JO HUDDLESTON'S

TopA GOOD READ
Newsletter For Readers and Writers

April/May 2011  

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Greetings!  


Welcome and thank you for sharing your time with me. Those of you who signed up for my newsletter since last month, thank you for subscribing.

This
month ...

In 
Guest Gab: An interview with Kim Vogel Sawyer, author of Courting Miss Amsel.

In
Writing Wisdom: What return do you give your customer for their investment?

In What Am I Reading?: Announcement of the winners of last newsletter's books and another book you could win. Review of The Fire in Ember by DiAnn Mills.

In Book Buzzings : Highlight of two recent novels, one by Elizabeth Goddard and another by Kristin Billerbeck. An update on my novel.

Check Inspirational Insights to read my thoughts on Edge of the Ocean.   

If you have any comments or suggestions about this newsletter, please go to my website and email me. And remember to visit my blog--you can click here or at the top of this introductory block. I plan to post a new blog twice a week. If I did it correctly, at the very top of this newsletter is a small bar with the Facebook, etc. logos on it. As I understand it, if you have accounts on any of those places and would like to share this newsletter with your friends there, please click the appropriate link(s).   
 
You can take a look at earlier newsletters here. Always remember: I value your presence here and the time you share with me.


 
Quality Quote

"Each day is a new life. Seize it. Live it."

--David Guy Powers, author 

  


BookBook Buzzing

Yours and Mine

 

Update on my novel: I changed the title of my novel to That Summer and have signed with an agent, Lavonne J. Stevens, Vice President-Fiction Acquisition with Bruce R. Barbour Literary Management Group, Nashville. After completing a novel this is the next important step toward publication but that road can still be a long one. Stay tuned.....

 

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Let me know your five favorite books and their authors and I'll include them here. Your last name is optional.

 

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This month I highlight The Camera Never Lies by Elizabeth Goddard and A Billion Reasons Why by Kristin Billerbeck. Below is information about these books. (Disclaimer: I may not have read these recent releases yet; just letting you know about them.)  

 

Camera 

Title: The Camera Never Lies     

Author: Elizabeth Goddard

Genre: Mystery/Romance

Publisher: Barbour, Hometown Mysteries Series

Release Date: December 2010  Elizabeth's website 

Book available here 

 

Meet wedding photographer Polly Perkins who zooms in on a murder victim. As she studies a line of potential suspects from safely behind her camera, Polly finds love staring back at her. Will her ability to read emotions through a camera lens help prevent another murder--while exploring her potential for romance?

 

Billion ReasonsTitle: A Billion Reasons Why

Author: Kristin Billerbeck

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: February 2011

Kristin's website 

Book available here 

 

Katie has a billion reasons to marry Dexter...but not one is love. Katie thinks she leads a perfect life with a fulfilling job, a cute apartment, and a wedding to plan. Then Luc returns, the only man she's ever loved, who is now a millionaire. Is Katie's real security in love or in safety?



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 GuestGab Guest Gab
Interview with Kim Vogel Sawyer            
Author of Courting Miss Amsel
 

  

SawyerBestselling, award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer wears many hats besides "writer." As a wife, mother, grandmother, and active participant in her church, her life is happily full. But Kim's passion lies in writing stories of hope that encourage her readers to place their lives in God's capable hands. An active speaking ministry assists her with her desire. Kim and her husband make their home on the beautiful plains of Kansas, the setting for many of Kim's novels.

  

JO: Please tell us a little about yourself.

 

KIM: I'm married to military-and-recently-retired hubby Don. We are empty-nesters with three adult daughters and eight grandchildren who are the lights of our lives. Currently we pay the mortgage on a house occupied by four cats who endlessly entertain us.


JO: What do you enjoying doing when you're not writing?

  

KIM: I enjoy quilting, travel, and--when my schedule allows--participating in community theatre.


JO: How did you get involved in writing?

 

KIM: I'd always loved writing as a child, but I went into elementary education because it seemed like a more secure way to make a living. However, my health deteriorated to the point I could no longer keep up the pace of teaching. God planted me in a computer chair and told me to write for Him. I did, and He swung wide the doors to publication. Of course, that's the nutshell version. I love sharing the entire testimony when I speak to women's groups.


JO: Where do you write? Do you have a dedicated office or a corner or nook in a room?

 

KIM: Since writing is my full-time job, I have a home office. When I enter my "work space," I go into writing mode. Although I occasionally take my laptop to the porch or somewhere else in the house to write, I am most focused when in my writing office.


JO: Do you always know the title of your books before you write them?  

 

KIM: I generally have a title in mind, but most often the publisher chooses something else. 

   

JO: Please tell us about Courting Miss Amsel.

 

Miss AmselKIM: Edythe Amsel is a strong-minded, forward-thinking young woman determined to open the world to her students. Unfortunately, the small farming community which has hired her to teach doesn't see much value beyond the rudimentary. Of course, this creates conflict. All of my books are written for an adult, female audience, but the content is suitable for teens and up. I'm also surprised by the number of men who read the stories.


JO: What takeaway value do you hope readers receive after reading this novel?

 

KIM: The spiritual thread that emerged during the writing (I don't plot) was the importance of leaning on God's strength rather than depending on our own and realizing God has plans beyond our limited ideas. It was a delight to see the characters grow and change throughout the story.


JO: Where did you get the idea for your book?

 

KIM: I wanted to write a story to applaud teachers for their hard work and dedication to children. So this one was born out of that desire.


