J. Wynn Rousuck Wins Top Novel Honors at the Dog Writers Association of America Awards

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Acclaimed author and journalist J. Wynn Rousuck has won Best Adult Fiction – Humor at the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) Awards for her novel Please Write: A Novel in Letters. The award was announced at the annual DWAA banquet in New York City on February 9, held alongside the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Please Write, published by top-ten, LA-based Bancroft Press, triumphed in a competitive category featuring top titles such as Dog Days of Summer by Teri Wilson, Labradored to Death by C.B. Wilson, and Lawyers, Dogs, and Money by Tracy Lyn Carter.

An epistolary novel with a cinematic heart, Please Write follows the correspondence between Vivienne, the alter ego of a recently widowed Cleveland artist, and Zippy, a mixed-breed terrier rescued off the streets of Baltimore. Zippy's letters—guided by literacy lessons from noble Boston Terrier Winslow—recount her antics, ambitions, and the lives she transforms, including her owner Pamela, a harried journalist in crisis.

Blending the canine charm of A Dog's Purpose with the poignancy of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Please Write is a humorous and heartfelt story of love, loss, and the power of imagination.

Praise for Please Write

• Publishers Weekly (Editor's Pick): "Sweet, hilarious… a must-read for dog lovers."
• Kirkus Reviews: "A witty and poignant exploration of the connections between dogs and their humans."
• Modern Dog Magazine: "Quirky, whimsical, and heartwarming."
• Best Friends Animal Society: "A lovely and loving piece of fiction that will melt the heart of any dog lover."

"This honor is truly meaningful," said Rousuck. "Please Write is about connection and companionship, themes that deeply resonate with dog lovers everywhere. Winning this award affirms its universal appeal—and I hope Hollywood is paying attention."

Hollywood's Love Affair with Canine Cinema

The enduring appeal of dog-themed stories in film and television is undeniable. From the tearjerking journey of Marley & Me ($247M worldwide box office) to the heartwarming reincarnation tale of A Dog's Purpose ($205M), audiences have shown a consistent love for stories featuring canine companionship.

Even animated dog films have become major box office draws. The Secret Life of Pets (2016) grossed an astonishing $894M, proving that audiences flock to theaters for heartfelt and humorous tales about our four-legged friends. The 2022 animated feature DC League of Super-Pets further confirmed the trend, bringing in $204M, while Wes Anderson's Isle of Dogs received widespread critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination.

Live-action dog films, like Dog (2022), starring Channing Tatum, turned a modest $15M budget into an $85M box office success, demonstrating the consistent profitability of well-crafted dog stories.

Given this longstanding track record of success, Please Write is primed for adaptation. The novel's unique narrative—told entirely through letters—offers a fresh storytelling approach, perfectly suited for an animated or live-action film.

The Maxwell Award and the Dog Writers Association of America

Founded in 1935, the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) has honored excellence in dog-related storytelling for 90 years. The Maxwell Award, named after renowned journalist Maxwell Riddle, is among the most prestigious accolades in canine literature, recognizing outstanding contributions across books, articles, photography, and media.

With the remarkable success of dog-themed films and literature, Please Write stands out as an award-winning novel that is ready to capture audiences beyond the page—perhaps soon on the big screen.

For more on the Dog Writers Association of America and a full list of winners, visit https://dogwriters.org/winners.

About Bancroft Press

Bancroft Press is a distinguished independent publisher with a keen eye for books that translate seamlessly to film and television. Based in Los Angeles, the press has a long history of selling book rights to Hollywood, securing deals with major studios and producers, including Showtime, Village Roadshow, Barry Levinson, Mace Neufeld, and Mel Gibson, among others. Bancroft's carefully curated catalog consists of books with strong storytelling potential, and Please Write is no exception. "With a unique epistolary format and heartwarming canine protagonists, this charming novel should be joining the ranks of successful book-to-film adaptations," says Bancroft publisher Bruce L. Bortz. His press concentrates on literary works that captivate audiences across mediums, ensuring that compelling stories find their way from page to screen.

Media Contacts:
J. Wynn Rousuck, [email protected]
Bruce L. Bortz, [email protected] 

SOURCE Bancroft Press