There will be a new honor when the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) recognizes the best books of the year in 2012.

A trophy for Best New Author has been added to the six annual Christian Book Award categories whose winners will be announced at the ECPA’s executive leadership meeting to be held next April in the Chicago area.

Twenty-six New Author submissions are among the total 244 entries received for the 2012 awards—up from 223 for this year’s awards.

“The purpose of the awards is to raise awareness of Christian books, and one of the things we want to do is raise awareness of new authors,” said ECPA President and CEO Mark Kuyper. “We want to grow and develop new authors in the industry.”

Along with the other category winners—for Bibles, Bible Reference, Children, Fiction, Inspiration and Nonfiction—the new writer judged best also will be eligible for the Christian Book of the Year.

Meanwhile, submissions are being invited for the 2012 Christy Awards celebrating the best in Christian fiction and named in honor of Catherine Marshall’s novel Christy, in recognition of her contribution to the popularity of Christian fiction.

Entries are due by Dec. 5, with the three finalists in each of nine categories to be announced in April. The winners will be named later in the year.

Details are available here for the Christy Awards and here for the Christian Book Awards.

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