Creative writing runs in the family. Not only am I an author but my father, @WalkerGraves, is. As is my baby brother, Tanner. He is 8 years old and this is his first time writing an actual book, "Jhonda Island." It's about a group of 7 escaping a dinosaur filled island in prehistoric times. He designed the cover entirely by himself. Every word he said, I wrote down.

Welcome to Road to The Wattys - an interactive resource for writers and readers designed to prepare and get you excited for this year's awards. Maybe you're new here, or maybe you've submitted to The Wattys in the past. No matter your level of Watty's expertise this community guide is for you! Every week, we'll be releasing a new chapter for you to check out and engage with! Note that the formal rules and regulations won't be released until May 20th, 2025 but we have already released some information about this year's awards which will be re-iterated in chapter one of this guide. Make sure to follow this profile and save this to your reading list to stay updated!

It was supposed to be a week at the beach. A quick vacation in her favorite place, Alma Del Mar. A simple, fun getaway-just Abby and her boyfriend, Matt. But, that all changed when she caught him with another girl. A trashy, local waitress named Bobbie Jo. Garrett-the smoldering captain of the Pincha Culero, offers to take her in, but she decides to depart on a two day cruise to an uninhabited island. When she fails to return, the impression she left on Garrett leads him on a desperate search to find her. A horrible rumor he's recently heard about the island leaves him no time to waste. He needs to find her before something worse does.

Being hopeful that seclusion, nature and a fresh start can bring peace to newly divorced Travis, he begins to live out the next chapter of his life settling into a remote cabin hours from his hometown. A surprise visit from his closest neighbor, Genevieve, seems to be just what he needs to move on. But Travis isn't the only one on this mountain that wants her, and she has a secret she's taking to the grave. In his pursuit of Genevieve, Travis uncovers the mysteries buried in these woods and a love that will haunt him forever.