Canadian Christian Writing Awards

New Finalists Vie for Top Prizes in Canadian Christian Writing Awards

mbenjamins — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:19:24 +0000

New record total of submissions expands The Word Guild's popular Christian Writing Awards as new contestants join familiar names in the list of finalists.

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 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.”

New finalist, Ann Voskamp of Gowenstown, Ontario, whose New York Times bestselling book One Thousand Gifts (Zondervan) is shortlisted in the Inspirational/Devotional category is in good company with former Tarr Award recipient and winner Connie Brummel Crook of Peterborough, Ontario, whose book Flight (Fitzhenry & Whiteside) is listed for three categories—Children, Young Adult, and Historical.

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.

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 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 are 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 media release and attached shortlist for The Word Guild 2012 Writing Awards here.

Write! Canada Inspires New Conference in Vancouver

mbenjamins — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:34:50 +0000

Write! Vancouver, a power-packed one-day writers’ conference, promises to raise the proficiency level of both emerging and experienced writers of all ages.

VANCOUVER—Featuring a high-profile, award-winning faculty, Write! Vancouver presents a rare opportunity for writers, students, songwriters, screenwriters, and radio and television producers to boost their competence and connections.

On Saturday, May 26, 2012, the one-day conference offers a wide variety of intimate workshops to emerging and professional writers. Write! Vancouver is presented by The Word Guild, the organization behind the annual Write! Canada and other regional writing events across the country.

“Our conference is the first of its kind in Vancouver,” says organizer Beverley Boissery, who is slated to teach workshops ranging from novel writing to website building. “This intensive day of connection and empowerment is the Lower Mainland’s response to the success of other Write! events across the country. It provides an intersection point for a diverse community of writers; an accessible opportunity for professional development that offers valuable tools to both the student or emerging writer, and the seasoned professional.”

Guest Speakers & Instructors:

· Dr. Iwan Russell-Jones, a BBC producer and director with more than 25 years’ experience and head of Regent College’s Christianity and the Arts program, will deliver the keynote address and lead a workshop on writing for television and radio.

· Marnie Wooding, writer and story editor with HarperCollins, and author of more than a dozen books, conducts two workshops: “The Story Editor” and “Adaptation: Making Sense out of Chaos.”

· Carolyn Arends, winner of two Dove Awards, teaches a two-session workshop on songwriting. Recognized as the West Coast Music Awards' Songwriter of the Year, Carolyn is a three-time Juno nominee who has released 10 albums to date.

· KC Dyer, freelance writer, speaker, and educator, and author of nine young adult books including the Eagle Glen Trilogy, will lead the specialized Youth Track for writers in grades six through twelve. KC brings a wealth of experience from numerous associations, including that of being New Westminster Secondary School’s writer-in-residence.

· Eileen Cook, a multi-published author with books in six different languages, teams up with KC to run the Youth Track. Her latest release, Unraveling Isobel, came out in January of this year.

· Beverley Boissery—author, editor, teacher, publisher, and scholar—offers an intensive on novel writing and a workshop on building your website in an hour.

· Diane Tucker (BFA in Creative Writing from UBC), runs the “Poetry Boot Camp” and “Writers Helping Writers” workshops.

· Marilyn Norry, with 30 years’ experience in Canadian film and theatre, explores the essentials of memoir writing in her interactive “Writing Mom’s Story” workshop (www.mymothersstory.org).

· Tanya Hawke, a copywriter with 25 years’ experience in corporate communications and a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University, presents “Writer for Hire: The World of Corporate Communications.”

Novelists Kathy Tyers and Mel Anastasiou will participate with others in the networking reception and Blue Pencil—one-on-one critique sessions with professional editors and writers. Book signings will be available onsite with conference faculty and featured authors of The Word Guild.

