AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) announced the winners of the 2024 Golden Scroll Awards at the Golden Scroll Banquet, Sunday, August 4, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Awards were presented by Linda Evans Shepherd, founder and CEO of AWSA, Dawn Scott Damon and Carol Kent.
This is the 16th year that AWSA has presented the Golden Scroll Awards. The Golden Scroll Awards are open to the nearly 900 members of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.
Carol Kent was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. She is a celebrated author with more than thirty impactful books, including bestsellers like “When I Lay My Isaac Down, Becoming a Woman of Influence, Speak Up with Confidence, and He Holds My Hand. Her writing has inspired countless readers with its messages of hope and resilience. She is the founder of the Speak Up Conference, a ministry that equips speakers and writers and has been instrumental in equipping and empowering speakers to share their voices with confidence and clarity. With her husband, Gene, she founded the nonprofit organization, Speak Up for Hope, which benefits inmates and their families, providing vital support and encouragement to those navigating challenging circumstances.
Pam Farrel was awarded the AWSA Impact Award, presented to a member who has made a lifetime impact for Jesus. This dynamic woman has authored over 60 books, offering wisdom and guidance that spans from personal growth to relationship dynamics, joy, and wisdom from the word. Her best-selling book ‘Men are Like Waffles and Women are like Spaghetti’ sold over 350,000 copies. Her work has consistently promoted positive values and empowered individuals to live their best lives. Not only that, but she has been a wonderful friend and encourager to her AWSA Sisters.
The Jennifer Kennedy Dean Award went to Edie Melson. She is a prolific author, a mentor to countless writers, a social media guru, and an advocate for military families. Her books not only offer soul care to others but many of her books offer practical guidance on writing and social media.
Karen Whiting was named AWSA Member of the Year. She has penned over 30 books and has a heart for family and faith, and she crafts stories and activities that bring people closer together. But she wasn’t always a writer, she began her journey solving math problems. Despite her busy life, this AWSA helps her AWSA sisters find more ministry connections. That’s why we think of her as ‘The Connector’ and why she serves on the AWSA Steering Committee overseeing our effort to connect our authors to publishers, animators, magazines, funding, and more.
The Golden Scroll Book of the Year was awarded to Lori Stanley Roeleveld for Graceful Influence: Making a Lasting Impact through Lessons from Women of the Bible (Our Daily Bread).
The Nonfiction Book of the Year Award went to Brenda Yoder for Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life (Herald Press).
The Novel of the Year Award went to Kimberley Woodhouse for Set in Stone (Bethany House).
The Children’s Book of the Year was awarded to Tama Fortner and Michelle Nietart, illustrated by Nomar Perez, for God, I Feel Scared: Bringing Emotions to a Bigger God (Zonderkidz).
The Youth Book of the Year was awarded to Blythe Daniel and Caryn Daniel for Let’s Be Friends (Harvest House).
The Children’s Fiction Book of the Year was awarded to Lisa Corduan, illustrated by Kirk Charlton, for Daddy, Are You a Duck? (Abundance Books).
The Children’s Nonfiction Book of the Year was awarded to Tama Fortner & Michelle Nietart, illustrated by Nomar Perez, for God, I Feel Sad: Bringing Big Emotions to a Bigger God (Zonderkidz).
Second place for Children’s Nonfiction Book of the Year went to Michelle Medlock Adams & Cecil Stokes, illustrated by Jonathan Bouw, for I Love You From Here to Heaven Above (Good Books). Third place went to Michelle Medlock Adams and Cecil Stokes illustrated by Penny Webber, for You Are My Dream Come True (Wren & Bear Books).
Second place for Youth Book of the Year went to Cynthia L. Simmons and Terri Gillespie for A Penny Saved (Elk Lake). Third place went to Lori Z. Scott for Offsides (End Game Press). Honorable mention went to Sandra Kay Chambers for Fingerprint Devotions: 40 Devotions to Help You Realize You Are a Kid Uniquely Created by God for a Purpose (Ambassador International).
Second place for Children’s Fiction Book of the Year went to Joan Benson and Marjorie Wingert, illustrated by Holly Pallet, for Let’s Be One: God’s Human Race (Elk Lake). Third place went to Liz A. Pitman, illustrated by Jane Brobst, for Where Is the Missing Puzzle Piece? (Liz Pitman). Honorable mention went to Susan Grant, Illustrated by Kelly Artieri, for Sweet Dreams, Boone (Elk Lake).
