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On November 8 in Nashville, TN, local author, Ann Marie Stewart, won the 2017 Christy Award for her book, Stars in the Grass. The Christy Award, named after Catherine Marshall’s bestselling book, Christy, was established in 1999 to acknowledge excellence in Christian writing and creativity across genres.
Stewart, a long-time Western Loudoun resident, traveled to Nashville and was awarded the honor at a gala for the finalists in each genre. Stewart was one of three nominated in her category for a First Time novelist in Christian Fiction and Beth Moore presented her award.
Stewart’s debut novel, Stars in the Grass, published by Barbour Publishing, released this past February across a variety of booksellers. This is a touching story about a nine-year-old girl that lives through a family tragedy. Told through the eyes of Abby, the reader goes along with the McAndrews family as they work through grief, guilt, and rebellion. This story brings you back to the 1970s pop-culture of a Midwestern town as you laugh and at times cry with loveable Abby.
Stewart graduated with honors from the University of Washington and received her graduate degree in film and television from the University of Michigan. She has taught English and music. She is an active member of Main Street Theater where she was recently onstage as Aunt Eller in Oklahoma. Stewart is a blogger, voice teacher and accomplished musician. She writes for The Country Register as well as originated the AMG Publishing’s Bible study series Preparing My Heart For which includes a Christmas study called Preparing My Heart For Advent.
Stewart lives in Western Loudoun with her husband, Will, her two daughters, Christine and Julia on their sheep farm in the Appalachian foothills.
