Serious Writer Awards

The Serious Writer co-owners met while competing in the 2014 Selah Awards. In 2019, they founded their own contest to give writers an opportunity to celebrate and promote their work.

The Writer of the Year contest celebrates writers unpublished within the genre categories.

The Book of the Year contest celebrates books published within the previous calendar year.

The Book of the Decade contest celebrates books published within the 10 years prior to the Book of Year eligibility.

6th Annual
Serious Writer Awards

The 2024 Contests are now open!

The Early Bird deadline is September 30, 2024.

The 5th Annual Serious Writer Awards

Writer of the Year Finalists

  • 12 Relationship Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To by Lynne Babbitt
  • A Risk Worth Taking by Carrie Walker
  • A World of Ideas by Neena Phan
  • Becoming Amethyst Stone by Melinda Eye Cooper
  • Wandering Swallow: A Young Girl’s Quest for Freedom by Nancy E. Head
  • Young at Heart by Carrie Walker

Book of the Year Finalists

  • After the Flowers Die by Renee Kennedy
  • Anxiety Elephants for Tween Girls by Caris Snider
  • Honor’s Refuge by Hallee Bridgeman
  • My Yes is on the Table: Moving from Fear to Faith by Jennifer Hand
  • Take My Hand by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
  • Word of Honor by Hallee Bridgeman

Book of the Decade Finalists

  • Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation by Dianne Neal Matthews
  • Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel by Rob Currie
  • Praying for Your Addicted Loved One: 90 in 90 by Sharron K. Cosby
  • Sing Until You Die by Carole Brown
  • The Grace Impact by Nancy Kay Grace
  • The Revisionary by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell

Writer of the Year Semifinalists

  • 12 Relationship Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To by LYNNE BABBITT
  • A Matter of Honor by TONI WILBARGER
  • A Matter of Truth by TONI WILBARGER
  • A Miracle Called Brenny by MAUREEN CAROL BRADFORD
  • A Risk Worth Taking by CARRIE WALKER
  • A World of Ideas by NEENA PHAN
  • Balancing the Checkbook of Your Life by JAMES MAGRUDER
  • Becoming Amethyst Stone by MELINDA EYE COOPER
  • Eve: Blameless and Beloved—Dispelling Lies and Revealing Truth about Who We Are As Women by KATHY THOMAS
  • Inverse by ANDRA LOY
  • It is Finished–or is it? by STACY SANCHEZ
  • Kona by JOHN BARNETT
  • Live Like You’re Well by DORY ODA
  • Over the Moon by ELIZABETH DAGHFAL
  • Rain in the Wilderness by LAURA DENOOYER
  • The Contract by CYNTHIA NOBLE
  • Wandering Swallow: A Young Girl’s Quest for Freedom by NANCY E. HEAD
  • Young at Heart by CARRIE WALKER

Book of the Year Semifinalists

  • A Rose in Winter by Janis Jakes
  • After the Flowers Die by Renee Kennedy
  • Anxiety Elephants for Tween Boys by Caris Snider
  • Anxiety Elephants for Tween Girls by Caris Snider
  • Honor’s Refuge by Hallee Bridgeman
  • Inside the 10-Ft Line by Lori Scott
  • Jeff Pennant’s Field Guide to Raising Happy Parents by Kelli McKinney
  • Just Rest by Melanie Redd
  • Lilibet the Brave by Katy Rose
  • My Yes is on the Table: Moving from Fear to Faith by Jennifer Hand
  • On the Road for Travelball: A Parent’s Guide to Traveling the Travel Team Circuit without Constantly Blowing a Circuit by Sue Rosenfeld
  • Pulling Back The Iron Curtain: Stories From a Cold War Missionary by Debby Thompson
  • Pursued in the Wilderness by Loretta Eidson
  • Rise of Betrayal by M.N. Stroh
  • Take My Hand by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
  • The Choices She Made by Felicia Ferguson
  • Word of Honor by Hallee Bridgeman

Book of the Decade Semifinalists

  • All That Is Hidden by Laura DeNooyer-Moore
  • Awakened by Tracy Bradford
  • Bink and Slinky’s Christmas Adventure by Donna Arlynn Frisinger
  • Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation by Dianne Neal Matthews
  • His Gift by Joan C. Benson
  • Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel by Rob Currie
  • Kind Soup by Jean Petersen
  • Lainey of the Door Islands by Judy DuCharme
  • Plague of Flies by Laurel Anne Hill
  • Praying for Your Addicted Loved One: 90 in 90 by Sharron K. Cosby
  • Sing Until You Die by Carole Brown
  • The Cheesehead Devotional Kickoff Edition by Judy DuCharme
  • The Grace Impact by Nancy Kay Grace
  • The Revisionary by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
  • Unleash Your God-given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer by Ginny Dent Brant

4th Annual
Serious Writer Awards

2022 Contests

Prize included an incredible dinner and awards ceremony, followed by a day at Universal Studios. 

