Russovoir’s ‘Byron: The One Lung Filipinomenon’ named a Distinguished Favorite at the 2026 NYC Big Book Award

Russovoir’s LGBTQ novel ‘Byron: The One Lung Filipinomenon’ was named a Distinguished Favorite in the 2026 NYC Big Book Award. The recognition puts the Manila-to-U.S. immigration story in front of a broader global book audience.

Why it matters: - The award gives Russovoir’s novel international visibility in a category judged on literary quality, presentation and overall excellence. - The recognition can help the book reach readers, publishers and industry gatekeepers beyond its original audience. - The LGBTQ Fiction category is a competitive field, making the distinction a notable signal for a debuting or emerging title.

What happened: - Russovoir’s Byron: The One Lung Filipinomenon was named a Distinguished Favorite in the LGBTQ Fiction category at the 2026 NYC Big Book Award. - The announcement was made Sept. 25, 2026, from North Hollywood, California. - The NYC Big Book Award said winners and Distinguished Favorites are selected by a panel of experts from across the book industry.

The details: - The book centers on Byron Thomas, an 18-year-old openly gay student in Manila. - Byron is convinced he was born in the wrong country and immigrates to the U.S. with his parents’ blessing. - The story follows Byron as he explores his sexuality after leaving what the release describes as a restrictive and religious environment in the Philippines. - The book also addresses loneliness, self-doubt and the challenges of being an immigrant in a foreign country. - The NYC Big Book Award said submissions came from authors and publishers around the world. - Entries this year included participants from the United States, Australia, Canada, China, Dubai, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. - Cities represented included Auckland, Baltimore, Dallas, Frankfurt, Hollywood, Johannesburg, Manhattan Beach, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Sydney and West Palm Beach. - Publishers represented included Beacon Press, Berrett-Koehler, Casemate, Edinburgh University Press, Forbes Books, Kiplinger Books, NYU Press, Palgrave Macmillan, Penguin Random House, Rizzoli, Routledge, The White House Historical Association, University of California Press, University of Nebraska Press, Weaving Influence Press and Wiley. - Awards sponsor Gabby Olczak said she was excited to share the books with a worldwide readership. - The NYC Big Book Award is announced every fall and is open to authors, publishers and illustrators. - The program also includes submissions from the Big Five publishers. - More information is available on the NYC Big Book Award, the awards dinner and BookCAMP.

Between the lines: - The award places a queer immigrant coming-of-age story alongside books from major houses and international entrants. - That mix suggests the competition is used as a discovery platform for titles that may not yet have broad mainstream reach. - The book’s themes of identity, migration and faith likely align with current reader demand for personal, socially rooted fiction.

What's next: - Award recipients will be recognized at the awards dinner on April 10, 2027, during the BookCAMP event on April 9-10, 2027. - Winners will walk on stage to receive their awards. - The recognition could position Russovoir’s novel for wider readership and additional industry attention.