Camp Lanier by Sylvester Barzey
Acclaimed horror author Sylvester Barzey has won the 2025 Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) Self-Publishing EBook Award in Fiction for his chilling novel Camp Lanier. This distinguished honor, presented in partnership with Lyrasis, recognizes the best self-published fiction eBook by an African American author in the United States.
Camp Lanier, a supernatural thriller rooted in the haunting urban legend of Georgia’s Lake Lanier, follows teenager Taylor Johnson as she enters a summer work release program at a mysterious lakeside camp. What begins as a second chance quickly unravels into a nightmare filled with vanishing teens, whispered legends, and the lingering presence of a once-thriving Black community buried beneath the water. Camp Lanier stands out for its seamless blend of historical truths and terrifying fiction, all told through the perspective of a fierce, relatable Black heroine.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the BCALA Self-Publishing Literary Awards, presented during the American Library Association Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA. The awards celebrate exceptional voices in independently published fiction and poetry.
Camp Lanier is available now in eBook and print formats.
About Sylvester Barzey
Sylvester Barzey is a horror author and U.S. Army veteran known for creating diverse, pulse-pounding stories that put Black heroes at the center of the narrative. With a background in engineering and a lifelong passion for storytelling, Barzey writes to thrill, inspire, and unsettle.
About BCALA
The Black Caucus of the American Library Association advocates for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services and resources to the African American community. Through awards, programming, and advocacy, BCALA uplifts Black voices in literature and librarianship.
For more information contact:
Jen Turrell Publicity at Sterling & Stone
[email protected]