>I’ve just returned from the ACFW conference in Denver. Two of my friends from Tulsa won their Genesis categories!! I am so thrilled for LACY WILLIAMS and JAN WARREN. Major kudos! The complete list of winners is below the pics of Lacy and Jan.
Lacy Williams, Genesis Winner, Historical Romance
Jan Warren (left) with me and Cindy Hays
Jan was Genesis winner in Romantic Suspense
2009 Mentor of the Year– Donita K. Paul
2009 Membership Service Award– John B. Olson
2009 Editor of the Year Award– Ami McConnell, Thomas Nelson
2009 Agent of the Year Award – Steve Laube, The Steve Laube Agency
Debut Author– A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman
Lits– Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck
Long Contemporary– Symphony of Secrets by Sharon Hinck
Long Contemporary Romance– Controlling Interest by Elizabeth White
Long Historical (tie)– My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer, and I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke
Mystery– For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls by Nancy Mehl
Novellas– Stuck on You in A Connecticut Christmas anthology by Rhonda Gibson
Short Contemporary– Family Treasures by Kathryn Springer
Short Contemporary Suspense– Broken Lullaby by Pamela Tracy
Short Historical– Family of the Heart by Dorothy Clark
Speculative– The Restorer’s Journey by Sharon Hinck
Suspense– Fossil Hunter by John B. Olson
Women’s Fiction- The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner
Young Adult– The Big Picture by Jenny B. Jones
Contemporary Fiction– Jennifer Griffith, Magpies in Trees
Contemporary Romance– Christy LaShea Smith, The Bridge Between
Historical Fiction– Christine Schmidtke, Unveiled
Historical Romance– Lacy Williams, Marrying Miss Marshal
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller- Alan Schleimer, Q.doc
Romantic Suspense– Jan Warren, Katherine Octavia, C.I.A.
Science-Fiction/Fantasy/Allegory– David Fry, Lies To See
Women’s Fiction– Cathleen Armstrong, The Church of Last Chance
Young Adult– Gretchen Hoffman, Rewind
In addition to Lacy and Jan, who attend our local group, I have the privilege of knowing several others who won awards: Rhonda Gibson, who lives in another state, but calls our local chapter home. My amazingly gifted friend, Susan Meissner – wow! Julie Lessman, one of the perkiest women on the planet – love this girl. Jenny B. Jones – a funny girl with a passion for story telling. Rachel Hauck, a lovely mentoring writer. Another friend and prayer warrior – Kim Vogel Sawyer. A new friend who bubbles with enthusiasm – Christy LaShea Smith.
I was doing a lot of cheering at the banquet. One of the most exciting moments, however, was the announcement of the Contemporary Fiction category of the Genesis. I had judged in the preliminary round of this category and was blown away by one of the manuscripts. Such joy to see Jennifer Griffith win this. Lovely writer who I had the privilege of visiting with after the awards.
Major congrats to ALL the winners!!