And the Winners Are... Christian Publishing Professionals Shine at BRMCWC

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

We want to extend our sincere congratulations to everyone who entered these contests. You are all winners because you were willing to put your writing out there!

Selah Awards

Genre: Bible Studies

Winner:

Author: Erica Wiggenhorn
Title: An Unexplainable Life: Recovering the Wonder and Devotion of the Early Church
Publisher: Moody PublishersEditor: Pam Pugh

Finalists:

Author: Cheri Cowell
Title: One Story, One Mission, One God
Publisher: E A Books
Editor: Deb Haggerty

Author:  Andy Lee
Title:  The Book of Ruth Key Word Bible Study
Publisher: AMG
Editor: Rich Cairnes and Rick Steele
Agent: Blythe Daniel

Genre: Children’s Literature (Picture Books & Chapter Books)

Winner:

Author: Michelle Medlock Adams
Title: Happy Birthday to You!
Publisher: Worthy Kids
Editor: Peggy Schaefer
Agent: Steve Laube

Finalists:

Author: Hannah C. Hall
Title:  Would a Worm Go on a Walk?
Publisher: Worthy Kids
Editor: Melinda Rumbaugh
Agent: Sally Apokedak

Author: Jill Roman Lord
Title: God Made You Just Right
Publisher: Worthy Kids
Editor: Peggy Schaefer
Agent: Cyle Young

Genre: Christian Living

Winner:

Author: Deb DeArmond and Ron DeArmond
Title: Don’t Go to Bed Angry; Stay Up and Fight
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Editor: Ramona Richards
Agent: Greg Johnson

Finalists:

Author: Torry Martin & Doug Peterson
Title:  Of Moose and Men
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Editor: Gene Skinner

Author: Linda Evans Shepherd
Title: Winning Your Daily Spiritual Battles
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group / Revell
Editor: Vicki Crumpton
Agent: Janet Grant

Genre: General Nonfiction

Winner:

Author: Lilly Sanders Ubbens
Title: God’s Refugee
Publisher: Create Space
Editor: Lilly Sanders Ubbens
Agent: Diana Flegel

Finalists:

Author: Linda Gilden & Tama Westman
Title: Why You Do What You Do
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas/Straight Street Books
Editor: Cindy Sproles

Author: David King & Margot Starbuck
Title: Overplayed: A Parent’s Guide to Sanity in the World of Youth Sports
Publisher: Herald Press
Editor: Valerie Weaver-Zercher

Genre: Inspiration & Gift

Winner:

Author: Bob Hostetler
Title: The Bard and the Bible
Publisher: Worthy Inspired
Editor: Pamela Clements
Agent: Steve Laube

Finalists:

Author: Cary & Dena Dyer
Title: Love at First Fight
Publisher: Barbour/Shiloh Run Press
Editor: Brigitta Nortker
Agent: Greg Johnson

Author: Kathy Ide
Title: 21 Days of Love
Publisher: Broadstreet Publishing Group
Editor: Kathy Ide
Agent: Diana Flegal

Genre: Memoir

Winner:

Author: Virginia Pillars
Title: Broken Brain, Fortified Faith
Publisher: Familius
Editor: Lindsay Sandberg

Finalists:

Author: Annie Garman
Title: Unexpected Grace: When Your Child is Born With Half a Heart
Publisher: Annie B. Garman
Editor: Linnea Ransom

Author: Christine Lindsay
Title: Finding Sarah, Finding Me
Publisher: WhiteFire Publishing
Editor: Roseanna White & Wendy Chorot

Genre: Middle Grade Novels

Winner:

Author: Wendy Dunham
Title: Hope Girl
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Editor: Peggy Wright, Barb Sherrill
Agent: Ruth Samsel

Finalists:

Author: Lauren H. Brandenburg
Title: Orlo: The Created
Publisher: Kingdom Publishing Press
Editor: Bethany Kaczmarek
Agent: Julie Gwinn

Author: Marion Dawson Gunderson
Title: Finding the King, The Story of Joshua
Publisher: AuthorHouse

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Winner:

Author: Sarah Monzon
Title: Finders Keepers
Publisher: Radiant Publications
Editor: Dori Harrell

Finalists:

Author: Johnnie Alexander
Title: Where She Belongs
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group / Revell
Editor: Vicki Crumpton & Kristin Kornoelje
Agent: Tamela Hancock Murray

Author: Lin Stepp
Title: Welcome Back
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Editor: Martin Biro

Genre: Contemporary Women’s (Double Third Place)

Winner:

