Recognitions

Vivienne’s Eyes

Winner, Writer Advice Flash Contest (2025)

A Conspiracy of Fate

2nd place Finalist, Book Pipeline Unpublished Competition, General Fiction (2025)

Lodestar

Shortlisted (Top 8), Book Pipeline Unpublished Competition, Literary Category (2025)

2025 Awards, Editorial Recognition & Final Judge Consideration

Book Pipeline (2nd in General & 8th in Literary)

Santa Fe Writers Project (Editorial review + notes)

Iron Horse Literary Review (Editorial review + notes)

Gulf Coast (Final Judge Consideration)

The Leopold Bloom Prize (Editorial review + notes)

Writer Advice (Winner)

Additionally, Ames is deeply honored to have been selected for Book Pipeline’s development process, which features direct collaboration with Book Pipeline’s executive editors throughout the year ahead.

Select Judge Notes (2025)

  • Iron Horse Long Story (Dangerous People, A Conspiracy of Fate, The Modern Mondego):

    “We appreciate that you offered us the opportunity to read your work.”

    “We did find much to be admired about each story.”

    About Dangerous People:
    “There’s an incredible level of atmosphere here.”
    “The snobby prep school kids are drawn interestingly.”

    About A Conspiracy of Fate:
    “There’s much to appreciate in this story of young love and loss.”
    “I especially admire John’s unique voice as a character; he seems like a poor lost soul out of time.”

    About The Modern Mondego:
    “I love this story’s energetic prose.”
    “The strong work with detail and diction evoke the narrator’s intriguing, off-beat persona and worldview.”

  • Book Pipeline Unpublished Competition

    “Big congratulations again on placing in the 2025 Unpublished season!”

    “We’re incredibly grateful the field turned out the way it did—you’re all marvelous storytellers.”

    “A Conspiracy of Fate… selected as the lone runner-up!”

    “What really sold us on it was your writing overall.”

    “Once you get into the story, it’s super immersive.”

    “Lodestar… also came close for the Literary category, top 8 . . . .”

    “We thought the writing was far above average. Nicely done!”

  • Iron Horse Long Story (Someone to Watch Over Me):

    “Someone to Watch Over Me’ contains the strong promise of a solid psychological thriller.”

    “I kept reading because of the well-written chilling voice of the unreliable first-person narration.”

  • From L’Esprit (Thinking Reeds)

    “I was immediately drawn in by the propulsive rhythm and confident voice of ‘Thinking Reeds’.”

    “The story is addictive without relying solely on plot.”

    “You get a strong portrait of the central character, Bram Forrester.”

    “Good characterizing dialogue differentiation.”

    “The schizoid voices are clearly integrated and easy to follow.”

    “We admired the distinctive voice and the commitment to scene-driven action, which makes the story feel alive and immediate on the page.”

    “This is a strong standalone piece.”

    “Fast-paced, punchy dialogue that is creative and realistically rendered, while being easy to follow as a reader.”

    “Bram Forrester is well-drawn as a disturbed main character, and his voice is distinct and captivating.”

    “Using Clausewitz as a character to personify and illustrate a deepening psychosis is clever and thrilling.”

    “Bram is truly an antihero that makes us want to read more.”

  • Iron Horse Long Story (Taboo)

    “We did find much to admire in this submission.”

    “The poetic writing and the suspense… make it easy to keep reading.”

    “We recognize how much talent and skill went in to your submission.”

    “We were pleased with your submission and hope we’ll see more of your work in the future.”