by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga
Have you ever wondered how to elevate your book from just another title on the shelf to an award-winning status? Or perhaps, how to transition from being a writer to an award-winning author? The key might be simpler than you think: enter book awards and contests.
To achieve these prestigious titles, I strongly recommend submitting your work to various book competitions. It took entering my third book into several contests before I earned the title of an award-winning author. Persistence is crucial, so don't be discouraged if success doesn't come immediately.
For those looking to get started, you can find a comprehensive list of over forty book contests at cipa.podia.com. This resource will help you identify which contests might be the best fit for your book.
But becoming an award-winning author doesn’t stop with your book receiving awards. Your marketing efforts can also earn you recognition. Every fall, the Christian Authors Network (CAN) hosts the Excellence in Marketing Awards. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your marketing skills and gain acknowledgment for your creative promotional strategies. Consider entering this contest next year to not only promote your work but also to possibly earn the title of an award-winning author in marketing.
I am also excited to announce the finalists for this year’s CAN Marketing Awards, as well as the finalists for the Christian Indie Awards. These individuals and titles represent the dedication and excellence of these authors. Join us in celebrating their achievements!
Remember, every entry is a step closer to becoming an award-winning author. Good luck, and may your literary journey be fruitful and rewarding.
Christian Authors Network
2025 Excellence in Marketing Awards
Finalist
Category
Title
Author
Physical Media
#NoFilter: Unmasking The Woman God Created You To Be
Jodi Hendricks
Physical Media
I Am Not the King
Allen Taylor
Online Presentation
Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts
Donna Wyland
Online Presentation
A Gingerbread House
Julie Lavender
Online Presentation
A Fifth of the Story
Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes
Online Presentation
Praying Personalities: Finding Your Natural Prayer Style
Janet McHenry
Online Presentation
The Dance of Easter
Sally Cressman
Broadcast Media
The Sharing Sisters
Carissa Lovvorn
Broadcast Media
2025 Christian Indie Award Finalists
ChristianAward.com
Category
Title
Author/Publisher
Anthology
Today is Where the Gift Is
Justin Rossow (ed) / Next Step Press
Anthology
God’s Good Work: Stories to Treasure and Tales to Ponder
Lorilyn Roberts / Rear Guard Publishing
Bible Study
Enough: Finding Contentment in a World of Wanting and Wandering
Lisa Lewis Koster / Credo House Publishers
Bible Study
The Bible Companion Book 2: Leviticus-Deuteronomy
Karen Westbrook Moderow / Jordanwest Publications
Bible Study
Graced: How God Redeems and Restores the Broken
Teresa Whiting / Beauty in the Brokenness Ministries
Bible Study
Creation and the Flood: A DEEP Bible Study of Genesis 1–11
Samantha Mero
Business Finance
The Biblical Path to Financial Freedom
Seth M. Jones
Business Finance
Thank God It’s Monday (?)
Tom C. Petersen / Morgan James Publishing
Children’s Picture Books
The Dachshund Dash
Michelle Medlock Adams / End Game Press
Children’s Picture Books
Twinkle, the Littlest Star
Leslie Colburn / Cross My Heart Press
Children’s Picture Books
I’m Okay, Momma!
Jackie Freeman
Children’s Picture Books
The Tale of the Little Black Cloud
Karen Brough / Heart Hope Publishing
Children’s Picture Books
The Best Trophy
Jennifer Noel Wilson / Redemption Press
Children’s 8-12
Jar of Tears: Moms Aren’t Supposed to Die
Kathleen Templeton / Lemons & Sunshine Press
Children’s 8-12
The Forgotten Islands
Bryan Webb
Children’s 8-12
Mrs. MacKenzie’s Candle
Bryan Webb
Children’s 8-12
Fingerprint Devotions: 40 Devotions to Help You Realize You Are a Kid Uniquely Created by God
Sandra Kay Chambers
Christian Education
Genocide Prophecy: Autism, the church and a New (American) Reich
Brian Haack
Christian Education
Creating Dynamic Podcasts & Audiobooks
Linda Goldfarb / Bold Vision Books
Christian Education
Redemptive Botany of the Bible
J. Christopher McMichael / Petra Press Publishing
Christian Living
The Higher Faith
Paul Balius / Hakodesh Publishing
Christian Living
Purpose Made: 12 Steps to Discovering Your God-given Purpose and Living an Abundant Life
Sarah Ritchie
Christian Living
Only by Divine Design
Dorene Stark / Stellar Studio
Christian Living
No Other Gods
Marja Verschoor-Meijers / Frisse Kijk
Christian Living
The Question Habit
Mandy Pallock / Shribble Publishing
Christian Living
Take Heart: The Overcomer’s Path Through Conflict
Gary Wooden / Covenant Books
Devotional
Focus: 45 Devotionals to Keep Jesus in the Picture
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes (Author), Ms. Arianna Dunn (Author), Ms. Vonyee Carrington (Author), Mrs. Evelyn Collins (Author), Mrs. Monica Hopper (Author), Mr. Andy Hollifield (Author), Ms Michelle Davis (Author), Mrs. Kelly Anne Evans (Author), Dr. Rodney Combs (Author), Mrs. DiAnn Mills (Author) / Dressed in Love Press
Devotional
Joined by God: Unconventional Devotions for Christian Couples
Shellie Arnold / Kaleidoscope Publishing
Devotional
Farmhouse Devotions: God’s Glory in the Ordinary
Cheryl Schuermann
Devotional
When the Other Boot Drops
Jeff Keene II / WordCrafts Press
General Fiction
Fall Back and Find Me
Sarah Hanks
General Fiction
Ride A Summer Wind
Ann Cavera / Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.
