Local author Mark Dickson wins PenCraft Book Award for debut thriller

GAINESVILLE, Texas — Local author Mark Dickson has earned national recognition for his debut novel, winning the Best Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist category at the 10th Annual PenCraft Seasonal Book Awards for Winter 2026. Dickson's novel "Enemy at the Helm," published by River Grove Books, was among 63 winning titles announced Feb. 13 by the Texas-based literary organization. The PenCraft awards honor exceptional work from authors and publishers around the world, judging self-published, small press and traditionally published books equally. The 237-page thriller follows Tom Jensen, a young surfer drawn into an international conspiracy when major U.S. ports are simultaneously disabled by coordinated terrorist attacks. Jensen teams up with his FBI agent uncle to uncover the plot threatening global supply chains. The award committee noted the book "resonates strongly with today's political turbulence." Dickson, a retired surgeon who lives on a farm in rural Cooke County, turned to fiction writing after a career in medicine. His background in combatives training and situational awareness lends authenticity to the novel's action sequences. "Enemy at the Helm" has earned an Amazon Bestseller designation since its October 2023 release and holds a 4.14 out of 5 rating on Goodreads from more than 50 reader reviews. The book is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other major retailers. Readers can learn more about Dickson and his upcoming work at markdicksonauthor.com.