Online registration is now open at www.thewordguild.com. The conference is $99 for adults and $59 for youth, with discounts available to university students and members of The Word Guild. Coffee, lunch, and refreshments are included. Register by April 30 for a $10 Early Bird Discount. Cutoff date is May 18 – no onsite registrations can be accommodated.

For the full media release go here

Novice Writers Capture Contest Awards

mbenjamins — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:16:50 +0000

This is available as a downloadable Word document at www.thewordguild.com/media

The Word Guild rewards writing excellence by never-before-published writers in its 2012 God Uses Ink writing contest.

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO—Nine novice writers have been awarded prizes in The Word Guild's God Uses Ink writing contest for 2012. These winners represent a group of emerging writers ready to augment the already large number of award-winning Canadian writers who work from a Christian worldview.

Each year The Word Guild, a Canadian association of writers and editors who are Christian, recognizes the talents of aspiring writers who have never been published. Prizes are given in three age groups: 14 to 19, 20 to 39, and 40-plus.

“This year’s entries in the youth and young adult categories of the God Uses Ink competition were fresh, appealing and captivating,” commented judge Wayne Hagerman. “Many of these young participants show great potential, and I would not be surprised to see future books and publications by many of them.”

Winners:

AGE 14-19
First:	Esther Roth	—"The Greatness of I Am"
Second:	Emily VanMarion	—"Time the Thief, Time the Giver"
Third:	Tracey Dyck	—"Redemptive Scars"
AGE 20-39
First:	Laura Bokma	—"Poems for the Head and the Heart"
Second:	Elizabeth Michel	—"Peacock Praise"
Third:	Anita Neuman	—"BEYOND: Chapter Two"
AGE 40+
First:	AJ Brown	—"Forgiveness The Easy Way, or How-To-Keep-Your-Socks"
Second:	Ches Hill	—"From I.V. to Ivy League"
Third:	Lynne Collier	—"Raising Benjamin Frog"

The first prize in each division—free registration to Write! Canada, Canada's largest Christian writers' conference—is worth over $400. Second and third prizes consist respectively of $100 and $50 gift certificates for The Word Guild, both of which may be used toward national or regional conference registration or membership. This year’s contest received over 60 submissions! Entries could be submitted in fiction, non-fiction, article, or poetry genres. The 28th annual Write! Canada conference will be held from June 14 to 16, 2012, in Guelph, Ontario.

Doug Koop’s Twenty-five Years of Service Honoured

mbenjamins — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:49:50 +0000

Tribute to Doug Koop, read at a gathering of celebration and reflection in Winnipeg on January 28, 2012. Doug left his position as Editorial Director of ChristianWeek newspaper after 25 years of service.

On behalf of The Word Guild, a national association of Canadian writers and editors who are Christian, we extend our sincere thanks and congratulations to Doug Koop—an exemplary writer and editor we’re proud to count among our 400 members.

Our Christian writing community is stronger because of Doug's work and influence. Over the past 25 years, he has mentored many writers through relationships with staff members, correspondents and freelancers. Doug has modeled reason, fairness, moderation, thoughtful commentary and careful reporting. He’s been committed to communicating the truth and to adhering to quality journalistic standards. He has demonstrated courage in his willingness to cover contentious issues and restraint in refraining from sensationalism.

Most of all, through covering thousands of stories, Doug has helped to increase communication and understanding, find ways to equip and encourage and build bridges among denominations, organizations and people. Following the example set by the newspaper's founder Harold Jantz, Doug has provided steady leadership to steer ChristianWeek through many changes and publishing challenges.

When Doug was mid-way through his career, we presented him with the Leslie K. Tarr Award in the year 2000 to honour a major career contribution to Christian writing and publishing in Canada. His significant accomplishments in the intervening years have cemented his reputation for excellence.

Doug has a rich reservoir of knowledge and experience to draw from as he continues to write, as well as a keen interest in the arts and we all look forward to seeing how his many gifts find expression in the future as he uses them to the glory of God.

