TORONTO—On June 13, The Word Guild will present Canada’s top Christian writing awards for 2012, rewarding the best in Christian writing during 2011. Awards Administrator Mary Ann Benjamins reports a record of almost 360 submissions—up more than one hundred over last year!

Entries in the 35 award categories included non-fiction books, novels, articles, columns, blogs, poems, and scripts and screen plays. The article categories proved most popular, attracting a record 199 entries, with book categories not far behind at 158.

The quality of entries remains high. Audrey Dorsch, a judge in one of the book categories, remarked, “It was very difficult to choose among the top three in the category—but that sort of difficulty says a lot about the calibre of books entered.” 

On the shortlist appear the names of several new finalists, Ann Voskamp of Gowenstown, Ontario, whose New York Times bestselling book One Thousand Gifts (Zondervan) is short-listed in the Inspirational/Devotional category, and Elmer John Thiessen of Waterloo, Ontario, whose book The Ethics of Evangelism: A Philosophical Defense of Proselytizing and Persuasion (IVP Academic) is shortlisted in three categories—Academic, Apologetics, and Culture.

Some familiar names return to the shortlist again this year. Former winner Connie Brummel Crook of Peterborough, Ontario, whose book Flight (Fitzhenry & Whiteside) is listed for three categories—Children, Young Adult, and Historical; and Douglas Farrow of Montreal, whose book Ascension Theology (Continuum International Publishing Company) is shortlisted in the Biblical Studies category.

John G. Stackhouse Jr. of Vancouver, writer for Faith Today, is shortlisted in the  Column—Series category for “Get Out the Chequebook” and “Listening to the New Atheists” (Faith Today). And Lance Odegard of Vancouver is shortlisted in the Poetry category for his poem “Ark” (CRUX).

Finalists are distributed across eight provinces. British Columbia writers account for 47 finalist placements; Alberta, 23; Saskatchewan, 3; Manitoba, 32; Ontario, 226; Quebec, 5; New Brunswick, 3; and Nova Scotia, 8. Canadians living in the US and Africa 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 2012 Awards Gala in Mississauga, Ontario, on Wednesday evening, June 13.

“We were surprised and delighted by the number of entries,” said Managing Director Denise Rumble. “A big thank you to our judges, who stepped up as the number of entries swelled to record numbers. We appreciate them for handling the additional work and promptly submitting their marks and comments. This facilitated getting the shortlist out in a timely manner and it will give entrants time to make plans to attend the Gala in June.”

A highlight of the evening will be the third annual presentation of the Grace Irwin Award. 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 2011 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 evening will also see the presentation of another key award: the Leslie K. Tarr Award for career achievement.

The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards Gala will be held at the World Vision headquarters, 1 World Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. The event is open to the general public. Tickets available at the door for $20.00, and online. 

Following the gala 250 writers, editors, agents, and publishers will meet in Guelph, Ontario, from June 14 to 16 for Canada’s largest Christian writers’ conference, Write! Canada www.writecanada.org, 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.

ABOUT THE WORD GUILD CANADIAN CHRISTIAN WRITING AWARDS

The awards are sponsored by The Word Guild, a national association with the mandate of connecting, developing and promoting Canadian writers and editors who are Christian. Formerly known as The God Uses Ink Awards, these writing prizes have been awarded annually since 1988. The Word Guild assumed responsibility for the awards in 2002, revamping and expanding the program from its original eight categories to the current 35.

The contest is open to all eligible writers who have Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status, and is not restricted to members of The Word Guild. All entrants are asked to affirm The Apostles’ Creed as a condition of acceptance. The opinions and viewpoints expressed in the shortlisted and winning works represent the authors’ personal beliefs and are not necessarily endorsed by The Word Guild.

During the judging process the judges looked for underlying evidence that the writer’s Christian worldview informed and influenced the writing. Entries were judged according to excellence of writing; impact (the inspirational or informational value); suitability to target audience; originality and freshness of style.

Businesses, organizations or individuals who would like to provide concrete support and encouragement to Canadian writers who are Christian are welcome to inquire about the benefits of awards sponsorships. Charitable tax receipts are available. Sponsorship opportunities may be seen at www.canadianchristianwritingawards.com/become-a-sponsor.

