MEDIA RELEASE
April 19, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Karen deBlieck, Awards & Events Director awards@thewordguild.com
Download Word or PDF of this release www.TheWordGuild.com/media/
The Word Guild Announces the 2015 Word Awards’ Shortlist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO – For more than 25 years The Word Awards (previously the Canadian Christian Writing
Awards) have recognized Christian Canadian writers. Once again, this year’s Awards acknowledge the
best work published in many genres by Canadian writers who affirm The Apostles’ Creed.
Awards will be given in 23 categories, including best non-fiction books, novels, articles, columns,
poems, and song lyrics. With more than a hundred entries in both the book and short-piece categories
judges had their work cut out for them. As one of our more seasoned judges stated, “I have noticed a
huge difference in the quality of the entries since I started judging for the Word Guild, particularly with
the books. All my books were excellent. Evaluating was tough this year!”
As always, a highlight of the Awards Gala will be the sixth annual presentation of the Grace Irwin Prize.
This $5,000 award, donated by retired book publisher John W. Irwin (nephew of the award’s
namesake) and his wife Eleanor, represents Canada’s largest literary prize for Christian writers. It will
celebrate the best book published in 2014 by a Christian Canadian author. All shortlisted books will vie
for this prize in a fresh round of judging.
The Word Awards are designed to bring attention to excellence in Canadian Christian writing in all
genres. The Awards Gala, held since 2006, increases public recognition and honour for our winners as
we celebrate Canadian writing together. The awards currently consist of 13 book categories and 10
other categories for articles, columns, poems, and song lyrics.
On the shortlist appear the names of several new finalists including Leonard Hjalmarson of Thunder
Bay, Ontario and Sandy Oshiro Rosen of Fort Langley, British Columbia. Hjalmarson’s book No Home
Like Place: A Christian Theology of Place (The Urban Loft) is shortlisted in the Academic category. While
Rosen’s book, Bare – The Misplaced Art of Grieving and Dancing (Big Tree Publishing), has been
shortlisted in Culture.
Some familiar names return this year’s shortlist: former winner Drew Dyck of Carol Stream, Illinois
whose book Yawning at Tigers: You Can’t Tame God, So Stop Trying (Thomas Nelson) is shortlisted in
the Christian Living category, and Donna Fawcett of St. Marys, Ontario, whose book Between Heaven
and Earth (Newscroll Books) is listed in the Speculative category.
Writer Jenna Smith of Quebec is shortlisted for both “Being Evangelical in Quebec” (Faith Today) and
“New Quebecois Documentary Scratches Surface of Key Spiritual Questions in Quebec Today”
(Anglican Montreal Newspaper) in the Long Feature and Column – Single categories respectively.
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Carolyn Arends of Surrey, British Columbia is shortlisted for her song lyrics “What Kind of King”
(Running Arends Music) for the Terence L. Bingley Award for Best Song Lyrics.
Finalists in The Word Awards are found from coast to coast including British Columbia, Saskatchewan,
Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Canadians living in the United States are also
represented among the finalists.
The above-mentioned authors, along with dozens of other Canadian writers, many of them finalists for
the first time, will be honoured at the 2015 Gala, to be held in the ballroom at Novotel North York, 3
Park Home Avenue, Toronto, Ontario on Saturday, June 13, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. The evening will include
a formal dinner, music, keynote address by Cheryl Weber and award presentations. The event is open
to the general public. Tickets are currently on sale online here (under the Write Canada registration)
and the early bird rate is available until May 10.
This event will be the grand finale to Write Canada, Canada’s largest Christian writers’ conference, also
sponsored by The Word Guild.
You can see the complete shortlist of finalists for The Word Guild 2014 Writing Awards below and at
www.thewordguild.com/media.
ABOUT THE WORD GUILD
The Word Guild is an association of Canadian writers, editors, speakers, publishers, booksellers,
librarians, and other Christian individuals who are invested in or employed in media. From all parts of
Canada and many denominational and cultural backgrounds, they are united in their common passion
to positively influence individuals, and ultimately Canadian culture, through life-changing words that
bring God’s message of hope.
The Word Guild sponsors a number of awards programs for published and unpublished writers,
including the $5000 Grace Irwin Prize. This award is given in honour of the late author, classics scholar
and ordained minister Grace Lilian Irwin. It is Canada’s largest literary prize for writers who are
Christian and is given to significant works. Last year this $5000 literary award was bestowed upon
Carolyn Weber during the June 2014 annual Word Awards gala for her book Surprised by Oxford
(Thomas Nelson). In her memoir, a sceptical agnostic comes to a dynamic personal faith in God during
graduate studies in literature at Oxford University.
