The best in Christian fiction was honored at the ninth annual Christy Awards at the Orlando Rosen Centre on Saturday, July 12. A crowd of more than 200 gathered on the eve of the 2008 International Christian Retail Show as awards were handed out in nine categories, including Romance, Suspense, Visionary and First Novel.

Bethany House Publishers (Baker Publishing Group) was home to three books receiving top honors, including Lynn Austin's A Proper Pursuit (Historical), Tamera Alexander's Remembered (Romance) and Athol Dickson's The Cure. Thomas Nelson authors received two awards, Stephen R. Lawhead for Scarlet (Visionary) and Charles Martin for Chasing Fireflies (Contemporary [Stand Alone]). Other books honored included Jan Karon's Home to Holly Springs (Viking) for Contemporary (Series, Sequels and Novellas), Sibella Giorello's The Stones Cry Out (Revell/Baker Publishing Group) for First Novel and Lisa Samson's Hollywood Nobody (NavPress) for Young Adult.

Newcomer Shelly Beech, who received the award for the Lits category, said she was "honored to be among the finest" in the publishing world for her first novel, Hallie's Heart (Kregel Publications).

The event also profiled more "behind the scenes" fiction champions, including editors and publishers, through a panel discussion and the presentation of the Christy Legacy Award to veteran editor and Christy Awards founder Carol Johnson.

In place of a keynote address, a panel-comprised of Johnson, B&H Publishing Group's Karen Ball, Howard Books' Dave Lambert and Hachette Book Group USA's Michelle Rapkin-celebrated Christian fiction with observations on its growth and future.

Donna Kehoe, executive director of the Christys, was pleased that the program honored editors "through the panel and through the recognition of Carol Johnson, one of the seminal figures in the advancement of Christian fiction."

During the event, Zondervan's Dudley Delffs announced an upcoming first novel competition the company is sponsoring along with the Mount Hermon Christian Writer's Conference.