CWD Highlights - July - September 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 July - September 2022

New Releases

Amelia's Island by Jeanette Grant-Thomson

Amelia’s Island relates beautiful Amelia’s journey from being vain, spoilt, and lost in fantasy
to finding real love, life and The Truth.
An island,
an author friend,
an outspoken doctor,
an obsessive muso
are all part of her story, while in the background the great ocean gleams and murmurs.

Title: Amelia’s Island
Author: Jeanette Grant-Thomson
Published 26 th July 2022
Published by Jeanette Grant-Thomson with the help of InHouse Publishing

This book cannot be purchased in shops but is available at:
www.facebook.com/jeanette.grantthomson
Its RRP is $23 but it sells for less during sales.

Licence to Die (GRUnGE.001) by Mazzy Adams 

Three shattered people. Two cutting-edge technologies. One licence to die. This time, the spy game is real. 

‘A total stranger knows my thoughts? Oh, my God! I’m gonna die. For real.’

When fledgling ASIO agent and tech guru, Benjamin Alejandro, takes over a top-secret ‘mind-reading’ software project, he inadvertently exposes Mac, an unwitting participant who’s embroiled in a dodgy witness protection scheme.

The mysterious Mac unravels Ben’s altruistic comfort zone quicker than a cat attack. With a criminal consortium poised to pounce, is Ben the only one who gives a bandicoot’s patootie whether the audacious teenager lives or dies? Stuck for options, Ben enlists hotshot game developer, Christopher Darnell, but Chris’s own demons surface to drag them all under.

Integrity and emotions collide as Mac’s thoughts—brilliant, spirited, and irresistible—dance across Ben’s computer screen. With a killer closing in, time running out, and Chris out for revenge, must Ben pay the ultimate price to save the intriguing stranger whose thoughts have captured his heart?

Bleeding hope and humour through cracks at the edge of reality, Licence to Die is quirky, raw, and redemptive; a unique blend of intrigue and inspiration with an upmarket Down Under vibe.

Mazzy Adams' entertaining, genre-bending fiction offers a thought-provoking word feast for New (and not-so-new) Adults alike, with deeper allegorical and metaphysical mysteries to intrigue upmarket readers and book club connoisseurs.

Title: Licence to Die (GRUnGE.001)

Author: Mazzy Adams

Publisher: Zest N Zenith Creative & Academic Group (CIPA/CAN member)

Release Date: 14^th September 2022

Purchase Links:

Via Booklinker:  https://mybook.to/licence-to-die-mazzy-adams

Via Books2Read: https://books2read.com/licence-to-die-Mazzy-Adams

Or follow the arrows to both links from her website: https://mazzyadams.com/

Book launch will be held at 2:00pm Saturday 24th September at the Danish Flower Art and Cafe Complex, 10347 New England Hwy, Highfields, Qld (just north of Toowoomba).

The Case of the Missing Moggies by Debra Clewer

Expert Australian Persian cat detective, Ah-Fur, is called upon to investigate the cat-napping of two expert rat-catching cats from the English Prime Minister’s office and country residence. He suspects that the perpetrator is a slippery rat villain who has escaped his capture in Australia and is now in London. But is he right? Will good triumph over evil?

Debra Williams's new Junior Fiction Chapter Book released by Morris Publishing Australia in August 2022, under her pen name of Debra Clewer.

The book launched was on Wednesday the 21st of September in her local library. It is a fun cat detective mystery for 7-11-year-old children and is titled The Case of the Missing Moggies. The book is available to purchase as a print copy n:

Debra Clewer is the author of 3 Middle-Grade fantasy fiction novels and short stories, published in print and online. Her websites - http://www.clewerpuppets.com and http:/www./clewerbooknook.com

Title: Ah-Fur, Super Sleuth - The Case of the Missing Moggies
Author: Debra Clewer

Publication Date: 26 September 2022 (on Amazon).
Publisher: Morris Publishing Australia
You can buy it through Morris Publishing Australia, bookstores and through Amazon here.