SHORTLIST OF FINALISTS

THE WORD GUILD 2012 CANADIAN CHRISTIAN WRITING AWARDS

Books

Book—Academic

• Craig G. Bartholomew of Hamilton, Ont. for Where Mortals Dwell: A Christian View of Place for Today (Baker Academic)
• Hans Boersma of Langley, B.C. for Heavenly Participation: The Weaving of a Sacramental Tapestry (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)
• Elmer John Thiessen of Waterloo, Ont. for The Ethics of Evangelism: A Philosophical Defense of Proselytizing and Persuasion (IVP Academic)
• Brian J. Walsh of Cameron, Ont. for Kicking at the Darkness: Bruce Cockburn and the Christian Imagination (Brazos Press/Baker Books)
• Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld of Waterloo, Ont. for Killing Enmity: Violence and the New Testament (Baker Academic)

Book—Apologetics

• Paul Flaman of Edmonton for Homosexuality and Following Jesus (BPS Books)
• Michael W. Goheen of Langley, B.C. for A Light to the Nations: The Missional Church and the Biblical Story (Baker Academic)
• Elmer John Thiessen of Waterloo, Ont. for The Ethics of Evangelism: A Philosophical Defense of Proselytizing and Persuasion (IVP Academic)

Book—Biblical Studies

• Douglas Farrow of Montreal for Ascension Theology (Continuum International Publishing Company)
• Karen Henein of King City, Ont. for Seeking the Truth About Money (Word Alive Press)

Book—Children

• Connie Brummel Crook of Peterborough, Ont. for Flight (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)             
• Brian Cretney of St. Catharines, Ont. for Tooter’s Stinky Wish (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)
• Jenn Kelly of Carleton Place, Ont. for Jackson Jones: The Tale of a Boy, a Troll, and a Rather Large Chicken (Zondervan)

Book—Christian Living

• Greg Paul of Toronto for Close Enough To Hear God Breathe (Thomas Nelson)
• Sam Tita of Bradford, Ont. for Deciding to Know God in a Deeper Way: Be Arrested by His Grace (Castle Quay Books)
• Robert White of Guelph, Ont. for Chasing the Wind (Word Alive Press)

Book—Christian Leadership

• Bryan Norford of Lethbridge, Alta. for Gone with the Spirit: Tracking the Holy Spirit Through the Bible (Word Alive Press)
• Ted Hull of Winnipeg for A Guide to Governing Charities: Success in the Boardroom Starts with Asking the Right Questions (Word Alive Press)
• Dr. Carson Pue of Vancouver for Mentoring Wisdom: Living and Leading Well (Castle Quay Books)

Book—Culture

• John P. Bowen of Hamilton, Ont. for The Missionary Letters of Vincent Donovan 1957-1973 (Pickwick Publications/Wipf and Stock Publishers)
• Carla Anne Coroy of Steinbach, Man. for Married Mom, Solo Parent: Finding God’s Strength to Face the Challenge (Kregel Publications)
• Elmer John Thiessen of Waterloo, Ont. for The Ethics of Evangelism: A Philosophical Defense of Proselytizing and Persuasion (IVP Academic)

Book—General Readership

• Don Davis of Owen Sound, Ont. for Charlie’s Quest (FriesenPress)
• Donna Lea Dyck of Toronto for Confessions of a Not-So-Average Girl (Word Alive Press)
• M. D. Meyer of Norway House, Man. for Lewis: The Group – Week Two (Word Alive Press)
• Paul Moylan of Ottawa for Camino de Santiago: Fingerprints of God (Tate Publishing & Enterprises)
• George Slater of Caledon, Ont. for Along Comes God: Miracles in Everyday Life (Ambassador International)

Book—Inspirational/Devotional

• Carla Anne Coroy of Steinbach, Man. for Married Mom, Solo Parent: Finding God’s Strength to Face the Challenge (Kregel Publications)
• Sherri Hildebrandt of Landmark, Man. for More than Enough: My Breast Cancer Story (Word Alive Press)
• Cathaleen Mogus of Richmond, B.C. for Dare To Dance Again: Steps from the Psalms When Life Trips You Up (Trafford Publishing)
• George Slater of Caledon, Ont. for Along Comes God: Miracles in Everyday Life (Ambassador International)
• Ann Voskamp of Gowenstown, Ont. for One Thousand Gifts (Zondervan)
• Robert White of Guelph, Ont. for Chasing the Wind (Word Alive Press)

