GRQ by Steven Bernstein Wins Best Novella at the American Writing Awards
- Isabelle Kenyon
- Nov 24, 2025
- 2 min read
Fly on the Wall Press is thrilled to announce that GRQ by Steven Bernstein has been awarded Best Novella in the prestigious American Writing Awards.
It was also a finalist for best cover and best general fiction.
This recognition highlights Bernstein’s sharp, imaginative storytelling and the novella’s compelling exploration of ambition, desperation, and the cost of chasing the “quick win.”
The award underscores GRQ’s growing reputation as a standout work of contemporary fiction.
Isabelle Kenyon, Director of Fly on the Wall Press, said:
"We are absolutely delighted to see Steven Bernstein honoured with this award. GRQ is bold, tightly honed, and utterly gripping — this win is richly deserved."
Against the backdrop of an earthquake-ravaged Los Angeles, 'Get Rich Quick' follows one man's desperate bid to save his family from financial ruin. Marlon, grappling with a personal tragedy, is enticed by a mysterious financial advisor promising a surefire path to wealth. But as Marlon's high-stakes gambles spiral out of control, the line between salvation and destruction blurs.
Unfolding over a single tension-filled day, Marlon must confront not only his financial ruin, but the dark secrets haunting his family.
A pulse-pounding descent into the dangers of unchecked ambition and the real-world costs of chasing the dream.
'Very rarely have I come across a book as riveting and thoroughly engaging as Steven Bernstein’s GRQ. The characters are so vivid and compelling that it wouldn’t surprise me at all if I were to encounter them in real life. An absolute must-read.'
- Gale Anne Hurd, Executive Producer of FEAR THE WALKING DEAD; ALIENS
About the Author
Steven Bernstein, ASC, DGA, WGA is an American cinematographer, director, screenwriter and author based in Hollywood, LA. In 1992 he won the Best Artistic Contribution Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival for Like Water for Chocolate alongside Emmanuel Lubezki. He also won the Cannes Golden Lion for his work in commercials.
GRQ is available directly from Fly on the Wall Press, independent bookshops, and major retailers.
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