2022 Contests

2022 Winner

Andra Coleman Loy

for “The Name of the Beacon”

Below is the list of Semifinalists with the Finalists in bold.

Eric K. Barnes Historyman1781 for A Rocky Response

Tez Brooks Tez Brooks, Author for God’s Awning

Sandra Kay Chambers for Fingerprint Devotions: 40 Devotions to Help Kids Discover They Are Uniquely Created by God

Kay Em Ellis for CHROMA: a Christian’s response to online bullying

Kay Em Ellis for LOST IN TRANSLATION

Annette Marie Griffin for Pot-Stirring and Peacemaking Women of the Bible

Tammy Kennington for This is the Baby

Andra Coleman Loy for The Name of the Beacon

Andra Coleman Loy for The Memory of Lillian Grey

James C. Magruder, Author for Balancing the Checkbook of Your Life

Dory Skinner Oda for The Decaffeination of Sammie Houston

Patsy Reiter for The Teeny Tippy Toad

Carrie Walker – Author for Someone to Lean On

Carrie Walker – Author for Young at Heart

Lori Ann Wood for Getting Okay with Giving Up

Lori Ann Wood for Eyes for the Invisible

2022 Winner: Jill Roman Lord

for Dream Big, My Precious One

Below is the list of Semifinalists with the Finalists in bold.

David Brühlmann SingleInfluencer for Single for a Season

Craig von Buseck for Victor! The Final Battle of Ulysses S. Grant

CJ Campbell Clare Campbell for Tempest: The Veil Chronicles, Book 1

Lynn Creighton for Reclaiming the Sacred Source: The Ancient Power and Wisdom of Women’s Sexuality

Tracy Crump for Health, Healing, and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness

 

M. B. Dahl for For the Good of All

Victoria Duerstock, Authorfor Guard your Heart & Home: Pursuing Peace in Your Living Space

Victoria Duerstock, Author and Paige Rien for Revived & Renovated: Real Life Conversations on the Intersection of Home, Faith and Everything in Between

Karen De Armond Gardner Hope for Healing from Domestic Abuse

Ann Van Hine - author for Pieces Falling: Navigating 9/11 With Faith, Family and the FDNY

 

Janis Jakes for The Bounty Hunter's Bride

Julie Lavender for Children's Bible Stories for Bedtime

Andy Lee for Radiant Influence: How an ordinary girl changed the world

Jill Roman Lord for Dream Big, My Precious One

Jill Roman Lord for You're More Than a Sprout

Susan Thogerson Maas for Abbie's Woods: Defending the Nest

Joshua J Masters for A Faith Unleashed: Living in the Hope of God's Rescue

 

Edie Melson for Soul Care When You're Grieving

Jennifer Daniels Neal for The Locke Box

Sarah Philpott for The Growing Season: A Year of Down-on-the-Farm Devotions

Tanya Ross for Facing Off

Nancy I. Sanders for Bedtime With Mommy

Tim Shoemaker for Easy Target

Tim Shoemaker for Escape from the Everglades

2022 Winner: Caris Snider

for Anxiety Elephants: 31-Day Devotional

Below is the list of Semifinalists, Finalists (in bold).

Dr. Michelle Bengtson for Hope Prevails

Dr. Michelle Bengtson for Breaking Anxiety's Grip

Dr. Michelle Bengtson for Hope Prevails Bible Study

Catherine Ulrich Brakefield for Destiny's Whirlwind

Craig von Buseck for I am Cyrus: Harry S. Truman and the Rebirth of Israel

Sandra Kay Chambers for Lord, It's Boring in my Prayer Closet

Janet L Christensen for Good Night, Fireflies

Sharron Knight Cosby for Praying for Your Addicted Loved One

Edna Waidell Cravitz for Keep Running, Maggie McRooney

Judy DuCharme for The Cheesehead Devotional

Judy DuCharme for A Christmas Duet: Run With the Wind & Christmas Ivy

Victoria Duerstock, Author for Extraordinary Hospitality for Ordinary Christians

Victoria Duerstock, Author for Advent Devotions & Christmas Crafts for Families

Linda Gilden for Articles, Articles, Articles!

James C. Magruder, Author for The Glimpse

Dianne Neal Matthews: Author Page for Drawing Closer to God

Laura DeNooyer Author for All that is Hidden

 Cindy Patterson for Chasing Paradise

Cindy Patterson for Shattered Treasure

Sarah Philpott for Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child after Pregnancy Loss

Cheryl Schuermann Author for When the Water Runs

Carole Marie Shelton - Author - Author for Cosmic Chaos

Caris Trawick Snider for Anxiety Elephants 31 Day Devotional

Judith and Colin Wilkie for The Lost Shoe

Denise Wilson for Seven Words You Never Want to Hear

3rd Annual
Serious Writer Awards

2021 Contests

Prize included a private tour of Kregel Publishing from the owner, followed by an incredible dinner and awards ceremony.

