Christian fiction had a strong profile at the inaugural Christian Book Expo (CBE) with several events spotlighting the genre and the announcement of the finalists for the year's best Christian novels.

During Saturday morning's Joint Publisher Fiction Showcase, sponsored by the Christy Awards, a panel of best-selling authors explained their craft to a full room of more than 100 participants and answered questions from the audience. Panelists included Terri Blackstock, T. Davis Bunn, Mindy Starns Clark, Jerry Jenkins, Beverly Lewis, Robert Liparulo, Bill Myers and Janette Oke. Liz Curtis Higgs served as moderator.

"You have five (New York Times) best-selling authors on that panel," said Bill Carmichael, an author with Moody Press. "That's one thing that helps bring people in."

Oke, who was honored as "a pioneer" of the fiction genre, explained her early inspiration for Love Comes Softly (Bethany House Publishers/Baker Publishing Group), while Myers gave a sneak peek into his current project, God Hater. Questions from the audience covered a variety of subjects, including writing tips and even the limits of violence and language in Christian fiction.

The showcase concluded with the announcement of nominations for the 2009 Christy Awards, to be presented during the International Christian Retail Show in Denver in July. Nominees were announced in nine categories: Contemporary (Stand-alone), Contemporary (Series, Sequels and Novellas), Historical, Romance, Suspense, Historical Romance, Visionary, Young Adult and First Novel.

Tyndale House Publishers led the field with five nominated titles, followed by Bethany House, which had four nods. David C. Cook had three nominated titles, while novels by FaithWords, Thomas Nelson, Revell, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, Moody Publishers, Harvest House Publishers and B&H Publishing Group also received nods.

Authors with nominated titles included newcomers Joy Jordan-Lake, Alice Wisler and Richard Doster along with novels from veteran writers Robin Jones Gunn, Tamera Alexander and Lynn Austin.

Donna Kehoe, executive director of the Christys, told Christian Retailing that she saw a "great mix" in the diversity of authors and publishers represented as well as "increasing quality"of the submitted novels, as noted by the Christy Award judges.

In addition to Saturday's fiction spotlight, authors also participated in a variety of workshops throughout the weekend. Myers, Bryan Davis and Robert Elmer conducted a "Science Fiction/Fantasy Writing" workshop for teens. Colleen Coble, Brandt Dodson and Cara Putman presented "Starting a Bookclub" workshop, while Liparulo led "The Making of a Christian Thriller" session and Clark presented "Christian Fiction: What Difference Does It Make?"

Christy Award Nominees:

Romance: Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group); Finding Stefanie by Susan May Warren (Tyndale House Publishers); and Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White by Claudia Mair Burney (David C. Cook).

Contemporary (Series, Sequels and Novellas): Sisterchicks Go Brit! by Robin Jones Gunn (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group); Summer Snow by Nicole Baart (Tyndale House); and You Had Me at Good-bye by Tracey Bateman (FaithWords).

Contemporary (Stand-alone): Dogwood by Chris Fabry (Tyndale House); Embrace Me by Lisa Samson (Thomas Nelson); and Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas (Moody Publishers).

First Novel: Blue Hole Back Home by Joy Jordan Lake (David C. Cook), Rain Song by Alice Wisler (Bethany House Publishers); and Safe at Home by Richard Doster (David C. Cook).

Historical: Shadow of Colossus by T.L. Higley (B&H Publishing Group); Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin (Bethany House); and Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser (Bethany House).

Historical Romance: Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy (Barbour Publishers); From a Distance by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House); and The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen (B&H Publishing Group).

Suspense: By Reason of Insanity by Randy Singer (Tyndale House); The Rook by Steven James (Revell/Baker Publishing Group); and Winter Haven by Athol Dickson (Bethany House Publishers).

Visionary: The Battle for Vast Dominion by George Bryan Polivka (Harvest House Publishers); Shade by John B. Olson (B&H Publishing Group); and Vanish by Tom Pawlik (Tyndale House).

Young Adult: The Fruit of My Lipstick by Shelley Adina (FaithWords); I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke (Moody Publishers); and On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson (WaterBrook Press).

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