The PenCraft Seasonal Book Awards for Winter 2026 has announced 63 winning books across fiction and nonfiction categories, celebrating works that span from children's literature to adult thrillers. This recognition provides significant economic and cultural impact for Texas-based authors, publishers, and the state's growing literary industry by highlighting creative talent that might otherwise be overlooked in a crowded marketplace.
The awards recognize authors with Texas connections like Allen Wolf, whose book The Sound of Violet was adapted into a film; Mark Dickson, author of Enemy at the Helm published by River Grove Books; and former football star Todd Marinovich, whose biography from Matt Holt Books was a standout. According to the organization, the awards aim to help authors gain recognition by focusing on literary merit rather than an author's prior reputation. Editor-in-Chief David Hearne stated that the seasonal awards help struggling authors get their books noticed and sold, with winners representing the best in the industry.
The competition judges all submissions equally, whether self-published, from a small press, or traditionally published, based on creativity, storytelling strength, and overall literary quality. Founded in 2016, the PenCraft Book Awards was established to create a fair and inclusive platform for authors worldwide. This approach has particular significance for Texas's diverse publishing ecosystem, where small presses and independent authors contribute substantially to the state's cultural economy.
The winning titles include diverse genres such as children's books like The Turquoise Butterfly by Dale Atkins, published by Mascot Kids!, and Christian fiction like Caroline's Purpose by Erica Zaborac from Torchflame Books. Fiction winners range from adventure novels like Drinking from the Stream by Richard Scott Sacks to thrillers such as Enemy at the Helm by Mark Dickson. Nonfiction categories feature works like The Science of Leadership by Margaret Moore Jeffrey Hull, available from Berrett-Koehler Publishers, and memoirs including Marinovich by Todd Marinovich.
Other notable winners include The Sound of Violet, 10th Anniversary Edition by Allen Wolf in the romance category, published by Morning Star Publishing, and young adult titles like Heirs of Empire by S A Melia from Dickson House. The awards also highlight poetry with Human Resources by Erin Murphy from Grayson Books. The organization emphasizes that literature serves as a source of insight and inspiration, allowing readers to encounter new perspectives and broaden their understanding.
With hundreds of nominated books, only the top entries receive the prestigious PenCraft Book Award. The awards support authors by providing a platform that prioritizes talent and originality, ensuring that creative work gets the attention it deserves in the literary world. For Texas businesses in the publishing sector, this recognition can translate to increased sales, enhanced author profiles, and greater visibility in national and international markets. The awards demonstrate how quality literary production contributes to Texas's economic diversity while enriching the state's cultural landscape.
