High Five Friday!!

In this month of emphasis on thankfulness, a number of authors have found reason to give thanks to the Lord for various blessings related to their writing. Let’s give them all a High Five!!

Deanna Klingel is excited to have learned that Avery’s Crossroad, the second of a two-book historical fiction for middle grade/YA, has received the bronze medal 2012 for outstanding literature for children from Branson Stars and Flags Book Award. The awards are made on Veterans Day. Book one, Avery’s Battlefield was awarded the same medal for 2011 last year. The books are published by BJU Press Journey Forth.

Tanya Eavenson rejoiced at receiving the cover for her debut novel Unconditional, due to release in January. Click on her name and take a peek. It’s lovely!

Pam Hillman also loves the beautiful cover for her next novel, Claiming Mariah. You can see it on the Tyndale House website.

Sherri Wilson Johnson is pleased to have signed a contract in September to be represented by literary agent Les Stobbe.

Carole Towriss is cheering because her publisher, DeWard Publishing, is now included on the recognized publisher’s list by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW)—a premier organization for those who write for the Christian market. Her first novel, Biblical fiction entitled In the Shadow of Sinai, made them eligible for inclusion.

Lucy Morgan-Jones received exciting news after traveling from Australia to Dallas, Texas, in September for the ACFW conference. She signed with literary agent Chip MacGregor after having an appointment with him during the conference.  Lucy says, “This past year God has opened so many doors I didn’t even know existed and poured out blessing after blessing on me and my family.”

Cheri Swalwell is smiling after signing on with Mantle Rock Publishing for two devotional books. The books are A 40 Day Habit Between Friends: Taking it to the Next Level, ebook with print to follow, and A 40 Day Habit Between Friends: Because They Need You, an ebook with print to follow. “This is my first publishing contract and I’m super excited.” She would also love to connect with readers on Facebook.

Jennifer Uhlarik received the good news that her entry, Where Peace Abides, is a finalist in the historical category of the 2012 CWOW Phoenix Rattler contest. Whatever results are posted January 5, Jen appreciates this opportunity to catch the attention of an editor or agent. 

Melissa Jagears celebrates receiving a three-book contract with Bethany House earlier this month. Mail-Order Trouble, is a novella and three-book series. The first book, A Bride for Keeps, will release in the Fall of 2013.

Ann Knowles signed a contract to write 31 devotions for “Prayer Patterns” in the July 2013 Missions Mosaic magazine. She also just completed a series about  Jonah for “Christ to the World Ministries.” The series includes three dramas and three Bible Study scripts that are already in production. They will be translated into 32 different languages and broadcast in countries around the world.  

Marji Laine is ecstatic about winning a contest sponsored by Write Integrity Press and being numbered with seven published authors in the novella, The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt. Blog hop starts on Monday at the Write Integrity Press Blog and an online party is going on right now at Magnificent Hope Christmas Party.

Alice Wisler rejoices in the opportunity to bring the hope and encouragement of God to those dealing with the brokenness of life through grief and loss. As a way of doing that, she’s offering hand made “peace and hope” tree ornaments and autographed copies of her devotional, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache (Leafwood Publishers) at her Broken Psalms blog.

Sarah Loudin Thomas is thrilled to have been offered representation by Wendy Lawton of  Books & Such Literary Agency. Wendy wrote about the process on the Books & Such blog this  week.

Wow! What a month of thanksgiving this has been! Please leave a note of congratulations in the comments and check out the websites and blogs.