The Dawning of Hope

This parable was named runner up in our July writing contest. Contest judge Mary Horner Collins, a freelance editor with more than 20 years’ editorial experience at major Christian publishing houses, called it “a fantasy-like parable with beautiful imagery and imaginative use of language. The story is complete and satisfying, and gives hope. It retells the
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LittWorld 2021: Hungary to host world conference of Christian publishing

We are pleased to announce LittWorld 2021 will take place near Budapest, Hungary, October 24 to 29, next year.  “This will be the first LittWorld held in continental Europe,” said MAI President John Maust, noting that celebrated author Philip Yancey is confirmed as keynote speaker. “We feel privileged to host Littworld 2021 in Hungary,” said
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Eyes of Faith in Francophone Africa: Interview with children’s author Ivanova Nono Fotso

“I have been considered a perfect failure in my society,” confesses 34-year-old author Ivanova Nono Fotso of Cameroon.  “Still single, living in my parents’ house, and writing children’s stories from home don’t meet for the criteria for success here.” And yet, despite her challenges, Ivanova’s writing career has flourished over the last decade with international
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Christian Publishers across Globe Serve Readers, Strategize amid Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic’s impact on global publishing and bookselling has been severe, but authors and publishers are seeking creative means to reach online readers and develop new strategies to stay afloat. Christian publishing leaders from seven nations, including China and Italy, gave updates and prayed for each other in MAI’s online “Global Townhall Prayer Meeting”
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Redeeming the Time and Reaching Our Readers

By John Maust Just before some borders were closed to control the spread of the coronavirus, MAI held a series of productive trainings in West Africa. Staff member Ramon Rocha III co-led MAI-Africa workshops for Christian publishers and writers in Nigeria, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire in early March. Some 52 Christian booksellers and publishers attended
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Nigeria: One publisher’s quest to curb religious violence and promote reconciliation

When sectarian violence in Nigeria first flared in 1999, Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS) created tracts and pamphlets to soothe afflicted Christians and Muslims alike. But over the last two decades, thousands of people have died and attacks by militant Islamic groups such as Boko Haram and Fulani tribesmen have resulted in many Christians losing homes,
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Banished

By Joan Campbell, South African author and MAI trainer I walk in Eden. Dappled light paints shifting patterns on my legs and arms as my feet sink into a lush moss carpet. My steps unleash the scent of green growth; it mingles with the hints of lemon and spice lacing the air in this part
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“I have always been best friends with books”

“Writer, translator, editor and poet, I have always been best friends with books,” Agnes Singine said. But she never imagined a 25-year career in publishing or starting a Christian publishing house. During a hard time as a jobless young woman, Agnes heard that MacMillan Publishers was hiring from a stranger who pitied her. Agnes lacked
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LittAfrica 2019: “Changing the landscape of Christian publishing in Africa…”

God heard our prayers and blessed the November 5-7 LittAfrica conference in Accra, Ghana, beyond our highest expectations: “It took us to a deeper level of relationship with each other,” said publisher Luka Vandi Uti of Nigeria. “I gained knowledge of publishing needs across Africa.” Pastor Luka, general manager of Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS), was
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When a Fish Marries a Bird

By Pusonnam Yiri, Nigeria The following excerpts are from the author’s chapter in our new book, African Writers: A Journey in Writing. Imagine a leaf dropping from a tree’s branch with no hope of surviving, then suddenly getting another chance to be reattached to the tree and live even better than before. For me, becoming
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