Awards and Recognitions

 The Literary Titan Gold Book Award is bestowed upon books that exemplify exceptional standards in the presentation of original content. For both fiction and non-fiction works, this award appreciates the meticulous development of unique characters or subjects presented in an authentically engaging context. Whether it is an innovative narrative structure for a fiction book or a compelling argumentation in a non-fiction work, we value the ability to support fresh themes and ideas. The award also honors the craft of elegant prose, showcasing a talent for transforming simple words into compelling, beautifully constructed text. This prestigious accolade is our tribute to books that represent an extraordinary achievement in the literary world. 

                    It's In The Air

“Quick, in here,” Brodie whispered to Maxie through her Air Pod connection. “We can both fit but mind the rusty pipes.” Maxie scanned the ruins of the building she had been chased into through the tiny window provided by her air filter mask. She could feel they were close, but how close were they? Could she and Brodie make it back to their underground base before the filter clogged up completely and they suffocated? 

The soldiers were destined to hunt her simply because her mother had refused to conform to the demands of the state and give her eldest daughter over for ‘training.’ 

The beginning of the end started in 2032 with a worldwide pollution problem dubbed Olympia 32. With no one eating meat or animal products anymore, work in the country dried up, forcing everyone to move to the already overcrowded cities. New high-rises sprang up overnight, each tower taller than the last, completely blocking out the sun's rays and causing the already stiflingly thick air to become clogged with soot and smog and an unknown pathogen. This, in turn, led to thousands of deaths as people slowly began choking on the mysterious substance.

That’s when the state stepped in, taking the firstborn daughter from each family on their 18th birthday to train. The need for future-fit women to lead our new, futuristic world and save us all from certain death. The state ran an outstanding campaign, and nearly everyone jumped on board. A small group of people weren't convinced and hid girls like Maxie when her time of collection came. The group called Grounded believed it was all a ploy to grow reengineered humans capable of breathing the clogged air. The girls would be incubators for the next generation, who would be able to breathe and survive outside free from masks and air filters. Being able to move freely around indefinitely would make the first country to accomplish that unstoppable.

Sighing, Maxie took in the scene behind her. Surrounded by nothing but broken pieces of brick and rusty pipes, a desolate jungle and the result of months of battle between Grounded and the soldiers. This place used to be a captivating museum, filled with beautiful artwork by artists such as Steve Rosendale and Adam Cullen. Children would run excitedly through the bright, open hallways, holding sheets of craft paper, as they tried to copy the great pop art masterpieces. Laughter echoed from room to room as parents watched on, sipping cinnamon coffee, chatting about the newest disaster to befall their dreary lives. All of that was now long gone; nothing left of the magical, enchanting place that held hopes and dreams. Just the rubble, mildew and dust that lay around her in a shambled mess mirroring the ruin her life had so quickly become.

Slipping quickly and quietly into the grate on the floor, Maxie tried desperately to fold her weary legs into the tiny space Brodie had found for them to hide. What was once simply a drain in the floor, with the sole purpose of taking water away, now held her tightly, the key to saving her life. 

Covering her mouth with one hand and tightly holding Brodie’s shaky hand with the other, Maxie held her breath. She could hear them above her, throwing bricks across the floor in a futile attempt to find her. Banging and crashing through the building like a herd of wild elephants, the sounds were deafening and chaotic until they slowly began to fade away as the soldiers moved onto the next rundown, derelict building to begin their search anew. 

Maxie counted to 10 just to be sure she was in the clear. At six, spots began to dance in front of her eyes as her lungs painfully begged for air, reminding her of the need to breathe. Dammit, her air filter must be full. Praying only Brodie could see her, she quickly removed her mask to suck in some precious oxygen. As quietly as possible, she began to take the smallest breath she could manage, again and again, until the pressure in her lungs gradually eased.

She had survived yet one more encounter with the soldiers. She just had to pray she could continue, and her secret ability to breathe and survive what was in the air would remain just that..