The Word Guild Awards Honor the Best of Canadian Christian Writing
TORONTO, ON — On June 13, 2020 Canada’s Word Guild held their 32nd Annual Awards presentation in an online event streamed through Facebook and YouTube. Honoring Canadian Christian literary excellence, the event was co-hosted by Soul H2O host, author, blogger and awards coordinator Sherry Stahl, alongside best-selling author, speaker and missionary Joe Amaral.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the annual Gala was cancelled, so the 2020 Celebration was a pre-recorded video. However, what some feared to be a negative, proved to be a huge success—the online presentation meant that people could watch from around the globe, providing greater promotion for Canadian Christian writers on the list.
“This year’s awards celebration was an amazing event,” noted Stahl. “Canadians globally cheered on their favorite authors from the comfort of their own home.”
Awards were given out in 56 categories from the short list of novelists, bloggers, columnists, apologists, theologians, and songwriters reaching both Christian and mainstream audiences.
Below are the winners in the Christian fiction categories.
CONTEMPORARY
The Red Journal
The Mosaic Collection
Deb Elkink
Rolled Scroll Press
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Exotic destinations—or a home of her own?
Flirty globetrotter Sybil badgers her friend Libby to travel along in seeking out the world’s “sacred places”—a monastery in Japan, a mountaintop in Africa, a mosque in Istanbul. Her footloose wandering far from family values costs her more than money. But Libby can’t afford to travel, and she’s plagued by a different kind of restlessness.
Grieving the recent death of the grandmother who raised her in their inner-city Minneapolis tenement now slated for demolition, Libby faces homelessness in both heart and habitation. When Libby discovers a cryptic message from beyond the grave and an antique ring pointing to a mystery in an inner room of a mansion museum in North Dakota, she sets out on a quest of her own for the meaning of heritage and home.
HISTORICAL
The Cross Maker
Cross Maker #1
Jack A. Taylor
Word Alive Press
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First-century Palestine is a hotbed of political, cultural, and religious intrigue. Caleb ben Samson, a carpenter from Nazarath, and Sestus Aurelius, a Roman centurion, both want peace. Can this unlikely partnership accomplish what nothing else has accomplished before? Can they bring about peace through the power of the cross? And what role will Caleb’s childhood friend Yeshi play in a land that longs for hope?
In The Cross Maker, Jack Taylor weaves a tapestry of creative history, powerful characters, and dynamic dialogue to bring to life a shadowy world. In a land where tragedy is as common as dust, triumph is about to make itself known.
ROMANCE
One More Tomorrow
Melanie Stevenson
Word Alive Press
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One woman finds herself bound to a past she cannot forget. Another, driven by past choices she can neither change nor accept.
It’s been over a year. That should be enough time to forget a first love. But aspiring artist Katie Banks is still waiting. Not even Justin Burke, her university classmate, has been able to erase the hurt Aiden Ford inflicted, or weaken Katie’s resolve to never date a man who doesn’t share her faith. When Katie accepts a scholarship to study in Paris, it places much-needed distance between her and Justin. But love still eludes her, until a stormy night and a tragic accident change everything. The possibility that she and Aiden might be able to find their forever love this time both excites and terrifies Katie. Can she forgive past hurts, or will the walls she’s built to protect herself keep love a distant dream?
SUSPENSE/SPECULATIVE
Scars
Kevin Dautremont, MD
Word Alive Press
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Dr. Derek Kessler moved to Stockton, Montana to rebuild his life after the tragic deaths of his wife and child. When a young woman under his care dies, her husband is accused of her murder. Believing his friend to be innocent, Derek seeks the assistance of a lawyer, Rebecca Andrychuk, throwing their lives into turmoil.
As the mystery deepens around them, dark secrets are revealed, and Derek and Rebecca find themselves under increasing scrutiny and attack. Derek’s faith is shaken as he struggles to let go of the past and deal with the guilt over his growing relationship with Rebecca.
And now the murderer may be targeting the two of them. Can they discover the truth in time, or will the scars of the past end up destroying them both?
YOUNG ADULT
Exit Stage Right
Jennifer Willcock
Word Alive Press
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A tale of the prodigal daughter set in the competitive world of ballet.
She wants to dance, and she’s willing to sacrifice everything, everyone, to get it.
