2025 DBT Literary Awards

Winners and full results of the 2025 DBT Literary Awards. Use the search bar below to find a specific title.

Beyond The Badge John Clay Blankenship

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
Third Place: Memoir, Inspirational

Clay Blankenship offers a rare look behind the badge, revealing what it’s like to wear the uniform, face danger, and eventually trade it all in for a keyboard and a mission to protect people in an entirely new way.


Amazon

From Broken to Blessed by Dustin Bryan

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
Honorable Mention: Memoir, Inspirational

In this testament to the power of faith, Dustin shares his deeply personal journey through childhood trauma, hunger, and fear, revealing the hard-won lessons that built resilience, courage, and compassion.


Amazon

Sociomom by Kevin Hughes

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
Honorable Mention: Memoir, Inspirational

Raw, real, and unfiltered, this is a firsthand account of not only a depraved tale of child abuse-but the courage that can lead a survivor to a life beyond abuse.


Amazon

The Pixel Players: The Sound Stealers by Willow Page

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
First Place: Middle Grade
“A clever story that hits all the right notes.” — The DBT Literary Awards Judges

Can the Pixel Players find a way to restore harmony before music is lost forever? And what happens when their parents start to notice that something truly magical is happening to their children?


Amazon

Journey to Superhero School by Gracie Dix

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
Second Place: Middle Grade

Twins Jessica and Oliver face a variety of challenges—from battling living-room décor, to daring rescues, to bungling doctors—on their Journey to Superhero School.. 


Amazon

Because of the Night by Rue L‘Hommedieu

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
Third Place: Middle Grade

Icky, a quirky girl with humorous ADHD impulses, leaves on a quest to find her true family. After meeting a mysterious Old Lady who appears on a magical boat, the girl has one night to decide her fate.


Amazon

Miri and Jade’s New Clothes by Mical Rezoni

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
Honorable Mention: Middle Grade

Starting with nothing more than silkworm eggs, cotton seeds, a mulberry tree, and their imagination, Maya and Rumi transform both their backyard and the planet into a world of wonder and sustainability, one stitch at a time.


Amazon

Smarty the Brain stories by Brian S Hamilton

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
Honorable Mention: Middle Grade

Smarty and Moody are young brains who do things that many kids do. In this book, they teach children in a fun way to do these activities smartly and safely, protecting their brains.


Amazon

A Nose for Death by M. K. Dean

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
First Place: Mystery
“Death may not be funny, but Dean’s warmth and humor are sure to make you smile.” — The DBT Literary Awards Judges

After a body is discovered on her property, veterinarian Ginny Reese and her loyal dog Remington must uncover the truth behind her high school classmate’s death. And if Ginny isn’t careful, she and Remy will end up in the killer’s sights as well.


Amazon

Serves You Right by Greg Milano

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
Second Place: Mystery

In a game where every move could be your last, rookie detective Sydney Livingstone must navigate betrayal, buried secrets, and a killer who always seems one step ahead.


Amazon

Nefarious Intent by Kit Karson

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
Third Place: Mystery

Holiday festivities in tiny Anderson, Montana take an unexpected turn when a welfare check becomes a murder investigation. In the shadow of murder, secrets come to light.


Amazon

Innocence Slain by Kit Karson

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
Honorable Mention: Mystery

Young women have gone missing and unmissed, until the wrong one disappears. Sheriff Peter Elliott faces a ticking clock, self-doubt, and bad press in his race to find Stacey before it’s too late.


Amazon

Savage Malice by Kit Karson

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
Honorable Mention: Mystery

Considered the unsolvable crime, cattle mutilation is tied to murder. With emotions running high in Anderson, Montana, Sheriff Elliott is determined to uncover the truth and bring justice to the victims.


Amazon

Wager Late by Tom Farrell

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
First Place: Mystery, Crime
“A mystery that pulls you deep into Chicago’s race culture.” — The DBT Literary Awards Judges

Eddie and Mike must navigate a treacherous world where hidden agendas, rival trainers, migrants, gamblers, and mobsters converge. With time running out, they must find a killer before the trail goes cold.


Amazon

Land Grab by Kit Karson

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
Second Place: Mystery, Crime

A grisly murder shatters the tranquility of a small Montana town. Sheriff Peter Elliott and his crew dust off their investigative skills and hurry to solve the case before more town folk fall victim.


Amazon

Malaria by Suede D. Goldmann

2025 DBT LITERARY AWARDS
Third Place: Mystery, Crime

After Sarah is found dead at a reunion, her best friend Clive is determined to uncover the truth. He joins forces with an ex-cop, and together they unearth long-buried grudges, dark secrets, and dangerous lies.


Amazon