Nearness of the Wild was selected as a Finalist in the “New Fiction,” category by the National Indie Excellence Awards, 2026.

“For two decades, the NIEA has served as a highly respected honor in independent publishing, celebrating exceptional books from self-published authors, small to mid-sized presses, and university presses across all genres.”

“Since 2005, the NIEA has championed the physical book as a cornerstone of the publishing industry, evaluating titles on both literary merit and the quality of design, presentation, and production. Open to all English-language books in print and available for sale, submissions are reviewed by a distinguished panel of industry professionals: publishers, authors, editors, and book designers ….”

The full list of 2026 Winners and Finalists is now available at www.indieexcellence.com.