2024 ACFW Recap

The 2024 ACFW conference took place last week in New Orleans. It was my first time, and I really enjoyed connecting with my writing friends and getting a teeny-tiny glimpse of the city. I didn’t make it to the French Quarter, because it rained four of the five days I was there, but I did slip out to the WWII Museum with my friend Tricia Goyer. I tend to be the person who attends everything when I’m at a conference, but I wasn’t teaching this year, and I was going to be so sad if I didn’t find my way the 3/4 of a mile to the museum. Still, I’m not sure I would have made the trek without her encouragement.

I am so glad I did! Before we even got inside the doors, I was seeing statutes that tied to my books. The photo below shows a soldier with his War Dog, and my novel Sandhill Dreams is set at Fort Robinson in the Sandhills of Nebraska where war dogs were trained. It only got better as we went inside. I need to go back and spend days there so I can spend the time to soak in the stories and oral histories to identify the sparks that will weave into possible future books.

Saturday night was the awards gala. It’s an excuse to dress up and celebrate with friends. I love the chance to celebrate as we award the Genesis for best-yet-to-be-published book and awards for Mentor-of-the-Year, Editor-of-the-Year, and Agent-of-the-Year. We also recognized author Deborah Raney with the Lifetime Achievement Award and two memebers with the Volunteer of the Year and Member Service Award.

Here are a few fun photos, and at the end is a list of the winners of the Carol Awards. These are for the best published books from last year. There are great books on the list.

With my dear writing friend and mentor Colleen Coble. I adore her books. I can’t wait for everyone to read the books she’s writing with another friend, Rick Acker, especially I Think I was Murdered. So twisty!

Sarah Sundin and I have worked together on Where Treetops Glisten. I love that collection. And I adore her award-winning, World War Two novels.

Jenny Erlingsson was on the podcast recently so it was a treat to meet her. I love her cover and her heart is amazing!

Ashley Clark is such a sweet spirit and writing friend. It’s always a joy to connect with her. I LOVE her books.

And such a joy to connect with Betsy St. Amant a couple times over the conference. I love her heart, and I cheered so loudly when she won a Carol Award. Such a perfect segue to this…

2024 Carol Award Winners

Contemporary: A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander

Historical: Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Wetzel Landsem

Historical Romance: The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller: What Happens Next by Christina Suzann Nelson

Novella: Christmas Snowstorm Standoff by Sami A. Abrams

Romance: Memory Lane by Becky Wade

Romantic Suspense: Under Fire by Lynn H. Blackburn

Short Novel: Their Holiday Secret by Betsy St. Amant Haddox

Speculative: Of Sea and Smoke by Gillian Bronte Adams – Author

Young Adult: Sky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson

Debut: Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer

If you’re looking for a book to read, any of those would be a great place to start!