This just went out on several newswires: Thought I'd post it here.
Markham, Ontario. May 13, 2008—Thirty Canadian authors, from six provinces, have joined together with publisher That’s Life! Communications to produce a groundbreaking anthology that will be presented to women across Canada as part of FaithLife Financial’s Girls Night Out events. Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stir the Heart and Warm the Soul is a 296-page collection of personal experience articles, short stories and poems. While there are similarities to the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Hot Apple Cider has its own unique character and content, with a variety of stories from the lighthearted and humorous to those dealing with serious real-life issues.
The authors included in this book are professional members of The Word Guild, an association of more than 325 Canadians who write from a Christian faith perspective. They represent more than 20 Christian denominations.
In an unusual arrangement, the authors donated money to print 30,000 copies of the book to be contributed at no charge to World Vision, a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization. Retail value of these books is almost $500,000.
World Vision will give Hot Apple Cider to women who attend 80 FaithLife Financial’s Girls Night Out events hosted in communities across Canada. Girls Night Out, which is managed under the planning and guidance of World Vision and its partners, offers women an enjoyable evening of music and inspirational speakers. During the evening, the needs of millions of children affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic are also presented.
“We are honored to begin partnering with The Word Guild,” said Eric Spath, Manager of Artist Associates, Speakers and Events for World Vision Canada, “and we’re thrilled to give every woman attending the Girls Night Out events such a beautiful and powerful book.”
Hot Apple Cider was edited by award-wining author N. J. Lindquist and journalist/editor Wendy Elaine Nelles. “Creating a meaningful, high-quality book while at the same time helping World Vision made this a perfect project,” said Lindquist.
The book will be formally launched at the Canadian Christian Writing Awards Gala June 11th at World Vision headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario.
Retail copies of the book will be available through normal channels in the U.S.A. and Canada.
I am so not ready for Christmas. I just realized I don't have much time either. One good thing is the DH is off Friday and possibly all next week, so I can give him a few chores to do, which may help some. I'm counting on him to put stamps and labels on the Christmas cards, and do a few things around the house to straighten it out some. Unfortunately, I'm the organizer in the family, so I can't expect too much on the getting-the- house ready front. That's pathetic, since I'm not very organized. (g)
Anyway, I hope to get the house into decent shape before Christmas, when I do my annual meal for the family. There's also that Christmas list to get together. Time is ticking away.
What about you? Are you ready for Christmas? Or do you celebrate another Holiday? If so, are you ready?
One of the main reasons for writing "Cynthia's Attic" came from my failure - failure to appreciate my ancestors. Our family stories are probably no more or less interesting than most, and I went out of my way to avoid remembering most of them or asking questions about my grandparents lives.
For instance. Did I bother to ask my grandfather what it was like playing in the first night football game in America?
Or did I try to find out just which relative "supposedly" sold a city block on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles for $20,000? Guaranteed, I would not be sitting here writing a blog had that particular relative held on to the property.
Then there's the story, "Cynthia's Attic: Curse of the Bayou," of my great-great grandfather, Augustus Boilliat who disappeared in 1860 while taking a load of produce down the Mississippi River to New Orleans? Oh, sure I've read different accounts about what happened to him, but lost forever are the stories his grandson (my grandfather) could've told me about facts he'd heard from my great-great grandmother, Marie Julia, about her husband's disappearance.
I remember a few accounts told by my dad about his adventures as a teenage cave guide at one of the largest caves in the Southern Indiana area, Wyandotte, but I only have to guess at some of the adventures he must've had.
That's why I'm writing adventures I wanted my ancestors to have; adventures I can enjoy with them through the eyes and voice of my character, Gus.
The idea for Cynthia's Attic: The Magician's Castle came from detailed genealogy research done by my cousin, Betty. Long before the Internet, she traveled to Switzerland to search for documents that would tie our great-grandmother, Harriet Kistler, to Peter Kistler the First, President of the Republic of Bern, 1470-1480. I've tried to honor the Kistler family in the fourth adventure in Cynthia's Attic.
Thanks, Morgan, for having me as a guest!
Mary Cunningham
Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning 'Tween fantasy/mystery series, Cynthia’s Attic. She is proud to announce the release of book four, "The Magician's Castle," Dec 1, 2009. Her children's mystery series was inspired by a recurring dream about a mysterious attic. After realizing that the dream took place in the home of her childhood friend, Cynthia, the dreams stopped and the writing began.
She is also co-writer of the humor-filled, women's lifestyle book, "Women Only Over Fifty (WOOF)," along with published stories, "Ghost Light" and "Christmas Daisy," A Cynthia's Attic short story.
To celebrate the release of "The Magician's Castle," (Quake/Echelon Press, DEC 1, 2009), a winner will be chosen on each blog stop to receive a copy of the "Cynthia's Attic" short story, "Christmas With Daisy!" So, be sure to make a comment!
Monday, I'm over at my group blog, http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/, where I'm blogging about the mystery of the missing checks. Come on over and find out what it's all about.
I'm firming up some dates for speaking engagements in 2010. One's tentatively set for March 28, at 1:30 at the Niles Public Library, another probably in mid May at the Schaumburg Township District Library.
Also, coming up is a radio interview at WJJQ again on May 7, at 9:35 a.m. before my booksigning May 8 at Cover to Cover Books in Tomahawk, WI.
I've heard that some people are more afraid of public speaking than of dying. Surprisingly, I find it easier each time I do it. As long as I have my cheat sheet with me to glance down at once in a while for security and I like what I'm talking about, I'm okay.
What about you? Do you like to talk or would you rather not?
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