Christian Indie Awards and CAN Marketing Award Winners Announced
Outstanding achievements in Christian publishing and book marketing were celebrated as winners of the 2026 Christian Indie Awards and the Christian Authors Network (CAN) Excellence in Marketing Awards were honored during a special ceremony at the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference.
These prestigious awards spotlight independently published authors and small traditional publishers whose books and marketing efforts are advancing the message of Christ through excellence, creativity, and dedication.
“The quality and spiritual impact represented this year is truly inspiring,” said Susan Neal, director of the awards. “These authors are not only producing exceptional books but are also faithfully stewarding their message to reach readers around the world.”
Recognizing Excellence in Christian Books
The Christian Indie Awards, established in 2008, recognize outstanding books across twenty-one genres. This year’s winners represent excellence in the growing influence of independent and small-press publishing within the Christian market.
A complete list of winners is available at:
https://christianaward.com/2026-winners-announced/
https://christianauthorsnetwork.com/2026-can-excellence-in-marketing-awards/
Honoring Outstanding Marketing Achievement
In addition, the CAN Excellence in Marketing Awards recognized authors who demonstrated exceptional skill in promoting their books through strategic and creative campaigns.
Awards were presented across these categories: Broadcast Media, Online Presence, and Physical Media. The top-place winner won a $1,900 publicity package from Jones Literary, supporting their continued visibility and outreach.
“The marketing awards highlight that writing the book is only the beginning,” Susan Neal added. “Effective marketing is essential to ensure these powerful messages reach those who need them most.”
About the Awards
The Christian Indie Awards are facilitated by the Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA), an organization dedicated to equipping and supporting Christian authors and publishers since 2004.
The Christian Authors Network (CAN) provides marketing education, networking, and promotional opportunities for Christian writers seeking to expand their reach and impact.
Submissions for the 2027 Christian Indie Awards are now open. Christian authors and small publishers are encouraged to enter their books and continue advancing faith-based publishing with excellence.
For more information, visit:
https://christianaward.com/
2026 Christian Indie Award Winners
| Category | Place | Title | Author/Publisher |
| Anthology | 1st | Coffee With God: 31 Gratitude-filled Devotions | Becky Alexander, June Foster, Michael Loudiana, PhD, Carissa Lovvorn, Bonita Y. McCoy, Martha Walker Newman, Suzanne D. Nichols, Amy Recktenwald, Lisa Worthey Smith | Kerysso Press |
| Anthology | 2nd | Wings: Hope for Widows in New Growth Seasons | Virginia Grounds | Breakthrough Christian Publishing |
| Bible Study | 1st | From the Garden of Moses to the Garden of John | Janice E. Ocamb | Trilogy Christian Publishing |
| Bible Study | 2nd | Beyond Finding Strength and Hope through Unexpected Storms | Cindy Saab | Redemption Press |
| Bible Study | 3rd | ACTS: A Global Perspective | W. Robert Shade III | Illumify Media |
| Business and Finance | 1st | Unreasonable Responsibility | Joseph Sanders, PhD | Book Villages |
| Children’s Picture Books – Fiction | 1st | The House Wisdom Built | Londa Hayden | Manning the Gate Publishing |
| Children’s Picture Books – Fiction | 2nd | Lamba’s Journey with Jesus | Del Bates | Redemption Press
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| Children’s Picture Books – Fiction | 3rd | Growing Up Green and Gold | Judy DuCharme | Ambassador International |
| Children’s Picture Books – Nonfiction | 1st | God, How Do You Love Me? | Mary Anne Quinn | End Game Press |
| Children’s Picture Books – Nonfiction | 2nd | Big Hoorays: God’s Creation Days | Grandma Patches |
