Books
“The Stars in April,” by Childress Ink Author Peggy Wirgau, Wins 2023 Christian Indie Award, Second Place, Young Adult
Southern Christian Writers Conference Notable Book Award
American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Book-of-the-Month
Literary Titan Book Award
Page-Turner Award Longlist Finalist
Selah Award Finalist
2023 Christian Indie Award, Second Place, Young Adult
“The Stars in April” by Peggy Wirgau has won second place in the 2023 Christian Indie Awards, in the Young Adult category.
Honoring Christian books by independent authors and small publishers for outstanding contribution to Christian life, the Christian Indie Awards are given annually by the Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA).
Since its publication, the book has been featured in MTL Magazine, Girls’ Life “Must-Read,” and more. The book also won Cover of the Week in Cover Wars 2021, and was a featured title at the Fall Christian Product Expo 2021. Author Peggy Wirgau has been a featured speaker at the Titanic Conference (#TitanicCon) in Pigeon Forge, TN, and a featured author at the Titanic Museum Attraction, also in Pigeon Forge, TN.
“Centered on a historic event that so many find interesting, The Stars in April is an incredible book for readers of all ages, and we knew retailers would be intrigued,” says Bradley Isbell, Director of Operations for Iron Stream Media, New Hope Publishers and Life Bible Study.
“Knowing the time and meticulous research that Peggy Wirgau put into this book, I am simply so pleased to see it receiving such praise and accolades,” says Literary Agent Kim Childress. “Even more affirming are letters received from readers young and old, who have been moved by the work, including readers who knew the real Ruth Becker.”
The School Library Journal Starred Review brought the book to the attention of educators, and The Stars in April is now being used in classroom curriculum. The book also includes photographs of the Titanic and people in the story, details on what happened to them later, questions for discussion, and a free curriculum guide available for download from the author’s website. “We absolutely loved it,” states a sixth grade teacher at Our Shepherd Lutheran School in Birmingham, MI. “Near the end, I was so teary that I had to hand off the read-aloud to a student while I regained my voice. After the final sentence was read, the class erupted in spontaneous applause.”
The Stars in April is historical fiction based on the true story of teen Titanic survivor, Ruth Becker, published in 2021 with IlluminateYA, an imprint of Iron Stream Media. The book continues to be a favorite with guests at Titanic museums and events, including the Titanic Museum Attraction, where an expanded Children’s Gallery honors the children aboard the ship.
Peggy Wirgau will be among 120 authors signing books at the Historical Novel Society conference this June in San Antonio, TX.
About
Peggy Wirgau loves bringing history to life for readers and has written for Appleseeds, Insight, Learning Through History, and contributed to Why? Titanic Moments, by Yvonne Lehman. Her blog features in-depth Titanic stories, and her followers include descendants of the ship’s real-life victims and survivors. A graduate of Michigan State University and George Mason University, Peggy is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and Great Lakes Titanic Connection. She loves to travel, especially to New York City and Mackinac Island, Michigan, where she explores historical sites. Peggy is also a Registered Nurse. A Michigan native, she and her husband have lived in Florida, and now Colorado. They have two adult children and two grandchildren. To learn more visit PeggyWirgau.com.
Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA)
Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA) was created in 2004, and their annual Christian Indie Awards recognize Christian books by independent authors and small publishers for outstanding contribution to Christian life. Beginning May 1, all 2023 award-winning books will be shared on the Christian Indie Award website (www.christianaward.com), in the CIPA blog (https://christianpublishers.net/blog/), and in the Christian Indie Publishing Journal, as well as in press releases to over 1400 Christian media outlets.
Childress Ink
Childress Ink seeks out and shares books of excellence and guides authors in their craft. Founded by Kim Childress, learn more at ChildressInk.com.
“The Stars in April” by Peggy Wirgau, IlluminateYA Fiction/Iron Stream Media, 2021
ISBN: 9781645263074 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9781645263067 (Softcover)
Amazon Audible, narrated by Krystal Hammond
For press-related inquiries, please contact Kim McCulla at Kim.McCulla@IronStreamMedia.com.