Honorable mention went to Crystal Bowman and Teri McKinley, Illustrated by Anita Schmidt, for Our Daily Bread for Kids: 365 Devotions from Genesis to Revelation (Our Daily Bread).
The Christian Education Book of the Year was awarded to Linda Goldfarb for Creating Dynamic Podcasts and Audio Books (Bold Vision Books).
Second place for Christian Educational Book of the Year went to Karen Beery for How to Edit Your Novel: Practical Steps to Strengthen Your Story (Bold Vision Books). Third place went to Susan U. Neal for 12 Ways to Age Gracefully (Iron Stream Media). Honorable mention went to Sandra Jullian Barker, for The Rapture: Imagining the Day that Changes The World Forever (Joyful Writers Press).
The Parenting Book of the Year was awarded to Jill Rigby Garner for Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World (Redemption Press).
Second place for Parenting Book of the Year went to Lee Ann Mancini for Raising Kids to Follow Christ (Whitaker House). Third place went to Terrie Hellard-Brown for Building Character Through Picture Books: 25 Family Devotions (Terrie Hellard- Brown). Honorable mention went to Billie Juass, for Baseball Family: Nine Core Qualities for Developing Healthy Relationships (Endgame Press) and Casey Hilty, for Her Children Arise: Passing a Legacy of Faith to the Next Generation (Like Eden Press).
The Christian Living Book of the Year went to Dr. Michelle Bengtson for The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God when Pain Overwhelms (Revell).
Second place for Christian Living Book of the Year went to Beth Marshall for Uncrushed: Real Steps for Healing Your Grief and Restoring Your Joy (End Game Press). Third place went to Karen A. McKracken for Women Let Go: Release the Grip of Unforgiveness (Karen McKracken). Honorable mention went to Debra A. Elrod, for Surrendered: Discovering God’s Will for Your Life (Tall Pine Books).
The Bible Study Book of the Year was awarded to Janet McHenry for Training For Success (First Place for Health).
Second place for Bible Study Book of the Year went to Debbie W. Wilson for Little God, Big Strength: Discover a God Greater than Your Goliaths (Leafwood Publishers). Third place went to Cindy Saab for Beyond: Finding Strength and Hope in Unexpected Storms (Redemption Press). Honorable mention went to Debra A. Elrod, for Discovering Your Spiritual DNA: A Complete Guide to Changing Your Thinking and Transforming Your Life (Tall Pine Books).
The Memoir of the Year was a tie with Linda Summerford for The Glider: A True Story of Survival from Heartbreak to Hope (Abundance Books) and Dr. Donna D. Kincheloe for A Life Just Like Mine: How God and Nursing Turned Past Pain into Present Peace (Morgan James Publishing).
Second place for Memoir of the Year went to Cherie Denna for Beloved Outcast: The Quest for True Belonging (Bold Vision Books). Third place was a tie with Heather Wilber for Never Will I Leave Thee, Never Will I Forsake Thee: A Mother’s Testimony of Hope and Miracles (Trilogy) and Paige Snedeker for Paige’s Pages: A Story of God’s Strength in Impossible Circumstances (The Way With Words). Honorable mention went to Laurie Devernoe, for Seeing Through the Darkness: The Incredible Story of How Losing My Sight Taught Me to See (Laurie Devernoe) and Paige Snedeker for, Paige’s Pages: A Story of God’s Strength in Impossible Circumstances (The Way With Words).
The Anthology of the Year was awarded to Lisa Burns and Amber Weigand-Buckley for Leading Ladies: Discover Your God Grown Strategies for Success (Bold Vision Books).
Second place for Anthology of the Year went to Michelle Rayburn for Life In the Estrogen Free Zone: Humor and Heartfelt Wisdom from Boy Moms (Faith Creative Life Books). Third place went to Michelle Rayburn for Renewed Christmas Blessings: Short Stories, Poems, and Heartfelt Essays (Faith Creative Life Books). Honorable mention went to Hope Bolinger, for Ordinary People, Extraordinary God (End Game Press).
The Inspirational Gift Book of the Year was awarded to Carol Kent for Life’s Lessons for Moms: Stories of Love, Laughter & Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart (Christian Art Gifts).
