Gary E Smith wins NYC Big Book Award political thriller prize

Gary E Smith’s And So It Goes won first place in the Political Thriller category at the 2026 NYC Big Book Award. The recognition gives the Warren Steelgrave novel international visibility and places it among entries submitted from around the world.

Why it matters: - The win gives And So It Goes a national and international platform in a category that rewards strong plotting, tension and commercial appeal. - The NYC Big Book Award draws entries from established publishers, indie authors and a wide range of creative professionals, so a category win can help expand readership and industry attention.

What happened: - Gary E Smith’s And So It Goes was named a WINNER in the Political Thriller category at the NYC Big Book Award. - The award announcement was made Sept. 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. - The competition is judged by publishers, writers, editors, designers, booksellers, librarians and professional copywriters. - Winners and distinguished favorites are selected for overall excellence.

The details: - And So It Goes continues Smith’s Warren Steelgrave mystery-adventure series. - The story follows Warren Steelgrave as he protects Jenny Stone, a top prosecutor. - The plot centers on a corrupt FBI and foreign agents trying to stop Jenny from delivering evidence to a grand jury. - The book moves through Italy and the United States as Warren and Jenny are pursued. - The story presents Jenny, a prosecutor with a strict view of right and wrong, confronting a more morally complex reality. - The release says the conflict leads to deaths as the chase unfolds. - The NYC Big Book Award received submissions from around the world. - Participants included attorneys, doctors, entrepreneurs, film and television writers, historians and journalists, along with first-time indie authors and major and small presses. - Countries represented included the United States, Australia, Canada, China, Dubai, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. - Cities represented included Auckland, Baltimore, Dallas, Frankfurt, Hollywood, Johannesburg, Manhattan Beach, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Sydney and West Palm Beach. - Publishers in the pool included Beacon Press, Berrett-Koehler, Casemate, Edinburgh University Press, Forbes Books, Kiplinger Books, NYU Press, Palgrave Macmillan, Penguin Random House, Rizzoli, Routledge, The White House Historical Association, University of California Press, University of Nebraska Press, Weaving Influence Press and Wiley.

Between the lines: - The award adds credibility to a series that already has a built-in readership and a long run of titles. - Smith’s background in business and fine art photography appears to feed the character-driven and location-rich storytelling in the Warren Steelgrave books. - The international mix of entrants suggests the award is positioning itself as a broad literary marketplace, not just a U.S.-focused competition. - Awards sponsor Gabby Olczak said the lineup reflects authors from around the globe and a goal of reaching a worldwide readership. - More information on the winners and distinguished favorites is available through the NYC Big Book Award.

What’s next: - Smith’s series now includes 10 Warren Steelgrave books, giving the award win a larger backlist to support future reader discovery. - The NYC Big Book Award says it is announced every fall. - The Independent Press Award accepts submissions through Dec. 15 each year. - The awards dinner is set for April 10, 2027, at the BookCAMP event on April 9-10, 2027. - Recipients from both programs will receive their awards on stage at the event.

The bottom line: - The Political Thriller win gives And So It Goes a high-profile endorsement and puts Gary E Smith’s series in front of a wider readership.