2026 Golden Scroll and Christian Market Book Awards Press Release

AWSA Announces 2026 Golden Scroll Winners

AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) announced the winners of the 2026 Golden Scroll Awards at the Golden Scroll Banquet, Sunday, August 2, at the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, Missouri. Awards were presented by Linda Evans Shepherd, founder and CEO of AWSA, Dawn Damon, CEO of BraveHearted Woman, and Carol Kent, founder of the Speak Up Conference and the nonprofit organization Speak Up for Hope.

This is the 18th year that AWSA has presented the Golden Scroll Awards. The Golden Scroll Awards are open to nearly 1,200 members of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

Amy C. Williams was named AWSA Member of the Year. The Jennifer Kennedy Dean Award went to Grace Fox.

Janet Perez Eckles was awarded the AWSA Impact Award, presented to a member who has made a lifetime impact for Jesus. Dr. Sharon Norris Elliott received the Deborah Award for Courage and Leadership.

DiAnn Mills was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. She has captivated readers with bestselling suspense novels that have earned numerous prestigious awards and touched countless lives. But if you ask those who know her best what truly sets her apart, they won't begin with her books. They'll tell you about her generous heart, her unwavering faith, and the countless writers she has encouraged, mentored, and championed along the way.

For many years, she has invested in the Christian writing community through conferences, coaching, and leadership, helping aspiring authors believe that God could use their stories, too. As one of directors of the Blue Ridge Christian Writer’s Conference her influence extends far beyond the pages she has written to the lives she has shaped.

Her own story is one of trusting God's unexpected plans. After telling the Lord that if she were ever to marry again, He would have to send a man wearing a T-shirt that made His will unmistakably clear, a volunteer arrived at her door wearing a shirt that read, "God Listens." That man was Dean, and together they shared a beautiful love story rooted in faith.

When Dean's health declined, she lovingly cared for him until he entered the presence of Jesus. Amid profound loss, she has continued to live with grace, courage, and hope, inspiring others by the way she walks forward in faith.

Her life reflects excellence, perseverance, generosity, and a deep love for Christ. She has not only written remarkable stories—she has lived one.

The Golden Scroll Book of the Year was awarded to Debbie W. Wilson for Big Hurt, Bigger God: Finding Freedom Through Biblical Forgiveness (Leafwood Publishers).

The Nonfiction Book of the Year Award went to Jolie Vogliardo for America: The Sleeping Giant and Her Slumbering Church (Trilogy Publishing).

The Novel of the Year Award went to DiAnn Mills for Canyon of Deceit (Tyndale).

The Children’s Book of the Year was awarded to Lisa Pritchard, illustrated by Lissette Blanco, for Dirt Dog Invites Prissy Poodle to the Prom (Abundance Books).

The Youth Book of the Year was awarded to Mary Ann Hake for Just a Piece of Stone (Elk Lake).

Second place for Youth Book of the Year went to Gail Scoates for Puma: A Shelter Dog Becomes a Hero (Grato Publishing). Third place went to Rose Tooley Gamblin for Fritz the Adventures Begin (MRG Publishing).

The Children’s Early Reader Book of the Year was awarded to Karen Mills, illustrated by Jack Foster, for Billy Bob and Friends: A Shadow, a Swamp, and a Sly Sneaky Spider (Pass It On Publishing).

Second place for Children’s Early Reader Book of the Year went to Ella Shine, illustrated by Lisa Flanagan, for Pet Sitters: Pirate Problems (Puddle Dog Press). Third place went to Erin Greneaux, illustrated by Taisiia Kolisnyk, for The Eagle's Promise (Erin Greneaux).

The Children’s Picture Book of the Year was awarded to Vicki and Ilsa Bentley, illustrated by Hiruni Kariyawasam, for Not Sorry To Be Me (Torn Curtain Publishing).

Second place for Children’s Picture Book of the Year went to Robin Currie, illustrated by Estelle Gorke, for Just Enough Room for Christmas (Good Books). Third place went to Lisa Corduan, illustrated by Tabitha Gail Simmons, for Save Me a Seat (Abundance Books). Honorable Mention went to Nancy E Haack for The Giant Ginger Cookie: A Mabel & Beacon Adventure (Gatekeeper Press)

The Children’s Nonfiction Book of the Year was awarded to Bethany Heyne for Seeing Christ in Christmas Traditions: A Christmas Devotional and Activity Book (Kairos Bridge).

Second place for Children’s Nonfiction Book of the Year went to Laine Lawson Craft, illustrated by L. Star, for The Beginning of You (Kregel). Third place went to David & Julie Lavender, illustrated by Shahar Kober, for Children's Advent Stories for Bedtime (Z Kids).

The Christian Living Book of the Year went to Graciela Kessler for Divine Tapestry: An Alphabetical Journey Through the Names, Nature, Titles, and Attributes of God (Westbow Press).

