While this is certainly a great piece, and I don't mean to offend, nor am I making accusations, but some of these look like images that were just painted over and slightly manipulated. For example, a simple google search of Stephen King will give an almost exact match to this pieces portrait of him, lighting and all (only flipped on the horizontal axis). Which i could certainly be wrong and if so I apologize. However, if true, it is a bit lame, as this is for a creative contest.
Keep in mind, I did not submit to this contest, so I have no horse in this race or bias, I'm just voicing an observation. Anyways, good job on this, as it is well done and G'luck in the contest! :)