Oregon Christian Writers Founded in 1963, we are an organization of writers, both amateur and professional, who are Christians. Our members write for both ministry and markets.
Salem’s Doug Bolton was invited to be one of the Oregon authors at the Oregon State Fair, which ran August 26 through September 5. He signed his book, Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World. “What an honor to be one of the authors selected,” he said before the event. “I hope to meet many people and share the good news about fighting anxiety, fear, depression, self-doubt, hopelessness, and the many other usual suspects that haunt their lives.” Doug has begun work on his new book, Signs of Hope for Seniors: The Alligators that Chase Us.”
Carolyn Bolz of Riverside, California, had a short description she wrote about the women’s group at her church, as well as three photos she took, posted on the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League website under the News link. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod website (www.lcms.org) featured an article she wrote called “Don’t Make Me Sit in the Middle,” which recounts what happened to Carolyn during a flight from southern California to Denver a few years ago. The article is in the section called “Connect: Share and Read Stories from the LCMS Community.”
Ashland resident Cheryl Colwell’s debut novel, The Secrets of the Montebellis, is available as an e-book through her website at www.imagineabilities.com or at www.inspiredfictionbooks.com. The book’s main character, Lisa Richards, challenged by an abusive home life, devises a clandestine plan to escape. Danger stalks as secrets are revealed, possibly leading to a fabled family treasure. Cheryl also created a website for writers of conservative fiction at www.inspiredfictionbooks.com. “It’s a small niche, but I hope that by working together, we can have a Web presence that will appeal to readers of this mindset,” she said. It costs nothing to be included, and books can be traditionally published or self-published, e-books or p-books. She’s looking for book recommendations.
In the last six months, Gail Denham of Sunriver sold a poem to Bible Advocate (a thrill since we all appreciate Sherri Langton a lot); was selected as finalist for Senior Poet Laureatte with “Quiet, Where Did You Go?”; had several poems placed in anthologies; and won a prize for “What I Love About Frederick” from Alabama Poets Association. She’s waiting for news on several contests entered and items sent to publications.
Judy Gann of Lakewood, Washington, will present “Behind the Stacks: Library-Friendly Marketing” for the Publishers Track at the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Trade Show in Portland, October 13-15. She’ll also speak on the topic “Hope for the Journey,” based on her book, The God of All Comfort: Devotions of Hope for Those Who Chronically Suffer, at a meeting of chaplains and pastoral care volunteers on October 20 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma, Washington.
Portland’s Maxine Marsolini and her husband, Charlie Marsolini, a certified public accountant, released a new book in July called Rebuilding Families One Dollar at a Time: Achieving Financial Stability in Spite of an Uncertain Economy. The book focuses on money—one of the hottest topics threatening to undermine families, businesses, churches, and governments—and how to slay financial fears, refine money management, and add layers of protection to your financial future.
Mark W. McIntire of Salem will have three poems published in the upcoming Gold Man Review magazine, a publication of Willamette Writers.
Jennifer Anne F. Messing, Portland, had a short fiction story that placed as a finalist in the Brighton Community of Writers (United Kingdom) Summer Loving Short Story Competition 2011. Out of 175 entries from 24 countries (with entries from 20 states), Jennifer Anne’s story “Lucky in Love” was one of the 27 finalists. She also had a poem, “Close to You,” accepted for publication in the spring 2012 issue of God’s Word for Today, a daily devotional magazine; and she had a devotional reprint, “Graciousness” accepted for publication in the summer 2012 issue of Evangel.
Lillian Penner of Tigard recently published a book entitled Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for Your Grandchildren. The book, available at http://www.grandparentingwithapurpose.com, challenges and provides tools for grandparents to intentionally pray for their grandchildren. Lillian is also the National Prayer Coordinator and writes monthly articles for the Christian Grandparenting Network website at www.christiangrandparenting.net.
