Congrats to the ACFW Award Winners!

Not "official" winners, but having Terry Burns as an agent makes us true winners!

You'll probably see names of the ACFW award winners everywhere this week, but I wanted to post the full list on my blog, to personally congratulate these incredibly talented authors. A special shout-out to Bonnie Calhoun, fellow Hartline author, who won the award for Mentor of the Year. WOO-HOO!

What an amazing and special night it was on Saturday! Sharing a few pictures here and hope to blog about conference-related things for the next couple of weeks.

Mentor of the Year: Bonnie Calhoun

Agent of the Year: Rachelle Gardner, WordServe Literary Group

Editor of the Year: Andrea Doering, Revell

Lifetime Achievement Award: Tracie Peterson

 GENESIS CONTEST WINNERS:

Contemporary Fiction: Katy Pistole for Jubilee

Contemporary Romance: Mary Curry for War of Hearts

Historical Fiction: Johnnie Alexander Donley for Where Treasure Hides

Historical Romance: Sarah Ladd for Heiress of Winterwood

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller: Dianna T. Benson for Illusion of Safety

Romantic Suspense: Renee Ann Smith for The Children's Corner

Speculative Fiction: Matt Jones for Shield

Women's Fiction: Camille Eide for My Father's House

Young Adult: Nicole Quigley for Like Moonlight at Low Tide

CAROL AWARDS:

Novella: A Trusting Heart by Carrie Turansky (Barbour - Rebecca Germany, Editor)
Short Contemporary: A Father for Zach By Irene Hannon (Love Inspired - Melissa Endlich, Editor)
Short Contemporary Suspense: Night Prey by Sharon Dunn (Love Inspired Suspense - Emily Rodmell, Editor)

Short Historical: Her Healing Ways by Lyn Cote (Love Inspired Historical - Tina James, Editor)

Young Adult: Anything But Normal by Melody Carlson (Revell - Lonnie Hull DuPont, Editor)
Long Contemporary: Never say Never by Lisa Wingate (Bethany House - Dave Long, Editor)
Long Contemporary Romance: Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson - Natalie Hanemann, Editor)
Mystery: The Camera Never Lies by Elizabeth Goddard (Barbour - Rebecca Germany, Editor)
Romantic Suspense: The Silent Order by Melanie Dobson (Summerside Press - Rachel Meisel/Susan Downs/Ellen Tarver, Editors)
Speculative Fiction: Predator by Terri Blackstock (Zondervan - Sue Brower/Dave Lambert, Editors)
Long Historical: Sons of Thunder by Susan May Warren (Summerside Press - Susan Downs, Editor)

Long Historical Romance: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa Melanie Dobson (Summerside Press - Rachel Meisel/Connie Troyer, Editors
Speculative: Knight's Fire by Marc Schooley (Marcher Lord Press - Jeff Gerke/C.L. Dyck, Editor
Women's Fiction: Beaded Hope by Cathy Liggett (Tyndale Publishers - Jan Stob/Lorie Popp, Editors)
Debut Author: Crossing Oceans  by Gina Holmes (Tyndale Publishers - Kathryn Olson, Editor)

With friends before the gala

If you're interested, the blog from the banquet can be read here:  

http://www.acfw.com/conference/liveblog.shtml

Again, congratulations to all the winners!

Announcing the 2010 ACFW Award Winners...

Well, last night was the ACFW Awards Banquet. I sat in on the live blogging event, which was hosted by Tyson Wynn of Wynn-Wynn Media, and the wonderful author and beautiful person, Ronie Kendig. I have to say I loved the whole blogging idea and it was the next best thing to actually being there. Plus, although I like getting dressed up from time to time, I was nice and comfy sitting in my recliner wearing my sweats and t-shirt.

Anyway, I know what you're wondering: Did you win?

Sigh...

And that says it all.

