In a pre-ICRS event, New Hope Publishers was named Publisher of the Year at the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) 2009 Golden Scroll Awards for Publisher, Editor, Fiction Editor and Member of the Year as well as its Lifetime Achievement Award, Sunday afternoon at the Denver Athletic Club in Denver.

The Golden Scroll Awards go to editors and publishing houses best demonstrating outstanding ministry partnerships with their authors. Approximately 90 were in attendance at the awards event.

The Editor of the Year Award went to David Kopp of The Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group, and the Fiction Editor of the Year Award was presented to Jan Stob of Tyndale House Publishers.

Thelma Wells, known best for speaking at Women of Faith Events, received the Golden Scroll Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Carol Kent and Pam Farrel. "Thelma is the real deal, a Christian author who lives out her love for the Lord in a way that inspires and transforms her readers, audiences and friends," Linda Evans Shepherd, AWSA founder, said.

The Member of the Year Award was presented to Annetta E. Dellinger, who was honored for "her encouragement, enthusiasm and helpful spirit," Shepherd said.

AWSA awarded a special "Thank You" award to author and Internet marketing expert Michele Washam, for her development and design of the AWSA Web site, www.AWSA.com.

Jennifer Kennedy Dean keynoted the banquet with author Connie Cavanaugh as the emcee. Gail Hayes presented the special music, including a parody written by humorist Martha Bolton.

Members of AWSA, an outreach of Right to the Heart Ministries, number more than 300 top Christian women authors who publish and speak nationally.