2025 CAN Excellence in Marketing Awards: First Place in Fiction Broadcast Media

Next in a series of posts featuring the winners of the 2025 Christian Authors Network (CAN) Excellence in Marketing Awards. Carissa Lovvorn won first place in the fiction Broadcast Media category and describes her activities here.

The 2026 marketing awards will open in November 2025. Be thinking of how you can enter the awards! See the guidelines at:  https://christianauthorsnetwork.com/marketing-award/

1. Congratulations on winning first place in Fiction Broadcast Media, Carissa! Tell us about the book(s) you marketed.

The Sharing Sisters children’s picture book series. Titles include: Seeds for Sharing, Lemons for Blessings, and Stitches for Kindness by Carissa Lovvorn.

2. What was the goal of your marketing campaign?

The goal of my marketing campaign was (and still is) to encourage young children and their families to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Young children are often overlooked when people organize service projects, but this is a great age to begin learning how to serve. Each of my children’s picture books addresses a social issue, presents an age-appropriate way for children to make an impact, and teaches a biblical principle that complements the story.

3. How did you decide what activities to include?

I included elements that reached many children through hands-on activities and parental involvement, such as podcasts and TV interviews.

4. What was your favorite aspect of your marketing campaign? Why?

Author visits and service projects were my favorite aspects of the marketing campaign. Since childhood, serving others has been a significant part of my life—and I love children. Knowing there will be a ripple effect from teaching them to be the hands and feet of Jesus is truly humbling.

5. What a blessing! What results surprised you the most?

The most surprising result has been the reach of this campaign. I’ve heard from people in several other countries about the impact of these books.

6. What new skills did you need to learn for your efforts to succeed?

I really had to work on my public speaking skills. I’m great with children, but I had to develop new interview skills to effectively connect with adults.

7. How did you determine the return on investment?

Accurately measuring the impact of this campaign was difficult. The outcome was not defined by financial gain. Teaching a child to serve does not only impact their own life—it also affects their family who participate alongside them, the recipients of the service project, and, hopefully, inspires those recipients to serve others as well.

8. Truly a worthwhile goal. What marketing advice would you offer other writers?

The marketing advice that I would offer other writers is to think outside the box and be willing to say yes to new opportunities.

9. Great advice, Carissa. Thank you. How can readers learn more about you and your writing?

Carissa Lovvorn

To learn more about my writing, follow me on social media: Instagram @carisslovvornbooks, Facebook @carissalovvorn-author, visit my website at www.carissalovvorn.com, or read my Carissa’s Corner newspaper column at https://athensnowal.net/carissas-corner/.