Once a Jolly Swagman by Sara Powter

1870s Parramatta and Kent - An old black Billy Can contain the secrets of an incredible life.

Rick Lockley’s life is seemingly taken from his hands by his family. At seventeen he’s not too keen about being told what to do so he runs away and becomes a swagman. Years pass, still heart sore he returns home, arriving wiser, engaged and broke. He has collected some valuable friends, including Jack, a jolly swagman. 

Rick knows little about the old man who protected him during his years on the road. He understands Jack has secrets, but Rick trusts him. The old man comes to live with Rick and his new wife, and some of his story unfolds. On his death Jack leaves Rick his precious Billy Can, the contents reveal Jack’s identity. Stunned, Rick finds he must travel to England to finalise Jack’s wishes. There he uncovers Jack’s life of love, betrayal and a link to his own family. Rick finds there is much more to learn about this enigmatic man.

The story was inspired by twenty of THE SEEKERS songs.

Sara Powter lives in Australia and a descent of four convicts. Her stories are inspired by them. Two years ago she started writing during a covid shutdown and now have fifteen books done. ( 1.8 million words all up)

Title: Once A Jolly Swagman 

(Bk 5 in Lockleys of Parramatta series)

Author: Sara Powter

Release Date 26 September 2022 (on Amazon).
Printed by Pacific Wanderland Publications & distributed by both Amazon and Woodslane Press in Sydney Australia.
You can buy it here.

Readings Stones

The end of July saw the launch of the book, “The Old Gympie Bakeries and their Families” written by John Stark. It was our pleasure to assist this wonderful Christian man in his venture.

Helen Brown's“ You’re; Healing Broken Hearts in Huntersville” will officially be released on 8 October. 2022  The book was inspired by Helen's story, “Casey’s New Life” (which made it into the top ten entries of Power to Change’s short story competition earlier this year). 

Title: You’re; Healing Broken Hearts in Huntersville
Author: Helen Brown

Release Sate 8 October 2022

Publisher: Reading Stones

Acceptances

Hazel Barker's short story, ‘The Hand of God,’ has been selected for publication in the Stories of Life anthology which will be published in November. http://hazelmbarker.wordpress.com

The full list of stories to published in the latest Stories of Life anthology will be announced in October. Prize winners are announced at the launch of the anthology in November. For more information check out the Stories of Life website.

Awards

CALEB Awards 

The winners will be announced at the CALEB Awards Dinner at the Omega Writers Conference Kingscliffe.

Events

Coorparoo Presbyterian Book Fair

In August several authors attended the Coorparoo Presbyterian Church Book Fair, facilitated by David Malcolm Bennett.  CWD Authors at the event David Malcolm Bennett, Lynne Stringer, Jeannette O'Hagan, Rebekah Robinson, Hazel Barker, Ruth Bonetti, Helen Brow, Wendy Wood.  

 Helen and Wendy report " a wonderful time of fellowship withother writers and family members."

Reading Stones go North

After the Coorparoo PC Book Fair, Reading Stones editors, Helen Brown and Wendy Wood travelled to Gympie to spend a day with Helen’s father and Wendy’s grandfather, before continuing on to Proserpine to take part in the Liberty Whitsundays Church's Book Extravaganza.

The results were very successful, making a considerable number of sales, new contacts with prospective authors, artists, and other Christian members of their community.

Rendered Realms

Rendered Realms was at Oz Comic Con last weekend. While Adele Jones was unable to be there for the weekend, both Jeanette O'Hagan and Lynne Stringer were present. Lynne dressed as Missilina, the main character in her latest release, The Verindon Conspiracy while Jeanette was dressed as Kupanna Marra, one of the characters in the Akrad's Legacy series.  While a little quieter than other years, crowds of enthusiastic spec fic fans streamed through the doors, many in cosplay, interesting conversations were had and books signed by the authors were sold :) 

Lynne Stringer, Jeanette O'Hagan and Adele Jones will be at Supanova in November at the Brisbane Convention Centre. This year one of the special guests will be Alex Kingston, known to Doctor Who Fans as River Song. 

