It’s a rewarding moment when the world you’ve spent years building—the banter, the magic, and the high-stakes adventure—starts to find its footing with readers and industry panels alike.
I’m happy to share that Escala’s Wish recently received several honors at the 2026 American Legacy Book Awards, picking up wins and finalist placements across a few different categories.
The Results
It was a busy year for the “Tales of Valla” debut. The book was recognized in both genre-specific and design categories:
- Winner: Fantasy: Epic/High Fantasy
- Winner: Adventure: Epic
- Finalist: Best New Fiction
- Finalist: Best Cover Design (Adult Fiction)
- Finalist: Fantasy: General
About the American Legacy Book Awards
The American Legacy Book Awards (presented by American Book Fest) is a national program that highlights work from both independent and mainstream publishers. In a very crowded marketplace, programs like this help provide a bit of visibility for indie titles, vetting them for narrative quality and professional production standards.
Taking the top spot in Epic Fantasy and Epic Adventure is a nice nod to the “unusual romantasy” blend I was aiming for—a story that tries to balance real-life emotion and humor with a larger-than-life setting.
Looking Ahead
These honors come at a great time as I continue to expand the “Tales of Valla” universe. I am currently deep in the writing process for the sequel, Mad as a Hornet, and seeing the first book receive this kind of recognition provides a welcome bit of momentum as I navigate the next chapter of the story.
To everyone who has read the book, shared a review, or reached out to chat about the world and its characters: Thank you. Your support is what truly brings these stories to life.
Stay tuned for more updates as the journey through Valla continues.
