Announcing the Midwest Book Awards Finalists

Thank you to all who entered the 36th Annual Midwest Book Awards. We had a competitive year this year, with 195 unique titles from 102 independent Midwestern publishers across 22 categories, including design categories and special distinctions.

Gold Winners to be announced at the 36th Annual Midwest Book Awards Gala

Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 7pm | Frey Theater, St. Catherine University | Saint Paul, Minnesota

Join us for an evening of literary celebration and connect with authors, publishers, and book lovers while enjoying drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets to the 36th Annual Midwest Book Awards Gala are on sale now!

Special Thanks to this Year’s Sponsors

Illustrada Book Design and Craft, logo

Awards design Sponsor: Illustrada Design

Creating inspired design for intriguing books. A joyfully collaborative designer focused on providing small and independent publishers with covers, interior layout & typesetting, print/ebook design, and production & publishing assistance. 

www.illustrada.com

Awards print sponsor: Kirk House Publishers

Our goal is to continue discovering gifted authors. We like working with writers to develop their books and careers over the long term.

www.kirkhousepublishers.com

2026 Finalists – Nonfiction

Biography and Memoir

Title: I Didn’t Come Here to Lie: My Life and Education Author: Karen G.J. Lewis Publisher: Haymarket Books
Title: Louis Graveraet Kaufman: The Fabulous Michigan Gatsby Who Conquered Wall Street, Took Over General Motors, and Built the World’s Tallest Building Author: Ann Berman Publisher: Wayne State University Press
Title: You’re Too Young to Understand: A Memoir Author: Liz Fiedorow Sjaastad Publisher: Wise Ink

History

Title: Aspire! 150 Years at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church Author: Lori Sturdevant and Bobbie Keller Publisher: Nodin Press
Title: Baseball in the Roaring Twenties: The Yankees, the Cardinals, and the Captivating 1926 Season Author: Thomas Wolf Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
Title: Chicago Homes: A Portrait of the City’s Everyday Architecture Author: Carla Brui and Phil Thompson Publisher: Agate Midway

Humanities

Title: Adinkra Wisdom From Our African Ancestors Author: Rosemond Sarpong Owens Publisher: Wise Ink
Title: Benjamin’s Mess Author: David Benjamin Publisher: Last Kid Books
Title: Lingering Inland: A Literary Tour of the Midwest Author: Andy Oler Publisher: University of Illinois Press

Lifestyle

Title: Kitchens of Hope: Immigrants Share Stories of Resilience and Recipes from Home Author: Linda S. Svitak, Christin Jaye Eaton, and Lee Svitak Dean Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
Title: The Hoosier Mama Book of Breakfast Bakes: Biscuits, Scones, Muffins, and More Author: Paula Haney Publisher: Agate Midway
Title: The Wonder of Mushrooms: The Mysterious World of Fungi Author: Maya Jewell Zeller Publisher: AdventureKEEN Publishing/Adventure Publications

2026 Finalists – Fiction

Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror/Romance

Title: Cursed by Midnight and Morning Author: Harlow Ann Leroux Publisher: The Wretched Raven
Title: Embers Rising: The Last Draegion: Book 2 Author: Cindy L. Sell Publisher: Aether and Ash Press
Title: The Sapphire Heart: Book One: The Erynvor Cycle Author: Three Scribes Publisher: Three Scribes

Literary/Historical/Contemporary

Title: Allie’s Adventure on the Wonder Author: Erika Lynn Adams Publisher: Beaver’s Pond Press
Title: Close to a Flame: Stories Author: Colleen Alles Publisher: Cornerstone Press
Title: A Season on the Drink Author: Pat Harris Publisher: AdventureKEEN Publishing/Adventure Publications

Mystery/Thriller

Title: Saltwood Author: Leon Unruh Publisher: Meadowlark
Title: River Gold: A Northern Lakes Mystery Author: Jeff Nania Publisher: Feet Wet Writing
Title: The Women Who Stand Between Author: Jéannee Sacken Publisher: Ten16 Press

2026 Finalists – Children

Middle Grade

Title: The House on Rondo Author: Debra J. Stone Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
Title: The Mountain of Dempsey Molehill Author: Julie Stroebel Barichello Publisher: Stroebel Independent Books
Title: Overruled Author: Christy Wopat Publisher: Lost Lake Press

Picture Book

Title: No Hay Problema: The Amazing Story of Tony Oliva Author: Ricardo Oliva Publisher: Wise Ink
Title: The Odd Dog Author: Leia Barrett Publisher: Stories by Leia
Title: Rabbit Shoots the Sun: A Hopi Folktale Author: Terri Fields Publisher: Wisdom Tales Press

2026 Finalists – Poetry

Title: After the Floating Barn Author: Josh Gaines and Ben Clark Publisher: North Dakota State University Press
Title: Ghost in the Archive Author: Jennifer Loyd Publisher: Conduit Books & Ephemera
Title: (On |Un-)Becoming Author: FreeQuency Publisher: Button Poetry

2026 Finalists – Art & Photo

Title: Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga, Vol. 2 Author: Kenny Loui Publisher: UFO Comics
Title: Marley Kaul: Paintings Author: Marley Kaul Publisher: Mill Studio Press
Title: Pumpkin Guts: The Hellbound Halloween Author: Jacoby Ambrose Matott Publisher: Harvest Lantern Comics

2026 Finalists – Design

Cover

Title: Marley Kaul: Paintings Author: Marley Kaul Publisher: Mill Studio Press
Title: River Gold: A Northern Lakes Mystery Author: Jeff Nania Publisher: Feet Wet Writing
Title: The Sapphire Heart: Book One: The Erynvor Cycle Author: Three Scribes Publisher: Three Scribes

Illustration

Title: Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga, Vol. 2 Author: Kenny Loui Publisher: UFO Comics
Title: The Odd Dog Author: Leia Barrett Publisher: Stories by Leia
Title: Rabbit Shoots the Sun: A Hopi Folktale Author: Terri Fields Publisher: Wisdom Tales Press

Interior

Title: Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga, Vol. 2 Author: Kenny Loui Publisher: UFO Comics
Title: Marley Kaul: Paintings Author: Marley Kaul Publisher: Mill Studio Press
Title: The Odd Dog Author: Leia Barrett Publisher: Stories by Leia

Total Book Design

Title: Marley Kaul: Paintings Author: Marley Kaul Publisher: Mill Studio Press
Title: The Odd Dog Author: Leia Barrett Publisher: Stories by Leia
Title: Rabbit Shoots the Sun: A Hopi Folktale Author: Terri Fields Publisher: Wisdom Tales Press

Special Distinction Awards will be announced at the Gala. We hope to see you all there. Congratulations to our Midwest Book Award Finalists!

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