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Author Erin Strong is offering her novel "She Never Left Ground Zero: A Novel of Courage, Love, and the Hidden Cost of 9/11" as a free download through September 30, according to the announcement. No registration, email address, purchase, subscription, or review is required, and coincides with the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
The novel is fiction but draws on the real experience of an NYPD officer, per the announcement. It centers on Sofia Vega, an NYPD officer whose work amid the smoke and debris in the aftermath leads to lasting consequences she and her family must face. Strong has said she wanted to write about what happened to first responders and their families after press coverage of the attacks faded — a theme that echoes a broader body of anniversary-year 9/11 literature, including nonfiction essay collections and survivor accounts published or reissued around the same milestone.
According to Strong, "I wanted to tell a deeply personal story about what happened after the television cameras moved on." "Many first responders and their families continued living with the consequences of September 11 for years. This novel honors their courage, their sacrifices, and the people who loved them through it all."
The free download is available at sheneverleftgroundzero.com. The book will also remain for sale on Amazon and other retailers after the promotional window closes. Strong’s team can be reached through the same website or by phone.
Studio CarryOnHarry Perspective
At Studio CarryOnHarry, we see Strong’s September timing as a textbook example of anniversary marketing strategy. Major commemorative dates like the 25th anniversary of 9/11 generate enormous search volume and media attention—precisely when potential readers are already thinking about the subject matter. By anchoring a free promotion to this peak-interest window, authors capture visibility they’d need to spend significantly on advertising to achieve otherwise. The counterintuitive logic: giving away the book for free during high-traffic periods can actually drive more long-term sales than traditional paid campaigns, because it builds audience reach, generates word-of-mouth momentum, and establishes the title in readers’ minds before the promotional window closes. When the book returns to paid status in October, those who downloaded it free become natural candidates for follow-up engagement—reviews, recommendations, and future purchases. It’s a calculated play on consumer psychology and search behavior that extends the book’s commercial lifespan well beyond September.
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Author C. A. Ballard has released a debut fantasy novel, "The Lost Legacy," following a young orphan protagonist drawn into a battle against a malevolent force seeking to strip the world of its magical power, according to the publisher’s announcement.
The book comes from Newman Springs Publishing, a New Jersey-based author-services publisher that works with writers across genres to produce and distribute their books; the company is handling both publication and promotion for the title. The novel is available in stores and through major digital retailers, including Amazon, Apple, Google Play and Barnes & Noble.
According to the publisher, Zara must safeguard her sibling while partnering with an ensemble of fantastical beings including fae warriors, mythical creatures, and magical beings to combat darkness — against an antagonist seeking to strip the world of its magic.
Ballard, described in the release as a wife, mother and grandmother with a background in accounting and medical billing, said medical challenges led her to pursue creative endeavors. "I wanted to craft deeply engaging stories about everyday individuals finding remarkable capabilities within themselves," Ballard said in a statement. "Zara’s story is about finding your tribe, embracing your power, and refusing to surrender to darkness." The publisher’s announcement notes additional projects from Ballard are already in development.
There is no independent review coverage of "The Lost Legacy" available yet; retail listings confirm the book’s publication details but do not offer critical assessment. Readers interested in the book can find purchase links through the publisher’s website or major retailers.
Studio CarryOnHarry Perspective
At Studio CarryOnHarry, we recognize that Ballard’s ensemble approach—layering fae warriors, mythical creatures, and magical beings alongside a resourceful orphan protagonist—speaks directly to a defining shift in contemporary fantasy publishing. Today’s YA and new-adult readers expect worldbuilding that extends beyond a single chosen one; they crave diverse supernatural allies and complex team dynamics that reflect both traditional mythology and modern storytelling sensibilities. Zara’s "finding your tribe" arc taps into this broader cultural moment where belonging and chosen family rival the hero’s individual journey. As the fantasy market continues to reward narratives emphasizing collective strength over solitary heroism, Ballard’s decision to populate her world with multiple fantastical perspectives positions "The Lost Legacy" within reader expectations that have reshaped the genre over the past five years. This matters because debut authors who understand—and authentically execute—these ensemble-driven narratives are better positioned to build engaged readerships from launch.
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