Celebrating the 2026 Honey & Wax Book Collecting Prize Winners

Established in 2017, the Honey & Wax Booksellers prize has sought to redefine the narrative around book collecting, particularly recognizing the creative endeavors of young women aged 30 and under. This initiative aimed to shift the popular perception of who collectors can be, showcasing their original collections and encouraging a new wave of engagement with the literary world. As this year marks the tenth and final edition of the award, the co-founders express immense gratitude to all participants who have contributed unique insights and remarkable collections over the years.

Honoring the achievements of these collectors reflects a commitment to understanding and appreciating the varied aspects of the book-collecting community. The $1,000 winner for 2026 has been announced.

Winner:

Darby Ronning, 25, (she/her) – Youth Programs Coordinator at All Souls Unitarian Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma, for “The Alldera Collection: Feminist Science Fiction of the Twentieth Century.”

Ronning’s collection, named after Alldera from Suzy McKee Charnas’s seminal series The Holdfast Chronicles, encompasses a broad spectrum of feminist science fiction from the twentieth century. It chronicles the varied ways this genre was published and embraced, from iconic pulp novels to grassroots feminist zines. In her pursuit to highlight lesser-known authors, Ronning intentionally maintains a budget of ten dollars per title, allowing her collection to include diverse voices that often go unrecognized. “These writers have their own fascinating backgrounds, which shape their storytelling,” she notes, emphasizing the significance of ordinary women within the sci-fi genre during transformative times.

Furthermore, her collection emphasizes the role of fan cultures in the 1970s science fiction scene. As she puts it, “Science fiction had an active fan culture, with fanzines serving as platforms for community discussion and critique.” Ronning's keen focus on primary source materials, such as feminist fanzines, marks a shift in her collecting strategy. Titles like Janus and New Moon embody the bridge between literature and feminism, revealing connections often overlooked by mainstream narratives. Her ultimate goal is to create a visual archive of her collection, reinforcing the collaborative origins of the materials she collects.

Read Ronning’s winning essay and bibliography here.

In addition to the main prize, five honorable mentions were awarded, each receiving $250.

Honorable Mentions:

Juniper Couture, 24, (she/her) – Artist, bookbinder, and freelance bibliographer in Tucson, Arizona, for “An Unusual Collection of Miniature Books Formed by a Lady.”

Couture's fascination with miniature books began in childhood, sparked by a set of Lilliput Dictionaries gifted by her father. Her collection, now numbering in the hundreds, goes beyond mere accumulation to explore the socio-political implications of miniature formats. She explains, “The concealable nature of the miniature book makes it ideal for controversial ideas.” Her inquiry extends into the craftsmanship behind these books, offering a unique blend of historical perspective and practical skill.

Maya Fell, 30, (she/her) – Graduate student in art history at Hunter College, for “Armed Women Vernacular Photography,” encompassing over one hundred photographic works and ephemera.

Fell's exploration of vernacular photography started with the Soldaderas of the Mexican Revolution but has since broadened to include armed women in global liberation movements. She critiques the common romanticization of these images in commercial markets and seeks to contextualize them through accompanying radical print materials, noting, “These images deserve to be positioned within their historical frameworks.”

Leila Louhaichy, 28, (they/them) – Manager of the Hauser & Wirth Gallery Bookshop in Chelsea, for “Opening the Door for a Native New Yorker.”

Louhaichy's collection started with documents about their family's New York history but has evolved into an intricate examination of the city through diverse narratives, highlighting intersections of queerness, class, and urban aesthetics. “The goal is to create a synaptic understanding of New York City as a living character,” Louhaichy articulates.

Rose McCandless, 27, (she/her) – Instructional Services Coordinator in Special Collections at Ohio State Libraries, for “The Book as Art and Commodity: Design Reform and Commercial Publishing, 1890–1915.”

McCandless investigates the evolution of book design during the Arts & Crafts movement and its influence on commercial publishing, collecting popular series that reflect this intersection of artistry and mass production. Highlighting the significance of design reform, she captures how decorative aesthetics can inform our understanding of literary commodities.

Caitlin Paton, 30, (she/her) – Certified medical coder in Palm Bay, Florida, for “‘Let Me Be a Little Girl as Long as I Can: A Collection of Little Women.”

Paton’s ongoing collection of Little Women editions stems from a sentimental connection to her grandmother's edition of Flower Fables. More than just a literary pursuit, her collection embodies personal history and shared experiences among friends and relatives who contribute to this narrative tapestry. “Each book reminds me of the places I’ve traveled and the people I’ve met,” she shared, showcasing the profound relational aspect of collecting.

The co-founders of the Honey & Wax Prize, Heather O’Donnell of Honey & Wax Booksellers and Rebecca Romney of Type Punch Matrix, express deep appreciation to the sponsors who made this decade-long initiative possible: Biblio, Bibliopolis, Christie’s, and Ellen A. Michelson. They are equally grateful to the organizations that supported this project, including Lit Hub, the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America, and Fine Books & Collections.

Most importantly, heartfelt thanks go to the young women who shared their unique collecting journeys with the Honey & Wax Prize. The co-founders look forward to witnessing where these inspired collectors will take their passions next.