Canadian Christian author » Hot Apple Cider Books

Neither Rain, Nor Wind, Nor Flickering Lights…

Nov 022011

… could keep Janet Sketchley's spirits down, or customers from coming out to Chapters in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Despite heavy rain and high winds, the Chapters Dartmouth (NS) signing on October 30 went ahead. The lights only flickered twice! Attendance was down, but the store staff were very kind and there were always a few customers to talk with. (Janet)

This was my "home" Chapters, and my husband and son came to help.

Appearances and book signings are popping up across the country. Be sure to check out the Meet Us page to find out where.

The Girls Have a Good Time in Pickering

Oct 252011

Even though contributor Bonnie Beldan-Thomson couldn't make it out to Michaels Family Books, she organized a book signing event that ran as smooth as cider, Hot Apple, that is. Good conversations, prize draws and delighted recipients of gift bags and signed copies of the book were just part of the fun. Brian Reynolds, the store manager, who came out on his day off to greet the girls and ensure they had everything they needed, and the bookstore staff were friendly and helpful.

Kimberley Payne, A. A. Adourian, Vilma Blenman and Marguerite Cummings at Michaels Family Books in Pickering, Ontario.

Word On The Street

Oct 142011

On September 25, The Word On The Street national book and magazine festival celebrated literacy and the written word in communities across Canada, and many Second Cup contributors were part of the celebration. The Word Guild members set up booths and tables in Halifax, Saskatoon and Toronto.

Here's a little peek:

"Word On The Street"

Drayton Library

Oct 072011

Glynis Belec and a gregarious group of A Second Cup contributors were at the Drayton Public Library back in July. She shares some of the highlights with us.

"Drayton Library"

What a super Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider signing at the Drayton Library (say that ten times fast!) Sadly, due to a sudden family health concern, Bonnie Beldan-Thomson was unable to attend. But, we did honour her, and Adele Simmons skilfully read Bonnie’s story to a rapt audience. We had a great evening of song and readings. My dad was there and was reduced to tears after Donna Dawson’s story. As Adele followed up by singing “Try a Little Tenderness” (my mom’s favourite song), his heart was full.

Ruth Smith Meyer made us laugh and assess our own attitudes towards marriage, and then left us hanging…so that the curious would have to read ‘the rest of the story!’ Donna not only stirred our hearts with her words, she shared her musical gifts and tag-teamed with Adele throughout the evening. I shared my story and was glad that Sue (who made an appearance in my story,) dropped by to support us. We had cider and apple crisp, coffee, tea and cookies galore. The door prize, which consisted of Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, Apple Chips, Lindt Chocolates, Special Cookies, books donated by Ruth and Donna, handmade apple-themed cards donated by my daughter, Amanda, and a copy of the first Hot Apple Cider book went out to the former librarian from the public school. I was thrilled she won it.

One of the other librarians thought the title was a wonderful one. She said the Hot Apple Cider original was in constant demand over the winter and she has a feeling the second one will be, too. So Nancy and Wendy, thanks for that. We were also asked to come back again in December.

Thanks to Ruth, Donna & Adele for coming and helping to make a joyful noise at the Drayton library.

Happy writing, all! Glynis Belec.

House of James–Toe Tapping Fun and Hot Apple Cider

Oct 012011

Recently, contributors, Paul Beckingham (from Hot Apple Cider), Ed Hird and Bill Bonikowsky were whooping it up at the House of James in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

"House of James"

Ed Hird has plenty to share about the evening over at his blog. We thought you'd want to see what all the buzz was about.

Apples Are In This Season

Sep 282011

It's no secret, this year's best dressed orchards are flaunting their Delicious reds in a flagrant array of autumn's Gala colours, and we've fallen for the fashion too. Book signings and appearances are popping up in big cities and quiet communities across the country. Like the House of James bookstore in Abbotsford, Ontario, and Word on the Street Festivals in Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax; with Second Cups being served up in churches from Nackawic, New Brunswick, to Moorefield, Ontario, to Hatchett Lake, Nova Scotia.

