October's Celebration of Christian Fiction

Welcome to this month's Celebration of New Christian Fiction. Since we are celebrating Christian Fiction, we have a nice buffet laid out for you! Twenty-eight Christian Fiction writers from all over the world participated and cooked up some great conversion stories ala Dave Long's Faith*in*Fiction Contest, published short stories from various e-zines and literary journals, snippets of novels in progress, and excerpts from published novels by some of this year's rising debut Christian Fiction authors, and fan fenoms for you. With 28 entries that should keep you busy through Thanksgiving
1.Christian journalist, syndicated columnist and author Stacy Hawkins Adams’ submits chapter one of her novel,Speak to My Heart.

2.Elleann Bennett’s BlogFish hails us all the way from a small town called Fish Hoek, just outside Cape Town, South Africa. She submits her conversion story entry- Mirry for our viewing pleasure.

3. Acclaimed bestselling novelist, Angela Benson contributes her prologue from The Amen Sisters.

4. J. Mark Bertrand states before he places his story on the dinner table. “I suppose I should submit the link to 'Midafternoon Apocalypse, 'since that one was dubbed part of the 'new Christian fiction' by the editor who accepted it.”

5. Heaven Sent author, Montre Bible submits an excerpt of Chapter One. Heaven Sent is a story about a teenaged boy, who is the descendant of a fallen half-angel and now possesses supernatural powers that are dangerously beyond his understanding.

6.Ragamuffin Diva and soon to be christian mystery fenom, Claudia Hawthorne Burney presents Come On In an entry for the conversion story contest. “Here's my entry dear reader, meet Carmen, Christine, and the evil DuShawn. Most of all, enjoy.”

7. Bonnie Calhoun submits her commentary Christian vs. Secular Publishing to talk over at the dinner table.

8.Noted author, Mary E. DeMuth of RelevantBlog presents The Stand Castle. "I pray it encourages you when your sand castles tumble over in life's surf, or are kicked in by bullies." This is a short story Mary DeMuth wrote five years ago. It's for those of us who are discouraged when life's surf or angry bullies topple our sand castles.

9. North Carolina native, now Berlin German resident, author, Melanie Dobson submits the prologue of her upcoming novel Together for Good (working title) that will be published this March (Kregel Publications).

10. Plenty Good Room, christian fiction author, Cheri Paris Edwards’ speaks about her debut year as a novelist on her Courting Confusion Blog.

11. Although Rejection King, Chris Fischer shares “The Fellowship of the Golden Emerod,” his conversion story entry on his blog, I wanted to showcase his commentary Of Conversions and Confessions. “It seems to me the real problem is that many Christian writers approach conversion scenes not only through a lens of evangelism theory, but with a clear intent to evangelize.” See what else he has to say, and then stay a little longer and read his short story.

12. Seoul, South Korean resident Mark W. Freeman prepared an excerpt from his novel in progress at his Light Up The Pen Blog(love that name.)

13. Linda Gilmore presents a snippet of her novel in progress,Secrets of Connors Grove. The story is about how a woman's murder in a small Kansas town sets in motion a chain of events that exposes the hidden areas of several people's lives.

14. Sandra Glahn graciously submits her first Installment of: The Orchard of Women. She has one of the best blogs out there. I might add.

15. Celebrated author and speaker, Vanessa Davis Griggs places an excerpt from one of her fan favorite novels, Promises Beyond Jordan. “The first excerpt I'm posting here is the one I generally read from Promises Beyond Jordan when I am asked to read something from my book. It's short, but gives you an overall feel for part of what's going on in the story.”

16. Marilyn Griffith gives us a taste of “Serious Fun Fiction” with the first chapter of her debut(buzz buzz) novel, Made of Honor.

I'm trying not to get too excited about all this food on the table, but can you feel your spiritual waist expanding? :)

17. Canada's Marcia Laylock at Writer-Lee gives us a taste of her contemporary novel in progress.

18. Creator and founder of the Celebration of Christian Fiction, Pat Loomis leaves an excerpt of her novel "Unseen" at her Deep POV Blog.

19. Debut fiction author, but veteran writer, Creston Mapes delights us with a snippet from his Confessions of a Rock Star trilogy, Full Tilt. Thanks, Creston, for coming out and reading Dark Star this summer.

20. D'Ann Mateer of One More Writer Blog submits her short story, “Issues of the Heart” for desert.

21. Paula Moldenhauer dropped off an edible sample of her mom-lit novel in progress over at her Grace Reign Blog. for a late appetizer to the late comers.

22. Writer and one of the funniest men I have e-met, Chris Mikesell flies in his conversion story entry, "Loco" Komoko" from the faith*in*fiction contest.

23. Another Canadian party-comer and published poet, Violet Nesdoly brings us "From Slut to Savior," a flash-fiction retelling of the story of Rahab from the Bible.

24. Michelle Pendegrass of Just a Minute Blog submits her faith*in*fiction conversion story contest entry, “Fogbound” to add to the desert table.

25. Angie Poole, a writer who shares my list of favorite movies, presents her short story entry, “Execution Day” to the bread table.

26. Virginia Roark wants you to go “To the Ends of The Earth” in her conversion short story submission or at least to the other side of bread table.

27. Mick "The Milk" Silva's "Pitch Perfect" as printed in The Rose and The Thorn Ezine is-- and if you frequent his Your Writer's Group Blog, you know--his story is meaty and divine to savor.

28. And last, but definitely not least, I--Dee Stewart, this month’s host, presents my conversion story entry, “Exodus” as a take home danish to have in the morning

I hope you all enjoy these offerings. Break bread with us and let's celebrate Christ through Literature.

Thanks all of you who participated in this month's celebration. Please get in touch with Pat Loomis, if you would like to host or become a participant for next month. God Bless You and Keep You.

Writing to see what the end's gon' be,
Dee