Congratulations to our 2026 Manuscript Contest Winners & Finalists!
WINNER
The Apologies by Jane Park
FINALISTS
Invisible No More: The Heat After the Storm by Rusty Alexandra Ferrel
Can’t Stop Falling by Rodney Frazier
The Life Cycle of A Girl by Faith Nguyen
A Street With No End by Lea Ratliff
WINNER
Parenting Through Loss: A Guide to Facing Grief and Raising Kids On Your Own by Lauren Gaspar
FINALISTS
A Time for Sacrifice: Emma’s War by James Bushee
XI. Honor Thy Children by Debbie LeBlanc
Recovering Yourself: A Six-Week Journey Back to You by Marcy McKay
Vince and Jack: Their World War II Letters by Ann Weisgarber
WINNER
Bayouland by Christine Landry
FINALISTS
A Pleasure Cruise before the War by Mark Doyle
Great Artists Steal by Jeanette Horn
The Inward War by Elizabeth Schultz
Madeleine and the Attaché by Amy C. Thompson
WINNER
Mutti and Me: A Daughter’s Journey Through Her Mother’s Wartime Past by Sylvia Carr Clebsch
FINALISTS
Write Me When You Can by Justin Jannise
Boat 1513: A Memoir of Loss, Displacement, and the Monkey King by Tuong Le
Hang On To Your Hat by Joy Selak
How to Save a Life by Kimberley Sevcik
WINNER
With Cowries At Her Throat by Caroline Leech
FINALISTS
Four Yellow Petals by Diane Bertrand
The River Pilot’s Secret by Karianne Chassee
Moryn Hale and the Lost Key by Kyndall Rothaus
The Strange Birds of Apple Street by Melissa Ward Williams
WINNER
If Found, Return to the Sand by Meredith Pate
FINALISTS
Surprise Paradise by Caroline Juszczak
The Council of Saragossa by G.M. Lindgren
Horse Story, an equine cozy suspense mystery by TK Sheffield
When Cicadas Scream by Cy Smith
WINNER
Soul-Crossed by Lydia Gullicksen
FINALISTS
The Kingdom of Shadow and Light by Katrina D. Nsheiwat
Can’t Stop Falling by Rodney Frazier
Paris and Pickleball by Geoff & Simone Leavenworth
The Cadence Crush by Christine Ashdown
WINNER
One Saint Anthony by Jessica Feinstein
FINALISTS
Cursed & Cheated by August Garry
Waiting for Wildflowers by Pat Healy
The Loneliness of Secrets by Carol McAfee
Scribble Baby by Toni Nicolino
WINNER
The Eye of Tindari by Paula Perrone
FINALISTS
Agents of the Dark by Rachel Faulk
Lights of the Frozen Front by Dane Glenn
What Lies in Wait by Deana Lisenby
The Cauteriste by Douglas Whipple
WINNER
Secrets in the Stars by Susannah Cook
FINALISTS
The Book of Stolen Hearts by Keri Houchin
Roly-Poly Girls by Dianne King
To Whom Much is Given by Molly Lasco
The Specials by Mark Purcell