| Children’s Picture Books – Nonfiction | 3rd | Little Sprout Say Yes | Jennifer E. Tirrell | Abundance Books |
| Children’s 8-12 | 1st | Paws-itive Inspirations: 90 Devotions for Kids and Dog Lovers | Michelle Medlock Adams & Wendy Hinote Lanier | Iron Stream Kids |
| Children’s 8-12 | 2nd | The Dreamer (To the Ends) | Jenny Marcelene | Calla Press Publishing |
| Children’s 8-12 | 3rd | The Journey Begins… | Gracie Lynne |
| Christian Education | 1st | Making Your Message Memorable | Peg Arnold | Abundance Books |
| Christian Education | 2nd | Know Your Enemy: Essays for Believers in Defense of Christianity | Douglas E Landon |
| Christian Education | 3rd | Compass: A Navigational Tool to Discover your “Word of the Year” | Cindy Saab |
| Christian Living | Tied for 1st | The Power of Unshakable Faith in Navigating Life’s Trials | Dr. Rina Lucas |
| Christian Living | Tied for 1st | Prepare to Quit | Rose Ann Forte | Choose Freedom LLC |
| Christian Living | 2nd | Don’t Cheat the Butterfly: A Battle, A Strategy, and A Mind Transformed | Kristen Smeltzer | Destiny Oak |
| Christian Living | Tied for 3rd | Through the Storm: Hearing God’s Voice Through Life’s Tempests | Kathy Vogel | House of V |
| Christian Living | Tied for 3rd | Take up the Gauntlet: Preparing for Battle with the Armor of God | Alisa Hope Wagner | Marked Writers Publishing |
| Devotional | 1st | It’s a Good Day to be a Teacher | Gretchen Huesmann | Iron Stream Media |
| Devotional | 2nd | Wilderness Paths and Desert Streams: 40 Devotions to Encourage Parched and Weary Souls | Lora Avery |
| Devotional | Tied for 3rd | God Adopted Us First: Faith Lessons From An Adoption Attorney’s Adventures | Alice H. Murray | Iron Stream Media |
| Devotional | Tied for 3rd | Wading in the Waves: A 40-Day Journey of Healing Grief, Identity and Belonging in the Presence of God | Anita Garber, LSW | Tall Pine Books |
| General Fiction | Tied for 1st | Joline | Jim Sano | Full Quiver Publishing |
| General Fiction | Tied for 1st | Whatever It Takes | Sarah Hanks | SonFlower Books |
| General Fiction | Tied for 2nd | Unborn, Heavenly emissary interventions | Lona Schäfer | River Birch Press |
| General Fiction | Tied for 2nd | With Mercy’s Eyes | D. T. Powell |
| General Fiction | 3rd | The Call: Confronting the Shadows of Darkness | Betty A Rodgers-Kulich | Xulon Press |
| Gift | 1st | Last Best Year: A Short Guide to a Grateful Life | Donna Wyland | Elk Lake Publishing |
| Gift | 2nd | Wilderness Paths and Desert Streams: 40 Devotions to Encourage Parched and Weary Souls | Lora Avery |
| Historical Fiction | Tied for 1st | Princess of Moab: A Novel of Ruth | Marbeth Skwarczynski | Elk Lake Publishing |
| Historical Fiction | Tied for 1st | The Shining Men | Nicky Heymans | Malcolm Down Publishing |
| Historical Fiction | 2nd | Beginnings: Book One of the Chronicles of Moses the Lawgiver | William George Meisheid | Sageline Publishing |
| Historical Fiction | 3rd | The Jewel of Havilah: Antediluvian Adventures of Noah’s Boys | Gregory Horning |
| Memoir / Biography | 1st | Holy Plot Twists: God is Still Writing Your Story | Amanda Schaefer | Abundance Books |
| Memoir / Biography | Tied for 2nd | Sacred Sight: Finding Hope Through Heartache | Glenda Love Durano | Legacy Press |
| Memoir / Biography | Tied for 2nd | Letters From Love’s Battlefield | Kathryn M. Lackey | Brookstone Publishing |
| Memoir / Biography | 3rd | Singing Through Fire: A Memoir of Finding Surprising Joy in Life’s Darkest Trials | Lara Silverman | Isaiah 4320 Press |
| Mystery / Suspense | Tied for 1st | Race for Redemption | Chris G Thelen | Brookstone Publishing Group |
| Mystery / Suspense | Tied for 1st | Sweet Double-Cross | Sally Jo Pitts | Elk Lake Publishing |
| Mystery / Suspense | TIed for 2nd | Islands of Deception | Chris G Thelen | Brookstone Publishing Group |
| Mystery / Suspense | Tied for 2nd | Mara The Unseen Battle | Blossom Turner | TurnStyle Books |
