Congratulations to our 2023 SCWC Notable Book Award Finalists
Meet the books and authors
Finalists have been announced for the 2023 SCWC Notable Book Awards finalists. The winners will be announced at the SCWC Notable Book Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 10, in Northport, Alabama.
The awards, which are sponsored by the Southern Christian Writers Conference, recognize outstanding achievement by Christian authors in these categories: nonfiction (traditionally published), nonfiction (self published), fiction (traditionally published), fiction (self published), devotional books, and children's/young adult books. Eligible books must have been published in the prior calendar year (2023). Finalists and winners are selected by evaluations of their excellence in: writing quality, production/design, and inspirational message. The books are judged by staff members of the Southern Christian Writers Conference.
Get to know the finalists for this year's awards, and stay tuned on Feb. 10 to learn who the winning authors are.
Nonfiction (Traditionally published)
When it comes to making big decisions in both our personal and professional lives, many of us experience anxiety, fear, and confusion. But there is only one way to forge ahead with courage and confidence: God's guidance. In Taking Care of Business, Dr. Gene Allen shares his story of astonishing success and demonstrates how leaps of faith can your life and livelihood.
The 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life is Overwhelming, by Linda Lyle
This practical and inspirational guide will give you new ways to pray when life feels overwhelming with 90 focused 5-minute prayer plans for your daily quiet time. These prayer plans explore a variety of life themes such as health, finances, relationships, parenthood, and job stress. Each entry includes: Minute 1 (a scripture to meditate on). Minutes 2-3 (specific prayer points and questions to consider as you enter a time of prayer). Minutes 4-5 (a jumpstarter prayer to springboard you into a time of conversation with God).
Healed! How God Took me From Planning my Funeral to Planning my Future, by Gayle Taylor
As her health deteriorated, Gayle's life became a miserable journey of survival as a prisoner in her own body. But in her darkest valley, as she planned her own funeral, the Lord spoke to her through Deuteronomy 30:19 and told her to choose life. She realized this was not only a battle of the flesh, but of the spirit. Through suffering, surrender, and prayer, God taught her lessons she could learn only by walking through this season.
Nonfiction (Self Published)
Mission Vigilant: A Mother's Crusade to Stem the Tide of Veteran Suicide, by Susan Cleland and Sherye S. Green
Susan Cleland found herself on a new life path, one she would never have willingly taken, following the loss of her Air Force veteran son, Michael Ryan Vinson, on June 9, 2019. As a result of this devastating tragedy, Susan has made it her mission to share the lessons God taught her in the wake of Michael's death. Even though Susan and her family will never fully recover from the emotional wounds caused by grief and deep sorrow, she offers encouragement, hope, and purpose to other survivors of veteran suicide.
Youth Group Theology: Responses to 50 of Teenagers' Most Asked Questions, by Haylee Collins
Youth groups are full of teenage theologians. They ask deep questions, seek sincere answers, and desire to know God in a personal way. Unfortunately, adults often dismiss their questions, thinking that they're too immature to understand the Bible or too young to handle complex concepts. Sometimes the adult may dismiss the question out of insecurity because they don't know the answer either In this book, Haylee gives both teenagers and adults more confidence by responding to their questions simply and directly.
Come in, Lord, Please Excuse the Mess! by Cassandra Tiersma
Come In, Lord, Please Excuse the Mess! is a spiritual recovery book to guide you in how to break through the debilitating shame and embarrassment associated with clutter. Break free from the spiritual, mental, and emotional strongholds of clutter bondage; break off the chains of clutter bondage through strategic prayer and action steps; experience genuine healing and transformation in the journey out of clutter bondage; enjoy the freedom to live awesome, creative life that God has purposed for you.
Fiction (Traditionally Published)
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The Fourth River, by Teresa M. Bruce
In a perilous supernatural jungle, hunted by heavily armed enemy factions, a biblical archaeologist and her team must face the evidence: prophecy will be fulfilled and the Messiah's Second Coming is nigh. Fallen away from her faith, Dr. Jennifer Cummings homes the newest historic find fulfills her mother's legacy and perhaps begins her own. Special Forces operative Mark Sumner joins the research team to film the discovery and provide security. When subterfuge and betrayal enters the camp and team members begin to diet, their Fourth River exploratory expedition could mean the death of them all.
Landing on Her Feet, by Kim Ligon
Kat Russell narrowly escaped death at Dirk Crowe's hands six years ago. He's out of prison. To protect her family, she must flee Philadelphia--the only home she's ever known--with her five-year-old son Timmy. Is Wisconsin far enough away to escape evil? Chase Merrick, father of Timmy's new best friend, wants to help. What is Kat hiding? Why does she insist she must face whatever it is alone? When can Kat stop constantly looking back over her shoulder? Will secrets and shame stop her from accepting Chase's protection? Can they be united in the face of danger to keep their sons safe?
Rescuing Rose, by Susan Pope Sloan
When the Union Army marches into Roswell, Georgia, and burns down the cotton mill where Rose Carrigan worked, not only is her livelihood destroyed but she's also taken prisoner and shipped northwest with the other workers. Only the unlikely kindness of one of her guards makes the trip bearable. Union captain Noah Griffin hates the part of his job that requires him to destroy the lives of innocent civilians, but at least he's able to protect these women he's been ordered to transport to Lexington, Kentucky. Especially the one whose quick wit and kindness draws him in.