Vancouver, Washington, resident Jan Pierce had a series of seven devotionals published in both Fruit of the Vine and The Quiet Hour quarterlies. An essay she wrote called “Battle Lines” was included in the book Just Moms: Conveying Justice in an Unjust World. She also had a short piece entitled “My Mother’s Hands” in The Mother’s Heart magazine. “I’m trying my hand at fiction, something new for me,” she said. “I appreciate all OCW does to encourage new writers.”
Betty Plude of Independence spearheaded publication of Columbus Day Storm 1962 Memories, which was published after three years of diligent work. The book features more than 200 stories by OCW members and others recalling that fateful October 12, 1962, during what the National Weather Service describes as “the mother of all windstorms.” The book, which costs $20 plus $4 for postage, is a fundraiser for the Independence Public Library. To order, send a check made out to “Friends of the Library” to Independence Public Library, Attention: “Friends of the Library,” 175 Monmouth St., Independence, Oregon 97351. A kickoff celebration was scheduled for Monday, September 12, at 7 p.m. in the library meeting room. Copies of the book will be available for sale at the February conference. (Betty will miss the fall conference because of hip replacement surgery, so prayers would be appreciated.) For information call Betty at 503-838-4039 or email elizabethplude@aol.com.
Ellen Seibert Poole of Brush Prairie, Washington, had her true story,“Fruitful or Fruitless,” reprinted in A Cup of Comfort for Christian Women (released in February 2011). On May 8, 2011, LIVE published “Mother’s Day Without Mom” (expansion of a reprint) in the same issue as Mary Hake’s poem about mothers (that was fun!). On November 13, 2011, LIVE will publish “Andrea Waterfall,” which tells the story of our daughter’s miraculous survival of a waterfall accident in the Dominican Republic. My nonfiction article, “Breaking Down Barriers to Hospitality,” will appear in LIVE in March 2012.
OCW’s program director, Marilyn Rhoads of Eugene, learned in April that her Wyoming book, A Schoolhouse Quilt, was a semifinalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Genesis Contest.
“In the Midst,” a poem by OCW secretary Pamela Rosales of Aloha, will appear in the April 2012 issue of LIVE, and Imago Dei published another poem called “Misty Morning” in its Imagine magazine. She completed an eight-devotion assignment for the summer quarter of God’s Word for Today.
Sylvia Stewart of Beaverton, who served with her husband as a missionary in the African nations of Malawi and Ethiopia for 32 years before retiring, announced the long-awaited publication of her novel Kondi’s Quest by OakTara in August. The book features a 12-year-old Malawian girl who longs only for her father’s love. “Because of other ministry, it’s taken me 24 years to get to this point,” she said. “So, for those of you who are still working on your novel, take heart! You’ll reach your goal before long.” She’s working on a sequel.
Beth Vice of Tillamook is among the writers who contributed more than 90 inspirational stories of God at work in people’s lives to the book, Our Stories: God’s Glory, Personal Stories of God’s Touch, published by David and Helen Haidle’s Seed Faith Books. “This is a wonderful compilation of stories from numerous authors about the many ways God has provided, comforted, awakened, and answered their cry,” Beth said. Heart Gifts plans to distribute the books to shelters, soup kitchens, food banks, prison and detention center ministries, hospitals, and in Thanksgiving baskets. Copies can be purchased for $14.99 from www.seedfaithbooks.com.
Eugene resident Geni White had her first fiction piece published in the July–September issue of The Storyteller Magazine. She also has about 500 book reviews posted on the Internet as she reviews for four major Christian publishers and two book promoters. Kathy Carlton of Willis Communications regularly assigns Geni to blog tours to promote the books of authors she assists.
OCW newsletter editor Julie McDonald Zander of Toledo, Washington, saw the release of her book, Chehalis, by Arcadia Publishing as part of its Images of America series. Through her business, Chapters of Life, she released three other books: A Legacy of Advocacy by Robert M. Collins, Tunnel Stiffs by S.T. Sweeney, and Chapters of Life in 1915 Chehalis, the updated republication of a historic souvenir edition published by the Chehalis Bee-Nugget newspaper May 14, 1915.