Em's Good News!

Hi friends and family! I am bursting with joy... a novel I submitted to The Word Guild Contest for possible publication has made it to the finals! I'm pasting the news release below. Love y'all! Em.

SEVEN WRITERS SHORTLISTED FOR BEST NEW AUTHOR AWARD
Toronto - Seven Canadian writers who are Christian are competing to get their first book published in the Best New Canadian Christian Author contest. This award recognizes the most promising book-length manuscript in either fiction or nonfiction genres. The winning book will be published by Castle Quay Books Canada in 2007.

The competition is open to any Canadian citizen or permanent resident who affirms the Apostles' Creed, is not currently under contract with a publisher, and has never had a book published by a royalty-paying publisher or on a work-for-hire basis.

Thirty-one entries from across Canada were submitted, up from 28 in 2005 and 19 in 2004. Four non-fiction works and three novels are vying for first place.Three writers, Donna Carter, David Donaldson and Nan McKenzie Kosowan, have been shortlisted for the second time. The Best New Author contest enables entrants to revise their manuscripts based on judges' critiques of their first draft, and to re-enter the contest. Last year's Best New Author, Deborah Gyapong, won on her second attempt.

The shortlisted finalists are:
Donna Carter of Calgary for nonfiction, The Blonde Leading the Blonde
David Donaldson of St. Catharines, Ont. for nonfiction, Before There Was Hannah: One Family's Journey Through Teenage Pregnancy
Nan McKenzie Kosowan of Uxbridge, Ont. for nonfiction, Listening to the Sound of His Voice: From Childhood to Grandparenthood
Marcia Lee Laycock of Ponoka, Alta. for a novel, One Smooth Stone
Keith Marward McDonald of Greenwood Village, Colorado for a novel, A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance
Emily Wierenga of Edmonton for a novel, Canvas Child
Vi Wilson of Durham, Ont. for nonfiction, Child of Grace - With a Dirty Face

The winning author will receive an advance of $1,000 and a book publishing contract.The winner will be announced on June 14 at The Word Guild Canadian Writing Awards Gala in Mississauga, Ont., the premiere black-tie event honouring Canadian writers who are Christian. The Gala will feature a worship band, celebrity presenters, recording artists, excerpts from shortlisted work, book signings and reception. The public is invited to celebrate with the finalists, their families and friends.