Author says speaker’s message inspired award-winning book

Melissa Jean Rod says a 2024 talk by Katie Hornor helped inspire The Daddy Files, which has now won its seventh literary award from the International Christian Book Awards. The story underscores the long-tail impact of professional speaking and the role Christian speaker network NCAPS says it plays in helping messages reach farther.

Why it matters: - Melissa Jean Rod’s story shows how a single speaking engagement can help launch a book that later reaches readers, earns awards and carries a faith message far beyond the original room. - The moment also illustrates why the National Christian Association of Professional Speakers says speaker preparation, delivery and credibility matter for Christian authors and speakers. - The Daddy Files has now won seven literary honors, including an International Christian Book Award, giving Rod broader recognition for a deeply personal book about hurt, shame, brokenness, love, grace and redemption.

What happened: - Rod says a presentation by Katie Hornor at the January 2024 Hope Story Conference helped push her to write The Daddy Files. - Rod later reconnected with Hornor at a Christian women’s conference and thanked her in person. - Rod told Hornor the book might never have been written without the encouragement she received while listening to Hornor speak. - Hornor said the encounter reminded her that one person’s obedience can become part of a much larger story.

The details: - The Hope Story Conference in 2024 also featured keynotes from Lysa TerKeurst, whose message helped confirm for Rod that God was asking her to write. - The Daddy Files is described as part memoir and part spiritual detective story focused on identity, forgiveness and faith. - Rod wrote the book after hearing messages that reinforced her sense of purpose. - The book’s newest recognition comes from the International Christian Book Awards, which honors Christian books for literary excellence and faith impact. - Rod called the experience a full-circle moment because she first received encouragement to write while in the audience and later thanked one of the speakers who helped move her forward. - The Daddy Files is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

Between the lines: - The story gives NCAPS a concrete example of the value it says professional Christian speakers bring when they refine their message and delivery. - Hornor, who founded NCAPS and serves as its spokesperson, said a speaker’s job is to faithfully prepare and deliver a message that can help someone take a courageous next step. - Rod’s experience suggests that a speaker may not see the immediate outcome of a message, but the impact can surface later in unexpected ways. - NCAPS says it exists to help Christian speakers strengthen their messages, improve platform skills, build speaking businesses and expand their influence.

What’s next: - The Daddy Files’ award count may continue to build as the book gains more visibility through international recognition and reader word of mouth. - Hornor and NCAPS are continuing to position speaking as a professional calling tied to excellence, biblical integrity and audience impact. - The International Christian Book Awards 2026 Gala will gather authors for education, fellowship, media exposure and recognition, with Hornor among the featured keynote speakers.

The bottom line: - A single talk can do more than fill a room. In Rod’s case, it helped create an award-winning book with a message she says reached far beyond the stage. - Learn more at Katie Hornor, NCAPS and the International Christian Book Awards. - NCAPS’s social post appeared here: Facebook