2026 Selah Award Finalists

On Wednesday, March 3, 2026, Selah Awards Director, Eva Marie Everson, announced the titles and names of the finalists for this year’s contest from the nearly 650 entries. They are as follows:


Amish

A Daughter’s Choice by Kelly Irvin
Barbour Publishing

Hunting the Amish Witness by Dana R. Lynn
Love Inspired Suspense/Harlequin

With All Her Heart by Kelly Irvin
Zondervan/Harper Collins Christian Publishing

Anthology

Birdsong/Deb Elkink, General Editor
The Mosaic Collection

I Heard the Bells/Sara Davison, General Editor
Fab Four Press

This Little Nowhere, Nothing Town/Sara Davison, General Editor
Sara Davison

Articles in Print

Don’t Give Up on Your Dream by Julie Lavender
Southern Christian Writer Magazine

Redeeming Lives, Restoring Hope by Pam S. Walker
Today’s Christian Woman

The Scent of Cinnamon by Denise Loock
The Mountaineer

Articles Online

How Old Was David When He . . . by Leigh Ann Thomas
Salem Web Network

Learning to Take Our Thoughts Captive by Melanie Stevenson
Christian Life in London

Living in a “Jericho” Season by Beth K. Vogt
Elisa Morgan Blog

The Hard & Holy Work of Healing from Abortion by Robin Gerblick
Crosswalk.com

Audio

A Convenient Heart by Lacy Williams
Lacy Williams Books

A Noble Purpose by Laurie Lucking
ONE Audiobook

A Song in the Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse
Recorded Books

Christmas in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell
White Crown

Finding Juniper by Cindy Thomsom
Emerald Path Press

Hold Your Breath by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Mountain Book Ink

Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet
Bethany House/Baker

Night of the Orphan Train by Brent Maher
ONE Audiobooks

Roxie Applesauce by Tonya L. Matthews
Haleya Publishing

Tangled Roots by Jessica Brodie
Valor Publishing Group

The Letter by Edwina Kiernan
ONE Audiobooks

The Huntress by Carrie Cotten
Carrie Cotton

The Song of the Stone Tiger by Glenn McCarty
Bandersnatch Books

Third Save Rescued From Death by Kristy Sheridan & Larry J. Leech II
Stone Oak Publishing

To Kiss a Knight by Grace Hitchcock
Dreamscape Media

Bible Study

Esteemed by Jamie Hulker
Redemption Press

God’s Loyal Love by Michelle Spano
Redemption Press

The Bible Companion: Isaiah – Daniel by Karen Westbrook Moderow
Jordan West Publication

The Posture of Victory by Theresa M. Miller
Mt. Zion Ridge Press

Children’s Literature

A Pirate’s Tale by Tyson Cavanaugh
Barefaced Creative Media

Phooey Kerflooey vs. The Deep, Deep Dark by Kristen Joy Wilks
Kristen Joy Wilks

Smoke & Mirrors by Jeff Maxim
Fusion/End Game

Children’s Picture Books

Abigail and the Waterfall by Sandra L Richter
IVP Kids

Ida and the Three Visitors by Eric & Meredith Schrotenboer
Fresh Wind Studios

Just Enough Room For Christmas by Robin Currie
Good Books/Simon & Schuster

Lexi the Butterfly by Sherri Crandall
The Book Design

Mooky & Me by Pebbles Wireman
Elk Lake Publishing

R is for Risen by Crystal Bowman & Teri McKinley
Tyndale Kids

Christian Living

Discover Your Great Adventure by Nancy Beverly
Bright Road Publishers

Hope When It’s Heavy by Amy Eaton
Amy R. Eaton

The Trauma Tree by Lisa Saruga
Kregel Publications

Contemporary Romance Fiction (large)

