Honored to Be a Finalist for a 2026 Midwest Book Award

I’m sharing some exciting news: my debut novel has been named a finalist for a 2026 Midwest Book Award in the Literary, Historical, & Contemporary Fiction category.

It is a tremendous honor to be recognized alongside so many talented authors from across the Midwest. The finalists represent an incredible range of stories, perspectives, and voices that reflect the richness of our region's literary community.

I’m also proud that my publisher, AdventureKEEN, has another finalist this year in the Lifestyle category: The Wonder of Mushrooms: The Mysterious World of Fungi. As someone who is always eager to learn something new, I’m looking forward to reading it. If you’re fungi-curious, add it to your reading list!

You can view the complete list of finalists here: Midwest Book Awards 2026 Finalists.

The winners will be announced on June 13 at the Frey Theater in Saint Paul.

I’m grateful for this recognition and for the opportunity to celebrate with fellow writers, readers, and members of the Midwest literary community. Most of all, thank you to everyone who has supported my writing journey—from family and friends to readers, booksellers, librarians, and community members who have helped share this Saint Paul story of resilience and hope. Your encouragement has meant more than I can express.

I’m honored to be part of this year’s group of finalists and excited to see what lies ahead!

#MidwestBookAwards #AdventureKEEN #DebutNovel #SaintPaulAuthor