Book—Life Stories

• John P. Bowen of Hamilton, Ont. for The Missionary Letters of Vincent Donovan 1957-1973 (Pickwick Publications/Wipf and Stock Publishers)
• 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)
• Ann Griffiths of Abbotsford, B.C. for Grandma’s Fingerprint: Love a Child. Change a Life (WinePress Publishing)
• Davey and Marie Jank of Owen Sound, Ont. for Our Witchdoctors Are Too Weak: The Rebirth of an Amazon Tribe (Monarch Books/Lion Hudson)
• Sharla Kostelyk of Sherwood Park, Alta. for That These Two Will Live (Word Alive Press)
• Paul Moylan of Ottawa for Camino de Santiago: Fingerprints of God (Tate Publishing & Enterprises)
• Carolyn Wilker of Kitchener, Ont. for Once Upon a Sandbox (Hidden Brook Press)

Book—Relationship

• Joseph Byrne of LaSalle, Ont. for Called Home: Our Inspiration, Jim Mahon (Volumes)
• Carla Anne Coroy of Steinbach, Man. for Married Mom, Solo Parent: Finding God’s Strength to Face the Challenge (Kregel Publications)
• Ricki ten Hove of Grande Pointe, Man. and Linda Klippenstein of Niverville, Man. for Is He the Guy? A No-Nonsense Relationship Test from a Christian Perspective (Tenstone Publishing)

Book—Special

• Sally Ito of Winnipeg for Alert to Glory (Turnstone Press)
• Kim Burgsma of Goderich, Ont. for Almost Eden: Designing Gardens in Relation to Creation (Word Alive Press)

Book—Young Adult

• Beverley Boissery of Vancouver for The Convict’s Thumbprint (Wesbrook Bay Books)
• Connie Brummel Crook of Peterborough, Ont. for Flight (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)
• Donna Lea Dyck of Toronto for Confessions of a Not-So-Average Girl (Word Alive Press)
• Mike Mason of Langley, B.C. for The Violet Flash: A Novel (David C Cook)
• M. D. Meyer of Norway House, Man. for Lewis: The Group – Week Two (Word Alive Press)
• T. M. Wallace of Whitby, Ont. for Under a Fairy Moon (Brownridge Publishing)

Novel—Contemporary

• Hugh Cook of Hamilton, Ont. for Heron River: A Novel (Mosaic Press)
• Deb Elkink of Elkwater, Alta. for The Third Grace: A Novel (Greenbrier Book Company)
• M. D. Meyer of Norway House, Man. for Joshua: The Group – Week Three (Word Alive Press)
• M. D. Meyer of Norway House, Man. for Lewis: The Group – Week Two (Word Alive Press)
• Caroline Way of Hamilton, Ont. for Confessions from a Farmer’s Wife (Greenbrier Book Company)

Novel—Futuristic

• Shireen Jeejeebhoy of Toronto for She: A Fantasy (SA Jeejeebhoy)
• Mike Mason of Langley, B.C. for The Violet Flash: A Novel (David C Cook)

Novel—Historical

• Connie Brummel Crook of Peterborough, Ont. for Flight (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)
• Stephen Porter of Tracy, N.B. for Stone Cold Joe (Word Alive Press)
• Murray Andrew Pura of Pincher Creek, Alta. for The White Birds of Morning (Windhover Marsh/Clements Publishing)

Novel—Mystery

• Sara Davison of Orillia, Ont. for The Watcher: Even the Watcher is Being Watched (Word Alive Press)
• Jayne E. Self of Orangeville, Ont. for Murder in Hum Harbour (Harbourlight Books/Pelican Ventures)

Novel—Romance

• Erin E. M. Hatton of Barrie, Ont. for Otherworld (Word Alive Press)
• M. D. Meyer of Norway House, Man. for Lewis: The Group – Week Two (Word Alive Press)
• Sandra Orchard of Fenwick, Ont. for Deep Cover (Harlequin Love Inspired)
• J. A. Taylor of Vancouver for One Last Wave (Word Alive Press)
• Caroline Way of Hamilton, Ont. for Confessions from a Farmer’s Wife: A Novel (Greenbrier Book Company)

