ACFW Conference, Fangirling, & the Christy Awards #giveaway!
Authors are readers and fans too! Most authors started as avid readers, so we have our author heroes. In the past, I was thrilled to meet some of my favorites, Francine Rivers, Charles Martin, Terri Blackstock and Randy Alcorn. Last month at the ACFW conference in San Antonio, I met another one of the authors who started my love of Christian fiction: Frank Peretti. He was an excellent speaker! So poignant and funny!
(Here I am getting a few books signed with Frank Peretti!)
(Critique partner Misty Beller, my editor Robin Patchen, critique partner Heidi Mccahan, and me fangirling over Colleen Coble!)
I was also a stand-in to accept for author (and my critique partner) Sarah Monzon if she won the Carol Award. She was a finalist for her novel Freedom’s Kiss in the romance category. I was soooo nervous waiting to hear the winner. I had her speech and was on the edge of my seat. Sadly, she didn’t win, but just being a finalist is a huge deal! I was thrilled for her.
Cue, the excitement when I got a call while I was at the gym on the ab machine. I didn’t answer because I didn’t recognize the number, but I listened to the voicemail the caller left. To my total shock, my little novella, Falling for Grace, is a Christy Award finalist! I nearly fell off the machine, and my hands were flailing, waving over my face like a beauty pageant contestant trying not to cry. I told my son I had to go outside and make a call where I immediately punched the numbers of a couple of critique partners, Misty Beller and Heidi Blankenship! Glory to God for the whole accomplishment, because I have no idea how I ever finish writing a book! I’m surprised every single time!
Anyway, I’ll be fangirling again in Nashville on November 6th at the awards ceremony. And super nervous! I do not think I’ll win, because I’m up against Terri Blackstock, Kristi Ann Hunter, and Sarah Loudin Thomas. Oh wow!!
If you’re in the Nashville area, you can get tickets to the gala here and come fangirl with me! The Christy Awards
If you want a free copy of Falling for Grace, sign up for newsletter here!
What author would you like to meet?
Janet W. Ferguson is a Christy Award finalist and the FHL Readers Choice Award winning author of realistic inspirational fiction. An avid reader, she loved books so much she found a job as a librarian so she could be around them all day. Then she turned that love of story into writing faith-filled novels with characters who feel like best friends. You’ll laugh and cry as the quirky heroes and heroines chase their happily ever after. Janet and her husband live in Mississippi where they say y’all a lot, and she forces him to visit the beach as often as possible. They have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space. Connect with her at http://www.janetfergusonauthor.com/
I’d be fangirling if I met any favorites. Very exciting to win.
Thank you!
Hi Janet, CONGRATULATIONS:) How exciting for you. My boys are HUGE fans of Frank Peretti’s Cooper Kids books. I think I would get excited meeting any of my favourite authors- living so far away in Australia, I think I need to wait until Heaven though!!
Blessings:)
Oh neat that your boys enjoyed his books! I might not get to your country either, though I’d love to!
Elin aHilderbrand!!fan girling big time if I met her.
Oh I bet! That would be fun!
Congratulations!!
I think I’d happy to meet any author on my favorites list, but living in Brazil that is nearly impossible. I’m happy enough that I actually have access to the books via Kindle and don’t have to wait months for a book to arrive by mail (hopefully not getting lost), or years to have a translated version on bookstores. (This was a reality not to long and ago)
Oh typos. That “and” doesn’t belong in the last sentence.
I did not know you were from Brazil! I’ve heard it’s beautiful!!
What an accomplishment! Congratulations, I read Falling For Grace and loved it. I’m not surprised it’s up for an award!
You are so sweet! Thank you !
I loved going to ACFW conference the few years I could attend, which were quite a while ago now, before indie publishing was a thing. But yes, meeting some of my fave authors and, in some cases, sitting and chatting a while! You know, like normal people.
Congrats on the nomination for Falling for Grace!
I know what you mean! Thank you!
Hi Janet! Congrats on your nomination. Sure wished I could meet you in Nashville. Enjoy visiting Tennessee. I enjoy meeting authors. Our local independent book store monthly sponsors an author. I have meet a few. Also on October 26 I will be attending the SW Michigan Writers Conference – seven Midwest authors will be presenting seasons. All new authors to me. Best wishes. Thanks for sharing.
I wish you could too! I bet your conference will be wonderful!
I would love to meet any author. I never have been able to.
Oh bummer! Where do you live?
Janet, congratulations!
Thank you!!
My list of authors to meet: Autumn MacArthur, Alexa Verde, Marion Ueckermann, Jo Grafford, Heather Blanton, Johnnie Alexander, Sara Foust, to name a few. I’d add more, but that would take all the space!
That is a wonderful list! I roomed with Marion in year at conference. I love her accent!
I don’t think I could pick just one author to meet. I enjoyed meeting so many of you at the CFRR last spring!
Loved meeting you!!
That is so exciting — congratulations!
Thank you! I’m still in shock ha!
Hi Janet, Congratulations on being a Christy finalist! I haven’t been to ACFW since 2015, and I missing seeing everyone there. :)
That was a fun year!
It has been such a busy week I am so BEHIND. I would have LOVED to meet Gilbert Morris. I would now still love to meet Mary Connelly, Cheryl Wyatt and many more. I was so lucky to meet a few authors on a trip to the states and it was so exciting. Also meet a few Aussie authors including Narelle Atkins which was also really cool.
Oh yes, Gilber Morris was amazing. Mary Connelly is so funny! I did get a pic with her one year. I met Narelle, and she’s a blast!! I hope I can go to Australia some day and or New Zealand! Both countries look so beautiful!
So exciting! I downloaded your book. And I was cheering for Sarah at the Carol Awards. This won’t be the last time she’s nominated. Enjoy the Christy nomination!!! That’s something to be proud of.
Thank you!! I hope you enjoy the story! Yes, Sarah’s great! I’m looking forward to the event in Nashville. I’ve wanted to go in the past anyway.
Blessings :)
Congratulations and Best wishes for you! How exciting for you, and what an honor for you! Have a Great Week. God Bless you.
Thank you, Alicia! I’m looking forward to seeing the other authors there! Hope you have a great week too!
Blessings,