Wendy E. Nelles, Co-Founder, The Word Guild

WHY NOT ENCOURAGE AN ASPIRING WRITER?

mbenjamins — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:30:51 +0000

Experienced writers have a unique opportunity to inspire never-before-published writers by spreading the exciting news of the God Uses Ink Novice Writer's Contest.

The idea of submitting your writing for publication for the very first time can be daunting for novice writers. However, with the encouragement of an experienced writer, beginners may be more willing to take a risk. And what better place to cultivate and challenge a novice writer than at Canada's largest Christian writing conference, Write! Canada?

The Word Guild's "God Uses Ink" Novice Writing Contest provides the opportunity for a novice writer in each category to win free registration to Write! Canada.

As a published writer, remember the thrill of first seeing your writing in print and encourage a novice writer to enter the contest today! You can instill confidence in unpublished writers – whether friends or relatives – by urging them to submit their work and take this opportunity to change their future.

Who will you encourage to enter?

All never-before-published Canadian writers who are Christian are invited to enter.

Contestants, aged fourteen and older, may write on any subject and in any genre, including short stories, poems, scripts, and nonfiction articles. Submissions may not exceed 1,500 words. Independent judges who are experienced writers and editors will evaluate the entries and provide helpful feedback.

For the purposes of this competition, "unpublished" means you have never been paid for something you have written.

Entries must be received by February 15, 2012.

For details and online registration go to canadianchristianwritingawards.com and click on "Contest."

Novice Writing’ Contest Entry Date Extended To February 15th

mbenjamins — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:23:51 +0000

Never-before-published writers have LESS THAN ONE MONTH to enter and win free registration to Canada’s largest Christian Writers’ Conference!

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO—All never-before-published Canadian writers who are Christian—including teenagers and young adults—are invited to enter The Word Guild’s “God Uses Ink” Novice Writing Contest.

Contestants may write on any subject and in any genre, including short stories, poems, scripts, and nonfiction articles. Submissions may not exceed 1,500 words. Independent judges who are experienced writers and editors will evaluate the entries and provide helpful feedback.

This contest is designed to encourage and recognize new and aspiring writers. For the purposes of this competition, "unpublished" means the writer has never been paid for something he or she has written.

Prizes will be awarded in three age categories:

Teenagers: 14 to 19
Young adults: 20 to 39
Adults 40+

First-prize winners in each category will receive free registration to Canada's largest Christian writing conference, Write! Canada, June 14–16, 2012, a value of more than $400.

Second prize: A $100 gift certificate for The Word Guild, which may be used for conference registration, membership, etc.

Third prize: A $50 gift certificate for The Word Guild, which may be used for conference registration, membership, etc.

Entries must be received by February 15, 2012. For details and online registration go here.

If you have questions please contact Mary Ann Benjamins, Awards Administrator

Go here to download the complete release.

FINAL DEADLINE TO ENTER CANADIAN CHRISTIAN WRITING AWARDS APPROACHES!

mbenjamins — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:03:06 +0000

TORONTO – Only one week remains to enter work published during 2011 in The Word Guild's 2012 Canadian Christian Writing Awards. All entries must be in by midnight January 15, 2012.

Although the round one submission deadline passed on November 15, writers may still submit work published between January 1 and September 30, 2011, but at a slightly higher entry fee.

Round two remains open for work published from October 1 through December 31, 2011 – deadline January 15, 2012.Visit our website canadianchristianwritingawards.com for submission guidelines and entry form.

This contest is not restricted to members of The Word Guild. It is open to any Canadian citizen or permanent resident who affirms The Apostles' Creed. Entrants range from journalists and academics to writers who have self-published their first book, or for those who publish exclusively on the Internet.

The Awards program, sponsored by The Word Guild, a national association of Canadian writers and editors who are Christian, is designed to raise the profile of Canadian writers who are Christian, and to encourage them in the pursuit of excellence in the art, craft, practice and ministry of writing.