ARTICLE, POETRY, SONG LYRIC AND SCRIPT CATEGORIES

Article—Blog Series

• Glynis M. Belec of Drayton, Ont. for “Marine Motivation” and “On Being Thankful – A Perspective about Attitude” (www.glynis-myjourney.blogspot.com)
• Lisa Hall-Wilson of London, Ont. for “Why I Hate Christmas” and “Ceiling Mirrors and Faux Fur” (www.lisahallwilson.com)
• Marcy Kennedy of Wallaceburg, Ont. for “Who’s Your Unicorn?” and “What Are You Willing to Do for Love?” (www.marcykennedy.com)
• Marcia Laycock of Blackfalds, Alta. for “Ordinarily” and “Clinging to the Rock” (www.caringbridge.org/visit/marcialaycock)             
• Violet Nesdoly of Langley, B.C. for "When Mothers Arise" and "A Sanctified Imagination" (www.otherfood-devos.com)
• Sharon              Osvald of Brighton, Ont. for “The Reluctant Visitor” and “Pushing Past the Guilt and Worry” (www.mymotherscaregiver.com)
• Brenda Visser of Athens, Ont. for “Mud-alicious!” and “Quilt Therapy” (www.brendavisser.wordpress.com)             
• Brian J. Walsh of Cameron, Ont. for "Prayers for an Election" and "What Michael Ignatieff Should Have Said" (www.empireremixed.com)
• Carolyn Watts of Vancouver for “When You’re Ashamed of the Mess” and “When You Long for Fullness” (www.hearingtheheartbeat.com)
• Kevin Weeks of St. Catharines, Ont. for “The Response of the Redeemed: Reflecting on the Death of Osama bin Laden” and “The End of the World is Coming . . . Again” (www.kevinweeks.blog.com)

Article—General Readership

• Bonnie Beldan-Thomson of Pickering, Ont. for “Love in the Ice and Snow” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Vilma Blenman of Pickering, Ont. for “Lost: One Green Scarf” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Donna Fawcett of St. Marys, Ont. for “A Glimpse of Heaven” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Thomas Froese of Kampala, Uganda for “And Lo! A Child Is Saved from a Brutal Death” (The Hamilton Spectator)
• Ron Hughes of Smithville, Ont. for “Mrs. Onley’s Funeral” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• M. D. Meyer of Norway House, Man. for “Bannock and Sweet Tea” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Wendy Elaine Nelles of Toronto for “Soulmates” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Adele Simmons of Whitby, Ont. for “Charlie” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Article—Inspirational/Devotional

• Glynis M. Belec of Drayton, Ont. for “On Being Still and Knowing” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Mary Bentley-Lloyd of Fergus, Ont. for “Tea Shop Memoirs: Annabelle and Stewart” (Echoes from the Hilltop Anthology)             
• Marguerite Cummings of Toronto for “O Canada” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Jack Dueck of Waterloo, Ont. for “An Entrepreneur for All Seasons” (The Marketplace)
• Angelina Fast-Vlaar of St. Catharines, Ont. for “Forgiven” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)             
• Evangeline Inman of Fredericton for “Live Life to the Full” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Rose McCormick Brandon of Caledonia, Ont. for “Guiding Light” (testimony)
• Wendy Elaine Nelles of Toronto for “Soulmates” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Gloria V. Phillips of Collingwood, Ont. for “Seeing the Heart of God” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Rose Scott of Surrey, B.C. for “Faith Like Daffodils” (The Light Magazine)
• Terrie Todd of Portage la Prairie, Man. for “Driving Miss Terrie” (Central Plains Herald-Leader)
• Eleanor Shepherd of Pointe Claire, Que. for “The Mosaic” (The Breakthrough Intercessor)

Article—Long Feature

• Maxine Hancock of Vancouver for “Aging as a Stage of the Heroic Pilgrimage of Faith” (CRUX)
• Maxine Hancock of Vancouver for “Remembering Margaret Avison/Margaret Avison Remembering” (CRUX)
• Renée James of Toronto for “The Bodies in My Head” (Faith Today)
• Wendy Elaine Nelles of Toronto for “Soulmates” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Alex Newman of Saskatoon, Sask. for “Young, Female — and Pro-Life” (Tapestry)
• Karen Stiller of Port Perry, Ont. for “Can We Help to Break the Chains?” (Faith Today)
• Monica Westerholm of Vancouver for “Beautiful Inadequacy: Examining Augustine’s Use of Words” (CRUX)

