2026 Cascade Writing Contest Finalists

We congratulate the following finalists of the 2026 Cascade Writing Contest!

Article, column, nonfiction short story

  • “Before We Prepare for War” —Calvin Fong
  • “My God’s Precious Lamp”—Laura L. Bradford
  • “Speedboats and Suffering”—Laurie McDowell
  • “What the Marigolds Knew Before I Did”—Melissa Mayfair

Contemporary Fiction Book

  • A Face in the Rubble—Courtney M. Rivera
  • Dead Files Whispers—Carrie Stuart Parks
  • Deadly Commission—Carrie Stuart Parks
  • Wilderness Pursuit—Carrie Stuart Parks

Devotion

  • “Christ the Solid Rock”—Dani Williams
  • “He Surrounds Us”—Karen Kristine
  • “Forgetfulness”—Lorna Filotei
  • “Painted Glory”—Kathleen R. Ruckman

Historical Fiction Book

  • Light Behind the Clouds—Savannah Jane McCrary
  • Sorting Tea Leaves and Silence: A Story of Secrets—Nancy Beck Irland
  • The Gladiator’s Redemption— Jenelle M. Hovde
  • The Guardian’s Vow—Jenelle M. Hovde

Memoir Book

  • A Tiny Book of Essays on Death, Loss, Grief . . . and Life—Ladonna Shanks
  • Enduring Forgiveness—K.T. Lee
  • God, Sir, You Want Me to Do What? Oh, Man!—Mark A. Lawton
  • The Empty Wheat Field—Patti Marie Tasa

Middle Grade Book (ages 8–12), Fiction or Nonfiction

  • Evod and Faeth—Laya Brandt
  • Evod and the Warriors—Laya Brandt
  • Carousel Trail—Kathleen R. Ruckman
  • Phooey Kerflooey vs The Mountain of Yum—Kristen Joy Wilks

Children’s Picture Book (ages 2–10+), Fiction or Nonfiction

  • Clover and Critters in the Creek—Becky Alexander
  • Come Walk With Me—Kylie A. Durham
  • What Do Storms Look Like?— Patricia Tiffany Morris
  • Let There Be!—Christin Hunt

Fiction Short Story

  • “Sunrise over the Sea of Tiberias”—Tess R. Martinus
  • “The Crying Angel”—Rick Taylor
  • “The Rope”—Richard Nicholas Strack
  • “The Wisdom of Pie”—Barbara Culley

Nonfiction Book

  • Eat, Poop, Sleep, Grow—Christin Hunt
  • Mountaintop Moments: Ten Ways to Thrive in Life’s Valleys—Lyneta Smith
  • Step of Faith: Break Out of the Box and Experience God’s Faithfulness—Linda Means
  • Still Walking—Edward Dean Rinehart

Poetry

  • “Anticipation”—Allison J. Glock
  • “Christmas Cards”—Marjory D. Williams
  • “Peaceful Nothingness”—Don Shoemaker
  • “When My Mailing Address Changes”—Mark A. Lawton

Speculative Fiction Book

  • Clandestine—Jil Koller
  • Guardians of Zakar—Alyssa R. Wedemeyer
  • The Good Palestinian—Jim Corley
  • The White Raven—Julia N. White

Young Adult (ages 12–18+), Fiction or Nonfiction

  • Discernment—Keleen L. Wright
  • Gems of My Father—Allison Cook
  • The Unbroken Spear—M.A. Hathaway
  • How to Handle Your Emojis—Mark Wainwright