Second place for Inspirational Gift Book of the Year went to Joyce Thomas for Finding Love: Let the Passion of God’s Love Unlock Your Heart (Joycasting Books). Third place was a tie with Dr. Katherine Pasour for Stay the Course: A Devotional Handbook to Survive Your First Year of College—and Beyond (Morgan James Faith) and Michelle Medlock Adams and Andy Clapp for The Christmas Devotional: Hope and Humor for the Holidays (End Game Press). Honorable mention went to Kathy Howard, for Deep Rooted Journal (Bold Vision Books). The
Devotional Book of the Year went to Cheryl Schuermann for Farmhouse Devotions: God’s Glory in the Ordinary (Bold Vision Books). Second place for Devotional Book of the Year went to Edie Melson for Soul Care for When the Nest is Empty (Bold Vision Books). Third place went to Michelle Medlock Adams, Connie Clyburn and Cynthia A. Lovely for Aging Fabulously: 52 Devotions to Give You a Faith-Lift (Bold Vision Books). Honorable mention went to Cherilynn Bisbano, for Experience Immanuel Daily: Personal Encounters with God Devotional (Bold Vision Books).
The Mystery/Suspense Novel of the Year was awarded to PeggySue Wells for Unnatural Cause (Pegwood Publishing). Second place for the Mystery/Suspense Novel of the Year was Lynette Eason for Critical Threat (Revell). Third place went to DiAnn Mills for Facing the Enemy (Tyndale). Honorable mention went to Lynette Eason, for Double Take (Revell).
The Contemporary Novel of the Year was awarded to Cheri Swalwell for Redemption Full Circle (Spoken From the Heart). Second place for Contemporary Novel of the Year went to Dr. Nancy Meyer for Defying Fear: Finding the Courage to Embrace Your True Value (Brookstone). Third place was a tie that went to two books by Kara Hunt: Paper Dolls: Priscilla and Paper Dolls: Lydia (both published by Take Me Away Books). Honorable mention went to Sue Fairchild, for Changing Tides (Elk Lake).
The Historical Novel of the Year was awarded to Rebekah Montgomery for Hunt the Straight Path Home (Abundance Books). Second place for Historical Novel of the Year went to Jennifer Wright for The Girl From the Papers (Tyndale). Third place went to Rhonda Dragomir for When the Flames Ravaged (Barbour). Honorable mention went to Karen Witemeyer, for Fairest of Heart (Bethany House).
The Romance Novel of the Year was awarded to Kristen Terrette for Safe Harbor (Elk Lake). Second place for Romance Novel of the Year went to Tricia Goyer for Beyond the Gray Mountains (Sunrise Publishing). Third place went to Tricia Goyer for Trust the Stars (White Crown Publishing). Honorable mention went to Heidi Gray McGill, for Healing of the Heart (Heidi Gray McGill Books).
The Novella of the Year was awarded to Kimberley Woodhouse for Penelope (Barbour). Second place for Novella of the Year went to Karen Witemeyer for In Her Sights (Hope & Light Publishing). Third place went to Susan G. Mathis for Summer at the Thousand Island House (Wild Heart Books). Honorable mention went to Dani Petrey, for The Shifting Current (Gracie & Johnny Inc.).
The Arise Daily Writer of the Year was awarded to Stacy Sanchez.
AWSA’s official magazine, “Leading Hearts,” won the 2024 prestigious 2nd Place Award of Merit for Christian Ministry Magazine in print. The “Leading Hearts” Columnist of the Year went to Edie Melson. Feature Article of the Year went to Stacy Sanchez for “A Teen Mom’s Story: How the Church was Christ’s Hands and Feet.”
New ASWA P.O.W.E.R. Speakers were recognized: Debra Elrod, Barbara Latta, Deborah Malone, Jacqulyn Marushka, Heather Norman Smith, Doris Swift, Becky Terry and Joyce Thomas.
The 2024 Christian Market Book Awards
This is the fifth year to present the Christian Market Book Awards. These awards are open to all authors who publish in the Christian market.
The Christian Market Book of the Year was awarded to Cherie Denna for Beloved Outcast: The Quest for True Belonging (Bold Vision Books).
The Christian Market Devotional of the Year was awarded to Latan Roland Murphy for His Strength Her Joy: Finding God-Powered Fulfillment (Bold Vision Books).