Omega Writers Conference 2022 Kingscliff

The Omega Writers Conference 2022 Kingscliff is fast approaching. 

Are you going? Conference registration and afternoon tea are at Peppers from 3pm NSW time on Friday 7 October. ie. Conference registration opens at 2:30 at Peppers, and afternoon tea is at 3:00pm.

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 December 2022.

Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements.

Jeanette O'Hagan

CWD Highlights - July to September 2020

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 July to September 2020

Awards

CALEB Awards

Congratulations to the CALEB award finalists including our CWD members - Helen Carr, Emily Maurits, Kirsten Hart, Judy Rogers, Jean Saxby, & Susan Barnes

Winners will be announced via a Zoom meeting on Saturday 17 October 2020

Check out the full short list here HERE

New Releases & Cover Reveals

Grace Upon Grace by Teri Kempe

Teri Kempe has published her book, Grace Upon Grace. My five amazing years in Fiji in June this year.

Teri Kempe had a job she loved in Sydney, Australia when her life took an unexpected turn. Having just reached retirement age, she heard the unmistakable call of God to move to Fiji as a missionary volunteer. With only her aged pension for financial support, she left her family, friends and church for five life-changing years.

Grace Upon Grace is the story of the author’s five amazing years as a missionary. She shares the highs and lows of her time there, as well as her trust in God as she went about his work. Over five years, without knowing what the future held for her, she made a startling discovery that God’s grace is tangible. She began to see life through a different lens as God worked his refining process.

It was not easy. Sometimes she cried, sometimes she laughed, but through it all she grew closer to understanding God’s unconditional love. She found a peace and joy she could not imagine possible as God saturated her in His grace.


Terri has been encouraged by good sales, but especially by a letter from a man in his final weeks who was encouraged and uplifted by Grace Upon Grace.



Terri has also had two short stories accepted for publication in an anthology - A story of WWII - my mother sheltered my sister in the Blitz" in the NSW Senior's Volume 6 Anthology on the theme of Resilience and a story (under a pseudonym) in the Stories of Life 2020 - Tabor Press.

Heart of a Princess by Hannah Currie

Hannah Currie's second book, Heart of a Princess, released 15 July 2020 through WhiteFire Publishing. It's the second book in the Daughters of Peverell series. 

To the watching world, Princess Alina has it all – maids to serve her, a kingdom to revere her, a prince to marry her, and a wardrobe filled with enough frills, flounces and shades of pink to rival a flower shop. But behind the smiles and designer clothes, Alina has a secret. She’s barely holding it together. 

After a moment of panic almost ends in tragedy, Alina is sent to a refuge far from the palace to recuperate. Her family claim it’s for her own good but – faced with cows, knife-beaked ducks and far too many of her own insecurities – Alina is pretty sure it will kill her first. And Joha Samson, infuriating man that he is, will laugh as it does.

Only there’s more to Joha than she realizes, and more to herself too. When the time comes to make a stand, will she find the courage?

Available from Koorong and other retailers (Amazon, Book Depository, WhiteFire, etc). 

Australian author, Hannah Currie, loves God, family, people, and the incredible privilege of seeing God use her words to encourage young (and young-at-heart) adults all over the world.

Wellspring of Time by Elizabeth Klein

Elizabeth Klein has published her YA fantasy novel, Wellspring of Time as an eBook on 24th July. As a paperback on 30th July.  

Dark forces released in the form of shape shifters threaten brothers Dougray and Robbie and their companion, Belle, when they embark on another perilous journey, this time to the Dead City. Here they are faced with the most fearsome trial of all when Dougray, poisoned by a rogue spell, attempts to kill them one by one. After a deadly sword fight ensues, Robbie flees the city with Belle, believing Dougray to be dead in the catacombs, along with his father.

