The Parable Group and WestBow Press, the self-publishing division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, announced the top 10 finalists for the 2015 Aspiring Authors Writing Contest on Sunday, June 28. The retail and marketing services provider made the announcement during The Parable Group All Partner Store Meeting at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, before the International Christian Retail Show.

“We are very pleased with the quality of the finalists for this year’s Aspiring Authors Writing Contest,” said Pete Nikolai, publisher of WestBow Press and director of publishing services for HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “The reach of The Parable Group and their partner stores provided a great opportunity for hundreds of writers to make their dream come true. We’re looking forward to publishing and distributing the winner.”

The contest drew hundreds of hopeful author participants from across the country. Nearly every registered store had participating writers. The complete list of the 10 finalists and book titles can be found at westbowpress.com/parable/winners/.

WestBow will self-publish the contest's grand-prize-winning book, which also will be reviewed for possible traditional publication by Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. Additionally, upon publication, the grand prize winner will receive a free marketing package from The Parable Group to promote the book in catalogs and in bookstores.

The Aspiring Authors Writing Contest was open to authors who were at least 18 years of age and had written an unpublished manuscript.