AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) - Right to the Heart, Linda Evans Shepherd

Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA)

Advanced Writers and Speakers Association

Press Release

Advanced Writers and Speakers Association
Announces Winners for the 2003 Golden Scroll Awards

The Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), an organization consisting of 225 of the top CBA women authors who publish and speak nationally, recently announced their 2003 winners for the Golden Scroll Awards for Publisher of the Year, Editor of the Year, Fiction Editor of the Year and AWSA Member of the Year at the Golden Scroll Awards Banquet at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Florida, July 13, 2003, just prior to the opening to the CBA tradeshow. The Golden Scroll Awards go to editors and publishing houses who best demonstrate an outstanding ministry partnership with their authors. The Awards were presented by authors Carol Kent and Linda Evans Shepherd. Shepherd is the founder and director of AWSA which is a part of Right to the Heart Ministries.

Linda Evans Shepherd

Linda Evans Shepherd; Founder and Director of AWSA; Right to the Heart Ministries

This year's Golden Scroll Award for Publisher of the Year Award went to Moody Press. Author Nancy Sebastian Meyer said of Moody, "I've felt the power of God at work in our partnership." Tricia Goyer added, "My opinions are valued and the people I've worked with have been caring AND professional."

Moody Press; Publisher of the Year

The winner for Editor of the Year was Elsa Mazon of Moody Press. Author Joan Esherick said of Mazon, "Elsa rests deeply in God's sovereignty and models that rest not just for Moody, but for authors as well." Nancy Sebastian Meyer added, "Elsa eagerly agreed to become one of my regular prayer partners."

Elsa Mazon; Editor of the Year

ChiLibris, a sister fiction-writer's organization, also helped the AWSAs select the Fiction Editor of the Year. This year’s award went to Ami McConnell of W Publishing Group. Novelist Colleen Coble wrote of Ami McConnell, "Ami's job isn't a job--it's a consuming passion for her, a way she serves God."

Ami W. McConnell; Fiction Editor of the Year

The AWSA member of the Year Award went to Lindsey O’Connor, the author of If Mama Ain't Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy. Linda Evans Shepherd, who presented Lindsey the award said, "Though our dear Lindsey was in coma for two months, following the birth of her baby, God miraculously brought her back to us. Lindsey has done more than any other to unite the hearts of the AWSAs in both prayer and fellowship. We thank God for Lindsey’s miraculous return to minister in the land of the living."

Lindsey O’Connor; AWSA Member of the Year

Additionally, Allison Gappa Bottke of the God Allows U-Turns Project presented the new God Allows U-Turns Strength of Choice Award to bestselling author and speaker, Carol Kent. Allison says, "Throughout the course of a very public legal battle involving her son, Carol Kent's unwavering faith in God was a beacon of light for the world to see. As this year's recipient of the God Allows U-Turns "Strength of Choice" award, Carol Kent exemplifies what it means to have the strength and courage to hold fast to a belief that God is in control - even during the most difficult circumstances."

Carol and Gene Kent;
God Allows U-Turns Strength of Choice Award

Allison Gappa Bottke,
God Allow U-Turns Project

Carole Lewis, author of First Place, keynoted the banquet while Carol Kent served as emcee. The banquet also featured the music of recording artist Kim Moore and the comedy of humorist Martha Bolton. For more information about AWSA, go to www.awsawomen.com.