J.L. Calder Wins First Place at The BookFest® Awards Spring 2026

The author's book 'DoubleHelix' honored in two categories at the prestigious literary awards.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:33pm

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A minimalist, abstract illustration featuring bold, jagged geometric shapes in striking red and black, conceptually representing the themes of literary awards and the creative process of writing.The BookFest Awards honor exceptional literary works that captivate readers and elevate the craft of storytelling.Los Angeles Today

J.L. Calder, an author with a degree in English Literature from UCLA and experience in film production, has won first place in two categories at The BookFest® Awards Spring 2026 for their book 'DoubleHelix.' The BookFest recognizes and promotes excellence in literature, and Calder's win is considered a stellar accomplishment given the fierce competition this year.

Why it matters

The BookFest Awards are a prestigious honor that elevate authors and creatives who contribute outstanding work to the literary world. Calder's dual win in the Mystery/Thriller and Thriller - Military, Spies, and Politics categories demonstrates the author's ability to craft compelling, character-driven stories that blur the lines between truth, betrayal, and human experience - a skill that resonates with readers and industry experts alike.

The details

J.L. Calder's book 'DoubleHelix' was awarded first place in both the Mystery/Thriller and Thriller - Military, Spies, and Politics categories at The BookFest® Awards Spring 2026. Calder, who earned a degree in English Literature from UCLA with a concentration in Military and Espionage fiction, brings a cinematic eye to the page, writing character-driven thrillers. 'DoubleHelix' is published by Dwyer Street Press.

  • The BookFest Awards Spring 2026 took place on April 13, 2026.

The players

J.L. Calder

An author with a degree in English Literature from UCLA and experience in film production, Calder writes character-driven thrillers that blur the lines between truth, betrayal, and human experience.

The BookFest

An organization that recognizes and promotes excellence in literature, elevating authors and creatives who contribute outstanding work to the literary world.

Desireé Duffy

The founder of The BookFest, an event that features vital conversations on the world's stage for those who love to read and those who love to write.

Dwyer Street Press

The publisher of J.L. Calder's award-winning book 'DoubleHelix.'

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What they’re saying

“What an amazing honor to be recognized in two separate categories by The BookFest Awards. This was a passion project for so long, I'm happy its finally being received by the industry.”

— J.L Calder, Author

“I'm thrilled to announce J.L Calder as the winner of a First Place 2026 The BookFest Awards. This year's competition was fierce, and Calder should be very proud of this stellar accomplishment.”

— Desireé Duffy, Founder of The BookFest

The takeaway

J.L. Calder's dual win at the prestigious BookFest Awards demonstrates the author's ability to craft compelling, character-driven stories that resonate with both readers and industry experts. This recognition elevates Calder's profile and the literary merits of their work, which blends elements of mystery, thriller, and military/espionage fiction.