 visit my blog
Greetings!  Welcome and thank you for sharing your time with me. Those of you who signed up for my newsletter since last time, thank you for subscribing.
This month ...
In Guest Gab: An interview with Linda Goodnight, author of The Christmas Child. In Writing Wisdom: Know your potential readers.
In What Am I Reading: Announcement of the winner of last newsletter's book and review of a book by Gina Holmes.
In Book Buzzings: Highlight of two recent novels, one by Shelley Shepard Gray and one by Gary D. Chapman.
Check Inspirational Insights to read my thoughts on the first Christmas.
If you have any comments or suggestions about this newsletter, please go to my website and click the "email me" button beneath my photo.
----------
Thanks to all who have been reading my BLOG. I'll be blogging on this schedule:
Monday Musings on This 'N That
Thursday Thoughts for Readers and Writers.
Once a month I'll include a blog post by Tiffany Colter, a writing career coach.
I might occasionally repost a blog article from someone else if I think it fits your reading interests.
To visit my blog--you can click here or at the top of this introductory block. If you would like to receive every blog post in your email inbox, please look in the left column and sign up with your email address.
----------
Above the very top of this newsletter is a small horizontal bar with the Facebook, etc. logos on 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 | |
"Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness
To an opponent, tolerance
To a friend, your heart
To a customer, service
To all, charity
To ever child, a good example
To yourself, respect"
Oren Arnold, American novelist and journalist (1900-1980)
| |
|
 Book Buzzings | |
Yours and Mine
Let me know your five favorite books and their authors and I'll include them here. Your last name is optional.
----------
My books Amen and Good Morning, God: A Book of Morning Prayers and Amen and Good Night, God: A Book of Evening Prayers are now available (dirt cheap!) for the Kindle here, for the Nook here, and for other e-readers here. The paper version of these books are also available--see the "Books" page on my website.
If you like the eBooks I'd appreciate your writing a review on the book's Amazon page. If you've never done this, it's simple; go to Amazon, click on a book then just below the title you'll see the word "review." If you don't have an Amazon account it's easy to set one up; fill in your email address and a password then you're ready to type your comments. Thanks.
---------
This month I highlight Christmas in Sugar Creek by Shelley Shepard Gray and A Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry and Gary D. Chapman. Below is information about these books. (Disclaimer: I may not have read these recent releases yet; just letting you know about them.)
 Title: Christmas in Sugar Creek
Author: Shelley Shepard Gray
Genre: Amish Inspirational Romance
Publisher: Avon Inspired (HarperCollins)
Release Date: October 2011
Shelley's website Book available here
Judith feels overworked, overlooked, and underappreciated this holiday season. Her father hires Ben, the "bad boy" of Sugarcreek, who left two years ago under a cloud of shame. Now he's working side by side with Judith. Could this Christmas season bring love and a new life for the unlikeliest pair in Sugarcreek?  Title: A Marriage Carol
Author: Chris Fabry and Gary D. Chapman Genre: General Fiction Publisher: Moody Publishers Release Date: September 2011 Chris Fabry's website Gary D. Chapman's website Book available here On Christmas Eve twenty years earlier, Marlee and Jacob married in a snowstorm. This Christmas Eve, divorce imminent, they travel an icy road to the lawyer's. Marlee survives their car accident, but can't find Jacob. Instead she finds a house where an old man claims three golden pots on the hearth restore marriages. Back to Top
|
Guest Gab
| Interview with Linda Goodnight Author of The Christmas Child
 Our guest this month is Linda Goodnight, author of The Christmas Child. Linda is the award-winning author of forty romances--her books carry a message of hope and light in a sometimes dark world.
JO: Please tell us a little about yourself.
LINDA: First of all, thank you for the interview and the opportunity to connect with your readers.
I write full time after a long career in education, which I loved. I still stay active in my little, rural school, serving on the school board. A country girl to the heart, I live on a farm/ranch with my husband of many years and our wonderful new daughter--new because she was adopted two years ago from Ukraine. We also have adult children, grandchildren, and a menagerie of animals. Most of all, I love God and am grateful that He guides my life.
JO: What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?
LINDA: Mostly, I love hanging out with my very large family. Otherwise, I like to walk in the woods, worship, watch football, read, and bake horribly fattening, fabulously tasty treats.
JO: How did you become involved in writing?
LINDA: I've always loved to write but the actual desire to write for a living came much later in life. A woman from my tiny hometown began to sell romance novels. The next thing I knew she's on the NY Times list. Then it finally hit me. Small town girls could be authors too! I joined a couple of writers groups and away I went.
JO: Where do you write? Do you have a dedicated office or a corner or nook in a room?