Author: Christa Allan
Title: Since You’ve Been Gone
Publisher: Amazon Waterfall Press
Editor: Erin Calligan Mooney
Agent: Jessica Kirkland

Finalists:

Author: Candee Fick
Title: Dance Over Me
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas / Bling!
Editor: Sandie Bricker & Marisa Deshaies

Author: Linda Wood Rondeau
Title: Miracle on Maple Street
Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing
Editor: Deb Haggerty
Agent: Diana Flegal

Author: Cynthia Ruchti
Title: Song of Silence
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Editor: Ramona Richards & Jamie Chavez
Agent: Wendy Lawton

Genre: First Novel

Winner:

Author: Beth Ann Ziarnik
Title: Her Deadly Inheritance
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Editor: Rowena Kuo
Agent: Jim Hart

Finalists:

Author: Janine Mendenhall
Title: Starving Hearts
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas / Heritage Beacon Fiction
Editor: Ann Tatlock

Author: K. S. Moore
Title: Angel Beneath My Wheels
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas/Firefly Southern Fiction
Editor: Jessica Everson
Agent: Les Stobbe

Genre: Fiction: Historical/Biblical

Winner:

Author: Karl A. Bacon
Title: Prairie Dog Town
Publisher: Historical Chronicles Press
Editor: Julie Gwinn

Finalists:

Author: Pamela King Cable
Title: The Sanctum
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas/Firefly Southern Fiction
Editor: Eva Marie Everson
Agent: Sarah Joy Freese

Author: Leslie Basil Payne
Title:  The Legacy of Nobody Smith
Publisher: Leslie Basil Payne
Editor: Robin Patchen

Genre: Historical Romance

Winner:

Author: Janet S. Grunst
Title: A Heart Set Free
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Editor: Kathryn Davis
Agent: Linda Glaz

Finalists:

Author: Elaine Marie Cooper
Title: Saratoga Letters
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Editor: Alycia Morales
Agent: Cyle Young

Author: Myra Johnson
Title: Castle in the Clouds
Publisher: Franciscan Media
Editor: Ericka McIntyre

Genre: Fiction: Mystery/Suspense (Double Second Place)

Winner:

Author: Michael Hicks Thompson
Title: The Rector
Publisher: Shepherd King Publishing
Editor: Jerry Gramckow & Caitlin Alexander
Agent: Les Stobbe

Finalists:

Author: Lynette Eason
Title: Without Warning
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group / Revell
Editor: Andrea Doering
Agent: Tamela Hancock Murray

Author: Lynette Eason
Title: Always Watching
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group / Revell
Editor: Andrea Doering
Agent: Tamela Hancock Murray

Author: Donn Taylor
Title: Murder Mezzo Forte
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Editor: Marsha Hubler
Agent: Terry Burns

Genre: Novella

Winner:

Author: Cynthia Ruchti
Title: Restoring Christmas
Publisher: Worthy Inspired
Editor: Pamela Clements & Jamie Chavez
Agent: Wendy Lawton

Finalists:

Author: Tanya Eavenson
Title: To Gain a Mommy
Publisher: All Roads Publishing

Author: Marianne Evans
Title: Bella Natale
Publisher: Pelican Book Group / White Rose
Editor: Nicola Martinez

Genre: Fiction: Romantic Suspense

Winner:

Author:  Katy Lee
Title: Blindsided
Publisher: Harlequin / Love Inspired Suspense
Editor: Emily Rodmell
Agent: Steve Laube

Finalists:

Author: Mary Alford
Title: Rocky Mountain Pursuit
Publisher: Harlequin / Love Inspired Suspense
Editor: Shana Asaro
Agent: Rachel Kent

Author: Lynette Eason
Title: Classified Christmas Mission
Publisher: Harlequin / Love Inspired Suspense
Editor: Emily Rodmell
Agent: Tamela Hancock Murray

Genre: Fiction: Speculative

Winner:

Author: Timothy W. Ayers
Title: Cruel Messenger
Publisher: Castle Gate Press
Editor: Suzanne Hartmann

Finalists:

Author: Aaron D. Gansky
Title: The Blood Sword: A Hand of Adonai Novel
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas / Brimstone Fiction
Editor: Bethany Kaczmarek
Agent: Dave Fessenden

Author:  S. D. Grimm
Title:  Scarlet Moon
Publisher: Gilead Publishing / Enclave
Editor: Ramona Richards
Agent: Julie Gwinn

2017 Selah Book of The Year

Bob Hostetler
For: The Bard and the Bible
Publisher: Worthy Inspired
Editor: Pamela Clements
Agent: Steve Laube

Directors’ Choice Awards

Nonfiction:

Lori Stanley Roeleveld “Jesus and the Beanstalk”
Abingdon Press

Fiction:

Karl A. Bacon “Prairie Dog Town”
Historical Chronicles Press

Foundations Awards

(Note: When we had fewer than five entries in any category, we either combined them with another logical or like category or we only awarded a first place.)