Coco Bradley is a talented ballet dancer, and when an opportunity arises for her to audition for the prestigious Spencer School of the Performing Arts, she’s not about to let anyone stop her— including her parents, her friends, and any of the prima donnas of the art school. A pastor’s kid, Coco has grown up serving God and people, but gaining entry to Spencer means leaving behind all the expectations that come with growing up in the pastorate, as well as the dead-end town of Wyattsville.
Coco lives by the creed “Ballet First,” but she’s about to find out in a painful way that there’s more to life than dancing.
Opportunities, fame, and love all come calling as Coco chases her dream. But in going after what she wants, will she lose the things that matter most?
CHILDREN
Scarlett’s Spectacles: A Cheerful Choice for a Happy Heart
Janet Surette
B&H Kids
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In Scarlett’s Spectacles by Janet Surette and illustrated by Shane Crampton, Scarlett has a hard time being cheerful, and is constantly complaining and whining all day long. Her mom explains to her that everyone has two pairs of glasses- the grumbly pair that make for a gloomy day and a grouchy girl and glad glasses, that make each day brighter. But everyone must choose what glasses they are going to where. This story encourages young readers to learn an important lesson alongside Scarlett as she chooses to see all of God’s good gifts to us through her glad glasses!
WATCH THE PRESENTATION
ABOUT THE WORD GUILD
The Word Guild is a growing community of 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, we affirm a common statement of faith and are united in our passion for the written word.
THEIR VISION
The Word Guild has a vision to bring God’s hope, grace, and reconciliation in Christ through the written words of its members.
THEIR MISSION
The Word Guild has a mission to organize and serve Canadians who communicate through the written word from a Judeo-Christian worldview, so that they can increase in faith and excellence and inspire all readers.
HISTORY OF THE WORD GUILD
For many years the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada organized a Christian writer’s conference called God Uses Ink (GUI). In 2001, it was announced that the conference would be discontinued. Long-time conference attendees and faculty members, N.J. Lindquist and Wendy Elaine Nelles believed that it was critical for Canadian writers and editors who are Christian to receive training and support in order to become more professional. To fill the void, in 2002 Lindquist and Nelles founded The Word Guild and launched the Write!Canada conference.
Lindquist, who is an award-winning author, an inspiring speaker, and a popular writing teacher and mentor, became the organization’s first Executive Director. An Award-winning journalist, writer, editor, and speaker, Nelles served as Associate Director. The two were recognized with the Leading Women Award for Excellence in Communications and Media in 2006 for starting The Word Guild
In 2008, Lindquist and Nelles co-edited Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stir the Heart and Warm the Soul, an anthology that showcases the work of 30 Canadian authors who are Christian. Hot Apple Cider achieved Canadian best-seller status and A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider was released in 2011.
The Word Guild began as a project of Imago, a registered charity that encourages the development of Christians in the arts. In 2008, The Word Guild merged with Christian Info Canada (CIC), a registered not-for-profit charitable organization.
ENTIRE WORD GUILD 2020 AWARDS PRESS RELEASE
The Word Guild Is Pleased to Announce The 2020 Word Awards Winner’s List
Honouring the Best of Canadian Christian Writing from 2019
TORONTO, ON — On Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 7pm Eastern Standard Time, The Word Guild held their 32nd Annual Awards presentation, honouring Canadian Christian literary excellence. The show was co-hosted by Soul H2O Host, author, blogger and awards coordinator, Sherry Stahl alongside best-selling author, speaker and missionary, Joe Amaral. Board Chair David Kitz welcomed everyone and opened the ceremonies in prayer.
Sponsors graciously helped broadcast the news and announced winners in their respective awards classes. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the annual Gala was cancelled, so the 2020 Celebration was a pre-recorded video, streaming through Facebook and YouTube. This was the first time in 32 years that winners could hear their names called as winners from sea to shining sea! What some feared to be a negative, proved to be a huge success! The online platform provided greater promotion for Canadian Christian writers featured on the list.
People watched across our great nation around the globe. Many continue to view and share the recording through the two social media platforms and a link on The Word Guild website finalist page.
“This year’s awards celebration was an amazing event. Canadians globally cheered on their favourite authors from the comfort of their own home,” said Stahl.
This year’s celebration was a great time to reflect on the accomplishments of many writers in the past year. Parties were held around the globe as one scholarship and 58 awards were given out in 56 categories from the short list of novelists, bloggers, columnists, apologists, theologians, and songwriters reaching both Christian and mainstream audiences.
