CWD Highlights - April - June 2022

Christian Writers Downunder is a diverse group of writers, editors, bloggers, illustrators. As a group we support each other through our Facebook page and blog.

Today's blog will highlight some of the achievements of our members from April - June 2022

New Releases

The Verindon Conspiracy by Lynne Stringer

Misilina has finished her training at the Academy on verindon and hopes to prove that she’s as good an agent as her father, Keridan. However, her first assignment is guarding Lord Jolan—her childhood tormentor and the son of Overlord Ardon—who is making a planetary visit to Darsair with his bride-to-be, Mandine, to help the Darsairian government improve conditions for the mine workers. But when the miners stage an uprising and attempt to kill Jolan, can Misilina and her fellow agents keep Jolan and Mandine alive?

Lynne Stringer's latest sci-fi adventure, The Verindon Conspiracy, takes place ten years after her Verindon Trilogy, but can be read by first-timers to the Verindon world. 

Date of publication: 30th April 2022
Publisher: Rhiza Edge
It's on sale on Amazon for $2.99 US for a short time only.
 Buy it here 

 Reading Stones Publishing

In April Reading Stones publishing (Wendy Wood and Helen Brown) released the third book in the Gems of Australia Series by Olwyn Harris: Emerald Dreams. 

 Helen Brown’s short story, Casey’s New Life, was short listed for the Power to Change writing competition and was released as part of a combined work. A modified version of this story will also be released along with a series of similar stories written by Helen later this year. 

Helen also released her second work of fiction, Like Father… Like Son, and we were excited to see sales exceed 50 copies within the first week.

In May, Reading Stones produced a small autobiography for Helen’s father, a unique work designed to be distributed at his funeral – life is definitely not boring for us here. We also entered Like Father… Like son was entered in the Bookshelf Fiction competition.

In June, Reading Stones released a non-fiction book about the Old Bakeries of Gympie and their Families, written by John Stark.

Starlit Realms: A Fantasy Anthology

Ten unforgettable stories of mystery and adventure from ten fantasy writers are woven together by the great Storyteller's own eternal magic.

*The mysterious Logunder Library houses no ordinary books, but those created from trees from the Enchanted Forest in a bid to save itself.
*A young princess must choose a husband from four unlikely and undesirable suitors.
*A girl's father goes off to battle dragons in an alternate war and she undergoes dangers to find him.
*A shape-shifting queen risks her life for a family condemned by age-old prejudice.
*One young slave girl risks her life for the sake of reading sacred texts.
*The final day of one of the waterfolk is celebrated with songs and music as she wanders back into the sea.
*A magic boot takes a young couple for the ride of their lives.
*A poor girl deceives the royal family to snag a husband, but it is not as easy as she thinks.
*A biological lab covers up the truth about its research and sends two science students into danger.
*On the summer solstice at Willow Woods Peak, animals may speak and a cat enlists the help of a human to unravel a secret.

The story made it into the anthology along with the stories of a bunch of other great writers - including CWD members  - Elizabeth Klein (the mastermind and editor), Adele Jones, Rebekah Rodda, Jeanette O'Hagan and Jenny Woolsey.

Starlit Realms: a fantasy anthology - is free on Amazon and other retailers. So why not download it and enjoy :)

Awards

CALEB Prize

The Long List for the CALEB prize has been announced - you can see the full list on Monday's post here.  Congratulations to our CWD members who made the long list - Carolyn Miller, Lisa Renee, Meredith Resce, Elaine Fraser, Jenny Glazebrook,  Kristen Young, Susan Brown, Emily Maurits, Dienece Darling, Suzie Pybus, Barbara McKay and Stephanie Walters.  All the best for the awards - which will be announced at the CALEB dinner on Oct 2022.

Sparklit nominee

Helen Brown's the Power of Prayer, published by Kurt Mahlburg and Warwick Marsh (they head up Canberra Declaration) was entered into this year’s Sparklit Christian Book of the Year competition.

Events

Omega Writers Book Fair

Due to the uncertainty due to Covid earlier in the year and also the personal circumstances of the committee member, The Omega Writers Book Fair has been deferred until March next year. We are sad to skip a year but look forward to seeing our readers and authors in 2023.

Coorparoo Presbyterian Church Book Fair

THE COORPAROO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

BOOK FAIR

(EMLYN STREET, COORPAROO, BRISBANE)

SATURDAY 20 AUGUST 2022

10 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.

Omega Writers Conference 2022 Kingscliff

Omega Writers have decided to give you a greater opportunity to register for the conference at the early bird price. Instead of finishing tomorrow, June 18, the early bird will now close on Monday July 18.

And don’t forget, if you’re an Omega member, you can use your discount code at the checkout to reduce the price even further. 

Why go to the conference?

This year’s line-up of speakers has been deliberately curated to encourage, resource and inspire you on your writing journey. 

With opportunities to network with other likeminded and supportive writers, you will leave with new ideas, new connections, and a renewed excitement for your writing project.

The keynote speaker will be Steven James, author of Synapse and several books for writers. 

Others speakers include: 

*Collett Smart will present a plenary session on Self-Compassion, Resilience, and Well-being for Writers, as well as a practical non-fiction workshop.
*Lystra Rose, winner of the Black&Write Writing Fellowship will present on The unspoken rules of Indigenous protocols every writer should know.
*Hands-On Workshop Streams for Writers of Fiction and Non-Fiction
*A Marketing Intensive with Lisa Renee
*Tips and Advice on writing for the US Market
*Writing for Children and YA

We will also be offering participants the opportunity to book an appointment in The Hub (for a small fee) with agents, publishers, editors and industry experts to discuss their work in progress, or to pitch a manuscript ready for submission..

Click here to find out more, and book before 18 July to save $50.

Did you have a new release or event or brag point that didn't make it to the Highlights Post? Keep an eye out for the next call for information from members - the next Highlights post will be in end of September 2022.

Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements.

Jeanette O'Hagan