Award Recognition
Bronze Winner
Manhattan Book Awards · 2026
Manhattan Book Group proudly announces that Bold Dark Worlds by J.M. Erickson has been awarded Bronze in the 2026 Manhattan Book Awards — honoring exceptional storytelling, originality, and imaginative scope in contemporary publishing.
About the Award
The Manhattan Book Awards is a year-round literary recognition program honoring outstanding books from independent and hybrid publishers worldwide. Titles are judged by an industry-experienced panel and evaluated on criteria including narrative strength, originality, production quality, and overall impact.
Official Certificate
About the Book
In a story of two bold, dark worlds based on Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, the future shows striking similarities to today's age of imperialism, classism, and capitalistic expansion — where racism is commonplace, slavery exists, and a minority holds absolute power. Set on Earth and Mars in the year 2126, the series follows four interconnected protagonists across Endless Fall of Night, Heavy Weight of Darkness, Deadly Going Dark, and Hunting Armed Men.
“A gritty, haunting dystopian sci-fi novel — the author does an incredible job layering the story with powerful characters and rich world-building. The narrative stood out because it focused more on the world's social issues than on complicated sci-fi tropes.”
— Pacific Book Review
About the Author
Award-winning author J.M. Erickson's decade-spanning body of work in speculative and science fiction is recognized for its immersive world-building, emotionally resonant character arcs, and high-concept themes that explore resilience, identity, and apocalyptic landscapes. He earned his bachelor's degree from Boston College and a master's degree from Simmons University's School of Social Work, and remains active as a high school counselor and community therapist in Massachusetts.
About Manhattan Book Group
Manhattan Book Group is a New York–based independent publishing organization dedicated to discovering, developing, and promoting exceptional voices across fiction and nonfiction. Through its publishing services, imprints, and literary recognition programs — including the Manhattan Book Awards — the company champions quality storytelling, professional standards, and meaningful visibility for authors worldwide.