Hot Apple Cider News

While Talking to the Dead is still in production (did you know you can now pre-order your copy of Talking to the Dead at http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.amazon.ca/, http://www.amazon.co.uk/, http://www.christianbooks.com/ ? You CAN!) you can still dive into a bit of my writing by picking up a copy of Hot Apple Cider. I wrote a short story especially for this book - and it's still one of my favorites. Hot Apple Cider is well on its way to becoming a best seller in Canada - no surprise to me! I've read and re-read my copy and its simply the best, eclectic collection of Canadian writing around. And, it's going on TV! Read on:



Markham, ON - Hot Apple Cider has been chosen as the featured book for February by Crossroads Christian Communications and will be highlighted on the 100 Huntley Street daily television program beginning February 9th, 2009. Editor N. J. Lindquist will be a guest on the show on February 11. Contributors Keith Clemons, Angelina Fast-Vlaar, Denyse O'Leary, Diane Roblin-Lee and Ray Wiseman will appear in short video clips throughout the month of February.

Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stir the Heart and Warm the Soul is a 296-page collection of personal experience articles, short stories and poems. While there are similarities to the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Hot Apple Cider conveys a uniquely Canadian character, with a variety of stories from the lighthearted and humorous to those dealing with serious real-life issues such as the death of a child or spouse, cancer, infertility, loneliness and family conflicts.

Every author included in this 100-percent-Canadian book is a professional member of The Word Guild, an association of more than 340 Canadians who write from a Christian faith perspective. The authors come from six provinces and represent more than 20 Christian denominations.

N. J. Lindquist, an award-winning author and speaker from Markham, Ontario, and Wendy Elaine Nelles, an award-winning journalist from Toronto, are the editors of this groundbreaking anthology as well as co-founders of The Word Guild and directors of the Write! Canada conference.

Twenty thousand copies of the book already have been presented to women across Canada as part of FaithLife Financial's Girls Night Out events, which are sponsored by World Vision. Another 10,000 books will be given out this spring. Through an innovative initiative, the authors - who receive royalties from the publisher for books sold through normal retail channels - donated the money required to print the additional 30,000 copies which were contributed at no charge to World Vision, a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization. The retail value of the 30,000 books is $500,000.

In addition, over 9,000 books have been sold in the marketplace by the publisher, That's Life! Communications.

"We're delighted that Hot Apple Cider has received such a positive response from so many people," says editor and publisher Lindquist, who came up with the book's concept while talking to a World Vision executive at Missionfest Toronto in 2007. "This book is creating a whole new level of interest in the work of the authors included in it, and in work by other talented Canadian writers who write from a Christian faith perspective."

"Readers are telling us that the stories in Hot Apple Cider capture their attention and resonate with them, because they're about us and our neighbours," Nelles said. "They can identify with the writers because they're like people they know, and the book reflects our Canadian culture, values and experiences."

Copies of Hot Apple Cider are available to bookstores and libraries in both Canada and the U.S. through the distributor, STL, as well as to other independent retail outlets in Canada through Living Books. And now we're pleased to announce that Crossroads Christian Communications will be featuring Hot Apple Cider throughout the month of February!

Close-Up on Authors
Over the next weeks, we are going to post interviews with each of the authors and editors who contributed to the making of Hot Apple Cider.
Keep watching the website to find out more about your favourite writers whose chapters you enjoyed in Hot Apple Cider. The first interview has just been posted, with Angelina Fast-Vlaar of Port Dalhousie, ON.

For up-to-date information on Hot Apple Cider and its contributors, go here.
For interviews, email Gina at TLCbooks@rogers.com or call her at 905-707-9334. For more information about: · The book, see http://hotapplecider.ca/
The publisher, see http://www.thatslifecommunication.com/
Editor N. J. Lindquist, see http://www.njlindquist.com/
Editor Wendy Elaine Nelles, see http://www.wendynelles.com/
The contributing authors, see here.
The Word Guild, see http://thewordguild.com
World Vision Canada, see http://worldvision.ca
Girls Night Out, see http://gnolive.ca
STL, see http://stl-distribution.com
Living Books, see http://www.livingbooks.ca
Crossroads Christian Communications featured book for February, see here.

A Sample of Reviews of Hot Apple Cider
Mennonite Brethren Herald"Hot Apple Cider is sweeter than chicken soup and sometimes tastier... Along with the heartwarming, real-life stories we expect from a Chicken Soup-style book, the editors of this collection have tossed in some surprises. There is poetry, short fiction, and some tart essays on drug addiction, poverty, and the plight of Third World women. Indeed, these thirty Canadian Christian writers have cooked up a flavourful anthology with broad appeal... For aspiring writers, the resources in the last 17 pages alone are worth the cover price."
Seven (Promise Keepers Magazine) (Robert White)"The stories are short enough to be savoured in a single serving, but filling enough to keep your soul warmed for a while." MidWest Book Review"A cup of hot apple cider can do more than warm one up after being out in the cold - it can be very soothing, which is the aim of Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stir the Hear and Warm the Soul. A collection of short stories, poetry, and wisdom seeking to heal and mend the soul of the reader after difficult and stressful situations, Hot Apple Cider offers nearly 300 pages of enlightenment. Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stir the Heart and Warm the Soul is highly recommended for community library collections dedicated to literary anthologies."

Christianity.ca (Joanna Mallory)"Unlike some anthologies, there's no sentimentalizing, no over-dramatization. Just real people writing about real situations, and faith in a real God who makes a difference. Truth presented through articles, poetry and fiction, accented with restful black and white illustrations.... Even though each selection is self-contained, I found myself reading "just one more" when it was time to stop. It's great to see Canadian authors who are Christian getting exposure in our country. Hot Apple Cider was a treat to read, and I know I'll dip into it again and again.... Bring on volume two!"

Blog Critics Magazine (Violet Nesdoly)"True stories that deliver a shot of inspiration, non-fiction pieces that get you thinking, Robert Service-like poetry that champions the cause of the poor and hurting, and fiction that delivers truth with a pinch of drama and humor: Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stir the Heart and Warm the Soul has them all."

Writers' Crucible (Janet Stobie)"Like the well known drink for which it is named, Hot Apple Cider offers comfort and nourishment to the reader. This wonderful collection of stories and poems by Canadian Christian writers provide a balanced diet.... There are stories that call us to care for one another, stories that entertain, stories that teach. The vivid images and feelings of the poems that are sprinkled sparingly throughout the book emphasize the messages of the stories. Many of the authors share their own life experiences. All of them offer wisdom for living as they share their faith in a personal God who cares about each one of us."

Brian Austin"It fascinates me that in a book that shares so many stories of pain - stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome, infertility, death in the womb, severe accidents, paralysis, neglect, abuse, and the list goes on - there is a sense of hopefulness that wells up irresistible and pure. There is a rest in God that defies.... I deal with many grieving people at the Bible Bookstore... I have a number of favorite resources that I recommend, usually a month or so after a death, seldom earlier. I don't think a resource for grieving people was one of the primary purposes of this book, but I think it is one of the best I have read."