2010 ACFW Genesis Finalists

One of the highlights of the ACFW Conference (which is where I am right now while my blog is on auto pilot) is the awards banquet on the last evening of the conference. Posh frocks, lots of sparkle and glitz, a kilt or two. And three or four dozen very nervous attendees who have the noted honor of being contest finalists. Two writing contests: The Carol Awards (named for Carol Johnson, the editor who first championed Inspirational Fiction) and the Genesis Awards (esteemed contest for unpublished authors). This year's contests are shaping up to be among the most exciting to date. Several from my local ACFW writing group are among the finalists - Cindy Hays (Genesis), Myra Johnson and Vickie McDonough (Carol awards). Vickie is actually a 3-time finalist with three titles making the list. Precious and very prolific writer!

An exciting addition to this year's awards is that it will be broadcast in a LIVE BLOG so that you who couldn't make the conference this year can root and cheer for your favorite finalists at home.  Wynn/Wynn Media and ACFW have teamed up to bring you this, so along with the imaginary red carpet, you can fantasize that you are in Indianapolis at the actual event when in reality you are in your pajamas having popcorn and pop out of a can while the contestants are wringing their hands and sweating bullets waiting for their category to come up. Showtime is 7:30 pm on Sunday, September 19!

Here are the Genesis finalists. Tomorrow I'll post a list of the Carol Award Finalists.

2010 Genesis Contest Finalists: 

• CONTEMPORARY FICTION: (total entries: 47)

  1. Cindy Hays
  2. Lynnette P. Horner
  3. Chris Kraft
  4. Mark Lundgren
  5. Christina S. Nelson

• CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: (total entries: 63)

  1. Jeannie Campbell
  2. Sarah Forgrave
  3. Janice LaQuiere
  4. Rebecca Syme
  5. Linda Yezak

• HISTORICAL FICTION: (total entries: 35)

  1. Lori Benton
  2. Brenda Jackson
  3. Robert Kaku
  4. Lisa Karon Richardson
  5. Katie-Marie Stout

• HISTORICAL ROMANCE: (total entries: 65)

  1. Susanne Dietze
  2. Anne Greene
  3. Pam Hillman
  4. Lisa Karon Richardson
  5. Ruth Trippy

• MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER: (total entries: 45)

  1. Rich Bullock
  2. Barbara Early (double finalist with two entries)
  3. Lynda Schab
  4. Chawna Schroeder

• ROMANTIC SUSPENSE (there was a two-way tie for the fifth finalist slot): (total entries: 50)

  1. Valerie Goree
  2. Mindy Obenhaus
  3. Leslie Pfeil
  4. Dianna Shuford
  5. Teri Dawn Smith
  6. Terri Weldon

• SPECULATIVE FICTION: (total entries: 49)

  1. Ben Erlichman
  2. Suzanne Krein
  3. Shelley Ledfors
  4. Andra Marquardt
  5. Holly Smit

• WOMEN'S FICTION (there was a three-way tie for the fifth finalist slot): (total entries: 76)

  1. Lisa Buffaloe
  2. Jennifer Fromke
  3. Terri Haynes
  4. Fay Lamb
  5. Christina S. Nelson
  6. Melissa Tagg
  7. Michelle Ule

• YOUNG ADULT: (total entries: 56)

  1. Angela Bell
  2. Lin Harris
  3. Kasey Heinly
  4. LoraLee Kodzo
  5. Stefanie Morris

Congratulations to all the 2010 Genesis finalists!