Christian books have a unique way of touching hearts and transforming lives. For Laurel Appel, winning a 2023 Illumination Book Award for her debut book, Radical Grace: Live Free and Unashamed, was a sweet moment of validation—both personally and professionally.
We connected with Appel to hear about her journey to becoming an award-winning author, the inspiration behind her powerful message, and her advice for others pursuing their writing dreams.
A New Author’s Confidence Unlocked
For Appel, winning an Illumination Award wasn’t just about recognition—it was a personal revelation.
“Winning the gold medal Illumination Award for my debut book as an author had tremendous impact on me personally as well as on my new writing profession,” Appel shared. “Although I had a newly published book, I struggled to call myself an author. I had what some call imposter syndrome. When my book was recognized out of entrants of books from the past couple decades, I realized I was no imposter after all.”
For Appel, the award validated her purpose in writing. “Winning the gold helped me to see that my message about grace had an impact on the judges. My purpose in writing my book was validated through their approval of my message,” she said.
The recognition not only boosted her confidence but also gave her the encouragement to embark on her next project, Fortify Your Faith, a Bible study she released in October 2023.
A Life-Changing Moment
When Appel learned she had won the award, the news felt surreal.
“I think I was in shock when I first found out I had won the gold medal. I didn’t believe it at first,” she recalled. “I felt it was a moon shot to enter my debut book into a competition, but I wanted to get feedback, so I entered the award competition. I was thrilled to find out my book had been recognized, and after making sure I wasn’t seeing things, I was excited to let everyone know I had won.”
She proudly keeps her framed certificate on the wall—a daily reminder that amazing things can happen when passion and perseverance come together.
The Heart of Radical Grace
The inspiration behind Appel’s debut came from her own transformative experience with God’s grace.
“The inspiration for Radical Grace: Live Free and Unashamed was my own story of discovering God’s grace and how His grace was the catalyst for healing from childhood abuse and all its consequences,” she said. “I am a walking miracle of God’s grace.”
Her mission was clear: to offer hope and freedom to readers who may feel unworthy of God’s love.
“My heart breaks for people who feel unworthy of God’s love, are depressed or struggle with anxiety, or believe that they must work hard at impressing God to receive His grace,” Appel explained. “I was all of these people until I realized what His grace really means for me and that it is truly radical.”
Appel hopes her book will encourage others to embrace God’s grace and step into a life free from shame and doubt.
Writing With Purpose
Crafting Radical Grace was a deeply intentional process.
“I began by creating a list of the important elements that underpin the Gospel of Grace and created one chapter per concept,” Appel said. She structured each chapter to include personal stories that illustrated the lessons, along with practical examples to help readers connect with the message.
While the writing journey was rewarding, it wasn’t without its challenges.
“Other than knowing how to use a keyboard, I did not know anything else about either writing or publishing a book,” Appel admitted. “Admitting that I needed help to accomplish my goal was the best decision I made.”
She hired a coach and an editor, welcomed constructive feedback, and learned about publishing by attending workshops, joining social media groups, and doing lots of research.
Advice for Aspiring Authors
Appel encourages aspiring writers to follow their passions and get professional help when needed.
“Write about what you have a passion for, what you are experts at, or the story that inspires you. Be authentic to who you are,” she advised.
She also emphasized the importance of professionalism and persistence. “If you cannot afford to hire out the cover design, editing, or formatting, make sure that when you do it yourself, you get loads of feedback from other people whom you can trust to be honest with you.”
Above all, Appel urges writers to connect with others. “Build your sphere through social media, meeting people at workshops and retreats, and joining groups that have similar interests to your genre.”
What’s Next for Appel?
Appel’s work doesn’t stop with Radical Grace. Her Bible study, Fortify Your Faith: Building an Unshakable Foundation of Radical Grace, Brick by Brick, dives deeper into the ideas of grace introduced in her first book.
“I am praying about what is next!” Appel revealed, leaving readers eagerly awaiting her future projects.
Through her work, Appel continues to uplift, inspire, and remind readers of God’s life-changing grace.
Submit Your Work Today
Appel’s journey from a first-time author to an award-winning writer shows just how powerful storytelling and perseverance can be. If you’ve written a book with a message of hope, inspiration, or spiritual growth, submitting it to the Illumination Awards could be the next step in your journey.
Whether you’re an experienced author or just starting out, entering competitions like the Illumination Awards can boost your confidence, help you reach more readers, and open doors to exciting new opportunities. Your story could be the one that uplifts, inspires, and changes someone’s life—just like Radical Grace has for so many.
Don’t hesitate—submit your work today and let your message shine!