LINDA: Yes, I have a bedroom converted into a home office.
JO: Do you always know the title of your books before you write them?
LINDA: Never. I am horrid at titles, as my editor will tell you. The story comes, the characters come, but the titles don't. Usually, the title is chosen more by my editors than by me.
 JO: What takeaway value do you hope your readers receive after reading The Christmas Child?
LINDA: I want them to entertained, of course, but on a deeper level, I want them to feel hope and encouragement and to realize that God loves them no matter where they've been or what they've done. We all fall down, but if we let Him, God will pick us, dust off, and "make all things new." I think that's a powerful message.
JO: Where did you get the idea for your book?
LINDA: I knew I wanted to write a Christmas story for my Redemption River mini-series from Love Inspired, and this particular plot seemed to be a natural extension of the historic town, the eccentric old Dumpster divers and the sassy octogenarian handywoman. When I read an article about a mute child, my head started spinning with ideas, and soon I had a story going.
JO: Did you have to do any research for this book?
LINDA: Yes, I researched quite a bit on the subject of mutism, the various causes and treatments. When I stumbled onto a story of a mute child with a unique problem, I ran the idea past my doctor son, and Davey was born.
JO: How long have you been writing? When did you sell your first book?
LINDA: I've been writing since junior high but only began serious pursuit of writing as a career in the mid-1990's. My first book sold in 2000.
JO: What are you working on now?
LINDA: Another Christmas book! This one is a novella in a pairing with author Lissa Manley. The book title is A Snowglobe Christmas and will be available for Christmas, 2012. I'm packing it full of traditional, warm, cozy Christmas things--and lots of snow.
JO: What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
LINDA: Write the kind of books you read and read a lot! Also, study the craft of writing but don't get bogged down in rules set out by others. Study the masters, join good writers groups like ACFW, and most of all, pray over the work and then write. Don't despair or give up just because the first book or two is rejected. Keep writing and learning and you'll get there.
JO: Please tell our readers where they can get The Christmas Child.
LINDA: Anywhere books are sold but the easiest would be online stores such as Barnes and Noble or Amazon.
JO: Where can our readers find you?
LINDA: www.lindagoodnight.com - My blog link is also there on the homepage
I'm on Twitter and Facebook as well. Drop in and say hello anytime.
Thank you so much!
JO: Linda, thank you for spending time with us and talking about The Christmas Child. I appreciate the copy of The Christmas Child, which one of my subscribers will win.
Back to Top
|
|
| What Am I Reading? | | | 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.
----------
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."
----------
To determine winners in my drawings I use Random.org to select 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. U.S. residents only, void where prohibited. The odds of winning depend upon the number of subscribers. I and members of my family are not allowed to enter the giveaway. You can win only once in a calendar year.
The winner from the last newsletter of a copy of Hailee by Penny Zeller is Lori. Congratulations!
----------
On December 10 (earlier because of Christmas), I'll draw a winner from current subscribers for a copy of The Christmas Child by Linda Goodnight. Linda will mail the book personally to the winner.
----------
I've read Dry as Rain by Gina Holmes, Tyndale House, 2011, 373 pages. A compelling novel about love, betrayal, and forgiveness. In the beginning Eric and Kyra thought they would grow old together. Twenty years later they're separated. Because of a memory loss from a car accident, Kyra does not remember that she and Eric are separated. Eric grabs onto the hope that before her memory returns he can get a second chance with Kyra. This strong story is realistic, with people and their situations--just like you and me. Holmes ties all the plot lines into a flowing tapestry of life's ups and downs, good days and bad ones. A good read.
Back to Top
|
| Writing Wisdom | |
Know Your Potential Readers
by Brian Judd
Focus on your target. Know potential readers and adjust your marketing strategies to more effectively reach them.
Product design. If your readers are 55+ years old, you might produce your page layout with a larger type size. And they would probably prefer printed books over ebooks.
Pricing. An affluent target may be willing to pay more for your books, so you won't have to resort to "price-off" specials. They may be more likely to travel, so you could sell to them at list price on cruise ships or airport stores. A less-prosperous target might respond better to price incentives, and perhaps look for lower prices at Target or Wal-Mart.
Distribution. Know where your target readers shop or look for information on your topic. If they frequent gift shops, supermarkets, Petco or Home Depot, then have your books there. Distribute your children's books to schools, daycare centers, children's libraries, PTOs or to the home schooling segment. Sell your business books to corporate buyers or appropriate associations.
Promotion. What print and broadcast media are relevant to your target? Their age and level of education will help you choose the right medium as well as suitable vocabulary to use in your promotional material or media appearances. Would they be more likely to respond to your APP on their iphone or your book's cover on a T-shirt? If they shop at Costco, then conduct your in-store events there.
