John Nichols wins New Mexico-Arizona Best Book of 2017. He is best known for the book and film, THE MILAGRO BEANFIELD WARS

Each year The New Mexico Book-Co-op awards literary prizes in more than 20 categories. The New Mexico-Arizona Book Award for Best Book of 2017 went to John Nichols The Annual Big Arsenic Fishing Contest (UNM Press). Nichols also earned the Book Award for Fiction in the Other category. The author of some 20 novels, he is best known for the book, THE MILAGRO BEANFIELD WARS, on which the movie by the same name was based starring Robert Redford. 

The 2017 Co-Op winners were honored at a banquet in November 2017 and winners in all categories are listed below. 

On the surface, Nichols’s newest book spins a fisherman’s tall tale about a ribald angling contest between three middle-aged friends who love (and perhaps hate) each other: a preppy trilingual Machiavelli, an intellectual ghetto pool shark, and a brawny Texan who defies his own macho stereotype. All professional writers, the men have met every autumn for eighteen years at the Big Arsenic Springs on the Río Grande to fly-cast for trout and argue about life, literature, marriage, and eco-Armageddon. Their escapades reveal a spirited paean to a beautiful river gorge, and also a poignant cautionary fable about male friendship and cutthroat competition. As aging cripples them all, tragedy mars the tournament. In this insightful and bittersweet love story, masterful storyteller John Nichols brings to life northern New Mexico and three unforgettable characters.

John Nichols is the author of twenty books of fiction and nonfiction, including The Milagro Beanfield War and The Sterile Cuckoo. His most recent novel is On Top of Spoon Mountain (UNM Press). Also available from UNM Press are his novels American Blood, An Elegy for September, and Conjugal Bliss, as well a collection of essays, Dancing on the Stones.

ACCLAIM

“The most recent example of why (Nichols) is a New Mexico literary treasure.”

“Nichols is once again a winner with this novel, which is filled with . . . gems.”

 The Co-op is New Mexico and Arizona’s largest non-profit cooperative organization featuring New Mexico and Arizona books, publishers, and authors. They are a partnership of over 1,500 publishers and authors who are interested in showcasing and selling books about New Mexico, Arizona, and the Southwest. The group showcases and sells books, inviting any individual actively engaged in publishing and authoring books to join activities; there are no membership dues! The meetings of the New Mexico Book Co-op are held at 12 noon at the Golden Corral on San Mateo in Albuquerque (next to Cliff’s). 

2017 New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards Winners
Friends of New Mexico Books: Jill Lane, Executive Director, Albuquerque International Balloon Museum Foundation and author
New Mexico Literary Award: Art & Janet Brennan, Casa de Snapdragon and authors

Activity Book for Children or Adults sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Ross Van Dusen Color Jason & His Funny Machines Rio Grande Books

Anthology sponsored by Mary Kay Stein
Ander Monson & Craig Reinbold How We Speak to One Another Coffee House Press

Anthropology/Archaeology sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Barbara Roth Agricultural Beginnings in American SW Rowman & Littlefield

Arts Book sponsored by Jean & Ross Van Dusen
Michele Penhall Stories from the Camera UNM Press

Biography – Arizona subject sponsored by Dr & Mrs John Zeigler
Richard Shelton Nobody Rich or Famous Univ of AZ Press

Biography – New Mexico subject sponsored by Dr & Mrs John Zeigler
Diana Pardue & Norman Sandfield Awa Tsireh: Pueblo Painter and Metalsmith Heard Museum

Biography – Other sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Barbara Marriott Paint ‘n Spurs Fireship Press

Business Book sponsored by Paul & Barbe Rhetts
Sherri Burr Entertainment Law in a Nutshell West Academic

Children’s Picture Bilingual sponsored by Santa Fe Public Library
Patricia Mihok A Look at Chihuahuan Desert Mogollon Publications
Marisol Paramo, illustrations by Acey May & Marisol Paramo Bella the Caterpillar Community Publishing

Children’s Picture Book sponsored by Tinkertown Museum & Story Monsters LLC
Ross Van Dusen Lyle Got Stuck in a Tree Rio Grande Books

Cookbook sponsored by Jean & Ross Van Dusen
Dave DeWitt 1001 Best Hot & Spicy Recipes Agate Publishing

