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    • Biography
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      • I WAS, AM, WILL BE
      • BROKEN PENCILS
      • PoetsForHarris Anthology
    • Performances
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    • Upcoming
      • SOCIAL SATURDAYS
      • BROKEN PENCILS
      • Event Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • LINKTR.EE - Event Tickets
  • Home
  • Biography
  • Publications
    • I WAS, AM, WILL BE
    • BROKEN PENCILS
    • PoetsForHarris Anthology
  • Performances
  • Accolades
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Photos
  • Upcoming
    • SOCIAL SATURDAYS
    • BROKEN PENCILS
    • Event Calendar
  • Event Calendar
  • LINKTR.EE - Event Tickets

"I write, I write, I write because
I don't know how to write right 

When what's left is right,
Then death strikes, so I'm left to write 

About loss of life, yet if I didn't write, 

I'd have lost my life to suicide,
So ho am I to choose sides, 

And cross lines of do-or-die?
Why do I recite lines like 

An Albert Camus-type,
'The meaning of your life is 

Whatever reason you have 

ot to kill yourself'?"


    RECOMMENDED READ

    2025 Author Shout Ready Reader Award Winner

    SPECIAL THANKS to the entire Author Shout staff for awarding my debut novel, Broken Pencils with the honorary seal of “RECOMMENDED READ” in the 2025 Reader Ready Awards. 

    Find out more
    BEST YOUNG ADULT FICTION

    2024 Reviewer's Choice Award Third Place Winner

    Big thanks to Nancy, Michaela, and the wonderful staff at Bestsellers World for rewarding my debut novel, Broken Pencils, as the 3rd place winner for Best Young Adult Fiction in the 2024 Reviewers Choice Awards. 

    Learn More
    Story Monsters Book Award

    2024 Royal Dragon Book Award for Best Young Adult Fiction

    Broken Pencils earned an Honorable Mention in the 2024 Royal Dragon Book Award for Best Young Adult Fiction!!! Thank you Story Monsters Book awards.

    Learn More
    Book Viral

    2024 Millennium Book Award Longlist

    MAJOR THANKS to John Reese and the entire team at Book Viral Reviews for placing my debut novel, Broken Pencils on the Long List for the 2024 Book Viral Millennium Book Award.

    Full Results
    November 15th 2024

    2024 IAN Book of the Year Awards Finalist

    “Look Ma, I'm a Finalist in the 2024 IAN Book of the Year Award!"

    Thank you to the wonderful staff at Independent Author Network for naming my debut novel, Broken Pencils, as one of the 2024 IAN Book of the Year Awards Finalists for Best New Adult Fiction!

    Learn more
    BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULT - COMING OF AGE

    2024 PenCraft Seasonal Book Award Winner

    Broken pencils was named winner of the 2024 PenCraft Seasonal Book Award Summer Competition for best book for Young Adult - Coming of Age  

    Full Results

    2024 International Book Award Finalist

    Broken Pencils was named 2024 International Book Award Finalist for Best African-American Fiction.

    Learn more
    May 31, 2024

    2024 Readers Choice Book Awards Silver Winner

    Broken Pencils earned Second Place/Silver winner  Best Adult Fiction in the 2024 Readers Choice Book Awards, along with a 5-Star Review. 

    Winners List and Book Review
    May 19, 2024

    Literary Global 2024 Independent Author Award Finalist

    Broken Pencils by J.R. Rice was a Finalist Recipient for both Best African-American Fiction and Best Debut Fiction in the 2024 Independent Author Awards presented by Literaryglobal.com

    Winners and Finalist List
    May 25, 2024

    2024 Hawthorne Prize Finalist Recipient

    The Hawthorne Prize is an elite writing award founded by American Writing Awards in honor of American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne. A team of judges chooses one winner from among the year's best works of FICTION--judges reserve the right to award more than one winner if they believe multiple works merit recognition.

    Winner and Finalists List

    Literary Global's 2024 Featured Creator

    Big thanks to the Literary Global team for honoring me as one of their "2024 Featured Creators." Thank you so much for the official spotlight and bringing awareness to my upcoming book, BROKEN PENCILS (6.11.24). I truly appreciate the support in helping my writing journey. 

    www.literaryglobal.com/featured-creators

    Learn more
    April 29, 2024

    2024 Literary Global Gold Award Recipient

    I am truly proud to announce that  BROKEN PENCILS, received the 2024 LITERARY GLOBAL GOLD AWARD!! Thank you so much to the Literary Global team for taking the time and effort to read my book and give a praising review. Check out the full 5-star review at literaryglobal.com/coming-soon

    Learn more
    March 25, 2024

    2024 Firebird Book Contest 3rd Place Winner

    Broken Pencils earned third place in both Best African-American Fiction and Best New Fiction in the 2024  International Firebird Book Contest presented by Speak Up Talk Radio. 

    Winners List
    Tea with Coffee Media Press Release

    LITERARY TITAN GOLD BOOK AWARD Recipient

    Tea With Coffee Media is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of “Broken Pencils,” written by the talented author J.R. Rice. Set to hit shelves on June 11, 2024, “Broken Pencils” has already garnered significant attention, having been honored with the prestigious Literary Titan Gold Book Award. 

    Find out more

    Copyright © 2025 J.R Rice - All Rights Reserved.

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