Second place for Christian Living Book of the Year went to Kim S. Kinney for Rejoicing in His Glory: Unleash Joy and Freedom to Transform Your Soul (Pearls of Glory Publishing). Third place went to Ava Pennington for Flourish: Grace-Centered Practices to Protect and Grow a Fruitful Life in Christ (Kregel). Honorable Mention went to Lisa Saruga for The Trauma Tree: Going Beyond Survival, Growing Toward Wholeness (Kregel)

The Bible Study Book of the Year was awarded to Mary Rooney Armand for Uniquely Made: Understanding and Embracing Your Identity in Christ (Redemption Press).

Second place for Bible Study Book of the Year went to Charlene D Quint for Overcoming the Narcissist, Sociopath, Psychopath, and Other Domestic Abusers: Workbook for Support Groups and Bible Studies (Redemption Press). Third place went to Grace Fox for Names of God: Knowing Peace (Aspire Press). Honorable Mention included a tie between Lisa J. Radcliff for God is For Me: A Biblical Character Study of God's Heart for the Sexually Harmed (Abundance Books) and Kathy Dye for The Song of Our Heart: Remembering God's Faithfulness Through Every Season (Westbow Press).

The Devotional Book of the Year was awarded to Beverly J. Schweigert for God Says I am: Embrace Who You Were Created to Be (Be Blessed Publishing).

Second place for Devotional Book of the Year went to Beth Fortune for The Potting Bench: 60 Daily Garden Devotions with the Master Gardener (Illumify Media). Third place went to Jenae Alexander for Hope from On High: Reflections on Finding Grace in Your Story (Bespoken Hope Press). Honorable Mention went to Dawn Wallis for Southern Sunshine: 90 Devotions to Brighten Your Day and Bless Your Heart (Kregel).

The Parenting Book of the Year was awarded to Ginny Cruz for The New Mom's Guide: Help & Hope for Baby's First Year (Trailblazer Publishing).

Second place for Parenting Book of the Year went to Marla Darius for Summer Fun for Everyone: How to Enjoy Summer Vacation as Much as Your Kids Do Year After Year (Marla Darius ). Third place went to Natalie Ford for Through the Tears: Helping Children Grieve After Suicide (Elk Lake). Honorable Mention went to Liz A. Pitman Illustrated by Jane Brobst for I Am Special: Devotionals for Every Season (Puzzle Piece Productions).

The Christian Education Book of the Year was awarded to Dr. Mel Tavares for Make Families Great Again (Simply Right Press).

Second place for Christian Educational Book of the Year was Edie Melson and DiAnn Mills for Social Media for Today's Writer 2nd Edition (Heavenly Binding Press). Third place went to Edie Melson for Blogging for Today's Writer 2nd Edition (Heavenly Binding Press). Honorable Mention in this category was a tie between Peg Arnold for Making Your Message Memorable: Creative Ideas for Captivating Presentations (Abundance Books) and Jacquelyn Martinez Marushka for The PR Playbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Personal Branding & Public Relations (Marushka Media).

The Memoir of the Year was awarded to Steve and Kathy Boyls, MD, with Troy Anderson for I've Been to Heaven: The True Story of a Husband's Supernatural Near-Death Experience of the Afterlife, His Wife's Prayer That Brought Him Back, and God's Message of Hope for the World (Chosen Books).

Second place for Memoir of the Year went to Laura B. Edge for Heart of the Matter: A Journey to Faith (Elk Lake). Third place went to Trong Van, Gary Allens Goran, and Carrie Stuart Parks for Of Good Courage: A Refugee's Journey from Despair to Triumph (Of Good Courage). Honorable mention included both Cara Shine for The Hallway Miracle: A Prayer that Opened a Jewish Heart to Jesus (Abundance Books) and Jeanne Roberson for Shattered for Glory: A Human Trafficking Survivor's Journey to Freedom (The Well Publishers).

The Journal/Workbook of the Year was awarded to Dr. Bethany Heyne for Growth Mindset, Goal Setting, and Resilience: A 30-Day Bible Study & Workbook for Kids (Kairos Bridge).

Second place for Journal/Workbook of the Year went to Sheila Preston Fitzgerald for FootNotes Adventures with Jesus: Encountering Jesus in Everyday Moments (Blue Butterfly Publication). Third place went to Donna Wyland for A Guided Gratitude Journal (freetobe publishing). Honorable Mention went to Pebbles Wireman for Mooky & Me (Elk Lake).

The Inspirational Gift Book of the Year was awarded to Tama Fortner for Prayers for Each Moment: 100 Conversations with God About Real Life and Real Stuff (Ink & Willow).

