Winner, 2024 International Impact Book Awards, Contemporary Fiction, for The Life of Kim and the Behavior of Men: Human Bondage in the After-market of War. June 2024
Finalist, Military, 7th Annual American Fiction Awards, American Book Fest, 2024, for The Life of Kim and the Behavior of Men: Human Bondage in the After-market of War.
Texas Institute of Letters Awards 2020, Finalist, Edwin “Bud” Shrake Award for Best Short Nonfiction, for “Mother Courage,” The Baffler, May 2019
The Best American Essays 2016, Notable Essays and Literary Nonfiction of 2015, for “Her Dark Places,” D Magazine, October 2015
PEN Southwest Inaugural Book Awards, Fiction, 2000-2005, for Corina’s Way
Lowell Thomas Award, Bronze, Society of American Travel Writers, Personal Commentary, “Remembering New Orleans,” Spirit, 2006.
Best of Show, 2006 Newsstand Resource Cover Contest, for “Parched,” cover photo for my story, “Hard Truth, Dry Times,” D Magazine, 2006.
Best Newspaper Article, Society of American Travel Writers, Central States Chapter, “Real, Simple,” San Antonio Express-News, 2006.
Gold Award, Public Issues, International Regional Magazine Association, “Rio No Mas,” Texas Parks &Wildlife Magazine, 2003.
Silver Award, Photojournalism, IRMA, “Rio No Mas,” Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine, shared with photographer Earl Nottingham, 2003.
Best Feature, Maggie Awards, “Rio No Mas,” Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine, 2002.
Finalist, Association of Food Journalists Awards, features, “Faith in the Future,” Cooking Light, 1999.
Finalist, Henry R. Luce Award, Public Service, Time Inc., “Faith in the Future,” Cooking Light, 1999.
PEN Texas Award, Best Essay, “The Fate of the Texas Writer,” Texas Observer, 1997.
Katie Award, “The Law and Lena Levario,” D, 1993.
Anson Jones Award, Texas Medical Assn., “Someone Else’s Disease,” D, 1993.
Co-winner, CRMA White Award (Gold), Best Magazine, D, 1991.
CRMA White Award (Silver), Public Affairs, “War in the Streets,” D, 1991.
Silver Star Award, Texas Hospital Assn., “D.O.A.,” D, 1991.
Katie Award, “D.O.A.,” D, 1991.
Katie Award, Dallas Press Club, “From Here to Anasazi,” D, 1991.
William Allen White Award (Gold), City and Regional Magazine Association (CRMA), “Live Fast, Die Young,” Southern Magazine, 1989.
Bryant Spann Prize, Eugene V. Debs Foundation, Investigative reporting, “The Onion Revolt,” The Texas Observer, 1981.
Fellowship, Yaddo, Fiction writing, 1978.
Nonliterary: Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award, Western Association of Veterans Education Specialists (WAVES), 2017