2021 Winner

Annette Marie Griffin

for “Knightly Stalker”

Below is the list of Semifinalists with the Finalists in bold.

Annette Marie Griffin for The Knightly Stalker*

Cheryl Spears Waugh for Way of the Mescalero

Chris Sauter Manion for The Light We Cannot See

Cynthia L. Simmons for Medical And Surgical Care During The Civil War

Debbie Spence for Courageous Kate’s Fearless Day

Debbie Spence for Broken Crayons Color, Too

Josie Siler for Howie’s Broken Hee-Haw

Kay Em Ellis for CHROMA: A Christian’s Response to Online Bullying

Laurie “LG” Westlake for Calculated Risks

Patsy Reiter for Grandma, Rock Me Please

Sally A. Friscea for Over the Hill and Careening Down the Other Side

Sarah Limardo for Game of Gods

Sarah Rexford for The Convergence

Sheryl H. Boldt for Grandma’s Little Helpers

Tammy Kennington for Montana Rescue

Tammy Kennington for Big Prayers for Little People

Tammy Kennington for A Selection of Blog Posts

2021 Winner

Hallee Bridgeman

for Alexandra’s Appeal

Below is the list of Semifinalists with the Finalists in bold.

Annette Marie Griffin for What is a Family?

Becky Baudouin for Enjoy Every Minute and Other Ridiculous Things We Say to Moms

Britt Mooney for Say Yes: How God Sized Dreams Take Flight

Christy Hoss for The Rubber Band

Darlene L. Turner for Border Breach

Hallee Bridgeman for Alexandra’s Appeal*

Jill Roman Lord for The Quiet Crazy Easter Day

Jill Roman Lord for That Grand Christmas Day!

Julie Lavender for 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments Into Lasting Memories

Lauren Crews for Strength of a Woman Devotional

Mary Potter Kenyon for Called to Be Creative: A Guide to Reigniting Your Creativity

Megan Kinney for Dakota Peace

Michelle Nietert/Lynn Cowell for Loved and Cherished

Starr Ayers for For the Love of Emma

Tori Higa for The Christmas Color

2021 Winner

Rebecca
Barlow Jordan

for Day-Votions for Mothers

Below is the list of Semifinalists with the Finalists in bold.

Betty Roberts for Midnight Chronicles: A Love Story

Brett Armstrong for Quest of Fire: The Gathering Dark

Brett Armstrong for Destitutio Quod Remissio

Carol Grace Stratton for Lake Surrender

Claire Sanders for Freedom River

Emily Golus for Escape to Vindor

James C. Magruder for The Glimpse

Judy DuCharme for The Cheesehead Devotional: Hall of Fame Edition

Judy DuCharme for The Cheesehead Devotional: Kickoff Edition

Judy DuCharme for Blood Moon Redemption

Marian Rizzo for Angela’s Treasures

Marian Rizzo for In Search of the Beloved

Melissa Calais Lewis for The Nature of Honey: The Woman’s Journey in Connection with God, Blossoms, and Bees

Penny Cooke for Pursuing Prayer: Being Effective in a Busy World

Rebecca Barlow Jordan for Day-votions for Mothers: Heart to Heart Encouragement*

2nd Annual
Serious Writer Awards

2020 Contests

2020 Winner: Jennifer Daniels Neal

Below is the list of Semifinalists with the Finalists in bold.

Pamela Glover
Kaci Hindman
Seralynn Lewis
Patsy Reiter (more than one entry)
Loretta Eidson
Renee Hodges, Writer(more than one entry)
Lori Scott
Jennifer Daniels Neal

Laura DeNooyer
Abigail Wilkes
Toni Walbarger
Dory Skinner Oda
Michele McCarthy
Annette Marie Griffin
Tammy L Kennington (more than one entry)
Rachael M Colby
Nancy Hull (more than one entry)
Robin Melvin

Maureen Miller
Linda Summerford
Julie Lavender
Ryan Wetter
Jennifer Daniels Neal*
Kenzi Nevins (more than one entry)
Sarah Rexford
Lori Closter
Carol Hamilton

2020 Winners {Tie}

Robin Currie for The Very Best Story Ever Told

& Jean Petersen for Kind Soup

Below is the list of Semifinalists with the Finalists in bold.

