Category: Birmingham

Robert Abernathy isn’t the sort of person to wait until the last minute.  It wasn’t his fault that he only learned of Athanatos Christian Ministry’s Christian novel contest just before its deadline!  The last minute haste paid off for Mr. Abernathy:  it would end up winning second place.  The rest, as they say, is history.

“The Walk to Walden Hill” is inspired by a real person and by real events but spun out of the real life experiences of Alabama native, coach, teacher, and author, Robert Abernathy.  Paul Walden was a rock in the lives of many in the community.  Though his place in Abernathy’s story is fictional, his significance in the lives of those he touched was deep and therefore a natural person to serve as the godly intercessor in this soon to be released book.

Abernathy describes Mr. Walden as man who left an impression on many and was a ‘faithful supporter’ and ‘trusted friend.’  Abernathy says, “I wanted to preserve Mr. Walden. Though he is definitely a larger than life character in this book, he surely lives in it.”

“The Walk to Walden Hill” grapples with many of the real life struggles that its author has encountered personally and in his observations of his students and athletes over the years.  There is the grief of loss, the pain of divorce, and the resentments left by deep hurts.  There is also repentance and reconciliation, highlighting the fact that forgiveness is as much for the forgiver as it is the forgivee.

A page turning epic, Abernathy’s book is a close look at the emotional and spiritual aftermath of abandonment and the overwhelming feelings of fear, self-doubt, and crushed hope experienced by children in the foster care system. Unlike other stories with a similar beginning, the main character, Josh Billows, does not experience healing through education or an undiscovered talent. Instead, Josh’s life is rescued by something simple: a hero who cared enough to show the way.

“The Walk to Walden Hill” is being released through CrossBooks a division of LifeWay, and will be officially available on September 1^st.  This is also the deadline for entries in ACM’s 2012 Christian Novel Contest. Abernathy is presenting at ACM’s online writers conference this Thursday, August 18^th.  Register for free at:  www.christianwritingconference.com

Robert Abernathy is available for interviews at [phone number].  The book’s website is: www.waldenhill.net/