I am grateful to share that my noir novel, Hessman’s Necklace, has received the Literary Titan Gold Book Award in the Fiction category. Literary Titan conducts impartial evaluations through a team of editors, writers, and educators who review a broad range of books and engage with authors via thoughtful interviews. Being recognized with this award is an encouraging experience for me.
When I began writing Hessman’s Necklace, I found inspiration in the classic crime stories and noir fiction of the 1950s. Immersed in the works of writers like Dashiell Hammett, John D. MacDonald, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, I focused on crafting a narrative centered on flawed characters, seedy settings, and a sense of moral ambiguity. The story grew from a short, gritty scene into a full novel, with Ray’s journey at its center. I aimed to blend sharp, raw language and vivid imagery, weaving in rich period detail and a sense of atmosphere drawn from my literary influences.
For those interested in readers’ perspectives, the Literary Titan website published their review on July 1, 2025. While it’s natural to focus on major reviews and awards, I’ve come to appreciate how every part of the process—feedback, critiques, and acknowledgments—shapes a writer’s development. Literary Titan’s thoughtful analysis and interview questions prompted me to reflect on my creative choices, from crafting dialogue inspired by Hammett to building atmospheric scenes in the style of MacDonald and Fitzgerald. Their honest commentary encouraged me to examine my own work more closely, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow from these insights.