I’ve been a member of ACFW for more years than I can remember. I’ve watched it grow from a fledgling organization to the huge and active proponent of Christian literature that it is now. I’ve also sat at the awards banquet at their yearly national conference year after year cheering my writer friends on as they vied for position for the coveted Carol Awards. I hoped, but never really expected, to final in the Carol, myself.
Last week, I cooked at a primitive church camp on an island in Canada. No electricity, no cell phone, no indoor plumbing. Bathing was accomplished by plunging into a body of water named Ice Lake. I was driving home, feeling grungy and sleep deprived, with my oldest son. We stopped for lunch, and I received a phone call I’ll never forget. The caller, who was from ACFW, informed me that my book, An Uncommon Grace, was a finalist in the Carol Award. I started to squeal but she stopped me. “AND,” she said dramatically, “Your historical, A Promise To Love, is ALSO a finalist!”
That’s when my son had to give me a stern look to keep me from jumping on the table and dancing. All I could do the rest of the way home was repeat over and over, “I double finalled in the Carols, Derek!”And he would patiently reply, “I know, Mom.”
A writer fights against self-doubt every day of our lives. Something like this makes me think that maybe, just maybe, by the grace of God, I’m doing a good job after all.
The ACFW conference is in September. I’ll be there, hopefully wearing something fancy if I can find anything that fits. If I win–God be praised. If I lose–God will still be praised. Either way, I am one happy camper!
Click here for the list of finalists for the 2013 Carol Awards
That Girl
June 27, 2013 @ 3:39 pm
SO excited to hear this news! 2 of my favorites – I can’t wait to tell the book club!
Serena
July 1, 2013 @ 1:34 pm
Thanks! Tell the book club I said Hi, and that I miss them 🙂
Robin Brunett
June 27, 2013 @ 8:54 pm
Congratulations! I am not surprised. I downloaded An Amish Wedding Invitation, Hidden Mercies, and both murder mysteries on my kindle this week and finished them all in two or three days! I so enjoy everything you write!
Serena
July 1, 2013 @ 1:34 pm
Thanks so much Robin. I hope to have some more murder mysteries out within the next month 😉
Carol Allen
June 28, 2013 @ 9:05 am
So excited. Hope you get the Carol. Great Books.
Serena
July 1, 2013 @ 1:35 pm
Thanks Carol, fingers crossed!
Jillian Kent
July 4, 2013 @ 2:20 am
WHOO! WHOO! I am so excited for you, my friend. You know those of us who can’t be there will be watching on the live blog. 🙂
Hugs,
Jill
Connie Davidson
July 15, 2013 @ 12:35 pm
I’m sooooo Happy for you. You should have got on the table. I would have been on the table and all over. Your last book has moved to #1 for Mom But my Girl Has not moved from #1. It just took me 2 days to read it. I got it Fri night and done Sun afternoon. I tell all they have to read your books. God Bless you on this. All the work has paid off. See that your going to be in New Phil. Hope to see you this year to give you a big Hug for 2 in one year. I’ll see you if you can make it to the book signing at Berlin. Next book out when???
Serena
August 16, 2013 @ 7:43 pm
Hi Connie!! Great to see you on here! I really hope you and your Mom get to come to New Philadelphia. I’m no great speaker, but I do love talking books with people who love them! Next novel is out October 4. It’s the third book in the Michigan historical series–Under A Blackberry Moon. Book after that is Fearless Hope, which is my 4th Amish book. (Seventh one total, if you’re counting.) The book I start in on next is non-fiction. I’ll tell everyone about it when I get there. Can’t wait!
Linda Miller
August 14, 2013 @ 1:13 am
You deserve to get the Carol Award. Both books are awesome. God bless you and keep using your gift as a writer.
Serena
August 21, 2013 @ 6:45 am
Thanks Carol! To God be the glory!