For more information about The Word Guild, The Word Awards, other awards or other events please
visit the contest page or visit www.thewordguild.com and click on Contests & Awards.
MEDIA RELEASE
SHORTLIST OF FINALISTS
THE 2015 WORD AWARDS
BOOK CATEGORIES
Book – Academic
David Koyzis of Hamilton, Ont. for We Answer to Another (Wipf and Stock)
James K. A. Smith of Grand Rapids, Mich. for Who’s Afraid of Relativism? (Baker Academic)
Leonard Hjalmarson of Thunder Bay, Ont. for No Home Like Place (The Urban Loft)
Book – Biblical Studies
Alan and Elizabeth Davey of Toronto for Climbing the Spiritual Mountain (Wipf and Stock)
John W. Martens of Delta, B.C. for The Gospel of Mark (Red Maple Press)
J. Richard Middleton of Rochester, N.Y. for A New Heaven and a New Earth (Baker Academic)
Book – Children
Aimee Reid of Hamilton, Ont. for Mama’s Day with Little Gray (Random House Children’s Books)
Donna Simard of St. Lazare, Man. for Shhh! It’s A Surprise: Michael and Dad at the Zoo. (Word Alive
Press)
Book – Christian Living
Alan and Elizabeth Davey of Toronto for Climbing the Spiritual Mountain (Wipf and Stock)
Drew Dyck of Carol Stream, Ill. for Yawning at Tigers (Thomas Nelson)
Wendy VanderWal-Gritter of Mississauga, Ont. for Generous Spaciousness (Brazos Press)
Book – Culture
David Peck of Oakville, Ont. for Real Change Is Incremental (BPS Books)
Sandy Oshiro Rosen of Fort Langley, B.C. for Bare - The Misplaced Art of Grieving and Dancing (Big Tree
Publishing)
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SHORTLIST OF FINALISTS THE 2015 WORD AWARDS
BOOK CATEGORIES - continued
Book – Instructional
David Sherbino of Toronto for Living, Dying, Living Forever (Castle Quay Books)
Robert Shaw of Sunderland, Ont. for The Complete Leader (Castle Quay Books)
Book – Life Stories
Bobbi Junior of Edmonton, Alta. for The Reluctant Caregiver (Word Alive Press)
Deborah L. Willows of Huntsville, Ont. and Steph Beth Nickel of St. Thomas, Ont. for Living Beyond My
Circumstances (Castle Quay Books)
Sandy Oshiro Rosen of Fort Langley, B.C. for Bare – The Misplaced Art of Grieving and Dancing (Big Tree
Publishing)
Novel – Contemporary
Karen V. Robichaud of Dartmouth, N.S. for The Unforgiving Sea (Word Alive Press)
T.G. Cooper of Hamilton, Ont. for The Pastor Who Hated Church (T.G. Cooper)
Novel – Historical
Erin M. Hatton of Barrie, Ont. for Across the Deep (Word Alive Press)
Janice L. Dick of Guernsey, Sask. for Other Side of the River (Helping Hands Press)
Novel – Romance
Sandra Orchard of Fenwick, Ont. for Identity Withheld (Harlequin)
Valerie Comer of Creston, B.C. for Sweetened with Honey (GreenWords Media)
Novel – Speculative
Donna Fawcett of St. Marys, Ont. for Between Heaven and Earth (Newscroll Books)
Marcia Lee Laycock of Blackfalds, Alta. for The Ambassadors (Helping Hands Press)
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SHORTLIST OF FINALISTS THE 2015 WORD AWARDS
BOOK CATEGORIES - continued
Novel – Suspense
Janet Sketchley of Dartmouth, N.S. for Secrets and Lies (Janet Sketchley)
Kelsey Greye of Lloydminster, Alta. for All That Remains (Wesbrook Bay Books)
Sandra Orchard of Fenwick, Ont. for Blind Trust (Revell)
Novel – Young Adult
Fern Boldt of St. Catharines, Ont. for Blemished Heart (Word Alive Press)
Jack A. Taylor of Vancouver for The Cross Maker (Wesbrook Bay Books)
Karen V. Robichaud of Dartmouth, N.S. for The Unforgiving Sea (Word Alive Press)
ARTICLE, POETRY, AND SONG LYRIC CATEGORIES
Article – Inspirational/Devotional
