Nashville, Tenn.—American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) has announced its finalists in fourteen categories for the best Christian fiction published in calendar year 2008.  Six Thomas Nelson novels from a variety of genres have been honored:

DEBUT AUTHOR
In the Shadow of the Sun King  (Golden Keyes Parsons)

LITS
Sweet Caroline  (Rachel Hauck)

LONG CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
The Convenient Groom (Denise Hunter)

SUSPENSE
Anathema (Colleen Coble)
Lonestar Sanctuary  (Colleen Coble)

WOMEN’S FICTION
The Perfect Life (Robin Lee Hatcher)

ACFW boasts over 1800 members worldwide—authors, editors, agents, publicists and aspiring writers—working “to promote Christian Fiction through developing the skills of its authors, educating them in the market, and serving as an advocate in the industry.” Award winners will be named at this year’s annual conference in Denver, CO, September 17-20, at a ceremony to be held Saturday night.  Winning authors will receive plaques; their editors will also be recognized.

Nashville, Tenn.—Romance Writers of America (RWA) hosted its 29th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. last week, July 15-18.  Highlights included workshops and presentations of national and local RWA chapter industry awards.  Two Thomas Nelson fiction authors were among those honored:

Booksellers Best Award – Inspirational Fiction
Sponsored by Greater Detroit RWA
Lonestar Sanctuary by Colleen Coble 

Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award
Sponsored by Faith, Hope and Love chapter of RWA (for Christian fiction authors belonging to RWA)
Where Do I Go? by Neta Jackson

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. was awarded six of Christian Retailing’s 2009 Retailer’s Choice Awards. The awards were announced on Monday, July 13th at the International Christian Retail Show in Denver, Colorado. Thomas Nelson received more any other publishing house and walked away with a fifth of the cumulative awards.

“There are two things about Retailer’s Choice Awards that make them among the highest honors in the industry,” said Michael S. Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson. “First, the awards are selected by Christian retailers, who work on the front lines helping Christians strengthen their spiritual journey. Second, the awards are judged on a product’s ability to inspire, encourage, and affirm Godly living. I am so proud of our team.” READ MORE »

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today that thirteen of its products or campaigns have been chosen to be finalists for Christian Retailing’s 2009 Retailer’s Choice Awards. Products or campaigns nominated for the 2009 Retailer’s Choice Awards must include clear Christian content, message, or worldview. Retailers judge nominations on the impact they have had on staff and customers, including their ability to speak to people’s hearts and evoke emotion, open people’s minds to new ways of thinking, and encourage and affirm Christlike living.

The winner in each category will be announced on Monday, July 13, during the International Christian Retail Show in Denver, Colorado. Winners will appear in the August 10 issue of Christian Retailing. The Thomas Nelson finalists are: READ MORE »

(Nashville, Tenn.)—Sweetwater Gap by Denise Hunter was recently named a finalist for the HOLT Medallion, an award sponsored by the Virginia chapter of Romance Writers of America (RWA). The HOLT Medallion is open to authors with books published in the previous year. The winner is chosen by a panel of readers who select the best novel in each of twelve categories.

According to the organization, what makes the HOLT Medallion unique is its purpose of reflecting the actual marketplace. Judging panels are comprised only of avid romance readers who are looking for “a good read, a book they would buy and an author they would follow.” Editors, agents, and writers are not eligible to judge.

The HOLT Medallion has been awarded annually since 1995. This year’s winner will be announced at the 29th Annual National RWA conference in Washington, D.C., July 15-18, 2009.