While we didn’t enter the book Hot Apple Cider in the The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards (because The Word Guild had worked with us to donate 30,000 copies of the book to World Vision’s Girls Night Out events), individual authors were encouraged to enter.

7 pieces were awards finalists and 5 won awards.

June 18, 2009
For immediate release

NEWCOMERS AND VETERANS TOP THE WORD GUILD 2009 AWARDS

Toronto—A novel set during the Roman Empire and a series of articles from the anthology Hot Apple Cider were the most awarded publications at The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards this year. Awards were given in 30 independently judged categories, including non-fiction books, novels, articles, columns and poems published during 2008…..

Read complete press release here.

Below is the list of winning articles. Awards are given only if a certain standard of excellence is met. An Award of Merit is giving to an entry that gets a mark only very slightly less than the winner.

N. J. Lindquist

Article—General Readership (articles that explain or encourage faith for mainstream readers)
Winner: N. J. Lindquist of Markham, Ont. for “The Diamond Ring” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Article—Inspirational/Devotional
Winner: N. J. Lindquist of Markham, Ont. for “The Diamond Ring” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Award of Merit: N. J. Lindquist of Markham, Ont. for “My Letter to the Editor” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Angelina Fast-Vlaar

Article—Personal Experience
Winner: Angelina Fast-Vlaar of St. Catharines, Ont. for “It Was Then That I Carried You” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Article—Profile/Human Interest
Award of Merit: Eleanor Shepherd of Pointe Claire, Que. for “Living Outside Our Comfort Zones” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Complete list of winners:

Other finalists from Hot Apple Cider were:

Article—Inspirational/Devotional
Angelina Fast Vlaar of St. Catharines, Ont. for  “It Was Then That I Carried You” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Short Story
Bonnie Grove of Saskatoon, Sask. for “Stuckville Cafe” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Ray Wiseman, co-author of the story, “Of Cobras, Culture and Change” was presented with the Leslie K. Tarr Award for Career Achievement, sponsored by Tyndale university and Seminary.

Ray’s wife Anna Wiseman was given a Special Recognition Award by The Word Guild for her contribution to Ray’s writing.

All photographs taken by Audrey Tavares.