You can buy it HERE. 

She has revealed the cover of Book 6 in the Bethloria series, Symphony of Star Songs, which is soon be published. 

Elizabeth has also published a short story called 'Abandoned' in Open House 4 on Monday, 3rdAugust, 2020 by Storm Cloud Publishing and her play 'A Museum Piece', was requested to be reprinted by The School Magazine on 28th July, 2020

Elizabeth Klein writes fantasy, fairy tale retellings and humorous middle grade adventures. She has a new website, which you can find HERE.

Under the Mountain Boxed set 4-5 by Jeanette O'Hagan

Jeanette O'Hagan has released the second Under the Mountain boxed set with the final two novellas of the series, Shadow Crystals and Caverns of the Deep on 8 September 2020

Shut fast for two hundred years and defended by deadly traps, the Gate stands between the people of the Glittering Realms and survival.

Delvina and Zadeki seek the key to opening the Gate from the Vaane overlords across the ocean while Delvina's twin, Retza and the former Overseer's daughter, Zara, face its cunning dangers. Will they find answers before it’s too late as food supplies dwindle and conflict intensifies in the Underground Realm. Madness and shadows, death and betrayal stalk the tunnels.

Will Zadeki, Zara and the twins - Retza and Delvina - find a way to save the Glittering Realms in time and secure a better future for their people?

Set in the World of Nardva, Under the Mountain Boxed Set Books 4-5 includes the last two novellas of the 5 novella series: Shadow Crystals & Caverns of the Deep. Buy it today and be immersed in the exciting finale of this epic novella series. Both boxed sets are available at a reduced price until the end of the month. You can find a it HERE

Jeanette O'Hagan's Nardvan stories span continents, millennia and cultures. Some involve shapeshifters and magic. Others include space stations and cyborgs.  

Events & Opportunities

Other News

Short stories from CWD members, including Jeanette Grant-Thomson (That Wonderful Peace) have been accepted for the 2020 Stories of Life competition. We look forward to the publication of the anthology later this year.

Save the date:  

CALEB Awards Night: 17 October

Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements

CWD Highlights - April to June 2020

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 to June 2020

New Releases, Acceptances & Cover Reveals

Lynne Stringer

Lynne Stringer released a new science fiction novel, The Verindon Alliance on 1st May 2020 (Published by Rhiza Edge). 

As Princess Vashta of the Vendel finishes her combat training, she hopes she will lead their forces into battle against her race’s deadly enemy, the Verindal. But when Brandonin, the heir to the Verindal throne, comes to see her father, it’s clear he desires peace, not war.

When a new enemy arises, striking at all who call their planet home, each race blames the other, even though the princess is sure this danger comes from somewhere new. She seeks Brandonin’s help in fighting this menace, but what can they do when both Vendel and Verindal refuse to work together? Can they defeat this deadly threat themselves or will it mean the end of life on Verindon?

The book (a prequel of the Verindon trilogy) is available here

Lynne Stringer is the author of the Verindon series of young adult science fiction romance books and Once Confronted, a contemporary drama.

Melissa Gijsbers

Melissa Gijsbers has released the first 4 ebooks in a series of writing prompts. The series is called LitPrompts.

Each ebook has 10 writing prompts on a different topic, starting with toilet paper!

The first ebook was published on April 23, with the other ebooks going live on Amazon during May.


All the details of the ebooks can be found here -  and more are on their way.

Olwyn Harris 

Reading Stones released the first of a 3-part Homes of Healing series by Olwyn Harris in April. 

The first book, Beachside Cottage is followed up with 2nd part, Petrea Downs, to be released on the 25th June.

These stories following the lives of Eliza-Beth and her sons and how they find healing through their connections to people, places and God.

Beachside Cottage is available here and Petrea Downs here.