Of course I wanted to be the bride of my category, but if I didn't get to be the blushing bride, I was hoping at least for Matron of Honor. But this year (like last), I had to settle for Bridesmaid, which is still cool and everything, but, you know, it's just not the same.

But it's all good! This doesn't deter me at all from pressing on. And, cliche' as it sounds, it really was an honor to be nominated.

Hugs to my friends, Shelly Ledfors and Linda Yezak, who took their places as Genesis bridesmaids this year, too. AND a special hug to my AWESOME agent, Terry Burns, a 2010 Agent of the Year finalist! He is very much a winner in my book!

Now for the list of all the winners...

2010 GENESIS WINNERS

Contemporary Fiction
Runner up: Chris Kraft, Brandywine Reckoning
Winner: Lynnette P. Horner, The Assistant

Contemporary Romance
Runner up: Sarah Forgrave, Stilettos and Aprons
Winner: Janice LaQuiere, Truckload of Love

Historical Fiction
Runner up is: Lori Benton, The Quiet in the Land
Winner: Brenda Jackson, Principle Engagement

Historical Romance
Runner up: Ruth Trippy, Celia
Winner: Pam Hillman, Terms of Indenturement

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Runner up: Barbara Early, Chaos at Camp
Winner: Rich Bullock, Storm Lake/Storm Song

Romantic Suspense
Runner up: Terri Weldon, A Cry in the Night
Winner: Valerie Goree, Weep in the Night

Speculative Fiction
Runner up: Suzanne Krein, Time Dancer
Winner: Andra Marquardt, Traitors

Women's Fiction
Runner up: Lisa Buffaloe, Nadia's Hope
Winner: Jennifer Fromke, Docking

Young Adult
Runner up: Kasey Heinly, Broken Glass
Winner: Stefanie Morris, Shyla, Desert Daughter/Shyla, Child of the Desert

2010 CAROL AWARD WINNERS (formerly Book of the Year)

Contemporary Novella
Susan May Warren - The Great Christmas Bowl (Tyndale House, Karen Watson - Editor)

Historical Novella
Janet Tronstad - Christmas Bells for Dry Creek (Steeple Hill, Tina James - Editor)

Short Contemporary
Mae Nunn - A Texas Ranger's Family (Steeple Hill, Melissa Endlich - Editor)

Short Contemporary Suspense
Jill Elizabeth Nelson - Evidence of Murder (Steeple Hill, Emily Rodmell - Editor)

Short Historical
Dan Walsh - The Unfinished Gift (Revell, Andrea Doering)

Young Adult
Jenny B. Jones - I'm So Sure (Thomas Nelson, Natalie Hanemann/Jamie Chavez - Editors)

Long Contemporary
Christina Berry - The Familiar Stranger (Moody Publishers, Paul Santhouse - Editor)

Long Contemporary Romance
Jenny B. Jones - Just Between You and Me (Thomas Nelson, Natalie Hanemann/Jamie Chavez - Editors)

Mystery
A.K. Arenz - The Case of the Mystified M.D. (Sheaf House, Joan M. Shoup - Editor)

Suspense/Thriller
Terri Blackstock - Intervention (Zondervan, Sue Brower/Dave Lambert - Editors)

Long Historical
Allison Pittman - Stealing Home (Multnomah, Alice Crider - Editor)

Long Historical Romance
Mary Connealy - Cowboy Christmas (Barbour Publishing, Rebecca Germany - Editor)

Speculative (includes Science Fiction, Fantasy, Allegory)
Kirk Outerbridge - Eternity Falls (Marcher Lord Press, Jeff Gerke - Editor)

Women's Fiction
Cheryl McKay & Rene Gutteridge - Never the Bride (Waterbrook Press, Shannon Marchese - Editor)

Debut Author
Dan Walsh - The Unfinished Gift (Revell, Andrea Doering - Editor)

MENTOR OF THE YEAR

Susan May Warren

EDITOR OF THE YEAR

Sue Brower, Zondervan

AGENT OF THE YEAR

Sandra Bishop, The MacGregor Literary

HUGE CONGRATS TO ALL THE WINNERS!!

