The Word Guild hosted the 36th annual awards event on Saturday, Sept. 21. The event, which took place online, recognized unpublished work as well as work published in 2023 for both Christian and general market audiences. Entrants from across Canada received awards in over 40 genres and categories. Winners were announced for several specialty awards. Aimee Patterson of Winnipeg, MB, won the Debra Fieguth Social Justice Award for her book, Suffering Well and Suffering With. The Writer of Colour award went to Angela Charles of Burlington, ON, for her novel, His Perfect Timing. Julie Fitz-Gerald of Uxbridge, ON, won the Harvey/Mackey Journalism Award for her piece, RBC Training Ground to Host Dedicated Testing Events for Indigenous Athletes. The Castle Quay Best New Canadian Manuscript award went to Susanne Dobbin of Brantford, ON, for her story, Raising the Dead.

For a full list of all award winners go to https://thewordguild.com

FICTION

CHILDREN, sponsored by FineTune Editing and Jack Taylor

Winner: Lynda Throop: Valley, NS 

What’s So Special About A Sheep? 

Illustrated by Lynda Throop

Morning Dove Press

Join Wanda on a delightful journey to discover what makes a sheep special. She heard the Shepherd say they were, but no one seemed to know why! You will meet interesting characters and might even learn something about yourself along the way! Lynda Throop has taken her beautiful needle felting and created wonderful illustrations for this sweet story.

SUSPENSE, sponsored by MurderWillOut Imprint

Winner: Aaron Babcock: Cole Harbour: NS 

The Erne Warder

Morning Dove Press

After hiding twenty years in a remote monastery, living the life of a monk, falsely-accused fugitive and disgraced former knight Arghan of Danniker leads a clandestine effort to translate copies of lost Scriptures long forbidden by an all-powerful theocracy.

HISTORICAL, sponsored by Jack Taylor

Winner: Terrie Todd: Portage la Prairie, MB 

April’s Promise 

Terrie Todd

Emmaleen Kimball is 14 when she becomes convinced she was born to travelling acrobats and left on her parents’ doorstep. Why else would there be a 13-year age gap between her and her closest sibling? 

Bernadette Kimball is 27 and living back at home to help with a family crisis, but she can’t wait to get back to her career in the city. 

April Kimball-Madden carries the burden of a secret she promised never to reveal. She wishes she could tell Emmaleen the truth. But she’s convinced that if her husband Joey ever finds out who Emmaleen’s biological parents are, her marriage won’t survive.

MYSTERY, sponsored by Carol Ford

Winner: Janet Sketchley: Dartmouth, NS 

Deadly Burden: A Green Dory Inn Mystery

Janet Sketchley

Landon Smith solved the last murder by accident – and nearly became the next victim. When a shocking death strikes her close-knit circle, can this amateur sleuth discover who wanted the town busybody dead?

The dead woman knew too much about too many people. Was she silenced to protect a secret? Or because of one she wouldn’t tell? And how can a dyslexic trauma survivor find clues the professionals miss?

Landon can’t afford to be sidetracked by a vindictive guest at the inn or by unexpected family drama. Or by falling for the geeky writer next door – now that he’s over her. With a storm closing in and no leads in sight, Landon’s first Christmas at the Green Dory Inn is shaping up to be anything but merry and bright.

ROMANCE, sponsored by Jack Taylor

Winner: Angela Charles: Burlington, ON 

His Perfect Timing

Friesen Press

Two separate lives, one chance meeting. Seated at a table on the patio of a restaurant, Maya Campbell waits for her date to arrive. She notices a young man enter with his friends, and as they lock eyes she is instantly reminded of a tall oak: strong and protective.

Chris Lawrence, momentarily mesmerized by this beautiful young woman sitting alone, barely has a chance to catch his breath, as his friends sweep him along to the far end of the restaurant – her captivating countenance, a mere memory.

Each recall that chance encounter with each other so many years ago, but it isn’t until a devastating event that they finally meet face to face. But is the timing right? Will the spark that Maya and Chris felt twelve years ago be ignited or does God have another plan?

NOVELLA, sponsored by Carol Ford

Winner: Laura Thomas: Kelowna, BC 

Snow Globe Secrets 

Anaiah Press

When successful realtor, Alexis James, witnesses a shooting outside the bookstore in her hometown of Hollybrook, she soon realizes the perpetrator has unfinished business, and now she is caught in the crossfire.

Tom Harrington is a British, best-selling author who needs to honour a promise and find some answers in this Canadian winter wonderland – but trouble follows him across the ocean. As Alexis is swept up in a festive whirlwind of danger and love, Tom attempts to break through her ice queen persona. But when chilling walls close in, they both have to decide: can they share their truth, rekindle their faith, and risk their lives if they have any hope for a Happily Ever After?

NON-FICTION

ACADEMIC, sponsored by Claudia Loopstra

Winner: Daniel Rolfe: Halifax, NS 

Just as We are One

Morning Dove Press

How can the Church fulfill its mandate to be one, even as the Father and the Son are one? The key is in what we all share in the unity of the Spirit.

The society around us is becoming more and more diverse. Getting to know people in a meaningful way requires us to identify our own cultural biases and strive to understand theirs. Our unity as Christians in our local assemblies is being challenged in cultural ways now more than ever before. But unity is still our mandate from the Lord. This book provides tools to help us understand our brothers and sisters who are from different cultural backgrounds. 

APOLOGETICS/EVANGELISM, sponsored by Neil Bramble

Winner: Phil Wagler: Kelowna, BC 

Live Your Assignment: Being Christ’s Ambassador in 7 Spheres of Life 

Castle Quay Books

A Christian is sent out as anambassador of Christ. But where? And for what purpose? Unpack God’s highest purpose for the Christian life, which is much more radical and transformative than living a comfortable, spiritual life. Wagler presents God-given assignments in seven key spheres of life; the self, creation, household, fellowship, city, nation, and world. It is through these assignments,which God gives to all those who love him, that God is filling the universe with his glory.

This book is agreat resource for everyone seeking to bring glory to God in the whole of life.

CHRISTIAN LIVING – PERSONAL GROWTH, sponsored by H.H. Communication Services

Winner: Sheila Wray Gregoire, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, and Joanna Sawatsky 

She Deserves Better

Baker Publishing Group

What if the goal of raising a Christian girl was about more than keeping her virginity intact? What if it was about raising a strong, independent young woman who knows who she is, uses her voice, and confidently steps into the life God has for her?

From the authors of The Great Sex Rescue comes this evidence-based book grounded on surveys of over 28,000 women to offer moms a fresh, freeing, and biblically grounded message of sexuality and self-worth for their daughters that is less about the don’ts and more about the dos.

DEVOTIONAL, sponsored by David Kitz Productions

Winner: Annette Ford: Toronto, ON 

The Gift of Tears: A 10-Week Devotional Journey

Westbow Press

Whether your life is stormy with painful circumstances, drizzly with stresses and anxieties, or sunny with a sense that God is in control, The Gift of Tears invites you to experience God’s peace and presence in deeper ways.

Tears are a gift. Though we long for the constant sunshine of happiness and the comfort of a stress-free life, we need the nourishing, refreshing teardrops of life lessons. Without tears, the garden of our heart becomes parched and barren. 

In this ten-week devotional, you will journey through life stories of learning to trust God in difficult circumstances, parables from times of listening prayer, insights from contemplating God’s word, and prayer activities that inspire personal prayer and reflection. The Gift of Tears encourages you to experience tears as a blessing, not a burden, and even in life’s storms to thank God for the tears, you will enjoy a life full of deeper friendships and joy.