From time to time I receive a challenge from a Christian writer concerning the different types of markets I include in the market guide. That happened recently and I thought this was a good opportunity to share some of the personal philosophy that feeds into the development of the Christian Writers’ Market Guide.

I had an email from a loyal market-guide user that suggested I shouldn’t include publishers that also published New Age or other religious philosophies that were not consistent with evangelical Christianity. I answered her query as I have often answered it in the past. It is my belief that if these publishers are open to material written from a Christian point of view (I don’t include them unless they are)—along with whatever other points of view they include—then we are missing the opportunity to spread the gospel to readers who are looking for answers. I understand that not all Christian writers are called to such a mission field, but I know from experience that many are and they appreciate these opportunities.

I also read a review of the market guide this week from a reviewer who claimed the market guide was not Christian because the Resources Section included references to general resources. My belief is that because the process of being a writer and honing our skills is the same for those in the Christian or general market—only the message is different—we can benefit from whatever resources are out there. Whatever your take on these issues, I hope you find the market guide meets your needs overall.

MEMBER NEWS

VICKI BARTHOLOMEW, Sherwood, has a new, one-act play, Christmas Show Memories, published by Drama Source (www.dramasource.com). She has had other plays published by Drama Source, Playscripts, and Baker’s Plays.

KRISTIN FADNESS BROWN, Lacey WA, has sold a short story, called “The Kicker,” to Primary Treasure (Pacific Press). She has also sold two additional stories to Shine Brightly.

SUSAN COONS, North Bend, received the Bronze Medal Ippy Award in the Gift Book Category for her children’s book, The Lighthouse Mouse.

KIMBERLY DAVIDSON, Molalla, was recently interviewed by Focus on the Family®. Kimberly is the author of I’m Beautiful? Why Can’t I See It? (Tate Publishing). Her interview was about negative self-image and eating disorders, based on her book. The interview will be featured on an upcoming Focus on the Family® quarterly audio CD as part of their Focus On Your Child® ministry, which has over 300,000 members and is dedicated to helping parents raise healthy, confident and well-adjusted children. The CD is expected to come out this fall.

GAIL DENHAM, Sunriver, was chosen as one of about 20 poets to read their winning entries at the Moon Garden Festival, Japanese Gardens in Seattle. In April 2007, Denham won first place in the humor category of the Washington State Poets Assn. Contest. She has devotions on the OCW Website and recently had a long poem used in the summer 2007 Great Mystery & Suspense Magazine (previously sold them a mystery story). All the poems accepted were longer, humorous story poems.

LOUANN EDWARDS, Beaverton, has been named the 2007 Global Winner for the Erma Bombeck Humor Award. She won first place out of 1,300 entrants with a piece about her mom’s spaghetti sauce recipe called “Mom on the Sauce.” She also has a column coming out in Marriage Partnership.

CAROLE M. FARMEN, Salem, won first place in the La Belle Lettre Children’s Literature Writing Contest in May 2007 for her fiction story, “Kuma, the Royal Stallion.” In the same contest, she also won third place for her children’s fiction story, “I Wanna Sleep Somewhere Else!”

MIRALEE FERRELL, White Salmon WA, has a new contemporary women’s fiction novel, The Other Daughter (Kregel Publications), scheduled for an October release. Available for pre-order online with Borders, Amazon, and ChristianBook.com.

HELEN HAIDLE, Portland, has had seven devotional pieces accepted for The Grandmother’s Bible to be released by Zondervan next spring.

MARY A. HAKE, Falls City, has had stories, puzzles and poems in Story Mates and Partners, an activity in Appleseeds, two devotionals in the Sept.–Oct. Devo’Zine, and a story in the book Hello Future. She also wrote a couple of articles for a Christian newspaper and had an article in Companions, seven puzzles accepted by Guide, a story included in the Haidle’s Psalm 23 curricula, a story accepted for the Serenity book and another for Soul Food for Women. Mary has also done editing work and helped the local high school teacher with a creative writing unit. Two editors from summer conference requested her book proposal, and she has been busy revising the manuscript.

SHELLEY L. HOUSTON, Eugene, has sold seven devotionals to David C. Cook Publishers for a June issue; had an essay in the anthology, All My Bad Habits I Learned from Grandpa (Thomas Nelson), which came out in May; a devotional accepted by ComfortCafe.org (an online magazine); and has been added to the writer list of The Word in Season, Augsburg Fortress Press.

CHARLOTTE KARDOKUS, Salem, has an article called “Restless Anxiety” to be published in the November/December 2007 issue of Alive Now.

BONNIE LEON, Glide, has a new historical novel, To Love Anew, out from Revell.

JOHN LIFFLANDER, Ridgefield WA, has had a book published called Fundamentals of Industrial Valuation (International Assn. of Assessing Officers) that will be used as a textbook  worldwide. However, his passion is writing Christian children’s historical fiction.

JENNIFER ANNE F. MESSING, Portland, has a poem, “In the Altar of My Home,” accepted for publication in the Spring 2008 issue of Live (Student Guide) and also has a nonfiction article, “True and Lovely,” in the September 2007 issue of Southwest Kansas Faith and Family newspaper.

BETTY CHAPMAN PLUDE, Independence, took Dr. Dennis Hensley’s advice to take advantage of the happenings all around you and write about it by writing an article, “The Osprey Show Is a Real Treat” about the concerts in her local Riverview Park Amphitheater and the osprey nest on top of the pole by the river. Her local newspaper published it. A reminder for new and seasoned writers.

SHARON BERNASH SMITH, Vancouver, and former members Linda Reinhardt of Vancouver and Rosanne Croft, now living in Utah, have signed a contract with Capstone Fiction for a book they’ve co-authored. Like a Bird Wanders is an historical novel, centered on the McCleod family living in Yacolt, Washington, when a fatal firestorm swept through the Mt. St. Helens area in 1902. Each of the authors has a separate voice, portraying three sisters deeply devoted to each other and the Lord—even when tragedy threatens the foundation of their faith. Publication will be complete late summer or early fall.

SALLY STUART, Aloha, will be taking orders for the 2008 Christian Writers’ Market Guide at the October meeting (or you can order from her by mail or email). The new guide will be available in January, and copies of the 2007 will be available at a discount at the October 20th conference.

Where is your member news? Please send all reports to Sally Stuart. Send anytime and they will be included in the next newsletter.