Bernadette by Jennifer Lynn Cary
Tandem Service Press

Heart and Soul by Nancy Lavo
Iron Stream Media

If I Fall For You by Myra Johnson
Fawn Ridge Press

Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet
Bethany House/Baker

Love in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell
White Crown

Loves True Measure by Lori DeJong
Scrivenings Press

Right Before Their Eyes by Carrie Walker
Mountain Brook Ink

Snowbound with Her Protector by Elizabeth Long
Love Inspired/Harlequin

Taking a Second Shot by Leslie DeVooght
Love Inspired/Harlequin

The Grump’s Bodyguard by Latisha Sexton
Coffee & Grace Publishing

Contemporary Women’s Fiction

Grandma Ruth Doesn’t Go to Funerals by Sharon J. Mondragon
Kregel Publications

Nearly Beloved by Kendra Broekhuis
WaterBrook/Penguin Random House

The Atlas of Untold Stories by Sara Brunsvold
Revell/Baker

The Day Sarah Ran Away by Janell Goodrich York
Scrivenings Press

The Memory Garden by Jessica Brodie
Valor Publishing

Devotionals

Bless Your Heart by Debora M. Coty
Christian Art Gifts

Come to the Table by Crystal Manget
Redemption Press

Rooted and Refreshed by Tiffany Fox
Mrs. T Fox Resources

Stitching Your Story Piece by Peace by Naomi Fata
Christian Resource Ministry

Stubborn Hope by Jacqi Kambish
Redemption Press

Devotions in Print

A Red and Blue Stiped Tie in “Coffee with God” by Becky Alexander
Happy Chair Books

In a Jar of Salsa in “Where I Found God Today” by Shannon Sue Dunlap
Guideposts

Overflowing Gratitude in “Glimpses of God in Nature” by Melissa A. McLaughlin
Living Parables of Central Florida

The Tattered Flag in “Coffee with God” by Carissa Lovvorn
Happy Chair Books

Devotions Online

Bundle Up! By Harriet E. Michael
Arise Daily

Jesus Understands Our Tears by Mary Rooney Armand
Arise Daily

The Backside of Beauty by Maureen Miller
Arise Daily

Essays in Print and Online

Faith Over Fear in “She Writes for Him” by Lori Vober
Redemption Press

Give me Jesus but Don’t Take My Day Planner in “She Writes for Him” by Gloria Fennimore
Redemption Press

Take Charge, Warrior Woman in “She Writes for Him” by Jessica Van Roekel
Redemption Press

First Novel

Dancing Toward Forever by Emily Hampton
Emily Hampton

Darkfell by Amanda Wright
Quill and Flame Publishing

His Name is John Whitman by Michael Dunn
Redemption Press

Those Who Trespass by Sydney F. Grey
Two Mites Publishing

With Mercy’s Eyes by D. T. Powell
D. T. Powell

General Fiction

A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro by Heather Norman Smith
Kregel Publications

Tangled Roots by Jessica Brodie
Valor Publishing Group

Whatever it Takes by Sarah Hanks
SonFlower Books

With Mercy’s Eyes by D. T. Powell
D. T. Powell

General Nonfiction

Making Your Message Memorable by Peg Arnold
Abundance Books

Rethinking the Sabbath by H. Irving Wilson
KDP

You Write You by Heather Greer
ScrivCraft/Scrivenings Press

2026 Selah Award Finalists on @BRMCWC #Writingconference #Writingawards #BRMCWC Share on X

Historical/Biblical Fiction

Before the King: Joanna’s Story by Heather Kaufman
Bethany House/Baker

Rescued Heart; The Story of Sarah by Angela Hunt
Bethany House/Baker

The Carpenter by Pegg Thomas
Spinner of Yarns

The Pursuit of Elena Bradford by Ann H. Gabhart
Revell/Baker

Historical Romance Fiction

East of the Sun by Rebecca Price Janney
Elk Lake Publishing

Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Deibel
Revell/Baker

The Red Cottage by Hannah Linder
Barbour Publishing

Their Burden to Bear by Heather Tabers
Vintage House Publications

To Love a Beast by Karen Witemeyer
Hope & Light Publishing

Inspiration & Gift

A Legacy of Days by Letitia Suk
Fusion/End Game

Jumbo Bible Word Search by David and Julie Lavender
Zeitgeist/Penguin Random House

