2026
Book of
the Year
A CHINA STORY by YING QIAN
Bio & Memoir
Bio & Memoir Winner
Falling from Disgrace by Tammy Dietz
Bio & Memoir Runner-Up
Full Circles by Sandra June Townsend
RUNNER-UP
WINNER
FINALISTS
Children’s Book
Children’s Book Winner
It Was a Dark and Squeaky Night by
Mary Ellen Bramwell
Children’s Book Runner-Up
Night Night, Wolfie by Kristin Blakely
RUNNER-UP
WINNER
Finalists
General Fiction & Nonfiction
General Fiction & NonFiction Winner
The Great Divide by Ellen Mitchell
General Fiction & Nonfiction Runner-Up
A Safe Space by Jeffrey Jay Levin
RUNNER-UP
WINNER
Finalists
Historical & Adventure
Historical & Adventure Winner
Land Shadows by R.J. Striegel
Historical & Adventure Runner-Up
Mask of Romulus by Mark Jamilkowski
RUNNER-UP
WINNER
Finalists
HORROR & Suspense
Horror & Suspense Winner
Do Not Resuscitate by Scott Eveloff, MD
Horror & Suspense Runner-Up
Ghost Writer by Arjay Lewis
RUNNER-UP
WINNER
Finalists
inspirational &
self-help
Inspirational & Self-Help Winner
The Five Secrets of Luck by Skip Johnson
Inspirational & Self-Help Runner-Up
2 Poppins Lane by Patricia Striar Rohner
RUNNER-UP
WINNER
Finalists
LITERARY & HUMOR
Literary & Humor Winner
River of Dolls and Other Stories by
Suzanne Kamata
Literary & Humor Runner-Up
Dog Logic by Tom Strelich
RUNNER-UP
WINNER
Finalists
Middle Grade & Young Adult
Middle Grade & Young Adult Winner
Leisha’s Song by Lynn Slaughter
Middle Grade & Young Adult Runner-Up
Wish I Was Here by Ilsa Rey
RUNNER-UP
WINNER
Finalists
MYSTERY & Crime
Mystery & Crime Winner
Call Game by Graham Elder and Laura Cody
Mystery & Crime Runner-Up
Falling Leaves by Lea O’Harra
RUNNER-UP
WINNER
Finalists
Romance & Women’s Fiction
Romance & Women’s Fiction Winner
Baby ConSEALed by Leah Miles
Romance & Women’s Fiction Runner-Up
Infidelity Rules by Joelle Babula
RUNNER-UP
WINNER
Finalists
Scifi & Fantasy
SciFi & Fantasy Winner
Immortal No Longer by Charlie Keller
SciFi & Fantasy Runner-Up
The Vagrant Promises by Graydon Russell
WINNER
RUNNER-UP
Finalists
Thriller
Thriller Winner
The Boy On The Dock by A.J. McCarthy
Thriller Runner-Up
Phantom Files by Gary Gerlacher
WINNER
RUNNER-UP
