Amazing Authors
Each of these judges is a star in their own genre(s) and represent the very best Christian fiction has to offer. They know what it takes to write a great book.
James Hannibal
James is a former stealth pilot who now writes high octane thrillers and fantasy/young adult books. He’s an award winner, and one of the main minds behind the Lightraider Academy.
Rachel Hauck
Rachel is an award-winning, best-selling writer who wants to imitate the truth of Heaven here on earth. She has a movie on Hallmark and is part of the My Book Therapy Team.
Denise Hunter
Denise is an award-winning, best-selling author with over thirty-five books and three Hallmark movies to her name. She also plays the drums!
Lindsay Franklin
Lindsay would wear pajama pants every day if able. She’s also an award-winning writer and freelance editor who calls San Diego home.
Carrie Stuart Parks
Besides being an award-winning writer, Carrie is an internationally known forensic artist who’s worked cases for the FBI and ATF, among others. Calling her a dog-lover is an understatement.
Sarah Sundin
Sarah is an award-winning best-selling author of novels set in World War II. A less known fact is her doctorate in Pharmacy. Sarah also co-directs the West Coast Christian Writers Conference.
Awesome Agents
Between them the agents and agencies volunteering here, represent some of the brightest talent in our industry. They know what it takes to be a successful author.
Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency had her own writing career before turning her attention to serving others. Her clients are known collectively as Tamelites.
Rachel McMillan of the William K Jensen Agency writes historical mysteries and contemporary romances, while not binge-watching British crime drama while drinking Starbucks.
Cynthia Ruchti of Books & Such Literary Agency is an acclaimed writer herself and has more than thirty years of writing and producing a daily radio show.
Diana Flegal of Hartline Literary Agency was once a medical missionary, living in Haiti. She’s also a freelance editor and teaches at writer’s conferences.
Tessa Emily Hall of the Cyle Young Agency is a recognized expert in Young Adult fiction. She wrote her debut novel at 16 and is the founder of PursueMagazine.net, that inspires teens to embrace their calling.
Jim Hart of Hartline Literary Agency was the ACFW Agent of the Year in 2018. A man with a lifetime of experience in the industry, there probably isn’t a musical instrument he can’t play.
Excellent Editors
With a wide variety of experience, these editors recognize great writing when they see it.
Nicola Martinez
Nicola is the amazing multi-tasking Editor in Chief of the Pelican Book Group and a long-time supporter of The Crown Award.
Leslie McKee
Leslie has edited or proofread for some of the very biggest houses out there and knows what a great story needs.
Bethany Kaczmarek
Bethany loves to escape to other kingdoms. She’s a writer herself, former ACFW Editor of the Year candidate and part of the Realm Makers team.
Reagen Reed
With experience at NavPress and Enclave Publishing, Reagen, a longtime supporter of the Crown Award, has worked with some of the finest writers out there.
Misty Beller
An award-winning author in her own right, Misty is also the managing editor of Wild Heart Books, which specializes in Christian Historical Romance.
Linda Fulkerson
An established writer herself, Linda is also the founder and owner of Scrivenings Press LLC. We think she’s quite something.
Great Gatekeepers
As people whose influence can make a real difference to an author’s success, these gatekeepers of CF love to sing praises about any wonderful story they can find and devour.
Rel Mollet
Besides being the right-hand woman to several of CBA’s finest writers, Rel is a part of Sunrise Publishing, an avid reviewer and one of the founders of the Inspy Awards.
Jessica Higgins
Jessica is the powerhouse reader behind the Read Write Life review site. You’ll often find endorsements from her gracing a bestselling book.
Carrie Booth Schmidt
Author darling Meez Carrie is a remarkable reader, reviewer, and book-boyfriend advocate. If Carrie likes your story, you’re onto a winner.
Sydney Anderson
Also known as The Singing Librarian, Sydney is an epic book blogger who teaches Information Literary at Southern Utah University and runs blog tours in all her spare time!
Sandra Barela
Sandra’s mission is to get Christian books into the right hands. As the founder of Celebrate Lit Publicity Group, she’s got an experienced and respected eye.
Martha Artyomenko
Martha is a writer herself, and one of the team behind the Facebook powerhouse Avid Readers of Christian Fiction, which has over sixteen thousand members.