The Christian Market Memoir of the Year was awarded to Heather Wilber for Never Will I Leave Thee, Never Will I Forsake Thee: A Mother’s Testimony of Hope and Miracles (Trilogy).
The Christian Market Parenting Book of the Year was awarded to Casey Hilty for Her Children Arise: Passing a Legacy of Faith to the Next Generation (Like Eden Press).
The Christian Market Educational Book of the Year was awarded to Dr. Craig von Buseck for Telling the Truth: How to Write a Narrative Nonfiction and Memoir (Bold Vision Books).
The Christian Market Suspense Novel of the Year was awarded to Sarah Hamaker for Justice Delayed (Seshva Press).
The Christian Market Romance Novel of the Year was awarded to Karin Beery for Finally Forever (Elk Lake).
The Christian Market Historical Novel of the Year was awarded to Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse for With Each Tomorrow (Bethany House).
The Christian Market Biblical Fiction of the Year was awarded to David J. Marsh for Waterborne: Chronicle of the Clan of Noah (Bold Vision Books).
The Christian Market Children’s Book of the Year was awarded to Liz A. Pitman, illustrated by Jane Brobst, for Where is the Missing Puzzle Piece? (Liz A. Pitman).
The Christian Market Youth Book of the Year was awarded to Caris Snider for Anxiety Elephants for Teens: A 90 Day Devotional (End Game Press). Second place for the Christian Market Book of the Year went to Lori Z. Scott for Offsides (End Game Press). Third place went to Sandra Kay Chambers for Fingerprint Devotions: 40 Devotions to Help You Realize You Are a Kid Uniquely Created by God for a Purpose (Ambassador International). Honorable mention went to Kirsten Terette, for Fences Left Broken (Elk Lake).
The Christian Market Children’s Nonfiction Book of the Year was awarded to Crystal Bowman & Teri McKinley, illustrated by Anita Schmidt for Our Daily Bread for Kids: 365 Devotions from Genesis to Revelation (Our Daily Bread). Second place for the Christian Market Children’s Nonfiction Book of the Year went Michelle Medlock Adams and Cecil Stokes, illustrated by Johnathan Bouw, for I Love You From Here to Heaven Above (Good Books). Third place went to Michelle Medlock Adams and Cecil Stokes, illustrated by Penny Webber, for You Are My Dreams Come True (Wren & Bear Books). Honorable mention went to Kate Reitema, Illustrated by Jennie Poh, for When God Makes Scribble Beautiful (B&H Kids).
The Christian Market Children’s Fiction Book of the Year was awarded to Jill Roman Lord, Illustrated by Camila Carrossine for Love Well, My Precious One (End Game Press). Second place for the Christian Market Children’s Fiction Book of the Year went to Sally Cressman, illustrated by Angela Edmonds, for The Dance of Easter for (End Game Press). Third place went to Crystal Bowman and Terri McKinley, illustrated by Anita Schmidt, for Good Morning, God Loves You (Tyndale). Honorable mention went to Lisa Courdan, Illustrated by Kirk Charlton, Daddy, Are You a Duck? (Abundance Books) and Susan Grant, Illustrated by Kelly Artieri, for Sweet Dreams, Boone (Elk Lake).
The Christian Market Nonfiction Book of the Year was awarded to Debbie W. Wilson for Little God, Big Strength: Discover a God Greater than Your Goliaths (Leafwood Publishers). Second place for the Christian Market Nonfiction Book of the Year went to Linda Kozar for Gimme Some Sugar: 90 Devotions to Sweeten Your Day in a Godly Way (Broadstreet). Third place went to Linda H. Summerford for The Glider: A True Story of Survival from Heartbreak to Hope (Abundance Books). Honorable mention went to Gena B. McCown, for Still Here and Struggling to Serve (End Game Press).
The Christian Market Novel of the Year was awarded to Kimberley Woodhouse for The Secrets Beneath (Bethany House). Second place for the Christian Market Novel of the Year was awarded to Cindy Stewart for Abounding Hope (Hope Springs Press). Third place went to Lynette Eason for Countdown (Revell). Honorable mention went to Lynette Eason, for Double Take (Revell).
AWSA, the sponsor of the Golden Scroll Awards Banquet, is an outreach of Right to the Heart Ministries and consists of nearly 900 top women authors who both publish and speak nationally. See www.AWSA.com.
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