PenCraft Book Awards Recognize 63 Winter 2026 Winners Across Diverse Literary Genres

The PenCraft Seasonal Book Awards for Winter 2026 has announced its 63 winning books across fiction and nonfiction genres, celebrating authors for their dedication, storytelling, and prose. This varied collection spans from adult and children's literature to nonfiction, highlighting publications from the winter season. The awards recognize a diverse group of winners, including Allen Wolf, whose novel The Sound of Violet was adapted into a film; Mark Dickson, author of Enemy at the Helm; and former football star Todd Marinovich, whose biography was a standout.

According to the organization, the PenCraft Book Awards aim to help authors gain recognition and get their books noticed in a crowded market. Editor-in-Chief David Hearne stated that the awards help struggling authors get their books noticed and sold, with winners representing the best in the industry. The goal is to introduce the world to talented new authors and their creations. The competition is inclusive, celebrating all authors and their works, with a mission to inspire authors and give every writer a fair chance at recognition.

The winning books were selected from hundreds of nominations, judged based on creativity, storytelling strength, reader engagement, and overall literary quality. Submissions from self-published authors, small presses, and traditional publishers are evaluated equally. The awards prioritize literary merit without influence from an author's prior reputation. Founded in 2016, the PenCraft Book Awards was established to create a fair and inclusive platform, supporting authors worldwide and committing to new methods to acknowledge creative work.

Notable winners in the children's genre include The Turquoise Butterfly by Dale Atkins, published by Mascot Kids!, and The Snow Globe by Katherine Lockwood from Acorn Cottage Press. In fiction, winners span genres such as adventure with Drinking from the Stream by Richard Scott Sacks from Koehler Books, fantasy with Darkness and Blight by Dap Dahlstrom from Gardland Books, and thrillers like Boardroom Assassin by Ron Hare. The awards also highlight nonfiction, including The Golden Age of Bull$hit by Mario Tufano from GABS Media, LLC, and Marinovich by Todd Marinovich from Matt Holt Books.

Other winners include romance novels like Marianne: A Sense and Sensibility Sequel by Alice McVeigh from Warleigh Hall Press and young adult titles such as Heirs of Empire by S A Melia from Dickson House. The awards underscore literature's role as a source of insight and inspiration, allowing readers to encounter new perspectives and broaden understanding. By recognizing these works, the PenCraft Book Awards contribute to personal growth and social progress, ensuring that talented writers receive the attention they deserve in the literary community.