Atlanta- Yesterday the 8th annual Christy Awards dinner, sponsored inpart by Christianity Today International was held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, in advance of the International Christian Retail Show.
Michelle McKinney Hammond, author and speaker, hosted the event. I'm a big fan of her and was a little shy to be around her. Didn't bring one book of hers to autograph. But:I did score her new book-How to Make Love Work. And if you know my issues, you know God put this book in my hand : )
Exec. Dir.Donna Kehoe gave a surprise, honorary award to author, lecturer phenom, Phyllis Tickle. She was told that she would be introducing Lauren Winner, the keynote speaker not receiving an award. She did both with gusto and eloquence.
Lauren Winner, author and teacher at Duke University Divinity School gave the keynote address. She took us on a historical and humorous journey about women's fiction, redemption and identity. I was surprised to learn that she was a huge Sweet Valley fan and converted to Christianity after two Mitford novels.
The Christys honors the best in Christian fiction in eight categories. Winners below:
Contemporary Stand Alone - Winter Birds by Jamie Langston Turner(Bethany House)
Contemporary Series - The Brethren, Beverly Lewis (Bethany House)
Historical- Madman, Tracy Groot (Moody Press)
Lits- Sisterchicks in Gondolas, Robin Jones Gunn (Multnomah)
Romance- The Measure of a Lady, Deanne Gist (Bethany House)
Suspense- The Plague Maker, Tim Downs (Thomas Nelson)
First Novel- Where Mercy Flows, Karen Harter (Center Street)
Young Adult- William Henry is a Fine Man, Cathy Gohlke (Moody)
I met and made some new friends, interviewed some great authors and received the best hugs from: Jeanne Wynn, Donna Kehoe, Brandilyn Collins, Mary G, Camy Tang, Creston Mapes, Amy Wallace, Deanne Gist, Ane Mulligan, Gina Holmes, Claudia Burney, Meg Mosley & Lisa Samson. And I know I missed somebody, but I'm sleepy, so sorry.
The Pruning Principle
2 years ago
