Write! Canada is Canada’s largest conference for Christians who write and/or edit, coming up June 18-20, 2009 in Guelph, Ontario.
Wondering if you should go? Check out this video:[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGqK-zLXqnM]
For me, Write! Canada is three events bundled into one: professional development conference, worship retreat, and now that I’ve been there a few times, it’s a family reunion too.
Got my registration in, my flights booked… can’t wait.
Sara Mills is the author of two 1940s-era PI mysteries featuring Allie Fortune, a “female Sam Spade” operating in New York City. Sara is a wife, mother, writer, freelance editor and motorcycle racing enthusiast. She loves animals, raises Golden Retrievers, has a house full of hamsters, guinea pigs, turtles, puppies and any other stray that makes its way to her door. (from her website — click here to read the rest, or you can read interviews with Sara at Cara Putman’s blog or Novel Journey) And I discovered today that she lives in Canada. I’m always looking for more Christian authors in Canada.
I’ve wanted to read Miss Fortune and Miss Match for some time. Wish I had a happier reason for deciding to order them now, but here it is: Sara’s husband Keith died suddenly last week, and she’s now a widow with three young kids. (For more details, see a recent post at Novel Journey.)
Some of her good friends at American Christian Fiction Writers have organized a blog tour to show their support and love. Her friend Ronie Kendig’s blog explains, “This isn’t an attempt to trivialize Keith’s death–I’d actually think he’d be thrilled to see so many throwing their support behind his beloved wife and the mother of his children.” (You can read the whole blog post at Craving the Supernatural)
Sara, I’m praying for you and your children.
About the books:
Miss Fortune (book one)
They call her the P.I. Princess.
Allie Fortune is the only female private investigator in New York City and she’s one of the best.
When there’s a knock on her office door at four in the morning, Allie’s first inclination is to ignore it. Someone out on the streets in the middle of the night is usually trouble, either causing it, or being chased by it, and Mary Gordon is no exception.
You can read more here or read the first chapter here.
Miss Match (book two)
FBI agent Jack O’Connor receives a letter from Maggie, a woman he used to love, saying she’s in trouble in Berlin. The FBI refuses to get involved, so Jack asks Allie Fortune to help him investigate. Allie and Jack pose as a missionary couple who want to bring orphans back to the United States.
Youcan read more here or read the first chapter here.
Both books should be available in your local bookstore or online at Chapters, Amazon.ca, Amazon.com or Christianbook.com.
My blogroll has sections “For Readers – General” and “For Readers – Suspense” and today I want to point out two blogs which highlight Canadian Christian Authors.
Books for Book Lovers, by Kimberley Payne, and
Interviews and Reviews, by Laura Davis.
Also, the Hot Apple Cider website is featuring weekly interviews with the authors who contributed to the book.
Congratulations to Canadian author Linda Hall whose romantic suspense novel, Shadows at the Window, won Romantic Times Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for 2008!
I know I don’t laugh enough, despite the good folks at Readers’ Digest saying “it’s the best medicine.”
If you need a chuckle today, one of these might help:
Award-winning Canadian humourist Phil Callaway has articles, cartoons, and lots of crazy stuff at his website. Take his stress test (follow the link or click below), and then look up the rest of his videos on YouTube.
David Crowder is a gifted American worship leader and one brilliantly funny man. If you can find a copy of his book, Praise Habit, read the copyright page. All of it, top to bottom. Then buy the book and read it all. Here’s his epic tale of the Evil Squirrel:
For the squirrel’s revenge, click here.
Write! Canada
Spring WorDshop
Write! Saskatoon
Here’s a trailer for Jane Kirkpatrick’s new novel, A Flickering Light, releasing this April from WaterBrook Press. Looks interesting, doesn’t it?
The new issue of Christian Fiction Online is out, complete with interviews, articles and giveaways.
And… you might want to check out Helen Harrison’s new blog, Creative Cleansing of My Chaotic Clutter, which can inspire and encourage those of us who need some help in this area.
Also… I’m the interviewee this week in The Koala Bear Writer’s “Writers-on-Wednesdays” series.
“Me Speak? – But I’m a Writer!” Adele Simmons of Chestnut Lane Creative will be presenting a workshop at Whitby Baptist Church (in the Worship Centre), 411 Gilbert Street East, Whitby, Ontario on Saturday, February 7, 2009, 9:00am – 3:00pm. For those of you who are time-challenged, the workshop presents the bulk of the information in the morning, so you may dash away at noon, if required. (Rate adjusted accordingly). This workshop will include hands-on practicum with sound equipment, Impromptu Speaking, Humour in Speaking, Looking Good and Follow Up. Cost is $85 for members of The Word Guild, WCDR, POWE and WBC, and $95 for non-members. Email for more information.
Author and speaker N.J. Lindquist will be presenting two workshops in Sudbury, Ontario, February 27-28, 2009. “Release the Creative You” is an evening workshop about motivation and releasing your fears to allow your true creative self to develop and flourish. Pre-registration price is $20 or $25 at the door. Students (ID required) pay $10 or $15 at the door.
“Get to Know the Writer in You” is a full-day workshop for aspiring writers to get you started working with words. It will run from 8:30am – 4:30pm. Pre-registration price is $85 or $95 at the door. Students (ID required) pay $42 or $55 at the door.
Both Sudbury workshops will be held at and will be held at It will be held at Glad Tidings Auditorium, 1101 Regent St. South in Sudbury. Telephone 705-522-4523 for tickets. You can view the poster here.
I’ve had the privilege to attend workshops by each of these speakers, and have come away much the richer for it.
Sharon Fawcett is a Canadian author and speaker whose ministry offers hope: in the daily stresses common to us all, and in the anguish of depression and eating disorders.
Stop by Sharon’s website, Words of Hope for a World in Need, to check out her articles and resources. Here’s a video trailer on her new book, Hope for Wholeness: the Spiritual Path to Freedom from Depression: