Why Authors Should Enter Book Awards
by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga
By entering contests authors gain an edge in a competitive market. These contests not only provide well-deserved recognition but also open doors for expanded readership, increased book sales, and greater visibility in Christian publishing.
Two prestigious awards—the Christian Indie Awards and the Christian Authors Network (CAN) Excellence in Marketing Awards—honor excellence in writing and book promotion, providing incredible opportunities for independent authors.
If you’re a Christian author or small publisher, don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your work through awards. Mark your calendars and prepare to submit your book for a chance to be honored for your writing and marketing excellence!
Christian Indie Awards: Recognizing Exceptional Christian Books
Since 2008, the Christian Indie Awards have celebrated the outstanding contributions of Christian books from independent authors and small publishers. These awards highlight books that positively impact Christian life, giving authors the recognition they deserve. The 2025 winners include:
2025 Christian Indie Award Winners ChristianAward.com
Category
Place
Title
Author/Publisher
Anthology
1st
God’s Good Work: Stories to Treasure and Tales to Ponder
Lorilyn Roberts / Rear Guard Publishing
Bible Study
1st
Enough: Finding Contentment in a World of Wanting and Wandering
Lisa Lewis Koster / Credo House Publishers
Bible Study
2nd
Creation and the Flood:
A DEEP Study of Genesis 1–11
Samantha Mero
Bible Study
3rd
The Bible Companion Book 2: Leviticus-Deuteronomy
Karen Westbrook Moderow / Jordanwest Publications
Business Finance
1st
Thank God It’s Monday (?)
Tom C. Petersen / Morgan James Publishing
Children’s Picture Books
Tied 1st
The Dachshund Dash
Michelle Medlock Adams / End Game Press
Children’s Picture Books
Tied 1st
The Best Trophy
Jennifer Noel Wilson / Redemption Press
Children’s Picture Books
2nd
Twinkle, the Littlest Star
Leslie Colburn / Cross My Heart Press
Children’s Picture Books
3rd
The Tale of the Little Black Cloud
Karen Brough / Heart Hope Publishing
Children’s 8-12
1st
Fingerprint Devotions: 40 Devotions to Help You Realize You Are a Kid Uniquely Created by God
Sandra Kay Chambers
Children’s 8-12
2nd
The Forgotten Islands
Bryan Webb
Children’s 8-12
3rd
Jar of Tears: Moms Aren’t Supposed to Die
Kathleen Templeton / Lemons & Sunshine Press
Christian Education
1st
Redemptive Botany of the Bible
J. Christopher McMichael / Petra Press Publishing
Christian Education
2nd
Genocide Prophecy: Autism, the church and a New (American) Reich
Brian Haack
Christian Education
3rd
Creating Dynamic Podcasts & Audiobooks
Linda Goldfarb / Bold Vision Books
Christian Living
Tied 1st
The Higher Faith
Paul Balius / Hakodesh Publishing
Christian Living
Tied 1st
Only by Divine Design
Dorene Stark / Stellar Studio
Christian Living
2nd
Take Heart: The Overcomer’s Path Through Conflict
Gary Wooden / Covenant Books
Christian Living
3rd
No Other Gods
Marja Verschoor-Meijers / Frisse Kijk
Devotional
1st
Farmhouse Devotions: God’s Glory in the Ordinary
Cheryl Schuermann
Devotional
2nd
Focus: 45 Devotionals to Keep Jesus in the Picture
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes (Author), Ms. Arianna Dunn (Author), Ms. Vonyee Carrington (Author), Mrs. Evelyn Collins (Author), Mrs. Monica Hopper (Author), Mr. Andy Hollifield (Author), Ms Michelle Davis (Author), Mrs. Kelly Anne Evans (Author), Dr. Rodney Combs (Author), Mrs. DiAnn Mills (Author) / Dressed in Love Press
Devotional
3rd
Joined by God: Unconventional Devotions for Christian Couples
Shellie Arnold / Kaleidoscope Publishing
General Fiction
Tied 1st
Fall Back and Find Me
Sarah Hanks
General Fiction
Tied 1st
Driving Timmy’s Car
Barbara Tucker Ketchum
General Fiction
2nd
Fallen Graces
Jim Sano
General Fiction
3rd
Ride A Summer Wind
Ann Cavera / Elk Lake Publishing
Gift
1st
5 Minutes of Gratitude
Gail Scoates
Gift
2nd
He Chose Me
Diamante Lavendar
Historical Fiction
1st
Winds of Ruach
D.M. Griffin
Historical Fiction
2nd
Petra: An Unbroken Legacy
Lisa L. Dorsey
Historical Fiction
3rd
But, Even Now
Jennifer Thomas and Denae Jones / Woodsong Publishing
Memoir / Biography
Tied 1st
God Had a Hand on Me, a Memoir About Pain, Healing, and Victory
Kim Dotson
Memoir / Biography
Tied 1st
Overlooked
Bridgette Cameron Ridenour
Memoir / Biography
2nd
Walking Mama Home: A Caregiver’s Journey
Aileen A. Gronewold / Blue Sage Press
Memoir / Biography
Tied 3rd
Beloved Outcast: The Quest for True Belonging
Cherie Denna / Bold Vision Books
Memoir / Biography
Tied 3rd
Travels of a Wimpy Mum: Finding courage through the Book of James
Vanessa Foran / 598 Press
Mystery / Suspense
Tied 1st
A Fifth Of The Story
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes / End Game Press
Mystery / Suspense
Tied 1st
Sweet Deceit
Sally Jo Pitts
Mystery / Suspense
Tied 2nd
Tangled Secrets: A Suspense Thriller
S.F. Baumgartner / F.B. Publishing
Mystery / Suspense
Tied 2nd
Dead Weight: An Abbi Kincaid Suspense Novel
Kathy Cassel
Mystery / Suspense
3rd
The Lost Letter
Steve Feazel
Novella
1st
Who Will Rescue Us? A Love Story
Judy DuCharme / Ambassador International
Personal Growth
1st
The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence and Vision in Midlife
Dawn Damon / Bold Vision Books
Personal Growth
2nd
Praying the Word of Grace
Jonah Priour / Lovebuilt Press
Personal Growth
3rd
Slaying the Onion: Unveil the Layers of your Story to Reveal Your Highest Potential
April Ballestero / Kaleidoscope Publishing
Poetry
1st
Tales of the Captain
Christopher A. Hostettler
Relationships / Family
1st
Walking Mama Home: A Caregiver’s Journey
Aileen A Gronewold / Blue Sage Press
Relationships / Family
2nd
Raising Kids to Follow Christ: Instilling a Lifelong Trust in God
Lee Ann Mancini / Whitaker House
Romance
1st
Christmas in the Castle Library
Ann Swindell / WhiteCrown
Romance
2nd
Blind Date with a Book Nerd
Erica Dansereau & Britt Howard
Romance
3rd
Elizabeth’s Cross
Londa Hayden / Lighthouse Christian Publishing
Speculative
Tied 1st
Kill Shot
Angela L Gold
Speculative
Tied 1st
Eve of Chaos
D.I. Telbat
Speculative
2nd
Bright Eternity: A Novel
Daniel Zeigler
Theology
1st
Dear Saints: Catechesis on Sacraments
Jacob Huether
Young Adult
1st
Rise of the Y
Angela D. Shelton / Two Oaks Publishing
Young Adult
2nd
Fences Left Broken
Kristen Terrette / Elk Lake Publishing
The 2026 Christian Indie Awards will open for submissions on April 1, 2025 at https://christianaward.com/ for books published in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Winners of the Christian Indie Awards receive numerous key benefits:
An awards ceremony at the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference.Media exposure with publicity sent to 400 Christian media outlets.Retailer placement opportunities, as winning books are included in a retailer book basket drawing at the Christian Product Expo trade show.The ability to display the award emblem on the book cover.Enhanced visibility through social media promotion and marketing opportunities.
Winning this award can significantly boost an author’s reputation, drawing more readers and increasing book sales. The added credibility also makes it easier to secure media interviews.Christian Authors Network (CAN) Marketing Awards: Honoring Excellence in Book Promotion
While writing a great book is essential, marketing plays a crucial role in reaching readers. The CAN Excellence in Marketing Awards recognize superior marketing and promotional skills among Christian authors. The 2025 winners include:
Christian Authors Network 2025 Excellence in Marketing Award Winners
Category
Place
Book or Ministry Title
Author
NONFICTION
Broadcast Media
1st
#NoFilter: Unmasking The Woman God Created You to Be
Jodi Hendricks
Physical Media
1st
I Am Not the King
Allen Taylor
Online Presence
1st
Praying Personalities: Finding Your Natural Prayer Style
Janet McHenry
Online Presence
2nd
Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts
Donna Wyland
FICTION
Online Presence
1st
A Fifth of the Story
Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes
Online Presence
2nd
A Gingerbread House
Julie Lavender
Physical Media
1st
The Dance of Easter
Sally Cressman
Broadcast Media
1st
The Sharing Sisters
Carissa Lovvorn
Authors who enter this contest not only compete for awards but also receive valuable feedback on their marketing campaigns, providing insight into ways to enhance their promotional efforts. Winners receive extensive publicity, including:
An announcement to 400 Christian media outlets, including several TV networks.Press releases sent to Publishers Weekly and ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association), expanding their reach within the publishing industry.A publicity packet featuring their book cover, description, and buy link sent to:20,000 Christian readers1,400 Christian retailers400 book review bloggersFeatures on the Christian Authors Network blog and various member blogs.Trophies and certificates presented at an upcoming conference.For Christian authors looking to grow their audience and establish themselves as serious contenders in the publishing industry, entering the CAN Marketing Awards provides an incredible opportunity for visibility and credibility. The awards open every September through November. So mark your calendars to enter at https://christianauthorsnetwork.com/marketing-award/.
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Susan U. Neal, RN, MBA, MHS: Susan’s mission is to improve the health of the body of Christ. She has her RN and MBA degrees, as well as a master’s in health science. She is a CERTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHwith the American Association of Christian Counselors. She published five books, the Selah award winner 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, CHRISTIAN STUDY GUIDE FOR 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, HEALTHY LIVING JOURNAL, SCRIPTURE YOGAa #1 Amazon best-selling yoga book, and YOGA FOR BEGINNERSwhich ranked #3. She published two sets of Christian Yoga Card Decks and two Christian Yoga DVDs that are available at CHRISTINAYOGA.COM. Her digital product HOW TO PREVENT, IMPROVE, AND REVERSE ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA is a great resource. To learn more about Susan visit her website SUSANUNEAL.COM You can also connect with Susan on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.