Fiction (Self Published)
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After losing all he once cherished, Doug Zimmer follows his wife's parting bread crumbs and rides up the Pacific coast--on a bicycle. Armed with a revolver and only a vague plan to get through the months ahead, he aims to end his depression one way or the other. As spiritual forces wrangle for his soul. he pedals eastward across America. Accompanying Doug are not only sunny days and the beauty of nature but also the perils of the road, fellow travelers with their own stories, and the hollow silence of solitary campsites playing host to unseen creatures of the night.
The Other Place, by June Chapko
Gwen Nichols seems stuck in the past and can't find her way out of widowhood, until she's faced with a crisis which brings her to a crossroad. Having lost her beloved husband three years prior, she is now faced with making the decision to end her dying pet's life. How can she go through this again? She earnestly seeks help from family, only to be rejected. Gwen finds the answer to her dilemma in a surprising source, but will she accept it?
Beyond Juarez, by Marion Surles
A squatters' neighborhood in Juarez, Mexico is an unlikely place to dream, and yet Cristal dreams of becoming a teacher to help the lost and neglected. Daniel wants to chase the American dream across the border where riches abound. Itzel is swept along by her life as an unplanned pregnancy and hasty choices carry her where she hadn't dreamed. As these young people navigate their way toward adulthood, a parking lot massacre, a workplace round-up, and a worldwide virus threaten to dash their hopes for the future. Do these young people have the grit to make their dreams come true?
Devotional Books
Anxiety, depression, mania, suicide attempts, and societal fears are not beyond God's reach. One in five people struggle with a mental health condition. The stigma of mental illness is challenged as the authors team up to provide transparent devotions on touchy topics using real experiences. Two viewpoints are expressed: one from an individual with mental illness, the other from a friend, mentor, and advocate.
Legacy Blessings: Devotions for your Spirit, by Laura S. Clark
Legacy Blessings is a unique devotional designed to nurture and strengthen your human spirit. The blessings in this book, crafted from scripture and personal stories, will minister to the very part of you that God created to partner with the Holy Spirit.
40 Days of Spiritual Growth: Daily Devotions from the Farewell Words from Paul's Letters by Gary Hardin
Have you ever considered what your final words might be? Will they be words of blessing? Words of advice? Words of love? This book contains 40 daily devotions based on the farewell words the Apostle Paul write to churches he started and friends who served with him on his missionary journeys. The daily devotions are baed on the ending Bible verses in each of Paul's 13 New Testament letters.
Car Line Mom: 100 Days of Encouragement for the Mama Who Gets Everybody Everywhere, by Caris Snider
Do you feel like your life is just carting your people everywhere? Are your mornings filled with horns blaring, cars speeding and pressure mounting to get out of the house and to the front of the car line on time Whether it's waiting in the car line or waiting for the afternoon to finally end, Caris Snider knows that those moments of pausing are sacred for a busy mama. She's learned that she had a choice to move toward things that induce anxiety for her day, or instead move toward God's Word, which floods her with encouragement.
Children's & Young Adult
Love Connects us All, by Michelle Medlock Adams (illustrated by Sandra Eide)
Families who find themselves enlarged by the blessing of adoption and foster care will be reminded of the sweetness brought to the family unit expanding in this way. In caring for those who need it most, we hope young children will see themselves among the pages and will celebrate their families.
Fingerprint Devotions: 40 Devotions to Help you Realize you are a Kid Uniquely Created by God for a Purpose, by Sandra Chambers
This devotional book helps kids gain a firm biblical foundation to help them recognize that God created them, loves them, and that they have worth and value to God and others. Kids will discover that God's fingerprint is on them through: creation, salvation by asking Jesus into their heart, and through the Holy Spirit living in them.
The Secret of the Seven Rubies, by Jeris Hamm
Eighth grader Matt Silvers never has enough time. Time to open his locker and rush to class. Time to catch the bus or finish his homework. Time to impress Coach before the basketball championship... But time stands still when Matt and his friends Ryan and Julie journey to a realm of wonder. A kingdom where a wise guardian reveals Matt's superhero identity and challenges them to find seven rubies and seven messages--secret wisdom they'll need to battle the swarming Craevin and resist the evil Dark Void.
Little Miss Linda and the B.A.D. Girls of Montgomery, by Linda Holloway
Within the colorful and joyous pages of this book, Little Miss Linda takes her readers on a school field trip from the historical town of Mound Bayou, Mississippi, to Montgomery, Alabama that inspires her to learn about seven bold and determined women who defied the odds and took an incredible stand for social justice, despite the remarkable cultural opposition they faced.
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We are extremely excited about the quality of this year's nominees for the SCWC Notable Book Awards. The stories these books tell...the information they convey... the inspiration they provide. All of the finalists are excellent examples of quality writing, outstanding presentation, and faith-filled messaging.
Good luck to all of our finalists. And we encourage everyone to check out the books.
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