Genre: Articles

Honorable Mention
Josie Siler: The Clandestine Life of Bestselling Author Tosca Lee
Third Place
Meredith Mills: Parenting Through Depression
Second Place
Karen Friday: Four Ways to Click the Refresh Button in Marriage
First Place
Deborah Sprinkle: What If … Howard Thurman Never Got on that Train?

Genre: Essays (Double Honorable Mention)

Honorable Mention
Tez Brooks: Hold On: A Holiday Lesson in Humility
Honorable Mention
Paula Sorrells-Beene: Everything is Going to be All Right
Third Place
Andrea Merrell: The Return of The Prodigals
Second Place
Michelle Munger: Welcome at the Table?
First Place
Jean Wilund: Oops!

Genre: Devotionals

Third Place
Karen Friday: The First Breath of Grace
Second Place
Starr Ayers: Eighth Day of the Week
First Place
Jean Wilund: What If We Lived What We Say We Believe?

Genre: Nonfiction Books

Third Place
Diana Asaad: Divinely Different
Second Place
Rhonda Robinson: Will I Survive?
First Place
Lyneta L. Smith: Curtain Call

Genre: Fiction: Historical / Biblical / Historical Romance

First Place
Jacob Cavett: The Vinyard Keeper

Genre: Fiction/Contemporary Romance

Honorable Mention
Bethany Morehead: A Pastor’s Proposal
Third Place
Jennifer Kramer: It’s Always Been You
Second Place
Leslie DeVooght: Island Love is Elementary
First Place
Deborah Clack: Twelve Bluebells Ranch

Genre: Fiction: Romantic Suspense

Honorable Mention
Tessa Stone: Illicit
Third Place
Deborah Sprinkle: Deadly Guardian
Second Place
Andrea Merrell: Secret Scars
First Place
Hope R. Welborn: Relentless Pursuit

Genre: Fiction: Contemporary Women’s

First Place
Starr Ayers: Beyond the Rainbow

Genre: Fiction: Speculative / Mystery / Suspense

Third Place
Sylvia Patzold: You Are Mine
Second Place
Debra Dupree Williams: Grave Consequences
First Place
Sara Anderson: Sook

Genre: Poetry

Honorable Mention
Michelle Adserias: Repentant
Third Place
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes: This is Beauty
Second Place
Karisa Moore: No Regrets, Mother Mary
First Place
Hope E. P. Nicely: Victory

Genre: Short Stories

Third Place
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes: The Unfathomable Details
Second Place
Josie Siler: One More Step
First Place
Katherine Pasour: Courage on the Homefront

Genre: Bible Studies

Honorable Mention
Rebecca Lindsey & Patricia Schell: Legacy: Living Now for Future Generations
Third Place
Susan Neal: May the Faith Be With You: Youth Bible Study
Second Place
Patricia Luellen Nicholas: Ruth
First Place
Michelle Adserias: Praise Him!

Genre: Young Adult Novels

Third Place
Emily H. Jeffries: The Midways
Second Place
Rebecca Lindsey: Beauties From Ashes
First Place
Sandy Quandt: In the Shadow of Death

Genre: Flash Fiction

Third Place
Mary McQueen: Just Let Me Hold You
Second Place
Tez Brooks: Pink
First Place
Sandy Quandt: The Abomination

Genre: Children’s Chapter

First Place
Karena Carter: Herald the Christmas Goat

Genre: Children’s Picture

Honorable Mention
Karena Carter: Little Bird, Little Bird
Third Place
Susan Boskat Murray: A Stranger At Your Door
Second Place
Dr. James G. Tippins III: Twas the Night Before Jesus
First Place
Jill Holler: Forty Days of Faith with Mr. Fuzzles

Genre: Middle Grade Novels

First Place
Sandy Quandt: Big Granny

Genre: Blogs

Honorable Mention
Becky Lindsey: Spotlight
Third Place
Patty Schell: Girl on Adventure
Second Place
Sarah Philpott: All American Mom
First Place
Nan Jones: Taking You Beyond the Veil to Find God’s Presence

Genre: Film and Teleplay Script

First Place
Toni Haas Williams: Padre Foundations