Book winners ranged from self-published, to co-publishing, to traditional with publishing house names like Castle Quay Books, Harvest House, Word Alive Press, InterVarsity Press, B&H Publishing and Thomas Nelson. Articles were written in the smallest of local publications to national newspapers and magazines like Testimony, Christian Courier, Crux, Faith Today, or The Light Magazine.
Janet Surette was this year’s big winner! She impressively took home three wins in The 2020 Word Awards Celebration! Janet graciously received the largest literary prize in Canada for Christians with the Best Canadian Book Award… along with a win for her book’s category and the Best Canadian Book Cover Award. Newcomer Melanie Stevenson of Cambridge, ON took home the Best Canadian New Author Award. Melanie published two books in her debut year to the publishing world. Two books, three nominations on the shortlist and two award wins. What an entry into the literary world!
Amazingly, seven writers took home two winning awards. They were Julia Friesen, Paul C. Breen, Eleanor Bertin, Carolyn Arends, Craig Macartney, Terrie Todd, Melanie Stevenson and Susan Doherty.
A heartfelt tribute was given in honour of Michael D. O’Brien as the recipient of the Castle Quay Books sponsored, Leslie K. Tarr Lifetime Achievement Award. As a survivor of Residential School living, O’Brien overcame to become an author, magazine editor, essayist, artist, and a well-known lecturer on faith and culture.
During the evening, Ruth Coghill and Sara Davison were honoured for excellence in social justice issues writing with The Debra Fieguth Award. Former awards winner Preston Pouteaux took home the Harvey/Mackey New Journalist Award. The 4th Annual Castle Quay Best New Canadian Manuscript award went to Larry McCloskey of Ottawa, ON with a prize package including publication of his unpublished manuscript by Castle Quay Books.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING WINNERS…
UNPUBLISHED WORK CLASSES
FRESH INK {Student Writing Awards} High School Sponsored by Tyndale University
SHORT STORY
● Sarah VanZandbeek: Edmonton, AB “The Messiah Beside Me – The Criminal on the Cross” (Homeschooled)
POETRY
● Rachel Reid: “The Personal Poems of Aliana Charon” (Westmount Secondary School)
1ST 3 CHPT—UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT
● Kail Levasseur: Hythe, AB “The Book” (Homeschooled)
FRESH INK {Student Writing Awards} University/College ~ Sponsored by Crossroads Christian Communications
POETRY
● Kaitlyn Hogeterp: Centreville, NS “His Mercy is More” (Redeemer University: Hamilton, ON)
SCRIPT -SCREEN OR STAGE
● Julia Friesen: North York, ON “A Broken Violin” (Tyndale University & Seminary: Toronto, ON)
Wendy Elaine Nelles Scholarship ~ Sponsored by Personal Donations
● Julia Friesen: North York, ON
IN THE BEGINNING {Unpublished Author Awards} ~ Sponsored by Deep Dive Author Club
SHORT STORY
● Evelyn Pedersen: Mississauga, ON “Through Her Lens”
NON-FICTION SHORT PIECE
● Paul C Breen: Burlington, ON “Saying Goodbye to Heather”
POETRY
● Paul C Breen: Burlington, ON “Ronnie the Bee”
FIRST 3 CHAPTERS – FICTION OR NON-FICTION
● Kelly L Ditmars: Victoria, BC “All That It Takes”
CASTLE QUAY BEST NEW CANADIAN UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT AWARD ~ Sponsored by Castle Quay Publishers
● Larry McCloskey: Ottawa, ON “Inarticulate Speech of the Heart”
DIGITAL ENTRY CLASSES
CHRISTIAN—ARTICLE / SHORT PIECES (ASP) Sponsored by Category
BLOG ~ Sponsored by Soul H2O Ministries