I won an award!

My FaithWriters friend, Dara Sorensen, has presented me with the Kreative Blogger award. How cool is that? Dara is a sweetie. Her blog, Tales from the Writing Front, is about her "journey through the world of writing and everything in between..." Dara is an aspiring historical fiction/historical fantasy author and currently is writing a Japanese historical. She just joined ACFW and I can't wait to see her at the conference next September! I encourage you to visit her blog.

Now, I have the privilege of presenting this award to a few other fellow bloggers. I've chosen five recipients. Be sure to check out these fabulous award-winners.

And the award goes to...

Stormie Johnson - Books, Movies, Reviews...Oh My! - a great site for reviews and cool contests.

Terri Tiffany...Inspirational Writer - Terri is a great online friend, whose blog is inpiring! She has stories published in Chicken Soup for the Soul and numerous other anthologies, magazines, and ezines.

Joanne Sher - An Open Book - The first chapter of Joanne's book, Ailing Body...Nourished Soul, won an honorary award in last year's FaithWriters Page Turner contest. This book relays the difficulties and challenges of working through her husband's health issues. Joanne has a beautiful heart and an encouraging spirit. You'll be blessed by her blog.

Lauryn Abbot - Seed Thoughts - Lauryn is an aspiring author whose blog includes great giveaways, interviews, and foor for thought.

Maria Morgan - Life Lessons - A blog filled with spiritual wisdom and insight.

Congrats to all the winners! Feel free to steal this award and hand out a few of your own...

I WON!

So everyone loves winning, right? I've won a few contests in my time and YES - it feels great! Well, I am thrilled to announce my most recent award:

The LEMONADE AWARD



I'll pause here so you can ooh and ah and applaud for a sec.

My friend and fellow work-at-home mom, Darlene Demell, has decided that my little blog, On the Write Track, is deserving of the prestigious Lemonade award. And I couldn't feel more honored.

Please visit Darlene at her blog, http://www.watkinsrecipesandmore.blogspot.com to not only tell her what a wonderful decision she made in handing me this award, but also to find out more about Watkins and the fabulous food items and products they offer plus some delicious recipes!

Now, the way the "When Life Gives You Lemons, make Lemonade" Award (for short, The Lemonade Award) works is:1) You must link back to the person you received the award from.2) You have to nominate 10 bloggers who are deserving of this award!

Now it's my turn to hand out this award to 10 blog owners I feel are deserving. It was a tough decision but here are the ten I have chosen for this honor. Please visit their blogs and congratulate them on their win.

1. Julie Arduini at The Surrendered Scribe

2. Patty Wysong at Patterings

3. Dara Sorensen at In the Write Mind

4. Tracy Keck at Seed Thoughts

5. Delia Latham at The Melody Within

6. Lynn Mosher at Heading Home

7. Linda Y at 777 Peppermint Place

8. Terri Tiffany at Terri's Treasures

9. J.C. Lamont at Crimson Moon

10. LauraLee Shaw at Lovin' the Arts

Once again, THANK YOU Darlene, and CONGRATS to those of you who have blogs that are fabulous enough to earn this award of excellence!

It's my Chocolate Party and I'll Cry if I want to...

I'm eating my chocolate.

Alone.

Sigh...

So I really, really, really wanted to attend the American Christian Fiction Writers conference this year. Which, I must mention, is happening right now, even as I type. My reason for wanting to go isn't limited to the fact that it's being held near the biggest mall in America and I could use a new handbag or two. I seriously would give my right shoulder to be in Minneapolis right now. And suffering from major tendonitis in my right shoulder has nothing to do with it.

If rubbing shoulders (my left one) with my favorite authors, attending great writing workshops, and the possibility of pitching to major publishing house editors isn't reason enough, I would have loved to finally meet face-to-face with those who have encouraged me, critiqued the yuckiness out of my manuscripts and inserted so many smileys and "loved this!" comments in the margins.

