Press Room

• ACFW ANNOUNCES GENESIS FINALISTS

  Tuesday, June 15, 2010 12:17 PM

  ACFW is pleased to publicize the names of the 2010 Genesis finalists. Since its inception in 2002, the Genesis contest (originally named the Noble Theme) has been the leading fiction contest for unpublished Christian writers.

  “The Genesis is the premier contest in the Christian Booksellers Association for the unpublished. It’s THE place to get noticed by a publisher.” – Colleen Coble, CEO of ACFW.

  CONTEMPORARY FICTION

  Cindy Hays
  Lynnette P. Horner
  Chris Kraft
  Mark Lundgren
  Christina S. Nelson
  CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

  Jeannie Campbell
  Sarah Forgrave
  Janice LaQuiere
  Rebecca Syme
  Linda Yezak
  HISTORICAL FICTION

  Lori Benton
  Brenda Jackson
  Robert Kaku
  Lisa Karon Richardson
  Katie-Marie Stout
  HISTORICAL ROMANCE

  Susanne Dietze
  Anne Greene
  Pam Hillman
  Lisa Karon Richardson
  Ruth Trippy
  MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER

  Rich Bullock
  Barbara Early (double finalist with two entries)
  Lynda Schab
  Chawna Schroeder
  ROMANTIC SUSPENSE (two-way tie for the fifth finalist slot)

  Valerie Goree
  Mindy Obenhaus
  Leslie Pfeil
  Dianna Shuford
  Teri Dawn Smith
  Terri Weldon
  SPECULATIVE FICTION

  Ben Erlichman
  Suzanne Krein
  Shelley Ledfors
  Andra Marquardt
  Holly Smit
  WOMEN’S FICTION (three-way tie for the fifth finalist slot)

  Lisa Buffaloe
  Jennifer Fromke
  Terri Haynes
  Fay Lamb
  Christina S. Nelson
  Melissa Tagg
  Michelle Ule
  YOUNG ADULT

  Angela Bell
  Lin Harris
  Kasey Heinly
  LoraLee Kodzo
  Stefanie Morris
  ACFW president Cynthia Ruchti notes that over the life of the contest, a significant number of Genesis finalists have gone on to publication. “Among them are authors who are now multipublished and whose books appear consistently on CBA and ECPA bestseller lists, and those whose published works receive recognition through readers’ choice and industry-awarded honors. That speaks highly of the role of the Genesis Contest in helping launch author careers.”

  From airport newsstands to Newsweek, Christian fiction continues to grow in popularity, resonating with readers looking for both faith and fiction. The growth of the genre has birthed many new writers, as evidenced by the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). ACFW has over 2000 members worldwide, consisting of authors, editors, agents, publicists and aspiring writers. The Genesis contest is the only contest with ONLY inspirational categories.

  Winners of the Genesis contest will be announced on September 19, 2010 during the awards event at the ACFW Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.