The ACFW Genesis Contest is for unpublished Christian fiction writers. With ten categories to enter, Genesis provides the opportunity for unbiased feedback on writers’ work by published authors and experienced judges, and the chance for finalists to have their work read by Christian publishing house editors and literary agents. ACFW is pleased to see many previous category winners and finalists move further in their writing careers and become published authors.
Previous Winners:
Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary
Leslie DeVooght – The Heartfelt Formula
Historical
Jacinta Meredith – A Picture of the Past
Historical Romance
Erin Mifflin – A Child So Fair
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Cindy Rieke – In the Name of Treason
Romance
Lisa Kelley – Last Wish for Tomorrow
Romantic Suspense
Elaine Clampitt – High Altitude Abduction
Short Novel
Lyndee Henderson – Signs of Love
Speculative
Andra Loy – Inverse
Young Adult
Andra Loy – Echo of Secrets
Winners were awarded during ACFW’s annual conference gala in St. Louis. Congratulations!
Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary
Shelli Littleton – The Memory List
Historical
Christine Boatwright – The Lion Prophecy
Historical Romance
Christine J. Hill – Winter Bride
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Ann Larson – The Three Panels
Novella
Annette Griffin – The Knightly Stalker
Romance
Lori DeJong – Love’s True Calling
Romantic Suspense
Breana Johnson – Deadly Superstitions
Short Novel
Lyndee Henderson – Signs of Love
Speculative
John Leatherman – Capable
Young Adult
Amy Bryant – Daughter of Lion, Son of Mage
Winners were awarded during ACFW’s annual conference gala in St. Louis.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary
Terri McAdoo – Tattooed Woman at the Well
Historical (up to Vietnam Era)
Jamie Ogle – Of Love and Treason
Historical Romance
Savanna Kaiser – Son of the Shepherd
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Andra Loy – The Memory of Lillian Grey
Novella
Stephanie Rose Finsterbush – Christmas at Fort Bennett
Romance
Deborah Clack – Love Painted
Romantic Suspense
Kelly Borjas – Slippery Slope
Short Novel
Stephanie Atkins – Cowboy’s Redemption
Speculative
Sara C. Anderson – Sook
Young Adult
Kelly Fernlake – Legend Lost
Winners were awarded during ACFW’s virtual conference.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary
Sara Brunsvold
Historical (up to Vietnam Era)
Jessica Sly
Historical Romance
Rhonda Ortiz
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Andy Brodrick
Novella
Joey Rudder
Romance
Kerry Johnson
Romantic Suspense
Hope Welborn
Short Novel
Sami Abrams
Speculative
Paige Reed
Young Adult
Jill K Willis
Winners were awarded during ACFW’s virtual conference.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary
Amanda Everett – Where Lupines Bloom
Historical (up to Vietnam Era)
Kendy Pearson – Voice of Thunder
Historical Romance
Renee Ann Smith – If Dreaming Could Bring You Home
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Matt Aynes – The Reaping
Novella
Erin Gingrich – If Not for the Train
Romance
Becca Kinzer – Dear Henry, Love Edith
Romantic Suspense
Angela Carlisle – Secondary Target
Short Novel
Sami Abrams – Saving Jess
Speculative
Tanara McCauley – Tainted
Young Adult
Elizabeth Mertz – Through Deep Waters
Winners were awarded during ACFW’s annual conference gala in San Antonio.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2018 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary
Jessica Brodie – The Memory Garden
Historical (up to Vietnam Era)
Kiersti Giron – Fire in My Heart
Historical Romance
Elizabeth Ann Boyles – Dragonfly Wings
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Leanna Lindsey Hollis MD – Avenged by Blood
Novella
Grace Olson – Pineapples for Christmas
Romance
Kathleen D. Bailey – A Hilltop Christmas
Romantic Suspense
Michelle Aleckson – Riptide
Short Novel
Laura C. Brandenburg – Harvesting Love
Speculative
Gretchen E.K. Engel – The Barber Surgeon
Young Adult
Gretchen Carlson – More Than Grit
Winners were awarded during ACFW’s annual conference gala in Nashville on September 22, 2018.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2017 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary
Carrie Padgett – Harley Taps Out
Historical (up to Vietnam Era)
Kendy Pearson – Kanawha Winds
Historical Romance
Rachel Scott McDaniel – The Red Canary
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Diane M. Campbell – Point Blank
Novella
Tari Faris – Something About Him
Romance
Andrea Michelle Wood – Feel the Music
Romantic Suspense
Darlene L. Turner – Stolen Vows
Short Novel
Sharon J. Mondragon – The Heavenly Hugs Prayer Shawl Ministry