And then there's the famous chocolate party, hosted by Michelle Sutton...

Oh. One more reason I wish I was there: to attend the Awards Ceremony tomorrow night. Yes, my manuscript is in the running for an award in the Chick Lit category. I will honestly say that I totally don't expect to win. Which is why I wish I was there. If I thought, for one second that I AM going to win, I wouldn't want to go. The thought of having to make a speech - even a brief 30-second speech - is enough to send me rocking in the corner. And I'm thinking that branding myself as a corner-rocker wouldn't leave such a good impression on those editors and agents.

But I am so very honored to be nominated. And as cheesy and cliche' and totally fake as that sounds, it's the honest truth. The fact that my work is recognized at all, let alone in the prestigious Genesis contest, is truly humbling for me. And if I come in 5th place, I will be satisfied. Just not quite AS satisfied as if I come in, say... not last.

Anyway, I will be waiting for the news tomorrow night. I'm sure someone will post the results somewhere...Facebook, ShoutLife, in a personal email.... (hint).

God has blessed me in ways I never would have imagined even two years ago. Joining ACFW and meeting such beautiful people who happen to be fabulous writers, has been one of my biggest blessings. And, like I said, to be included in a list of ACFW finalists is beyond my wildest dreams.

So to all of my friends and all of those I desperately hope to meet in person one day, I hope you're having a marvelous time and making lots of new friends and getting lots of manuscript requests!

And, of course, I hope you're eating pounds of chocolate.

Maybe next year, I can join you so I won't have to eat by myself.

A Pleasant Surprise!

Getting the mail is one of the high points of my day (slightly pathetic, I know). Today I received a package from FaithWriters. I was confused and had no clue what it could be. I was thrilled to open the box and find my plaque for my Highly Commended award from the Page Turner Contest, for the first chapter of my manuscript, Mind Over Madi.

What a pleasant and uplifting surprise!

It's so cool - it's glass and has that blue shading thing going on that's visible from certain angles. I found the perfect place for it on my file cabinet where I can look at it every day. It reminds me that I really and truly might just have a chance at this writing thing. Check it out...



Thanks, FaithWriters!

Link to FaithWriters Page Turner Contest Results

I am so thrilled to have won the highly commended award for the first ever FaithWriters Page Turner contest. Honored is such an understatement. My goal now is to press on and finish my manuscript. I am now at almost 60,000 words (should reach 60,000 today, in fact!). Only 15,000 more to go until the first draft is finished. I can't tell you how amazing it feels to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Okay, so "light at the end of the tunnel" is so cliche'...a novel no-no...but that's exactly how I see it - a light at the end of a looooooong road. So I've been putting through the tunnel at an extremely slow pace. All the more reason the end is more exciting for me!

I know that after I've emerged from the tunnel, I will have a massive amount of work still ahead of me. But just typing "The End" will be a major milestone for me.

In the meantime, here is the official announcement of the Page Turner winners:

FaithWriters Page Turner Winners 2007

Thanks to all for your congratulations and pats on the back. Chocolate is always welcome,too. LOL

FaithWriters Page Turner Winners Announced!

After several months of waiting, results were announced Friday for the FaithWriters first Page Turner Contest. Each year, the contest will alternate between fiction and non-fiction. This year, the focus was on fiction. FaithWriters 500 members were invited to submit the first page of their manuscript, along with a synopsis of the entire projected novel.

There was one winner (Yay, JC!) who received an $800 cash prize, free editing, publicity, the works!

In addition to the Grand Prize winner, two runners up were selected. And - WOO-HOO!!! - I was one of them! The first chapter of my WIP, Mind Over Madi, received a Highly Commended award. For me, this is yet another indication that I need to get that novel finished!

I will receive half-price editing from Finesse Editing Service, as well as a special award plaque.

I'll try to post the press release as soon as it becomes available.