MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO – She could hardly believe her ears. As an excerpt was being read from her book The Third Grace, Deb Elkink was both astonished and elated at being selected as the Grace Irwin Award winner at the 24th annual Canadian Christian Writing Awards gala. Elkink skipped to the podium to the delight of the 200-plus attendees gathered in the World Vision Canada auditorium. "I was shocked because I was a little disappointed, because I hadn’t won in the category in which I’d been listed," says Elkink – who’d received an Award of Merit in the Novel-Contemporary category. "I’m absolutely delighted." The $5,000.00 award – donated by John W. and Eleanor Irwin – represents Canada’s largest literary award for writers who are Christian. It recognizes the best book published during the previous year. This year, five of the 53 books entered were shortlisted for the Grace Irwin Award: Deb Elkink, The Third Grace; Erin E. M. Hatton, Otherworld; Greg Paul, Close Enough to Hear God Breathe; Jayne E. Self, Murder in Hum Harbour; and Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts. Greg Paul and Jayne E. Self each received an Honourable Mention. "The decision was difficult," says Ray Wiseman, one of the judges for the Irwin Award. "I found consistently better writing than I encountered in judging previous awards programs. The characters came alive and stepped from the pages; the metaphors dazzled me with their literary creativity in both fiction and nonfiction." The annual writing awards, sponsored by The Word Guild, celebrate the best in Canadian writing in periodicals, anthologies, and books by authors who write from a Christian worldview. These awards have been given since 1988, when they were known as The God Uses Ink Awards. This year, 360 entries were received for 35 different categories, from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Submissions from Canadians living in the United States and Uganda were also entered. Elmer Thiessen of Waterloo, Ontario, won in two categories – Apologetics/Evangelism and Culture – and received an Award of Merit in the Academic category for his book The Ethics of Evangelism: A Philosophical Defense of Proselytizing and Persuasion. Wendy Nelles, co-founder of The Word Guild, won top prize in Article-Inspirational/Devotional and Awards of Merit in Article/Long Feature and Article/Profile/Human Interest for her article "Soulmates" in the popular anthology A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider. Notable among the awards is that sixteen articles from A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider were shortlisted and nine of these won either first prize or an award of merit. The night culminated with the presentation of the Leslie K Tarr Award for Lifetime Achievement to Jean Vanier, author of nearly 30 books, including the classic Becoming Human, and the founder of L’Arche communities worldwide. During his presentation Pat Chown, partner in Foundation Distributing Inc. – the award sponsor – remarked: "’Ethos,’ meaning the character or trustworthiness of the source, is one of three elements listed by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle as key to persuasive writing. If that is the case, it explains the profound influence of the writings of Jean Vanier. He writes from his life experience; out of weakness and as a fellow student, with honesty and authenticity." Many of the finalists and guests at the celebration, along with others from across Canada, are meeting from June 14-16 at the 28th annual Write! Canada conference in Guelph – Canada’s largest conference for writers who are Christian. Media: for more information or photos, contact Mary Ann Benjamins at awards@thewordguild.com WINNERS LIST: THE WORD GUILD 2012 CANADIAN CHRISTIAN WRITING AWARDS The Grace Irwin Award Sponsor: John and Eleanor Irwin The Grace Irwin Award is Canada’s largest literary prize for writers who are Christian. It celebrates the best book published in 2011 by a Canadian author who writes from a Christian worldview. Winner: Deb Elkink of Elkwater, Alta. for The Third Grace (Greenbrier Book Company) Honourable Mention: Greg Paul of Toronto for Close Enough to Hear God Breathe (Thomas Nelson) Jayne E. Self of Orangeville, Ont. for Murder in Hum Harbour (Harbourlight Books/Pelican Ventures) The Leslie K. Tarr Award Sponsor: Foundation Distributing Inc. Named in honour of its first recipient, the late Leslie K. Tarr, a Toronto journalist, editor, and teacher, the Tarr Award celebrates a major career contribution to Christian writing and publishing in Canada. Recipient: Jean Vanier The Word Guild Awards Winners and Awards of Merit in The Word Guild’s 2012 Canadian Christian Writing Awards BOOKS NONFICTION Book – Academic Winner – Craig G. Bartholomew of Hamilton, Ont. for Where Mortals Dwell: A Christian View of Place for Today (Baker Academic) Award of Merit – Hans Boersma of Langley, B.C. for Heavenly Participation: The Weaving of a Sacramental Tapestry (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.) Award of Merit – Elmer John Thiessen of Waterloo, Ont. for The Ethics of Evangelism: A Philosophical