2025 Winners

Best Western Biography

Winner:The Sugar King of California: The Life of Claus Spreckels, by Sandra E. Bonuraand published by University of Nebraska Press

Finalists:From the Reservation to Washington: The Rise of Charles Curtis, by Debra Goodrichand published by TwoDot

Finalists:Citizen Carl: The Editor Who Cracked Teapot Dome, Shot a Judge, and Invented the Parking Meter, by Jack McElroyand published by University of New Mexico Press

Best Western Children’s Picture Book

Winner:Georgia Jipp: Blizzard Pilot, by author Laura Beth Dean and illustrator Jeanne Bowmanand published by South Dakota Historical Society Press

Finalists:The Horse Who Wanted to Fly, by author Pamela Kleibrink Thompson and illustrator Melissa Baileyand published by Firefly Books

Finalists:The Story: How Billy Thomas Learned the Importance of Being Honest, by author Phil Mills Jr. and illustrator Jean Abernethyand published by Young Dragons Press

Best Western Contemporary Nonfiction

Winner:No Friday Night Lights: Reservation Football on the Edge of America, by John M. Glionnaand published by Bison Books/University of Nebraska Press

Finalists:Impresarios of the Rodeo Arena: The Story of the Beutler Stock Contracting Legacy, by Randy L. Beutlerand published by Oklahoma Hall of Fame Publishing

Finalists:A Cowgirl’s Conservation Journey: Stories from the Dugout Ranch, by Heidi Redd with Larisa Bowenand published by The Nature Conservancy in Utah

Best Western Contemporary Novel

Winner:Blue Wild Indigo, by James Jenningsand published by Plum Bay Publishing

Finalists:Mary’s Place, by Charlotte Hingerand published by Bison Books/University of Nebraska Press

Finalists:Sgt. Ford’s Widow, by Paul A. Barraand published by The Permanent Press

Best Western Documentary Script

Winner:Power of the Mounds, by Candy Moultonand published by Boston Productions/Angel Mounds State Historic Site

Finalists:Ellis Trail to Nicodemus, by Angela Batesand published by Nicodemus Historical Society & Museum

Best Western Drama Script

Winner:The Dead Don’t Hurt, by Viggo Mortensenand published by Talipot Studio/Recorded Picture Company/Perceval Pictures/Shout! Studios

Best First Western Nonfiction Book

Winner:A Cowgirl’s Conservation Journey: Stories from the Dugout Ranch, by Heidi Redd with Larisa Bowenand published by The Nature Conservancy in Utah

Best First Western Novel

Winner:Dust Covered Lies, by Catherine M. O’Connorand published by TCU Press

Best Western Historical Nonfiction

Winner:Compliments of Hamilton & Sargent: A Story of Mystery and Tragedy on the Gilded Age Frontier, by Maura Jane Farrellyand published by Bison Books/University of Nebraska Press

Finalists:The Western Horse: A Popular History of the Wild and Working Animal, by Randi Samuelson-Brownand published by TwoDot

Finalists:The Doctor Was a Woman: Stories of the First Female Physicians on the Frontier, by Chris Enssand published by TwoDot

Best Western Historical Novel

Winner:Bloody Newton, by Johnny D. Boggsand published by Kensington Books

Finalists:Sarita, by Natalie Musgrave Dossettand published by Atmosphere Press

Finalists:The Reluctant Pioneer, by Julie McDonald Zanderand published by St. Helens Press

Best Western Juvenile Nonfiction

Winner:Pintsized Pioneers: Taming the Frontier, One Chore at a Time, by Preston Lewis and Harriet Kocher Lewisand published by Bariso Press

Best Western Juvenile Fiction

Winner:The Horse Who Carries the Stars: A Companion Novel to On a Good Horse, by Darby Karchutand published by Owl Hollow Press

Finalists:The Untamed Sky, by Win Blevins and Meredith Blevinsand published by Wise Wolf Books

Finalists:Nightflower of Comanche Mound, by Katlyn Batesand published by Adventure & Quest

Best Western Mass Market Paperback Novel

Winner:The First Day of Eternity, by Charles G. Westand published by Pinnacle/Kensington

Best Western Poem

Winner:“The Couldn’ts”, by Betty Lynne McCarthyand published by published in Etchings (Sunlit Silver Bit Publishing)

Finalists:“Pickin’ Out”, by B.J. Buckleyand published by published in Flyover Country (Pine Row Press)

Finalists:“Glass Birds,”, by Betty Lynn McCarthyand published by published in Etchings (Sunlit Silver Bit Publishing)

Best Western Romance Novel

Winner:The Woman Who Went for Broke, by C.K. Criggerand published by Wolfpack Publishing

Finalists:Cimarron Dove: A Sunset Legend, by Madison K. Thamesand published by Madison K. Thames

Finalists:Under Dragoon Skies, by Jane Moorand published by Jane Moor/Kindle Direct Publishing

Best Western Short Fiction

Winner:The Devil’s Left Hand, by Michael John Pettyand published by Bright Morning Star Press

Finalists:“Prairie Dog”, by Mark Greathouseand published by published in Hearts of Valor, Voices of Courage (Legacy Publishing/AIM Publishing Group)

Finalists:“That Grief, That Fury”, by Rilla Askewand published by published in The Hungry and the Hunted: Stories (Belle Point Press)

Best Western Short Nonfiction

Winner:“The Mysterious Death of Johnny Ringo”, by Doug Hockingand published by Wild West

Finalists:“A Western Pocahontas: Myth, Reality, and Memorialization for Spotted Tail’s Daughter, Mni-Akuwin”, by Charles E. Rankinand published by Western Historical Quarterly

Finalists:“The Wilde Wild West”, by Preston Lewisand published by Wild West

Best Western Song

Winner:“Blessed by the West”, by Sarah Pierce, Randy Palmer and Merel Breganteand published by released on Pierce’s CD Blessed by the West (Berkalin Records/published by Lucylite Music/Veggie Egg Music, BMI)

Finalists:“Mustanger”, by Jim Jones and Mariam Funkeand published by released on Jones’s CD Storyteller: Tales from the West (Berkalin Records)

Finalists:“The Saddle”, by Dave Stameyand published by released on Stamey’s CD Porch Music (HorseCamp Music/HorseCamp Music, BMI)

Best Western Traditional Novel