The Southern Christian Writers Conference (in partnership with TAB Media Group) provides inspiration and instruction for aspiring and published writers of faith. The SCWC has brought writers together since 1991 at its annual workshop and other writing events, and is recognized as one of the best conferences in the nation.
We held our most recent annual conference in June 2021 as a "hybrid" event, with limited in-person attendance and Covid protocols AND a simultaneous virtual conference. Our Fall "Writeaway" Workshop took place on Oct. 16, 2021 in Orange Beach, Alabama. We're making plans now for our Winter and upcoming 2022 events.
The SCWC Notable Book Awards
The SCWC Notable Book Awards recognized outstanding achievement in Christian fiction and nonfiction publishing (both traditional and self-published).
This year's Notable Book Awards will open for submissions on Oct. 19. The deadline to send in your submission is December 15. Finalists will be announced on Jan. 15, and winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony at the Southern Christian Book Expo on January 22. The announcement will take place at 3 p.m. in a ceremony at the TAB Media headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama.
THE RULES for the awards are as follows:
1. Books must have been published in the prior calendar year (with a 2021 copyright date).
2. Books don't have to be published by a religious publisher, but they should be inspirational and reflect a Christian mindset.
3. Books can be entered in any of these categories: Fiction (traditionally published), Fiction (self-published), Nonfiction (traditionally published), and Nonfiction (self-published), Devotional, and Children's/Young Adult.
4. A submission fee of $10 must be included with each entry. (Can be paid by Venmo payment app to @SCWC-Conference; by PayPal to scwritersconference@gmail.com; by credit or debit card (let us know and we'll invoice you); or by check t0 SCWC, PO Box 3057, Hueytown AL 35023.)
5. Contest is open to all authors (no requirement to have attended SCWC events).
6. The winners will receive a small cash prize, special recognition and promotion at the 2022 Book Expo, and promotional material announcing their Notable Book Award win to use as they like.
Mail your book, $10 entry fee (if paying by check), and the following information to SCWC, PO Box 3057, Hueytown AL 35023.
Name:
Email address:
Phone number:
Category entering:
A committee of judges decides the winners on the following criteria: (1) writing quality, and (2) meaningful message.
GOOD LUCK, and we can't wait to receive your entries.
2020 Finalists & Winners:
Fiction, Traditionally Published
The Gray Chamber, by Grace Hitchcock (Barbour Books)
WINNER: The Edge of Everywhen, by A.S. Mackey (B&H Publishing)
In High Cotton, by Ane Mulligan (Heritage Beacon Fiction)
Fiction, Self-Published
Vengeance and Betrayal, by John M. Cunningham, Jr.
The Vanishing of Olivia Beck, by Sara L. Foust
WINNER: Tree of Life, by Ellen C. Maze
Nonfiction, Traditionally Published
Enjoy Today, Own Tomorrow, by Laine Lawson Craft (Ascender Books)
A Woman God Can Bless, by Sharon Norris Elliott (Harambee Press)
WINNER: Called to be Creative, by Mary Potter Kenyon (Familius Publishing)
Inmillennialism: Redefining the Last Days, by Michael A. Rogers (McGahan Pubishing House)
Nonfiction, Self-Published
The Most Wonderful News You Will Hear, by David L. Chancey
WINNER: 100 Days at the Cross, by Terry Long
Everyday Faith for Daily Life, by Jan White
Devotional Book
Mornings with God: My Daily Prayer Journal, by Emily Biggers & Vickie Phelps (Barbour Books)
Auburn Believer and Bama Believer, by Del Deduit (Iron Stream Media)
WINNER: Refresh Your Faith: Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible, by Lori Hatcher (Our Daily Bread Publishing)
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2019 Finalists & Winners
Fiction, Traditionally-Published
Mind of Mine, by C.F.E. Black (Illuminate YA)
* Murder in the Family, by Ramona Richards (Firefly Southern Fiction)
Off-Script Over-Caffeinated, by Kaley and Rhonda Rhea (Bold Vision Books)
Fiction, Self-Published
* The Girl I Left Behind, by Stephanie Bain
The Rescue, by Tanya Eavenson
Dark Days on the Fairest Isle, by Judith Nembhard
Nonfiction, Traditionally-Published
* The Ground Kisser, by Thang Du'o'ng Boyer with Lisa Worthey Smith (Winged Publications)
The Wayward Way, by Taylor Field (New Hope Publishers)
Life-Giving Choices, by Lucinda Secrest McDowell (New Hope Publishers)
Nonfiction, Self-Published
Because of Whose I am: A Nazi's Daughter, by Helga Allison with Kathleen Jones
* [Un]Intentional, by Doug Smith
God's Extravagant Grace for Extraordinary Grief, by Lettie K. Whisman
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And CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the 2019 SCWC Writing Contest, announced at the annual SCWC workshop in June:
Short Story (fiction)
1. Bettie Boswell (Bowling Green, Ohio): “Fred’s Gift,” From the Lake to the River (book anthology)
Poetry
1. Rita Moritz (Pell City, Ala.): “And Then the Morning,” Cullman (Ala.) Tribune
2. Harry Moritz (Pell City, Ala.): “Dark Dreadful December,” Cullman (Ala.) Tribune
Newspaper Article
1. Shirley Crowder (Birmingham, Ala.): “Have you danced with the flowers lately?” Gadsden (Ala.) Times
2. Jan White (Andalusia): “Acts of forgiveness in aftermath of genocide,” The Star-News (Andalusia, Ala.)
3. Alan Johnston (Chattanooga, Tenn.): “Adjusting to life with dementia,” The Alabama Baptist
HM. Rita Moritz (Pell City, Ala.): “Toni Bowling — fighting the battle,” St. Clair News-Aegis (Pell City)
Magazine Article
1. Joy Lucius (Belden, Miss.): “Remember the prisoners, as Though in Prison with Them,” AFA Journal
2. Anne Reed (Tupelo, Miss.): “Jews help Christians help Muslims,” AFA Journal
3. Mary Claire Branton (Roswell, Ga.): “Calling Young Writers,” Parents and Kids magazine
HM. Robert Youngblood (Tupelo, Miss.): “The war within,” AFA Journal
First-place winners won cash prizes; other winners received a certificate of recognition.
We had the largest-ever amount of submissions, and the winners were wonderful.