On Wednesday, May 29, 2024, Eva Marie Everson, on behalf of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Director and Co-Director, Edie Melson and Edwina Perkins, presented The 2024 Selah Awards on the final evening of the conference. The gala event was held in the Spillman Auditorium at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in Ridgecrest, NC.

Mrs. Everson presented the awards to the following winners:

 

Articles in Print

Third Place: The $5,000 Walk

Author: Mary Holloman

Publisher: Clubhouse Magazine

Editor: Stephen O’Rear

 

Second Place: The Sisters Room

Author: Pam Walker

Publisher: Guidepost

Editor: Meg Belviso

 

First Place: Faith is Spelled R-I-S-K

Author: Annie Yorty

Publisher: Today’s Christian Living

Editor: Michelle Adserias

 

Articles Online

Third Place: Is Prayer Really That Important?

Author: Leigh Ann Thomas

Publisher: BibleStudyTools.com

Editor: G. Connor Salter

 

Second Place: How to Explain What the Holy Spirit Is

Author: Melinda Eye Cooper

Publisher: Crosswalk.com

Editor: Tiffany Robbins

 

First Place: Will You Seek the Face of Christ During Lent?

Author: Maureen Miller

Publisher: Living by Design

Editor: Sarah Koontz

 

Devotions in an Individual Book

Third Place: Love in a Lunch Box (From Life Lessons for Moms)

Author: Maureen Miller

Publisher: Christian Art Gifts

Editor: Carol Kent

 

Second Place: (TIE) Peace (From: More Than Just Words)

Author: Sara Cormany

Publisher: Redemption Pess

 

Second Place: (TIE) Our Shepherd (From: Life Lessons for Moms)

Author: Maureen Miller

Publisher: Christian Art Gifts

Editor: Carol Kent

 

First Place: Temporary Lane Closure (From: Coffee with God on the Road)

Author: Suzanne D. Nichols

Publisher: Kerysso Press

Editor: Lisa Worthey Smith

 

Devotions Online

Third Place: Move on From Mom Guilt

Author: Kristen Hogrefe Parnell

Publisher: KHCB Network

 

Second Place: Is Peace Possible in Motherhood?

Author: Kristen Hogrefe Parnell

Publisher: KHCB Network

 

First Place: Forgiveness

Author: Rachael M. Colby

Publisher: AlmostAnAuthor.com

Editor: Norma Poore

 

Essays In Print and Online

Third Place: (Tie) Forgiveness Sets Us Free

Author: Maureen Miller

Publisher: Faith Creativity Life Books

Editor: Michelle Rayburn

 

Third Place: (Tie) The Ben Test

Author: Rhonda Dragomir

Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul

Editor: Amy Newmark

 

Second Place: My Long Cruise

Author: Becky Alexander

Publisher: Guideposts

Editor: Meg Belviso

 

First Place: The Awakening

Author: Suzanne Montgomery, M.D.

Publisher: The Indiana Historical Society

Editor: Richard D. Feldman, M.D.

 

Devotionals

Third Place: Meet Me Where I Am, Lord

Author: Cindy K. Sproles

Publisher: Iron Stream Media

Editor: Susan Cornell

Agent: Bob Hostetler

 

Second Place: Forty Days with Ezekiel and Friends

Author: Jean Holland

Publisher: Courier Publishing

Editor: Butch Blume

 

First Place: The Christmas Devotional

Author: Michelle Medlock Adams & Andy Clapp

Publisher: End Game Press

Editor: Victoria Duerstock

Agent: Cyle Young

 

Short Story in Print & Online

Third Place: Unless You Turn

Author: Samuel L. Blumenthal

Publisher: Redemption Press

Editor: Jennifer Edwards and Dori Harrel

 

Second Place: The Other Way

Author: Sara Davison

Publisher: The Mosaic Collection

Editor: Deb Elkink

 

First Place: Cradlesong

Author: Maureen Miller

Publisher: Faith Creativity Life Books

Editor: Michelle Rayburn

 

Anthologies

Third Place: Good Tidings; A Christmas Anthology

Publisher: The Lady Lits

J.B. Wilson & Sarah Soon, General Editors

 

Second Place: A Thrill in the Air

Publisher: The Mosaic Collection

Deb Elkink, General Editor

 

First Place: Dancing in the Rain: Stories to Shelter the Soul

Publisher: The Mosaic Collection

Deb Elkink, General Editor

 

Children’s Picture & Board Books

Third Place: Mr. OneEars and the Button Which Shall Not Be Pressed

Author: Jason Wallis

 

Second Place: Good Morning, God Loves You!

