After rejections by dozens of literary agencies, I published my novel Deep Fire Rise with Latah Books — a small publishing house in Spokane, Washington. Now, Deep Fire Rise has been chosen as one of three Spur Finalists for Best Western Contemporary Novel by the Western Writers of America. It may not be a Pulitzer, but it sure is sweet to be recognized for something that I put my heart and soul into.

Thank you to the Spur Award committee for their nomination, and to the WWA organization for honoring the best of the west!