Christian Writers Guild Acquires Word Weavers

Jerry B. Jenkins, owner of the Christian Writers Guild headquartered in Colorado Springs, has announced the acquisition of Word Weavers, a Florida-based organization of local writing critique groups with chapters in three states.

"The leadership of Word Weavers has developed a great model for local chapters, " Jenkins says, "and they've agreed to stay on to help us create a nationwide network of such groups. "

The Christian Writers Guild trains writers through email courses, contests, conferences, and critiques. "Plugging our members and students in to peer groups has been an ingredient we've long dreamed of adding to the mix," Jenkins says. "The acquisition of Word Weavers gives us a ready-made platform to do just that. "

Larry Leech, president of Word Weavers, says, "Vice-presidents Eva Marie Everson and Cheri Cowell and I are excited about joining the Christian Writers Guild team. Like the Guild, Word Weavers is dedicated to developing writers. Becoming part of CWG significantly expands opportunities and benefits for current and future Word Weavers members. We're grateful for the opportunity to help the Guild coach and encourage aspiring writers. "

For more information, visit www.christianwritersguild.com or www.wordweaversonline.com

TitleTrakk co-founder's novel to be published by Tyndale!

TitleTrakk.com's very own C.J. Darlington will have her first novel, Thicker Than Blood, published by Tyndale House in late 2009 or early 2010 (official release date not yet confirmed).

The novel is the winner of the 2008 Operation First Novel contest sponsored by the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild and Tyndale House publishers.

This is a novel C.J. started when she was fifteen-years-old. She was about to give up on it but decided to try submitting the novel to this contest.

Find out more of her story to publication by visiting C.J.'s blog.


(l-r: Karen Watson from Tyndale, C.J. Darlington & Jerry B. Jenkins. Photo by Cindi of Selah Studios.)


Working Summary of Thicker Than Blood:

Two sisters, estranged for 15 years. Their blood ties weren't enough. Only something stronger could bring them together again.

Christy Williams finally has her life on track. Her career as an antiquarian book buyer at the renowned used bookstore Dawson's Barn of Books is taking off. Hunter Dawson is teaching her the fine points of purchasing collectible books, and so far she's been able to keep her drinking problem from interfering. But when she discovers her ex-boyfriend, who also works at Dawsons, is stealing valuable books right off the store's shelves, she's unable to stop him for fear he'll expose the skeleton's in her closet.

Things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn't commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged family, especially her younger sister May, who she abandoned in their childhood after their parents' untimely deaths. Now the owner of a failing cattle ranch, May couldn't possibly want a relationship with her, the big sister who didn't even say goodbye all those years ago. Could she?

Soon Christy's fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could the Triple Cross ranch be the safe haven she's searching for, or will May's new-found faith give her sister even more reason to reject Christy? Will they realize before it's too late that each possesses what the other desperately needs?

Writing for the Soul photos by Cindi of Selah Studios

Valley of the Shadow by Tom Pawlik

Tom Pawlik's debut novel Vanish has received great kudos (it won the 2006 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest). But he's not a one hit wonder. His sophomore novel, Valley of the Shadow, is coming in July 2009 from Tyndale House.

Summary:

Conner Hayden is certain he survived his near-death experience for a reason.

He thinks it’s to save the life—and soul—of Mitch Kent. Mitch’s body remains on life support while his spirit is trapped with the old farmer Howard Bristol in the Interworld—a strange and dangerous dimension that Conner narrowly escaped during his brush with death in Pawlik’s award-winning debut novel, Vanish.

Meanwhile, in the Interworld, Mitch receives a warning from a mysterious stranger: Howard is not who he appears to be, and Mitch must flee immediately. Pursued by Howard and a terrifying, deadly creature, Mitch soon learns the truth about what happened to him and that his only hope of survival lies at the very edge of the Interworld.

Tom also said this at his blog:

The sequel follows the stories of Conner, Mitch and Devon--oh and Howard too, while introducing a couple of new characters as well. I also developed more details around the basic scenario presented in VANISH and added in some new elements of the unknown to keep readers guessing.

Fireflies in December by Jennifer Erin Valent (Operation First Novel 2007 winner)

Coming in January 2009 from Tyndale is Jennifer Erin Valent's debut novel, which won the 2007 Operation First Novel contest sponsored by the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.

Back Cover Copy:

“The summer I turned thirteen, I thought I killed a man.”

So begins the story of Jessilyn Lassiter, a young girl whose world is torn apart the summer of 1932. When Jessilyn’s best friend, Gemma, loses her parents in a tragic fire, Jessilyn’s father vows to care for her as his own, despite the fact that Gemma is black and prejudice is prevalent in their southern Virginia town.

It doesn’t take long for the Lassiters to attract the attention of a local band of Ku Klux Klan members, who make increasingly violent threats on Jessilyn and her family.

As she struggles to navigate a complex world of first crushes, loyalties, and betrayals, Jessilyn ultimately discovers what it takes to be a bright light in a dark world.