Last month, Instant Apostle was delighted to see one of our books win an industry award!
Novelist Jo Sheringham’s first book with us, The Perfect Companion, won the Christian Resources Together Fiction Book of the Year Award. These awards have been described as the Oscars of the Christian publishing world, and to win one as a small publisher is an incredible achievement. So often, a prize like this goes to a well-known novelist writing for one of the big publishers in America – so all the more credit to Jo!
‘It still hasn’t sunk in – I’ve won an award!’ comments Jo. ‘Just to be shortlisted seemed like a win, so to reach the finish line feels amazing! I’m grateful for the support of the superb publishing team at Instant Apostle. Also, I’m so thankful for God-given inspiration and the constant encouragement of family and friends.’
But, amazingly, Jo was not the only Instant Apostle author to be shortlisted for the award this year. Two of the three finalists were our writers. Joy Margetts joined Jo on the shortlist with The Bride, the third novel in her beautiful series set among the verdant valleys and thriving monasteries of thirteenth-century Wales. Although Joy did not win this year, we were delighted to see her series get the prominence it so thoroughly deserves. Her books take readers on rich spiritual journeys as we accompany her protagonists along their own contrasting pilgrimages into faith and healing. Welsh medieval fiction may not be your usual go-to genre, but as this award shortlisting shows, Joy’s spiritually insightful and original books should definitely be on your reading list!
And of course, there is Jo’s award winner, The Perfect Companion. This is the gentle and moving story of a self-effacing middle-aged woman, Maggie, whose life has been devoted to caring for her unsympathetic mother. Stifled by her caring role, a weekly service at her local cathedral has become her sole escape – though God seems far from Maggie’s simple, daily concerns. But when one day God quietly and unexpectedly begins to move, Maggie finds hope springing up, with the challenge and grace to extend God’s peace to others. Many of us have caring responsibilities and can relate to Jo’s protagonist. The sympathy that we feel for Maggie, and the affection God shows towards her, help us see ourselves through His eyes, making it an incredibly encouraging book.
Nicki Copeland of Instant Apostle, who received the award on Jo’s behalf, says, ‘For some years, we have sought to publish high-quality fiction, even though the market can be hard – so seeing two novelists shortlisted, and Jo winning, is a massive boost. We are convinced that it can be a way of reaching people with the gospel, of encouraging Christians when their walk with the Lord is difficult, and of helping us all understand the love of God in emotionally profound ways.’
Recently, we have been very encouraged by feedback from non-Christians who have found themselves rethinking prayer and faith after reading Ruth Leigh’s Isabella M Smugge series. And we hope that this Fiction Book of the Year Award, and the two shortlisted titles, will help new readers discover God’s heart towards them in ways they might not have expected.
As Jo Sheringham said, ‘It’s more than just personal – this is a great boost for Instant Apostle as two authors, myself and Joy Margetts, were finalists. Hopefully this accolade will keep the light shining on British Christian fiction and encourage more meaningful, heartfelt, storytelling.’
Do also check out our previous Christian Resources Together shortlisted titles, and the 2017 Biography of the Year award winner:
Found by Love by Rahil Patel – Winner, Biography of the Year, 2017, tells the story of how a Hindu priest encountered the love of Christ and was forever changed
The Man Who Broke Into St Peters by Chick Yuill – Fiction Book of the Year Award, 2019, sensitively tackles the issue of church abuse, and how healing can be found
Island Treasure by Helen Parker – Children/Youth Book of the Year Award, 2023, encourages teens around issues of bullying, identity and the refugee experience