2021 Winners

Best Western Historical Novel

Winner:All Things Left Wild, by James Wadeand published by Blackstone Publishing

Finalists:Follow the Angels Follow the Doves, by Sidney Thompsonand published by University of Nebraska Press

Finalists:Stardust Trail, by J. R. Sandersand published by Historian Publishing

Best Western Contemporary Novel

Winner:Winter Counts, by David Heska Wanbli Weidenand published by Ecco, HarperCollins

Finalists:King of Taos, by Max Evansand published by University of New Mexico Press

Finalists:The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez, by Rudy Ruizand published by Blackstone Publishing

Best Western Mass Market Paperback Novel

Winner:A Thousand Texas Longhorns, by Johnny D. Boggsand published by Pinnacle/Kensington

Finalists:Gunpowder Express, by Brett Cogburnand published by Pinnacle/Kensington

Finalists:Beyond the Goodnight Trail, by Roy V. Gastonand published by KDP

Best Western Romance Novel

Winner:Midnight’s Whisperer, by Tom Loweand published by Kingsbridge Entertainment

Finalists:The Valley of Deision, by Major Mitchelland published by Shalako Press

Finalists:Forever Hidden, by Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouseand published by Bethany House

Best Western Traditional Novel

Winner:Like Rum Drunk Angels, by Tyler Enfieldand published by Goose Lane

Finalists:All Gods Children, by Aaron Gwynand published by Europa Editions

Finalists:The Fortunes and Vicissitudes of Stern Whitman, by Derek Burnettand published by Five Star Publishing

Best Western Biography

Winner:Tecumseh and the Prophet, by Peter Cozzensand published by Alfred A. Knopf

Finalists:An Honest Enemy, by Paul Magidand published by University of Oklahoma Press

Finalists:Race and the Wild West, by Laura J. Arataand published by University of Oklahoma Press

Best Western Historical Nonfiction

Winner:The Last Sovereigns, by Robert M. Utleyand published by University of Nebraska Press

Finalists:Beneath the Backbone of the World, by Ryan Halland published by University of North Carolina Press

Finalists:South to Freedom, by Alice L. Baumgartnerand published by Basic Books

Best Western Contemporary Nonfiction

Winner:Billionaire Wilderness, by Hustin Farrelland published by Princeton University Press

Finalists:Cheatgrass dreams, by Theodore Waddelland published by Sweetgrass Books

Finalists:My Flint Hills, by Jim Hoyand published by University Press of Kansas

Finalists:Half Broke, by Ginger Gaffneyand published by W. W. Norton and Company

Best Western Short Nonfiction

Winner:Daniel Boone’s Life in the Far West: An Inquiry into his Alleged Yellowstone Hunt, by Ted Franklin Belueand published by Muzzleloader Magazine

Finalists:Who Killed Crazy Horse, by Paul L. Hedrenand published by Nebraska History Magazine

Finalists:Shakespeare in the Frontier and Territorial Montana, by Gretchen Mintonand published by Montana The Magazine of Western History

Best Western Short Fiction

Winner:Belthanger, by Kevin Wolfand published by Western Fictioneers

Finalists:Father Goose, by Jodi Thomasand published by Kensington

Finalists:Statues, by Allen Morris Jonesand published by Montana Quarterly

Best Western Storyteller

Winner:Run Cow Run, by Cami Carlson & Greg Whiteand published by KDP

Finalists:Bandit the Cow Dog, by Phil Mills Jr & Victor Mojicaand published by Mascot Books, Inc.

Finalists:Bolo the Brave, by Jim Jones & Kamee Youngand published by KDP

Best Western Juvenile Fiction

Winner:Dilly, by Matthew P. Mayoand published by Five Star Publishing

Finalists:Silverbelly, by S. J. Dahlstromand published by Paul Dry Books

Finalists:City of Gold, by Will Hobbsand published by HarperCollins

Best Western Poem

Winner:Baptism, by Patricia Frolanderand published by High Plains Press

Finalists:25 Bears, by Marc Beaudinand published by Riverfleet Press

Finalists:Saddling, by Betty Lynne McCarthyand published by Page Printing

Best Western Song

Winner:Don’t Say Goodbye to the Cowboy Way, by Randy Huston & Jim Jonesand published by Dr. Vet Music/East Mountain Music

Finalists:El Caballo del Fuego, by Doug Figgs, Floyd Beard & Miriam Funkeand published by East Mountain Music

Best Western Documentary Script

Winner:Charlie Russell’s Old West, by Gus Chambers & Paul Zalisand published by Montana PBS

Finalists:Today’s Wild West Episode 307, by Mark Bedorand published by KVCR PBS San Bernardino

Best First Western Novel