Ever wondered what to read during these long, cold winter nights?
It's award season in Christian fiction publishing right now, so today we're bringing you the winners from five (yes, five) awards for published authors, as judged by authors and publishing professionals (the Christy and RITA awards for inspirational fiction), and by readers and bloggers (the Grace, INSPY, and Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards).
Christy Awards
The Christy Awards are named for Christy, the groundbreaking novel by Catherine Marshall, who wrote over two dozen books which have sold in excess of 25 million copies. The awards were established in 1999 to honour and promote excellence in Christian fiction, and to showcase the diversity of Christian fiction genres.The 2016 winners are:
Book of the Year and Visionary
The Five Times I Met Myself by James L. RubartContemporary
The Sea Keeper’s Daughters by Lisa WingateContemporary Romance/Suspense
The Wedding Chapel by Rachel HauckContemporary Series
Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. VogtFirst Novel
Irish Meadows by Susan Anne MasonHistorical
Secrets She Kept by Cathy GohlkeHistorical Romance
Luther and Katharina by Jody HedlundSuspense
Twisted Innocence by Terri BlackstockYoung Adult
The Choosing by Rachelle DekkerThe RITA® Awards
The RITA® Awards are run by Romance Writers of America, and are named after the organisation’s first president, Rita Clay Estrada. The Awards are specifically for romance novels, in a range of sub-genres (including Inspirational) and lengths (including long, short and novella).
Inspirational Romance
A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann HunterHistorical Romance – Long
Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist (Howard Books)The Grace Awards
The Grace Awards were established in 2010 to “expand the tent pegs of Christian fiction”. They allow traditionally published and self-published novels, and make no distinction between paper or digital formats: anyone can enter, as long as the book is Christian Fiction. The 2106 winners were:
Womens Fiction/General Fiction
Annabelle’s Ruth by Betty Thomason OwensRomance/Historical Romance
Bridge Of Faith by Catherine WestMystery/Romantic Suspense/Thriller/Historic Suspense
Trial By Twelve by Heather Day GilbertSpeculative Fiction
Storming by K. M. WeilandAction-Adventure/Western/Epic Fiction
Saving Eric by Joan DeneveYoung Adult
To Get To You by Joanne BischofThe 2016 INSPY Awards
The INSPY Awards were established in 2010, and is described as the Bloggers’ Award for Excellence in Faith-Driven Literature. The INSPY Awards are only open to print books from a publishing house (be it a large traditional house, a small press, or a micropress).Contemporary Romance / Romantic Suspense
The Dandelion Field by Kathryn Springer
Debut Fiction
Jaded by Varina Denman
General Fiction
Secrets She Kept by Cathy GohlkeHistorical Romance
Through Waters Deep by Sarah SundinYoung Adult
An Uncertain Choice by Jody HedlundMystery/Thriller
The Bones Will Speak by Carrie Stuart ParksSpeculative Fiction
The Shock Of Night by Patrick Carr2016 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award Winners
The IRCA is run by the Faith, Hope and Love Chapter of Romance Writers of America.Long Contemporary
Together With You by Victoria BylinLong Historical
To Win Her Favor by Tamera AlexanderShort Contemporary
Second Chance Reunion by Merrillee WhrenShort Historical
Out of the Ashes by Sandi RogRomantic Suspense
Gone Without a Trace by Patricia BradleyWomen’s Fiction
Ties That Bind by Cindy WoodsmallNovella
Daughters of the Wind by DiAnn MillsCongratulations to all these authors from those of us here at Australasian Christian Writers!
Readers (and writers): there are some great authors on these lists, so check one out and tell us what you think.
Thanks, Iola, for this summarised list. And congratulations to all the successful authors. It's interesting the diversity of winners. Besides having different judges (obviously) this is in part due to the requirements for who can nominate books for each competition. Some competitions are nominated by publishers, some by authors, some by readers (INSPYs). In addition, the fact some include indie published will influence the outcomes as well.
ReplyDeleteYes, congratulations to all the successful authors - and a big thanks to all the judges (like you, Ian).
DeleteI also found the diversity interesting. As well as all the things you've mentioned, different contests will have different judging criteria as well, in particular around how much Christian/inspirational content. That will also influence judges and winners.
Yes, yes, great point, Iola. Have grappled with that particular matter on a number of occasions. Always fascinating our different interpretations on what is Christian/inspirational content.
DeleteWow A great selection, Iola. I also judged this year. Four entries across the board genres. Two had real promise. It was nice to be able to give helpful points and yet using a big dose of grace when the other two were absolute beginners. They were the hardest to mark. Yet every one of us had to start somewhere.
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