure, were always complemented by qualitative feedback, ensuring a holistic evaluation. The ultimate decision was a careful synthesis of individual preferences and collective critical assessment, culminating in a consensus that one title truly embodied the spirit and quality SPFBO seeks to champion.
Spotlight on the Semi-Finalists: A Display of Indie Excellence
Before the grand reveal, it is imperative to acknowledge the extraordinary quality of all four semi-finalists. Each book, in its own right, offered a distinctive and memorable reading experience, making Fantasy-Faction’s final decision exceptionally challenging. These titles represent the very best of self-published fantasy, demonstrating the breadth and depth of talent within the indie community.
The Artificer’s Knot by Eric Lewis
The Artificer’s Knot by Eric Lewis captivated the judges with its sophisticated blend of genres. Lewis masterfully wove together elements of gaslamp fantasy, intricate crime mystery, and nuanced political intrigue, creating a tapestry that defied easy categorization. The prose was consistently sharp, exhibiting a keen eye for detail and a knack for evocative description. What truly set this novel apart, however, was its cast of characters, described by judges as feeling "alive" and deeply authentic. The quiet brilliance of Nebb, in particular, resonated strongly, providing a compelling anchor to a richly imagined world. While some judges noted an unevenness in momentum at points, there was universal agreement on the sheer quality of the writing and the innovative world-building. This book showcased the potential for self-published authors to deliver complex, multi-layered narratives with literary finesse.
City of Stone by K. T. Holder
K. T. Holder’s City of Stone offered a profoundly heartwarming and emotionally resonant experience. Its core strength lay in its exploration of "found family" dynamics, presenting a cast of young survivors whose bonds felt genuine and deeply moving. The kindness inherent in Holder’s storytelling was a recurring theme in judge feedback, creating a narrative that fostered genuine care for its characters. Readers were easily drawn into the lives of these protagonists, eager to follow their journeys and witness their resilience. While discussions around pacing saw some variation in opinion, the undeniable "heart" of the book was never in question. City of Stone stood out as a testament to the power of empathetic storytelling and the enduring appeal of characters readers can truly invest in, leaving many judges wishing for an immediate sequel.
Of Mages and Makers by Rel Carroll
Of Mages and Makers by Rel Carroll emerged as a standout for its sheer joy and effortless readability. Judges consistently reported smiling while reading, talking about the book long after putting it down, and reaching for it whenever they desired an experience that simply "worked." Described as a "genuine, breezy, warm-hearted gaslamp romp," Carroll’s novel excelled in its witty banter, which was sharp enough to elicit frequent grins. The two lead characters were an absolute delight together, their chemistry and dynamic interactions forming the vibrant core of the narrative. Beyond the engaging characters and dialogue, the world-building demonstrated enough charm and inventive flair to keep pages turning well past bedtime. Of Mages and Makers proved that fantasy could be both immensely entertaining and intelligently crafted, a truly immersive and thoroughly enjoyable escape.
Physical Magic by William C. Tracy
William C. Tracy’s Physical Magic distinguished itself from the very first pages with its remarkably distinctive setting and a protagonist whose journey felt both honest and hard-earned. The world Tracy crafted was built from inspirations notably different from the usual fantasy fare, offering readers a fresh and unique landscape to explore. At its heart, the novel delved into profound themes of worth, belonging, and the universal human quest for a place in the world. The protagonist’s arc was particularly praised for its authenticity and emotional depth, allowing readers to genuinely connect with their struggles and triumphs. Physical Magic was lauded as "quietly special," a book that might not shout its brilliance but rather whispered it, leaving a deep and resonant impact on those who experienced its narrative. It exemplified the power of subtle yet impactful storytelling in self-published fantasy.
Supporting Data: The Scoreboard and SPFBO’s Impact
The decision-making process for the SPFBO is meticulous, relying on both qualitative feedback and a quantitative scoring system to ensure a fair and robust evaluation. While all four semi-finalists were exceptional, the final scores reflected a close contest, with Of Mages and Makers ultimately pulling ahead.
