2024 New York Book Festival Names ‘On The Rocks’ For Top Honors 

NEW YORK_The story of restaurateur Joseph Costanzo Jr.’s rise to success is the top selection of the 2024 New York Book Festival, which honors books worthy of further attention from the world’s publishing capital.

Authors Maria C. Palmer and Ruthie Robbins’ On the Rocks: The Primadonna Story (Koehler Books) chronicles the real-life journey of restaurateur Joseph Costanzo Jr. during his rise to success in the 1990s as the owner of the highly acclaimed Primadonna Restaurant, and his other roles as radio host, columnist, and aspiring politician. 

Costanzo is a complex character, whom readers will admire for his confidence and rebuke for his arrogance, will love for his generosity and despise for his egotism, and will learn from in both his attention to detail and lack thereof. 

This driven, not-your-average-Joe is an unforgettable character who achieves the seemingly impossible, but can’t help getting in his own way. It is a page-turning story and well worthy of top honors.

Other winners in the competition: 

POETRY: 

WINNER: We Are What We Are – Lopa Banerjee and Priscilla Rice

RUNNERS-UP: 

Ireland’s Unparalleled Essence – Norbert G Gomes

The Gold Tooth in the Crooked Smile of God – ​​Douglas Cole

Sunrise Over South Africa – Joseph Kuhn Carey 

Un Chant D’oiseau Dans La Paume – Adlyne Bonhomme 

HONORABLE MENTIONS: 

Decades Book Of Poems – Christopher Fontes

for the Cracks and Potholes in our lives – August Irons  

Un Printemps Qui Finit A Mes Pieds – Selmu Accilien 

Say Their Names – Anonymous

Asteroides Fulgar Des Ants – Raynaldo Pierre Louis 

CHILDREN’S BOOKS:

WINNER:  It’s Not That Spicy! – Mei Powers and Kaili Powers 

RUNNERS-UP:

Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure – Maren Morris, Karina Argow

Mira & the Magic Pond – Zahra Omar Shansab

Kindness Is – Kaitlin Johnstone

Andrew Conquers the Court – Antonietta Quinn

The Wonderful Attic of Dreams – Ebenezer O. Makinde 

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Recipe For Adventure series – Steve Burt 

A Grandpa Joe Day! – Bill Shea 

Hugo’s Adventure – Jeremy Ireland

Naptime with Imani and the Fox – Lena Bee

Why don’t you just grow some fur? – Nick Moreland

Fly Butter – Tiffany V. Ricci

Exploring All I Can Do – Hockey – Nia Obotette 

Belle And Chloe – Reflections In The Mirror – Isabela Sardas, Ph.D.

Summer Break With Vicky and Tweedle – Kris Benny

Exploring All I Can Do – Snowboarding & Skiing – Nia Obotette  

Magic Pasta – Diana Pisher Walker 

The Power of Consent – Lea Danielle Cook

Let’s Count New York City – Adina Oberman

The Light of Your Eyes – Donna Lee Sonnenberg

Spectrum Fairies – Diana Atehortua

Flick Sends a Valentine – Alicia Mott-Comitto

Nishka’s Golden Heart – Mel Kucenic

Sky – Mary McEwan

Tid and Tad – A Tale of True Friendship – Sally Reynolds  

Lost but Found – Lauren Persons

Grouchy Bear – Elissa Bel Barber

Danny Loves Video Games – Mr. Luna

Playing Together in the Sandbox – Scott Pansky 

She Who Walks Above The Trees – Jennifer Conklin 

Goodnight Shadow – Kimberly J. Muller

Luca Meets Sonny – Roseanne Critelli 

Kids Need a Day Off Too! – Shaniqua Mighty

Alex Axoloti’s First Day of School – Angelrae Thompson

Ladybug In An Average Garden – Jill Anne Koehler 

Calico Zebra – Julie Bray 

Aurora’s Race Car Brain – Jessica Iliana Silvestre-Marin

Bird, a Boy and a Big Adventure – Tanya Ney

The Beastly Baron of Beaux Bottom – Jeremy Hullah

Uncle Digit and the Truth About Magic – Jeremy Hullah

Pauly Panda – Penny Bellofatto

An Alien’s Biography: Life on Earth – Reyaansh Joshi  

 

BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIOGRAPHY:

WINNER: On the Rocks: The Primadonna Story – Maria C. Palmer and Ruthie Robbins

RUNNERS-UP: 

Cuba, your children cry! – Otto H. Iglesias

I Am Worthy – Elisha Rose

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Near the Danube Bridge – Catherine Allen-Walters