Crafts/Hobby/How-to Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Bruce Taubert Wild in Arizona: Photographing AZ’s Wildlife Analemma Press

eBook Fiction sponsored by Sue Boggio & Mare Pearl
Melissa Bowersock Skin Walk New Moon Publishing
Karen Odden The Lady in the Smoke Alibi/Random House

eBook Nonfiction sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Jean Ashurst Alligators in the Moat Ed Ashurst Publishing
Gail Rubin Kicking the Bucket List Rio Grande Books

Fiction – adventure or drama sponsored by Sunbelt Editions
Melody Groves She Was Sheriff Five Star Publishing
Sabra Brown Steinsiek ‘Til the End of Time Artemesia Publishing

Fiction – cozy mystery sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Patricia Smith Wood Murder on Frequency Aakenbaaken & Kent

Fiction – historical fiction sponsored by Lani and David Kyea
W Michael Farmer Mariana’s Knight: The Revenge of Henry Fountain Five Star Publishing
A Gabriel Melendez The Book of Archives Univ of OK Press

Fiction – mystery/crime sponsored by Book & Table, Valdosta, Georgia
Claire Stibbe Night Eyes Noble Lizard Publishing
Ross Van Dusen Who Stabbed Reverend Wicker? CreateSpace

Fiction – other sponsored by Sue Boggio & Mare Pearl
John Nichols The Annual Big Arsenic Fishing Contest UNM Press

Fiction – romance sponsored by Sue Boggio & Mare Pearl
Sabra Brown Steinsiek A Time for Love Artemesia Publishing

Fiction – science fiction & fantasy sponsored by Aakenbaaken & Kent Publishers; Patricia Smith Wood
Douglas Arvidson A Drop of Wizard’s Blood Crossquarter Publishing Group
Zelda Leah Gatuskin Digital Face: Stories Amador Publishers

Fiction – thriller/suspense sponsored by Sunbelt Editions
Joseph Badal Dark Angel Suspense Publishing

First Book AZ sponsored by Southwest Writers
Rachel McRae Daughters of Science Glass Beaker Publishing

First Book NM sponsored by Southwest Writers
Riley Mitchell The Essential Paranormal Bucket List Rio Grande Books

Gardening Book sponsored by Paul & Barbe Rhetts
Baker Morrow Best Plants for New Mexico Gardens and Landscapes UNM Press

Gay/Lesbian Book sponsored by Maida Tilchen
Joanne Bodin Orchid of the Night Mercury Heartlink

Guide Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Barbe Awalt The Ultimate Christmas Bucket List Rio Grande Books

Health Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Pam England Ancient Map for Modern Birth Seven Gates Media

History Book – AZ sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Gil Schmerler Henrietta Schmerler and the Murder that Put Anthropology on Trial Scrivana Press

History Book – NM sponsored by Diane Layden
Mark Childs & Ellen Babcock The Zeon Files: Art and Design of Historic Route 66 Signs UNM Press
Frances Levine Doña Teresa Confronts the Spanish Inquisition Univ of OK Press

History Book – Other sponsored by Sunbelt Editions
Melissa Savage Río: A Photographic Journey down the Old Rio Grande UNM Press

Juvenile Book sponsored by Santa Fe Public Library
Donald Willerton The Lost Children Terra Nova Books

Multi-cultural Subject sponsored by Nasario & Jan Garcia
Anita Rodriguez Coyota in the Kitchen: A Memoir of New and Old Mexico UNM Press

Nature/Environment Book sponsored by Vicky Ramakka
Slim Randles The Fly Fisherman’s Bucket List Rio Grande Books

New Age Book sponsored by Jean & Ross Van Dusen
Rheanni Lightwater SOS Soul Oriented Solutions Soul Resources LLC

Nonfiction – other sponsored by Santa Fe Public Library
Matt Donovan A Cloud of Unusual Size and Shape Trinity Univ Press

Parenting/Family Issues Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Vaunda Nelson Don’t Call Me Grandma Lerner Publishing Group

Pets/Animals sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Tobi Lopez Taylor Orzel: Scottsdale’s Legendary Arabian Stallion Arcadia Publishing & History Press
Rosemary Zibart Kit Coyote: A Brave Pup Z Productions

Poetry – AZ sponsored by Jeanie Williams & PenPower
Gene Twaronite Trash Picker on Mars Kelsay Books

Poetry – NM sponsored by Joann Bodin; Jeanie Williams & PenPower
Catherine Strisik The Mistress: poems 3: A Taos Press

