Writers’ League of Texas announces annual book awards

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The Writers League of Texas has named the winners of its 30th annual awards.

“Everything that we do at the Writers’ League of Texas is about supporting and championing Texas writers and nothing is more emblematic of that than these annual book awards,” said Becka Oliver the League’s executive director. “This year especially, it’s an honor for us to be able to shine a bright light on these writers and… also the power of storytelling to transport us, challenge us, and guide us through even the most difficult of times.”

FICTION
Winner: “We Are All the Same in the Dark” by Julia Heaberlin

Finalists: “Crooked Hallelujah” by Kelli Jo Ford, “Simon the Fiddler” by Paulette Jiles, “Trust Me “by Richard Santos, “The Jetsetters” by Amanda Eyre Ward

Discovery Prize Winner: “Above Us the Milky Way” by Fowzia Karimi

NONFICTION
Winner: “The Dragons, the Giant, the Women” by Wayétu Moore

Finalists: “After the Last Border” by Jessica Goudeau, “The Museum of Whales You Will Never See” by A. Kendra Greene, “Perilous Bounty” by Tom Philpott, “Phallacy” by Emily Willingham

Discovery Prize Winner: “Pain Studies” by Lisa Olstein

POETRY
Winner: “Year of the Dog” by Deborah Paredez

Finalists: “Your New Feeling Is the Artifact of a Bygone Era” by Chad Bennett, “Simple Machines” by Jehanne Dubrow, “Anyone’s Son” by David Meischen, “Pandemia & Other Poems” by Edward Vidaurre

Discovery Prize Winner: “Maps of Injury” by Chera Hammons

MIDDLE GRADE / YOUNG ADULT
Winner: “Tigers, Not Daughters” by Samantha Mabry

Finalists: “BenBee and the Teacher Griefer” by K.A. Holt, “Dragon Ops” by Mari Mancusi, “The Second-Best Haunted Hotel on Mercer Street” by Cory Putnam Oakes, “A Wish in the Dark” by Christina Soontornvat

Discovery Prize Winner: “Mary and the Trail of Tears” by Andrea L. Rogers

PICTURE BOOK
Winner: “William Still and His Freedom Stories” by Don Tate

Finalists: “All of a Sudden and Forever” by Chris Barton, “Hard Work, but It’s Worth It” by Bethany Hegedus, “Huddle Up! Cuddle Up!” by Bethany Hegedus, “The Blunders” by Christina Soontornvat

Discovery Prize Winner: “For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World” by Michael W. Waters

 


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