Congratulations Christy Winners!

The Christy Award banquet last night was like walking into a room full of old friends. Well, not at first. At first it was like walking into a room full of strangers, but even the strangers soon became quick friends.

Having arrived alone, I stood back and observed as people gathered and socialized.  It was a while before I recognized a familiar face…er name as I knew most people by name and not face! But once we walked into the banquet room and I found a seat, thanks to awesome suspense writer Wanda Dyson, I seemed to find my social groove and went up to Deb Raney, who recently held a miniconference for our ACFW chapter, and said hello.. Claudia Mair Burney, whom I’ve been gmail chatting with for months, snagged me for a quick hug. We didn’t get to talk, but I have an appointment to interview her later this week. I also met Susan May Warren in person, after we’ve been chatting on line as well, plus other writing friends. The only thing I forgot were the pictures. But I’ll remember to get them during my interviews!

I guess I should announce the winners (if you haven’t already heard.) Even though we had to wait until the end of the banquet, you won’t have to wait until the end of this post!

Contemporary Stand Alone:
Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin

Contemporary (Series, Sequels, and Novellas)
Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon

Historical
A  Proper Pursuit by Lynn Austin

Lits
Hallie’s Heart by Shelly Beach

Romance
Remembered by Tamera Alexander

Suspense
The Cure Althol Dickson

Visionary
Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead

The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Girello

Young Adult
Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson

I recorded interviews with some of the nominees and winners so when I figure out how to upload them on this site, I’ll be posting them!

The rest of the evening was enjoyable with great food and a Q & A from the Christy Salon with Karen Ball (Seniors  Acquisitions Editor of Fiction, B&H Publishing Group,) Carol Johnson (Bethany House Publishers,) Dave Lambert (Senior Fiction Editor, Howard Books,) and Michelle Rapkin (Executive Editor, Hachette’s Center Street Imprint)

The panel discussed the authors and books that shaped Christian fiction from Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly acquired by Carol Johnson, to Frank Perreti’s This Present Darkness and the ever popular Left Behind series. I traveled down memory lane, remembering many of those books with fondness.

Then they each lamented about authors and books they passed up like Jan Karon, and The Shack. The reading of the Christy winners was more subdued than I had envisioned. Many winners admitted they were in shock that they had actually won.

Wynn-Wynn Media  did a superb job of hosting this wonderful event!