The Beyond the Borders zone of American Christian Fiction Writers is the home of international Christian writers, and includes many Australian and New Zealand members.
American Christian Fiction Writers is a writing organisation devoted to improving the craft of Christian Fiction. Members can benefit from:
- Online critique groups, writing training, and webinars.
- Discounted entry to the First Impressions and Genesis Awards for unpublished writers.
- Discounted entry to the Carol Awards for novels published in the previous year.
- Free announcements of new releases.
- Member rates for the annual ACFW Conference.
ACFW also has regional zone groups and local chapters. The Beyond the Borders zone covers all members outside the USA—there are almost 100 of us, from over a dozen different countries.
We’re sharing what our members have achieved in the last few months, and some ACFW news.
ACFW Conference News
ACFW leadership team has been listening and cares about those of our members who are unable to attend an in-person event (like living on the other side of the world …) .
We’re proud to announce a FEBRUARY ACFW MINI- VIRTUAL CONFERENCE as well as our in-person annual conference for 2023! The teachers lined up for this special mini virtual conference include James Scott Bell, Angela Hunt, Robin Lee Hatcher, Margie Lawson, Hallee Bridgemann, James Rubart, Ronie Kendig, and Julie Gwinn.
The virtual event offers a limited number of agent and editor appointments in addition to the workshops and other features. Check the website for more information as it becomes available, but mark your calendars now for February 18th 2023 (with limited appointments on February 17th). Registration will open in time for Christmas, so feel free to share the gift you’d really like to get—a registration to the virtual conference!
Please be patient as we work to make this event the best it can be. Appointments are based on first paid, first scheduled, as available.
Click here to find more information and a link to register.
Contest News
Amy Bryant won the 2022 Genesis Award for Young Adult Fiction with her manuscript, Daughter of Lion, Son of Mage.
Sophie Neville was shortlisted in the Fiction Factory First Chapter contest for her manuscript, A Girl Called Redemption.
Other Achievements
Rita Stella Galieh has completed the first draft of her memoir.
Sophie Neville was the keynote speaker at Book Blest, the Stroud Christian Writers Festival in the UK.
New Releases
Muskoka Shores by Carolyn Miller
Released 14 September 2022
Serena Williamson loves working at Muskoka Shores, the fancy resort on Lake Muskoka, and making couples dreams come true. But after returning from a celebrity wedding to find her own hopes crumbling to dust, she sets out for self-improvement, and to prove her ex was wrong. But when a misunderstanding concerning the new assistant church minister leads to more self-doubt, can she ever really trust a man again?
Joel Wakefield is looking forward to a fresh start for himself and his sister in this beautiful small town beside Lake Muskoka. He hadn’t counted on meeting a curvy cutie with a gift for hospitality and a gracious heart. Can he show her that it’s what is inside that truly counts?
Love in the Bargain by Lucette Nel
Released 30 September 2022
Driven to rekindle her relationship with her ailing grandfather, Amelia Scott returns to her childhood home. However, her unyielding grandfather is determined to control her future and poses an ultimatum. Marry and inherit the iconic Scott Hotel or return to New York penniless. Amelia is determined to stay, and formulates a plan to ensure proprietorship of her last connection to family. But love is not a part of the deal. She can’t risk another man having control of her.
Explosive Christmas Showdown by Darlene L Turner
Released 1 October 2022
Muskoka Christmas by Carolyn Miller
Released 10 November 2022
Staci Everton is a multi-published author of historical romances, whose Christmas Eve deadline for a new book sees her leave her Chicago home to go write while staying with her grandmother in the beautiful small town of Muskoka Shores, Canada. Staci is determined to finish her manuscript, despite the small town’s Christmas charm – and Muskoka Shores most eligible bachelor.
Dr. James Wells is on enforced leave from working in Africa, after nearly burning out. He’s here to spend time with family, not spend time with a workaholic whose focus on fiction is very different from the harsh realities he’s faced.
But Christmas is a time of second chances, family and faith. Maybe they’ll find magic under the mistletoe, and a future after all.
Coming Soon …
Ambush in Alaska by Darlene L Turner
Releases 23 January 2023
Saving a boy who has escaped his captors puts Canadian border patrol officer Hannah Morgan right into the path of a ruthless child-smuggling ring. Now with help from police constable Layke Jackson, she must keep the child safe. But can they rescue the other abducted children and bring down the gang…all while protecting a little boy and keeping themselves alive?
Muskoka Hearts by Carolyn Miller
Releases 9 February 2023
Toni Wakefield may be a talented artist, but past choices means this single mother never feels the equal of those around her—especially her brother’s best friend, investment funds manager Matt. Matt long ago fell in love with his best friend’s younger sister, and try as he might, he just can’t fall out of it. And between his crazy working hours and the fact she’s now settled two hours away in beautiful Muskoka it seems they never have any time together. How can he persuade her to consider to give him a chance, when she’s sworn the only man she can care about is her baby boy?
Never Find Another You by Narelle Atkins
Releases 21 February 2023
Her heart belongs in Trinity Lakes.
Hannah Gilbertson has deep roots in her small East Washington home town, including a lake named after her family. Sporty and hard working, she loves running the rowing club and supporting the town’s water recreation tourism. She’s determined to avoid dating and becoming entangled in her mother’s matchmaking schemes, and she wants to prove to her successful father that she’s worthy of carrying on his legacy.
Joel Manning left behind his life in Sydney, Australia, and a broken heart, to start over in Trinity Lakes. A tiler by trade, he’s embarking on a year long working vacation adventure, and he’s not looking for love.
The handsome Aussie captures Hannah’s interest when she hires him to do repair work at her rowing club. Joel is drawn to the beautiful American, and values spending time with her. Their shared faith and love for kayaking lays the foundation for their friendship to become something more.
A shocking secret combined with family upheaval leads to more questions than answers, and threatens to push Joel and Hannah apart to faraway shores. Can their love overcome the miles between them?
Hi Iola, thanks for sharing news from the group. 😊