05/17/2026
Mama won!!! But it’s her story to tell. Enjoy!!! 🏅
I won’t bury the lede — WE WON!!! But let me tell the whole story as it’s amazing!
My Osage News colleagues — Shannon Shaw Duty and Benny Polacca — and I were surrounded by a veritable Who’s Who of the literary world: Anne Hillerman (daughter of famed author Tony Hillerman) sat next to me at our table, bestselling author Carolyn Brown was honored, and Tulsa’s own Randy Kreibel was a nominee. It was like the book Oscars.
We anxiously awaited to see if our book, “The Making of Killers of the Flower Moon,” won in the Design category.
Nominees were announced. Our book was on the screen with fellow nominees…
And the Route 66 book won.
As I clapped for the winners, I felt like a giant pin stabbed my balloon of hope and it slowly deflated into a shriveled up piece of rubber.
Sure, I was honored to be nominated. But you know how people always say “it was just an honor to be nominated” after they lose whatever award they were nominated for, then act like it was OK and no big deal they lost?
They’re lying. It was a big deal and their soul was crushed when they didn’t hear their name.
I looked over at Shannon and she was gracious as ever, gently smiling as if to give me comfort when I’m sure she felt the same crushing disappointment I did.
As the awards ceremony continued, I quickly sent out texts to friends anxiously awaiting news: “We didn’t win. 😢”
Then Shannon McIntosh, a Hollywood producer who’s worked with Tarantino and Scorsese, got up to announce an award named after her mother, the famed Lynn McIntosh.
Lynn McIntosh had such a great love for books and believed literacy and libraries were essential. She led the Southern Oklahoma Library System, served as president of the Oklahoma Library Association, and was the recipient of Distinguished Service and OLA Legends Awards. Ms. Lynn was a big deal in the literary world, making a huge difference in people’s lives.
Back to the ceremony.
So her daughter was talking about this mystery book that was awarded the Lynn McIntosh Award for Excellence, which is:
“The Lynn McIntosh Award for Excellence is presented by the Oklahoma Center for the Book to recognize books of special merit. The award acknowledges a title that transcends traditional categories by addressing subjects of deep significance and historical importance.”
And then…
She says, “The Making of Killers of the Flower Moon,” and our book appeared on the big screen.
Wait. What???
My heart stopped. I looked over at Shannon and the same shock I felt was written all over her face. We won! Our book won!!!
Ms. McIntosh continued to speak about our book in glowing terms, but I heard not a single word. As tears filled my eyes, all I heard was “we won.”
They called us to the stage. In a voice filled with emotion, Shannon began to speak. She spoke of how important the book was, what a responsibility she felt reporting those stories, and what a labor of love it had been. Truthfully, all I remember is standing on that stage, shaking inside, and thanking God and my Mom for being honored.
Creating this book was the highlight of my career. I was honored to work alongside award-winning colleagues as we labored putting it together, getting it just right. Layouts were refined. Photos meticulously edited. Stories scrutinized with a fine-tooth comb.
I felt great responsibility, making sure it was perfect. It was proofed. Then proofed again. And even after Shannon said it was gold and send it, I secretly proofed it one more time. Just to make sure.
As a graphic designer, I’m sure I will go on to create more wonderful projects in the course of my life. But for me, “The Making of Killers of the Flower Moon” is the pinnacle of my career, and I am truly humbled by the honor.
Thank you, Oklahoma Book Awards, for bestowing this award. As Shannon said in her speech, our book “…is dedicated to those who perished during the Reign of Terror and those families that were wiped out and those generations who weren’t able to move on, carry on Our People’s traditions and culture.” This book is for you. ❤️
