recap of the 2025 north carolina book awards

The 2025 North Carolina Book Awards was held in Raleigh, the state capital, at the NC State Archives building, and I got to be there because The Miniaturist’s Assistant won the Sir Walter Raleigh Award—the state’s highest award in fiction.

Y’all, I am still processing all of the above. The ceremony was so very meaningful to me. I am ridiculously proud to call North Carolina my home, and to be considered one of its writers.

From the moment we walked in the door of the beautiful space at the NC State Archives, I was utterly overwhelmed—by the gorgeous flowers (some my very own, a special bouquet inspired by the book’s cover, gifted by a friend), delicious Indian food, elegant tables, lovely books on display from McIntyre’s Books, the greetings from friends (many who traveled hours to be there), the words from Secretary Cashwell of the NC Department of Cultural and Natural Resources, the fascinating keynote by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Kathleen DuVal, and mostly by the heartfelt words from the winning writers.

I am so very lucky to live in a state which values the art and its artists. The Sir Walter Raleigh is the highlight of my writing career; never in a million lifetimes would I have been honored with this award if not for the many, many people in my personal and professional life who have buoyed me along the way.

By the way, my publisher and editor, Jaynie Royal of Regal House Publishing, was in attendance, and has been showing up for me since day one. Not many authors can say that!

Oh, y’all. Whew. What a day. And look at the books by my fellow award-winners! What company!

P.S. I posted a reel on my Instagram account with some video, too.