Angela Reitsma Bick of Newcastle, Ont. for “Kitchen Sacraments” (Christian Courier)
Carolyn Arends of Surrey, B.C. for “The Great Giver” (Today’s Christian Woman)
Article – Long Feature
Angela Reitsma Bick of Newcastle, Ont. for “A Look at the Going Rate” (Christian Courier)
Jeff Dewsbury of Langley, B.C. for “Coming to a Screen Near You: Noah and Son of God” (Faith Today)
Jenna Smith of Verdun, Que. for “Being Evangelical in Quebec” (Faith Today)
Karen Stiller of Port Perry, Ont. for “The Walking Wounded” (Faith Today)
Peter Schuurman of Guelph, Ont. for “The Brethren in Christ: Re-Invigorating Denominational Culture”
(Christian Courier)
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SHORTLIST OF FINALISTS THE 2015 WORD AWARDS
ARTICLE, POETRY, AND SONG LYRIC CATEGORIES - continued
Article – Personal Experience
Bobbi Junior of Edmonton for “Tell Me about Today” (Demeter Press)
Thomas Froese of Ancaster, Ont. for “New Vision: Hannah’s Adoption” (The New Vision)
Article – Profile/Human Interest
Angela Reitsma Bick of Newcastle, Ont. for “Twice-captured South Sudanese Lost Boy Advocates for
Peace” (Christian Courier)
Jenny Svetec of Hampton, Ont. for “The Truth is – Silencing the Lies of the Bully” (testimony)
Article – Short Feature
Angela Reitsma Bick of Newcastle, Ont. for “Video Games: Minefield or Mission Field?” (Christian
Courier)
Jeff Dewsbury of Langley, B.C. for “The EFC – Present and Future” (Faith Today)
Lisa Hall-Wilson of London, Ont. for “When Christians Eat Healthy” (Faith Today)
Article – Short Story
Anita Mae Draper of Montmarte, Sask. for “Here We Come A-Wassailing” (Guideposts Books)
Deb Elkink of Elkwater, Alta. for “Thaw” (Winning Writers)
N.J. Lindquist of Markham, Ont. for “Conversations in Baby Blue” (That’s Life! Communications)
Column – Series
Doug Koop of Winnipeg for “Going Down Hard” and “Time Well Spent” (Faith Today)
Thomas Froese of Ancaster, Ont. for “25 years after The Wall Fell” and “The Paradox of Christmas”
(Hamilton Spectator)
Thomas Froese of Ancaster, Ont. for “25 years after The Wall Fell” and “The Long and Mysterious Road
to Sainthood” (Hamilton Spectator)
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SHORTLIST OF FINALISTS THE 2015 WORD AWARDS
ARTICLE, POETRY, AND SONG LYRIC CATEGORIES - continued
Column – Single
Angela Reitsma Bick of Newcastle, Ont. for “Video Games: Minefield or Mission Field?” (Christian
Courier)
Jenna Smith of Verdun, Que. for “New Quebecois Documentary Scratches Surface of Key Spiritual
Questions in Quebec Today” (Anglican Montreal Newspaper)
Steve Bell of Winnipeg for “Advent Agony, Advent Hope” (Christian Week)
Steve Kennedy of Peterborough, Ont. for “A Broken Ankle Christmas” (testimony)
Steve Kennedy of Peterborough, Ont. for “Listening to the Body” (testimony)
Terrie Todd of Portage la Prairie, Man. for “Legacy of Faith and Perseverance” (Portage Daily Graphic)
Thomas Froese of Ancaster, Ont. for “Hope in the Food Court” (Christian Week)
Thomas Froese of Ancaster, Ont. for “The Paradox of Christmas” (Hamilton Spectator)
Terence L. Bingley Award for Best Song Lyrics
Carolyn Arends of Surrey, B.C. for “What Kind of King” (Running Arends Music)
Steve Bell of Winnipeg for “Long Love” (Signpost Music)
Additional Categories
Awards will be presented on June 13th to the winner of following category in which the winner has
already been determined, but for which there is no shortlist or finalist: Poetry.
-ENDMedia Contact:
Karen deBlieck
The Word Guild Events Director
1-800-969-9010 ext #3
awards@thewordguild.com