The Word Guild’s annual Christian writing awards gala is set to commemorate another milestone in awarding prizes for the best in writing by Canadians who write from a Christian worldview.
TORONTO—For 25 years the Canadian Christian Writing Awards have recognized the best work published in many genres by Canadian writers who affirm The Apostles’ Creed. Established in 1988, they were initially known as the God Uses Ink Awards, but now as The Word Awards. On June 12 The Word Guild will present these top awards, rewarding the best in writing published by Canadian Christians during 2012.
Awards will be given in more than 30 award categories, which include non-fiction books, novels, articles, columns, blogs, poems, and song lyrics.
"We were delighted by the increase of entries in several categories, especially the Song Lyric category," says Managing Director Denise Rumble. "I'd also like to acknowledge our judges who generously invest their time and talents to help writers."
Judge Julienne Isaacs says, “It's exciting that so many writers who self-identify as people of faith are pouring their energy into prose, fearlessly communicating faith while deepening their craft. The world needs more writers like these. And more books like these.”
This year the book categories proved most popular, attracting 146 entries, with article categories not far behind at 133.
A highlight of the evening will be the fourth annual presentation of the Grace Irwin Prize. This $5,000 award—donated by retired book publisher John W. Irwin (nephew of the award's namesake) and his wife Eleanor—represents Canada's largest literary prize for writers who are Christian. It will celebrate the best book published in 2012 by a Canadian author who writes from a Christian worldview. The entries for this award consist of all the shortlisted books. For the winner this will be the “icing on the cake.”
The Word Awards are designed to raise the profile of Canadian writers who are Christian, and to encourage them in the pursuit of excellence. A black-tie awards gala has been held since 2006 to increase public recognition, honour the winners, and celebrate Canadian writing. The awards currently consist of 19 book categories and 15 other categories for articles, columns, poems, song lyrics, and blog posts.
Some of Canada’s best-known Christian writers, leaders, academics, and journalists have entered this contest and won awards or received Award of Merit citations, including: J. I. Packer, Jean Vanier, James M. Houston, Brian C. Stiller, John G. Stackhouse, Jr., Ann Voskamp, Mark Buchanan, William P. Young, Janette Oke, James K. A. Smith, Greg Paul, Craig Evans, Douglas Harink, Tim Perry, Craig G. Bartholomew, Elmer John Thiessen, John Redekop, Maxine Hancock, Stanley J. Grenz, Brian J. Walsh, Douglas Farrow, John P. Bowen, Rod J. K. Wilson, Stanley E. Porter, Hugh Cook, Sigmund Brouwer, Phil Callaway, Ali Matthews, Greg Paul, Tim Huff, Connie Brummel Crook, Lois Sweet, Bob Harvey, Jennnifer Green, and Thomas Froese.
On the shortlist appear the names of several new finalists including Margaret Terry of Burlington, Ontario, and Cindy Palin of Olds, Alberta. Terry’s book, Dear Deb: A Woman with Cancer, A Friend with Secrets and the Letters that Became Their Miracles (Thomas Nelson) is shortlisted in three categories—Life Stories, General Market, and Relationship. Palin’s song lyrics, “Help Yourself to My Life”, is shortlisted in the Lyrics category.
Some familiar names return to the shortlist again this year: former winner Brian Stiller of Richmond Hill, Ontario, whose book Find A Broken Wall: 7 Ancient Principles For 21st Century Leaders (Castle Quay Books) is shortlisted in the Christian Leadership category, and Connie Brummel Crook of Peterborough, Ontario, whose book Acts of Courage: Laura Secord and the War of 1812 (Pajama Press) is listed in the Young Adult category.
Carolyn Arends of Surrey, British Columbia, writer for Christianity Today, is shortlisted in the Column Series category for “In on the Joke of the Bible” and “Taste the Soup” (Christianity Today). And Richard Erlendson of Calgary is shortlisted for “The Life of Peter Penner” (Faith Today) in the Profile category.
Finalists are distributed across six provinces. British Columbia writers account for 17 finalist placements; Alberta, 13; Saskatchewan, 3; Manitoba, 11; Ontario, 57 and New Brunswick, 2. Canadians living in the USA are also represented among the finalists. Each winner will receive a cash prize and a certificate to mark his or her achievement.
The above mentioned authors, along with dozens of other Canadian writers—many of them finalists for the first time—will be honoured at the 2013 gala, to be held at the World Vision headquarters, 1 World Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. The event is open to the general public. Tickets available at the door for $25.00, and online.
