Losing Austin, the powerful and genre-defying young adult novel by award-winning author Michael J. Bowler, has been honored with the Literary Titan Gold Book Award. This emotionally charged mystery that blends coming-of-age drama with speculative intrigue has captivated readers and critics alike with its raw authenticity, layered characters, and unforgettable story.
The Literary Titan Gold Book Award recognizes exceptional books with original content, eloquent prose, and complex characters. In its review, Literary Titan praised Losing Austin as “deeply emotional, raw, and imaginative,” lauding Bowler’s portrayal of Colton Bowman, a teen grappling with guilt, grief, and the mystery surrounding his older brother’s disappearance. The reviewer noted, “Colton’s voice was authentic… He messes up, but when he confesses that he told Austin, ‘I wish you were dead!’ only to have his brother vanish hours later, it really tugs at the heart.”
In Losing Austin, fifteen-year-old Austin Bowman vanishes without a trace. Rumors swirl—kidnapping, alien abduction, maybe even murder at the hands of his hotheaded younger brother, Colton. Only Colton knows he didn’t kill Austin. But even he isn’t sure what drove Austin to disappear that rainy day. Racked with guilt and desperate for answers, Colton begins an obsessive search for his brother. When he connects with Keilani, a girl whose own sibling vanished under eerily similar circumstances, the mystery deepens. Together, they uncover a chilling pattern: other nonverbal children have also gone missing, always during rainstorms.
Spanning years of heartache, false leads, and moments of awe, Losing Austin builds to a shocking climax that draws the attention of law enforcement, the media, and even Homeland Security. It’s a novel that explores the deep bonds of siblinghood, the haunting power of regret, and the line between reality and the inexplicable.
With elements of sci-fi mystery, psychological drama, and spiritual symbolism, Bowler’s narrative offers something rare: a book that challenges, mystifies, and ultimately uplifts. “There’s something magical going on beneath the surface,” Literary Titan wrote, “and Bowler trusts readers to feel their way through it.”
Losing Austin is available now everywhere books are sold: https://books2read.com/LosingAustin
About the Author
Michael J. Bowler is an award-winning author who grew up in Northern California. With a career spanning over twenty-five years in education, Bowler taught both general and special education at the high school level. His lifelong dedication to young people extends beyond the classroom—he has served as a youth mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters and worked with incarcerated youth in the Los Angeles juvenile justice system. In 2020, he adopted a child out of foster care. His novels often explore the complexities of youth, identity, and redemption, reflecting the depth of his real-world experiences. Losing Austin is the latest in a body of work committed to giving voice to misunderstood and marginalized teens.
Media ContactCompany Name: Literary TitanContact Person: Michael J. BowlerEmail: Send EmailCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://michaeljbowler.com
