COLUMBUS — Author and screenwriter Steph West’s novel The Third Period was chosen as a gold medal winner this week by the North American Book Awards in the Sports Fiction category. Books were selected across several categories for “…exceptional craft, originality, and excellence in writing, editing, and design…”.

You can read the full press release here.

West’s novel is about aging, changing careers, addiction, family, and competition. It follows Columbus Thunder captain Mike Olsky and is set against the world of ice hockey. Readers have commented there’s no need to be a hockey fan or understand the game to enjoy the novel.

You can purchase the novel online anywhere books are sold. Learn more here.