2022 Winners

Best Western Historical Novel

Winner:Ridgeline, by Michael Punkeand published by Henry Holt & Company

Finalists:The Last Comanche Warrior, by James D. Crownoverand published by Five Star Publishing

Finalists:The Healing of Natalie Curtis, by Jane Kirkpatrickand published by Revell/Baker Publishing

Best Western Contemporary Novel

Winner:Dark Sky: A Joe Pickett Novel, by C.J. Boxand published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Finalists:A Particular Madness, by Sheldon Russelland published by Cennan Books of Cynren Press

Finalists:Dissolution: The Wyoming Chronicles: Book One, by W. Michael Gearand published by Wolfpack Publishing

Best Western Mass Market Paperback Novel

Winner:This Side of Hell: A Widowmaker Jones Western, by Brett Cogburnand published by Pinnacle/Kensington

Finalists:The Too-Late Trail, by Matthew P. Mayoand published by Berkley

Finalists:Lost Mountain Pass, by Larry D. Sweazyand published by Pinnacle/Kensington Publishing

Best Western Romance Novel

Winner:Imperfect Promise, by Susanna Laneand published by Five Star Publishing

Finalists:The Transformation of Chastity James, by Kathleen Morrisand published by Five Star Publishing

Finalists:Madame’s Daughter, by C.K. Criggerand published by Wolfpack Publishing

Finalists:Land of Heroes, by Dorothy Wileyand published by Independently Published

Best Western Traditional Novel

Winner:The Loving Wrath of Eldon Quint, by Chase Plettsand published by Inkshares

Finalists:Deputized, by T.L. Davisand published by Five Star Publishing

Finalists:The Comanche Kid, by James Robert Danielsand published by Cutting Edge Books

Best Western Biography

Winner:The Forgotten Botanist: Sara Plummer Lemmon’s Life of Science and Art, by Wynne Brownand published by Bison Books

Finalists:Cockeyed Happy: Ernest Hemingway’s Wyoming Summers with Pauline, by Darla Wordenand published by Chicago Review Press

Finalists:Jim Bridger: Trailblazer of the American West, by Jerry Enzlerand published by University of Oklahoma Press

Best Western Historical Nonfiction

Winner:Cheyenne Summer: The Battle of Beecher Island: A History, by Terry Mortand published by Pegasus Books

Finalists:War on the Border: Villa, Pershing, The Texas Rangers, and an American Invasion, by Jeff Guinnand published by Simon & Schuster

Finalists:Iron Women: The Ladies Who Helped Build the Railroad, by Chris Enssand published by TwoDot

Best Western Contemporary Nonfiction

Winner:Defending the Arctic Refuge: A Photographer, an Indigenous Nation, and a Fight for Environmental Justice, by Finis Dunawayand published by The University of North Carolina Press

Finalists:Making Circles: The Memoir of a Cowboy Journalist, by Barney Nelsonand published by University of Oklahoma Press

Finalists:Brothers on Three: A True Story of Family, Resistance, and Hope on a Reservation in Montana, by Abe Streepand published by Celadon Books

Best Western Short Nonfiction

Winner:The Right Man to Do a Wrong Thing: Charlie Thex, the Bear Creek Sheep Raid, and the Primacy of Fear, by Shane Dunningand published by Montana The Magazine of Western History

Finalists:C.E. Lively: The Man Who Started a War, by R.G. Yohoand published by Goldenseal

Finalists:Ella Mad Plume Yellow Wolf: Photographs by a Native American Woman in the Early 1940s, by Rosalyn LaPierand published by Montana The Magazine of Western History

Best Western Short Fiction

Winner:Skin, by David Heska Wanbli Weidenand published by Crooked Lane Books

Finalists:The Ferry and the Road, by Lawrence Coatesand published by Story Magazine, Spring 2021

Finalists:Coming Clean, by Leslie Budewitzand published by Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine

Best Western Children’s Picture Book

Winner:Charlie Russell and the Gnomes of Bull Head Lodge, by Emily Crawford Wilson & illustrator Jeanne Bowmanand published by South Dakota Historical Society Press

Finalists:Come ’n Git It! Cookie and His Cowboy Chuck Wagon, by Jennifer Coleman & illustrator Julie Dupré Bucknerand published by Pelican Publishing

Finalists:Montana’s Memory Day: A Nature-Themed Foster/Adoption Story, by Sue Lawrence & illustrator Erika Wilsonand published by Mascot Books

Best Western Juvenile Fiction

Winner:Cow Boyhood: The Adventures of Wilder Good, #7, by S.J. Dahlstromand published by Paul Dry Books

Finalists:Maddie McDowell and the Rodeo Robbery, by LuAnn M. Rodand published by Chicken Scratch Books

Finalists:Bats, Bandits & Buggies: A Ruby and Maude Adventure, by Nancy Oswaldand published by Burro Books

Best Western Juvenile Nonfiction

Winner:Montana History for Kids in 50 Objects: With 50 Fun Activities!, by Steph Lehmannand published by Farcountry Press

Best Western Poem

Winner:Cimarron Herd, by Karla K. Mortonand published by Texas Review Press

Finalists:Awinita (Cherokee – b. 1878), by Linda Neal Reisingand published by Kelsay Books

Finalists:She Thought About Montana, by Betty Lynne McCarthyand published by Sunlit Silver Bit Publishing

Best Western Song

Winner:You Oughta See Wyoming, by Micki Fuhrmanand published by MyMyMy Music

Finalists:What a Moon, by Micki Fuhrmanand published by MyMyMy Music

Finalists:Yellow Horse, by Doug Figgsand published by Slash DC Music

Best Western Drama Script

Winner:Last Shoot Out, by Lee Martinand published by Feifer Worldwide

Best First Western Novel