Celebrating the Finalists of the Nancy Pearl Book Award

Now in its 21st year, The Nancy Pearl Book Award, offered through The Pacific Northwest Writers Association, chooses three finalists in three categories: Memoir, Genre Fiction, and Literary or Mainstream Fiction. The three finalist titles for Literary or Mainstream Fiction are: As Far as You Go Before You Have to Come Back by Alle C. Hall., Omie's Well by Rebecca Holbrook, and When There Was No Moon by Irma Fritz. Village Books is thrilled to be welcoming these three authors to the Readings Gallery to celebrate their nominations.

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In the early 1900's near Savannah, Omie is descended from a line of midwives and female healers with the Sight. When Omie sees the face of Nate Silar, she senses only the sweetness in sorrows to come, as Nate's bottled demons struggle for his soul.

Rebecca Holbrook grew up steeped in the rich culture of the south. Her mother's people were some of the early settlers around Savannah. Stories passed down through generations inspired Omie's Well. Rebecca is a banjo player and songwriter. She lives in Hoodsport with her husband, Gary, and their red dog, Liza Jane. Omie's Well is her first novel.

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A tale of love and M**der in a country where violence against women is as common as daily calls to prayer. A wealthy farmer, Nasir, offers Samina a scholarship to attend primary school. Though Samina's father doesn't approve, as Samina grows into young womanhood, she and Nasir fall in love.

Irma Fritz studied writing at California State University at Los Angeles. Her sixth novel, When There Was No Moon, won first place in the PNWA's Unpublished Literary Novel Contest before placing as a finalist for the 2024 Nancy Pearl Book Award.

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With twelve honors, this "girl and her backpack" story with a #MeToo framing has Carlie, a child sexual trauma steals ten thousand dollars and runs away to Asia. Falling in with an international crew of Tai chi-practicing backpackers, Carlie sets off to find the healthy sexuality she desires.

Seattleite Alle C. Hall is an author and writing instructor focused on the joy and creativity resulting from trauma recovery. Her debut novel, As Far as You Can Go Before You Have to Come Back was honored twelve times; including first place in The National League of American Pen Women's Mary Kennedy Eastham Prize for an excerpt.

Host or Publisher Village Books