As I’ve been exploring the world of literary awards, I can’t forget the Christy. This award is for the very best in Christian literature, and several of my favorite Christian authors are also Christy award winners, including Dee Henderson.
From the Christy site, here is the mission statement of the Christy Award:
Nurture and encourage creativity and quality in the writing and publishing of fiction written from a Christian worldview.
Bring a new awareness of the breadth and depth of fiction choices available, helping to broaden the readership.
Provide opportunity to recognize novelists whose work may not have reached bestseller status.
Certainly worthy goals, every one of them.
So, how does a Christian author receive the prestigious Christy award?
The books are submitted for review by the publishers of the works. Each book must be a novel written from a Christian viewpoint and is to have been published in the year before the award year. There are several genre categories to choose from, as well as a category for first-time novelists. Each category is judged by seven judges, chosen from a field of librarians, literary critics, and reviewers. None of these judges work for or have a monetary interest in a publishing company. They rate the books against a ten-point criteria, thereby deciding which books contain the most overall merit.
The award was named for a novel by Catherine Marshall, one of the most accomplished Christian novelists of all time. This novel, entitled “Christy,” is her most recognized piece of work (as well as being one of my all-time favorites) and was made into a television series staring Kelly Martin. It has been read by more than thirty million individuals. Over twenty-five million copies of Marshall’s works are in print today.
I mentioned Dee Henderson as one recipient – other winners and nominees include Terri Blackstock, Liz Curtis Higgs, Bodie and Brock Thoene, Lisa Samson, Lynn Austin, and Philip Gulley.
Whenever I see that a book has received a Christy award, I know I’m about to read something truly remarkable in the Christian market.
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