General Fiction
Driving Timmy’s Car
Barbara Tucker Ketchum
General Fiction
Fallen Graces
Jim Sano
Gift
Dog at the Tinsel Tree: Susie’s Story
Denise Lee Branco / Strolling Hills Publishing, LLC
Gift
5 Minutes of Gratitude
Gail Scoates
Gift
He Chose Me
Diamante Lavendar
Historical Fiction
But, Even Now
Jennifer Thomas and Denae Jones / Woodsong Publishing
Historical Fiction
The Wanderer Scorned
Natasha Woodcraft / Broad Place Publishing
Historical Fiction
Winds of Ruach
D.M. Griffin
Historical Fiction
Petra: An Unbroken Legacy
Lisa L. Dorsey
Memoir / Biography
Glimpses of God’s Glory: One Woman’s Near Death Experience
Pam Farrel
Memoir / Biography
Travels of a Wimpy Mum: Finding courage through the Book of James
Vanessa Foran / 598 Press
Memoir / Biography
God Had a Hand on Me, a Memoir About Pain, Healing, and Victory
Kim Dotson
Memoir / Biography
Walking Mama Home: A Caregiver’s Journey
Aileen A. Gronewold / Blue Sage Press
Memoir / Biography
Beloved Outcast: The Quest for True Belonging
Cherie Denna / Bold Vision Books
Memoir / Biography
Overlooked
Bridgette Cameron Ridenour
Mystery / Suspense
A Fifth Of The Story
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes / End Game Press
Mystery / Suspense
Tangled Secrets: A Suspense Thriller
S.F. Baumgartner / F.B. Publishing
Mystery / Suspense
Dead Weight: An Abbi Kincaid Suspense Novel
Kathy Cassel
Mystery / Suspense
Sweet Deceit
Sally Jo Pitts
Mystery / Suspense
The Lost Letter
Steve Feazel
Novella
In God We Trust, Our Founding Fathers Said
Miriam Pecknpaw / c fern cook
Novella
Who Will Rescue Us? A Love Story
Judy DuCharme / Ambassador International
Personal Growth
Praying the Word of Grace
Jonah Priour / Lovebuilt Press
Personal Growth
Slaying the Onion: Unveil the Layers of your Story to Reveal Your Highest Potential
April Ballestero / Kaleidoscope Publishing
Personal Growth
The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence and Vision in Midlife
Dawn Damon / Bold Vision Books
Personal Growth
Crush Your Divorce and Keep the Faith
Bree Sullivan-Howell, J.D.
Poetry
Tales of the Captain
Christopher A. Hostettler
Poetry
Gone Before: A Grief Journey in Poems
Ruth Fanshaw / Original Text Publications
Relationships / Family
Raising Kids to Follow Christ: Instilling a Lifelong Trust in God
Lee Ann Mancini
Relationships / Family
Walking Mama Home: A Caregiver’s Journey
Aileen A Gronewold / Blue Sage Press
Relationships / Family
Take a Deep Breath Relax “Cuz You Got this!”
Lois Goudeau / Christian Faith Publishing
Romance
Blind Date with a Book Nerd
Erica Dansereau & Britt Howard /
Romance
Christmas in the Castle Library
Ann Swindell / WhiteCrown
Romance
Elizabeth’s Cross
Londa Hayden / Lighthouse Christian Publishing
Speculative
Bright Eternity: A Novel
Daniel Zeigler
Speculative
Kill Shot
Angela L Gold
Speculative
Eve of Chaos
D.I. Telbat
Theology
When the Roman Bough Breaks
Jeff Nottingham / Intelligent Design Press
Theology
Dear Saints: Catechesis on Sacraments
Jacob Huether
Young Adult
Ride a Summer Wind
Ann Cavera / Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.
Young Adult
Fences Left Broken
Kristen Terrette / Elk Lake Publishing
Young Adult
Rise of the Y
Angela D. Shelton / Two Oaks Publishing, LLC
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Susan U. Neal, RN, MBA, MHS: Susan’s mission is to improve the health of the body of Christ. She has her RN and MBA degrees, as well as a master’s in health science. She is a CERTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHwith the American Association of Christian Counselors. She published five books, the Selah award winner 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, CHRISTIAN STUDY GUIDE FOR 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, HEALTHY LIVING JOURNAL, SCRIPTURE YOGAa #1 Amazon best-selling yoga book, and YOGA FOR BEGINNERSwhich ranked #3. She published two sets of Christian Yoga Card Decks and two Christian Yoga DVDs that are available at CHRISTINAYOGA.COM. Her digital product HOW TO PREVENT, IMPROVE, AND REVERSE ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA is a great resource. To learn more about Susan visit her website SUSANUNEAL.COM You can also connect with Susan on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.