Roughly twenty years ago (my, that makes me sound old but a reader lives a thousand lives, right?!), Christy
Y’all can imagine my delight as I poured over the pages and proved to myself what all dedicated book lovers know to (nearly always) be true, “the book is better than the movie!” I still have that same paperback copy of Christy, it is well loved and worn yet brilliantly timeless (just like my Anne of Green Gables 
So, when I spy that little gold seal with my dear fictional friend’s name scrolled across it, I take notice of the book so honored by its presence while my reader heart remembers the place, tucked away in the Appalachian mountains, that time forgot.
About the Christy Awards
The Christy Award™ is designed to nurture and encourage creativity and quality in the writing and publishing of fiction written from a Christian worldview and showcase the diversity of genres.
The award is named for Catherine Marshall’s enduring bestselling novel, Christy, published in 1967 and inspiring a continuing book series and a CBS television series starring Kellie Martin. The novel will be re-released in 2017 in a 50th anniversary legacy edition by Gilead Publishing in partnership with Kregel Publications.
Hosted by award-winning author and radio host Chris Fabry, this year’s celebration gala dinner will feature New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury as well as musician and writer Andrew Peterson. You can view the finalist list below.
About the Art of Writing Conference
The Art of Writing is designed to bring Christian creatives and publishing curators together for a half day of intensive seminars that celebrate the creative life, provide practical tips for overcoming challenges in a rapidly-changing industry, and answer questions authors are asking.
The speakers represent a wide range of roles and areas of expertise. Andrew Peterson, young adult writer and founder of the Rabbit Room, will give advice on how to create and benefit from a vibrant creative community, while Wheaton College professor Theon Hill, Ph.D. will present a survey of the obstacles and opportunities of diversity in Christian fiction.
Authors will receive encouragement for the ups and downs of the writing life from blogger Carrie Schmidt and author, agent, and ACFW public relations liaison Cynthia Ruchti. Finally, a panel of representatives from major ECPA publishers will share insider information on where the genre has been, where it’s going, and the exciting changes they see in today’s market for writers. Learn more about the speakers and sessions here.
You’re invited
We’d love to see you at the upcoming Art of Writing Conference and Christy Awards! If you’re in the Nashville area or want to drive out to see which authors will go home with the Christy Awards this year, here’s more information for you!
Register here!
Let’s Play 2017 Christy Nominee Bingo!
Whenever a major award announces their list of finalists, eager readers flock to find esteemed new reads. One of the most thrilling instances is finding books you know and love among the possible winners! (Proving, of course, that you have excellent taste in books.) Today, we’re taking that casual list perusal to a whole new level…
To play, take a look at the Bingo card below and mentally check off all the titles you’ve read. (Note: if there are two titles in one square you don’t have to have read both books in a square, just one or the other. If you need a little refresher on these titles, a complete list including links is provided at the end of this post.)
If you have four in a row anywhere on the card, share the titles that formed your Reading Bingo in the comments below THEN enter your contact information in the Rafflecopter form. Christy Nominee Bingo ends 10/23/17 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
complete giveaway rules
YOU could win a recently-released surprise book! TWO winners will be randomly generated and contacted via email on Tuesday, October 24.
Let’s give our dear friend, the lovely Amy Green a BIG grateful round of applause for putting together this fun bookish game and Christy Award Celebration blog tour!
