rush-to-press
The Week's News in Christian Publishing
  • Industry News
  • Milestones
  • Media Announcements
  • Product News
  • Other News

For Immediate Release — October 12, 2023

ecpa logo
https://www.christyawards.com/finalists-winners.html

ECPA names finalists for The Christy Award® in nine categories

32 Christian fiction titles announced as top contenders for the year’s best novels; includes five ties

Winners to be revealed in online Gala held November 16

The Christy Award®October 12, 2023, Tempe, Ariz. – Today, the ECPA announced 32 finalists for the THE CHRISTY AWARD® program in an online webcast hosted by Christy Hall of Fame author Chris Fabry and ECPA president Jeff Crosby.  The Christy Award® exists to celebrate excellence in the art of Christian fiction and to honor the power of faith in story.

Three finalists were named in nine categories, with ties in Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, and two ties in Young Adult. These finalists represent the work of 13 publishers and three independently published authors with Baker Publishing Group taking 11 spots: seven from Bethany House and four from Revell.

Winners from each category will be announced at The Christy Gala webcast held on Thursday, November 16 at 7 pm central, also announcing the Book of the Year and the Amplify Award.  Hosted by award winning novelist and radio host CHRIS FABRY, the Gala will feature two literary greats — Christian fiction legacy authors JANETTE OKE and DAVIS BUNN.

Award presenters will include Christy winning authors Amanda Cox, Toni Shiloh, Nicole Deese, Patricia Raybon, Jocelyn Green, Sarah Sundin, Terri Blackstock, Karen Witemeyer, Sharon Hinck, and Kara Swanson.

Registration is open for the free Winners Gala and for the preceding Art of Writing online conference at TheChristyAward.com.

“There is such power and resonance in stories that are artfully told and constructed with skill around characters we come to care about and a plot that stirs our imaginations,” expresses Jeff Crosby, ECPA president. “All of us at ECPA congratulate these 32 Christian fiction titles that characterize those qualities across the nine categories in the eyes of our distinguished judges.”

The FINALISTS in nine fiction categories are:

 

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE – tie

A Seaside Wonder, Melissa Tagg
Larkspur Press, 9780997964257

All That It Takes, Nicole Deese
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764234972

To Believe In You, Emily Conrad
Hope Anchor, 9781736038888

To Win a Prince, Toni Shiloh
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764238963

 


FIRST NOVEL

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, Sara Brunsvold
Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800740276

The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon, Linda MacKillop
Kregel Publications, 9780825447327

Porch Music, Kathy Maresca
TouchPoint Press Faith, 9781956851458

 


GENERAL FICTION 

By Way of the Moonlight, Elizabeth Musser
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764238802

When Stone Wings Fly, Karen Barnett
Kregel Publications, 9780825447174

Where the Blue Sky Begins, Katie Powner
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764240393

 


HISTORICAL

All the Lost Places, Amanda Dykes
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764239502

The Hidden Prince, Tessa Afshar
Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496458223

Within These Walls of Sorrow, Amanda Barratt
Kregel Publications, 9780825447013

 


HISTORICAL ROMANCE – tie

The Italian Ballerina, Kristy Cambron
Thomas Nelson, 9780785232193

The Rose and the Thistle, Laura Frantz
Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800740672

The Sound of Light, Sarah Sundin
Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800736385

Yesterday’s Tides, Roseanna M. White
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764240010

 


MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER – tie

By Way of Deception, Amir Tsarfati and Steve Yohn
Harvest House Publishers, 9780736986427

Cold Light of Day, Elizabeth Goddard
Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800742041

Forged, Sara Davison
Mountain Brook Ink, 9781953957030

The Souls of Lost Lake, Jaime Jo Wright
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764238321

 


SHORT FORM

Always a Lady (in A Return to Hawthorne House), Kristi Ann Hunter
Oholiab Creations, 9781959589013

Hopes and Fears (in O Little Town), Amanda Wen
Kregel Publications, 9780825447488

Kiss Me on Christmas, Sarah Monzon
Sarah Monzon, 9781944638160

 


SPECULATIVE

Drawn in Ash, John W. Otte
John W. Otte, 9798985810301

Dream of Kings, Sharon Hinck
Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media, 9798886050080

Yesterday’s Gone, Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall
Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496454225

 


YOUNG ADULT – two ties

Blood Secrets, Morgan L. Busse
Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media, 9798886050004

This Dreamer, Sara Watterson
Sara Watterson, 9798985747416

The Whisperer’s Wish, Janilise Lloyd
Scrivenings Press, 9781649172785

Wishtress, Nadine Brandes
Thomas Nelson, 9780785264002

The Wonderland Trials, Sara Ella
Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media, 9781621842149

 


The finalists are posted at christyawards.com/finalists-winners.html and will soon be featured in a Christianity Today e-blast.

