2017 Winners
Best Western Historical Novel
Winner:The Apache Wars: The Hunt for Geronimo, The Apache Kid, and the Captive Boy Who Started the Longest War in American History, by Paul Andrew Huttonand published by Crown
Finalists:American Serengeti: The Last Big Animals of the Great Plains, by Dan Floresand published by University Press of Kansas
Finalists:The Earth is Weeping: The Epic Story of the Indian Wars for the American West, by Peter Cozzensand published by Alfred A. Knopf
Best Western Biography
Winner:Black Elk: The Life of an American Visionary, by Joe Jacksonand published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Finalists:Texas Ranger: The Epic Life of Frank Hamer, the Man Who Killed Bonnie and Clyde, by John Boesseneckerand published by Thomas Dunne Books
Finalists:Nobody Rich or Famous: A Family Memoir, by Richard Sheltonand published by University of Arizona Press
Best Western Contemporary Nonfiction
Winner:New Deal Cowboy: Gene Autry and Public Diplomacy, by Michael Ducheminand published by University of Oklahoma Press
Finalists:The Fire Line: The Story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots and One of the Deadliest Days in American Firefighting, by Fernanda Santosand published by Flatiron Books
Finalists:Stories From Afield: Adventures with Wild Things in Wild Places, by Bruce L. Smithand published by University of Nebraska Press
Best Western Traditional Novel
Winner:The Mustanger and the Lady, by Dusty Richardsand published by Galway Press
Finalists:The Contractor, by James C. Workand published by Five Star Publishing
Finalists:News of the World, by Paulette Jilesand published by William Morrow
Best Western Contemporary Novel
Winner:Off the Grid: A Joe Pickett Novel, by C.J. Boxand published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Finalists:Jasper Spring, by James T. Hughesand published by Dog Ear Publishing
Finalists:Hidden Star, by Corinne Joy Brownand published by FriesenPress
Best Western Mass Market Paperback Novel
Winner:Return to Red River, by Johnny D. Boggsand published by Pinnacle
Finalists:Widowmaker Jones, by Brett Cogburnand published by Pinnacle
Finalists:Frontier: Powder River, by S.K. Salzerand published by Pinnacle
Best Western Juvenile Nonfiction
Winner:The Wolves of Currumpaw, by William Grilland published by Flying Eye Books
Finalists:Entertaining Women: Actresses, Dancers, and Singers in the Old West, by Chris Enssand published by TwoDot
Finalists:Sissy Bear at the Fort, by Holly Arnold Kinneyand published by Fur Trade Press
Best Western Juvenile Fiction
Winner:Trouble Returns: A Ruby & Maude Adventure, by Nancy Oswaldand published by Filter Press
Finalists:The Green Colt: The Adventures of Wilder Good, by S.J. Dahlstromand published by Paul Dry Books
Finalists:Saddle Up!, by Donna Alice Patton and Emily Chase Smithand published by Chase Smith Press/Redwood Digital Publishing
Best Western Storyteller
Winner:Seasons of the Bear: A Yosemite Story, by author Ginger Wadsworth and illustrator Daniel San Souciand published by Yosemite Conservancy
Finalists:Voices of the Western Frontier, by author Sherry Garland and illustrator Julie Dupré Bucknerand published by Pelican
Finalists:Big Buckaroo Goes to the Special Olympics, by author Rachelle “Rocky” Gibbons and illustrator Jason Huttonand published by Tate Publishing
Best Western Short Nonfiction
Winner:“‘Master of Ceremonies’: The World of Peter Biggs in Civil War-Era Los Angeles”, by Kendra Field and Daniel Lynchand published by Western Historical Quarterly
Finalists:“Cowboys & Millionaires: How Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders Bonded as Brothers Before Leaving to Fight in the Spanish-American War”, by Mark Lee Gardnerand published by True West Magazine
Finalists:“Touching History: A Grandson’s Memories of Felix Marion Jones and the Massacre at Mountain Meadows”, by Will Bagleyand published by Utah Historical Quarterly
Best Western Short Fiction
Winner:“Odell’s Bones”, by Troy D. Smithand published by Cane Hollow Press
Finalists:“Comanche Camp at Dawn”, by Johnny D. Boggsand published by Giacobbe Fritz Fine Art/Nocona Burgess
Finalists:“Umpire Colt”, by Johnny D. Boggsand published by High Hill Press
Best Western Poem
Winner:“Ain’t A Hermit”, by Floyd Beardand published by Self-published, Produced by Butch Hause
Finalists:“Ballad of a Basque Sheepherder: Shaniko, Oregon”, by Matt Schumacherand published by Redbat Books
Finalists:“Diamonds”, by Ann Sochatand published by TwoDot
Best Western Song
Winner:“Halfway Down The Devil’s Road”, by Jim Jones and Allan Chapmanand published by East Mountain Music
Finalists:“Tularosa Rose”, by Doug Figgs and Les Buffhamand published by Slash DC Music
Finalists:“The Cattleman”, by Jeff Poseyand published by Buckskin Friend Music
Best Western Drama Script
Winner:Hell Or High Water, by Taylor Sheridanand published by Film 44/OddLot Entertainment/Sidney Kimmel Entertainment/CBS Films
Finalists:Desierto, by Jonas Cuaron and Mateo Garciaand published by Esperanto Kino/ Itaca Films/CG Cinéma/STX Entertainment
Best Western Documentary Script
Winner:The Drift: An American Cattle Drive, by Geoff O’Garaand published by The Content Lab
Best First Western Nonfiction Book
Winner:The Fire Line: The Story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots and One of the Deadliest Days in American Firefighting, by Fernanda Santosand published by Flatiron Books
Best First Western Novel
Winner:Jasper Spring, by James T. Hughesand published by Dog Ear Publishing