Here are the final aggregated scores for Fantasy-Faction’s semi-finalists:
- Of Mages and Makers by Rel Carroll: 9.2/10
- The Artificer’s Knot by Eric Lewis: 8.9/10
- Physical Magic by William C. Tracy: 8.7/10
- City of Stone by K. T. Holder: 8.5/10
These scores highlight the incredibly high standard of this year’s competition and the narrow margins that often separate truly excellent books. Each decimal point represented hours of reading, discussion, and careful consideration by the diverse panel of judges.
The SPFBO initiative, now in its eleventh year, continues to be a crucial platform for self-published authors. It offers a unique opportunity for independent writers to gain exposure, find new readers, and establish credibility within the broader fantasy community. For readers, it provides a curated list of high-quality, often innovative, fantasy novels that might otherwise remain undiscovered amidst the vast sea of self-published titles. The competition not only elevates individual authors but also helps to continually raise the bar for independent publishing as a whole.
Official Responses: Celebrating Success and Acknowledging Courage
The Fantasy-Faction team expressed immense pride in their chosen finalist and profound gratitude to all participating authors.
"We are absolutely delighted to send Of Mages and Makers into Round Two," stated Jennie Ivins, Editor at Fantasy-Faction and coordinator for their SPFBO judging team. "Rel Carroll has crafted a book that is not only expertly written and incredibly entertaining but also possesses a unique spark that resonated deeply with our entire panel. We genuinely cannot wait to see how it fares against the best of the other blogs!"
While Rel Carroll was not immediately available for comment, the sentiment across the indie author community often reflects immense gratitude and excitement upon receiving such recognition. Winning a blog’s finalist spot in SPFBO is a significant career milestone, opening doors to wider readership and industry attention.
Ivins also extended a heartfelt thank you to every author who submitted their work. "Putting your creative work forward for a competition takes real courage and vulnerability," she noted. "We appreciate each and every one of you for trusting us with your stories. The quality of entries this year was truly inspiring, and it made our job both challenging and incredibly rewarding."
The integrity of the SPFBO process relies heavily on the dedication and diverse perspectives of its judging panels. Fantasy-Faction’s panel for SPFBO 11 comprised a passionate group of readers and critics, 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. Their collective expertise and varied literary tastes ensured a comprehensive and fair assessment of each submission.
Implications: The Road Ahead for ‘Of Mages and Makers’ and SPFBO 11
The selection of Of Mages and Makers as Fantasy-Faction’s finalist heralds the beginning of a new, even more intense phase for the novel. It now joins a select cohort of fifteen finalists from across the globe, each chosen by their respective judging blogs. These finalists will proceed to Round Two, where they will be read and judged by Mark Lawrence himself, or a designated head judge, alongside a representative from each of the judging blogs. This collective effort will culminate in the selection of the ultimate SPFBO 11 grand champion.
For Rel Carroll, this advancement represents a monumental leap in visibility. The SPFBO title carries significant prestige within the fantasy genre, often leading to a substantial increase in sales, reviews, and overall author recognition. It validates the hard work and creative vision that went into crafting Of Mages and Makers, potentially propelling Carroll’s career to new heights. Readers who discover the book through this competition are often keen to explore an author’s backlist or eagerly anticipate future releases.
For Fantasy-Faction, their role as a judging blog continues, now shifting to actively championing Of Mages and Makers on the grand stage and engaging with the other finalists. The SPFBO journey is a collaborative one, fostering a sense of community among authors, bloggers, and readers alike.
Readers eager to follow the remainder of the contest and learn more about all the finalists can do so by visiting the official SPFBO website. Those new to the competition can also find comprehensive information on its structure, history, and previous winners via Fantasy-Faction’s dedicated SPFBO 11 introduction post.
The journey through SPFBO 11 continues to be a thrilling celebration of self-published fantasy. As Of Mages and Makers prepares to face its next challenge, the fantasy community holds its breath, eager to discover which exceptional title will ultimately claim the coveted championship.
Any queries regarding Fantasy-Faction’s SPFBO judging process or this announcement should be directed to the editor, Jennie Ivins, via DM on Bluesky or Threads.
Featured image by Mohamed Marey.