Dr. Craig Von Buseck for I Am Cyrus

Robin Currie for The Very Best Story Ever Told*

Tama Fortner for Easter Is Coming

Jean Petersen for Kind Soup*

Pam Halter for Willoughby Goes a Wee Bit Batty

Shelley Pierce Author for I Know What Grandma Does While I’m Napping

Catherine Jones Payne for Fire Dancer

Laura Croman Zimmerman for Keen

Marian Rizzo for In Search of the Beloved

Karin Beery for Practically Married

Rhonda Rhea for Off-Script Over-Caffeinated

Deborah Sprinkle for Deadly Guardian

Debbie Archer for Pocket Change

Hallee Bridgeman for Valerie’s Verdict

Cindy Patterson for Shattered Treasure

Sakura Nobeyama for The Watanabe Name

Mary Ellen Bramwell for Dandelion Summer

Pat Jeanne Davis for When Valleys Bloom Again

Elaine McAllister for Celebrate Grandparenting: 101 Ideas to Intentionally Connect with your Grands

Penny Cooke for Pursuing Prayer

Anne Greene for Shadow of the Dagger

W.D. McComb for The Truth that Lies Between

Nancy E. Head for Restoring the Shattered
Adria Wilkins for The Joy Box Journal

Lori Stanley Roeleveld for The Art of Hard Conversations

Cari Snider for Anxiety Elephants

Stephanie Jones for The Gratitude Challenge

Rachel C. Swanson for Refine & Restore

Linda Shepherd for When you Need to Move a Mountain

Leigh Ann for Smack Dab in the Midlife Zone

2020 Winner: Tez Brooks

for The Single Dad Detour

Below is the list of Semifinalists with the Finalists in bold.

Susan M. Baganz (Author) for Sir Michael’s Mayhem

Dr. Michelle Bengston for Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression

Lee Wolfe Blum for Brave is the New Beautiful: Finding the Courage to be the Real You

Lee Wolfe Blum for Table in the Darkness – A Healing Journey Through an Eating Disorder

Laurie Boulden for Weighed Down

Tez Brooks for The Single Dad Detour*

Sharron Knight Cosby for Praying for Your Addicted Loved One: 90 in 90

Robin Currie author for The Very Best Story Ever Told

Judy DuCharme Author for Blood Moon Redemption

Dena Dyer-Author and Speaker and Tina Samples – Author for Wounded Women of the Bible: Finding Hope When Life Hurts

Author Linda Gilden for Articles, Articles, Articles! Your Comprehensive Guide

Jill Roman Lord for If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart

Joshua J Masters, Author for American Psalms: Prayers for the Christian Patriot

Jean Petersen-Author and Chef Barrie Boulds for The Big Bounty Cookbook: Local Ingredients and Rustic Recipes

Deborah Raney for A Nest of Sparrows

Deborah Raney for Beneath a Southern Sky

Lori Stanley Roeleveld for Running from a Crazy Man (and other adventures traveling with Jesus)

Lori Scott for Meghan Rose Knows It All

Linda Evans Shepherd for The Stress Cure

Linda Evans Shepherd for When You Don’t Know What to Pray

Linda Evans Shepherd for Experiencing God’s Presence

Ashley Sims for Pregnancy Prayers: Weekly Prayer Guide & Pregnancy Journal

Doug Smith for [Un]Intentional: How Screens Secretly Shape Your Desires and How You can Break Free

Carol Van Der Woude for Aliisa’s Letter: Legacy of Faith

1st Annual Serious Writer Awards

2019 Contests

2019 Winner

Rhonda Dragomir

Below is the list of Semifinalists with the Finalists in bold.

Amanda Flinn
Amy Grochowski
Becky Baudouin
Caroline George
Cecil Stokes
Celeste Brown
Chrysa Keenon
Cindy Lescarbeau
Clare Campbell
Debbie Spence
Donna Frisinger
Dreama Archibald
Giovanni Magistrelli

Holli Hamner
Julie Lavender
Kass Fogle
Kenzi Nevins
Kimberly Ellis
Laura DeNooyer-Moore
Leslie DeVooght
Lisa Kibler
Lois Kennis
Loretta Eidson
Lynn Jorgenson
Mary Gardner
Maureen Bradford
Megan Burkhart
Melissa Richeson

N.L. Hull
Nancy Kay Grace and Dr. Rick L. Grace
Pam Walker
Patsy Reiter
Penny Cooke
Rachel Swanson
Rhonda Dragomir*
Robin Melvin
Ronnell Gibson
Sarah Gorman
Susan Misey
Tina Yeager

2019 Winner

Sarah Philpott

for Loved Baby

Below is the list of Semifinalists with the Finalists in bold.

Becky Baudouin for Cancer, Faith, and Unexpected Joy

Brett Elliott Armstrong

Carrie Parks

Cindy Huff

Debby Thompson

Edie Melson

Jill Roman Lord for That Grand Easter Day

Michele Harper for Kill the Beast

Sandra Merville Hart

Sarah Philpott* for Loved Baby

Shelly Roark for The Bubble who Would Not Pop

Tessa Hall for Coffee Shop Devos