Helen Brown

In May Reading Stones also released the 2nd Edition of Helen’s Book, Turning Water into Wine and the Revised Edition of 365 Glasses of Wine.

In Turning Water into Wine, Helen Brown takes 100 ordinary "water" moments and describes how God has used these to teach her valuable lessons about life and His love for her. Available here. 

365 Glasses of Wine from Helen Brown gives a daily "sip" of inspiration and encouragement. Each story is taken from her real-life experiences of walking, with God, through farming, drought, hardship, family life, and depression. Each story is designed to encourage others as they walk with God.  Available here.

June will also see the release of the 2nd editions of More Water into Wine and Conversations with Myself, by Helen Brown, these both being available after the 30th June.

Congratulations to our authors for their exciting new releases, revision and for all who have been working on their stories during the upheavals and challenges of the last few months.

Events & Opportunities

Omega Writers Conference Now 2021

A reminder that the Omega Writers Conference has been postponed to October 2021 due to Covid restrictions.

Due to the current Corona crisis, the 2020 Conference committee (Raewyn, Andrea and Narelle) have announced the postponement of the Omega Writers conference from Oct 2020 to Oct 2021 with no loss of funds.

Peppers Kingscliff is now rebooked for 8-10 October 2021.

Everything stays the same. Susie May Warren is happy to reschedule for 8-10 October 2021.

The next highlights post should be at the end of September. 

CWD Highlights

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 in the first half of 2017

New Releases:

Ruth Bonetti - From the Midnight Sun to Southern Cross

In May 2017 Ruth Bonetti released Midnight Sun to Southern Cross: Those who go and those who stay - the follow-on from Burn My Letters.


In the tradition of great family migration stories, Midnight Sun to Southern Cross continues the saga of the Back brothers' flight from Russian occupied Finland to Australia as the nineteenth century turned into the twentieth. From frozen Finland to the lush rainforests of northern New South Wales, to the dry and dusty sheep country of western Queensland, Ruth follows the highs and lows of their new life under the Southern Cross as well as exploring the lives of the siblings who stayed in Finland.

WA's granddaughter Ruth contrasts his and KJ's formative years in Finland with her own upbringing in outback Queensland. Her voyage of discovery and self-discovery uncovers research in Finland and Australia, and interweaves her own transformation from shy bush girl to speaker and musician.

Bio: Musician, teacher, author, performance coach, Ruth Bonetti is the author of dozens of books including Speak Out Don't Freak Out and Practice in Not a Dirty Word and more recently her historical-memoirs Burn My Letters and Midnight Sun to Southern Cross. Ruth initiated Omega Writers in 1991.

Carolyn Miller - Regency Romance

Carolyn Miller has had her first two Regency historical romances published this year by US Christian publishers Kregel.

'The Elusive Miss Ellison' released in February 2017

“Can the not-so-meek reverend’s daughter and the reluctant Earl of Hawkesbury look beyond painful pasts and present prejudice to see their future?"

Available at Koorong

'The Captivating Lady Charlotte' in June 2017

“Romance, responsibility and true love…
Can a widowed duke ever learn to trust the high-spirited Lady Charlotte when her heart demands the opposite of duty?”

Available at Koorong

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer's Regency era, Carolyn Miller lives in the Southern Highlands of NSW, Australia, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God's grace in our lives.

Jeanette O'Hagan - Blood Crystal

Jeanette O'Hagan released Blood Crystal, the sequel to Heart of the Mountain 30 June 2017

YA Fantasy Adventure in the lost realm Under the Mountain – Book 2

The underground realm is under attack from mad Overseer Uzza and the Crystal Heart is failing. As things become desperate, Twins Delvina and Retza must brave a treacherous journey to seek help from Zadeki and his people.

Will they find the answers they seek before it’s too late? Is the blood of Uzza’s children the only way to restore the Crystal Heart? What are the twins prepared to do to save their realm and those they love from certain destruction?

Available from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073H83F42.

