35 finalists revealed today during special webinar; Winners to be announced November 6 in Nashville
CHANDLER, AZ — September 11, 2026 — The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has announced the 35 finalists in nine fiction categories for the 2026 Christy Award®, recognizing excellence in Christian fiction published March 2025 to March 2026.
The 35 novels represent the work of 13 publishers and imprints, with all categories but one reporting ties.
The finalists were revealed today during a special online event hosted by award-winning author and radio host Chris Fabry and ECPA President Jeff Crosby.
“This year’s finalists represent the remarkable creativity, depth, and excellence of Christian fiction,” said Crosby. “We are honored to recognize these authors and their stories, and we look forward to gathering the Christian fiction community in Nashville this November to celebrate the power of faith in story and announce the winners.”
2026 Finalists for The Christy Award®
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE – tie
Echoes of a Silent Song, Amanda Wen
Kregel Publications, 9780825449819
Hearts on the Fly, Toni Shiloh
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764245206
Kate Landry Has a Plan, Rebekah Millet
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764240966
The Voice We Find, Nicole Deese
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764241208
FIRST NOVEL – tie
A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro, Heather Norman Smith
Kregel Publications, 9780825455643
In the Light of the Sun, Angela Shupe
WaterBrook, an imprint of PRH Christian, 9780593601938
The Lawyer and the Laundress, Christine Hill Suntz
Tyndale House Publishers, 9798400507762
Where Stillness Speaks, Chelsey Welwood
Chelsey Welwood, 9798298040112
GENERAL FICTION
The Bitter End Birding Society, Amanda Cox
Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800746612
South of Somewhere, T.I. Lowe
Tyndale House Publishers, 9798400507816
When the Road Comes Around, Katie Powner
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764245169
HISTORICAL – tie
The Daughter of Rome, Angela Hunt
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764241581
The French Kitchen, Kristy Cambron
Thomas Nelson, 9781400345267
From the Valley We Rise, Elizabeth Musser
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764243493
Splendor of the Land, Connilyn Cossette
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764238932
HISTORICAL ROMANCE – tie
Belle of Chatham, Laura Frantz
Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800746568
The Collector of Burned Books, Roseanna M. White
Tyndale House Publishers, 9798400501746
Mists Over the Channel Islands, Sarah Sundin
Revell/ Baker Publishing Group,, 9780800741877
Through Water and Stone, Karen Barnett
Kregel Publications, 9780825448539
MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER – tie
The Accused, Cara Putman
Kregel Publications, 9780825448058
Final Approach, Lynette Eason
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group,
Girl Lost, Kate Angelo
Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800746636
Tempest at Annabel’s Lighthouse, Jaime Jo Wright
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764243790
SHORT FORM – tie
A Very Merry Matchup, Becca Kinzer
Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496489067
One Nine, Sara Davison
Sara Davison, 9781069326928
Planning for Nickie, Tasha Hackett
Tasha Hackett, 9781965778043
To Reveal a Reckless Love, Robin Lee Hatcher
RobinSong, Inc., 9781962005173
SPECULATIVE – tie
Every Hour Until Then, Gabrielle Meyer
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764243011
Heir of Light, Niki Florica and Jill Williamson
Sunrise Publishing, 9781963372649
Maxine Justice: Public Offender, Daniel Schwabauer
Enclave, a division of Oasis Family Media, 9798886052381
Of Dawn and Embers, Gillian Bronte Adams
Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media, 9798886052428
YOUNG ADULT – tie
Illuminary, Chawna Schroeder
Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media, 9798886051902
The Outsider, Katy Morgan
The Good Book Company, 9781802542974
Sons of Day and Night, Mariposa Aristeo
Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media, 9798886052343
The Star-Blessed, Angie Dickinson
Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media, 9798886052534
View the full list of finalists and cover images at https://christyawards.com/finalists-winners.html.
The Christy Award is widely supported and promoted through a broad network of retailers and industry partners, including: Barnes & Noble, Christianbook.com, The Parable Group, Baker Book House, Logos, Mardel, More to Life, JustRead Rendezvous, JustRead Tours, Family Fiction, Crazy4Fiction, Christian Editors Association, Chris Fabry Live, Reading Is My Superpower, Thomas Nelson Fiction, Write to Publish, Life Is Story, West Coast Christian Writers, Blue Ridge Writers Conference, Publishing in Color, Christian Retailers Association, NetGalley, and Christianity Today.
Winners to Be Announced November 6 in Nashville
The 2026 winners will be announced at The Christy Award® Gala on November 6 in Nashville, culminating a full day designed to bring together Christian fiction authors, readers, publishers, and industry professionals.
The day begins at 10 a.m. with Beyond the Book: Get to Know the Finalist Authors, an intimate gathering where readers can meet and hear from this year’s finalists.
From 12–5 p.m., The Art of Writing Seminar will bring together authors and publishing professionals for sessions exploring key issues shaping Christian fiction today, including industry trends, artificial intelligence, writing craft, and the author-editor relationship.
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