How to Become an Award-Winning Author

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

Have you ever wondered how to elevate your book from just another title on the shelf to an award-winning status? Or perhaps, how to transition from being a writer to an award-winning author? The key might be simpler than you think: enter book awards and contests.

To achieve these prestigious titles, I strongly recommend submitting your work to various book competitions. It took entering my third book into several contests before I earned the title of an award-winning author. Persistence is crucial, so don't be discouraged if success doesn't come immediately.

For those looking to get started, you can find a comprehensive list of over forty book contests at cipa.podia.com. This resource will help you identify which contests might be the best fit for your book.

But becoming an award-winning author doesn’t stop with your book receiving awards. Your marketing efforts can also earn you recognition. Every fall, the Christian Authors Network (CAN) hosts the Excellence in Marketing Awards. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your marketing skills and gain acknowledgment for your creative promotional strategies. Consider entering this contest next year to not only promote your work but also to possibly earn the title of an award-winning author in marketing.

I am also excited to announce the finalists for this year’s CAN Marketing Awards, as well as the finalists for the Christian Indie Awards. These individuals and titles represent the dedication and excellence of these authors. Join us in celebrating their achievements!

Remember, every entry is a step closer to becoming an award-winning author. Good luck, and may your literary journey be fruitful and rewarding.

Christian Authors Network 

2025 Excellence in Marketing Awards 

Finalist

 

Category	Title	Author
Physical Media	#NoFilter: Unmasking The Woman God Created You To Be	Jodi Hendricks
Physical Media	I Am Not the King	Allen Taylor
Online Presentation	Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts	Donna Wyland
Online Presentation	A Gingerbread House	Julie Lavender
Online Presentation	A Fifth of the Story	Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes
Online Presentation	Praying Personalities: Finding Your Natural Prayer Style	Janet McHenry
Online Presentation	The Dance of Easter	Sally Cressman
Broadcast Media	The Sharing Sisters	Carissa Lovvorn
Broadcast Media

 

 

2025 Christian Indie Award Finalists 

ChristianAward.com            

 

