I recently had the privilege of attending the Christy Awards in Nashville, TN. The Christy Awards honor excellence in Christian Fiction and were named after Catherine Marshall’s classic book, Christy. (Have you read it or seen the television series?)
My recent book, Shadows of Swanford Abbey was a finalist in the Historical Romance category. I have won in the past, but it has been several years since one of my books has finalled so I was delighted at the news and pleased to attend the awards. The entire event—from the opening prayer, to the winners’ speeches, to listening to Jan Karon (being honored for her literary contributions)—was a soul-stirring and uplifting experience. (You can listen to the interview with Jan Karon here.)
I also loved chatting with author friends I don’t see often enough and meeting publishing professionals in person who already felt like friends after years of online interactions.
Shadows of Swanford Abbey didn’t win, but I was happy to be there to be able to congratulate this year’s winners. Some of our own Inspired by Life and Fiction authors were also honored at the event:
Karen Witemeyer won another Christy in the Short Form category for her novella, A Texas Christmas Carol (in Under the Texas Mistletoe). How many Christys is that now, Karen?
And Becky Wade was inducted into the Christy Awards Hall of Fame for winning four Christy Awards. Well done, Becky.
Please join me in congratulating them both! How many of the winning books have you read?
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Woohoo. Congrats to all the winners. Glad you could be there, Julie. When I won my Christy Award (many moons ago), the award ceremony was attached to the huge CBA convention in the summer.
I remember those days! A somewhat smaller event now but a wonderful, godly atmosphere. Thanks, Robin.
I see your from Bath,Illinois! I had to look it up,I wonder if growing up in Bath influenced you writing, Susan Wittig ALBER grew around Danville and also as my husband, went to U of, I though started out at Parkland. I GREW UP near Arthur,Amish country! Moving around Illinois after college we ended up in OK. WHERE OUR DAUGHTER,a Teacher & HER FAMILY live .Our son& family lives in SHENDOAH,NORTH OF Houston ,presently we have 3 grandsons in college,2 grands in high school and our oldest, married, she is a civil engineer in Tulsa.
I love to read and have been reading your books for many years and really enjoy, especially since last year we spent 2 weeks in s.UK and visited several of the town you write about!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving ,we are all going to Houston! Pat
I suppose all of our life experiences influence us in one way or another, Pat. And like your husband, I attended the U of I as well. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
Congratulations on being a finalist! I’ve read In Search of a Prince, but not the others, but they are on my TBR! They all look so good!
Thank you! I kept hearing about In Search of a Prince, even before the awards, so I ordered it today!
I’ve only read two of the winning books so far, but a couple others are waiting for me on one device or another. I finished two of your audiobooks in my travels to and from the Christys and look forward to more of your books in my reading future!