On Wednesday, May 29, 2024, Eva Marie Everson, on behalf of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Director and Co-Director, Edie Melson and Edwina Perkins, presented The 2024 Selah Awards on the final evening of the conference. The gala event was held in the Spillman Auditorium at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in Ridgecrest, NC. Mrs. Everson presented the awards to the following winners:
Articles in Print
Third Place: The $5,000 Walk
Author: Mary Holloman
Publisher: Clubhouse Magazine
Editor: Stephen O’Rear
Second Place: The Sisters Room
Author: Pam Walker
Publisher: Guidepost
Editor: Meg Belviso
First Place: Faith is Spelled R-I-S-K
Author: Annie Yorty
Publisher: Today’s Christian Living
Editor: Michelle Adserias
Articles Online
Third Place: Is Prayer Really That Important?
Author: Leigh Ann Thomas
Publisher: BibleStudyTools.com
Editor: G. Connor Salter
Second Place: How to Explain What the Holy Spirit Is
Author: Melinda Eye Cooper
Publisher: Crosswalk.com
Editor: Tiffany Robbins
First Place: Will You Seek the Face of Christ During Lent?
Author: Maureen Miller
Publisher: Living by Design
Editor: Sarah Koontz
Devotions in an Individual Book
Third Place: Love in a Lunch Box (From Life Lessons for Moms)
Author: Maureen Miller
Publisher: Christian Art Gifts
Editor: Carol Kent
Second Place: (TIE) Peace (From: More Than Just Words)
Author: Sara Cormany
Publisher: Redemption Pes
Second Place: (TIE) Our Shepherd (From: Life Lessons for Moms)
Author: Maureen Miller
Publisher: Christian Art Gifts
Editor: Carol Kent
First Place: Temporary Lane Closure (From: Coffee with God on the Road)
Author: Suzanne D. Nichols
Publisher: Kerysso Press
Editor: Lisa Worthey Smith
Devotions Online
Third Place: Move on From Mom Guilt
Author: Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Publisher: KHCB Network
Second Place: Is Peace Possible in Motherhood?
Author: Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Publisher: KHCB Network
First Place: Forgiveness
Author: Rachael M. Colby
Publisher: AlmostAnAuthor.com
Editor: Norma Poore
Essays In Print and Online
Third Place: (Tie) Forgiveness Sets Us Free
Author: Maureen Miller
Publisher: Faith Creativity Life Books
Editor: Michelle Rayburn
Third Place: (Tie) The Ben Test
Author: Rhonda Dragomir
Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul
Editor: Amy Newmark
Second Place: My Long Cruise
Author: Becky Alexander
Publisher: Guideposts
Editor: Meg Belviso
First Place: The Awakening
Author: Suzanne Montgomery, M.D.
Publisher: The Indiana Historical Society
Editor: Richard D. Feldman, M.D.
Devotionals
Third Place: Meet Me Where I Am, Lord
Author: Cindy K. Sproles
Publisher: Iron Stream Media
Editor: Susan Cornell
Agent: Bob Hostetler
Second Place: Forty Days with Ezekiel and Friends
Author: Jean Holland
Publisher: Courier Publishing
Editor: Butch Blume
First Place: The Christmas Devotional
Author: Michelle Medlock Adams & Andy Clapp
Publisher: End Game Press
Editor: Victoria Duerstock
Agent: Cyle Young
Short Story in Print & Online
Third Place: Unless You Turn
Author: Samuel L. Blumenthal
Publisher: Redemption Press
Editor: Jennifer Edwards and Dori Harrel
Second Place: The Other Way
Author: Sara Davison
Publisher: The Mosaic Collection
Editor: Deb Elkink
First Place: Cradlesong
Author: Maureen Miller
Publisher: Faith Creativity Life Books
Editor: Michelle Rayburn
Anthologies
Third Place: Good Tidings; A Christmas Anthology
Publisher: The Lady Lits
J. B. Wilson & Sarah Soon, General Editors
Second Place: A Thrill in the Air
Publisher: The Mosaic Collection
Deb Elkink, General Editor
First Place: Dancing in the Rain: Stories to Shelter the Soul
Publisher: The Mosaic Collection
Deb Elkink, General Editor
Children’s Picture & Board Books
Third Place: Mr. OneEars and the Button Which Shall Not Be Pressed
Author: Jason Wallis
Second Place: Good Morning, God Loves You!
