Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tenn., hosted a July 22 book signing by Andrew Peterson for the fourth and final book of his Wingfeather Saga series, The Warden and the Wolf King (Rabbit Room Press). Peterson—also a Dove award-nominated singer/songwriter--performed “My Love Has Gone Across the Sea,” a song from the Wingfeather book The Monster in the Hollow, accompanied by his daughter Skye and Bethany Bordeaux.
Brother Guy Consolmagno, author of Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial? And Other Questions from the Astronomer’s Inbox at the Vatican Observatory (Image Books, Oct.; coauthored with Father Paul Mueller), has been awarded the Carl Sagan Medal for Excellence in Public Communication in Planetary Science by the American Astronomical Society. A researcher at the Vatican Observatory since 1993, Consolmagno has explored connections between meteorites, asteroids, and the evolution of small solar system bodies. In presenting him with the Carl Sagan Medal, the American Astronomical Society stated, “Br. Guy Consolmagno has a decades-long track record of communicating planetary science to the public while maintaining an active science career. In addition, he occupies a unique position within our profession as a credible spokesperson for scientific honesty within the context of religious belief.”
The Romance Writers of America (RWA) recognized outstanding books at its recently concluded national conference in San Antonio, Tex. (July 25-26). The Mystery/Romance chapter, also called Kiss of Death (KOD), selected Dani Pettrey’s Stranded (Baker Publishing Group/Bethany House) as the winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award in the Inspirational Romance Mystery/Suspense category. The contest is named for Daphne du Maurier (Rebecca), who is credited with writing the first romantic suspense novel. See a complete list of 2014 Daphne winners and finalists. RWA’s Faith, Hope and Love chapter named winners of its Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards. Top winners were Baker’s Bethany House and Revell imprints, and Barbour’s Heartsong Presents, Barbour, and Love Inspired imprints, with five awards each. See a complete list of winners.
Wanda E. Brunstetter, bestselling author of Amish fiction, is wrapping up her Pennsylvania book-signing tour to promote The Healing Quilt (Barbour, Aug.), as well as the play Half-Stitched: The Musical, which is based on her bestselling novel The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club. The tour began August 7; the last two stops are August 15 at Hackman’s Bible Bookstore in Whitehall, Penn., and August 16 at LifeWay Christian Bookstore in Souderton, Penn. See tour details; learn about Half-Stitched: The Musical and where it is playing.
The American Christian Fiction Writers 2014 conference meets September 25-27 in St. Louis, Mo. Attended by hundreds of veteran Christian fiction authors, aspiring authors, agents, editors, and industry representatives, the conference offers a full slate of workshops and educational sessions, as well as opportunities to meet with agents and editors in one-on-one appointments. An onsite bookstore, hosted in partnership by ACFW and Family Christian Stores; recent books by conferee authors as well as books on the craft of Christian fiction by conference faculty members will be sold. ACFW also will present awards for authors, publishers, agents, editors, and mentors at its annual gala. Reduced-rate registration is available until August 19.
