FIRST IMPRESSIONS gives unpublished writers the opportunity to have the first five pages of their Christian fiction manuscript evaluated by an industry professional.
Previous Winners:
ACFW 2021 First Impressions Winners
Contemporary
Ruth Schmeckpeper
Historical
Jamie Ogle
Historical Romance
Megan Soja
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Andra Loy
Romance
Sheila Shook
Romantic Suspense
Cindy Rieke
Short Novel
Kimberly Burkhardt
Speculative
Hannah Mae
Young Adult
Elizabeth Soule
Please note: Titles are not given in case these authors are entering the Genesis Contest. This preserves anonymity for judging.
The winners in the 2020 First Impressions contest:
Contemporary
Carrie Walker
Historical
Jamie Ogle
Historical Romance
Sherry Shindelar
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
PJ Gover
Novella
Annette Griffin
Romance
Deborah Clack
Romantic Suspense
Christie Kern
Short Novel
Stephanie Goddard
Speculative
Amre Cortadino and David Parks
Young Adult
Rebecca Reed
Congratulations to all!
Please note: Titles are not given in case these authors are entering the Genesis Contest. This preserves anonymity for judging.
The winners in the 2019 First Impressions contest:
Contemporary:
Deena Adams
Historical:
Caryn Hoang
Historical Romance:
Carolyn Hill
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:
PJ Gover
Novella:
Lana Christian
Romance:
Christy Distler
Romantic Suspense:
Angela Carlisle
Short Novel:
Jennifer Purcell
Speculative:
Lynnette Jalufka
Young Adult:
Katherine Barger
Congratulations to all!
Please note: Titles are not given in case these authors are entering the Genesis Contest. This preserves anonymity for judging.
The winners in the 2018 First Impressions contest:
Contemporary:
Amanda Everett
Historical:
Alton Fletcher
Historical Romance:
Renee Ann Smith
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:
PJ Gover
Romance:
Rebekah Millet
Romantic Suspense:
Becca Kinzer
Short Novel:
Stephanie Goddard
Speculative:
Kristin Dowd
Young Adult:
Robyn Hook
Congratulations to all!
Please note: Titles are not given in case these authors are entering the Genesis Contest. This preserves anonymity for judging.
The winners in the 2017 First Impressions contest:
Contemporary:
Katie Powner
Historical:
Christina Weeks
Historical Romance:
Kathleen Denly
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:
Leanna Lindsey Hollis
Novella:
Rebecca May Hope
Romance:
Sally Willard Burbank
Romantic Suspense:
Jenny Whitehurst Smith
Short Novel:
Robyn Hook
Speculative:
A.L. Marquardt
Young Adult:
Gretchen Carlson
Congratulations to all!
Please note: Titles are not given in case these authors are entering the Genesis Contest. This preserves anonymity for the judging.
The winners in the 2016 First Impressions contest:
Contemporary:
Jana Riediger writing as Jayna Breigh
Historical:
Melanie N. Brasher
Historical Romance:
Abigail Wilson
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:
Tonya B. Ashley
Novella:
Jessica Leigh Johnson
Romance:
Amanda Wen
Romantic Suspense:
Jenny Whitehurst
Speculative:
Katie Powner
Young Adult:
Laura Conner Kestner
Congratulations to all!
Please note: Titles are not given in case these authors are entering the Genesis Contest. This preserves anonymity for the judging.
Congratulations to the 2015 Winners of ACFW’s First Impressions Contest.
Contemporary – Emily Conrad
Historical – Christy Distler
Historical Romance – Deb Garland
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller – Amanda Holland
Novella – Cynthia Herron
Romance – Tanya Agler
Romantic Suspense – Chawna Schroeder
Speculative – Jamin N.S. Goecker
Young Adult – Jebraun Clifford
Congratulations once again!
Congratulations to the 2014 Winners of ACFW’s First Impressions Contest.
Contemporary – Kiersti Plog
Historical – Cindy Stewart
Historical Romance – Deb Garland
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller – Don Brobst
Novella – Anna Weaver Hurtt
Romance – Tanara McCauley
Romantic Suspense – Lisa Bumpus
Short Novel – Linda Truesdell
Speculative – Katie Lohr
Young Adult – Audrey Appenzeller
Congratulations once again!
ACFW is ringing in the New Year with exciting news. Applause, applause for our 2013 First Impressions Contest winners!
Contemporary: Christy Distler
Historical Romance: Betty Woods
Historical: Terri Wangard
Romance: Emily Grey
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller: Voni Harris
Novella: Jaye Bright
Speculative: Deborah Marino
Romantic Suspense: Carolyn Miller
Young Adult: Sara Ella
Congratulations!