endorsement » Hot Apple Cider Books

The Word Guild Members Make Waves with Biggest Launch Ever of a Canadian Christian Book

November 7, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Sometimes all you need is a reminder that there is something good in the world. A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stimulate the Mind and Delight the Spirit is a combination of short stories, poetry, and works of memoir picked for their inspirational nature, dedicated to finding a shining light in our lives that so often turn dark. The stories within are touching and poignant, and will help readers remember that there is something after the worst of it all. A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cideris a follow up to the previous acclaimed volume, and the sequel executes the original’s purpose masterfully.”

Midwest Book Review, June 11, 2011

Markham, Ontario—Thirty-seven Canadian writers are making history by conducting the most extensive launch ever done for a Canadian Christian book. Since A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stimulate the Mind and Delight the Spirit was released in May, the book’s writers have participated in more than 150 readings and signings in seven provinces.

A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider is an all-Canadian book that is receiving five-star reviews. The inspirational collection of stories by writers who share a Christian faith perspective contains short fiction, poetry, and personal experience articles, all of which provide hope and encouragement.

The contributing writers have held launch events at venues ranging from bookstores, public libraries, churches, and conferences to farmers’ markets, craft shows, summer camps, and apple harvest festivals. The authors are carrying out promotional events throughout autumn—the perfect season for relaxing with a heart-warming book while enjoying a cup of hot apple cider.

Michaels Family Books in Pickering, Ontario, has hosted a number of in-store events featuring readings by some of the Hot Apple Cider writers. Staff member Carrie Jeffrey says, “A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider is a warm, cozy read on a cold night. Filled with inspirational stories, both fiction and non-fiction, it is guaranteed to identify with readers of all ages. It is so refreshing to have a Canadian-authored book that all Canadians can be proud of! A Second Cup is a wonderful gift—just in time for the Christmas season!”

Everyone involved in the Hot Apple Cider anthology series is a member of The Word Guild, a national association of almost 400 Canadian writers and editors who are Christian. Editors N. J. Lindquist and Wendy Elaine Nelles co-founded this organization in 2001.

The first book in this groundbreaking series, Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stir the Heart and Warm the Soul, has nearly 45,000 copies in circulation. A Second Cup is well on its way to bestseller status as well.

Both books are published in Canada by That’s Life! Communications.

To download and print free Study Guides for individuals or groups, find out about author signings or readings in your area, or book one of the writers for your store, church, or discussion group, for Hot Apple Cider, go here, and for A Second Cup go here.

Go here to download the complete press release as a Word document.

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

In The News

Apr 292011

Here’s what’s happening in the Hot Apple Cider headlines:

(Updates from Wendy Nelles)

Thanks to Glynis Belec, her book reviews of Donna Dawson's and Robert
White's books work in a nice mention of A Second Cup of Hot Apple
Cider in her bio and her launch April 30 at Zeal for Teal. In today's
Kitchener Waterloo Record.

http://www.therecord.com/whatson/books/article/524451–books-what-they-re-reading

Also found this from today's Peterborough Examiner re: the farmers
market book launch May 7.

http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=3100282

Have found one of the first Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider reviews, published in the April 29
issue of The Kitchener-Waterloo Record.

Done by Joanne Guidoccio, a Guelph writer. She singles out writers from south-western Ontario and
talks about Chapters Waterloo signing by The Group of Five.

“I had planned to read one short piece in this book each evening, but
found I couldn't put the book down. Each heart-warming story, article
and poem provides encouragement and reassurance that God is at work in
our lives. The book follows in the successful footsteps of the
first volume, Hot Apple Cider, which achieved bestseller status in
Canada."

http://www.therecord.com/print/article/524430

One of Wendy's press releases was recently published in the Burford Times.

See the story here: http://www.burfordtimes.com/ (scroll down to the fourth

article.)

In other news:

An update from Dorene Meyer that A Second Cup made the bestseller list for the week of April 17. That means it was listed in the Winnipeg Free Press as a Manitoba best-seller and also posted in their store as a best-seller.

From Kimberley Payne: Cheryl Rogers, publisher of New Christian Books in the States has posted a short announcement about HAC2 with a link to Amazon for purchase.

http://www.songsfromtheword.com/NewChristianBooks /

Inspiration is always in season, and readers are responding with enthusiasm to the sip-size helpings this Second Cup is serving up.

From the Crossroads website: "It’s always good to have something to stir our hearts and warm our souls, especially during these times of chilling news reports. That’s why Crossroads is pleased to offer this wonderful collection of short stories, prose and poetry called HOT APPLE CIDER.

In the tradition of Chicken Soup for the Soul, these writings, penned by Canadian Christian authors, are like a cozy cup of hot cider for the heart. You or a loved one will be deeply encouraged with moments of warmth, faith and touching reflection through this inspiring book!"

Anyone who knows me well knows that the music filling my air space most of the time has a very distinct country western flavour to it. (No, not "new" country – "real" country.)

Through the wonders of the internet, I've had the opportunity to chat with a few of the people whose music I play. A while ago, I invited one of my favorite singer/songwriters (and a former high school English teacher – just like me!) to read Hot Apple Cider and give us an endorsement.

Today, this arrived in my email box – all the way from Texas… Thanks, jAm!

"One story inspired me to read the next. I kept dipping my cup into the barrel until I finished it, my thirst quenched and my faith reinvigorated." john Arthur martinez, Universal/AGR TV Recording Artist