There's something for everyone in this second season of That's Life! Communications' heart-stirring anthology, and we'd like you to be part of it, too. Find out where all the fun is by checking the Meet Us page regularly; and let us know how the stories have touched you by sharing something under the Reader Comments section. We've even included several recipes to keep your taste buds tapping while you read, too.

Staying in fashion has never been so much fun!

A Second Cup of Comfort on the East Coast

Jul 192011

Janet Sketchley hosted the East Coast portion of the Canada-wide launch of A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider in April at Regal Road Baptist Church, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Participants enjoyed servings of hot apple cider (the drink) and samples from A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider (the grace-filled and encouraging stories). Guest reader was local author Janet Burrill, who shared an excerpt from her novel on the Halifax Explosion, Dark Clouds of the Morning.

"JS"

Bonnie Beldan-Thomson in the Spotlight

Jul 072011

Bonnie Beldan-Thomson, contributor to A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider, had an inspiring interview with Peter Kazmaier recently about the popular anthology and her part in it.

Here's a little peek inside:

KAZMAIER: Bonnie, by all accounts Hot Apple Cider has been a success in a relatively small book market like Canada. How many books have been sold? What prompted the issue of the second volume?

BELDAN-THOMSON: Hot Apple Cider has 45,000 copies in circulation. The warm reception it received is one of the reasons for creating A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider. Readers wanted more.

But writers, as well as readers, benefit. Being a contributor to one of these books provides a unique opportunity for developing one’s craft through an intensive editing process under the tutelage of editors, NJ Lindquist and Wendy Nelles. Contributors to these two anthologies gained first-hand understanding of the many steps required to take a book from manuscript to printing to sales.

Another benefit to the contributors is that they become part of an on-line community where they connect and learn from each other.

KAZMAIER: In A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider, your story Love in the Ice and Snow is an intensely personal account of a daughter visiting her aged father. I presume this was based on your own experience. How did this story come to you?

BELDAN-THOMSON: The characters, setting and plot of this story are fictional. However, my understanding of how it might happen came about because of the last years of my father’s life.

The experience of losing someone you love to dementia, bit by bit, day by day, is difficult and painful. My comfort came from looking not at the parts of my father that had gone missing, but at the bits of him that remained intact. I saw this the day my siblings and I took musical instruments to his nursing home. He no longer communicated verbally and gave no sign of recognizing us, but when we played familiar old songs, he began to sing, not just the tune, but words. And he sang not just the melody, but harmony. In spite of evidence to the contrary, my dad was there.

Read the entire interview on Peter's blog.

Congratulations, Bonnie. Your contributions are sure to continue blessing many.

Get it Together! In Guelph

Jun 082011

Friday, June 17 is your chance to meet more than 20 of the contributing writers from A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider at the Bookstore Party during Write! Canada–the largest Christian writers' conference in Canada. The Bookstore Party will start around 9:30 p.m., after the evening plenary session. Go to the back of the main building to the Write! Canada bookstore in the Gymnasium (Jantz Room).

If you are not registered at the Write! Canada conference, you are welcome to come to the Bookstore Party to get autographs from many of the authors, and purchase other books by members of The Word Guild.

It's all happening at the Guelph Bible Conference Centre, 485 Waterloo Avenue, Guelph, Ontario. (Turn left immediately next to Woodycrest side street and proceed down long driveway.)

Peterborough Launch

May 182011

Judi Peers and I set up our display as the birds serenaded us at the 7 a.m. market. This was the first outdoor market of the season. Surprised by the cold weather, we wrapped our hands around warm cups of hot apple cider…

By 10 a.m. the weather warmed up and the crowds marched in. A man placed an open guitar case on the ground across from our display and strummed a beautiful melody for over 3 hours. What a blessing to us! Judi offered him a copy of A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider in thanks.

Friends, old and new, came to visit us. Many people came to our display to sample the ginger cookies, apple juice and cider. They then inquired about the book. We felt the launch had an effect on many, not just Christians. At 1 p.m. we wrapped it up–tired, but satisfied.

~Kimberley Payne