Category	Title	Author/Publisher
Anthology	Today is Where the Gift Is	Justin Rossow (ed) / Next Step Press
Anthology	God’s Good Work: Stories to Treasure and Tales to Ponder	Lorilyn Roberts / Rear Guard Publishing
Bible Study	Enough: Finding Contentment in a World of Wanting and Wandering	Lisa Lewis Koster / Credo House Publishers
Bible Study	The Bible Companion Book 2: Leviticus-Deuteronomy	Karen Westbrook Moderow / Jordanwest Publications
Bible Study	Graced: How God Redeems and Restores the Broken	Teresa Whiting /  Beauty in the Brokenness Ministries
Bible Study	Creation and the Flood: A DEEP Bible Study of Genesis 1–11	Samantha Mero
Business Finance	The Biblical Path to Financial Freedom	Seth M. Jones
Business Finance	Thank God It’s Monday (?)	Tom C. Petersen / Morgan James Publishing
Children’s Picture Books	The Dachshund Dash	Michelle Medlock Adams / End Game Press
Children’s Picture Books	Twinkle, the Littlest Star	Leslie Colburn / Cross My Heart Press
Children’s Picture Books	I’m Okay, Momma!	Jackie Freeman
Children’s Picture Books	The Tale of the Little Black Cloud	Karen Brough / Heart Hope Publishing
Children’s Picture Books	The Best Trophy	Jennifer Noel Wilson / Redemption Press
Children’s 8-12	Jar of Tears: Moms Aren’t Supposed to Die	Kathleen Templeton / Lemons & Sunshine Press
Children’s 8-12	The Forgotten Islands	Bryan Webb
Children’s 8-12	Mrs. MacKenzie’s Candle	Bryan Webb
Children’s 8-12	Fingerprint Devotions: 40 Devotions to Help You Realize You Are a Kid Uniquely Created by God	Sandra Kay Chambers
Christian Education	Genocide Prophecy: Autism, the church and a New (American) Reich	Brian Haack
Christian Education	Creating Dynamic Podcasts & Audiobooks	Linda Goldfarb / Bold Vision Books
Christian Education	Redemptive Botany of the Bible	J. Christopher McMichael / Petra Press Publishing
Christian Living	The Higher Faith	Paul Balius / Hakodesh Publishing
Christian Living	Purpose Made: 12 Steps to Discovering Your God-given Purpose and Living an Abundant Life	Sarah Ritchie
Christian Living	Only by Divine Design	Dorene Stark / Stellar Studio
Christian Living	No Other Gods	Marja Verschoor-Meijers  / Frisse Kijk
Christian Living	The Question Habit	Mandy Pallock / Shribble Publishing
Christian Living	Take Heart: The Overcomer’s Path Through Conflict	Gary Wooden / Covenant Books
Devotional	Focus: 45 Devotionals to Keep Jesus in the Picture	Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes (Author), Ms. Arianna Dunn (Author), Ms. Vonyee Carrington (Author), Mrs. Evelyn Collins (Author), Mrs. Monica Hopper (Author), Mr. Andy Hollifield (Author), Ms Michelle Davis (Author), Mrs. Kelly Anne Evans (Author), Dr. Rodney Combs (Author), Mrs. DiAnn Mills (Author) / Dressed in Love Press
Devotional	Joined by God: Unconventional Devotions for Christian Couples	Shellie Arnold / Kaleidoscope Publishing
Devotional	Farmhouse Devotions: God’s Glory in the Ordinary	Cheryl Schuermann
Devotional	When the Other Boot Drops	Jeff Keene II / WordCrafts Press
General Fiction	Fall Back and Find Me	Sarah Hanks
General Fiction	Ride A Summer Wind	Ann Cavera / Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.
General Fiction	Driving Timmy’s Car	Barbara Tucker Ketchum
General Fiction	Fallen Graces	Jim Sano
Gift	Dog at the Tinsel Tree: Susie’s Story	Denise Lee Branco / Strolling Hills Publishing, LLC
Gift	5 Minutes of Gratitude	Gail Scoates
Gift	He Chose Me	Diamante Lavendar
Historical Fiction	But, Even Now	Jennifer Thomas and Denae Jones / Woodsong Publishing
Historical Fiction	The Wanderer Scorned	Natasha Woodcraft / Broad Place Publishing
Historical Fiction	Winds of Ruach	D.M. Griffin
Historical Fiction	Petra: An Unbroken Legacy	Lisa L. Dorsey
Memoir / Biography	Glimpses of God’s Glory: One Woman’s Near Death Experience	Pam Farrel
Memoir / Biography	Travels of a Wimpy Mum: Finding courage through the Book of James	Vanessa Foran / 598 Press
Memoir / Biography	God Had a Hand on Me, a Memoir About Pain, Healing, and Victory	Kim Dotson
Memoir / Biography	Walking Mama Home: A Caregiver’s Journey	Aileen A. Gronewold / Blue Sage Press
Memoir / Biography	Beloved Outcast: The Quest for True Belonging	Cherie Denna / Bold Vision Books
Memoir / Biography	Overlooked	Bridgette Cameron Ridenour
Mystery / Suspense	A Fifth Of The Story	Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes / End Game Press
Mystery / Suspense	Tangled Secrets: A Suspense Thriller	S.F. Baumgartner / F.B. Publishing
Mystery / Suspense	Dead Weight: An Abbi Kincaid Suspense Novel	Kathy Cassel
Mystery / Suspense	Sweet Deceit	Sally Jo Pitts
Mystery / Suspense	The Lost Letter	Steve Feazel
Novella	In God We Trust, Our Founding Fathers Said	Miriam Pecknpaw / c fern cook
Novella	Who Will Rescue Us? A Love Story	Judy DuCharme / Ambassador International
Personal Growth	Praying the Word of Grace	Jonah Priour / Lovebuilt Press
Personal Growth	Slaying the Onion: Unveil the Layers of your Story to Reveal Your Highest Potential	April Ballestero / Kaleidoscope Publishing
Personal Growth	The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence and Vision in Midlife	Dawn Damon / Bold Vision Books
Personal Growth	Crush Your Divorce and Keep the Faith	Bree Sullivan-Howell, J.D.
Poetry	Tales of the Captain	Christopher A. Hostettler
Poetry	Gone Before: A Grief Journey in Poems	Ruth Fanshaw / Original Text Publications
Relationships / Family	Raising Kids to Follow Christ: Instilling a Lifelong Trust in God	Lee Ann Mancini
Relationships / Family	Walking Mama Home: A Caregiver’s Journey	Aileen A Gronewold / Blue Sage Press
Relationships / Family	Take a Deep Breath Relax “Cuz You Got this!”	Lois Goudeau / Christian Faith Publishing
Romance	Blind Date with a Book Nerd	Erica Dansereau & Britt Howard /
Romance	Christmas in the Castle Library	Ann Swindell / WhiteCrown
Romance	Elizabeth’s Cross	Londa Hayden / Lighthouse Christian Publishing
Speculative	Bright Eternity: A Novel	Daniel Zeigler
Speculative	Kill Shot	Angela L Gold
Speculative	Eve of Chaos	D.I. Telbat
Theology	When the Roman Bough Breaks	Jeff Nottingham / Intelligent Design Press
Theology	Dear Saints: Catechesis on Sacraments	Jacob Huether
Young Adult	Ride a Summer Wind	Ann Cavera / Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.
Young Adult	Fences Left Broken	Kristen Terrette / Elk Lake Publishing
Young Adult	Rise of the Y	Angela D. Shelton / Two Oaks Publishing, LLC

 

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Susan U. Neal, RN, MBA, MHS: Susan’s mission is to improve the health of the body of Christ. She has her RN and MBA degrees, as well as a master’s in health science. She is a CERTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHwith the American Association of Christian Counselors. She published five books, the Selah award winner 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, CHRISTIAN STUDY GUIDE FOR 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, HEALTHY LIVING JOURNAL, SCRIPTURE YOGAa #1 Amazon best-selling yoga book, and YOGA FOR BEGINNERSwhich ranked #3. She published two sets of Christian Yoga Card Decks and two Christian Yoga DVDs that are available at CHRISTINAYOGA.COM. Her digital product HOW TO PREVENT, IMPROVE, AND REVERSE ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA is a great resource. To learn more about Susan visit her website SUSANUNEAL.COM You can also connect with Susan on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.