Media Associates International (MAI) is pleased to announce creation of the Judith E. Markham Editorial Legacy Award. The award will consist of an annual grant to a selected Christian editor in the Majority World to be used for that person’s training and professional development.
Judith Markham worked as an editor for more than 50 years, most of that time in religious book publishing. She began her book publishing career at Zondervan Publishing House in 1968, where she served in several editorial positions for almost 20 years, including managing her own imprint, Judith Markham Books. In 1987 she founded Blue Water Ink, along with her partners Paul Hillman and the late Julie Ackerman Link. In 2001 she joined Discovery House Publishers as managing editor, and in 2014 she became executive editor of the Our Daily Bread devotional. After editing hundreds of books, including more than 17 ECPA Christian Book Award winners, Judith retired in 2015. She is also a founding member of the Academy of Christian Editors.
Generous with her insights and skill, Judith served as an editorial trainer for Media Associates International (MAI) and as a director on its International Board. Her training booklet, Servanthood and the Christian Editor, remains a valuable tool for MAI editorial training around the world. In this same spirit of servanthood, Judith established the editorial award bearing her name to help equip emerging Christian editors serving in countries where little on-site training is available.
In selecting an annual recipient of the award, MAI will give preference to editors demonstrating a desire for growth and Judith’s passion for editorial excellence. Candidates for the award will be identified through MAI’s on-site training programs in the various world regions and through referrals from within the ministry’s global network. The first recipient of the editorial award will be announced at the LittWorld 2024 conference in Puebla, Mexico, November 3-8.
Founded in 1985, MAI envisions a world in which readers everywhere have access to life-transforming Christian content written in their heart language. Skilled editors, who come alongside aspiring authors and help them craft compelling, life-transforming content, are vital to fulfillment of this vision.