 

Leading up to the Gala, will be the seventh annual Art of Writing conference.  The four-session Thursday evening webinar series, will bring together writers, creatives, and publishing curators for training and connection around these topics:

  • Dispelling the Myths Around Christian Fiction with Kelsey Bowen (Revell), Barb Roose (author/agent), and Rachel McMillan (author/agent)
  • How Great Books Can Improve Your Novel and Your Life with Claude Atcho (author/pastor/arts writer) and Jamie Lapeyrolerie (WaterBrook)
  • Publishing Doesn’t Have to Terrify You! with Stephanie Broene (Tyndale House), Laura Wheeler (HarperCollins Christian Publishing), and Tamela Hancock Murray (author/agent)
  • Going Deep with Award-Winning Authors with Becky Wade (Christy Hall of Fame novelist), Steve James (Christy Hall of Fame novelist), and Christy Award winning author, Patricia Raybon

 

Unique to this year as optional $29 add-ons for Art of Writing attendees, are small group consultations with publishers and agents around these topics:

  • Pitch & Publish| Practice your pitch in front of an editor and small group. Come away with immediate feedback to take your pitch to publication.
  • Ask Me Anything| Like the famed Reddit and Twitter quick-fire sessions, this is your chance to do that with an editor, agent, and established author. Come ready with your questions.
  • Strengthen Your Proposal & Get Your Foot in the Door| Share your proposal in a small group with a publisher/agent. Come away with feedback on the areas you need to strengthen to deliver your proposal to publication.
  • Calling All Debut Authors| Hear from a debut author and editor on how their fears were allayed, and their thoughts on best practices as you walk through the early stages of publishing.

Register at https://christyawards.com/registration.html.

 

The Christy Award receives widespread support and promotion from these promotional partners, retailers and sponsors: JustRead Tours, Family Fiction, Crazy4Fiction, Christian Editors Association, Chris Fabry Live, Reading is My Superpower, Life is Story, Faithfully Bookish, ACFW, Blue Ridge Writers Conference, Publishing in Color, Christian Retailers Association, Baker Book House, Christianbook.com, Lifeway, Logos, Mardel, More to Life, NetGalley, The Parable Group, Ingram/Spring Arbor, Christianity Today, and Bethany Press.

The Christy Award seminars and Gala will return to in-person events on next Fall in the Chicago area.  Sign up for updates at TheChristyAward.com.

###

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. ECPA.org

The Christy Award® is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999, and is named for Catherine Marshall’s novel, Christy, which has sold over 10 million copies since its publication in 1967. ECPA assumed ownership and administration of the award in 2017 to focus and grow the unique opportunity of fiction in Christian publishing.
TheChristyAward.com  FB: ChristyAward  X: @ChristyAward   IG: @thechristyaward

Media contacts:
Jeff Crosby, ECPA President and CEO, jcrosby@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998 ext. 101
Cindy Carter, ECPA Awards & Recognition Manager, 
ccarter@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998 ext. 103