The Awards honour the best writing published in 35 categories, including blogs, novels, nonfiction books, news articles, devotionals, columns, poems, short stories, song lyrics and scripts or screenplays. Both writers and publishers may submit work for the contest.

All entrants receive constructive critiques from the judges to help them improve their writing. Either the writer or the publisher may enter the work. In fact, publishers are encouraged to enter work on behalf of their writers to raise the profile of their publications and to encourage their staff or freelance writers to pursue excellence.

All shortlisted finalists in the book categories will be automatically entered to win the $5,000 Grace Irwin Award.

In addition to a cash prize, winners will receive on-stage recognition at the annual Awards Gala in Toronto on June 13, 2012.

If questions remain after reading the information on the website, contestants may contact The Word Guild's contest coordinator, Mary Ann Benjamins, at: awards[at]thewordguild[dot]com.

This release is available as a download here.

Merry Christmas

denisebuddrumble — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:19:36 +0000

From all of us here, at The Word Guild, may you have a very Merry Christmas.

May you be filled with the joy, peace and hope that is only possible because of the birth of Jesus, God's only Son.

Thirty Days Remain To Enter Published Work In The Word Guild’s 2012 Canadian Christian Writing Awards!

mbenjamins — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:16:54 +0000

TORONTO – Only one month remains to enter work published during 2011 in The Word Guild's 2012 Canadian Christian Writing Awards. All entries must be in by midnight January 15, 2012.

Although the round one submission deadline passed on November 15, writers may still submit work published between January 1 and September, 2011, but at a slightly higher entry fee.

All shortlisted finalists in the book categories will be automatically entered to win the $5,000 Grace Irwin Award.

In addition to a cash prize, winners will receive on-stage recognition at the annual Awards Gala in Toronto on June 13, 2012.

If questions remain after reading the information on the website, contestants may contact The Word Guild's contest coordinator, Mary Ann Benjamins, at: awards[at]thewordguild[dot]com.

This release is available as a download here.

Why You Should Enter Writing Contests

mbenjamins — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:26:19 +0000

by Lisa Hall-Wilson

Writing contests offer a variety of benefits ranging from credibility to experience and feedback. My writing career got a jumpstart when I won the God Uses Ink contest. At the time I hadn’t been published, been to a writing conference, or even spoken (emailed) with an editor. Now I’m writing full-time, and have been published across Canada. Here are some things to consider when deciding to enter a writing contest:

Fees

Many very credible contests charge entry fees to generate prize money. Most contests charge between $12 and $25 per entry per category, and the grand prize is always mentioned up front. A quick Google search of the contest should give you a good snapshot of its credibility.

Credibility (for you)

National contests with blind judging carry more weight with editors and agents than local contests judged by non-professional writers. Contest wins can be the tipping point that makes an agent take a look at your work over someone else’s.

Feedback

The very best contests are the ones that will send you the judge’s comments. Regardless of whether you win or not, to receive comments from an editor, agent or published author on how to improve your work is invaluable. For $25 you get a professional critique that otherwise would cost hundreds of dollars.

Discipline

Learning to read contest rules and following them is good practice for when you’re submitting to agents and editors. If the contest states the work must be under 1500 words, anyone over 1500 words won’t even get read. If you’re late entering the contest, too bad. You’re outta luck! Writing for contests taught me a lot about time management, self-discipline, writing under pressure, and writing to a theme.

A word of caution

The one thing that’s important to remember about contests is that the judging can be subjective. The judges may have been given a list of criteria to evaluate a work on, but at the end of the day the difference between first and second place is personal opinion. I entered a piece in one contest and won first prize. I entered the same piece in another contest and didn’t even get shortlisted. Don’t take it personally.

This post originally appeared on Girls With Pens – a survival guide for writers

Lisa Hall-Wilson

Lisa’s blog: Through The Fire