● Eleanor Bertin: Botha, AB “#FosterMasculinity” (Eleanor Bertin Blog)
COLUMN SERIES ~ Sponsored by Compassion Canada
● Caroyln Arends: Surrey, BC “Getting our Stories Straight” & “It Takes a (Global) Village” (Faith Today)
COLUMN SINGLE ~ Sponsored by Compassion Canada
● Roland De Vries: Montreal, QC “The Missing Cup” (Christian Courier)
INSPIRATIONAL/DEVOTIONAL ~ Sponsored by testimony/Enrich Magazines
● Rose McCormick Brandon: Caledonia, ON “The “Oh!” of God” (The Bible Advocate)
LONG FEATURE ~ Sponsored by Compassion Canada
● Amy MacLachlan: Burlington, ON “Bucking the System: Can we end chronic poverty in Canada?” (Faith Today)
NEWS ~ Sponsored by HH Communication Services
● Craig Macartney: Ottawa, ON “How hope rose from the ashes of the Rwandan genocide” (Faith Today)
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ~ Sponsored by testimony/Enrich Magazines
● Carolyn Arends: Surrey, BC “Stoicism isn’t Spiritual” (Faith Today)
POETRY ~ Sponsored by testimony/Enrich Magazines
● Dagmar Morgan: Mississauga, ON “There is no Free Meal” (Love is Moving Movement)
PROFILE/HUMAN INTEREST ~ Sponsored by Belinda’s Burst’n with Flavour Pies
● Craig Macartney: Ottawa, ON “Persecuted, But Not Struck Down: How three persecuted Christians – from Iraq, Egypt, and Myanmar – are making Canada home” (Faith Today)
SHORT FEATURE ~ Sponsored by Carol Ford
● Alex (Alexandra) Newman: Toronto, ON “Christian Postsecondary schools are a good investment: Report highlights benefits to the spiritual and academic lives of youth” (Faith Today)
SHORT STORY ~ Sponsored by Ottawa Christian Writers’ Fellowship
● Eleanor Bertin: Botha, AB “Like Wool” (The Mosaic Collection)
CHRISTIAN SCRIPTS
FULL LENGTH STAGE OR SCREENPLAY ~ Sponsored by Karen Amaral Design
● Anne Cattaruzza: Longueuil, QC and Kim Feeney: Saint-Lambert, QC “Searching for Sheida”
GENERAL MARKET—ARTICLE / SHORT PIECES (ASP) ~ Sponsored by That’s Life! Communications
COLUMN – SINGLE
● David Kitz: Orleans, ON “Kitz: The slow, silent type – Confessions of an Ottawa male misfit” (The Ottawa Citizen)
LONG FEATURE
● Paul Heintzman: Chelsea, QC “Bill Mason’s Environmental Ethics: Ideas for Outdoor Educators” (Pathways: The Ontario Journal of Outdoor Education, Published by The Council of Outdoor Educators in Ontario)
PERSONAL FEATURE
● Terrie Todd: Portage la Prairie, MB “No Such Thing As Unplanned” (The Graphic Leader)
SHORT STORY
● Tara K. Ross: Milton, ON “Searching for Spotlights” (The Wells Street Journal)
GENERAL MARKET—SCRIPTS
SHORT SCRIPT
● Terrie Todd: Portage la Prairie, MB “What Peace We Forfeit”
THE DAVID MAINSE BEST BLOG OF THE YEAR AWARD ~ Sponsored by Crossroads Christian Communications
● Jonathan Puddle: Guelph, ON “Jonathan Puddle”
TERRENCE L. BINGLEY AWARD SONGWRITING AWARD ~ Sponsored by The Bingley Family
● Elise Arsenault: Hamilton, ON “In The Velvet”
PUBLISHED BOOKS CLASSES
BOOKS – CHRISTIAN FICTION ~ Sponsored by Category
CHILDREN ~ Sponsored by Paul H. Boge
● Janet Surette: Barrie, ON “Scarlett’s Spectacles” (B & H Publishing)
YOUNG ADULT ~ Sponsored by Hope For Liberia
● Jennifer L. Willcock: Kitchener, ON “Exit Stage Right” (Word Alive Press)
CONTEMPORARY ~ Sponsored by Soul H2O Ministries
● Deb Elkink: Cypress County, AB “The Red Journal” (Rolled Scroll Press)
HISTORICAL ~ Sponsored by Hope For Liberia
● Jack Taylor: Vancouver, BC “The Cross Maker” (Word Alive Press)
ROMANCE ~ Sponsored by Soul H2O Ministries
● Melanie Stevenson: Cambridge, ON “One More Tomorrow” (Word Alive Press)