Overcoming Domestic Abusers Workbook by Charlene Quint
Redemption Press

Splash Joy by Karen Casey
Redemption Press

Until the Day We Meet Again by Samantha Evans Tschritter
Love SE Tschritter

Memoir

Holy Plot Twist by Amanda Schaefer
Abundance Books

Just Megan by Megan Bean
Redemption Press

Triage by Denise Renken
Redemption Press

Middle Grade Fiction

Friends in Strange Places by Nell Branum
Moody Publishers

Road Trip Redemption by Becca Wierwille
Beloved Chronicles

The Minor Rescue by Meredith Davis
WaterBrook/Penguin Random House

Mystery Suspense Fiction

Dark Design by Nancy Mehl
Bethany House/Baker

Echoes of Darkness by Darlene L. Turner
Love Inspired Trade/Harlequin

Operation Impact by Jennifer Haynie
Jennifer Haynie

The Bell Tolls at Trager Hall by Jaime Jo Wright
Bethany House/Baker

Unharmed by Kara R. Hunt
Winged Publications

Novella

Asunder by Brett Armstrong
Expanse Books/Scrivenings Press
BondKeeper by Colleen Snyder
Winged Publications

His Name is John Whitman by Michael Dunn
Redemption Press

Together This Christmas by Beth K. Vogt
Story Architect

Podcasts / Co-Host

Bookish Introverts Podcasts / Brett Nelson, Melanie Dyer, Charity Middleton, Jessica Riggins

Faith Over Fear / Jennifer Slattery and Carol McCracken

Surviving Toxic Relationships / Deana Hale and Elizabeth McKee

Podcasts / Interview

The Book Worthy Podcast / Valerie Fentress

P3 / Preston Poore

Sparking Everyday Discipleship / Terrie Hellard-Brown

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast / Cecil Taylor

The Romantic Side of Suspense / Sarah Hamaker

Podcasts / Solo

Be the 25 / Dr. Sharon O’Hara

Building Strong Homes / Carol Roper

Healthy & Redeemed / Healey Ikerd

So God Told You to Write a Book / Wendy Jo Cerna

Poetry

Fickle Hearts (from Encore Prize Poems 2025)
Patricia Tiffany Morris

Front Porch Preacher (from The Things We Did)
LaDonna Hope Crawford

Hope Waits in Poetic Light (from Grant Wood Country Chronicle)
Patricia Tiffany Morris

The Tree (from Tis the Season)
Maureen Miller

Romantic Suspense Fiction

Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills
Tyndale Publishers

Detecting Deadly Threats by Carol J. Post
Love Inspired Suspense/Harlequin

Fatal Past by Sarah Hamaker
Seshva Press

Frame of Reference by Amber Gabriel
Scrivenings Press

Girl Lost by Kate Angelo
Revell/Baker

Justice Denied by Sarah Hamaker
Seshva Press

One Nine by Sara Davison
Sara Davison

Uncovering the Truth by Carol J. Post
Love Inspired Suspense/Harlequin

Watch Your Back by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Mountain Brook Ink

Waylaid by Jerusha Agen
SDG Words

Short Stories in Print & Online

Am I Really Wearing that Shirt by Pamela Nicholson

The Great Exchange by Maureen Miller
The Mountaineer

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Kimberly Kirkland Absher
Kimberly Kirkland Absher

Speculative

Darkfell by Amanda Wright
Quill and Flame Publishing

Lady of Shadows by Kelly Fernlake
Sunrise Publishing

Revealing Shadows by Paige Reed
Burning Hearts Publications

Western

A Dangerous Heart by Wendy Galinetti
Sunrise Publishing

Love and Order by Jennifer Uhlarik
Barbour Publishing

The Vanishing of Miss Victoria by Grace Hitchcock
Valmont House Publishers

Young Adult Fiction & Nonfiction

Captive of Talionis by C. J. Malacci
Journey Perspective Publishing

Echoes of the Imperium by Angela D. Shelton
Two Oaks Publishing

From Him, Not Them by Tracy Harper
Tracy Harper Press

Half-Truths by Carol Baldwin

Monarch Educational Services
The winners of the Selah Awards will be announced on Thursday, May 28, 2026, the final evening of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Ridgecrest Conference Center will host this year’s 50th anniversary of the conference with executive director Edie Melson, and co-directors Edwina Perkins, and Lynette Eason.

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