 As the saying goes, "You'll catch more fish if you fish where the fish are." Know who your targets are, where they are, how many of them exist and why they buy. Then find creative ways to get to them. There are too many fish in the sea, so don't let the big ones get away.
------
Brian Judd of Book Marketing Works is the author of How to Make Real Money Selling Book.
Back to Top
|
|
Clean Chuckle
| |
A man in Topeka, Kansas, decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Francisco, and started working east from there. Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and making notes. He  spotted a golden telephone in the vestibule and was intrigued with a sign which read "$10,000 a minute." Seeking out the pastor he asked about the phone.
The pastor answered that this golden phone is, in fact, a direct line to Heaven and if he pays the price he can talk directly to God.
The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way. As he continued to visit churches in Seattle, Austin, Michigan, Chicago, Milwaukee, and all around the United States, he found more phones, with the same sign, and got the same answer from each pastor.
Finally, he arrived in Kalispell, MT. Upon entering a church in this Northern area of MT, behold, he saw the usual golden telephone. But THIS time, the sign read "Calls: 25 cents."
Fascinated, he asked to talk to the pastor. "Reverend, I have been in cities all across the country and in each church, I have found this golden telephone and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to God, but, in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign reads 25 cents a call. Why?"
The pastor, smiling, replied, "Son, you're in Montana now. This is God's country... and it's a local call."
Back to Top
|
| Inspirational Insight | The First Christmas
by Jo Huddleston
Dear Shepherds,
It was probably a clear night near Bethlehem. You guarded the flocks appointed for temple sacrifice against harmful thieves and attacking animals. What were your expectations that night? You most likely thought it would be a night like many others. Peaceful, nothing out of the ordinary. Just a calm and restful night.
All had settled down for an undisturbed night when that blazing light startled all of you awake. What did you think was happening? A meteor? Shooting stars?
Then out of the midnight brightness an angel of the Lord appeared. I can imagine your terror at this angelic appearance. Here you were minding your own business, taking care of your herds, and bam! What a frightening surprise!
What did you do? What did you think of first, your animals or yourself? Were there any nearby rocks big enough to hide behind? Did you lie flat on the ground so perhaps the angel would not see you? Dread must have filled your heart and mind.
I'm sure you were relieved at the angel's first words. What reassurance he gave you that he meant no harm. What encouragement he offered when he told you not to be afraid.
The news that the angel had come to tell you deserved all the uproar. This was something you wanted to be awakened for! The good news brought you great joy. He told you of a glorious birth that day in nearby Bethlehem. The angel brought you news that the Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born.
Some of your fellow Jews had been watching for a new politician to free them from Roman rule. Still others of your brothers wished for a savior to rescue them from sickness and hardships. Now, here an angel announced to you that indeed a Savior had been born that would free you from sin and death. When the angel used the name Savior, Christ the Lord, he did not refer to God as those words normally would do. He told you of the birth of the Son of God.
The angel finished his newsflash by directing you to the newborn child. He spoke to you a sign that the baby would be wrapped snugly and would be lying in a humble manger.
If this one angel didn't have everyone's undivided attention by then, lo and behold throngs of angels filled the sky around him. All together they praised and glorified God. They proclaimed peace and goodwill on earth to all who would please God.
What a discussion all of you must have had when the angels left you and returned to heaven. The angels didn't command you to go to where this baby was, but there was no hesitation on your part. Were you eager to prove the angel right? Did you yearn to be in the presence of the Savior that the Lord had sent his angel to tell you about?
You hurried the three-quarters of a mile west toward Bethlehem. You wanted to see for yourself what had been told to you. Sure enough, there in that manger was the Christ child, Mary and Joseph beside Him.
Good news is hard to be tight-lipped about, isn't it? Especially such marvelous news about a Savior! Soon you told the angel's message about this newborn child to everyone you met. All who heard your wonderful news were astounded.
You found things just as the angel had forecast. You returned to your fields and your flocks with reason to glorify and praise God as the angels had done. Has anyone thanked you for what you did? Yes, you did a fantastic thing. I am so grateful that you were willing to tell about the Savior.
Had you gone back to your fields and kept quiet about the whole thing, how would anyone ever have known about the Son of God coming to be the world's Savior? How would they have learned that Jesus Christ came to love humankind and draw them to God, the Father?
How would I have ever heard about Jesus had you not spread the good news from the angel? I'm glad you became excited to repeat the news of that first Christmas. Thank you.
jo
Back to Top
© 2011 Jo Huddleston. All rights reserved.
|
|
