Even though society often implies otherwise, women are worth more than their appearance, social status or monetary income. Award-wining Catholic author Cheryl Dickow, 48, proclaims that message in her non-fiction books as well as in her debut novel about a contemporary woman's journey of faith, due out next spring from her new Catholic publishing company.

Dickow, whose non-fiction book, "Reclaiming Your Christian Self in a Secular World: A Woman's Worth" received an honorable mention in the gender issues category at the 2006 Catholic Press Awards, has started a new imprint, "Bezalel Books," to address the dearth of women's Catholic fiction.

"It is my prayer to bring a strong female presence to Catholic fiction which is fairly non-existent when compared to the same market for our Protestant and Evangelical sisters-in-faith," said Dickow in a phone interview with The Tidings from her home in Waterford, Michigan. A sixth and seventh grade English teacher at Our Lady of the Lakes School in Waterford with a master's degree in education, Dickow wrote her first book, "Raising Christian Children in a Secular World," two-and-a-half years ago.

That book, says Dickow, "was a simple attempt to combine my experiences as a teacher and mother under a faith umbrella." The mother of three teenage boys ages 18, 16 and 14, Dickow believes in the power of turning to God's Word for help in raising children and living a Christian life in a materialistic, secularized culture.

Positive response to her first writing venture resulting in several speaking engagements to women's groups inspired Dickow to write her second book focusing on women role models throughout salvation history. Chapters named after Biblical women such as Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Zipporah and Esther include Scriptural text references and Dickow's reflections on each woman's faith journey.

"These women are so much like us that they really force us to embrace ourselves in a way that shows our recognition of God's hand and interest in our lives. Like us, they experienced envy, sadness, joy, sorrow, pain, triumph, fear and anger. Through it all, they give us an insight into how God works in all circumstances for His good and the good of His people," said Dickow.

She said impetus for the book grew out of a personal exploration of her own worth in God's eyes. "I often found myself in quiet despair over so many of the mixed messages that were being given to me, and to women in general, and I really wanted to return to the true source of wisdom: Scripture.

"As I read I found myself experiencing epiphanies over and over again. As I contemplated Noah's wife cleaning stalls, cooking food, and no doubt being sea-sick from the torrential rains and smell of animals I realized that, on a smaller but yet just as significant scale, that was me! I saw how it also represented many of my friends who were at a time in their lives where caring for their families, friends and neighbors seemed menial but must certainly be magnificent in God's plans."

Aware of the power of storytelling from her years of teaching, Dickow got the idea to write a novel about a contemporary Catholic woman on a spiritual quest titled "Elizabeth, A Holy Land Pilgrimage." She was turned down by two Catholic publishers who said they "didn't do fiction," and was also rejected by a recommended Evangelical publishing house before deciding to self-publish as Bezalel, which means "in the shadow of God."

She was partly inspired to start Bezalel by a cryptic note on the Protestant publisher's rejection letter of "Elizabeth" handwritten by the house manuscript reader: "I personally want to read this book, it is so real." Dickow's protagonist has had marital troubles and wonders if her husband loves her like he used to. She is not a perfect Christian, but practices her Catholic faith as best she can in a secular world.

"This character is an amalgamation of many women I know in their 40s going through a midlife crisis," said Dickow. The story opens with Elizabeth traveling solo to the Holy Land. Dickow, who is personally very interested in Christianity's Jewish roots, has done hundreds of hours of research on the Holy Land to add to the book's authenticity.

"Bezalel Books are intended to deepen a woman's everyday journey with Christ," says Dickow. She explains her publishing company will function like publishing houses "of old" that used to consider and accept unsolicited manuscripts, allowing authors to get their work in print without the significant expenses of a self-publishing company. In addition, Bezalel Books will also offer Books-to-Print Services for self-publishing projects.

As the first fiction book from Bezalel Books, Dickow's Elizabeth novel, part of a trilogy, will be out by April. The second book, "Sarah," will follow in late spring with "Miriam" due in the fall. According to Dickow, the lives of busy Christian women will be reflected in Bezalel's inspirational fiction "Women of Faith" series.

"Each book in the series will honestly reflect many of the struggles that today's Christian women face," said Dickow, "but will show these challenges under the light of truth as found in the Gospels."

Dickow's non-fiction books are currently available for purchase on Amazon.com. Readers interested in receiving information on Bezalel's fiction books can call Bezalel Books at (248) 917-3865, email Cheryl@AskKnockSeek.com or access Dickow's website: www.AskKnockSeek.com.