Larry Scanlan’s devotional book wins NYC Big Book Award recognition

Larry Scanlan’s Wisdom of an Elder: Weekly Devotionals to Help You Reach Heaven was named a Distinguished Favorite in Christian Nonfiction by the NYC Big Book Award, adding to the book’s earlier Independent Press Award win. The recognition puts the devotional in a wider spotlight as it gains praise for its faith-focused guidance and practical reflections.

Why it matters: - The NYC Big Book Award recognition gives Larry Scanlan’s devotional more national and international visibility. - The award adds momentum after the book already won an Independent Press Award, signaling sustained critical attention. - The book’s message targets readers looking for faith-based guidance on daily life, Bible reading and eternal life.

What happened: - The NYC Big Book Award named Wisdom of an Elder: Weekly Devotionals to Help You Reach Heaven by Larry Scanlan a Distinguished Favorite in the Christian Nonfiction category. - The announcement was made in Havre de Grace, Maryland, on September 14, 2026. - The devotional had earlier won an Independent Press Award. - Printed Word Reviews also published a positive review of the book. - The full critical review is available here.

The details: - The award competition is judged by experts across publishing, writing, editing, design, bookselling, librarianship and professional copywriting. - Winners and Distinguished Favorites are selected on overall excellence. - Scanlan quotes Matthew 24:35 in the book: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." - Scanlan describes the devotional as a way to share lessons learned from a lifetime focused on work, family, friends and faith. - The book argues that studying the Bible is the key to living well now and reaching eternal life later. - Scanlan asks readers, "So why read the Bible?" - The book points to 2025 surveys showing 37% of Americans read the Bible once a week. - The same surveys found nearly two-thirds of Bible readers feel more peace after reading, 87% feel encouraged, half wish they read more, and 10% read daily. - The devotionals are meant to encourage more frequent Bible reading, including daily reading. - The book presents the Bible as a lasting text that shapes how people live and treat one another. - Scanlan’s devotionals are described as sometimes humorous, sometimes heart-tugging and humble. - The book connects faith reflections with family and friendship themes. - The writing is aimed at directing readers to God’s word, Jesus and daily behavior shaped by faith.

Between the lines: - The award follows a broader pattern of literary recognition for faith-based books that blend personal testimony with practical application. - The emphasis on Bible reading reflects a larger effort to address what Scanlan presents as spiritual complacency in modern life. - The cited survey data suggests there is an audience already open to deeper Bible engagement, especially among younger readers. - The book’s appeal appears to rest on both devotional use and life-advice framing, which can widen its readership beyond traditional religious audiences.

What's next: - The NYC Big Book Award will continue its annual cycle of fall announcements. - The awards dinner is scheduled for April 10, 2027, as part of the BookCAMP event on April 9-10, 2027. - Recipients from the NYC Big Book Award and Independent Press Award programs are expected to receive awards on stage at the event. - Scanlan’s book may use the new recognition to reach more readers in the devotional and Christian nonfiction market.

The bottom line: - Larry Scanlan’s devotional is gaining momentum as both a faith-based title and an award-winning book, with the NYC Big Book Award adding another stamp of credibility.