Article—News

• Lisa Hall-Wilson of London, Ont. for “A Question of Modesty” (testimony)
• Lisa Hall-Wilson of London, Ont. for “Crisis in the Horn of Africa” (testimony)
• Lisa Hall-Wilson of London, Ont. and Marcy Kennedy of Wallaceburg, Ont. for “Haiti: One Year Later” (Faith Today)
• Megan Radford of Toronto for “A Time to Heal” (testimony)
• Don Ranney of Arthur, Ont. for “Snakes that Never Die” (Echoes from the Hilltop Anthology)             
• Don Ranney of Arthur, Ont. for “Who Invented CPR?” (Echoes from the Hilltop Anthology)             

Article—Personal Experience

• Glynis M. Belec of Drayton, Ont. for “On Being Still and Knowing” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Angelina Fast-Vlaar of St. Catharines, Ont. for “Forgiven” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Donna Fawcett of St. Marys, Ont. for “A Glimpse of Heaven” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Evangeline Inman of Fredericton for “Live Life to the Full” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Kimberley Payne of Millbrook, Ont. for “Should Christians Do Yoga?” (The Christian Herald)
• Kimberley Payne of Millbrook, Ont. for “A Personal Makeover—Inside and Out” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Ron Powell of Edmonton for “Distracted” (testimony)
• Adele Simmons of Whitby, Ont. for “Charlie” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Ruth Smith Meyer of Listowel, Ont. for “Chrysalis: Life in the Making” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Article—Review

• Kurt Armstrong of Winnipeg for “The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr” (Paste Magazine)
• Jeffery K. Clarke of Brantford, Ont. for “What’s the Plan? The Adjustment Bureau and the Question of Free Will” (testimony)

Article—Profile

• Glynis M. Belec of Drayton, Ont. for “On Being Still and Knowing” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Drew Dyck of Carol Stream, Ill. for “The Global Disciple” (Faith Today)
• Angelina Fast-Vlaar of St. Catharines, Ont. “Forgiven” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Wendy Elaine Nelles of Toronto for “Soulmates” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Adele Simmons of Whitby, Ont. for “The Bulletin Board” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Article—Short Feature

• Rose McCormick Brandon of Caledonia, Ont. for “The Spirit-filled Life: More than a One-time Experience” (testimony)
• Eleanor Shepherd of Pointe Claire, Que. for “The Mosaic” (The Breakthrough Intercessor)
• Marcy Kennedy of Wallaceburg, Ont. for “The Black Dog of Depression” (testimony)
• Marcy Kennedy of Wallaceburg, Ont. for “Is There Harm in Harry?” (testimony)

Article—Short Story

• N. J. Lindquist of Markham, Ont. for “Twenty-five Years Later” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• M. D. Meyer of Norway House, Man. for “Bannock and Sweet Tea” (A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider Anthology)
• Terrie Todd of Portage la Prairie, Man. for “Dorothy’s Carol” (Central Plains Herald-Leader)

Column—Single

• Fred Ash of Barrie, Ont. for “The Flea and the Elephant” (Salvationist)
• Deborah Bowen of Hamilton, Ont. for "What’s the Use of Stories That Aren’t Even True?" (Comment Magazine)
• Deborah Bowen of Hamilton, Ont. for “Why Bother with the Humanities in a Time of Crisis?” (Comment Magazine)
• Thomas Froese of Kampala, Uganda for “Power of Prayer Challenges the Impossible” (ChristianWeek)
• Thomas Froese of Kampala, Uganda for “It’s Not About Me” (ChristianWeek)
• Thomas Froese of Kampala, Uganda for “Living in God’s Mercy” (ChristianWeek)

Column—Series

• Carolyn Arends of Surrey, B.C. for “Satan’s a Goner” and “Going Down Singing” (Christianity Today)
• James A. Beverley of Pickering, Ont. for “The Norwegian Terrorist” and “No Avoiding Hellgate Controversy” (Faith Today)
• Thomas Froese of Kampala, Uganda for “Hands Across the Oceans” and “Don’t Listen to the Voices” (Hamilton Spectator)
• John G. Stackhouse, Jr. of Vancouver for “Get Out the Chequebook” and “Listening to the New Atheists” (Faith Today)

Poetry

• Bonnie Beldan-Thomson of Ajax, Ont. for “The Gathering” (Piquant Press)
• Violet Nesdoly of Langley, B.C. for “How the Natal Star was Born” (Your Daily Poem)
• Lance Odegard of Vancouver for “Ark” (CRUX)

Additional Categories:

Awards will be presented on June 13th to the winners of four categories for which there are no shortlists of finalists: Book—Instructional; Article—Children/Young Adult; Song Lyrics; Scripts and Screenplays.

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.