SFINCS
THE SPECULATIVE FICTION INDIE NOVELLA CHAMPIONSHIP
Meet the SFINCS4 Judging Teams
Team Readers of the Lost ARC
Lead
Steven Hugh Westenra
Steve Hugh Westenra is the author of the queer horror comedy, The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle; the epic fantasy, The Wings of Ashtaroth; and the Sword and Sorcery novella The Barbarian at Dream's End (Brackenbury Books). He has a PhD in monsters and grew up on the eldritch shores of Newfoundland, Canada.
Team Members
Helyna L. Clove
Website | Bluesky | Goodreads
Helyna L. Clove (she/they) is an astrophysicist, science-fiction/fantasy novelist, and a lover of all types of storytelling, hot comfort drinks, and a universe full of stars. She was born in Hungary and raised in a small village a few miles off the shores of Lake Balaton, and spent the first fifteen years of her life consuming books from her parents’ home library, watching some great 90’s sci-fi shows, and working on her eclectic music taste. After several arduous years of obtaining her degree, then postdoc positions in France and the UK, she currently lives in Germany with her small family of a wonderful boyfriend and Puddle, the tortoiseshell cat. When not writing her stories, she can be found reading voraciously, cooking and baking cautiously, playing video games, or occasionally commandeering radio telescopes.
Cat Treadwell
Substack | Website
Cat Treadwell is an author, reviewer and pagan priest from Derbyshire. Her latest book is an anthology arriving in Dec/Jan (exciting!), but meantime she's usually to be found curled up with a pile of ARCs longer than her life expectancy.
Karen Lucia
Website | Instagram | TikTok | Bluesky
Karen is a science fiction and fantasy author from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has been an avid writer, reader, gamer, and all-around nerd core enthusiast her whole life. Having a passion for writing, she has published four full-length novels and four novellas, with more always on the way. Her taste in books spans genres, but there is a special place in her heart for indie books. When she’s not creating worlds or reading, she can be found chasing her children around the zoo, playground, or any other open space they happen across (and probably taking pictures of all the mushrooms they find).
Team Bookish Dimensions
Lead
Noel Cober
I'm Noel (they/him), and I read and write fantasy, science fiction, horror and erotica, sometimes and preferably all at the same time because it's cooler that way, and I like weird stories that I can talk to myself about at two in the morning. I lowkey hate social media but I am trying to use it more.
Team Members
Chanchito Massoni
I am Chanchito Massoni, and you can either call me Chancho or Chanchito. I am a cat. I am he/him, but the human who types for me is she/her, so whatever pronouns you wanna use is fine for us
Renee
Instagram
Hi, I'm Renee (she/her) and I'm from Ipswich, Australia I read a wide range of books, but mainly fantasy (epic, cosy, urban), science fiction, and horror. I only started my Bookstagram page last year, so only have a small following that I'm growing organically (I do it for the fun, not the numbers). My new passion in reading is discovering those hidden gems of the indie world. I've had the privilege of becoming a Beta Reader and an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) reader for many indie authors and am a judge for the 2026 Indie Ink Awards. I'm excited about reading a heap of novellas with you all.
Julieta
My name is Julieta (she/her) and I am a full time night bartender soooo mostly active at night when everyone is asleep. I used to be active on social media but took a major break this year. I might get back into it for booktok but have really enjoyed being a more background participator instead! I am excited to read the novellas this year!!!!
Brent
I like books and have opinions so I'm looking forward to this!
Team TBR Strikes Back
Lead
Nils Ödlund
Blog | BlueSky
Fav Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
Fav book(s) in the last year: The Queen of Dreams and Dust by Grace Carlisle
Fav bookish quote: Stories are about characters.
Team Members
Tabitha Tomala
Bluesky | Blog | Instagram
Fav Genre: Fantasy and Science Fiction
Fav book(s) in the last year: Cinders of Yesterday by Jen Karner and Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Fav bookish quote: "And then there are the rare ones who know love, who understand it. Who freely give of themselves, demanding only a return of that love, that trust." Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison.
Sue Bavey
Website | Bluesky | Instagram | Threads
Fav Genre: Mythology Folklore
Fav book(s) in the last year: The Chosen One Con by Trudie Skies
Fav bookish quote: “There is a glory in the shatter, in allowing the cracks to surface and the ground to become unsettled. We are, none of us, whole, riddled with wounds and trying to plaster them over as best we can.”– The Necessity of Rain by Sarah Chorn
Sophia (Soph) Turner
Fav Genre: Sci-fi/horror
Fav book(s) in the last year: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Fav bookish quote: "Make people touch, and taste, and KNOW" -- Octavia Butler
Lucia
Fav Genre: Fantasy
Fav book(s) in the last year: Blood Brothers Beyond by Rob J. Hayes, Of Deeds Most Valiant by Sarah K.L. Wilson
Fav bookish quote: “Facts are facts. Stating them isn't a gift. You only prove you're not blind.” - Joe Abercrombie, Best Served Cold
Team Grimoire Ink Reviews
Twitter | Instagram | BlueSky | Blog
Lead
Ariana Weldon
Team Members
Vivian Cicero
Avni
Erika (or Kira)
BlueSky | Instagram
Jen Du Randt
Fav Genre: Fantasy
Fav book(s) in the last year: The Enchanted Alehouse series by Gemma Perfect
Fav bookish quote: "Empty stomachs are the root of most arguments. Eat first and you'll find your moods improve." "If you love with your eyes, death is forever. If you love with your heart, there is no such thing as parting". Ascendent by Michael R Miller.
"Spit it out now you silly sod! You can't eat Bob!" After the Midnight Hour by I M Jones.
Team KRACKenS
Lead
Kate Kelly
Kate Kelly is a UK based SF writer with a passion for the sea and all things weird and strange.
Team Members
Candace Cameron-Mitchell
She's Candace/DFR. A published author, professional ghostwriter, and freelance editor. She's a Pg70Pit winner, P2P15 judge, and RevPit co-founder. This is her second year with SFINCS. She primarily reads and writes fantasy, romance, science fiction, horror, and blends thereof. Her favorite flavor of ice cream is legitimately vanilla.
Perin
Instagram: @Saint.Grotesquerie | Instagram: @Perin.Squires.Art
Perin Squires (they/them) is a queer (and queerer still) artist and lover of books from Newfoundland. Their favourite genres include folk horror, fantasy, Sci-fi, and just about anything with well placed words. A shortlist of favourite books include: House of Leaves, Life of Pie, I Who Have Never Known Men, and Howl’s Moving Castle. They are currently reading The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling.
Adawia
I'm an Australian-born Palestinian, mother of seven, wedding dress embellisher, foodbank volunteer, crafter (or maybe a collector of crafting supplies) and SPFBO judge for Fantasy-Faction. I’m also a former avid reader of literary fiction, occasional reader of science fiction, currently reading mostly indie fantasy—possible over-user of the em dash.
Rue
