Hot Apple Cider

We've just begun the process to create Hot Apple Cider 2.  We have a call out for submissions now. The planned publication date is May, 2011.

Because That's Life! Communications is working in partnership with The Word Guild and World Vision Canada, we're only looking at submissions from members of The Word Guild (Canadian citizens or landed immigrants who agree to the Apostles' Creed).

Submissions are open until October 18, 2010, so if you qualify to be a member of The Word Guild, you might want to join now, and get a submission in.

If you're a reader, stay tuned for more information.

Over 30,000 copies of Hot Apple Cider have gone out through World Vision's Girls Night Out and Couples Night Out programs and another 15,000 have gone out through other means. We're hoping for similar results with Hot Apple Cider 2.

Carmen Wittmeier, a former college instructor, describes a classroom experience in “A Child on the Tracks” (page 260 of Hot Apple Cider).  While facing a group of skeptical college students grappling with the subject of global poverty, she is brought back to her own encounter with human suffering in the dark hallways of a Romanian orphanage.

Carmen Wittmeier grew up surrounded by bookshelves (two to three layers deep) and vividly remembers the day she, her mother, and her brother exceeded their 99 book limit at the library. Her recognition of her own power to wield words began in her early teens when she forged impassioned love letters between unsuspecting victims.

Despite her delinquent beginnings, Carmen pursued literature in earnest, earning her BA in English (Honours) from the University of Calgary and her MA from the University of Alberta. A penniless graduate at the age of 23, she landed a job reporting for a national weekly magazine, The Report Newsmagazine, delving into matters of law, crime, and social justice. She simultaneously honed her skills as a writer, interviewer, and researcher for Alberta in the 20th Century, a set of history books.

Her love of classical literature eventually prevailed, and Carmen went on to teach English literature at three colleges, including Langara College in Vancouver, B.C.

Read our interview with Carmen

Bonnie Grove's short story, "Stuckville Cafe," is the final story in Hot Apple Cider. The story, which combines humour with difficult real life situations, is told from the viewpoint of a waitress who feel  she's stuck in a small town, contributing nothing of importance to the world.

Bonnie Grove is the author of the critically acclaimed novel Talking to the Dead and the soon to be released Time and Time Again.

She is also the author of the non-fiction book, Your Best You: Discovering and developing the strengths God gave you.

Trained in Christian counseling and secular psychology, Bonnie developed and wrote social programs for families at risk while landing articles and stories in anthologies. Then she began work on a novel and a non-fiction book, and ended up having both books published in 2009.

Read our interview with Bonnie

Donna Carter is the author of the article, "Be the CEO of Your Emotions" on page 111 of Hot Apple Cider. This article illustrates ways we can learn to control our emotions instead of letting them control us. 

Donna Carter has a unique ability to synthesize life experience into digestible life lessons. She is sought after as a speaker internationally because of her clarity, humor and the light-bulb moments she triggers for women seeking help on their spiritual journeys.
 
Donna lives in Calgary, Canada, with her husband, Randy, who is a youth speaker, and her two daughters, Kendall and Kevann. Her first book, 10 Smart Things Women Can Do to Build a Better Life, was released in the fall of 2007 and is now being distributed in five countries.

Read our interview with Donna

M. D. Meyer has two items in Hot Apple Cider. The first, on page 147, is a delicate memoir called "Shards of Silence, Seasons of Hope,"which documents the healing of a woman who has been sexually abused as a child. The second is the lyric essay, “On Writing with Passion and Integrity,” which explores Dorene's reasons for writing—or rather the impossibility of not writing.

M. D. (Dorene) Meyer is the award-winning author of six novels for adults, teens, and children. Her titles include Jasmine, The Little Ones, and Deep Waters for adults; Colin’s Choice for teens; and Pilot Error and Get Lost! for children. She also wrote the non-fiction book, Meet Manitoba Children’s Authors.

In addition, Dorene is the editor and publisher of nine anthologies: Prairie Writers, volumes 1, 2, 3, Northern Writers, volume 1 and 2, The Voice Behind the Mask, Isle of Mirage, Remember Me, and Squirrel Tales and Rabbit Trails.

Read our interview with Dorene

Brian Austen wrote five of the poems that appear in Hot Apple Cider: "Nitroglycerin,"page 75, is about carrying a vial of explosives around in your pocket; "Dylan," page 129, reflects on the death of his newborn grandson; "The Ventilation Gate," page 233, contains possible thoughts of a homeless person; "Shared Tears," page 248, shows the inner turmoil of a person who is grieving; and "The Clay and the Vine," page 277, serves as our benediction.