SUSPENSE/SPECULATIVE ~ Sponsored by Hope For Liberia
● Kevin Dautremont: Moose Jaw, SK “Scars” (Word Alive Press)
BOOKS – CHRISTIAN NON-FICTION ~ Sponsored by Category
ACADEMIC ~ Sponsored by Word Alive Press
● James R. Payton Jr.: Mount Hope, ON “The Victory of the Cross: Salvation in Eastern Orthodoxy” (IV Press)
INSTRUCTIONAL ~ Sponsored by Fletcher’s Horse World
● Margaret Gibb: Brantford, ON “Faith, Life and Leadership: Vol 2” (Castle Quay Books)
APOLOGETICS/EVANGELISM ~ Sponsored by Redeemer University
● Michael W. Goheen: Surrey, BC and Jim Mullins: Ada, MI “The Symphony of Mission” (Baker Academic)
BIBLICAL STUDIES ~ Sponsored by Tyndale University
● Mary A. Kassian: Sherwood Park, AB “The Right Kind of Strong” (Thomas Nelson Press)
CULTURE ~ Sponsored by ~ Sponsored by Redeemer University
● Paul H. Boge: Winnipeg, MB “The Sound of Hope: The Ernesto Pinto Story” (Square One World Media)
CHRISTIAN LIVING ~ Sponsored by Fletcher’s Horse World
● Cathie Ostapchuk: Oakville, ON “Brave Women, Bold Moves” (Word Alive Press)
INSPIRATIONAL ~ Sponsored by Tyndale University
● Todd Soltysiak: Caledon, ON “I Learned it Through the Grapevine: Wisdom Comes in Bunches” (Self)
DEVOTIONAL ~ Sponsored by Soul H2O Ministries
● Heather Rodin & Becki Baxter: Selwyn, ON “Appointed” (Self)
LIFE STORIES ~ Sponsored by Karen Amaral Design
● Valentina Gal: Fergus, ON “Philipovna: Daughter of Sorrow” (Guernica Editions)
LES PRIX DEX MOTS
VIE CHRÉTIENNE Sponsored by Joe Amaral
● Susan Doherty: Westmount, QC “Le Jardin des Fantomes” (Les Éditions De L’Homme)
BOOKS – GENERAL MARKET CHILDREN ~ Sponsored by That’s Life! Communications
● Tim Huff: Aurora, ON “Make Way for the Christmas Hush” (Castle Quay)
BOOKS – GENERAL MARKET ~ Sponsored by That’s Life! Communications
CULTURE
● Susan Doherty: Westmount, QC “The Ghost Garden” (Random House Canada)
LIFE STORIES
● Caren Jantzen: Abbotsford, BC “Grow. Cook, Eat. Share. A Memoir” (The Homestead Press)
SPECIALTY BOOK AWARD ~ Sponsored by Karen Amaral Design
● Dorene Meyer: Norway House, MB “Bannock and Sweet Tea” (Gold Rock Press)
SPECIALTY AWARDS
HARVEY/MACKEY NEW JOURNALIST AWARD ~ Sponsored by The Mackey & Robertson Families
• Preston Pouteaux: Chestermere, AB “Caring for Politicians in a Harsh Culture” (Faith Today)
DEBRA FIEGUTH SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD ~ Sponsored by Faith Today Magazine
● Ruth Coghill: Bobcaygeon, ON and Sara Davison: Guelph, ON: “Unborn. Untold. True Stories of Abortion and God’s Healing Grace” (Word Alive Press)
LESLIE K. TARR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD ~ Sponsored by Castle Quay Books
• Michael D. O’Brien: Barry’s Bay, ON Author, Magazine Editor, Essayist, Artist, Lecturer on Faith and Culture
BEST CANADIAN NEW AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARD ~ Sponsored by Glow Box
AWARD OF MERIT
● Melanie Stevenson: Cambridge, ON “One More Tomorrow” & “Soul Focus”(Word Alive Press)
WINNER
● Janet Surette: Barrie, ON “Scarlett’s Spectacles” (B&H Publishing)
BEST CANADIAN BOOK COVER OF THE YEAR AWARD ~ Sponsored by Cowlick Studios
● Janet Surette: Barrie, ON “Scarlett’s Spectacles” (B&H Publishing)
BEST CANADIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR {GRAND PRIZE}
AWARD OF MERIT
● Valentina Gal: Fergus, ON “Philipovna: Daughter of Sorrow” (Guernica Editions)
● Mary A. Kassian: Sherwood Park, AB “The Right Kind of Strong” (Thomas Nelson Press)
WINNER
● Janet Surette: Barrie, ON “Scarlett’s Spectacles” (B&H Publishing)