Following the gala 250 writers, editors, agents, and publishers will meet in Guelph, Ontario, from June 13 to 15 for Canada's largest Christian writers' conference, Write! Canada (http://www.thewordguild.com/write-canada/ ), also sponsored by The Word Guild.
You can see the complete shortlist of finalists for The Word Guild 2012 Writing Awards below and at www.thewordguild.com/media.
Media: For photos or more information, contact Awards Administrator, Mary Ann Benjamins, at awards (at) thewordguild (dot) com.
SHORTLIST OF FINALISTS
THE 2013 WORD AWARDS
BOOK CATEGORIES
Book—Apologetics/Evangelism
Jeanne Best of Barrie, Ont. for Deep Roots in a Shallow World: Rediscovering Faith and Hope (Essence Publishing)
Lawrence Brice of Port Rowan, Ont. for Confident Faith: In a World That Wants to Believe (Deep River Books)
Book—Biblical Studies
Heather Kendall of Lefroy, Ont. for God's Unfolding Story of Salvation: The Christ-Centered Biblical Storyline (Resource Publications/Wipf and Stock Publishers)
David L. Knight of Waterloo, Ont. for Downstream From Eden: The Amazing Gift of Water for a Thirsty World (WestBow Press)
Robert Lloyd Russell of Washougal, Washington for God Light: Sunlight Sonlight (Infinity Publishing)
Book—Christian Leadership
David Bentall of Vancouver for Leaving a Legacy: Navigating Family Business Succession (Castle Quay Books)
Brian Stiller of Richmond Hill, Ont. for Find a Broken Wall: 7 Ancient Principles for 21st Century Leaders (Castle Quay Books)
Book—Christian Living
Arthur Paul Boers of Toronto for Living into Focus: Choosing What Matters in an Age of Distractions (Brazos Press/Baker Books)
Lawrence Brice of Port Rowan, Ont. for Confident Faith: In a World That Wants to Believe (Deep River Books)
David Payne of Newmarket, Ont. for Run! The Amazing Race (Word Alive Press)
Sheila Wray Gregoire of Belleville, Ont. for The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex (Zondervan)
Book—General Market
Suzanne Benner of Calgary for Birthmark (Suzanne Benner)
David Payne of Newmarket, Ont. for Run! The Amazing Race (Word Alive Press)
Nikki Rosen of Burlington, Ont. for Dancing Softly (University of Waterloo)
Margaret Terry of Burlington, Ont. for Dear Deb: A Woman with Cancer, a Friend with Secrets, and the Letters That Became Their Miracle (Thomas Nelson)
Book—Inspirational/Devotional
Heather Boersma of Winnipeg for Dream Big: 30 Days to a Life Beyond All You Could Ask or Imagine (Word Alive Press)
Paul Boge of Winnipeg for Hope for the Hopeless: The Charles Mulli Mission (Castle Quay Books)
Lawrence Brice of Port Rowan, Ont. for Confident Faith: In a World That Wants to Believe (Deep River Books)
Lois Carter of Vancouver for Seven Days of Memory, Nights of Song (Word Alive Press)
David Knight of Waterloo, Ont. for Downstream From Eden: The Amazing Gift of Water for a Thirsty World (WestBow Press)
Book—Instructional
Lawrence Brice of Port Rowan, Ont. for Confident Faith: In a World That Wants to Believe (Deep River Books)
Robin Sorenson of Calgary for Anxiety: A Healing Journey (WestBow Press)
Linda Wegner of Powell River, B.C. for 3D Success: Changing Careers in Mid Life (Word Alive Press)
Book—Life Stories
Jacquie Brown of Calgary for Off the Map: Follow Me Out of Domestic Violence (Word Alive Press)
Jim Campbell of Oakville, Ont. for Glimpses through the Mirror: The Collected Pen Point Columns (BPS Books)
Lisa Elliott of London, Ont. for The Ben Ripple: Choosing to Live through Loss with Purpose (Word Alive Press)
Mary Haskett of London, Ont. for India My Calling: The Story of Jean Darling (Word Alive Press)
Helen Martens of Winnipeg, Man. for Passion vs. Duty (Word Alive Press)
Brian Stiller of Richmond Hill, Ont. for Find a Broken Wall: 7 Ancient Principles for 21st Century Leaders (Castle Quay Books)