A Touch of Light – Ann Naimark 

 

GENERAL NONFICTION:

WINNER: Chasing Giants: – Zeb Hogan and Stefan Lovgren

RUNNERS-UP:

Emigrant Tales of the Platte River Raids – Janelle Molony

The Curious History of the Heart – Vincent M Figueredo

1968: A Primer for Understanding Baby Boomers – Rick Robinson 

Syrup Sandwiches Choose Not to Give Up! – Anthony Owens  

Conscious Life-Purpose – Kashonia Carnegie PhD

HONORABLE MENTIONS: 

Livable Luxe – Brigette Romanek

Camo – Thandiwe Muriu

Delaware from Railways to Freeways: – Dave Tabler

Belonging Matters – Julie Ryan McGue

Killing Shore – K.A. Nelson 

Women of Tarot  – Cat Willett

Infinite Impact: – Amber Vilhauer 

Small Changes BIG RESULTS – Jay Nesbit

Vote for You – Marnie Maton

Developing Practical Wisdom – Michael A. Surkes 

Reparations 101 – K. Snyder

The Stress Book – D. Terrence Foster, M.D.

This is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods: – Ernest Ellender, PhD

The Music Therapy Studio: – Rick Soshensky

Fiascoes and Foibles – Paul Burton  

In The Volume: My Life in Film and TV – Alex Hyde-White

An Unsuspecting Child – Marylee Martin   

An Unknown Angels Gift – Cherie S. Blackwell

When The Bell Rings -A Firefighter’s Journey – Robert Gass 

What Really Counts: The Story of Cara, A Very Preterm Birth Survivor – August Irons

The Fall from Lunathal – Christopher S. Carlone

Magic for Longevity – Antonina Duridanova

My broken road – Stacie Sherman 

FiNDing Hope – Jocelyn Bystrom

The Miracle of Honesty – Daniel Loriston 

Trauma: Survival Lessons for Black Children – Kimberly A DiPasquale  

The Magnificence of the 3 – Timeout A. Taumua  

The Eye of God – Aeternus Costin 

Untouched: Miraculous Recovery – Joan E. Anderson

Finding A Soulful Love – Lucinda Johnson

The Beauty of Service – Ezinne Matilda Igbokwe   

 

SPIRITUAL/RELIGIOUS

WINNER: Raging Fire of Love – Kelly James Clark 

RUNNERS-UP:

Songs for the Spirit / Canciones para el Espiritu – Robert Giron 

Legacy: Wisdom of African Traditions and the Bible, – Chris Morehouse

20 Ways to Increase Your Psychic Abilities – John Russell

Sacred Psychiatry – Judy Suzanne Reis Tsafrir, M.D.

Highway To Your Happy Place – Gary Sprouse, MD 

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

The Brighton Beach Bible – Joel Silverstein

From Tension to Transformation – Janet M. Harvey

Deeper Into Mindfulness – Lia Langer, PhD

Reign of Freedom – Ebenezer O. Makinde 

The Soul of Happiness: – Robert Rugel

Face of Deception – Victoria Quinn

Intercessor – Justin K. Kojok

Awakening, A Journey from Medication to Meditation – Karina Cury 

Moonlight Cruise – Yurie Kiri 

 

MEMOIR:

WINNER: Getting Sauced  – Karen S. Katz  

RUNNERS-UP:

Wonder of the West – Stephen G. Yanoff

Kicking Karma’s Ass – Pat Miller 

Mighty Joe Mui – Jeremy Durgana

Jungle Wild The Adventures of A Real Jungle Boy – Joseph M. Coe

Out From the Shadows – Willie Handler 

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

The Road to Courage – Roy Taylor

Frying Pork Chops Naked – Eric V. Litsky – 

Syrup Sandwiches, Choose Not to Give Up! – Anthony Owens

Beauty on the Balcony – Tom Hester

(In) Sane – Memoir of a Manic Millennial – Michael J. Schiuma

The Invisible Girl – Yvonne Sandomir

Outside Voices: A Memoir…. – Joan Gelfand

Escape from England – Miranda Crimp

Morocco, A Remembrance of Childhood – James B. Farmer

Timmy’s Wish: Lessons From Heaven – Richard Kirk

Half A Century Ago – Angela Arias  

What the Heal – Tia Warrick  

Ivy Lodge – Linda Murphy Marshall

Silencing the enemy within – Marsha Rene – 

My Stroke in the Fast Lane: – Bonni Brodnick

Turning pages of my life – Samuel Nisbett 

American Airman: A memoir of a wounded veteran – Jonathon C Benjamin

The Time We Have – Michele Weldon

Backstory – The Many Lives of Granville Johnson – Granville Johnson

Elusive Jewels – Odelaisy Maceo Martinez 

 