Second place for Inspirational Gift Book of the Year went to Gina Romero for Welcome Home: A Guide to Homemaking, From the Heart (Advantage Books). Third place went. to Cathy Baker for Making Room for God: A Creative Guide for Praying Through Your Home (Our Daily Bread). Honorable Mention went to Raewyn Elsegood for 21 Gifts: A Sacred Dance Through Grief and Healing (Redemption Press).

The Anthology of the Year was awarded to Sara Cormany, editor, for She Writes for Him: Stories of Courageous Leadership (Redemption Press).

Second place for Anthology of the Year went to FIES Editing Team and Contributor Toni Campbell for Faithful in Every Season: A Collection of Stories, Poems, and Reflections of God's Enduring Love (Pageant Wagon Publishing). Third place went to Linette Rainville for Dressing Esther: For Such a Time as This (United Press Publishing). Honorable Mention went to Tarsha Campbell (lead editor) and Contributing Co-authors for Divinely Covered: Powerful Prayers of Protection for You, Your Family, and Your Life (Dominion House).

The Mystery/Suspense Novel of the Year was awarded to Mary Alford for Amish Country Killer (Love Inspired Suspense).

Second place for the Mystery/Suspense Novel of the Year went to Lynette Eason for Final Approach (Revell). Third place went to Lynette Eason for Serial Burn (Revell). Honorable Mention went to Dani Pettrey for Two Seconds Too Late (Bethany House).

The Speculative Fiction Novel of the Year was awarded to Jenny L. Cote for The Storm, the Fish, and the Vine (AMG Publishers).

Second place for the Speculative Fiction Novel of the Year went to Ann Cavera for Seeds of Darkness (Elk Lake). Third place went to Susan L. Davis for 63 Hours in Hell (Abundance Books).

The Contemporary Novel of the Year was awarded to Starr Ayers for Lavender Tide (Mountain Brook Ink).

Second place for Contemporary Novel of the Year went to Edwina Perkins for The Colors of Home (Dressed in Love Press). Third place went to Heather Norman Smith for A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro (Kregel).

The Western Novel of the Year was awarded to Karen Witemeyer for To Love a Beast (Hope & Light Publishing).

Second place for Western Novel of the Year went to Kimberley Woodhouse and Tracie Peterson for An Unexpected Grace (Bethany House).

The Historical Novel of the Year was awarded to Lana Christian for Survival Secrets (Scrivenings Press).

Second place for Historical Novel of the Year went to Kimberley Woodhouse for A Song in the Dark (Bethany House). Third place went to Jennifer L. Wright for Last Light Over Galveston (Tyndale). Honorable Mention went to Sarah Schwerin for The Willow Still Sings (Abundance Books).

The Romance Novel of the Year was awarded to Deborah Raney for Who Stirs Up the Sea (Raney Day Press).

Second place for Romance Novel of the Year went to Ann Swindell for Love in the Castle Library (WhiteCrown Publishing). Third place went to Ronda Wells for The Christmas Cherub (Ronda Wells Books). Honorable Mention went to Mandy Boerme for Royal Runway's Holiday (Peaberry Publishing).

The Novella of the Year was awarded to Beth K. Vogt for Together This Christmas (Story Architect).

Second place for Novella of the Year went to Sarah Hanksl for For the Love of Truth—Every Voice Heard (Brave Author Books). Third place went to Karen Witemeyer for A Star in the West—On a Midnight Clear (Bethany House). Honorable Mention went to Lynette Eason for Snowbound Secrets- Whiteout (Bethany House).

This year marked the second entry into the Evangelical Press Association Awards for Arise Daily, AWSA’s online daily devotional. Arise Daily received the Award of Excellence for Digital Devotionals—that’s First Place! The Arise Daily Writer of the Year was awarded to Harriet E. Michael.

AWSA’s official magazine is “Leading Hearts.” The “Leading Hearts” Contributor of the Year went to Rhonda Rhea. Feature Article of the Year went to Sheri Scholfield for “Leading During Conflict: A Guide to Taking the Gloves Off.” An EPA Higher Goals, an Award of Excellence, went to our publisher, Linda Evans Shepherd. She took first place in the Humorous Article category for her article, “When Your Plans Go Up in Smoke.”

A new ASWA P.O.W.E.R. Speaker, Renny Bailey, was recognized.

This is the seventh year to present the Christian Market Book Awards. These awards are open to all authors who publish in the Christian market.

The Christian Market Book of the Year was awarded to Christine Hoy for Keeping Company with Jesus: Finding Peace in His Presence (Beatitudes).

The Christian Market Devotional of the Year was awarded to Beth Fortune for The Potting Bench: 60 Daily Garden Devotions with the Master Gardener (Illumify Media).

The Christian Market Christian Living Book of the Year was awarded to Jane Hampton Cook for A Great and Grateful Nation: From Grievance to Gratitude (AMG Publishers).

