Explore the Stories of Bonnie Bley
Bonnie Bley is an award-winning author whose work explores the intersections of identity, place, and justice in the American West. A native of Wyoming and raised in the border reservation town of Hardin, Montana, Bley brings a deep personal lens to the stories she tells—often rooted in the overlooked and underrepresented communities of her youth.
Her latest book, Stolen Voices: Missing and Murdered in Big Horn County, offers a powerful and deeply personal account of the missing and murdered Indigenous people in the region where she grew up. Through this work, Bley sheds light on a national crisis while honoring the lives, voices, and resilience of a community too often left in the shadows.
Bonnie Bley is available for interviews, panel discussions, and speaking engagements related to Indigenous issues, true crime, and the role of storytelling in social justice.
About Bonnie Bley
Multi-Award-Winning Independent Author, Philanthropist, And Adventurist
Her educational journey took her through South Dakota and Minnesota, where she honed her skills as both a writer and a researcher. Since the late 1980s, she has made Minnesota her home, yet her creative and emotional connections to Montana and Wyoming continue to deeply influence her work.
Beyond her writing, Bley is passionately dedicated to advocacy and community service. She volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, offering mentorship and guidance to youth; supports The Wildcat Sanctuary by helping care for rescued big cats; and contributes to Feed My Starving Children by actively participating in meal packaging to fight global hunger. Additionally, she writes letters to elderly individuals through Letters Against Isolation, bringing connection and comfort.
Celebrating Excellence in Storytelling
Recognized for powerful narratives and impactful contributions to literature, Bonnie Bley’s awards underscore her dedication and talent.
2025 Chanticleer International Book Award
Nellie Bly Literary Award
1st Place Journalistic Non-Fiction
The Nellie Bly Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of long-form journalism, Investigative Works, and In-depth Reports on Issues and Societal Topics. The Nellie Bly Book Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (CIBAs).
2024 Royal Dragonfly Book Award
The Royal Dragonfly Book Award is a prestigious literary recognition that celebrates excellence in writing across a wide range of genres. It honors authors whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity, originality, and overall quality.
2024 Story Trade Award
The Story Trade Book Award honors excellence in storytelling, recognizing books that demonstrate creativity, originality, and impact. It celebrates works that captivate readers and set a high standard in the literary world. This award highlights outstanding contributions to the art of writing and publishing.
2024 Independent Author Award
The Independent Author Book Award celebrates outstanding works created by self-published authors, recognizing creativity, originality, and professional quality. This award honors books that demonstrate excellence in storytelling and craftsmanship outside traditional publishing channels. It highlights the talent and dedication of independent authors who bring unique voices to the literary world.
2025 The Great Northwest Book Festival Award
The Great Northwest Book Festival Book Award celebrates exceptional books that capture creativity, originality, and quality across diverse genres. This award honors works that stand out for their storytelling and impact, showcasing authors who bring fresh perspectives to readers. It is a recognition of literary excellence in one of the most vibrant cultural regions.
2024 American Writing Awards
Finalist Nonfiction
The American Writing Book Award recognizes books that exemplify excellence in writing, creativity, and originality. This honor celebrates authors whose work delivers compelling stories and meaningful impact across genres. It stands as a distinguished mark of achievement in the literary world.
Silver Nautilus 2025
Recognizing engaging narratives and authentic voices that connect deeply.
The Nautilus Book Awards are named for the mollusk, whose beautiful, pearl-lined shell contains chambers of increasing size, which the sea creature constructs for itself as it grows. The nautilus symbolizes both ancient wisdom and expanding horizons, the elegance of nature, and a continual growth of understanding and awareness.
2024 Spring -The Book Fest Award
3rd Place – Non-Fiction True Crime
The BookFest Book Awards celebrate exceptional books that inspire, entertain, and engage readers across all genres. Winning this award is a mark of distinction, showcasing an author’s talent and dedication to quality storytelling.
2024 Person of the Year (POTY) Book Award
The Person of the Year (POTY) Book Award honors authors whose work makes a significant impact through powerful storytelling and meaningful contributions to literature. This award recognizes books that inspire, inform, and influence readers, setting a benchmark for excellence in writing. It celebrates creativity, originality, and the ability to shape conversations in the literary world.
2024 Regal Summit Book Award
The Regal Summit Book Award honors literary excellence by recognizing books that demonstrate exceptional creativity, originality, and impact. This award celebrates works that rise above the ordinary, showcasing outstanding storytelling and professional quality. It serves as a mark of distinction for authors whose contributions elevate the standards of publishing.
2025 North Street Book Prize
Finalist Non-Fiction
The North Street Book Award honors outstanding self-published books that demonstrate exceptional quality in writing, design, and overall presentation. This award celebrates independent authors who produce professional-level work that rivals traditionally published titles. It recognizes creativity, originality, and excellence across multiple genres.