Local historian and Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald Zander’s debut novel, “The Reluctant Pioneer,” was named a finalist in the historical novel category of Western Writers of America’s 2025 Spur Awards.
“Since 1953, Western Writers of America … has promoted and honored the best in Western literature with the annual Spur Awards, selected by panels of judges,” the organization stated in a news release. “Awards, for material published during the previous year, are given for works whose inspiration, image and literary excellence best represent the reality and spirit of the American West.”
The winner in Zander’s category was “Bloody Newton” by 10-time Spur Awards winner Johnny D. Boggs, of South Carolina.
Other notable Spur Awards winners this year included Candy Moulton, who won Best Western Documentary Script for the Netflix documentary “Power of the Mounds,” and four-time Academy Award-nominated actor Viggo Mortensen, who won Best Western Drama Script for “The Dead Don’t Hurt,” a film in which he also starred, directed, produced and wrote the musical score, according to Western Writers of America.
A full list of the 2025 Spur Awards winners and finalists is available online at https://rb.gy/c6u0t0.
Presentations to winners and finalists are scheduled for Western Writers of America’s convention, which runs June 18 to June 21 in Amarillo, Texas.
“The Reluctant Pioneer” tells the story of Lewis County pioneer Matilda Kootz’s harrowing journey on the Oregon Trail. Though the novel ends when Koontz and what’s left of her family reach the end of the trail, Koontz went on to establish a successful hotel located where the historic Jackson Courthouse currently stands. At the hotel, Koontz entertained many famous people, including future president Ulysses S. Grant; George McClellan, the future Civil War general; and Isaac Stevens, Washington’s first territorial governor.
For more information about “The Reluctant Pioneer,” including information on upcoming book signings, visit https://mczander2024.ag-sites.net/index.
