2025 Genesis Contest Semifinalists

Congratulations to the 2025 Genesis Semifinalists! Thanks so much to those who entered our contest. If you don’t see your name listed below, please know we appreciated your entry to the Genesis Contest, and we hope you enter again next year! Finalists will be announced at ACFW’s national conference in September.

2025 Genesis Semifinalists

Contemporary
Deena Adams
Elizabeth Daghfal
Betsy Davies
Tiffany Link
Shelli Littleton
Ruth Schmeckpeper
Michelle Wrigley

Historical
Joseph Arensdorf
Hannah Benson
Sarah Heatwole
Daryl Lott
Jacinta Meredith
Sophie Neville
Shannon Skaer

Historical Romance
Tammy Adams
Bethany Cox
Naomi Currie
Jessica Gustafson
Ginger R. Takamiya
Lorinda White
Donna Yarborough

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Mollybeth Corr
Jeremy Gayed
Lakeisha Heeringa
Renda Knapp
Christina Lombardi
M.J. Pearson
Deborah Schulte

Novella
Tiffany Burgess
Melissa Burlock
Jonni Sue Hovan
Harry Johnson
Daniel Lewczuk
Audrey Wyatt Shrive
Laura M. Wallace

Romance
Courtney Dailey
Renee Gentry
Kelly Lobato (Double Semi-Finalist)
Ruth Schmeckpeper
Kelly Scott
Madison Unruh

Romantic Suspense
Alison Brock
Courtney Dailey
Carol Filomena
Breana Johnson
Pam Langston
Brittney Peek
Beth Worcester

Short Novel
Linda B. Breeden
Tracy Del Campo
Beth Gooch
Louise Braswell Martin
Suzanne Montgomery
Caprice Alizah Moore
Jessica Sizemore

Speculative (tie for final spot)
Julia Casselman
Kimberly Cornelius
Cynthia Zager Godwin
Heather Griffin
Elise Haroldson
A.R. Harrison
David Mears
Nicole Raman and Colette Wasserman (co-authors)

Young Adult
Heather Griffin
Sharon Jeong Ide
Elizabeth Anne Myrick
Lisa Phillips
Julie Scorziell
Hannah Sharpe
Julia N. White