2011 WILLA Literary Award Winner

Published June 28, 2012

Pronghorn Press was awarded the 2011 WILLA Literary Award for Best Contemporary Fiction for their novel Unbroken by Jamie Lisa Forbes. The WILLA award, named after novelist Willa Cather, is given annually by the writer’s organization, Women Writing the West, to recognize outstanding literature featuring women in the West. MS. Forbes received her award in Seattle, Washington last month.

The book has really taken off, especially with book clubs and continues strong sales in tradional and e-book formats.

One of the judges commented: “Forbes’ debut novel is powerful and she presents a host of characters who are all complex, emotionally flawed beings. This is especially so in their Wyoming setting as the characters face extremely harsh winters and the difficult 24/7 life of ranchers. The plot’s emphasis on two strong women struggling to maintain a relationship is unique against a dramatic background of infidelity, single motherhood, poverty and small town isolation.”