Author: Crystal Bowman & Terri McKinley
Publisher: Tyndale Kids
Editor: Debbie King
Agent: Karen Neumair
First Place: (Tie) There’s an Elephant on My Chest
Author: Caris Snider
Publisher: End Game Press
Editor: Victoria Duerstock
Agent: Del Duduit
First Place: (Tie) I Made the Earth
Author: Shannon Cook
Publisher: Wren & Bear Books
Editor: Michelle Medlock Adams
Agent: Blythe Daniel
Children’s Chapter Books
Third Place: The Tree’s Armor
Author: Erin Greneaux
Second Place: Secret of the Lost Dragons
Author: Phyllis Wheeler
Publisher: Motherboard Books
Editor: Bob Shuma, Steve Rzasa
First Place: The Tower
Author: Evonne Krell
Publisher: Answers in Genesis
Children’s Literature
Third Place: Fingerprint Devotions
Author: Sandra Kay Chambers
Publisher: Ambassador International
Editor: Bruce Stouffer
Second Place: Let’s Be Friends
Author: Calyn Daniel & Blythe Daniel
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Editor: Heidi Picinic
Agent: Blythe Daniel
First Place: Our Daily Bread for Kids
Author: Crystal Bowman & Teri McKinley
Publisher: Our Daily Bread
Editor: Katara Patton
Agent: Karen Neumair
Middle Grade Novels
Third Place: Road Trip Rescue
Author: Becca Wierwille
Publisher: Beloved Chronicles
Editor: Ellen McGinty and Megan Gerig
Second Place: The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle
Author: Taryn Souders
Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers
Editor: Steve Geck
Agent: Sally Apokedak
First Place: Beneath the Swirling Sky
Author: Carolyn Leiloglou
Publisher: WaterBrook
Editor: Bunmi Ishola
Agent: Keely Boeving
YA Fiction & Nonfiction
Third Place: Becoming Lottie Moon
Author: Emily Hall
Publisher: Violet Skies Publishing
Editor: Denise Weimer & Kathy Ide
Second Place: Offsides
Author: Lori Z. Scott
Publisher: End Game Press
Editor: Hope Bolinger
Agent: Cyle Young
First Place: Fugitive of Talionis
Author: C. J. Milacci
Publisher: Fayette Press
Editor: Jonathan Shuerger
Bible Studies
Third Place: Habakkuk
Author: Ray Fowler
Publisher: Understanding God’s Word
Second Place: Little Strength, Big God
Author: Debbie W. Wilson
Publisher: Leafwood Publishers
Editor: Mary Hardegrel
Agent: PeggySue Wells
First Place: Embracing Joy
Author: Jean Wilund
Publisher: Our Daily Bread
Editors: Rachel Kirsch, Linnae Conkel, and Sarah DeMay
Christian Living
Third Place: Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World
Author: Jill Rigby Garner
Publisher: Redemption Press
Editor: Liz Heaney
Second Place: Hard Pressed but Not Crushed
Author: Patti Davis
Publisher: Redemption Press
Editor: Marissa Earl
First Place: Securely Held
Author: Cheryl Pelton Lutz
Publisher: Redemption Press
Editor: Sue Fairchild
General Nonfiction
Third Place: Not Forgotten
Author: Laura C. Brandenburg
Publisher: WestBow Press
Editor: Jeanette Windle
Second Place: Her Children Arise
Author: Casey Hilty
Publisher: Like Eden Press
Editor: Cynthia Ruchti
Agent: Cynthia Ruchti
First Place: How to Edit Your Novel
Author: Karin Beery
Publisher: Bold Vision Books
Editor: Larry Leech
Agent: Steve Hutson
Inspiration & Gift
Third Place: Finding God in Suffering
Author: Carol Tetzlaff
Publisher: Redemption Press
Editor: Ray Dittmeier
Second Place: Bygone
Author: Hannah Linder
Publisher: Books and Such
Editor: Cynthia Ruchti
Agent: Cynthia Ruchti
First Place: The Story of Good
Author: Victoria Duerstock
Publisher: End Game Press
Editor: Hope Bolinger
Memoir
Third Place: Reckless Yes
Author: Johnna Hensley
Publisher: Redemption Press
Editor: Kathy Ide
Second Place: Suitcases from Heaven
Author: Cindy Seaton Henson
Publisher: Redemption Press
Editor: Tisha Martin
First Place: Breaking the Shadows
Author: Carol Chisolm
Publisher: Redemption Press
Editor: Ray Dittmeier
Contemporary Romance
Third Place: The Amish Spinster’s Dilemma
Author: Jocelyn McClay
Publisher: Love Inspired
Editor: Melissa Endlich
Second Place: Her Scandalous Amish Secret
Author: Jocelyn McClay
Publisher: Love Inspired
Editor: Melissa Endlich
First Place: Julia Monroe Begins Again
Author: Rebekah Millet
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Editor: Jessica Sharpe
Agent: Bob Hostetler
Contemporary Women
Third Place: Reclaiming Christmas
Author: Melissa Sneed Wilson
Publisher: Jan-Carol Publishing
Second Place: Lilac Cottage
Author: Carrie Fancett Pagels
Publisher: Hearts Overcoming Press
Editor: Pegg Thomas
First Place: The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos
Author: Kelly Irvin
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Editor: Becky Monds
Agent: Julie Gwinn
First Novel
Third Place: Ona Mae’s Deli and Bait Shop
Author: Renée Hodges
Publisher: SoShine Press
