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Biggest Launch Ever of a Canadian Christian Book

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.