How transparent should we be for our readers?

“Mom, are you writing about me again?” My daughter sounded offended. “Again everyone will look at me, ‘Are you the girl who doesn’t like to apologize?’” I hugged her and showed her the letter I was writing was not about her. But her question made me think—she had a right to be disappointed. I had
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Exploring good vs. evil in Christian fantasy

Interview with award-winning author Joan Campbell Learn how author Joan Campbell of South Africa got started writing fantasy novels for young adults. Her first novel, Chains of Gwyndorr, won a gold medal for young adult fiction in the 2017 Illumination Book Awards. Recently the MAI trainer was interviewed about how her family and faith journey
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God can have a voice

Last month eight men and women gathered in a secluded hotel for their first-ever clandestine Christian writer workshop. Christianity is not recognized in this Asian nation, and the consequences of following Jesus are daunting. Faith can land believers in prison, exclude them from family and community, and deprive them of employment. Although sharing the Gospel
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The Challenge for American Christian Authors

By Dan Balow The majority of Christian books published every year are written in English by authors in the United States. U.S. Christian publishers in a billion dollar industry publish many thousands of new titles every year. Still, I am not sure all American authors who desire to have their books spread across the globe
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Central Asia: Behind the “Golden Pen” Award

“In your word I find my utmost delight. I want to honor its great worth aright. Let me forever live within your word. Pressed into it, may it and I unite.” Readers are devouring Mary’s* stanzas across her nation in Central Asia. Last year the author received her country’s “Golden Pen” award and was invited
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Indonesia: A New Year’s Text

By Yessy Sutama, Indonesia The first morning of the New Year. I read a text message from my brother. A New Year’s reflection. So beautiful. I thought the greeting was quoted by my brother from another person’s text message to him. He often does this if he feels that the text was good and would
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A Writer in Wonderland

By Ivanova Nono Fotso, Cameroon I know a young woman who has many grown-up responsibilities: university studies, work, chores, volunteering and church. Yet unbeknownst to the rest of the world, this young woman has a secret room in her heart. In that room, she revisits the world of a five year-old girl, filled with wonder
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“I Felt Locked In…”

By Mark Carpenter, Brazil As a young teenager growing up in a small town in Brazil, I had little access to the outside world. Only two TV channels were available, and the city newspaper carried only local news. I felt locked in. Then the son of a Japanese immigrant opened a news kiosk downtown, featuring
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India: “After lunch you can kill me.”

Babu is an MAI trainer, Indian journalist and historian who has authored five books. He shared this recent personal story with us: A few months ago at about midnight my telephone rang and the voice on the other end was strange and angry. The man introduced himself as an engineer-cum-businessman and an active member of
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Sometimes God Surprises Us

By John D. Maust, MAI President Sometimes God surprises us by doing something we did not imagine.  Has such a thing happened recently in MAI’s work? A friend wanted to know. One country came immediately to mind. Several years ago, we began doing some behind-the-scenes writer training in a closed nation of Southeast Asia.  Some
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