Sign Up To Receive Industry News Each Week

Subscribe

This Month’s Bestsellers

VIEW BY GENRE
1 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
2 PRACTICING THE WAY
JOHN MARK COMER
3 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES
GARY CHAPMAN
4 FORGIVING WHAT YOU CAN'T FORGET
LYSA TERKEURST
5 LIVING FEARLESS
JAMIE WINSHIP
6 HOLY SPIRIT
DAVID DIGA HERNANDEZ
7 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
8 THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY
JOHN MARK COMER
9 THE CASE FOR CHRIST
LEE STROBEL
10 IMAGINE HEAVEN
JOHN BURKE
View All
1 SINCERELY, STONEHEART
EMILY WILSON HUSSEM
2 SLOW BURN
DAWNCHERE WILKERSON
3 BLESSED ARE THE SPIRALING
LEVI LUSKO
4 EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE
KYLE IDLEMAN
5 THE FIGHT FOR US
REBEKAH LYONS AND GABE LYONS
6 NEVER GIVE UP
MAX LUCADO
7 THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME
DENISE HUNTER
8 JESUS LISTENS LARGE TEXT WITH FULL SCRIPTURES
SARAH YOUNG
9 UNLOCK YOUR DELIVERANCE
KATHRYN KRICK
10 TWO SECONDS TOO LATE
DANI PETTREY
View All
1 WHERE SECRETS LIE
COLLEEN COBLE AND RICK ACKER
2 THE SUMMER OF YES
COURTNEY WALSH
3 REDEEMING LOVE
FRANCINE RIVERS
4 WHEN CRICKETS CRY
CHARLES MARTIN
5 HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES
HANNAH HURNARD
6 VANISHED
DAVID JEREMIAH WITH SAM O'NEAL
7 THE HIDDEN PRINCE
TESSA AFSHAR
8 THE SHACK
WILLIAM PAUL YOUNG
9 A LINEAGE OF GRACE
FRANCINE RIVERS
10 WHAT NOT TO DO ON VACATION
RACHEL MAGEE
View All
1 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
2 PRACTICING THE WAY
JOHN MARK COMER
3 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES
GARY CHAPMAN
4 FORGIVING WHAT YOU CAN'T FORGET
LYSA TERKEURST
5 LIVING FEARLESS
JAMIE WINSHIP
6 HOLY SPIRIT
DAVID DIGA HERNANDEZ
7 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
8 THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY
JOHN MARK COMER
9 THE CASE FOR CHRIST
LEE STROBEL
10 IMAGINE HEAVEN
JOHN BURKE
View All
1 THE ACTION BIBLE
SERGIO CARIELLO
2 THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
3 THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE
SALLY LLOYD-JONES
4 GREAT AND SMALL PRAYERS FOR BABIES
PAMELA KENNEDY
5 THE WORLD NEEDS WHO YOU WERE MADE TO BE
JOANNA GAINES
6 THE COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BIBLE
JANICE EMMERSON
7 GOD GAVE US YOU
LISA TAWN BERGREN
8 MOSTLY WHAT GOD DOES IS LOVE YOU
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE
9 THE BIGGEST STORY BIBLE STORYBOOK
KEVIN DEYOUNG
10 WHEREVER YOU GO, I WANT YOU TO KNOW...
MELISSA B. KRUGER
View All
1 THE HARBINGER: A GRAPHIC NOVEL
JONATHAN CAHN
2 SINGLE, DATING, ENGAGED, MARRIED
BEN STUART
3 LIVE ON PURPOSE
SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF WITH BETH CLARK AND TAMA FORTNER
4 THE 5-MINUTE BIBLE STUDY FOR TEEN GIRLS
CAREY SCOTT
5 DO HARD THINGS
ALEX HARRIS AND BRETT HARRIS
6 GOD IS WITH YOU EVERY DAY
MAX LUCADO
7 THE CASE FOR CHRIST STUDENT EDITION
LEE STROBEL WITH JANE VOGEL
8 FLOURISH
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
9 OUTDATED
JONATHAN POKLUDA AND KEVIN MCCONAGHY
10 INTERCESSORY PRAYER
DUTCH SHEETS
View All
1 THE GOSPEL STORY
MARY WILEY
2 ONE-MINUTE INSIGHTS FOR MEN
JIM GEORGE
3 365 READ-ALOUD BEDTIME BIBLE STORIES
DANIEL PARTNER
4 KNOW YOUR BIBLE
PAUL KENT
5 ONE-MINUTE INSPIRATIONS FOR WOMEN
ELIZABETH GEORGE
6 3-MINUTE DEVOTIONS FOR MEN
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
7 BIBLE PROMISE BOOK - KJV
BARBOUR PUBLISHING
8 199 PROMISES OF GOD
PUBLISHING, BARBOUR
9 77 MEMORY VERSES EVERY KID SHOULD KNOW
CHRISTIAN ART KIDS
10 BIBLE PROMISES FOR MOMS
HEIDI ST JOHN
View All
1 KJV GIANT PRINT FULL SIZE BIBLE
CHRISTIAN ART PUBLISHERS
2 ESV CHURCH BIBLE
CROSSWAY
3 NIV ADVENTURE BIBLE, Hardcover
ZONDERVAN
4 KJV LARGE PRINT PERSONAL SIZE REFERENCE BIBLE
HOLMAN BIBLE PUBLISHERS
5 CSB SHE READS TRUTH BIBLE, GREY
RAECHEL MYERS AND AMANDA BIBLE WILLIAMS
6 NIV THE WOMAN'S STUDY BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
7 NKJV PERSONAL SIZE LARGE PRINT REFERENCE BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
8 ESV STUDY BIBLE
J. I. PACKER, MARK DEVER AND JOHN PIPER
9 NLT LARGE PRINT PREMIUM VALUE THINLINE BIBLE, Brown
TYNDALE
10 ESV JOURNALING BIBLE
CROSSWAY BIBLES
View All
1 ESV ECONOMY BIBLE
CROSSWAY
2 ESV ECONOMY HOLY BIBLE FOR KIDS
CROSSWAY
3 NIV LARGER PRINT HOLY BIBLE, ECONOMY EDITION
ZONDERVAN
4 ESV LARGE PRINT ECONOMY BIBLE
CROSSWAY
5 NLT LARGE PRINT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY OUTREACH EDITION
TYNDALE
6 KJV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
7 NIV ECONOMY BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
8 NIV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE, Pink
ZONDERVAN
9 NIV OUTREACH BIBLE STUDENT EDITION
ZONDERVAN
10 NLT ECONOMY TEXT BIBLE
TYNDALE
View All
1 English Standard Version
2 New International Version
3 King James Version
4 New Living Translation
5 New King James Version
6 Christian Standard Bible
7 Reina Valera
8 New International Reader's Version
9 Nueva Version International
10 New American Standard Bible
View All
1 LOS 5 LENGUAJES DEL AMOR EDICION REVISADA
GARY CHAPMAN
2 PERDONA LO QUE NO PUEDES OLVIDAR
LYSA TERKEURST
3 UN ANO CON DIOS
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
4 UNA VIDA CON PROPOSITO
RICK WARREN
5 UNA MUJER SABIA
WENDY BELLO
6 EL PODER DE LA MUJER QUE ORA
STORMIE OMARTIAN
7 JESUS TE LLAMA
SARAH YOUNG
8 EL DESAFIO DE 30 DIAS DE ORACION PARA HOMBRES
JESS MACCALLUM
9 DESTINADO AL EXITO
DANTE GEBEL
10 VIVIENDO SU VOLUNTAD
SEBASTIAN FRANZ
View All
1 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Negro
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Negro tapa dura
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
3 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA GRANDE TAMANO MANUAL EDICION TIERRA SANTA
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
4 RVR1960 BIBLIA DEL PESCADOR LETRA GRANDE, Caoba
LUIS ANGEL DIAZ-PABON
5 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Rosa
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
6 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Turquesa
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
7 RVR1960 SANTA BIBLIA EDICION PORTATIL CON CREMALLERA
RVR 1960- REINA VALERA 1960
8 RVR60 SANTA BIBLIA LETRA SUPERGIGANTE CON CIERRE
RVR 1960- REINA VALERA 1960
9 RVR1960 BIBLIA DE APUNTES
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
10 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA GRANDE TAMANO MANUAL CON INDICE
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
View All
1 LA GRAN HISTORIA DEL EVANGELIO
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 PREOCUPATE MENOS Y ORA MAS
DONNA K. MALTESE
3 365 HISTORIAS BIBLICAS PARA LA HORA DE DORMIR
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
4 EL SECRETO DE LA PAZ PERSONAL
BILLY GRAHAM
5 DEVOCIONALES DE 3 MINUTOS PARA HOMBRES
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
6 UN HOMBRE CONFORME AL CORAZON DE DIOS
JIM GEORGE
7 JESUS SALVA AL MUNDO
VIDA
8 DEMASIADO BENDECIDA PARA ESTAR ESTRESADA
DEBORA M. COTY
9 ESTRESATE MENOS, ORA MAS
DONNA K. MALTESE
10 3:16 EVANGELIO DE JUAN
MAX LUCADO
View All

