2025 Genesis Finalists

We are pleased to announce our 2025 Genesis Finalists! Thank you to all who entered our contest. If you don’t see your name listed below, please know we appreciated your entry to the Genesis Contest, and we hope you enter again next year! Winners will be announced Saturday, 9/6, during the Awards Gala at ACFW’s Conference in Springfield.

Genesis Finalists

Contemporary
Deena Adams
Elizabeth Daghfal
Shelli Littleton

Historical
Hannah Benson
Daryl Lott
Sophie Neville

Historical Romance
Naomi Currie
Jessica Gustafson
Donna Yarborough

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Christina Lombardi
Renda Knapp
M.J. Pearson

Novella
Tiffany Burgess
Melissa Burlock
Laura M. Wallace

Romance (TIE)
Kelly Lobato
Kelly Lobato
Ruth Schmeckpeper
Madison Unruh

Romantic Suspense
Courtney Dailey
Breana Johnson
Pam Langston

Short Novel
Tracy Del Campo
Beth Gooch
Jessica Sizemore

Speculative
Heather Griffin
Elise Haroldson
Nicole Raman & Colette Wasserman (co-authors)

Young Adult
Heather Griffin
Sharon Jeong Ide
Hannah Sharpe