Editor: Cortney Donelson
Second Place: Heart in the Clouds
Author: Jennifer Mistmorgan
Publisher: Jennifer Richards
Editor: Dori Harrell
Agent: Rachel McMillan
First Place: Julia Monroe Begins Again
Author: Rebekah Millet
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Editor: Jessica Sharpe
Agent: Bob Hostetler
General Fiction
Third Place: Roxie Applesauce
Author: Tonya L. Matthews
Publisher: Haleya Publishing
Editor: Teresa Crumpton
Second Place: Ona Mae’s Deli and Bait Shop
Author: Renée Hodges
Publisher: SoShine Press
Editor: Cortney Donelson
First Place: The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass
Author: Katie Powner
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Editor: Rochelle Gloege
Agent: Keely Boeving
Historical / Biblical
Third Place: The All American
Author: Susie Finkbeiner
Publisher: Revell
Editor: Kelsey Bowen and Kristin Kornoelje
Agent: Tim Beals
Second Place: Freedom’s Price
Author: Pegg Thomas
Publisher: Spinner of Yarns
Editor: Robin Patchen
First Place: This Is Where It Ends
Author: Cindy K. Sproles
Publisher: Revell
Editor: Jessica English
Agent: Bob Hostetler
Historical Romance
Third Place: Heart in the Clouds
Author: Jennifer Mistmorgan
Publisher: Jennifer Richards
Editor: Dori Harrell
Second Place: Garden of the Midnights
Author: Hannah Linder
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Editor: Becky Fish
Agent: Cynthia Ruchti
First Place: The Maid of Ballymacool
Author: Jennifer Deibel
Publisher: Revell
Editor: Rachel McRae & Robin Turici
Agent: Cynthia Ruchti
Mystery / Suspense
Third Place: Every Flower of the Field
Author: Sara Davison
Publisher: The Mosaic Collection
Editor: Deb Elkink
Second Place: 26 Below
Author: Kimberley Woodhouse
Publisher: Kregel
Editor: Janyre Tromp
Agent: Tamela Hancock Murray
First Place: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau
Author: Jaime Jo Wright
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Editor: Rochelle Gloege
Agent: Janet Grant
Novellas
Third Place: In Her Sights
Author: Karen Witemeyer
Publisher: Hope & Light Publishing
Editor: Charlene Patterson
Second Place: The Christmas Carving (From: Chiseled on the Heart)
Author: Kelly Goshorn
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Editor: Regina Rudd Merrick and Susan Page Davis
Agent: Cynthia Ruchti
First Place: Deadly Holiday Hijack
Author: Kate Angelo
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Editor: Lynette Eason and Susan May Warren
Agent: Lynette Eason
Romantic Suspense
Third Place: Expired Vows
Author: Laura Conaway and Lisa Phillips
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Editor: Susan May Warren and Lisa Phillips
Second Place: Amish Wilderness Survival
Author: Mary Alford
Publisher: Love Inspired
Editor: Katie Gowlie
Agent: Rachel Kent
First Place: Facing the Enemy
Author: DiAnn Mills
Publisher: Tyndale House
Editor: Jan Stob
Agent: Janet Grant
Speculative
Third Place: The Quickening
Author: Sarah L. Frantz
Publisher: Sursum Corda Press
Second Place: Window of Time
Author: Erin R. Howard
Publisher: Expanse Books
Editor: Ann Harrison and Linda Fulkerson
First Place: The Secret of Stardust
Author: Heather L. L. FitzGerald
Publisher: Mountain Brook Fire
Editor: Miralee Ferrell and Jenny Mertes
Westerns
Third Place: Accepted
Author: Paula Peckham
Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing
Editor: Cristel Phelps & Deb Haggerty
Second Place: Emily’s Trials
Author: Henry McLaughlin
Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing
Editor: Deb Haggerty & Peggy Ellis
First Place: The Pursuit of Miss Parish
Author: Grace Hitchcock
Publisher: Valmont House Publishers
Editor: Chantelle Mills
Audio Books
Third Place: The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos
Author: Kelly Irvin
Narrators: Jessica Holtant & Jeremy Childs
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Editor: Becky Monds
Agent: Julie Gwinn
Second Place: Defying Fear
Author: Dr. Nancy Meyer
Narrator: Christy Lou
Publisher: Brookstone Publishing Group
Editor: Anita Agers Brooks, Susan Cornell, and Larry Leech
First Place: With Every Memory
Author: Janine Rosche
Narrator: Laura Knight Keating
Publisher: Revell
Editors: Kelsey Bowen & Robin Turici
Agent: Tamela Hancock Murray
Selah Books of the Year
Each year, the Selah Books of the Year are chosen from those books with the highest scores in each of the three categories. This year, the winners are:
Children (Board Books to Young Adult)
I Made the Earth
Shannon Cook
End Game Press
Nonfiction
The Christmas Devotional
Michelle Medlock Adams & Andy Clapp
End Game Press
Fiction
This Is Where It Ends
Cindy K. Sproles
Revell
