{"id":24996,"date":"2026-07-08T08:00:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T13:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maiglobal.org\/?p=24996"},"modified":"2026-07-07T05:50:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T10:50:58","slug":"book-clubs-anthologies-and-writing-discoveries-highlights-from-our-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maiglobal.org\/id\/book-clubs-anthologies-and-writing-discoveries-highlights-from-our-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Clubs, Anthologies and Writing Discoveries: Highlights from our Community"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

A Journey to Biblical Times\u2014an Anthology of Biblical Fiction in Spanish <\/strong><\/p>\n

MAI-Am\u00e9rica Latina<\/a>\u00a0ran a 3-month online workshop series last year on writing and illustrating biblical fiction for children. This May, an anthology by workshop participants was launched! Un viaje a tiempos b\u00edblicos: Antolog\u00eda de relatos para ni\u00f1os<\/em><\/a>\u00a0(\u201cA Journey to Biblical Times\u201d)\u00a0<\/em>features stories based on the Bible about children and for children compiled by Keila\u00a0Ochoa Harris, Paola del Castillo Avenda\u00f1o, Edgar Alejandro Flores L\u00f3pez and Patricia Cabral.<\/p>\n

Designed to Become More Like Jesus\u2014Insights at an Online Spanish Book Club<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over March and April, MAI-Am\u00e9rica Latina team members Karen Su\u00e1rez and Patricia Cabral facilitated weeks of online book club meetings in Spanish. \u201cThis book club is healthy, enriching, and opens up new horizons,\u201d says participant Carlos Peirone. \u201cI saw change is possible and failure isn\u2019t the end of the world\u2014it\u2019s a way to learn.\u201d Beatriz Buono of Certeza Argentina adds, \u201cI came away with the conviction that God designed us for change, becoming more like Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Discovering Calling at a Book Writing Journey Workshop in Vietnam<\/strong><\/p>\n

Winner of MAI\u2019s 2023 Robert B. Reekie Global Publisher Award,\u00a0V\u0103n Ph\u1ea9m H\u1ea1t Gi\u1ed1ng<\/a>\u00a0(\u201cSeed Publications\u201d), celebrated their\u00a0ten year anniversary<\/a>\u00a0with a book fair and an MAI-Asia workshop on April 18 for emerging authors. \u201cThis course not only helps us discover God\u2019s calling for writing, but also provides specific guidance,\u201d says a participant, who plans to write books for children. \u201cVietnam greatly needs Vietnamese authors writing for Vietnamese readers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pointing Authors to the Author of Life at Online African Writers Workshop<\/strong><\/p>\n

Eighteen aspiring Christian writers from throughout Africa met online each week in April to learn the foundations of book planning and writing. \u201cThis training points authors to the main Author of life, and equips you to worship God with your writing skills,\u201d says Blandine Rasoloniaina from Madagascar. A writer from Ethiopia shared, \u201cIt has expanded my perspective far beyond just writing\u2014equipping me with practical insights, structure, and confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finding Hope<\/em>\u2014an Anthology of Stories by Christian Writers in India<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ve ever wanted to write\u2014whether it\u2019s fiction, non-fiction, poetry, articles, or blogs\u2014this is a space where that desire is nurtured with purpose, rooted in Matthew 6:33,\u201d says digital marketer and business developer Manish Kumar, of an MAI workshop in April 15-19 on writing and editing. By the end of the week, 29 participants had compiled an anthology of stories, reflections and poems titled Finding Hope: Stories from the Blue Mountains<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Strengthening Publishers and Inspiring Designers in Latin America<\/strong><\/p>\n

MAI-Am\u00e9rica Latina Board Chair Jos\u00e9 Carlos Guti\u00e9rrez M. and MAI Director of Publisher Development Ramon Rocha visited Peru, Chile and Argentina in May for consultations and to run workshops. \u201cThose days were truly meaningful for us, because they reaffirmed that we share a common vision and commitment to serving the church and strengthening Christian thought throughout our continent,\u201d says Ruben Villar of Ediciones Puma in Peru.<\/p>\n

Sharing Ideas on Social Media and Marketing at Online Writers Group<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe all recognize the need to get visibility for our work,\u201d Kelompok Penulis Online<\/a> facilitator Janet Wilson says. Christian writers met in May to share tips on using social media. In June, they looked at the bigger picture of marketing for writers\u2014what it is, what it isn\u2019t, what\u2019s worked, and what each person is still learning. One timely reminder offered was to pray and ask God about what to do and when to do it.<\/p>\n

Related stories<\/strong><\/p>\n