Margaret Terry of Burlington, Ont. for Dear Deb: A Woman with Cancer, a Friend with Secrets, and the Letters That Became Their Miracle (Thomas Nelson)
Book—Relationship
Jacquie Brown of Calgary for Off the Map: Follow Me Out of Domestic Violence (Word Alive Press)
Lisa Elliott of London, Ont. for The Ben Ripple: Choosing to Live through Loss with Purpose (Word Alive Press)
Margaret Terry of Burlington, Ont. for Dear Deb: A Woman with Cancer, a Friend with Secrets, and the Letters That Became Their Miracle (Thomas Nelson)
Book—Special
Lois Carter of Vancouver for Seven Days of Memory, Nights of Song (Word Alive Press)
Sarah Klassen of Winnipeg for Monstrance (Turnstone Press)
Hannah Main-van der Kamp of Powell River, B.C. for Slow Sunday on the Malaspina Strait (The St. Thomas Poetry Series)
Book—Young Adult
Beverley Boissery of Vancouver for The 3 Js (Wesbrook Bay Books)
Connie Brummel Crook of Peterborough, Ont. for Acts of Courage: Laura Secord and the War of 1812 (Pajama Press)
Chrissy M. Dennis of Caronport, Sask. for The Lion Cubs (Word Alive Press)
Valerie Sherrard of Miramichi, N.B. for Counting Back from Nine (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)
Novel—Contemporary
Evan Braun of Niverville, Man. and Clint Byars of Newnan, Georgia for The Book of Creation (Word Alive Press)
Chrissy M. Dennis of Caronport, Sask. for The Lion Cubs (Word Alive Press)
Marcia Lee Laycock of Blackfalds, Alta. for A Tumbled Stone (Word Alive Press)
Dorene Meyer of Norway House, Man. for Rachel’s Children (Goldrock Press)
D. C. Shaftoe of St. Catharines, Ont. for Assassin's Trap (iUniverse Inc.)
Novel—Historical
Connie Brummel Crook of Peterborough, Ont. for Acts of Courage: Laura Secord and the War of 1812 (Pajama Press)
Beverley Hopwood of Durham, Ont. for Gladys and Jack (Word Alive Press)
Violet Nesdoly of Langley, B.C. for Destiny’s Hands (Word Alive Press)
Novel—Suspense
Evan Braun of Niverville, Man. and Clint Byars of Newnan, Georgia for The Book of Creation (Word Alive Press)
Jayne E. Self of Orangeville, Ont. for Death of a Highland Heavyweight (Harbourlight Books/Pelican Ventures)
ARTICLE, POETRY, SONG LYRIC AND SCRIPT CATEGORIES
Article—Blog Series
Troy Dennis of Moncton, N.B. for “Living Between the Red Lines” and “The Creepy Guy Emerges” (www.onfireletter.blogspot.ca)
Jordan Hageman of Mississauga, Ont. for “Confessions of a Pastor's Wife: Confession #3” and “Confessions of a Pastor's Wife: Confession #4” (jordanhageman.blogspot.ca)
Article—Inspirational/Devotional
Steve Bell of Winnipeg for “The Shape of Things to Come” (Faith Today)
Heidi Grogan of Calgary for “Adoption: A Kaleidoscope Community” (Weavings)
Ron Powell of Edmonton for “Not a Lot of Nonsense” (testimony)
Margaret Terry of Burlington, Ont. for “My Christmas Miracle” (www.mariashriver.com)
Rick Webster of Peterborough, Ont. for “The Easter Story” (testimony)
Article—Long Feature
Bruce Hindmarsh of Vancouver for “‘The God of Nature and of Grace’: Early Evangelical Spirituality and Reflection on Nature” (Crux)
Karen Stiller of Port Perry, Ont. for “Hemorrhaging Faith: Why They're Leaving” (Faith Today)
Diane Stinton of Vancouver for “Amani ya Juu (‘A Higher Peace’): African Refugee Women Living out Reconciliation in Nairobi” (Crux)
Rod Wilson of Vancouver for “Why Emotional Intelligence Is Missing in So Many Churches and Christian Institutions: Some Initial Thoughts” (Crux)
Article—Personal Experience
Kim Clarke of Calgary for “The Meeting on the Bridge” (FellowScript)
Heidi Grogan of Calgary for “Adoption: A Kaleidoscope Community” (Weavings)
Jordan Hageman of Mississauga, Ont. for “Confessions of a Mother: Fear and the Surrender of Control” (testimony)
