Readers and Writers Newsletter

JO HUDDLESTON'S

A GOOD READ
Newsletter For Readers and Writers

April 2012

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Greetings!

Jo Huddleston 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 Deborah Malone, author of Death in Dalonega.

In Writing Wisdom: Target Marketing for Authors.

In What Am I Reading: Announcement of the winner of last newsletter's book and my review of Medical Error by Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

In Book Buzzings: Highlight of two recent novels, one by DiAnn Mills and one by Lisa Norato.

Check Inspirational Insights to read my thoughts on determination.

If you have any comments or suggestions about this newsletter, please go to my website and click the Contact tab at the top to let me hear from you.

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Quality Quote

"The difference between the impossible

and the possible lies in a person's determination."

--Tommy Lasorda, professional baseball manager

Book Buzzings

Yours and Mine

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

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My book America: Her Hope for the Future is now available (99 cents!) for the Kindle here. The print edition is available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. If you read and like any of my books, I'd appreciate your writing a review on the book's Amazon and Barnes and Noble pages.Thanks.

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This month I highlight The Chase by DiAnn Mills and Below is information about these books. (Disclaimer: I may not have read these recent releases yet; just letting you know about them.)

Chase Title: The Chase

Author: DiAnn Mills

Genre: FBI Suspense

Publisher: Zondervon

Release Date: March 2012

Book available here
DiAnn's website

To the FBI it's a cold case. To Kariss Walker it's a hot idea that could either reshape or ruin her writing career. Will Kariss's pursuit of her dream as a writer carry a deadly price tag? Drawing from a real-life cold case, Mills presents suspense, faith, and romance.

Prize Title: Prize of my Heart

Author: Lisa Norato

Genre: Historical

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: March 2012

Lisa's website

Book available here

As the perfect opportunity to reclaim his son unfolds, Brogan is haunted by thoughts of Lorena in her dire circumstance, and he is forced to make a heartrending choice between his child and the woman who has begun to capture his heart. But only his unselfish sacrifice can win him the greatest prize of all--love.

Guest Gab

Interview with Deborah Malone, author of Death in Dahlonega

Our guest this month is Deborah Malone and she has given me a copy of her novel, Death in Dahlonega, which one of the subscribers to this newsletter will win in a drawing on April 25.

Deborah has worked as a freelance writer and photographer since 2001 for the historical magazine Georgia Backroads. She has had many articles and photographs published. She is a member of the Georgia Writers Association and American Christian Fiction Writers. She has an established blog, Butterfly Journey, where she reviews Christian Fiction. She has an established blog, Butterfly Journey, where she reviews Christian fiction. She has been nominated for Georgia Author of the Year Award in the category of First Novel. The winners will be announced in June.

JO: Please tell us a little about yourself.

DEBORAH: I'm over 50 but under 60. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1992. I have two beautiful adult daughters one who is disabled and requires twenty-four hour care. I enjoy photography and being outdoors as much as I can.

JO: What fun thing can you tell us about yourself that we don't know?

DEBORAH: My fibromyalgia limits what I can do physically, but when I was younger I loved to ride horses. I'm not so sure there is any "fun" thing to tell you about me now.

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

DEBORAH: I enjoy macro photography, mostly of things in nature. I've won a few ribbons at our local fair and I've had a showing of my photos at our hospital, Floyd Medical Center.

JO: How did you become involved in writing?

DEBORAH: I've always loved to read which I think just evolved into writing. I began writing seriously in 2001 when I started writing for the historic magazine, Georgia Backroads. I started writing novels around 2006.

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

DEBORAH: I used to write at a desk, but this hurt my shoulders so now I write on the couch with my laptop literally in my lap.

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

DEBORAH: Yes - so far I have.

JO: Please tell us about Death in Dahlonega.

DEBORAH: Trixie Montgomery has gone through a rough divorce. She has moved back to her home town of Vans Valley, Georgia where she moved in next door to her mother and great-aunt Nana. Trixie must go to work to supplement her income. She writes for "Georgia by the Way" a historical magazine. Her best friend Dee Dee accompanies her on a trip to Dahlonega, Georgia where Trixie is working on an article about Gold Rush Days - an arts and crafts festival. They are watching a film on the actual gold rush days when Dee Dee excuses herself to go tinkle. While she's gone she decides to snoop around and she stumbles upon a dead body. Not thinking, she pulls the pickaxe out from the body and is found holding the bloody murder weapon. The victim, John Tatum, happens to be a man that Dee Dee had a run in with earlier that day. She rises to the top of the suspects list and when the town sheriff doesn't seem to be looking for anyone else, Trixie decides to help her best friend. Together they must find the real killer to keep Dee Dee out of the slammer!

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

DEBORAH: I don't think there are any deep lessons to be learned, but Trixie is dealing with issues of trust after her difficult divorce. Dee Dee, her friend, helps her through some of the rough times by her example of faith. Trixie's favorite verse for this book is Proverb 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. I hope that anyone who has had a hard day at work or a stressful day with the kids can sit down and read "Death in Dahlonega" and be taken on an adventure with Trixie and Dee Dee for a while and maybe even laugh a time or two.

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

DEBORAH: I've always loved cozy mysteries and Dahlonega is one of my favorite places to visit so I just put the two together.

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

DEBORAH: Yes, I did. There are some historical facts in the book and I wanted them to be accurate. Also, the buildings and the roads are based on ones that are really in the town, I just changed the names. Anyone familiar with the town will recognize them.

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

DEBORAH: I've been writing since 2001, but I started on my novel in 2006 and sold my first one in 2010.

JO: What are you working on now?

DEBORAH: I'm working on the second and third book in the Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery series. The next one is Murder in Marietta and the third one is Terror on Tybee Island.