Upcoming Events

ECPA webinar: Communicating Appreciation in the Workplace
August 8 | 10 am central
ECPA Asia Rights & Export Fair
September 1-2, 2025 | Bangkok, Thailand
ECPA C-Suite Symposium
September 7-9, 2025 | Tucson, Arizona
The Christy Award® Finalist Reveal Webcast
September 19 | 10 am central
ECPA PubU Online
Oct 31 through Nov 14, 2025

Career Center

Marketing Manager, Trade NonFiction
Baker Book House Company, Ada, Michigan (Hybrid)
Senior Designer
Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois
ECPA LOGO
submit icon

Submit a News Item

Submit industry related news releases to rushtopress @ecpa .org for consideration. Rush to Press is sent every Monday and eligible releases must be received by end of day Friday prior to the Monday’s publication.

announce icon

Career Posts

To announce a job opening in Rush to Press, post it first at the ECPA Career Center and your announcement will appear in the next issue.

subscribe icon

Subscribe

To receive Rush to Press, along with other industry updates from ECPA, please follow the instructions here to create or modify your ECPA community profile. To subscribe to Rush to Press without using a profile, subscribe here.

unsubscribe icon

Unsubscribe

If you would like to be removed from the Rush to Press distribution list, please edit your ECPA profile preferences or email info @ecpa .org.

advertise icon

Advertise

If you would like to reach over 3,300 industry subscribers and media contacts each week, consider advertising in Rush to Press. Contact sponsorship @ecpa .org for more information.

More news at RushtoPress.org. #RushtoPress @ECPA
This is a publication of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. For more information about ECPA, contact info@ecpa.org or visit ECPA.org.
Copyright © 2025 · ECPA