~~ 2026 National Excellence in Storytelling (NEST) Contest Winners ~~
2026 NEST Winner Trailer:
Contemporary Novel
First Place
Royal Caleva: Raul by Nancy Herkness
Publisher: Tabby Brothers Press
Second Place
Sleeping with the Lights On by Brenda Whiteside
Publisher: Indie Published
Third Place
Strictly Fauxmance by Louisa West
Publisher: Indie Published
Fourth Place (TIE)
Inheriting an Irish Groom by Sylvia McDaniel
Publisher: Virtual Bookseller
AND
A Chef's Kiss Christmas by Peggy Jaeger
Publisher: Indie Published
AND
Inheriting a Scottish Castle by Sylvia McDaniel
Publisher: Virtual Bookseller
Fifth Place (TIE)
A Little Christmas Matchmaking by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Sourcebooks
AND
Murphy's Laws by Terry Newman
Publisher: Next Chapter
Contemporary Short
First Place
Christmas Gifts: The Sapphire Necklace by J.L. Lawrence
Publisher: Indie Published
Second Place
The Summer I Loved You by Sylvia McDaniel
Publisher: Indie Published
Third Place
Summer at Sandstone Cottage by Zelda Benjamin
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Cozy Mystery Novel
First Place
The Spirit of Vanderlaan by Susan Harris Howell
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
Baby Got Ghost by Louisa West
Publisher: Indie Published
Third Place (TIE)
An Artless Murder by Sydney Abrams
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
AND
Weddings & Wands by Lucinda Race
Publisher: Indie Published
Fourth Place
Inn Hallowed Ground by Rhonda Blackhurst
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fifth Place
Just Desserts & Murder by Lucinda Race
Publisher: Indie Published
Cozy Mystery Short
First Place
Sweet Secrets by Lori L. Robinett
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
Art of Deception by Maxine Douglas
Publisher: Indie Published
Third Place
Poppy's Premonition by Marisa Masterson
Erotic
First Place
Love Song for the Barbarian by Kay Jeffery
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
Hidden Secrets by Dania Voss
Publisher: Indie Published
Third Place
The Final Broadcast of the Midnight Cougar Club by Mandy Valentine
Fourth Place
Blue Steel Hearts by Eve Lyn
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fifth Place
Ghosts of Grace Cottage by Carolyn Wren
Publisher: Indie Published
Historical Novel
First Place
Hearts Flush by M.J. Schiller
Publisher: Kissmet Publishing (Indie Published)
Second Place
A Sonata for Rosa Maria by Jane Lewis
Publisher: P&B Arts LLC
Third Place
Crazy for the Countess by Jess Russell
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fourth Place
Hidden Treasures by Kathleen Buckley
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fifth Place
Flames of Faith by Marguerite Martin Gray
Publisher: Indie Published
Historical Short
First Place
The Wylder Rose by Jane Lewis
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
The Bride on the Shawnee Trail by Marisa Masterson
Publisher: Indie Published
Third Place
The Courtesan's Christmas Redemption by Kathy L Wheeler
Horror Novel
First Place
A Lady in Pieces by Robert Herold
Publisher: Next Chapter
Second Place
Hush by Raven Lee
Publisher: LilyBear House, LLC
Third Place
The Bedfordshire Warlock by Patrick R. Field
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Horror Short
First Place
Sandcastles by Jon Minton
Publisher: Indie Published
Second Place
Devil Redux by Robert Herold
Publisher: Next Chapter
Third Place
Ghost Doll by Robert Herold
Publisher: Next Chapter
Inspirational Novel
First Place
What Brings Us Joy by Teresa Wells
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Second Place
Who Stirs Up the Sea by Deborah Raney
Publisher: Raney Day Press (Indie Published)
Third Place
Finding Grace by Amber Wellin
Publisher: Indie Published
Inspirational Short
First Place
Heart of Beauty by Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Indie Published
Second Place
The Recluse's Vindication by Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Indie Published
Third Place
A Kringle Family Christmas by Miriam Thor
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Paranormal Novel
First Place
The House on Darkling Street by Annette Miller
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
Red Shadows at Saugatuck by Randy Overbeck
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Third Place
Demon Amulet by Margo Carey
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fourth Place
Crown of Night and Rain by Susan Person
Publisher: Indie Published
Fifth Place (TIE)
Thrice Bound by Nicole E. Kelleher
Publisher: Jewel Lake Books LLC
AND
Stolen Memory by Carolyn Wren
Publisher: Indie Published
Paranormal Short
First Place
Crown of Ruined Oaths by Susan Person
Publisher: Indie Published
Second Place
Flamebound Bride by Krysta Scott
Publisher: Indie Published
Third Place
Retribution by Fire by Krysta Scott
Publisher: Indie Published
Suspense Novel
First Place
Free To Be Me by J. D. Webb
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
Guarding Bristol by Kaylea Cross
Publisher: Indie Published
Third Place
Perfect Vengeance by Tee O'Fallon
Publisher: Tee O'Fallon Books
Fourth Place
Guarding Cassie by Kaylea Cross
Publisher: Indie Published
Fifth Place
A Rebel With Paws by Danni Line
Publisher: Indie Published
Suspense Short
First Place
Crossfire by Carolyn Wren
Publisher: Indie Published
Second Place
Something Wicked by Krysta Scott
Publisher: Indie Published
Third Place
Godwin's Folly by Krysta Scott
Publisher: Indie Published
Women's Fiction
First Place
The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Montlake
Second Place
Undeveloped Memories by Karina Bartow
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Third Place
Statures of No Limitations by Judith Fournie Helms
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Young Adult
First Place
Bondwitch by Chelsey M. Ortega
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
Light Weaver by Lusine Torossian
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Third Place
Missing Mom by Lynn Slaughter
Publisher: Melange Books/Fire & Ice
Fourth Place
The Disappearing Bloodline by Avis M. Adams
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fifth Place
Echoes of Maya by Kelly Vincent