Queen of Christian Fiction Creates Novel Fundraiser
Bestselling inspirational novelist Karen Kingsbury, who TIME Magazine dubbed the "Queen of Christian Fiction," is using characters in her novels to raise funds for charities nationwide. Kingsbury has created an auction fundraiser called "Forever in Fiction™," which allows anyone to bid on the opportunity to name a character in one of her books.
Wheaton, IL (PRWEB via PR Web
Direct) May 25, 2005 -- Forget about naming a star after someone you love:
Now with the help of America's bestselling inspirational novelist Karen
Kingsbury anyone can have the chance to name a character in one of her books—and
raise money for their favorite charity at the same time. Kingsbury, of
Vancouver, Wash., created “Forever in Fiction™” for auctions across the country.
Winners' names are used as characters in her latest novels. Forever in Fiction™
brings in an average of $2,500 per auction. Kingsbury, who has been doing this
for two years, estimates that her auction items have earned $100,000 for various
non-profits around the country.
“This is a win-win situation for
everyone,” Kingsbury said. “I need to name my characters anyway. This gives
auction attendees a 'novel' way to immortalize someone they love. It's one of
the most unique auction items sold out there right now.”
Among the recent
winners is Tani Zarelli, wife of Washington State Senator Joseph Zarelli. Mrs.
Zarelli, who won the Forever in Fiction™ competition at an auction for Salmon
Creek Soccer Association in Vancouver, chose to name her character after her
seventeen-year-old daughter Ashley. Winners have also come from California,
North Carolina and Oregon. Agencies from around the nation are asking about
Forever in Fiction™ for their auctions.
“I've donated this item to all
sorts of groups--schools, YWCA organizations, church groups, adoption agencies
and sports clubs. Everyone has an auction. This has become a very popular way
for people to raise money, at no cost to anyone,” Kingsbury commented. “At one
event two bidders were working hard against each other, so I authorized a second
Forever in Fiction™ prize. The item brought in $5,000 in a couple of
minutes.”
Forever in Fiction™ 2-2-2
Kingsbury's new novel "Fame"
(June/Tyndale) is the first with multiple Forever in Fiction™ winners. "Fame" is
the initial book in a new series, titled “Firstborn” and is a follow-up to
Kingsbury's bestselling five-book series, “Redemption” which has sold more than
700,000 copies over the past two years.
In addition to Zarelli, winners
of the “Forever in Fiction” competition featured in "Fame" are: Krissy Schick
for the Northshore Christian School auction in Bothel, Wash., and Chris, Amy,
Kelly and Becky Holmes for the Firm Foundation Christian School auction in
Vancouver, Wash. Schick decided to have her character named after herself and
the Holmes family selected their parents Alvar and Nancy Holmes to be
represented in the new Kingsbury novel.
Popular and prolific, TIME
Magazine recently dubbed Kingsbury the “Queen of Christian Fiction” and the
“Nora Roberts of the religious set.” Three Kingsbury books have been named
finalists for the 2005 ECPA Gold Medallion Award. She has written more than 30
books with sales exceeding 2.1 million copies. Each month, she consistently has
five to seven titles on the Christian Fiction bestseller list. Kingsbury has
branded her style of writing as Life-Changing Fiction™. Daily, she receives
letters and messages from readers who have important life decisions after
reading one of her emotionally-charged, faith-based novels.
Kingsbury is
married to Don. The two are parents of six, including three boys simultaneously
adopted from Haiti.
Contact:
Beverly
Rykerd
1-888-481-0405
e-mail protected from spam bots
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb244815.htm