Heather McGillivray

Biggest Launch Ever of a Canadian Christian Book

News No Responses »

Nov 092011

The Word Guild Members Make Waves with

Biggest Launch Ever of a Canadian Christian Book

November 7, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Sometimes all you need is a reminder that there is something good in the world. A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stimulate the Mind and Delight the Spirit is a combination of short stories, poetry, and works of memoir picked for their inspirational nature, dedicated to finding a shining light in our lives that so often turn dark. The stories within are touching and poignant, and will help readers remember that there is something after the worst of it all. A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider is a follow up to the previous acclaimed volume, and the sequel executes the original’s purpose masterfully.”

Midwest Book Review, June 11, 2011

Markham, Ontario—Thirty-seven Canadian writers are making history by conducting the most extensive launch ever done for a Canadian Christian book. Since A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stimulate the Mind and Delight the Spirit was released in May, the book’s writers have participated in more than 150 readings and signings in seven provinces.

A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider is an all-Canadian book that is receiving five-star reviews. The inspirational collection of stories by writers who share a Christian faith perspective contains short fiction, poetry, and personal experience articles, all of which provide hope and encouragement.

The contributing writers have held launch events at venues ranging from bookstores, public libraries, churches, and conferences to farmers’ markets, craft shows, summer camps, and apple harvest festivals. The authors are carrying out promotional events throughout autumn—the perfect season for relaxing with a heart-warming book while enjoying a cup of hot apple cider.

Michaels Family Books in Pickering, Ontario, has hosted a number of in-store events featuring readings by some of the Hot Apple Cider writers. Staff member Carrie Jeffrey says, “A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider is a warm, cozy read on a cold night. Filled with inspirational stories, both fiction and non-fiction, it is guaranteed to identify with readers of all ages. It is so refreshing to have a Canadian-authored book that all Canadians can be proud of! A Second Cup is a wonderful gift—just in time for the Christmas season!”

Everyone involved in the Hot Apple Cider anthology series is a member of The Word Guild, a national association of almost 400 Canadian writers and editors who are Christian. Editors N. J. Lindquist and Wendy Elaine Nelles co-founded this organization in 2001.

The first book in this groundbreaking series, Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stir the Heart and Warm the Soul, has nearly 45,000 copies in circulation. A Second Cup is well on its way to bestseller status as well.

Both books are published in Canada by That’s Life! Communications.

To download and print free Study Guides for individuals or groups, find out about author signings or readings in your area, or book one of the writers for your store, church, or discussion group, go to their website.

Go here to download the complete release.

Weekend Watch – Who’s That in Nova Scotia?

Appearances, Writing No Responses »

Oct 282011

What do frogs, blogs, "gleep" and Hot Apple Cider all have in common? Why, Janet Sketchley, of course!

Janet Sketchley at Miracles Christian Store in Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 22, 2011.

As a member for over eight years, Janet brings a wealth of expertise and affability to the guild. She's big on prayer and putting others first, and it's hard to spend any time with her (through reading her work, in person, by email or facebook) and not be reminded of Philippians 4:5 – Let your gentle spirit be known to all men (NAS).

I asked Janet if she'd be willing to share a little about herself and here's what she had to say:

"Gleep! … God nudged me into blogging with weekly devotionals, and one of the ways I know it was His doing is He's never missed a week in providing the insights for those posts. Sometimes they don't gel until late the night before, but I've learned not to panic. Then I started doing book reviews and discovered a secondary goal of raising awareness of Christian books, especially from Canadian authors. I must have caught that from hanging around in The Word Guild so long!

Something I haven't talked much about yet is that the artwork for my new blog, Speculative, Sporadic… and Slightly Odd is a bit of personal nostalgia. I used to draw these frogs in grade school. Had a big poster at one point, but it's long gone. Later, when my kids were small I made personalized frog birthday cards for family members. Now they're ba-a-ck…

My publishing credits are mostly personal experience, reviews and short fiction, and I'm pleased to have a true-life story in A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider with so many fine writers. I can't say enough good things about the editing process for this anthology–it was like having a personal writing class.

Behind the scenes, I've been working on novel-length Christian fiction for so long that my first characters are now old enough to drive (well, they would be if they'd actually been born instead of appearing in my brain). I've been getting some encouraging feedback on them and I hope one day to hold the printed copies in my hands."

To find out more about Janet's appearance in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia this weekend and other TWG appearances be sure to visit the Appearances page. We'll bring more Word Guild members to life in the weeks to come.

Something For Everyone This Week

Appearances No Responses »

Oct 222011

Eric E. Wright will be reading from his suspense novel, Captives of Minara, in Brighton on Sunday.

Girls get two nights out this week with author/speaker Grace Fox. If you can't get to Vernon, British Columbia Monday night, she'll be in Surrey on Wednesday.

Kim Burgsma will speak on "Discovering Your Backyard Eden" with moms and preschoolers on Tuesday.

And on Thursday, Heather Kendall will present "Understanding the Big Picture in the Bible" on an online webinar sponsored by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.

To keep up with appearances by your favourite Canadian authors be sure to check out the Appearances page.

Librarian Week of Events and More

Appearances No Responses »

Oct 172011

Join authors Judi Peers and Vilma Blenman for the Librarian Week of Events at Michael’s Bookstore in Pickering, Ontario, tonight at 7 p.m.

Then, on Wednesday, October 19, join N.J. Lindquist and Les Lindquist for more Librarian Week of Events at Michael’s Bookstore in Pickering, Ontario.

To find out about these and other events…

Like Sandra Orchard, speaking at the Lincoln Centre,

and Angelina Fast-Vlaar talking about "The Seasons of Life" at Fairview MB Church in St. Catherines, Ontario,

…see the Appearances page.