Christy Award Celebration blog tour schedule
Monday, October 9:
Top Ten Writing Industry Issues at Seekerville
Tuesday, October 10:
Survey: Give Us Your Best Questions at By the Book
Wednesday, October 11:
Interview with Dr. Theon Hill at Reading is My Superpower
Thursday, October 12:
Celebrating the Christy Awards…With a Giveaway! at Bethany House Fiction
Friday, October 13:
Quiz: Pick Your Gala Dress at Dani Pettrey’s blog
Saturday, October 14:
Eight Reasons to Come to The Art of Writing at The Power of Words
Sunday, October 15:
Interview with Carrie Schmidt at Bookworm Mama
Monday, October 16:
Interview with Cynthia Ruchti at Just Commonly
Tuesday, October 17:
Christy Nominee Bingo and Giveaway at Faithfully Bookish
Wednesday, October 18:
The Unofficial Readers’ Choice Cover Awards at Singing Librarian Books
2017 Christy nominee titles
Contemporary Romance
Her One and Only by Becky Wade
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Rescue Me by Susan May Warren
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
First Novel
Counted with the Stars by Connilyn Cossette
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Like a River from Its Course by Kelli Stuart
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Stars in the Grass by Ann Marie Stewart
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
General Fiction
Long Way Gone by Charles Martin
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
The Promise of Jesse Woods by Chris Fabry
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
The Undoing of Saint Silvanus by Beth Moore
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Historical
Like a River from Its Course by Kelli Stuart
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Miriam by Mesu Andrews
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Historical Romance
A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
From this Moment by Elizabeth Camden
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
If I Run by Terri Blackstock
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Without Warning by Joel C. Rosenberg
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Short Form
Looking Into You by Chris Fabry
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Mirror Image by Laura Scott
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Restoring Christmas: A Novella by Cynthia Ruchti
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Visionary
The Alliance by Jolina Petersheim
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
King’s Folly by Jill Williamson
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
The Long Journey to Jake Palmer by James L. Rubart
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Young Adult
If You’re Gone by Brittany Goodwin
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Unblemished by Sara Ella
amazon | bookdepository | christianbook
Let’s chat about these lovely stories!
How many of the 26 2017 Christy Nominee Finalists have you read, reader friends?
I’ve completed 10 titles so far but I have also added a few more to my tbr tower!
Who has a Reading Bingo?!
I didn’t have four in a row anywhere!
Have YOU read Christy by Catherine Marshall?
REMEMBER: share your Bingo in the comments
AND
Rafflecopter to be entered for the prize.
Faithfully Bookish 
Fun! I almost had a blackout!! I am only missing Christy (not 100% sure if I have read or not) and Restoring Christmas (on my TBR).
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I am super impressed! Well done, Staci!
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Silent songbirds and Her one and only are the only 2 I have read so far.
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That’s a great start! Did your tbr grow? 😉
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I have read If I Run, Christy, and the Mark if The King. So no bingo for me. But I do have A note Yet Unsung , Red door Inn and Stars in the Grass on my kindle to be read! So almost a Bingo!
Thanks for the post this is fun!
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Yay! Well, you have the assurance of your excellent taste in books! ????
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I have only read The Silent Songbird and Christy, but I do own the other following books that are in my TBR list that give me close to several bingos: Rescue Me, Counted with the Stars, From this Moment, The Lady and the Lionheart, and A Note Yet Unsung.
Thanks for this fun giveaway!!!
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Those are all fabulous, Alison! Happy reading, friend!
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Bingo !!
We have all those books in the church library and I’ve read them all. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
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Wait… what?! You have read all 26 nominees AND Christy??? I want to shake your hand and give you a hug, Janet! That is impressive!
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I’ve only read these four: Her One and Only, The Mark of the King, Without Warning and Like a River From It’s Course. No Bingo, but I had fun.
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And your excellent taste is confirmed! 😉
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I have read a number of them but none that equal a bingo! (That is no different than playing bingo in real life!!) I still enjoy the game, even though I’m a loser.
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Aw, no one loses here! You win the confirmation of your excellent taste in books! Not to mention those wonderful stories you enjoyed ????
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What a fun idea!!
I’ve only read four of the nominees – all of the Contemporary nominees and The Lady and the Lionheart. I’ve never read Christy, but I remember always looking at it on the shelf at my aunt’s house when I was younger. Maybe I need to add that to my TBR! It always looked so thick!!!!
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That is a great start! I highly recommend Christy and I like big books 😉
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