Awards & Reviews

Praise for The Holding

An award-winning debut.

AIFWAA Narrative Architecture Award medal

Finalist & Winner · Narrative Architecture Award

“A beautifully observed novel about family, memory, and forgiveness… great stories are shaped not only by inspiration, but by patience, craft, and extraordinary creative discipline.”

AIFWAA Judges’ Citation

Literary Titan

“A tender, observant heart… The Holding is a thoughtful blend of speculative fiction, magical realism, sibling story, and multigenerational family drama.”

Thomas Anderson, Literary Titan

Readers’ Favorite · Five Stars

“A fantastic novel that shows how children reveal love through completely different ways of seeing the world. Their bond develops through small acts of recognition that feel earned across the whole book. Very highly recommended. This is so beautiful and creative.”

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers’ Favorite

Other Feedback

“Woodward balances dense philosophical inquiry with breathtaking narrative momentum.”

— AIFWAA Judges’ Citation

“The novel’s rotating viewpoints are one of its greatest strengths.”

— Thomas Anderson, Literary Titan

“The family is beautifully realized because every adult responds believably, giving even brief domestic moments lasting importance.”

— Asher Syed, Readers’ Favorite

“The animal perspectives, especially those of the elderly cat Auggie, bring warmth, humor, and an unusual emotional intelligence to the story.”

— Thomas Anderson, Literary Titan

“Memorable characters, originality, and a deeply human portrayal of family, forgiveness, and belonging.”

— AIFWAA Judges’ Citation

“It’s the kind of book that invites readers to pay closer attention to the people and animals holding their lives together.”

— Thomas Anderson, Literary Titan

“A compelling model for what responsible AI-assisted authorship can look like.”

— AIFWAA Judges’ Citation

Read it before it publishes

Advance Reader Copies

Read The Holding before it publishes — for free — and share your honest thoughts. Delivered via Booksprout. It takes about two minutes to join.

Join the ARC Team

What is an ARC?

An Advance Reading Copy — a pre-publication version of the book sent to readers before launch day. ARCs exist so that real reviews are ready when the book goes live. They have a long history in publishing, and they matter enormously for debut authors.

How do I get one?

Through Booksprout — a free platform for readers and reviewers. There’s no cost, no subscription, and no catch. Signing up takes about two minutes, and your copy arrives as an eBook or PDF.

What’s the ask?

Nothing more than an honest review posted on Goodreads, Amazon, or wherever you read. No pressure for a positive one — just a real one. The review can be one sentence or ten paragraphs. It just has to be yours.

What do you get?

A free copy of The Holding to read early — and the quiet satisfaction of helping a debut novel find its very first readers.