Speculative
Rick Rosenkranz – Luminarium
Young Adult
Kerry Johnson – The Golden Orb
Winners were awarded during ACFW’s annual conference gala in Dallas on September 23, 2017.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2016 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary
Cher Gatto, Billy
Historical
Linda Thompson, The Plum Blooms in Winter
Historical Romance
Kathleen Anderson, The Trouble with Jenny
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Holly Sawyer Smit, Jeremiah’s Fire
Novella
Iola Goulton, Play On, Jordan
Romance
Laura Conner Kestner, Fair Haven
Romantic Suspense
Jaycee Bullard, High-Stakes Sabotage
Short Novel
Mary Agius Fifty Ways to Say Goodbye
Speculative
Dawn Ford, Kingdom Come
Young Adult
Jebraun Clifford, The Two Queens of Kyrie
Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary
Lindsay Harrel – One More Song to Sing
Historical
Jeannine Brummett – Heirlooms
Historical Romance
Elizabeth Lukinuk – The Knight’s Promised Bride
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Joseph R. Courtemanche – Assault on Saint Agnes
Novella
Chandra Lynn Smith – Turtle Box Memories
Romance
Courtney Ballinger – Flipping Hearts
Romantic Suspense
Sarah Hamaker – The Dark Guest
Short Novel
Preslaysa Williams – Coming Home to Love
Speculative
Carol Eaton – Null
Young Adult
Sarah Tipton – Forgetting Yesterday
Congratulations to the winners of the 2014 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary
Jennifer Sienes – Redemption
Historical
Heidi Chiavaroli – Tears of the Outcast
Historical Romance
Kristi Ann Hunter – My Lord Valet
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Dennis Ricci – Perilous Judgment
Novella
Peggy Trotter – Spun
Romance
Laurie Tomlinson – Just Breathe
Romantic Suspense
Michelle Lim – Sketching Evil
Short Novel
Candee Fick – Serving Up Love
Speculative
Megan Ebba – Tangled in Gold
Young Adult
Sara Ella – Blemished
Congratulations to the winners of the 2013 Genesis Contest.
Category
Jill Buteyn – Teaching Olivia
Contemporary
Laurie Tomlinson – Take Heart
Historical
Kiersti Plog – Beneath a Turquoise Sky
Historical Romance
Susanne Dietze – One Word from You
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Bob Lyzenga – The Apollo Gambit
Romance
V.V. Denman – Forgiving Ruthie
Romantic Suspense
Suzanne Bratcher – The Copper Box
Speculative
Becky Dean – Uncharted
Young Adult
Loraine Kemp – Orion’s Sword
Congratulations to the winners of the 2012 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary Fiction
Anne Prado – Through the Needle
Contemporary Romance
Amy Matayo – The Wedding Game
Historical Fiction
Kathleen L. Maher – Closer Than a Brother
Historical Romance
Brandy Vallance – The Covered Deep
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Matthew Sheehy – Determination
Romantic Suspense
Arlene Coulter – Grounded
Speculative Fiction
Caleb Jennings Breakey – Unleashed
Women’s Fiction
Rachel Moore – The Language of Sparrows
Young Adult
Kathleen Freeman – The Broken Feather
Congratulations to the winners of the 2011 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary Fiction
Katy Pistole
Contemporary Romance
Mary Curry
Historical Fiction
Johnnie Alexander Donley
Historical Romance
Sarah Ladd
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Dianna T. Benson
Romantic Suspense
Renee Ann Smith
Speculative Fiction
Matt Jones
Women’s Fiction
Camille Eide
Young Adult
Nicole Quigley
Congratulations to the winners of the 2010 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary Fiction
Lynnette P. Horner, The Assistant
Contemporary Romance
Janice LaQuiere, Truckload of Love
Historical Fiction
Brenda Jackson, Principle Engagement
Historical Romance
Pam Hillman, Terms of Indenturement
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rich Bullock, Storm Lake/Storm Song
Romantic Suspense
Valerie Goree, Weep in the Night
Speculative Fiction
Andra Marquardt, Traitors
Women’s Fiction
Jennifer Fromke, Docking
Young Adult
Stefanie Morris, Shyla, Desert Daughter/Shyla, Child of the Desert
Congratulations to the winners of the 2009 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary Fiction
Jennifer Griffith – Magpies in Trees
Contemporary Romance
Christy LaShea Smith – The Bridge Between
Historical Fiction
Christine Schmidtke – Unveiled
Historical Romance
Lacy Williams – Marrying Miss Marshal
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Alan Schleimer – Q.doc
Romantic Suspense
Jan Warren – Katherine Octavia, C.I.A.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Allegory
David Fry – Lies To See
Women’s Fiction
Cathleen Armstrong – The Church of Last Chance
Young Adult
Gretchen Hoffman – Rewind
Congratulations to the winners of the 2008 Genesis Contest.
