In a total coincidence both the judges of Best Overall are named Sam. No relation. Just synchronicity. Both are accomplished South African writers who've got a couple of Interactive Fiction credits too.

Btw... Only Best Overall is a judged category, all the rest are based on community voting.

Introducing...

Sam Beckbessinger! (aka Alpha Sam)

The bestselling author of Manage Your Money Like a F*%king Grownup, sold in six countries and loved by people who hate talking about money. She teaches creative writing and pens horror stories and kids’ TV shows. Her perimenopausal werewolf novel Femme Feral is coming in summer 2026.
Find more at: www.sambeckbessinger.com

Btw, I loved her horror novel Girls of Little Hope, co-written with Dale Halvorsen

And now...

Sam Wilson! (aka Omega Sam) (not the Falcon)

The author of the novels Zodiac and The First Murder On Mars, and the current show-runner of the animated series Jungle Beat.
Find more at: www.samwilsonwriting.com

Btw, The First Murder on Mars is a delicious, carefully researched thriller - Mars ain't gonna save us from us.

Btw, check out his character generator here: www.samwilsonwriting.com/resources/ArchetypeEngine5.html