Political Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Jack Campbell, Trimmer, Poling Jack M Campbell: Autobiography UNM Press

Reference Book sponsored by Jean & Ross Van Dusen
Henrietta Christmas & Paul Rhetts The Basic Genealogy Checklist Rio Grande Books

Religious Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Marion Amberg Shrines and Wonders: The Pilgrim’s Guide to Santa Fe & Northern NM Amor Deus Publishing

Science Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Ross Van Dusen What Makes the Lightning? Rio Grande Books

Self-help Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Gail Rubin Kicking the Bucket List Rio Grande Books

Spanish Language Book sponsored by Lani and David Kyea
Barbe Awalt ¡No Toques Este Libro! Rio Grande Books

Sports/Recreation sponsored by Sunbelt Editions
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Arcadia Publishing

Travel Book sponsored by Patricia Hodapp; Tinkertown Museum
Martin Link New Mexico Kicks on Route 66 Rio Nuevo Books

Young Adult Book sponsored by SOMOS
Janie Chodosh Code Red Poisoned Pen

Young Readers Book sponsored by Santa Fe Public Library
Loretta Hall Miguel & Michelle Visit Spaceport America Rio Grande Books
Sue Houser The Corn Whisperer Irie Books

Best Cover Design-Fiction (<6×9) sponsored by Sue Boggio & Mare Pearl
Sabra Brown Steinsiek A Time for Love Artemesia Publishing
Ross Van Dusen Who Stabbed Reverend Wicker? CreateSpace

Best Cover Design-Non-Fiction (<6×9) sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Slim Randles The Fly Fisherman’s Bucket List Rio Grande Books
Gail Rubin Kicking the Bucket List Rio Grande Books

Best Cover Design-Fiction (6×9) sponsored by Ruthe Francis
Jeanne Burrow-Johnson Prospect for Murder Artemesia Publishing
Roberta Parry Killing Time Mill City Press 
Best Cover Design-Non-Fiction (6×9) sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Joseph Sanchez & Angelica Sanchez-Clark Historic Route 66: A New Mexico Crossroads Rio Grande Books

Best Cover Design-Fiction (>6×9) sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Ross Van Dusen Lyle Got Stuck in a Tree Rio Grande Books
Ross Van Dusen What Makes the Lightning? Rio Grande Books

Best Cover Design-Non-fiction (>6×9) sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Martin Link New Mexico Kicks on Rt 66 Rio Nuevo Books
Diana Pardue & Norman Sandfield Awa Tsireh: Pueblo Painter and Metalsmith Heard Museum

Tony Hillerman Fiction Award sponsored by Wordharvest
Sue Boggio & Mare Pearl Long Night Moon UNM Press
Jonathan Miller Luna Law Casa de Snapdragon
Becky Masterman A Twist of the Knife Minotaur Books

Father Thomas Steele History Award sponsored by Paul Rhetts & Barbe Awalt
Lenny Foster Enchanted Land, A Taos Twenty Year Retrospective Wink Books
Lenton Malry Let’s Roll This Train UNM Press

Best AZ Book sponsored by NM Book Co-op
Barbara Marriott Paint ‘n Spurs Fireship Press

Best NM Book sponsored by Patricia Smith Wood
Anita Rodriguez Coyota in the Kitchen: A Memoir of New and Old Mexico UNM Press

Best Book sponsored by NM Book Co-op
John Nichols The Annual Big Arsenic Fishing Contest UNM Press

The New Mexico Book Awards is organized by The New Mexico Book Co-op, a not-for-profit organization serving authors and publishers.

Sponsors, 2017 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards

Aakenbaaken & Kent Publishers, Joann Bodin, Sue Boggio & Mare Pearl, Book & Table, Valdosta, Georgia, Ruthe Francis, Nasario & Jan Garcia, Patricia Hodapp, Lani & David Kyea, Diane Layden, New Mexico Book Co-op, Santa Fe Public Library, Story Monsters LLC, Tinkertown Museum, Vicky Ramakka, Paul & Barbe Rhetts, SOMOS, Southwest Writers, Mary Kay Stein, Sunbelt Editions, Maida Tilchen, Jean & Ross Van Dusen, Jeanie Williams & PenPower, Wordharvest, Patricia Smith Wood, Dr. & Mrs. John Zeigler

New Mexico Book Co-op, 925 Salamanca NW, Los Ranchos, NM 87107
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