Defense of Proselytizing and Persuasion (IVP Academic) Award of Merit – Brian J. Walsh of Cameron, Ont. for Kicking at the Darkness: Bruce Cockburn and the Christian Imagination (Brazos Press/Baker Books) Book – Apologetics/Evangelism Winner – Elmer John Thiessen of Waterloo, Ont. for The Ethics of Evangelism: A Philosophical Defense of Proselytizing and Persuasion (IVP Academic) Book – Biblical Studies Winner – Douglas Farrow of Montreal for Ascension Theology (Continuum International Publishing Company) Book – Christian Leadership Winner – Ted Hull of Winnipeg for A Guide to Governing Charities: Success in the Boardroom Starts with Asking the Right Questions (Word Alive Press) Book – Christian Living Winner – Greg Paul of Toronto for Close Enough to Hear God Breathe (Thomas Nelson) Book – Culture Winner – Elmer John Thiessen of Waterloo, Ont. for The Ethics of Evangelism: A Philosophical Defense of Proselytizing and Persuasion (IVP Academic) Award of Merit – John P. Bowen of Hamilton, Ont. for The Missionary Letters of Vincent Donovan 1957-1973 (Pickwick Publications/Wipf and Stock Publishers) Award of Merit – Carla Anne Coroy of Steinbach, Man. for Married Mom, Solo Parent: Finding God’s Strength to Face the Challenge (Kregel Publications) Book – Inspirational/Devotional Winner (Tie) – George Slater of Caledon, Ont. for Along Comes God: Miracles in Everyday Life (Ambassador International) Winner (Tie) – Ann Voskamp of Gowenstown, Ont. for One Thousand Gifts (Zondervan) Award of Merit – Sherri Hildebrandt of Landmark, Man. for More than Enough: My Breast Cancer Story (Word Alive Press) Book – Instructional Winner – Natalie A. Gidney of Weymouth, N.S. for Spiritual Training 101 (Essence Publishing) Book – Life Stories Winner – Jacob Braun of St. Catharines, Ont. for Long Road to Freedom: The Riveting Story of a Young Boy Who Lived Under Communism in Russia (Word Alive Press) Award of Merit – Ann Griffiths of Abbotsford, B.C. for Grandma’s Fingerprint: Love a Child. Change a Life. (WinePress Publishing) Award of Merit – Davey and Marie Jank of Owen Sound, Ont. for Our Witchdoctors Are Too Weak: The Rebirth of an Amazon Tribe (Monarch Books/Lion Hudson) Book – Relationships Winner – Joseph Byrne of LaSalle, Ont. for Called Home: Our Inspiration, Jim Mahon (Volumes) Award of Merit – Carla Anne Coroy of Steinbach, Man. for Married Mom, Solo Parent: Finding God’s Strength to Face the Challenge (Kregel Publications) Book – Special Winner – Kim Burgsma of Goderich, Ont. for Almost Eden: Designing Gardens in Relation to Creation (Word Alive Press) Award of Merit – Sally Ito of Winnipeg for Alert to Glory (Turnstone Press) NOVELS Contemporary Winner – Hugh Cook of Hamilton, Ont. for Heron River (Mosaic Press) Award of Merit – Deb Elkink of Elkwater, Alta. for The Third Grace (Greenbrier Book Company) Award of Merit – Caroline Way of Hamilton, Ont. for Confessions From a Farmer’s Wife (Greenbrier Book Company) Futuristic/Fantasy Winner – Mike Mason of Langley, B.C. for The Violet Flash (David C Cook) Historical Winner – Murray Andrew Pura of Pincher Creek, Alta. for The White Birds of Morning (Windhover Marsh/Clements Publishing) Mystery/Suspense Winner – Jayne E. Self of Orangeville, Ont. for Murder in Hum Harbour (Harbourlight Books/Pelican Ventures) Romance Winner – Sandra Orchard of Fenwick, Ont. for Deep Cover (Harlequin Love Inspired) OTHER Book – Children Winner – Brian Cretney of St. Catharines, Ont. for Tooter’s Stinky Wish (Fitzhenry & Whiteside) Award of Merit – Connie Brummel Crook ofPeterborough, Ont. for Flight (Fitzhenry & Whiteside) Award of Merit – Jenn Kelly of Carleton Place, Ont. for Jackson Jones: The Tale of a Boy, a Troll, and a Rather Large Chicken (Zondervan) Book – General Readership Winner (Tie) – Don Davis of Owen Sound, Ont. for Charlie’s Quest (FriesenPress) Winner (Tie) – George Slater of Caledon, Ont. for Along Comes God: Miracles in Everyday Life (Ambassador International) Award of Merit – Donna Lea Dyck of Toronto for Confessions of a Not-So-Average Girl (Word Alive Press) Book – Young Adult Winner – T. M. Wallace of Whitby, Ont. for Under a Fairy Moon (Brownridge Publishing) Award of Merit – Mike Mason of Langley, B.C. for The Violet Flash (David C Cook) ARTICLE, POETRY, SONG LYRIC AND SCRIPT CATEGORIES NONFICTION Article – Column (Series) Winner – Carolyn Arends of Surrey, B.C. for "Satan’s a Goner" and "Going Down Singing" (Christianity Today) Award of Merit – John G. Stackhouse Jr. of Vancouver for "Get Out the Chequebook" and "Listening to the New Atheists" (Faith Today) Article – Column (Single) Winner – Thomas Froese of Kampala, Uganda for "It’s Not About Me" (ChristianWeek) Award of Merit – Thomas Froese of Kampala, Uganda for "Living in God’s Mercy" (ChristianWeek) Article – Inspirational/Devotional Winner – Wendy Elaine Nelles of Toronto for "Soulmates" (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology) Award of Merit – Marguerite Cummings of Toronto for "O Canada"(A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology) Article – Long Feature Winner – Maxine Hancock of Vancouver for "Remembering Margaret Avison/Margaret Avison Remembering" (CRUX) Award