Australia, 29th Apr 2025, -
Red Clay, Running Waters, a historical novel by Leslie K. Simmons, has been named a winner of the Book Excellence Award. The book was recognised for its exploration of early 19th-century American history, focusing on the lives of John Ridge, a Cherokee man, and his wife Sarah Northrop, a White woman devoted to the Cherokee cause.
The narrative follows the Ridges’ attempt to preserve Cherokee sovereignty during a period of increasing pressure from both state and federal governments. The book engages with the 1830s Removal Crisis and reflects on the choices individuals face when law and morality diverge.
As noted in a review, “Red Clay, Running Waters doesn’t scream to be read—it asks you to listen. To a people. To a land. To a love that didn’t stop at social boundaries.” The story invites engagement with themes including cultural displacement, systemic injustice, and civic responsibility. “This book is a call to remember what it means to act with integrity when law and morality diverge.”
The Book Excellence Award recognises titles that stand out for their narrative structure, research, and literary merit. The recognition places Red Clay, Running Waters among a select group of titles chosen for their contribution to literature and cultural understanding.
For more details about this announcement, visit the Book Excellence Media website.
The book is available online on Amazon, with further details accessible via its Goodreads listing.
About the Book
Red Clay, Running Waters tells the story of John Ridge, a Cherokee man seeking to safeguard the future of his people, and Sarah Northrop, his wife, who aligns herself with his vision. Set in the 1820s and 1830s, the book examines the couple’s navigation of national conflict, cultural tension, and personal commitment, amid the political events that would culminate in the Trail of Tears.
About the Author
Leslie K. Simmons writes historical fiction grounded in extensive research. Her work focuses on individuals at the centre of pivotal moments in American history. She holds a degree in Anthropology and Art, has taught courses on Native American history, and has been a member of the Trail of Tears Association since 1999. Simmons draws influence from both classical and contemporary historical authors and is active in literary communities including the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Historical Novel Society.
About the Award
The Book Excellence Award recognises books for their literary merit and cultural contribution. Administered by Book Excellence Media, the award highlights titles across multiple genres that demonstrate thoughtful narrative construction, research, and resonance with readers. Selections are made from a global pool of entries representing diverse voices and subjects.
For more information or to submit a nomination, visit the Book Excellence Media website.
