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Write! Canada Christian Writers’ Conference marked its 20th anniversary at their annual convention in June. Awards for books and articles written this past year were given out in 23 categories. Among the winners were:
- Books – Life Stories: Clifford H. Phillips, Edmonton, for The Lady Named Thunder: A Biography of Dr. Margaret Phillips.
- Mystery Suspense Novel: Linda Hall, Fredericton, N.B., for Steal Away.
- Historical Novel: Janice L. Dick, Guernsey, Sask. for Eye of the Storm.
- Children or Young Adult Article or Story: Violet Nesdoly, Surrey, B.C., for “Never Silenced.”
- Books – Culture: David T. Koyzis, Hamilton, Ont., for Political Visions & Illusions: A Survey & Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies.
- Books – General Readership: Alan Reynolds, Richmond, B.C., for Reading the Bible for the Love of God.
- Children’s Books: Sigmund Brouwer, Red Deer, Alta. for Camp Craziness (Watch Out for Joel!) and Shroud of the Lion; and Connie Brummel Crook, Peterborough, Ont. for The Perilous Year.
—The Word Guild
The number of book readers has declined drastically in the past number of years. However, the one category of book to rise markedly was that of religious texts, with total sales of $337.9M (USD), 36.8% over the previous year. The biggest drop in readership is among the youngest adults (18–24 year olds).
—Sightings
An Illinois-based company, GKC Theatres, is now offering a card that permits the underage holder to get into R-rated movies without being accompanied by a parent. All a parent (or other adult family member) is required to do is go to the box office, fill out a form and pay a small fee. The child can then watch any R-rated movie.
—Evangelical Press News Service
A new Bible translation, entitled Good as New, has been released. It is the work of John Henson, translation co-ordinator of ONE, a British network of radical Christians advocating inclusive language in the Bible. The hipster version renames heaven “the world beyond time and space,” changes the original Greek and Hebrew names of major biblical figures into nicknames (Peter becomes Rocky, Mary Magdalene becomes Maggie), and refers to parables as “riddles” and baptism as a “dip” in water.
—Winnipeg Free Press
A new history of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada, Becoming a National Church, was launched at the Mennonite Church Canada assembly in Winkler, Man. July 8. Written by Adolf Ens, former professor of history and theology at Canadian Mennonite Bible College, the 250-page book encompasses the years 1902–1999.
—Canadian Mennonite
The Passion of the Christ will be available on DVD, VHS on Aug. 31. The film focuses on the final 12 hours Jesus’ life. It is one the top 10 grossing movies of all time.
—Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Coming on DVD and VHS in September will be Love Comes Softly, a movie based on Janette Oke’s bestselling series of books.
—Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
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