Will Rogers Medallion Silver Award

On October 29, 2016, my novel Bear Claws, The Iron Horse Chronicles–Book Two, received the Will Rogers Silver Medallion Award for 2016 Western Fiction for Younger Readers. The Will Rogers Medallion Award Committee’s program states that books in the Younger Readers’ category “contain excellent stories, deal with growing up (and grown up) problems and themes, provide inspiration and, most importantly, hours of enjoyment and entertainment.” The program further indicates that “outstanding books in this category will fill an almost impossible task of being interesting to an entire age span [from older elementary school children to young adults] and to adults as well.”

I spent two days in Fort Worth, Texas, this weekend attending the wonderful reception at the La Quinta hotel, a book signing event at the Fort Worth Stockyards, and the awards ceremony at the famed Cattleman’s Steak House, all hosted by Charles Williams, the Executive Director of the Will Rogers Medallion Award Committee. Thirty awards were made in various categories. It was a pleasure to spend time with the award recipients and discuss with them the joys and frustrations of being a writer. I express my thanks for the hospitality of the committee members and my appreciation for the prestigious award.

You may recall that last year Eagle Talons, The Iron Horse Chronicles–Book One, received the Will Rogers Bronze Medallion Award for 2015 Western Fiction for Younger Readers.