Brian C. Austin and his wife live on a small acreage at Durham, Ontario, Canada. They have three grown children and seven grandchildren. Besides being a writer, Brian is a church librarian and serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Grey-Bruce Branch. Until recently, he worked part-time in a local Christian bookstore.

Brian’s published work has appeared in local newspapers, ChristianWeek, Fellowship Link, The Interim, Faith & Friends, Our Family Magazine, Relate Magazine, and The Shantyman, as well as in the anthology, Hot Apple Cider and in the books of poetry, Laughter & Tears, Let Heaven Weep, and I Barabbas, published in Trade Paper and/or Audio CD editions.

Read our interview with Brian

Keturah Leonforde wrote the true story, "A Fertile Heart," which is on page 166 of Hot Apple Cider. "A Fertile Heart" is about the challenges a woman who is unable to have a baby faces when called on to help a newborn whose mother has been hospitalized.

Keturah Leonforde – award-winning author, inspirational speaker, career counselor and business consultant – is on a mission to inspire individuals to move beyond their own potential, and embrace Spirit-driven lives of purpose and passion.
 
After spending many years working for leading national and international corporate organizations, Keturah now works with organizations and individuals who want to experience positive transformation in their lives. As founder and principal of Katalist Consulting Group, she helps her clients develop programs and strategies to successfully cope and thrive through challenging but important business and career transition. She also directs the Career Development Program for Graduate and Professional students at Wilfrid Laurier University

Her first book, Reflections from the Waiting Room: Insights for Thriving When Life Puts You on Hold, has received national and international acclaim, including the 2007 Award of Merit for Best Independently Published Non-Fiction by The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards.

Read our interview with Keturah

David Kitz's story, "Friday, 8:50 a.m., April 7, AD 30," on page 157 of Hot Apple Cider was adapted from a section is his novel about the crucifixion, The Soldier, the Terrorist, and the Donkey King.

David Kitz is an actor, an award-winning author, and a public school teacher. For over twelve years, he served as an ordained pastor with the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada.

He has a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies, in addition to Bachelor’s degrees in both Arts and Education.

David's love for drama and storytelling is evident to all who have seen his Bible based performances. For several years now, he has toured across Canada and into the United States with a variety of one-man plays for both children and adults.

Though born and raised in Saskatchewan, David now lives in Ottawa with his wife Karen, and their two adult sons, Tim and Joshua.

Read our interview wth David

As a child at the cottage, Diane Roblin-Lee loved lying on the sun-soaked dock, staring at her rippled reflection in the water, wondering who she would become.

As the years have rolled away the wrap on her life, things she never dreamed possible have been exposed—graduation in the Class of '67 from Acadia University; careers in Social Work, teaching (High School Phys.Ed. and Guidance), writing, speaking, graphic design and publishing; seven years as a regular TV host on NiteLite and Raiders of the Lost; a stint in provincial politics; 38 years of marriage with two sons and four grandchildren.

While she never thought divorce would be part of her life, she now finds herself in a new season of life. The child on the dock has grown up. The ripples have gone and she see life more clearly now. She is grateful for the things God is teaching her.

Diane now serves as Director of Communications for Winning Kids Inc. and recently accepted an invitation to serve on the Board of Directors for Heart to Heart Ministries. Through her company, byDesign Media, she does custom publishing and design work, designs the Crossroads Compass for 100 Huntley Street, and continues to write, most recently the book A Different World and a series of related booklets titled Predator-Proof Your Family.

Read our interview with Diane

Grace Fox wrote the stories “People Matter Most” on page 105 and “Will My Baby Die Without Me?” on page 195 of Hot Apple Cider. The latter story reminds readers of God’s faithfulness when life takes an unexpected detour. Her daughter Stephanie, born with hydrocephalus, is now married and enjoying good health although she still requires a shunt.

Grace Fox is an author and speaker best described in three words: Daring. Deep. Devoted. Her passion is to help women develop the same characteristics – to become daring in their faith, deep in their convictions, and devoted in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Drawing from Scripture and personal experiences learned while living on Canada’s rugged coastline, in urban U.S.A., and in Nepal’s Himalayan mountains, she uses the written page and the public stage to build Christ-based confidence in audiences worldwide.

Read Our Interview with Grace