Our 2025 CNY Book Awards took place on Thursday, October 10th at the CNY Philanthropy Center, celebrating some of the best books by Central New York authors! Awards are currently presented in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and Children's Books. Each category is judged by an acclaimed author from outside of our region, to ensure impartiality.
The Winner of the 2025 CNY Book Award for Poetry, selected by Tami Haaland and presented in memory of Norman Cohen, is Whipsaw, by Suzanne Frischkorn.
- Judge Tami Haaland had selected three finalists: Whipsaw by Suzanne Frischkorn, World Headquarters by Peter Fortunato, and Ember Days by Mary Gilliland.
The Winner of the 2025 CNY Book Award for Nonfiction, selected by Ona Gritz, is How to Survive Your Parents, by Shawn Goodman.
- Ona Gritz had selected four finalists: How to Survive Your Parents, by Shawn Goodman, 28 Voices: A Nonfiction Anthology, by Apple An, Holocaust Refugees in Oswego: From Nazi Europe to Lake Ontario, by Ann Callaghan Allen, And IDK What to Say: A Guide for Navigating Social Situations, by Kaitlyn Marquart.
The Winner of the 2025 CNY Book Award for Fiction, selected by Thaddeus Rutkowski and sponsored by Vita DeMarchi, is After World, by Debbie Urbanski.
- Judge Thaddeus Rutkowski had selected three finalists: Mother of Red Mountains by Apple An, Robot Detective by Shawn Goodman, and After World, by Debbie Urbanski.
The Winner of the 2025 CNY Book Award for Children’s Books, sponsored by Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, is We Mostly Come Out at Night, by Rob Costello.
- Judge Michael Allegra had picked three finalists: David Aro’s My Own Spin and The Fabian File, and We Mostly Come Out at Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels, and Other Creatures, by Rob Costello.
The Winner of the Bob Herz Memorial Award for Literary Engagement is Deirdre Neilen.
The Winner of the 2025 People's Choice Award was poet William Welch, for Adding Saffron.