SparkLit

01/06/2026

“I was born nine months after the defeat of Pol Pot. The Khmer Rouge had burned every book. They killed every teacher. They closed every school. While I was a child, books remained scarce.

At university, I studied literature. After graduating, I began teaching Khmer and English at a secondary school. I love teaching. Awakening young minds to the power of words and stories is thrilling.

During the holidays, I got a job teaching foreigners the Khmer language. Cambodia was in ruins. Our future was bleak. Why would foreigners want to live in my country and learn my language? I watched them closely. I was envious of their joy and purpose.

One day, I confronted them. “Why have you come to my country?” The foreigners had come to Cambodia to tell me how much Jesus loves me. I was gripped by the good news and overwhelmed by this same joy and purpose. I have always kept a journal, but now I have something to write about.

This year, at a Fount of Wisdom writers’ workshop conducted by Michael Collie, I learned how to write from the heart for young readers. I am now helping to write books for teenagers about s*x, friendship, vocation and relating to parents.”

Mok Sophanny from Cambodia longs to share the hope and saving grace of Jesus with his people and strengthen the roots of the Cambodian Church.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will use these books to show young people the joy and purpose that only Jesus can give. Please pray for the Fount of Wisdom team in Phnom Penh as they edit and prepare these books for publication.

Read Sophanny’s story by following this link:
https://sparklit.org/2026/05/15/i-grew-up-in-a-land-without-books/

Receive our daily updates on the PrayerMate app:
http://praynow4.org/sparklit

$2,500 will enable Fount of Wisdom to publish a book in Khmer written by a Cambodian Christian.

25/05/2026

⏰ One week left to enter! Entries close 31 May.

Do you like to write? Could your writing win this year's Australian Christian Teen Writer Award (for under 18s) or the Young Australian Christian Writer Award (for under 30s)?

These awards celebrate and encourage emerging Australian Christian writers, with prizes of $1,000 (ACTWA) and $2,500 (YACWA) to be won.

Know a young writer who should enter? Give them a nudge. Or, might that writer be you?

👉 Find out more and enter today:
sparklit.org/actwa
sparklit.org/yacwa

🔗 Entry forms linked in bio

15/05/2026

“I grew up in a land without books.”

For your encouragement, SparkLit’s project partners tell how God is working in their lives and communities.

Don’t miss these inspiring stories from our 2026 Autumn Newsletter, on their way to your mailbox (or inbox).

Not on our mailing list? Email us at [email protected] to receive our latest updates.

01/05/2026

⏰ Entries close 31 May.

Could your unpublished manuscript win this year's Australian Christian Teen Writer Award (for under 18s) or the Young Australian Christian Writer Award (for under 30s)?

These awards celebrate and encourage emerging Australian Christian writers, with prizes of $1,000 (ACTWA) and $2,500 (YACWA).

👉 Find out more and enter:
sparklit.org/actwa
sparklit.org/yacwa

Entry forms linked in bio. 🔗

01/05/2026

John Dickson interviews Mark Glanville, author of PREACHING IN A NEW KEY.

PREACHING IN A NEW KEY was shortlisted for the 2025 Australian Christian Book of the Year Award.

https://www.ivpress.com/preaching-in-a-new-key
https://sparklit.org/acboy/

Jazz is never just made up on the spot. It’s tradition, discipline, and conversation—held together by improvisation.

And perhaps the church has something to learn from that idea.

This International Jazz Day, take 30 minutes to listen to our episode “Jazz Church” and hear how one of the world’s most expressive art forms might have something to teach Christians today.

Listen now: https://undeceptions.com/podcast/singles/single-jazz-church/

06/04/2026

“When I was twelve, a friend invited me to movie nights and English classes at a local church. I started to read and study the Bible. In Acts chapter 17, I learned that we are saved by trusting Jesus, not religious images and objects.

My mother didn’t want me to join a cult and wouldn’t let me go to church. But, thanks to God, after some time she stopped arguing with me. Jesus had changed me and my mother noticed the difference.

My journey into Christian publishing began as I learned how literature shapes faith communities. As a church planter, I was frustrated by the lack of decent Christian books in the Polish language. Especially books that build bridges between different Christian traditions.

Please pray that our Polish translation of ‘The Book of Common Prayer’ will find its way into the hands of those hungry to deepen their connection with God and their neighbour through prayer and praise.”

Aleksander Saško Nezamutdinov from Poland is committed to strengthening the Polish church and equipping future generations of believers with sound biblical and theological foundations.

Read Aleksander’s story by following this link:
https://sparklit.org/2025/07/07/building-bridges-not-walls/

Receive our daily updates on the PrayerMate app:
http://praynow4.org/sparklit

Your support of $10k will make this publication possible.

30/03/2026

“Misfortune and illness made my family poorer than our neighbours. My younger sister was born with deformed hands and feet. My older brother drowned. The spirits were punishing us.

I did not value education. Instead of going to classes, I watched videos.

God did not give up on me. God opened the way, and at 17 I attended Bible school. I learned to read and write in both Khmer and Kavet languages. I learned to read the Bible and deepen my understanding of the gospel.

By God’s grace, I am now a Sunday School and literacy teacher in my village. I teach over 500 students and train teachers. I love teaching!”

Read Thit’s story by following this link: https://sparklit.org/2025/07/07/look-what-god-has-done/

Receive our daily updates on the PrayerMate app:
http://praynow4.org/sparklit

$20k will finance the publication of literacy textbooks, manuals, Bible stories, and song books in the Kavet Language.

24/03/2026

⏰ One week left to enter! Entries close 31 March.

Will your book be the Australian Christian Book of the Year?

This $3,000 prize celebrates excellence in Australian writing that points people to Jesus.

There’s still time to submit your entry.

👉 Enter today: sparklit.org/acboy/

11/03/2026

Who will choose the 2026 Australian Christian Book of the Year? 📚

Meet this year’s judges: Greg Clarke, Grace Lung and Amy Isham. They share a passion for books and helping Australians grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus.

GREG CLARKE: Greg is the CEO of Leprosy Mission Australia. He holds a doctorate in modern literature and authored ‘The Great Bible Swindle’ (2014 Australian Christian Book of the Year).

GRACE LUNG: Grace is the Director of the Centre for Asian Christianity at the Brisbane School of Theology. She writes and teaches on Asian-Australian and intercultural faith, and co-pastors at Rise Alliance Church in Brisbane.

AMY ISHAM: Amy is a CPX Associate and manages the Mannix Library at the Catholic Theological College in Melbourne. She holds a PhD in Leadership and publishes academically in the discipline of Religious Studies.

Find out more about our judges here: http://sparklit.org/acboy

04/03/2026

Entries close on 31 March.

Will your book be the Australian Christian Book of the Year?

This prize recognises excellence in writing that points people to Jesus.

$3,000 prize.

Know an Australian author who should enter? Tag them below. Or, might that author be you?

Find out more here: sparklit.org/acboy