What’s Up For The Weekend

Appearances No Responses »

Oct 142011

This weekend, as leaves and temperatures are coming down, TWG members will be lighting up lives across the country (and border) with their words.

The dynamic duo of Adele Simmons and Bonnie Beldan-Thomson will share sips and Second Cups of Hot Apple Cider using singing, reading and story-telling in Campbellford, Ontario, this evening.

Author and Speaker, Connie Cavanaugh, will be talking about Following God One Yes at a Time at the Stillwood Camp and Retreat Centre Women's Weekend near Chilliwack, British Columbia.

Eric E. Wright will be signing and selling copies of his books during the Lions Art Show and Sale at East Northumberland Secondary School, Brighton, Ontario.

Heather Kendall will speak on "Understanding the Big Picture in the Bible," in Southbridge, Manitoba.

Author and speaker Barbara Ann Derksen will be signing her books while her husband blesses the congregation with a few special numbers at Open Range Fellowship Church, Lone Jack, Missouri.

And, George Slater will be speaking on the coincidences that led him to the stories of God's interventions in people's lives contained in his book, Along Comes God at Byron United Church in London, Ontario.

For details on all of these events and more, be sure to see the Appearances page.

Ladies’ Night Out in New Brunswick

Appearances No Responses »

Oct 122011

Join singer/songwriter Evangeline Inman and Women Who Worship for a Ladies' Night Out.

7 p.m. Thursday, October 13, at Sure Life Assembly, Nackawic, New Brunswick.

For more information about appearances by TWG members click on the Appearances tab above.

Memories of the Beach

Appearances No Responses »

Oct 072011

Join author, speaker and teacher Lorraine Williams for a presentation of Memories of the Beach: Reflections on a Toronto Childhood. She will be reading and showing pictures from the book at Markham Baptist Church, 110 Church Street, Markham, Ontario, on Wednesday, October 12.

Here's what Lorraine had to share about the book in an interview with Defining Canada:

In the Dirty Thirties, Toronto’s Beach community has somehow managed to distance itself from the rest of the city, and even from the world. This quirky and enchanted community provided a protective base of beauty and calm during the madness about to be unleashed by World War II. And in the process, it fostered the creative genius of a Glenn Gould, a Norman Jewison and a Doris McCarthy. In this first published memoir of growing up at the Beach, I detail life at the Beach in the ‘30’s and 40’s from the vantage point of my home – the only house directly abutting the boardwalk and situated on the former site of a popular and elegant amusement park. From my front veranda, the boardwalk served as a moving panorama of the history and distinct ambience of the Beach.

Read the full interview here.

For information on this event, or other happenings with TWG members, please check out the Appearances page.

Stay Tuned

Appearances No Responses »

Oct 012011

TWG members are up to everything under the sun these days–from book releases and signings, to appearances and radio interviews. Like this one on BlogTalkRadio coming up Thursday, October 6:

Eric E. Wright and Heather Kendall will be promoting Fellowship authors, introducing their books, and discussing the importance of church libraries with 2 other Fellowship Baptist authors on BlogTalkRadio.

Tune in at 2 p.m. or listen to it later from the archive.

Stop by often and catch the latest. Browse through the Appearances and Member News tabs on top. You may also want to know how to get in touch with us; who to hire to edit that bestseller you've been wanting to unleash on the world; or just find some good Canadian writing. It's all up there.

And stay tuned–we'll keep you posted on what we're up to.

Divine Orchestration

Appearances, Writing No Responses »

Apr 262011

In one of the emails Marguerite Cummings and I were bouncing back and forth while updating her speaking engagement, she happened to mention this:

I cannot get over the way that He has orchestrated so many events – I literally feel we are part of an orchestra, and that together we can play beautiful music, to His glory.

I thought—how apt. And, as anyone who is in any kind of musical production knows, not everyone has the same part. Some carry the melody while others tap out a steady beat. Some bring bass into the equation and others offset it in harmonious compliments that simply would not make any sense at all on their own.

While some rest, others exude every ounce of energy extending their very last breath farther than it can possibly go—and then it’s their turn to pause.

Some have a beat in almost every bar, and others may have just a few small parts in the whole piece. Some are so much in the background you don’t really know they’re there—but you would if they weren’t.

Marguerite is right. As writers with our own unique melodies, we bring our present, past and personalities into the jamboree. God made us all to sound and act differently, so that together we would be more than any of us could ever be on our own. And when we humbly bring our gifts and offerings to the production, He fine tunes them and puts them exactly where they belong.

We may not think our little part is making much of a difference, but God knows the symphony would not be the same without it.

Right now the Hot Apple Cider crew is orchestrating a grandioso event in full forte view, while others in The Word Guild are playing concertos. Some are applauding from the balcony and others are on their knees in the dressing room.

Wherever you may be while the music is playing, we would like to encourage you to press on and keep following His leading—as He sets the cadence and makes every performance worthy of an encore.

http://www.dreamstime.com/free-stock-photo-saxophone-rimagefree1899005-resi185162

Full Circle

Appearances, Writing No Responses »

Apr 162011

When Marguerite Cummings, praying mom to two beloved children, came to Canada from Europe—pregnant with her first child—little did she know her involvement with the first moms to greet her would take her down a prayer journey leading all the way back (twelve years later) to the same church and a burgeoning group of moms, to talk about her story in A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider.

If you're anywhere near Thornhill, Ontario, Tuesday morning (sorry guys–moms only), Marguerite will be sharing with The Moms Morning Out Group about her writing experiences, life as a 'praying mom,' and her involvement with A Second Cup. The rest of us will be able to read all about it in the book.

Childcare will be provided, as well as goodwill and a good time! You'll find directions to the church on the Appearances page.

Be sure to let us know where your next speaking engagement is taking you.

Older Entries

Where Two Paths Converge