2025 WWA Spur Awards

Best Biography: The Sugar King of California: The Life of Claus Spreckels by Sandra E. Bonura (University of Nebraska Press)

Best Contemporary Nonfiction Book: No Friday Night Lights: Reservation Football on the Edge of America by John M. Glionna (Bison Books/University of Nebraska Press)

Best Contemporary Novel: Blue Wild Indigo by James Jennings (Plum Bay Publishing)

Best Documentary Script: Power of the Mounds by Candy Moulton (Boston Productions/Angel Mounds State Historic Site)

Best Drama Script: The Dead Don’t Hurt by Viggo Mortensen (Talipot Studio/Recorded Picture Company/Perceval Pictures/Shout! Studios)

Best First Nonfiction Book: A Cowgirl’s Conservation Journey: Stories from the Dugout Ranch by Heidi Redd with Larisa Bowen (The Nature Conservancy in Utah)

Best First Novel: Dust Covered Lies by Catherine M. O’Connor (TCU Press)

Best Historical Nonfiction Book: Compliments of Hamilton & Sargent: A Story of Mystery and Tragedy on the Gilded Age Frontier by Maura Jane Farrelly (Bison Books/University of Nebraska Press)

Best Historical Novel: Bloody Newton by Johnny D. Boggs (Kensington Books)

Best Original Mass-Market Paperback Novel: The First Day of Eternity by Charles G. West (Pinnacle/Kensington)

Best Short Fiction: The Devil’s Left Hand by Michael John Petty (Bright Morning Star Press)

Best Short Nonfiction: “The Mysterious Death of Johnny Ringo” by Doug Hocking (Wild West)

Best Traditional Novel: Winner: Dust Covered Lies by Catherine M. O’Connor (TCU Press)

For a complete list of all 2025 Spur category winners and finalists visit westernwriters.org.

—Stuart Rosebrook