Bio: Jeanette O'Hagan started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing and has published several short stories and poems and a novella, Heart of the Mountain. She has four short stories due for publication this year. Jeanette loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life and communicating God’s great love. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.

Jeanette Grant-Thomson - Healing Song

New edition of Healing Song - Merrilyn Billing with Jeanette Grant-Thomson was published in June 2017 (initially released in 1998 as Hear my Cry, Oh God!). It has a new title, new cover, a huge amount of editing, formatting by Lilly Pilly Publishing .

A True Story.

An electric shock caused many years of terrifying and crippling 'storms' in Merrilyn's brain. Desperate, she reached out to God and her sister . . . and embarked on a roller coaster healing journey.

Dramatic and inspiring, this true story has keys for people with long term problems.

Merrilyn is now Senior Pastor of Zions Hill Church, Launceston.

Buy from directly from Jeanette Grant-Thomson- jeanettegt@optusnet.com.au

Bio: A Moreton Bay Region author, Jeanette currently writes biographical works, novels and short stories.

Awards:

Lynne Stringer - Once Confronted

Lynne Stringer's Once Confronted (published October 2016 by Rhiza Press) won an Silver Award in Literary Classics (College Fiction section) on 1st July 2017

After a normal day turns disastrous, Madison Craig tries to put her life back together. She’s jumping at shadows and finds even familiar places terrifying. Can she forgive the men who hurt her? 

Her friend Evan Mansfield sees no need to do anything but hate their assailants. He struggles with bitterness, but Maddy wants to move on. What will she do when one of the men asks for forgiveness?

Buy link: http://www.rhizapress.com/once-confronted

Bio: Lynne Stringer has been passionate about writing all her life, beginning as the editor of a small newspaper (later magazine) for seven years, before turning her hand to screenplay writing and novels.

Susan Preston - Hold the Faith

In November 2016, Susan went to Miami because her novel Hold the Faith had won a Finalist award in the Christian, historical fiction section. Hold the Faith was published in 2014, and is the first book in a series of five books.

The series is self-published. It is set in the late first century AD and although sub-titled the ‘Apostle John Series’. Though important, the apostle John is the main focus of the books. The series focuses on the challenges and day to day life of the early Christians and the people whose lives they impact. (John’s fictitious great-grandson is a link through all the books.)

Susan Preston is a Scot transplanted to Western Australia, and now a widow. This and the loss of a stepson has given depth to my writing that it wouldn’t have otherwise.

The books are available on Amazon and although each is standalone it is a much better experience to grow with the people of the books.

Hold the Faith – Amazon link https://goo.gl/UBGtPE

Launches:

Kaye Hollings - Shaped launch

SHAPED - Is your life pear-shaped or purpose shaped?

By Kaye Hollings

Launch: 27 August 2017 at Mosaic Baptist, Mudgeeraba, QLD

Genre: Non-fiction; mind, body, spirit.

What shape is your soul?

Shaped is the story of the fashioning of my soul and filling that space with purpose and peace. How do you go from writer to Psychiatric Chaplain to Funeral Director? What a journey! I invite you to come and retrace my steps with me and perhaps discover your own revealed path emerge from the confusing maze of life and find yourself in the safe hands of the Divine Potter. 

Who or what is shaping you now?

The clay of our lives is pliable and can be moulded into many forms. It has been said that every person is born with a God-shaped hole, a void on the inside that only he can fill. This vacuum is the inbuilt desire of the human heart for something more, something transcendent, something spiritual that will last forever and give meaning to our existence. Have you discovered that vital connection between personal well-being and development of the inner life? 

About the author

Kaye has worked as a writer for the Church Missionary Society and Wesley Mission in Sydney, and has had many human interest stories and poetry printed in magazines and other publications.

She has authored two books of inspirational fiction – Dawn of Hope published in 2013 followed by the sequel Kept by Love in 2014. Shaped is the non-fiction prequel to the first two books and completes the story.