GENERAL FICTION:

WINNER: The Ledger – Steven Manchester 

RUNNERS-UP:

Wylde Oates – Dell Brand

Not Far from the Ocean – Dennis Torres 

Interview with Death – V. K. Pasanen

The Hollow – C.L. Thomas  

True Grace – Karen E. Osborne

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Two Poppins Lane – Patricia Striar Rohner

21 Tattoos – Monica Broussard

Searching for Happy – Venus Knight

180 Days – Alfredo Botello

Frank’s Shadow – Doug McIntyre  

Buried Relics – Don Helin 

Eyes on the Horizon – Carrie Lynn Fazzolari

Comes Around – C. D. “Tony” Hylton III 

The White Field – Douglas Cole

Leaving Seattle – J.C. Cole

Songs For the Deaf – Kenneth Alan Silver

How Will I Know – Marc Renson

Careful What You Wish For…- Roger C Douglas  

The Summer Before – Dianne C. Braley

Golden Dust – Igor Shchepetkin 

The Tender Silver Stars – Pamela Stockwell

The Joy Divisions – Scott Dimovitz

Second Life – James Sniechowski

Where the Seams Meet – Patrick Holcomb

The Hollywood Backlash Moon – Carolyn Summer Quinn 

The Gambler’s Game – James Darnborough 

In An Instant A Voice Only My Heart Hears – S.E. Shore 

The Falcon and The Shaikhs – John Dragonetti  

The Throne of Osiris – Peter Meissner

Silenced Whispers – Afarin O Bellisario

The Race Horse – Vicki Reess Kendall

Fiercely Loyal – Deborah Ettinger Tom Johnson

Inscription – Fiona Ballard

The Hermit – Katerina Grishakova

Toxic Sphere: Volume 3: Enemy Apparent –  C N Sky

Regina of Warsaw: – Geri Spieler

Circuit Sweat – Rodney Hamright  

Imelda’s Secret – Liza Gino 

Boomerang – S. Jennifer Paulson 

One Last Swim – RL Monsheimer

Second Term  – J.M. Adams  

Kyd’s Game – Marc Rosenberg 

The Eyes Have It – B. Lynn Carter  

We Are Not Saints: The Acolyte – H. Les Brown  

Driving for Justice – Justin K. Kojok

Captured by Their Past – Miguel Arrufat Millán

The Maredian – Susan B. Iris

 Hollis and Gray – J.P. Zeigler  

Spectrum Fairies – Diana Atehortua 

The Future King | Return of the Once Monarch – Vishnul Jain

Whispers in the Vineyard – Justin Kojak

Death of a Mayfly – Ellie Leonard

The Water Factor – Marilynne Eichinger

Heart in the Jungle: Mountain City – Fred J. Lauver  

Spectral Guidance – Laurie A. M. Ludtke 

Golden Dust – Igor Shchepetkin

 

COMPILATIONS/ANTHOLOGIES:

WINNER: Hollywood Remembered – Darwin Porter with Danforth Prince

RUNNERS-UP:

CCNY Made: Profiles in Grit – Ronnyjane Goldsmith

We Were Warned – Cash Anthony, Editor

Temple Made: Profiles in Grit – Ronnyjane Goldsmith

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

A Fire for Christmas – William R. Hincy

Scars Of The Heart – Bob Van Laerhoven

I Dream I Wake I Write – Jane F. Ruby  

HOW-TO:

WINNER: The Learned It In Queens Communications Playbook – Julienne B. Ryan

RUNNERS-UP:

Are You Ready? – Dr. Kimberly Harms 

Retiring Right – Jake Falcon

Sell Your Business At The Right Time – Jane Johnson

How To Talk To Your Enemies – Alicia Dunams

What, Who, Why, Where, How, When, Plan – Yvonne Sandomir

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

The Stress Book – D. Terrence Foster, M.D.

Booked: A Strong Start For Your Child Actor – Gloria Iatridis

Feng Shui Rx for Your Home – Anna Maria Prezio Ph.D.

Breathe. Write. Breathe. – Lisa Tener 

WILD CARD: 

WINNER: Vizard – Shari Marshall  

RUNNERS-UP:

Misadventures of a Cryptid Hunter – Michael Kelso

Listening to Fish  – Tim Tomlin

The Stress Book – D. Terrence Foster, M.D.