Kerri-Ann Haye-Donawa of Brampton, Ont. for “Finding My Way Back” (Prodigal Magazine)
Rose McCormick Brandon of Caledonia, Ont. for “The Main Thing” (testimony)
Judi Peers of Peterborough, Ont. for “Honey for a Woman's Heart” (Live)
Karen Stiller of Port Perry, Ont. for “A Visit to the World’s Newest Country” (Faith Today)
Margaret Terry of Burlington, Ont. for “My Christmas Miracle” (www.mariashriver.com)
Margaret Terry of Burlington, Ont. for “The Lasting Power of Letters” (www.mariashriver.com)
Article—Profile/Human Interest
Glynis M. Belec of Drayton, Ont. for “John to the Front” (The Rural Route Magazine)
Richard Erlendson of Calgary for “The Life of Peter Penner” (Faith Today)
Margaret Terry of Burlington, Ont. for “The Lasting Power of Letters” (www.mariashriver.com)
Article—Short Feature
Bill Fledderus of Hamilton, Ont. and Karen Stiller of Port Perry, Ont. for “Canadian Women Are International Leaders” (Faith Today)
Lisa Hall-Wilson of London, Ont. for “Modelling Truth” (testimony)
Randall Holm of Winnipeg for “Apocalypse Deferred” (testimony)
Ron Powell of Edmonton for “High Tech, Low Touch?” (testimony)
Article—Short Story
Alvin Ens of Abbotsford, B.C. for “Of Nights and Castles” (FellowScript)
M. D. Meyer of Norway House, Man. for “Numbers” (Goldrock Press)
Column—Series
Carolyn Arends of Surrey, B.C. for “In on the Joke of the Bible” and “Taste the Soup” (Christianity Today)
James A. Beverley of Pickering, Ont. for “Dinner with the High Priest” and “Questions for Mormonism” (Faith Today)
Bruce Clemenger of Richmond, B.C. for “How Broad is Your Gospel?” and “Served or Being Served?” (Faith Today)
Thomas Froese of Ancaster, Ont. for “Pushing Back at Health Care’s Pressures” and “New Hope Not to Become a Moron” (The Hamilton Spectator)
Steve Kennedy of Peterborough, Ont. for “System Failure” and “The Trouble with Community” (testimony)
John G. Stackhouse Jr. of Vancouver for “Is Christianity the Only True Religion?” and “In the Public Interest” (Faith Today)
Column—Single
John Bowen of Hamilton, Ont. for “Why I Dislike Evangelism” (The Anglican)
Phil Callaway of Three Hills, Alta. for “Doubting Dad” (testimony)
Thomas Froese of Ancaster, Ont. for “Living Among the Tombs” (ChristianWeek)
Thomas Froese of Ancaster, Ont. for “Say ‘Yes’ to Inspiring Others” (ChristianWeek)
Steve Kennedy of Peterborough, Ont. for “The Table of the Lord” (testimony)
Angela Reitsma Bick of Barrie, Ont. for “The Zero Mile Diet” (Christian Courier)
Cathy Smith of Wyoming, Ont. for “God in My Garden” (Christian Courier)
Poetry
Alvin Ens of Abbotsford, B.C. for “Alzheimers” (Ascent Aspirations)
Steve Frost of Vancouver for “Star Tango” (Crux)
Bethany Hindmarsh of Vancouver for “Sarai” (Crux)
Song Lyrics
Steve Bell of Winnipeg for “Oracles” (Signpost Music)
Gerald Flemming of North York, Ont. for “If They Knew It Was Me” (Gerald Flemming)
Gerald Flemming of North York, Ont. for “You Are…” (Gerald Flemming)
Jassette Haughton of Brampton, Ont. for “Help Me to Wait” (AGMM)
Kimberly Lee of Markham, Ont. for “Glimpses of Jesus” (Kimberly Lee)
Sally Meadows of Saskatoon, Sask. for “Turn the Page” (Sally Meadows)
Ross Muir of Waterloo, Ont. for “Blessed Be the Name of the Lord” (Ross W. Muir)
Ross Muir of Waterloo, Ont. for “Job’s Lament” (Ross W. Muir)
Cindy Palin of Olds, Alta. for “Help Yourself to My Life” (Cindy Palin)
Additional Categories:
Awards will be presented on June 12th to the winners of six categories for which there are no shortlists of finalists: Book—Academic; Book—Children; Book—Culture; Novel—Romance; Article—General Market; and Article—Review.
No award will be given in the following categories: Novel—Visionary; Article—News; and Article—Children/Young Adult.