In Magnificent Company (and ACW Birthday Scavenger Hunt)

By Rose Dee

The first Australian novel I read was Return to Baragula by Mary Hawkins. I loved reading about her Aussie characters in a place I knew and loved—my home. It delighted me no end to discover Christian novels set right here in Australia, and written by an Australian.

I have been hooked on our homeland writers since reading Return to Baragula. Australia has produced some magnificent storytellers, and in this post I would like to pay homage to those taking part in this ACW scavenger hunt anniversary celebration—and to encourage Australian and New Zealand readers to experiment with some local writers.

It isn’t easy being a faith-based writer in Australia. Limitations in population and a fluctuating interest in home-grown stories have often left me questioning why I am writing in this niche market. But then I look at my peers and I know I am not alone. We all have the calling to write Christian stories, regardless of how the world sees our success. We all know it is what the Lord thinks that counts. We are the body, and the support I have had from my writing friends has often supplied the faith juice that has kept me going.

I’ll never forget writing The Greenfield Legacy. I wondered how four very different authors would amalgamate a story worth reading. Yet we were able to mesh our styles and ideas together so beautifully that it literally fell into place. Before they were my co-authors, I was a fan of each of these writers. I remember sitting up until all hours of the night marvelling at the twists and turns in Paula Vince’s Best Forgotten, and since then have done the same with her new release, Imogen's Chance.

She’s not the only author who has influenced and encouraged me as a reader. Jo-Anne’s memoir, Soul Friend, made me cry happy tears—several times. Carol’s beautifully told stories give the world a taste of where we have come from and how our heritage has shaped our culture.

Ian and Ray add diversity to our group, forging new ground and paving paths for us all. Andrea has captivated the young adult market with her work, and her new release Too Pretty holds pride of place on my Kindle. Rita’s historic novel, Signed Sealed Delivered, takes us back to our very beginnings both as a new country and as a people who look to God. And Jeanette encourages us all. Facebook can be a lonely place, but she will always be the one person to like the author posts I wonder if anybody else sees. She is the best social media friend, and a greatly appreciated one.

As well as our group having fabulous writers, there are those I have learned from. I savour Anne Hamilton’s wisdom, and grow each time I soak in the knowledge she shares. Iola has been an angel in disguise to me. Her editing skills are finely tuned, and she shares them with all of us. She is the one person who I know ‘gets me’, who challenges me to be a better writer.

Our group would not have formed had it not been for the passionate energy of Narelle Atkins. She has worked tirelessly for all of us. Her help has often left me full of hope and thankfulness. I rejoice when I see her novels in print, as she’s bringing contemporary Australia alive to US readers.

I remember my very first online chat in the US—Jenny Blake was there, holding my hand and being my friend in an unfamiliar place. She has done so much to support and uplift every Aussie author who has come her way. Dorothy’s blog is one of the best I have ever seen and she has supported and loved us all through the years. I can’t wait to see where her writing will take her. Rel and Ellie are also terrific promoters of Christian fiction, while Dale writes stories that tell the world who Aussies are.

I am in magnificent company, and I hope that if you have read to the end of this post you will take the time to click on the blog link attached to each author’s name and check out each individual I have mentioned, and the ones I haven’t—Melissa Gjisbers, Lucy Thompson, Hazel Barker, and Catherine Hudson. I’m looking forward to reading the work of these pre-published authors in the near future. We are part of the contingent that makes up this Australasian Christian Writers body, and I am so thankful to be a part of it and to be celebrating our first anniversary with you all.

As part of the anniversary celebrations I am giving away a $20 voucher from Deeper Shopping in the USA and a $20 voucher from Koorong in Australia. All you have to do is leave a comment for me below. Please specify which giveaway you'd like to enter in your comment. Deeper Shopping and Koorong provide local and international shipping information on their websites. The winners will be announced on September 9.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

ACW SCAVENGER HUNT CLUES FOR FRIDAY (FINAL DAY):

Clue 13 from Rose Dee: Which international online Fiction Magazine does Rose contribute to each month? http://www.rosedee.com 

Clue 14 from Narelle Atkins: What is the name the doctor hero in Narelle's latest release, The Doctor's Return? http://www.narelleatkins.com 

Clue 15 from Dale Harcombe: What is the name of the country town Abby moved to with Joel after her marriage? http://www.daleharcombe.com/

You now have all fifteen clues for our ACW Scavenger Hunt. We hope you're enjoying the hunt and locating the answers to all the clues. The contest rules are listed in Monday's post. Please remember to comment on Monday's post, complete the online form (see above) and your Rafflecopter entry. Rafflecopter lists all the options for gaining extra entries in the drawing, including commenting on the posts this week. 

The Scavenger Hunt closes at 2pm on Sunday, September 7 (AEST). The winner will be announced on Tuesday, September 9. Good luck!