Author: Crystal Bowman & Terri McKinley

Publisher: Tyndale Kids

Editor: Debbie King

Agent: Karen Neumair

 

First Place: (Tie) There’s an Elephant on My Chest

Author: Caris Snider

Publisher: End Game Press

Editor: Victoria Duerstock

Agent: Del Duduit

 

First Place: (Tie) I Made the Earth

Author: Shannon Cook

Publisher: Wren & Bear Books

Editor: Michelle Medlock Adams

Agent: Blythe Daniel

 

Children’s Chapter Books

Third Place: The Tree’s Armor

Author: Erin Greneaux

Second Place: Secret of the Lost Dragons

Author: Phyllis Wheeler

Publisher: Motherboard Books

Editor: Bob Shuma, Steve Rzasa

 

First Place: The Tower

Author: Evonne Krell

Publisher: Answers in Genesis

 

Children’s Literature

Third Place: Fingerprint Devotions

Author: Sandra Kay Chambers

Publisher: Ambassador International

Editor: Bruce Stouffer

 

Second Place: Let’s Be Friends

Author: Calyn Daniel & Blythe Daniel

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Editor: Heidi Picinic

Agent: Blythe Daniel

 

First Place: Our Daily Bread for Kids

Author: Crystal Bowman & Teri McKinley

Publisher: Our Daily Bread

Editor: Katara Patton

Agent: Karen Neumair

 

Middle Grade Novels

Third Place: Road Trip Rescue

Author: Becca Wierwille

Publisher: Beloved Chronicles

Editor: Ellen McGinty and Megan Gerig

 

Second Place: The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle

Author: Taryn Souders

Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers

Editor: Steve Geck

Agent: Sally Apokedak

 

First Place: Beneath the Swirling Sky

Author: Carolyn Leiloglou

Publisher: WaterBrook

Editor: Bunmi Ishola

Agent: Keely Boeving

 

YA Fiction & Nonfiction

Third Place: Becoming Lottie Moon

Author: Emily Hall

Publisher: Violet Skies Publishing

Editor: Denise Weimer & Kathy Ide

 

Second Place: Offsides

Author: Lori Z. Scott

Publisher: End Game Press

Editor: Hope Bolinger

Agent: Cyle Young

 

First Place: Fugitive of Talionis

Author: C. J. Milacci

Publisher: Fayette Press

Editor: Jonathan Shuerger

 

Bible Studies

Third Place: Habakkuk

Author: Ray Fowler

Publisher: Understanding God’s Word

 

Second Place: Little Strength, Big God

Author: Debbie W. Wilson

Publisher: Leafwood Publishers

Editor: Mary Hardegrel

Agent: PeggySue Wells

 

First Place: Embracing Joy

Author: Jean Wilund

Publisher: Our Daily Bread

Editors: Rachel Kirsch, Linnae Conkel, and Sarah DeMay

 

Christian Living

Third Place: Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World

Author: Jill Rigby Garner

Publisher: Redemption Press

Editor: Liz Heaney

 

Second Place: Hard Pressed but Not Crushed

Author: Patti Davis

Publisher: Redemption Press

Editor: Marissa Earl

 

First Place: Securely Held

Author: Cheryl Pelton Lutz

Publisher: Redemption Press

Editor: Sue Fairchild

 

General Nonfiction

Third Place: Not Forgotten

Author: Laura C. Brandenburg

Publisher: WestBow Press

Editor: Jeanette Windle

 

Second Place: Her Children Arise

Author: Casey Hilty

Publisher: Like Eden Press

Editor: Cynthia Ruchti

Agent: Cynthia Ruchti

 

First Place: How to Edit Your Novel

Author: Karin Beery

Publisher: Bold Vision Books

Editor: Larry Leech

Agent: Steve Hutson

 

Inspiration & Gift

Third Place: Finding God in Suffering

Author: Carol Tetzlaff

Publisher: Redemption Press

Editor: Ray Dittmeier

 

Second Place: Bygone

Author: Hannah Linder

Publisher: Books and Such

Editor: Cynthia Ruchti

Agent: Cynthia Ruchti

 

First Place: The Story of Good

Author: Victoria Duerstock

Publisher: End Game Press

Editor: Hope Bolinger

 

 

Memoir

Third Place: Reckless Yes

Author: Johnna Hensley

Publisher: Redemption Press

Editor: Kathy Ide

 

Second Place: Suitcases from Heaven

Author: Cindy Seaton Henson

Publisher: Redemption Press

Editor: Tisha Martin\

 

First Place: Breaking the Shadows

Author: Carol Chisolm

Publisher: Redemption Press

Editor: Ray Dittmeier

 

Contemporary Romance

Third Place: The Amish Spinster’s Dilemma

Author: Jocelyn McClay

Publisher: Love Inspired

Editor: Melissa Endlich

 

Second Place: Her Scandalous Amish Secret

Author: Jocelyn McClay

Publisher: Love Inspired

Editor: Melissa Endlich

 

First Place: Julia Monroe Begins Again

Author: Rebekah Millet

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Editor: Jessica Sharpe

Agent: Bob Hostetler

 

Contemporary Women

Third Place: Reclaiming Christmas

Author: Melissa Sneed Wilson

Publisher: Jan-Carol Publishing

 

Second Place: Lilac Cottage

Author: Carrie Fancett Pagels

Publisher: Hearts Overcoming Press

Editor: Pegg Thomas

 

First Place: The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos

Author: Kelly Irvin

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Editor: Becky Monds

Agent: Julie Gwinn

 

First Novel

Third Place: Ona Mae’s Deli and Bait Shop

Author: Renée Hodges

Publisher: SoShine Press

Editor: Cortney Donelson

 