of Merit – Wendy Elaine Nelles of Toronto for "Soulmates" (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology) Article – News Winner – Lisa Hall-Wilson of London, Ont. for "Crisis in the Horn of Africa" (testimony) Award of Merit – Lisa Hall-Wilson of London, Ont. and Marcy Kennedy of Wallaceburg, Ont. for "Haiti: One Year Later" (Faith Today) Article – Personal Experience Winner (Tie) – Angelina Fast-Vlaar of St. Catharines, Ont. for "Forgiven" (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology) Winner (Tie) – Adele Simmons of Whitby, Ont. for "Charlie" (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology) Award of Merit – Evangeline Inman of Fredericton for "Live Life to the Full" (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology) Award of Merit – Ron Powell of Edmonton for "Distracted" (testimony) Article – Profile/Human Interest Winner (Tie) – Drew Dyck of Carol Stream, Ill. for "The Global Disciple" (Faith Today) Winner (Tie) – Angelina Fast-Vlaar of St. Catharines, Ont. "Forgiven" (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology) Award of Merit – Glynis M. Belec of Drayton, Ont. for "On Being Still and Knowing" (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology) Award of Merit – Wendy Elaine Nelles of Toronto for "Soulmates" (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology) Award of Merit – Adele Simmons of Whitby, Ont. for "The Bulletin Board" (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology) Article – Review Winner (Tie) – Kurt Armstrong of Winnipeg for "The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr"(Paste Magazine) Winner (Tie) – Jeffery K. Clarke of Brantford, Ont. for "What’s the Plan? The Adjustment Bureau and the Question of Free Will" (testimony) Article – Short Feature Winner – Eleanor Shepherd of Pointe Claire, Que. for "The Mosaic" (The Breakthrough Intercessor) Award of Merit – Marcy Kennedy of Wallaceburg, Ont. for "Is There Harm in Harry?" (testimony) SHORT FEATURE AND OTHER Article – Blog Series Winner – Marcia Laycock of Blackfalds, Alta. for "Ordinarily" and "Clinging to the Rock"(www.caringbridge.org/visit/marcialaycock) Award of Merit – Marcy Kennedy of Wallaceburg, Ont. for "Who’s Your Unicorn?" and "What Are You Willing to Do for Love?" (www.marcykennedy.com) Article – Children and Young Adult Winner – Kathleen Mosey of Fergus, Ont. for "The First Christmas Angel" (Echoes from the Hill Top Anthology) Article – General Readership Winner – M. D. Meyer of Norway House, Man. for "Bannock and Sweet Tea" (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology) Award of Merit – Bonnie Beldan-Thomson of Pickering, Ont. for "Love in the Ice and Snow" (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology) Award of Merit – Thomas Froese of Kampala, Uganda for "And Lo! A Child Is Saved from a Brutal Death" (The Hamilton Spectator) Article – Short Story Winner – M. D. Meyer of Norway House, Man. for "Bannock and Sweet Tea" (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology) Poetry Winner – Lance Odegard of Vancouver for "Ark" (CRUX) Song Lyrics Winner – Donna Fawcett of St. Marys, Ont. for "Heaven’s Light" (Donna Fawcett) Scripts and Screenplays Winner – Jack Dueck of Waterloo, Ont. for "Mysteries of Grace & Judgement" (Jack Dueck) Note: Although A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider anthology was published in 2011, the book itself was not entered because of its close ties to the leadership of The Word Guild. Individual authors, however, were free to enter their chapters in appropriate Article categories. ABOUT THE WORD GUILD The Word Guild is a growing team of more than 325 Canadian writers, editors, speakers, publishers, booksellers, librarians and other interested individuals who are Christian. From all parts of Canada and many denominational and cultural backgrounds, they are united in their common passion to positively influence individuals – and ultimately the Canadian culture – through life-changing words that bring God’s message of hope. The Word Guild encourages the exploration of God-given gifts and talents; provides opportunities for people to work together; and fosters excellence in the art, craft, practice and ministry of writing, editing and speaking. In addition to Write! Canada, its annual flagship event, The Word Guild sponsors a number of awards programs for published and unpublished writers, including Canada’s largest literary prize for writers who are Christian, the $5,000 Grace Irwin Award. It also holds an annual black-tie writing awards gala in Toronto, and regional Write! events in locations such as Vancouver, Winnipeg, Halifax, Montreal, and London, Ontario. Three categories of membership, renewed yearly, are available: professional writers and editors; associate members, who are beginning to put together a body of published work; and affiliates working in publishing, bookselling, libraries, etc. Membership benefits include discounted rates for Write! Canada. More information at www.thewordguild.com Media: For photos or more information, email Judy Bingley, The Word Guild Administrative Assistant, at info [at] thewordguild [dot] com. | 