JO: Did you need to do any research for this book?

 

KIM: I did a great deal of research about farming methods during the 1880s in Nebraska (each region tends to be different), about teaching methods (both common and revolutionary), and current events of the day. A little tidbit about Susan B. Anthony visiting Nebraska to discuss women's voting rights took the story in a direction I hadn't foreseen.


JO: How long have you been writing? When did you sell your first book?

 

KIM: I began writing seriously in 1981, submitting manuscripts to publishers in 1992, and I sold my first books (one to the Heartsong line of Barbour Publishing and two historicals to Bethany House) in March of 2005. 


JO: What are you working on now?  

 

KIM: I am researching wagon trains so I'm prepared for my next story, which will be set in 1890s Kansas.

 

JO: What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

 

KIM: Read, read, read and write, write, write. Read what is out there to become familiar with current writing trends and write daily to build your skills and develop the habit of productivity.

 
JO: Please tell our readers where they can get your book.

 

KIM: Courting Miss Amsel can be purchased at any bookstore (if it isn't on the shelf, it can be ordered) or through any of the online booksellers including www.Christianbook.com. 


JO: Where can our readers find you?  

 

KIM: Please feel free to stop by www.KimVogelSawyer.com -- I love visitors!

 

God bless,

Kim Vogel Sawyer

COURTING MISS AMSEL, Bethany House

 

 

JO: Thank you, Kim, for spending time with us in this interesting interview!

   

 

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WhatReadingWhat Am I Reading?

If you are (or not) from the South, there's a new blog by Eva Marie Everson--Southern Voice-- that might interest you. Click here. I have an article on her blog of March 25. 


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Bible Verse of the Day. Each day I plan to post a Bible Verse of the Day on the home page of my website.  In the upper right hand corner of the verse box you'll see the letters CWO (Christian Women Online). Click the letters and it will take you to their website. Verses should be posted by noon every day. Please take a look and let me know if you like/don't like. 

 

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Let me know what you've read that really impressed you, tell why in about 100 words and I'll include it here. Giving your name is optional.

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If you enjoy this newsletter pass it on to someone else who might also enjoy it: at the end of this email just click "Forward Email."


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To select winners in my drawings I use a computer program that randomly selects the winners. No pulling names out of a hat!! If you're a winner, the rules are simple: I'll email winners asking for their mailing address and get the book out to them right away. You can win only once in a calendar year.


The
winner of a signed copy of Medical Error by Richard L. Mabry, M.D. is Megan and the winner of a signed copy of The Curse of Captain LaFoote is Diane.
Congratulations! I'll email you for your mailing address.

If you didn't win this month, see below for news about another book giveaway.

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On April 25, I'll draw a winner from all current subscribers for a copy of The Fire in Ember,
which I review below.


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Fire in EmberI've recently read The Fire in Ember by DiAnn Mills, Zondervan, 2011, 339 pages. Trying to right a wrong by her ruthless brothers, Ember attempts to return their stolen horse. Her good deed repays her with accusation of horse thieving and she is about to be hanged. Deputy John Timmons disrupts the hanging, rescues who he's told is a young boy named Bert. John takes Bert home to his mother and four brothers, tells Bert he must work on their farm four months for her horse stealing. When the boys prepare for their weekly bath in the creek, Bert must confess that she's a seventeen-year-old girl, which causes John emotions he's never experienced. John's mother takes Bert under her protective wing, knowing there must be more to Bert than Bert is willing to share. When cattle rustlers invade the area, Bert is suspected to be involved because of the secrecy she holds within her. Bert, whose real name is Ember, and the Timmons family reel from twists and turns until the end of the book. Especially when two of the Timmons boys fall for her. Strong characters and plausible plot. Another winner from Mills. A good read. 

   


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WritingWisdomWriting Wisdom

What Return Do You Give on Your Customer's Investment?      

by Rob Eagar

 

 

Eagar

If you're an author selling books or a business selling products, your customers are internally wondering, "If I give you my money first, will I get a return on my investment?" The return you provide could be increased knowledge, a problem solved, or hours of pure entertainment. But, it better be something that the customer deems worthy of their purchase. If you create a positive result, you will win the exciting prize called "word-of-mouth." If you fail to create a positive result, you may wind up with the booby prize of obscurity and looking for another job.

 

What kind of return on investment are you confident that you can create for your target audience? Take a moment today to write out at least three distinct results. Then, examine if that information is clearly communicated in your marketing materials, such as your website, brochure, bios, newsletters, etc. If it's missing, don't let this week pass by without improving those materials and making your results apparent.

 

� Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.
WildFire Marketing
Website:
www.StartaWildFire.com
Email:
[email protected] 

 

 

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Clean Chuckle
 

OLD WOMAN

An 80-year-old woman made news after marrying a 4th time.

 

"Tell us about your husbands," a newsman said.

 

She smiled in thought. "In my 20s I wed a banker, in my 40s a circus ringmaster, in my 60s a preacher, and now that I'm 80 a funeral director."

 

Astonished, the newsman asked why she would marry men with such diverse careers.

 

"I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go."

 

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InspThoughtsInspirational Insight
Edge of the Ocean
by Jo Huddleston   


You who have read my writing for some time know about my love for the seashore. This greeting card I received enforced my love of the seashore and made clear the reasons why. 

Card

 

Photo � Richard Kolker/Getty Images

�Dayspring Cards, Siloam Springs, AR

www.dayspring.com  


 

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� 2011 Jo Huddleston. All rights reserved.


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