Kilpack Receives Third BookFest Award with Demon Seed

West Jordan, Uta. — The BookFest announced the winners of the recent BookFest Awards competition at their semiannual virtual event on April 7, 2024. Receiving a BookFest Award in the Epic Fantasy category was Utah author W.D. Kilpack III for his novel, Demon Seed: Book Three of New Blood.

Kilpack said, "It's amazing to have someone recognize the value of my work. Whether it's a reader or an organization like The BookFest, it's so incredibly gratifying. I hope I never lose this feeling of appreciation. It's better than any promotion I ever got at a job. It's just that good!"

Demon Seed is the third of the eight-book New Blood Saga, which centers around Natharr, the Guardian of Maarihk. He is one of a long line of protectors dating back to the Firstborn Age, before the Aa Conquest. Natharr's is an ancient role, rooted in his Firstblood, giving him Sight to see what is yet to be. Natharr stands guard over all men, Aa or Firstborn, Seeing what will come to pass, deciding what is unavoidable and what is not. In Demon Seed, despite growing power of the forces of chaos, there is a glimmer of hope as Natharr realizes that there are also forces of order in play. It is made plain when he and his comrades escape the faceless realm and Natharr’s Sight is released. It reveals just how strongly the world needs the Guardian of Maarihk and the return of the legendary Knights of Ril to the land where Mankind was created. Racing for home unwittingly leads to unearthing an ancient force created by the Olde Gods, believed lost aeons past. Meanwhile, Darshelle and the crown prince struggle to make the most of their lives without Natharr’s protection. Forced to make their own way, the fruit of Quiet One’s efforts comes fully to bear, as Nathan and his summoned companion reawaken the animus of the ancient wood. The ramifications are horrible and far-reaching, changing their world forever.

The BookFest Awards honors authors who create outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction. The BookFest's dedication to honoring authors is rooted in the belief in the transformative power of literature and a desire to support and celebrate those who create it.

The BookFest Founder Desiree Duffy said, "It is important to recognize authors for the role they play in creating and sharing stories that entertain, educate, and inspire readers. Books transport us to new worlds, broaden perspectives, and foster empathy. As the Founder of The BookFest, I believe that by saluting authors and their literary achievements we elevate the importance of literature in our society."

This is the fourth award Kilpack has received for Demon Seed. The other three include the 2023 International Firebird Book Award; a finalist finish in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy category of the Online Book Club's 2022 Book of the Year Competition; and being named a Editor's Choice by BooksShelf.com. Kilpack said, "Being selected as a winner of The BookFest Awards is just humbling. I am grateful to be recognized for the hard work and countless hours that went into creating Demon Seed. I hope that other writers seeing this will be inspired to pursue their own literary passions. As I've said so many times to other members of the literary community: we're all in this together."

According to Jose F. Nodar, author of Books, Pens & Larceny (South Wales, AUS), "Demon Seed is one hell of a ride and it simply cannot be described in just a few sentences. It just can’t! The author’s forte is his descriptive prowess when presenting a scene. Case in point, the meeting with Drah in the cave. I will not spoil it here for future readers but it is outright scary. Then Natharr acquires a new 'fan,' which requires a diplomatic touch. Add to that the moment when Nathan realises what he has become and how he struggles with all that it means with all of its far-reaching ramifications. The way the book manoeuvres through its many intricate facets left me exhausted but still wanting more! New characters intermingled with old characters. New revelations concerning Nathan were presented in ways that were fascinating, intriguing, and scary, all at the same time! Demon Seed is deep, raw, powerful, and entertaining. It is worth the time of starting with book one, Crown Prince, and relishing every page!"

According to Sinister Soup podcast co-founder, Clay Vermulm, "Bill [Kilpack] is a wonderful man who works extremely hard on his craft. Kilpack delivers a stunning blow to the belief that Indie-Fantasy is worth any less that its salt [with] well-crafted epic[s] with unique plot mechanisms, well-developed and believable characters, and a world grounded in the visceral and the real."

Author and screenwriter Jeff Bailey said that Kilpack "is an active author of novels, TV screenwriter, producer, and partner in a movie production company. I consider him to be one of the new breed of fast rising influencers in the publishing, television, and movie industries."

About Kilpack

Kilpack is an award-winning and critically acclaimed internationally published writer, with works appearing in print, online, radio and television, starting with his first publication credit at the age of nine, when he wrote an award-winning poem. As an adult, he has been editor and/or publisher of 19 news and literary publications, both online and in print, with circulations as high as 770,000. He is an accomplished cook and has cooked nearly every type of food on a grill. He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Westminster University. As an undergrad, he double-majored in communication and philosophy, while completing the Honors Program. As a graduate student, he earned a master of professional communication with a writing emphasis. He was also a high-performing athlete, qualifying for international competition in Greco-Roman wrestling. For 25 years, he was a communication professor and a nationally recognized wrestling coach. He is happily married to his high-school sweetheart and is father to five children, as well as helping to raise five step-children. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he continues to live, consult and educate. For more information go to www.Kilpack.net.

About The BookFest

The BookFest is the leader in virtual literary events and produces vital conversations on the world's stage for those who love to read, and those who love to write. It launched May 2020 at a time when lockdown forced many live events to be cancelled. Free to attend, the biannual event happens in the spring and fall, and streams panel discussions, conversations, and live interactive sessions. As an award winner, The BookFest has recognitions from the Webby Awards with a nomination in 2021, a gold award from the Muse Creative Awards in 2020, and a silver award from the w3 Awards in 2020. The BookFest features an array of literary speakers, experts, and authors, which has included Mitch Albom; Kevin J. Anderson; Angela Bole; Mark Coker; Robert G. Diforio; Cheryl Willis Hudson; Wade Hudson; Sarah Kendzior; Jonathan Maberry; Lisa Morton; Karla Olson; James Rollins; Connie Schultz; Michael Shermer; Mark K. Shriver; Danny Trejo; Helene Wecker; Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, and many others. The BookFest is presented by Books That Make You and produced by Black Château Enterprises. The BookFest is a registered trademark of Desireé Duffy, who is the founder of all three. For more information, visit The BookFest.com.