Meet the Judges
The Gibson Prize will have two rounds of blind judging. In the first round, each entry will be evaluated by at least two readers. The shortlisted entries will go to a final round of blind judging by the esteemed judges below.
Heather Young
As owner of Lighthouse Proofreading, Heather Young delights in using her proofreading skills to help Christian authors bring the message of Hope to the world. Wife, homeschooling mama of four, missionary, and Jane-ite, Heather has decided opinions about dark chocolate (specifically, 92% and no defiling it with weird things like hazelnuts or sea salt), is thrilled by spreadsheets, and wishes boots, jeans, and sweaters were realistic possibilities while living on the equator. Note: they’re not.
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Candice Pedraza Yamnitz
Candice Pedraza Yamnitz fell in love with The Lord of the Rings and Pride and Prejudice in high school and hasn’t stopped reading since. She taught in a dual-language elementary classroom for years until she decided to stay at home, teaching a crew of imaginative children. In between reading lessons and converting cardboard boxes into pirate ships, she writes YA novels with a Latin twist. She lives in her native Chicagoland.
Her debut YA fantasy novel, UNBETROTHED, released February 2022, and she’s released six books since then.
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Ela
Ela is a Christian writing coach, editor, and the founder of Pen and Polish. She works with Christian and clean-fiction writers to strengthen story structure, deepen emotional resonance, and guide manuscripts from draft to completion with clarity and intention. Known for her thoughtful, craft-centered feedback, Ela brings a discerning editorial eye and a deep respect for both storytelling excellence and values-driven fiction
Victoria Lynn
Victoria Lynn has an insatiable desire for truth, light, and beauty and has always sought to find them in story. Joining the Indie scene at the age of 18 with her debut novel, she has been writing and publishing ever since. She seeks to bring the life-giving words of the Savior to a dark and broken world that desperately needs to know of His sacrifice. A writing and publishing coach, best-selling author, seamstress and creator, she loves spending her spare time traveling deep into the mountains and forests, surfing the ocean waves, spending time with her family, turning her 2 acre plot into a homestead, or sewing gowns fit for a princess.
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Stephanie Julia Gibson
Stephanie Julia Gibson is an award-winning author of two novels.
She holds an associate's degree in Biblical Studies and a BA in English and History. She spent some time playing the fiddle in a touring bluegrass band and performed for the Kentucky House of Representatives.
Stephanie loves a challenge, so founding a Christian Fiction Prize is exactly her cup of tea.
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