| Mystery / Suspense | 3rd | Masa Chronicles: The Copper Scroll | Nicholas Teeguarden |
| Novella | 1st | Shep and the King of Hearts | Stacy J. Ladyman | Redemption Press |
| Personal Growth | Tied for 1st | Adult-O-Nomics: How to Nail It On Your Own | Tez Brooks |
| Personal Growth | Tied for 1st | Don’t Cheat the Butterfly: A Battle, A Strategy, and A Mind Transformed | Kristen Smeltzer | Destiny Oak |
| Personal Growth | 2nd | Pieces of You: Knowing Who You Are in Light of Whose You Are | April Farlow | Yorkshire Publishing |
| Personal Growth | TIed for 3rd | The Great Trade: Exchanging Fear, Shame & Guilt for Freedom | Susie Lewis | Redemption Press |
| Personal Growth | Tied for 3rd | Mentoring: A Practical Guide for Growing and Developing Leaders | Kingston Ogango Ombisa | Publishing Institute of Africa |
| Poetry | 1st | Anarchy of a Bitten Tongue | 631 | Jars of Wine Press |
| Poetry | 2nd | Bright Mornings, Lit Paths: Poems, Prayers and Prose Along the Way | Patti Jones Morgan | Signature Seasons Editions |
| Poetry | Tied for 3rd | Sacred Strains Of Praise | Michael Parker and Michael Shoemaker | Sheltering Tree Earth Publishing |
| Poetry | Tied for 3rd | Flowers Find A Way: Resilient Blooms and Relentless Faith | Amber Weigand-Buckley | BareFacedCreative Media |
| Relationships / Family | 1st | Make Families Great Again | Dr. Mel Tavares | Simply Right Press |
| Relationships / Family | 2nd | The Long Road Home: A Family’s Journey Through Addiction | Robert and Jennifer Ruesch | Illumify Media |
| Relationships / Family | 3rd | Glory From the Ashes: How a YES to God’s Invitation Can Transform Your Marriage | Clinton and Nikki Mitchell | Do With Not For Publishing |
| Romance | 1st | Love in the Castle Library | Ann Swindell | WhiteCrown Publishing |
| Romance | 2nd | Deadline | Judah Knight | Greentree Publishers |
| Romance | 3rd | Always | Andy M Davidson | Elk Lake Publishing |
| Speculative | 1st | The Fire and The Serpent: Book One: Sojourners | Dieta Scheidecker |
| Speculative | 2nd | Treetop | J. J. Dyer | Xulon Press |
| Speculative | 3rd | Alien in My Land | Rick Larsen | Prints of Peace |
| Theology | 1st | Through the Lens of An Ancient Yisra’elite Bible Study | Benjamin N Carrasquillo | WestBow Press |
| Young Adult | 1st | Echoes of the Imperium | Angela D Shelton | Two Oaks Publishing |
| Young Adult | Tied for 2nd | Salvaged | Shanna M. Heath |
| Young Adult | Tied for 2nd | Truth at Crossbones Pass | Laura L. Morgan |
| Young Adult | 3rd | Escape from Mother Earth: Antediluvian Adventures of Noah’s Boys | Gregory Horning |
Since its inception in 2008, the Christian Indie Awards has recognized independent authors and small publishers for their significant contributions to Christian life. The 2027 awards are now open for entries at ChristianAward.com.
The awards are facilitated by the Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA), which has been supporting the Christian writing community since 2004. For media inquiries, please contact Susan Neal at cipa@christianpublishers.net.
2026 Excellence in Marketing Award Winners
| Category | Place | Book or Ministry Title | Author |
| NONFICTION | |||
| Broadcast Media | 2nd | It’s a Good Day to be a Teacher: 52 Devotions to Equip and Encourage Educators | Gretchen Huesmann |
| Broadcast Media | 1st | SugarFreed: Stop Losing the Weight Loss Battle, Start Gaining the Victory | Christine Trimpe |
| Broadcast Media | 3rd | Start Little, Dream Big | Linette Rainville |
| Physical Media | 1st | Arise from Grief & Flourish Again | Amy Robnik Joob |
| Online Presence | 1st | My Maker and Me: A Six-Week Bible Study of Becoming God’s Beautiful Vessel | Pat Domangue |
| Online Presence | 2nd | Welcome Home: A Guide to Homemaking, From the Heart | Gina Romero |
| FICTION | |||
| Online Presence | 1st | 63 Hours in Hell | Susan L. Davis |
| Broadcast Media | 1st | Charlie’s Trip – His Incredible Quest for God’s Embrace | David Hollenstein |
| Physical Media | 1st | 63 Hours in Hell | Susan L. Davis |