The Christian Market Bible Study Book of the Year was awarded to Barbara Latta for Redemption, the Heartbeat of Christmas: What the Heartbeat of Christ Means to the World (Latta Publishing).

The Christian Market Memoir of the Year was awarded to Jeanne Roberson for Shattered for Glory: A Human Trafficking Survivor's Journey to Freedom (The Well Publishers).

The Christian Market Educational Book of the Year was awarded to Peg Arnold for Making Your Message Memorable: Creative Ideas for Captivating Presentations (Abundance Books).

The Christian Market Suspense Novel of the Year was awarded to Lynette Eason for Serial Burn (Revell).

The Christian Market Romance Novel of the Year was awarded to Ronda Wells for The Christmas Cherub (Ronda Wells Books).

The Christian Market Biblical Fiction Book of the Year was awarded to Susanne Blumer for Anna of Arimathea (Sutton Avenue Press).

The Christian Market Historical Novel of the Year was awarded to Cindy Kay Stewart for Unending Hope (Hope Springs Press).

The Christian Market Contemporary Novel of the Year was awarded to Deena Adams for Stronger than the Storm: A Story of Secrets, Forgiveness, and the Power of Grace (Scrivenings Press).

The Christian Market Children’s Book of the Year was awarded to Nancy E Haack for The Giant Ginger Cookie: A Mabel & Beacon Adventure (Gatekeeper Press).

The Christian Market Youth Book of the Year was awarded to Rose Tooley Gamblin for Fritz the Adventures Begin (MRG Publishing).

Second place for the Christian Market Youth Book of the Year went to Mark Wainwright and Dr. Danny Faulkner for Puma: A Shelter Dog Becomes a Hero (Grato Publishing). Third place went to Sandra Julian Barker for Discovery—Lighting Up the Past (Joyful Writer Press).

The Christian Market Children’s Nonfiction Book of the Year was awarded to David and Julie Lavender, illustrated by Shahar Kober, for Children's Advent Stories for Bedtime (Z Kids).

Second place for the Christian Market Children’s Nonfiction Book of the Year went to Pebbles Wireman for Mooky & Me (Elk Lake). Third place went to Kirsten Nelson Telan,  illustrated by Maggie Flavhan, for A Tale of Two Dogs (Morgan James).

The Christian Market Children’s Early Reader Book of the Year was awarded to Erin Greneaux, illustrated by Taisiia Kolisnyk, The Cowbird's Truth (Erin Greneaux).

Second place for the Christian Early Reader Book of the Year went to Karen Mills, illustrated by Jack Foster, for Billy Bob and Friends: A Shadow, a Swamp, and a Sly Sneaky Spider (Pass It On Publishing). Third place went to Erin Greneaux, illustrated by Taisiia Kolisnyk, for The Seed's Price (Erin Greneaux).

The Christian Market Children’s Picture Book of the Year was awarded to Lora Avery, illustrated by Kirk Charlton, for The Biggest Why: Finding the Real Treasure Is Loving God and People (Abundance Books).

Second Place for the Christian Market Children’s Picture Book of the Year went to Susie Crosby, illustrated by Sebastien, Braun, for Where Is Sheep 100?: A Skip-Counting Story About the Good Shepherd's Love (B&H Kids). Third place went to Na'Kedra Rodgers for Optimistically Mommy and Me (Abundance Books). Honorable Mention went to Elisha Lee for Patricia Learns Patience (Elisha Lee).

The Christian Market Nonfiction Book of the Year was awarded to Mary Rooney Armand for Uniquely Made: Understanding and Embracing Your Identity in Christ (Redemption Press).

Second place for the Christian Market Nonfiction Book of the Year went to Sara Cormany, editor, for She Writes for Him: Stories of Courageous Leadership (Redemption Press). Third place went to Debora M. Coty for Bless Your Heart: Daily Devotions to Warm Your Heart and Feed Your Soul (Christian Art Gifts). Honorable Mention went to Cherie Fresonke for Clothed in Righteousness In-Depth Devotional Study Guid (Sunflower Press).

The Christian Market Novel of the Year was awarded to Cindy K Sproles for The Eyes of River (Kregel).

Second place for the Christian Market Novel of the Year was awarded to Linda Dindzans for A Certain Mercy (Scrivenings Press). Third place went to Kimberley Woodhouse and Tracie Peterson for An Unexpected Grace (Bethany House). Honorable Mention went to Jennifer L. Wright for Last Light Over Galveston (Tyndale).

Linda Evans Shepherd delivered the keynote address.

AWSA, the sponsor of the Golden Scroll Awards Banquet, is an outreach of Right to the Heart Ministries and consists of nearly 1,200 top women authors who both publish and speak nationally. See www.AWSA.com. For full copy of press release: https://funnel1.goldenscrollawards.com/golden-scroll-press-release-2026