Loving Leopold – Diane Ramsay 

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Highway To Your Happy Place – Gary Sprouse, MD

Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven – Sarah Law 

Toxic Sphere: Volume 3: Enemy Apparent –  C N Sky 

Regina of Warsaw: – Geri Spieler

Caretaker (The Goodpasture Chronicles) – R.J. Halbert

The Real Resident Aliens – Dr. Raymond A. Keller

Butterfly in a Flame – Nadia Red

Climate Dragon: – S W Lawrence

Seeking Closure – Monsieur Serendipity  

BUSINESS/TECHNOLOGY:

WINNER: How To Talk To Your Enemies – Alicia Dunams

RUNNERS-UP:

The 87-Day MBA – Vonne Williams 

100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions, Volume 4 – Ross Brand

WINX for Employees  – Irma Parone

Sell Your  Business at the Right Time – Jane Johnson

Rite Of Passage: – V. Michael Santoro

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

From Tension to Transformation – Janet M. Harvey

Purposeful Performance  – Jonathan Stanley

Briefly Speaking: Deluxe Boxed Set – Deborah Shames and David Booth 

The Future of Work is Human: – Lisa X. Walden and Hannah L. Ubl

The Power of Networking – Michael V. Morgan 

Find The Ladder – Nadeem Lutfullah 

 

YOUNG ADULT:

WINNER: Seaside Magic and The Binding Curse – Vianlix-Christine Schneider

RUNNERS-UP:

Secrets in the Halls – Karen Lynn Rose 

Mark of the Pteranodon – Mitzi S Scotten

I Hunt For Stars Alone  – Ricardo Quintana-Vallejo

Dawn of Legends: A Tale for Christmas Vol 2 – Matt Dragovits  

They’re Here You Know – Steve Pricone

Pretend – Jennifer Conklin

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Enlightenment of the Rogue Emperor – Jana Klánová 

Angelina’s Opinions – Angelina Wang

Erift’s Journeys, Book 1 – J.T. Tenera

JJ and Frijolito – Victoria Cepeda 

The Eyes Have It – B. Lynn Carter

Fake Out – Felicia Farber 

Captain Bacawly and the Breakaway Bandits – Jimmy Jungles

The Moon Tear –  M.E. Royce

Children of Plains Estates – Claudette Milner

A Remarkable Marketable You: – Jes Petion 

The Empath – Katelynn Simmons

Lizard Larson and the Time Keeper – Gary Natoli

Angelina’s Choices – Angelina Wang 

 

SCIENCE FICTION:

WINNER: Against the Machine: Evolution – Brian Van Norman 

RUNNERS-UP:

PULSE – J Z York 

In the Throes – Matthias Freese

I Am My Father’s Daughter: Winds of Time – B. G. Simpson

Artefactum – J.E. Tobal

Meddling Mages – S.G. Blaise

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Look Away – Paige DeFreece 

eMortal – Steve Schafer

Juris Ex Machina – John W. Maly

Of Friction – S.J. Lee 

The Pilgrim – Part I – A. Keith Carreiro

The 5 Moons of Tiiana – PT Harry 

Lizard Larson and the Time Keeper – Gary Natoli 

And The Sun Goeth Down – Terry Mark 

Hounds of Gaia – Sean M. Tirman

Ominous Odyssey – J.T. Kelly

Sentience Hazard – Alexandru Czimbor  

ROMANCE:

WINNER: The Secret – Eve M. Riley 

RUNNERS-UP:

Written in the Water – Elf Ahearn 

a perfect miracle: Jacobs Landing series Book One – Katrina Alexande

Lost in Wonderland – Jack Quill 

For All of Us – Jillian Rose

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Love ad Lib – E. Abolins-Farrell 

Currents of Blue – Sharon Brubaker  

Whispers in the Vineyard – Justin K. Kojok

Anarchy at Almacks – Nola Saint James

In Silence Cries the Heart – Catherine Hughes

Ava Again: A sequel to “Ava” – Janet Perroni

 

UNPUBLISHED:

WINNER: Matilde’s General – Robert S. Phillips

RUNNER-UP:

Iron Dad – Paul Weigel

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

The Third Estate Secrets of the Manor – D. R. Berlin

Tooth Tales and Enchanted Smiles – Angelina and Cameron Huang 

HORROR:

WINNER: Nightingale – D.K. Golden

RUNNER-UP:

Interview with a Sinner – M.M. White

HONORABLE MENTIONS: 

Infliction Point – Mark Hacker – 

The Sundial Inn – Stephen John Ross 

PHOTOGRAPHY/ART

WINNER: On the Road: Structures – John Custodio

 

 

 

Send US Your Stories