The Gift of Progress

No matter what our field of interest--writing, painting, music, motocross, restoring homes, restoring cars, teaching--progress is key to our enthusiasm while we endure the often long wait or the tedium of daily chores or the setbacks.

Finaling in the prestigious American Christian Fiction Writers' 2008 Genesis Contest in Women's Fiction felt like progress. The competition was stiff and the judging considers carefully the "publishability" of the entries.

So you can imagine what an honor it was to be named one of three to PLACE in the Women's Fiction category at the awards banquet for ACFW! My project--They Almost Always Come Home--took second place.

May all who placed in the Genesis Contest of the ACFW Book of the Year contest be blessed, take courage, and first find their fulfillment in Him then their books in Barnes and Noble!

Book of the Year Winners (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place):

Debut Author - Sushi for One? by Camy Tang, Zondervan
Bayou Justice by Robin Caroll
In Between by Jenny B. Jones

Contemporary Novella - Finally Home by Deborah Raney, Barbour Publishing
Moonlight & Mistletoe by Carrie Turansky
Remaking of Moe McKenna by Gloria Clover

Historical Novella - Love Notes in Love Letters Anthology by Mary Davis, Barbour Publishing
Beyond the Memories by DiAnn Mills
The Spinster & The Tycoon by Vickie McDonough

Lits - Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh, Multnomah Books
Sushi for One? by Camy Tang
Tie: One Little Secret by Allison Bottke & The Book of Jane by Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt

Long Contemporary - Within This Circle by Deborah Raney, Steeple Hill Books
Like Always by Robert Elmer
Autumn Blue by Karen Harter

Long Historical - Tie: Veil of Fire by Marlo Schalesky, RiverOak
Where Willows Grow by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Bethany House
Tie: Fancy Pants by Cathy Marie Hake & Then Came Hope by Louise Gouge
Courting Trouble by Deeanne Gist

Mystery - Your Chariot Awaits by Lorena McCourtney, Thomas Nelson
Death of a Garage Sale Newbie by Sharon Dunn
Sticks And Stones by Susan Meissner

Short Contemporary - The Heart of Grace by Linda Goodnight, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
Heart of the Family by Margaret Daley
Wedded Bliss by Kathleen Y’Barbo

Short Contemporary Suspense - Caught Redhanded by Gayle Roper, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
Pursuit of Justice by Pamela Tracy
Tie: Nowhere to Hide by Debby Giusti & Her Christmas Protector by Terri Reed

Short Historical - Tie: Canteen Dreams by Cara Putman & Barbour/Heartsong PresentsGolden Days by Mary Connealy, Barbour/Heartsong Presents
A Wealth Beyond Riches by Vickie McDonough
A Time to Keep by Kelly Eileen Hake

Speculative - The Restorer’s Son by Sharon Hinck, NavPress
Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee
DragonFire by Donita Paul

Suspense - Black Ice by Linda Hall, WaterBrook Press
Coral Moon by Brandilyn Collins
Abomination by Colleen Coble

Women’s Fiction - Remember to Forget by Deborah Raney, Howard Books/Simon & Schuster
Watercolored Pearls by Stacy Hawkins Adams
A Promise To Remember by Kathryn Cushman

Young Adult - In Between by Jenny B. Jones, NavPress
Sara Jane: Liberty’s Torch by Eleanor Clark
Saving Sailor by Renee Riva

GENESIS CONTEST

Chick lit, Mom lit, Lady lit Category:
1st: Erica Vetsch, Pam On Rye
2nd: Lynda Schab, Mind Over Madi
3rd: Tiffany Kinerson, Stand On My Own Two Hands

Contemporary Fiction Category:
1st: Dan Case, The Voice
2nd: Christina Berry, Undiscovered
3rd: Jim Rubart, Book of Days

Contemporary Romance Category:
1st: Annalisa Daughety, Love is a Battlefield
2nd: Kathleen Haynes, The Quarterback Club
3rd: Cara Slaughter, Joanna's Treasure

Historical Fiction Category:
1st: Mona Hodgson, A Thimble's Worth
2nd: Rachel Moore, A Trail of Waves
3rd: Lori Benton, Trouble The Water

Historical Romance Category:
1st: Patty Smith Hall, Flights of Freedom
2nd: Karen Witemeyer, Cloud by Day
3rd: Erica Vetsch, Marriage Masquerade

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Category:
1st: Jane Thornton, Menace
2nd Donna Alice Patton, Wrestling Demons
3rd: Janice Olson, Don't Look Back

Romantic Suspense Category:
1st: Jenness Walker, Deja Vu
2nd: Dani Pettrey, Quest
3rd (tie): Kelly Ann Riley, A Cowboy's Prayer
3rd (tie): Jane Thornton, Be Anxious

Science Fiction/Fantasy/Allegory Category:
1st: Chawna Schroeder, Metamorphosis
2nd: Lynda K. Arndt, The Song of Blood and Stone
3rd: Valerie Comer, The Girl Who Cried Squid

Women's Fiction Category:
1st: Heather Goodman, 50 Things To Do Before I Turn 30
2nd: Cynthia Ruchti, They Almost Always Come Home
3rd: Kristian Tolle, When Autumn Comes

Young Adult Category:
1st: Carla Stewart, An Unexpected Journey
2nd: Stefanie Morris, The Dragon of Delarest
3rd: Kasey L. Heinly, Broken Glass

May the Lord use these projects for His glory!