The 2013 Christy Awards honored a new group of writers and publishing professionals with three new initiatives at the 14th annual celebration that took place Monday, June 24, at the International Christian Retail Show in St. Louis.

The first Christy Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Lee Hough, longtime literary agent with Alive Communications. He started at the agency in 2001 and in 2010 was named vice president.

“I want to thank all the authors, editors and publishers,” said Hough, who is battling cancer. “I’m at peace; I have gratitude. I am so looking forward to seeing the Lord.”

The Christy Awards also inducted its first two members into the Christy Award Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame members are those who have received at least four Christys. Karen Hancock was the first inductee with four awards (2003-2006) for her books, among others Arena and The Shadow Within. Lynn Austin, who has received eight Christy Awards, was also inducted. She won awards in 2002-2004 and 2008-2012. Her first Christy was awarded for Hidden Places and her most recent for Wonderland Creek. Hancock and Austin presented this year’s Christy Awards.

Also created this year was the Book of the Year Award, given for the breakout novel Into the Free by Julie Cantrell, which also received the Christy in the First Novel category.

“A little over a year ago I was an unpublished novelist,” said Cantrell. “I never dared to dream I could be in a room with people whose books I’ve read. When I wrote Into the Free, I didn’t have a clue I was writing Christian fiction; the book was just who I was.”

This year’s Christy Awards, held at the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel, were emceed by agent Steve Laube of The Steve Laube Agency, with keynote speaker Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary Agency.

See the full list of winners at www.christyawards.com.

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