Utah Wrestler and Coach Receives Two Firebird Book Awards for Science-Fiction Novel

West Jordan, Uta. — Speak Up Talk Radio announced the winners of the most recent International Firebird Book Awards. Amongst the winners was Utah author W.D. Kilpack III for his dystopian military science-fiction novel Battle Calm in the Science Fiction category, as well as receiving a special award: Best Literary Merit.

Kilpack said, "It's very gratifying to have my work recognized. Whether it's readers telling me how much they enjoyed it or winning an award, it's incredibly satisfying. To have it come in a contest that also helps children facing homelessness makes it that much more humbling."

This year, awards were given to authors who have consistently engaged with the International Firebird Book Awards year after year. Unlike the other categories, each category had only one winner. Battle Calm received Best Literary Merit. Other special categories included Best Evolution of Style, Best Risk Taker, Best Series Continuation, Most Innovative Use of Genre, and Best Thematic Exploration.

Battle Calm is book one in the Battle Calm Cycle, a trilogy that centers around Badger, Keeper Base Leader. He is the greatest soldier alive and knows to never celebrate victories, no matter how hard-won, because the enemy never stops. When he succeeded his father, the legendary Red Skin, as Keeper Base Leader, he was well prepared, raised to handle anything the enemy threw at him. Most importantly, he was always calm, no matter how frenzied the combat. These were only some of the reasons why he still had all his original parts.

The International Firebird Book Awards celebrate outstanding authors and publishers globally, featuring a diverse range of genres. Submissions are evaluated by a panel of 29 judges, with each entry reviewed by two judges using consistent criteria. Only those with the highest scores win the prestigious Firebird Award, recognizing exceptional talent in the literary community.

These are the third and fourth awards Kilpack has received for Battle Calm. The other two were both in October 2025. The first was when it was named a finalist in the Utah Book Awards in Speculative Fiction. The other was when it received the Editor's Choice Award for Literary Excellence from Reader's House Magazine. out of London, England. Kilpack has published eight novels, which have earned 50 book awards to date, including the The International Impact Book Award, The BookFest Award, and Honorable Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. His sci-fi novella, Pale Face is currently in movie development.Usurper's Might: Book Six of New Blood is coming soon!

In a prepared statement, Patricia J. Rullo, founder of the Firebird Book Awards, said, "The Firebird Book Awards, powered by Speak Up Talk Radio, celebrate creative talents and provide authors with opportunities to share their stories. They recognize outstanding books and podcasts ... to help authors succeed."

According to Jessica Bair, former Special Agent, US Army CID, "Battle Calm is a visceral dystopian war novel. Kilpack builds a world that is haunting in its vivid depictions of a world at war for so long that humans remember nothing else. Born to train, fight and live to take the lives of their enemy. Following the laws of a veteran leader, the characters strive to find humanity in the loss of their compatriots, as their numbers dwindle and the enemy continues to advance with more hardware and seemly endless combatants. Kilpack brings you into the lives, histories and hopes of soldiers fighting for survival. Combat is fierce, on the battlefield and in the calm between enemy engagements. Awaiting book two - Battle Calm: Omega Message.”

According to Reader's House, Battle Calm is "an emotionally charged and action-packed masterpiece [that] delivers thrilling battles and profound insights into humanity's relentless pursuit of war. [It] is a gripping dystopian military science fiction novel that will captivate readers with its intense narrative, philosophical undertones, and complex characters. Kilpack crafts a detailed and brutal world where calmness amidst chaos is paramount, and war is depicted as an inescapable cycle ingrained in human nature. At its heart, Battle Calm examines the psychological toll war takes on its participants through characters like Badger, Trinity, and Korry — Keepers who live, fight, and form fragile bonds under relentless combat conditions. Badger is an exceptionally complex protagonist, torn between his role as a tactician and killer and his humanity, which hides beneath his stoic exterior. This nuance makes him an intriguing lens through which we experience Kilpack's deeply layered themes of survival, loyalty, and the corrupting influence of unending conflict. The richly imagined dystopian landscape is one of the book's standout features, transporting readers into a world of gritty reality and heightened tension. Kilpack's action sequences are fast-paced and vividly described, balanced beautifully by reflective moments exploring the cyclical nature of war and its effect on the human soul. Kilpack masterfully blends character development, world-building, and thematic depth, creating a novel that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Battle Calm sets the stage for an unforgettable series."

About Kilpack

Kilpack is an award-winning and critically acclaimed internationally published writer, with works appearing in print, online, radio and television, starting with his first publication credit at the age of nine, when he wrote an award-winning poem. As an adult, he has been editor and/or publisher of 23 news and literary publications, both online and in print, with circulations as high as 770,000. He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Westminster University. As an undergrad, he double-majored in communication and philosophy, while completing the Honors Program. As a graduate student, he earned a master of professional communication with a writing emphasis. He was also a high-performing athlete, qualifying for international competition in Greco-Roman wrestling. For 25 years, he was a communication professor and a nationally recognized wrestling coach. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he continues to live, consult and educate. For more information go to www.Kilpack.net.

About the International Firebird Book Awards

The International Firebird Book Awards is an inclusive competition that welcomes all genres and accepts submissions from traditionally published, indie, and self-published writers. For more information go to www.speakuptalkradio.com.