2025 GOLDIE AWARD WINNERS

The West Coast Christian Writers is pleased to announce the winners of our annual writing contest. This contest is for original, unpublished submissions by conference attendees (both in-person and online).

Nonfiction

First Place: I Stopped, by Deanna Nese

Second Place: Stubborn Burdens, by Tabitha McDuffee

Third Place: Ordinary Miracles, by Kimberly Lavoie

Fiction

First Place: The Amish Witness, by Laurie Zmrzel

Second Place: Why Cena Hates Her Job, by Rebecca Harrel

Third Place: Love Your Enemies, by Janene Zirges

Memoir

First Place: Trusting God Against All Odds, by Donna Buys

Second Place: Losing Tim, by Susan Wilson

Third Place: Greater Work of Grace, by Codie Winslow

Poetry

First Place: The Cost of Sensibility, by Joy Michelle Austin

Second Place: Let Justice Live On, by Stephanie Yttrup

Third Place: The Lost Ideals, by Al Anderson

Children & YA

First Place: Subs Happen Sometimes, by Teresa Joyelle Krager

Second Place: Who’s My Shepherd, by Maria Valdez Perez

Third Place: Hannah’s Good Night, by Chris Whitlock

Bad Writing - The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Writing Contest (for fun!)

First Place: Rocket Surgery, by Sherry Chidwick

Second Place: The Dragon, by Laura Birnie

Third Place: Pressure Pointe, by Douglas Stang

Best First Line - The "Call Me Ishmael" Award

Erica Briggs, for “In a mad world, if you don’t go crazy, you’re already lost.”

GOLDEN GOLDIE AWARD - BEST IN CONFERENCE

Deanna Nese, for I Stopped. Congratulations, Deanna!

Each year, the West Coast Christian Writers recognizes outstanding contributions to Christian writing and publishing in the following categories:

AUTHOR OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes an outstanding author who has been published within the last two years and is making waves in our community. This year's recipient is a powerhouse—three books published in 2024—and is doing vital work at the intersection of faith and mental health.

2025 Recipient: Chris Morris

MENTOR OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes an author who demonstrates the WCCW value for mentorship by supporting and encouraging other writers. This year’s recipient is an author, speaker, and life coach, who has spent many years investing in women and helping them to reach their God-given potential.

2025 Recipient: Jan Kern

UNSUNG HERO

This is a writer who demonstrates selfless service to the Christian writing community. This person works tirelessly behind the scenes, investing in other writers, and being a welcoming and encouraging presence in the WCCW community.

2025 Recipient: Derrell Thomas

PROMISING WRITER

This “wild card” award for standout writing is selected based on faculty recommendations drawn from the Coaching & Critique appointments during the conference.​

2025 Recipient: Tessa Burns

New for 2025…

ENCOURAGER

This year we asked conference participants to tell us who they found to be the most encouraging—the cheerleader, the prayer warrior, the “you’ve got this” voice we all need as writers. There were many who fit the bill, but one name rose to the top above all the others.

2025 Recipient: Joy Michelle Austin

Congratulations to all our award recipients!