Yesterday was my 45th birthday. The most memorable gift came during the Christy Awards, which were presented at Lipscomb University in Nashville last night. I was absolutely gobsmacked that Drawn by the Current won in the category of historical fiction! I wasn't able to attend the gala in Nashville, but I watched from home as Raela Schoenherr, representing Bethany House Publishers, stepped up to the stage and accepted on my behalf. Here are the few lines I'd sent her just in case she had a use for them:
Thank you for this incredible honor, which I am convinced is deserved by all of the finalists for historical fiction. Thank you, to my publisher, Bethany House, for letting me tell this little-known story of Chicago’s largest loss-of-life disaster, and to my agent, Tim Beals, for his unfailing support. I owe a debt of gratitude to the Eastland Disaster Historical Society, for making sure the details and nuances were accurate and sensitive. If this novel gains any attention, I know it’s not for me, but for the 844 people who died on a ship still tied to the dock in the Chicago River. Thank you, Christy Award and ECPA, for helping me honor their memory.
Here is the complete list of award winners:
BOOK OF THE YEAR
The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, Amanda Cox
Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800737412
THE AMPLIFY AWARD FOR CHRISTIAN FICTION
In Search of a Prince, Toni Shiloh
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764238956
By Category:
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
All That Really Matters, Nicole Deese
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764234965
FIRST NOVEL
All That Is Secret, Patricia Raybon
Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496458384
GENERAL FICTION
The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, Amanda Cox
Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800737412
HISTORICAL
Drawn by the Current, Jocelyn Green
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764233326
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Until Leaves Fall in Paris, Sarah Sundin
Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800736378
MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER
Aftermath, Terri Blackstock
Thomas Nelson Publishers, 9780310345978
SHORT FORM
A Texas Christmas Carol (in Under the Texas Mistletoe), Karen Witemeyer
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764239311
SPECULATIVE
Windward Shore, Sharon Hinck
Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media, 9781621841678
YOUNG ADULT
Shadow, Kara Swanson
Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media, 9781621841739
Read the full news release about the event here.
See the complete list of this year's finalists here.
From left to right: Amanda Bostic (for Terri Blackstock); Patricia Raybon; Nicole Deese; Steve Smith (for Kara Swanson); Amanda Cox; Steve Laube (for Sharon Hinck); Becky Wade; Chris Fabry; Cynthia Ruchti (for Sarah Sundin); Jeff Crosby; and Raela Schoenherr (for Toni Shiloh, Jocelyn Green, Karen Witemeyer)
Jocelyn Green
Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. As a speaker, Jocelyn inspires faith and courage in her audiences. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, strawberry-rhubarb pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.
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