Award-winning Cayucos-based tween book author Debbie Noble Black just scored two more accolades at the Chanticleer International Book Awards banquet in Bellingham, Washington.
“Besides the thrill of winning those prestigious awards, just getting all dressed up for an event like that was a blast,” Black said. “It was quite the departure from my normal beach-vibe routine and basic attire of jeans and Ugg boots!”
Deetjen’s Closet: A Quest for Magic (Coalesce Press, 2023) received First Place in Fiction Cover Design Awards. The Old Secret at Hotel Oregon (Coalesce Press, 2025) received First Place Honorable Mention in the Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Fiction Awards category. New Times interviewed the author last summer about her book series geared toward readers 9 to 12, which mixes history and magic.
“The third book in the series is titled Trouble Aboard the Queen Mary,” Black explained. “It’s set on the Queen Mary, and the writing is well ‘under way.’ Publication date is expected late spring 2027, barring any unforeseen icebergs!”
Black’s books are available at local independent bookstores as well as online retailers. She’ll also present two sessions at the Central Coast Writers Conference on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Cuesta College: Writing Books for Children and Teens; and Mastering Dialogue. Find more info at debbienobleblack.com. ∆
This article appears in May 21-28, 2026.