The Kansas Authors Club, supporting writers since 1904, announces the finalists for the 2026 Kansas Authors Club Book Awards. Each year the organization recognizes published books in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, Kansas history, poetry, children’s books, and book design. Finalists within each category are selected by a panel of readers made up of members, community members, and book professionals. The finalists from each category are then delivered to judges for the award decisions and announced at the 2026 fall gathering, this year taking place as the 2026 Kansas Writing Convention held at Rock Springs Ranch near Junction City, October 2-4, 2026.
J. Donald & Bertha Coffin
Memorial Book Award for Fiction – Five Finalists
Memorial Book Award for Fiction – Five Finalists
Resistance! by Gretchen Cassel Eick
The National Front Party has just been elected in France and millions of immigrants flee to Europe to escape climate extremes and rising sea levels. As Russia tries to militarily rebuild its former empire, accurate and uncorrupted Artificial Intelligence is the best hope of preventing world war. In the midst of this perfect storm are two young Americans, one a young Black woman studying Artificial Intelligence at the Sorbonne and the other heir to the world’s largest privately owned oil and gas company. The revolutionary changes occurring in France suck them both in. But are they on the same side? A prescient, terrifying, and hopeful story of political intrigue, love, and possibility as the resisters forge their path learning from the past and determined to bring about a better future. (Blue Cedar Press, 2025)
The National Front Party has just been elected in France and millions of immigrants flee to Europe to escape climate extremes and rising sea levels. As Russia tries to militarily rebuild its former empire, accurate and uncorrupted Artificial Intelligence is the best hope of preventing world war. In the midst of this perfect storm are two young Americans, one a young Black woman studying Artificial Intelligence at the Sorbonne and the other heir to the world’s largest privately owned oil and gas company. The revolutionary changes occurring in France suck them both in. But are they on the same side? A prescient, terrifying, and hopeful story of political intrigue, love, and possibility as the resisters forge their path learning from the past and determined to bring about a better future. (Blue Cedar Press, 2025)
Kate’s Crucible: A Bleeding Kansas Novel, by Elmer Fuller
In 1855, pro-slavery and free-state people flock to the Kansas Territory bent on winning the slavery issue for the new state—the conflict dubbed "Bleeding Kansas." Nineteen-year-old Kate Collins leaves family, safety, and a suitor in Boston, convinced God has called her to fight slavery by teaching in the wild territory. Constant problems challenge her, and the schoolroom she crossed the country to lead always seems out of reach. If God truly called her to teach in Kansas, why does he keep closing every door she tries to walk through? Will Kate sacrifice love for her calling, or discover that God can redeem both? (Allegiance Press, 2025)
In 1855, pro-slavery and free-state people flock to the Kansas Territory bent on winning the slavery issue for the new state—the conflict dubbed "Bleeding Kansas." Nineteen-year-old Kate Collins leaves family, safety, and a suitor in Boston, convinced God has called her to fight slavery by teaching in the wild territory. Constant problems challenge her, and the schoolroom she crossed the country to lead always seems out of reach. If God truly called her to teach in Kansas, why does he keep closing every door she tries to walk through? Will Kate sacrifice love for her calling, or discover that God can redeem both? (Allegiance Press, 2025)
Lunacy and Acts of God, a novel by Ruth Maus
In this page-turning, laugh-out-loud novel, Lunacy and Acts of God is a coming-of-age story set against 1950s real life events in Topeka, Kansas. With plenty of quirky, humorous characters and a compelling murder mystery, the book reflects the impact of family and community on prejudice passed through generations, marginalized peoples, our differences, similarities, and choices. (Flint Hills Publishing, 2025)
In this page-turning, laugh-out-loud novel, Lunacy and Acts of God is a coming-of-age story set against 1950s real life events in Topeka, Kansas. With plenty of quirky, humorous characters and a compelling murder mystery, the book reflects the impact of family and community on prejudice passed through generations, marginalized peoples, our differences, similarities, and choices. (Flint Hills Publishing, 2025)
The Hoping Well, by Michael Stewart
Joshua Macallan knew the space shuttle would explode. That is why he was in Florida in January of 1986. He was trying to save the crew and finally make a difference after so many failures. Like when he tried to save Kennedy in ’63. Joshua was naive and full of hope That was then. Now he is an old man with a past composed of more tragedy than triumph. The FBI watches Joshua’s every move. Even though he currently lives in a Kansas nursing home staring at a blank wall most of the day. When he is not rambling about Victoria, that is, the young woman who had visited him on the farm in 1958 claiming to be from the future. She had done a lot of talking. He had fallen in love. Then Victoria disappeared. Until now. Riots are brewing in New York City over a controversial new technology. He sees Victoria on the news. Still alive and still as young as his memories of her. He needs answers. Joshua will head for the chaos in New York with his 5-year-old granddaughter in tow. Sure, the FBI will be in pursuit. So will his son. But finally, after all these years, Joshua Macallan has hope again. (Independent, 2025)
Joshua Macallan knew the space shuttle would explode. That is why he was in Florida in January of 1986. He was trying to save the crew and finally make a difference after so many failures. Like when he tried to save Kennedy in ’63. Joshua was naive and full of hope That was then. Now he is an old man with a past composed of more tragedy than triumph. The FBI watches Joshua’s every move. Even though he currently lives in a Kansas nursing home staring at a blank wall most of the day. When he is not rambling about Victoria, that is, the young woman who had visited him on the farm in 1958 claiming to be from the future. She had done a lot of talking. He had fallen in love. Then Victoria disappeared. Until now. Riots are brewing in New York City over a controversial new technology. He sees Victoria on the news. Still alive and still as young as his memories of her. He needs answers. Joshua will head for the chaos in New York with his 5-year-old granddaughter in tow. Sure, the FBI will be in pursuit. So will his son. But finally, after all these years, Joshua Macallan has hope again. (Independent, 2025)
Saltwood, by Leon Unruh
A former Russian assassin using the alias Nick Deveraux has become a mysterious American hero but is kept under wraps following his spectacular capture. The FBI releases him after two years, right into the hands of the Russian mob. He is coerced to complete his former assignment — kill the Senate’s last moderate conservative, Harriet Gayfeather of Kansas. He finds himself caught between the twin grindstones of oil money and religious power and becomes oddly aligned with both the senator’s deputy and a woman who has made herself regionally famous by promising to kill an unidentified person in Kansas. (Meadowlark Press, 2025)
A former Russian assassin using the alias Nick Deveraux has become a mysterious American hero but is kept under wraps following his spectacular capture. The FBI releases him after two years, right into the hands of the Russian mob. He is coerced to complete his former assignment — kill the Senate’s last moderate conservative, Harriet Gayfeather of Kansas. He finds himself caught between the twin grindstones of oil money and religious power and becomes oddly aligned with both the senator’s deputy and a woman who has made herself regionally famous by promising to kill an unidentified person in Kansas. (Meadowlark Press, 2025)
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