Chick lit/mom lit/lady lit
1st: Erica Vetsch – Pam On Rye
2nd: Lynda Schab – Mind Over Madi
3rd: Tiffany Kinerson – Stand On My Own Two Hands
Contemporary Fiction
1st: Dan Case – The Voice
2nd: Christina Berry – Undiscovered
3rd: Jim Rubart – Book of Days
Contemporary Romance
1st: Annalisa Daughety – Love is a Battlefield
2nd: Kathleen Haynes – The Quarterback Club
3rd: Cara Slaughter – Joanna’s Treasure
Historical Fiction
1st: Mona Hodgson – A Thimble’s Worth
2nd: Rachel Moore – A Trail of Waves
3rd: Lori Benton – Trouble the Water
Historical Romance
1st: Patty Smith Hall – Flights of Freedom
2nd: Karen Witemeyer – Cloud by Day
3rd: Erica Vetsch – Marriage Masquerade
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
1st: Jane Thornton – Menace
2nd Donna Alice Patton – Wrestling Demons
3rd: Janice Olson – Don’t Look Back
Romantic Suspense
1st: Jenness Walker – Deja Vu
2nd: Dani Pettrey – Quest
3rd (tie): Kelly Ann Riley – A Cowboy’s Prayer
Jane Thornton – Be Anxious
Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Allegory
1st: Chawna Schroeder – Metamorphosis
2nd: Lynda K. Arndt – The Song of Blood and Stone
3rd: Valerie Comer – The Girl Who Cried Squid
Women’s Fiction
1st: Heather Goodman – 50 Things To Do Before I Turn 30
2nd: Cynthia Ruchti – They Almost Always Come Home
3rd: Kristian Tolle – When Autumn Comes
Young Adult
1st: Carla Stewart – An Unexpected Journey
2nd: Stefanie Morris – The Dragon of Delarest
3rd: Kasey L. Heinly – Broken Glass
Congratulations to the winners of the 2007 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary Romance (includes Romantic Comedy)
1st – Audra Harders – Rough Ride
2nd – Jennifer Lynn Cary – On the Court
3rd – Jennifer Hudson Taylor – By His Plan
Historical Romance
1st – Pam Hillman – Stealing Jake’s Heart
2nd – Jennifer Hudson Taylor – Promised Blessings
3rd – Audra Harders – Precious Possessions
Romantic Suspense
1st – Marci J. Burke – Shadow of Doubt
2nd – Dineen Miller – Manna Reign
3rd – Suzan Robertson – The Circle Game
Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Allegory
1st – Sally A. Apokedak – The Kisses of an Enemy
2nd – Chris Mikesell – Revival
3rd – Rebecca Grabill – Out of Darkness
Historical Fiction
1st – Carla Stewart – A Dandelion Day
2nd – Tina Helmuth – Hidden Snares
3rd (tie) – Marcia Gruver – Love Never Fails
Yvonne Anderson – Mom’s Mirror
Young Adult
1st – Rachael Phillips – Song of the Orphan Train
2nd – Linda Fulkerson – The Rod of Schmazel
3rd – Sally Apokedak – Prisoners of the Throne
Contemporary Fiction
1st – Jennifer Griffith – Gumbo Ya Ya
2nd – Angie Poole – Gravehopping with Myrna
3rd – Myra Johnson – Pearl of Great Price
Women’s Fiction
1st – Kristine Pratt – Identity Theft
2nd – Ane Mulligan – When the Wind Blows
3rd – Kathleen Sprout – The Choice
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
1st – Jane Robertson – Curst Be the Tie
2nd – Gina Holmes – Deception Burning
3rd – Janet Rubin – Beneath the Steeple
Chick/Mom/Hen/Lady Lit
1st – Carrie Padgett – Oh Shop It
2nd – Georgiana Daniels – Honey Do Inc.
3rd – Jenness Walker and Tracy Bowen – Bliss
Congratulations to the winners of the 2006 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary Romance
1st – Glynna Sirpless – A Reason to Dance
2nd – Kaye Dacus – Happy Endings, Inc.