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

DEBORAH: The usual answers are to go to writers' conventions, read writing books, read the books in the genre you are writing, etc. All of those are necessities, but my favorite advice and the one that helped me most is "Don't give up!" The journey to publication is long and arduous but if you hang in there it will pay off for you. A couple of books that helped me the most are Write in Style by Bobbie Christmas and Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon.

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

DEBORAH: You can find DEATH IN DAHLONEGA on Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble. It is also available through my publisher lamppostpubs.com. If you email me at debbiejeanm@gmail.com I will be happy to send you an autographed copy. You can also visit my website at www.deborah-malone.com. I love to hear from my readers.

JO: Where can our readers find you?

DEBORAH: My website is www.deborah-malone.com and my blog is www.deborahsbutterflyjourney.blogspot.com

I usually have one or two giveaways a month. As I said before, I love to hear from my readers.

JO: Debbie, thank you for spending time with my readers and for the gift of your book. One of my subscribers will win the book in a drawing.

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.

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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 Random.org. 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 must be eighteen, 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 The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden is Tammie. Congratulations!

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On April 25, I'll draw a winner from current subscribers for a copy of

Death in Dahlonega by Deborah Malone.

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I've read Medical Error by Richard L. Mabry, M.D., Book #2 in Prescription for Trouble Series, Abingdon Press, 2010, 262 pages. Someone took away Dr. Anna McIntyre's life without killing her. They stole her identity. This engrossing novel takes us on the harrowing journey Dr. McIntyre takes as she continually discovers mix-ups in her personal and professional life. The line of disasters starts with a visit from Drug Enforcement agents accusing her of involvement in writing prescriptions with numerous refills for a controlled drug, then the local police department wanting her arrested for running a drug operation. Someone has obviously stolen her prescription pad and DEA number. Matters go from bad to worse until Dr. McIntyre realizes almost everyone around her is suspect of stealing her identity. Because of that she takes charge of her own investigation and the reader must wait until the end of the story to learn who the perpetrator is. With a couple of relationships involved, you may hold your breath that one of them is not involved. A page-turner and excellent character development. Another great medical suspense novel from Dr. Mabry. A good read.

Writing Wisdom

Target Marketing for Authors

by Dana Lynn Smith

Dana Drawing on her 17 years of publishing experience and degree in marketing, Dana Lynn Smith helps authors learn how to sell more books through her how-to guides, training programs, one-on-one coaching services, blog, and newsletter.

One common mistake that authors make is thinking that their book is for "everyone." Sure, some books appeal to a wider group of people than others, but all books have a niche.

Few of us have the resources to market to the world at large, and it's much easier to sell a book to people who already have an interest in the subject or genre.

But who exactly is your target market? Most books actually have several target markets, but each is still a niche market.

Your primary market is the ideal customer that your book was written for. Then you have secondary markets of other people who have an interest in the book's topic or genre, or who buy books like yours to give to others.

Clean Chuckle

keys

Several days ago as I left a meeting at our church, I desperately gave myself a personal TSA pat down. I was looking for my keys. They were not in my pockets. A quick search in the meeting room revealed nothing.

Suddenly I realized, I must have left them in the car. Frantically, I headed for the parking lot. My wife, Diane, has scolded me many times for leaving the keys in the ignition. My theory is the ignition is the best place not to lose them. Her theory is that the car will be stolen. As I burst through the doors of the church, I came to a terrifying conclusion. Her theory was right. The parking lot was empty.

I immediately called the police. I gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car, and that it had been stolen. Then I made the most difficult call of all, "Honey," I stammered. (I always call her "honey" in times like these.) "I left my keys in the car, and it has been stolen."

There was a period of silence. I thought the call had been dropped, but then I heard Diane's voice. "Ken" she barked, "I dropped you off!"

Now it was my time to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, "Well, come and get me."

Diane retorted, "I will, as soon as I convince this policeman I have not stolen your car!"

Inspirational Insight

Determination
by Jo Huddleston

If you follow my blog you may have noticed lately that several times I've mentioned God's little creatures. I'd like to encourage you to take time to notice them and what they do.

What do birds do? They fly. They peck around looking for food. Among all their moving around they sing!

Spring is early in my Southern part of our country. With spring come the birds. It's obvious that they don't wait for me to come outside to start singing. However, I have noticed lately that birdsong is everywhere when I go outside (well, of course, not much in a lot of city traffic). Just going from my door to the car, I hear the tweets of a bird or two.

Each bird has its own song. No song is alike. They each have their specific song. If you listen long enough, you'll notice that one bird will repeat the same notes over and over. Even the crow's song is the same repeatedly: caw, caw!

I've contemplated about each bird having its own song to sing. We humans have our own language, which doesn't change but it's also the language of many. In other countries the folks there have their own way of talking. So I've decided that God gave each of us and each animal and bird our own special way of communication.

Each species of bird has its particular way to communicate. A bird has one song to sing and every bird I hear seems to be putting his very best effort into doing that one song as perfectly as possible.

That's determination. If I had only one thing to do I wonder if I would continue day in and day out putting forth an equal amount of effort to do it correctly. We humans are easily bored and we probably wouldn't keep at our one task as unwaveringly as the little birds.

But, you know, we can continue to do our God-given abilities the very best we can. We can't be perfect, even though the little birds sound to me like their song is, but we can strive to be the closest to perfect as we can be. The little birds persuade me to remember that whatever I am supposed to do, it's my responsibility. I must be accountable to my task and be proud and humble at the same time when I accomplish my assignments, whatever they may be.

Let's intently listen to the little birds as they sing.

"The difference between the impossible

and the possible lies in a person's determination."

--Tommy Lasorda, professional baseball manager

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