Second Place: Heart in the Clouds

Author: Jennifer Mistmorgan

Publisher: Jennifer Richards

Editor: Dori Harrell

Agent: Rachel McMillan

 

First Place: Julia Monroe Begins Again

Author: Rebekah Millet

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Editor: Jessica Sharpe

Agent: Bob Hostetler

 

General Fiction

Third Place: Roxie Applesauce

Author: Tonya L. Matthews

Publisher: Haleya Publishing

Editor: Teresa Crumpton

 

Second Place: Ona Mae’s Deli and Bait Shop

Author: Renée Hodges

Publisher: SoShine Press

Editor: Cortney Donelson

 

First Place: The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass

Author: Katie Powner

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Editor: Rochelle Gloege

Agent: Keely Boeving

 

Historical / Biblical

Third Place: The All American

Author: Susie Finkbeiner

Publisher: Revell

Editor: Kelsey Bowen and Kristin Kornoelje

Agent: Tim Beals

 

Second Place: Freedom’s Price

Author: Pegg Thomas

Publisher: Spinner of Yarns

Editor: Robin Patchen

 

First Place: This Is Where It Ends

Author: Cindy K. Sproles

Publisher: Revell

Editor: Jessica English

Agent: Bob Hostetler

 

Historical Romance

Third Place: Heart in the Clouds

Author: Jennifer Mistmorgan

Publisher: Jennifer Richards

Editor: Dori Harrell

 

Second Place: Garden of the Midnights

Author: Hannah Linder

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Editor: Becky Fish

Agent: Cynthia Ruchti

 

First Place: The Maid of Ballymacool

Author: Jennifer Deibel

Publisher: Revell

Editor: Rachel McRae & Robin Turici

Agent: Cynthia Ruchti

 

Mystery / Suspense

Third Place: Every Flower of the Field

Author: Sara Davison

Publisher: The Mosaic Collection

Editor: Deb Elkink

 

Second Place: 26 Below

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Publisher: Kregel

Editor: Janyre Tromp

Agent: Tamela Hancock Murray

 

First Place: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau

Author: Jaime Jo Wright

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Editor: Rochelle Gloege

Agent: Janet Grant

 

Novellas

Third Place: In Her Sights

Author: Karen Witemeyer

Publisher: Hope & Light Publishing

Editor: Charlene Patterson

 

Second Place: The Christmas Carving (From: Chiseled on the Heart)

Author: Kelly Goshorn

Publisher: Scrivenings Press

Editor: Regina Rudd Merrick and Susan Page Davis

Agent: Cynthia Ruchti

 

First Place: Deadly Holiday Hijack

Author: Kate Angelo

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

Editor: Lynette Eason and Susan May Warren

Agent: Lynette Eason

 

Romantic Suspense

Third Place: Expired Vows

Author: Laura Conaway and Lisa Phillips

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

Editor: Susan May Warren and Lisa Phillips

 

Second Place: Amish Wilderness Survival

Author: Mary Alford

Publisher: Love Inspired

Editor: Katie Gowlie

Agent: Rachel Kent

 

First Place: Facing the Enemy

Author: DiAnn Mills

Publisher: Tyndale House

Editor: Jan Stob

Agent: Janet Grant

 

Speculative

Third Place: The Quickening

Author: Sarah L. Frantz

Publisher: Sursum Corda Press

 

Second Place: Window of Time

Author: Erin R. Howard

Publisher: Expanse Books

Editor: Ann Harrison and Linda Fulkerson

 

First Place: The Secret of Stardust

Author: Heather L. L. FitzGerald

Publisher: Mountain Brook Fire

Editor: Miralee Ferrell and Jenny Mertes

 

Westerns

Third Place: Accepted

Author: Paula Peckham

Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing

Editor: Cristel Phelps & Deb Haggerty

 

Second Place: Emily’s Trials

Author: Henry McLaughlin

Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing

Editor: Deb Haggerty & Peggy Ellis

 

First Place: The Pursuit of Miss Parish

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Publisher: Valmont House Publishers

Editor: Chantelle Mills

 

Audio Books

Third Place: The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos

Author: Kelly Irvin

Narrators: Jessica Holtant & Jeremy Childs

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Editor: Becky Monds

Agent: Julie Gwinn

 

Second Place: Defying Fear

Author: Dr. Nancy Meyer

Narrator: Christy Lou

Publisher: Brookstone Publishing Group

Editor: Anita Agers Brooks, Susan Cornell, and Larry Leech

 

First Place: With Every Memory

Author: Janine Rosche

Narrator: Laura Knight Keating

Publisher: Revell

Editors: Kelsey Bowen & Robin Turici

Agent: Tamela Hancock Murray

 

Selah Books of the Year

Each year, the Selah Books of the Year are chosen from those books with the highest scores in each of the three categories. This year, the winners are:

Children (Board Books to Young Adult)

I Made the Earth

Shannon Cook

End Game Press

 

Nonfiction

The Christmas Devotional

Michelle Medlock Adams & Andy Clapp

End Game Press

 

Fiction

This Is Where It Ends

Cindy K. Sproles

Revell

 

Congratulations to all of the winners.