3rd – Kristian Tolle – Flirting With Danger
Historical Romance
1st – Audra Harders – Timeless Treasures
2nd – Andree Eisenberg – The Legend of Ruby Sanchez
3rd – Charlene Glatkowski – Halfway Home
Romantic Suspense
1st – Jill Eileen Smith – One Murder Too Many
2nd – Robin Miller – Enemy Prowl
3rd – Kelly Ann Riley – Kitty’s Fire
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
1st – Cheryl Wyatt – Stealth Surrender
2nd – Susan Spencer-Smith – A Death in the Parsonage
3rd – Wayne Scott – The Dark Boys
Science Fiction/Fantasy/Speculative Fiction
1st – Mirta Ana Schultz – Age’s End
2nd – Rebecca Grabill – In Perfect Darkness
3rd – Sherry Thompson – Seabird
Women’s Fiction
1st – Marian Merritt – Legacy of Grace
2nd – Julie Saffrin – That Summer Place
3rd – Erin Keeley Marshall – The Bluff Dweller
General Fiction (includes General Historical, Multicultural, Young Adult, Contemporary Fiction, Chick Lit)
1st – Christina Miller – Twilight
2nd – Lynne Gentry – North of Nowhere
3rd – MaryAnn L. Diorio – Sicilian Conspiracy
Congratulations to the winners of the 2005 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary Romance
1st – Cheryl Wyatt – Covenant Seal
2nd – Tamara Cooper – Honor Bounc
3rd – Ruth Logan Herne – The Shepherd
General Fiction
1st – Ruth Logan Herne – The First Gift
2nd – Cindy Woodsmall – When the Heart Cries
3rd – Paula Moldenhauer – The Little Church That Wouldn’t Die
General Historical
1st – Sara Probasco – Windows in the Dark
2nd – Christina Miller – Distant Thunder
3rd – Jill Johnson – Solemn Vows
Historical Romance
1st – Carolyn Slaughter – Love on a Dime
2nd – Audra L. Harders – Precious Possessions
3rd – Julie Lessman – A Chasing on the Wind
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
1st – Camy Tang – Furious Dragons
2nd – Rebecca L. Deel – Home Runs
3rd – Robin Miller – Assault of Evil
Romantic Suspense
1st – Margaret Mosely – Undo the Dark
2nd – Suzan Robertson – Voice of Bells
3rd – Katie Cushman – Broken
Science Fiction/Fantasy/Allegory
1st – Lynette Sowell – Star’s Daughter
2nd – Kristine E. Pratt – Riders of the Dream
3rd – Ronie Kendig – Liberty’s Son
Congratulations to the winners of the 2004 Genesis Contest.
Romantic Suspense
1st – Nicole Cooper – Kill Me If You Can
2nd – Jill Nelson – The Reluctant Burglar
3rd – Joy Liddy – Fugitive Angel
Contemporary Romance
1st – Audra Harder – Rough and Ready
2nd – Connie Stevens – Caretaker of her Heart
3rd – Roxanne Sherwood – A Perfect Love
Historical Romance
1st – Mary Connealy – Room for God’s Wrath
2nd – Vickie McDonough – His Beloved Enemy
3rd – Mary Connealy – China Doll
Women’s Fiction
1st – Tammy Alexander – Unseen Witness
2nd – Margaret Mosely – Sometimes Crazy
3rd – Marcia Gruver – Imposter
Best Overall Entry:
Nicole Cooper – Kill Me If You Can
Congratulations to the winners of the 2003 Genesis Contest.
Romantic Suspense
1st – Candy Gruner – Song of the Western Wind
2nd – Janet Edgar – The Inn at Crescent LakeE
3rd – Kathleen Kovach – Once was Lost
Contemporary Romance
1st – Kat Kolosieke – Runaway Angel
2nd – Tina Novinski – Trouble in Paradise
3rd – Anne Greene – Undercover Hero
Historical Romance
1st – Vickie McDonough – Sooner or Later
2nd – Nicole Cooper – Heart of the Mist
3rd – Jill Nelson – Shotgun Wedding
Women’s Fiction
1st – Robin Searle – The Affair
2nd – Carrie Turansky – Wherever Loves Takes Us
3rd – Tina Pinson – Trail of the Sandpiper
Congratulations to the winners of the 2002 Genesis Contest.
Contemporary
1st – Pam Hillman – The Missionary & The Mercenary
2nd – Jennifer Johnson – Restored Rest
3rd – Nancy Crum – Bittersweet Autumn
4th – Martha Rogers – Lesson Plan for Love
5th – Debbie Young – The Courage to Love
Historical
1st – Lisa Tuttle – Jasmine by Any Other Name
2nd – Diana Locke – Tell Me No Lies
3rd – Pam Hillman – Marrying Mariah
4th – Tammy Alexander – As High as the Heavens
5th – Candy Gruner – Song of the Western Wind
Women’s Fiction
1st – Maureen Schmidgall – Pieces of Silver
2nd – Jessica Ferguson – Psalms of the Sisters
3rd – Jill Nelson – A Tale of Two Sisters
4th – Tammera Ayers – A Love Not Forsaken
5th – Kaye Dacus – What Matters Most