Shelley Shepard Gray's Blog, page 23

Thank you Christian Books Distributers!

Can't go on the tour? Haven't won any free books yet?

Please visit the link below for a chance to win a complete set of signed books by Vannetta Chapman, Amy Clipston and myself…and to learn more about the tour, too. : )

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/giveaway/1262562671?code=327356

I'll Be Blogging About the Tour!

Boy, where have the last two weeks gone? Time has flown by as I've been getting organized for the trip, shopping for the trip, giving a series of newspaper and radio interviews…and being on the phone way too much!

But most of all, I've been writing. I've had some projects that had to be completed (like line edits for Missing) and other deadlines I've set for myself (like write 120 pages over six days). I'm proud to say that I got everything done, and now I just have to pack for the big trip~and go pick up my daughter today from college so she can take me to the airport tomorrow.

Oh, and figure out how to take everything I *think* I need for a 9 day trip…For me, this is harder than you would think. I don't pack light. I miss the days of being able to take two suitcases for a weekend trip. Really!

The other day on FB, Amy Clipston was asking folks what 'necessity' they always took with them on trips. You know, those things (besides clothes and toiletries) that you need.

My answers?

1) Books! (by way of my Kindle now!)

2) My robe and slippers!

My husband, who travels quite a lot, loves his Ipad. He reads books on it, checks sports updates…plays Angry Birds!  Other than that, he doesn't need much.

What about you? What is something that you need to make your time away from home a success?

See you tomorrow from Indiana!

God bless,

Shelley

Congratulations to our Think Pink Winner!

I think it's safe to say I livened things up at my local UPS Store today.   Last night, I received the name of the winner of my Think Pink giveaway, and so today, it was time to send it off. I wrote 20 pages this morning and did two telephone interviews. I was so ready to get out of my office! I was in such a good mood, I asked if the guys at the store if they'd please take a photo of me handing over the prize.

As usual, the folks there were happy to oblige.

Here's a big CONGRATULATIONS to Lori from Columbus, IN! Lori,  we're tracking your shipment, and it looks like you'll receive a whole bunch of books, towels, jewelry, and a Target gift card tomorrow afternoon! I hope you'll enjoy all in good health!

Thank you to the 330 people who entered the contest. Doing something to celebrate survivors and breast cancer research meant a lot to me. Thanks so much for making the contest a great success.

Shelley

See you in Shipshewana!

I hop on a plane to Chicago a week from Friday, and from there, will begin the much anticipated Amish Country Tour! Until then, I know I'll be very busy writing as much as I can and getting organized for the big trip. Just yesterday, I ordered a whole bunch of pens to give away. It's going to be so much fun to gather everything together-and to see what I have forgotten!

When our kids were little, I used to get so worried that I'd forget something. My husband used to calm me down by saying, 'If we don't have it, we'll buy it'. Now that's kind of our travel joke. I'm always telling my husband things like, 'oh no, I forgot a new pair of shoes'. Seriously, I've forgotten all kinds of things over the years…from a bathing suit for a week-long cruise, to all my makeup on a weekend in the country. And that's just me! Our kids and my husband have forgotten toothbrushes, sweaters, books to read…pajamas.

I hope I don't forget anything too important, but you never know!

Here are some more tour dates, today for the Indiana leg of our trip:

Friday, November 11. 6:30 pm. Book signing at the South Bend, Indiana Barnes and Noble!

Saturday, November 12. 2:00-4:00 pm. Book signing at the Blue Gate Restaurant in Shipshewana,  6:00-8:00 Parade and tree lighting. : )

Today I am hosting my ladies' Bible study. I love any excuse to bake, so I just put two loaves of Chocolate chip Pumpkin Bread in the oven. Yum!

Thank you for stopping by! And, if you feel like writing a comment today, let me know what you've forgotten to pack! I could definitely use a smile today.

with blessings,

Shelley

Hope To Meet You on the Tour!

This is a picture of Linda and me at the Lifeway Christian Store signing in Orlando.  Over the years, 'Linda from Ohio' and I have exchanged quite a few notes, so it was so great to get to visit with her in person!

There are so many things I'm looking forward to doing on the tour. I can't wait to visit Shipshewana, Indiana for the first time. I can't wait to show off beautiful Sugarcreek to Vannetta and Amy. I really am looking forward to eating lots of pie!

But most of all, I'm so looking forward to meeting readers and seeing friends. I can't tell you how much your letters and sweet notes mean to me. I really do treasure each email, comment, or quick FB 'hi' I receive! Getting to meet someone face to face is just awesome for me!

We've been having lots of meetings, getting things finalized for the tour. I thought I'd spend this week sharing a few of the details-today…the Ohio portion!

Monday, Nov. 14 4:00 pm Book signing at Berean Christian Store, Canton, OH

Tuesday, Nov. 15  12:00-2:00 Booksigning at the Carlisle Inn, Sugarcreek.  5:00-7:00 pm, Signing and talking at the Tuscarawas Country Library in Sugarcreek.

Wednesday, Nov. 16 3:00-6:00 pm. Book signing at the Gospel Book Store in Berlin

Finally, fellow author (and friend!) Beth Wiseman is hosting a Party on Facebook tomorrow night (Nov 1)! She's giving out prizes-it's sure to be very fun. Here's the link if you are interested…

http://blog.bethwiseman.net/2011/10/27/beth-wiseman-facebook-party.aspx

Thank you for stopping by, and Happy Halloween!

with blessings,

Shelley

Drawing Winners

Thank you all for the awesome response to the drawing! I read every single entry, and I have to say that I'm now in the Christmas Spirit! I loved reading about everyone's holiday traditions.

All told, there were over 60 entries. The winners are listed below. If you are a winner, please email me privately with your mailing address and we'll get your prizes out to you right away.

Thank you to everyone who has already picked up a copy of Christmas in Sugarcreek! Already I've heard from a few of you who were anxious to find out what's been happening with Lilly and Robert, Anson and Joshua, Caleb and Clara and the rest of those Grabers. I hope you will enjoy the book!

Tonight, Amy Clipston, Vannetta Chapman, and I will be chatting on the radio show BookClub Girl! We'll all be on at 7:00 pm, eastern time.  Here's the link:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/book-club-girl/2011/10/26/an-amish-fiction-christmas-celebration

And…here are our 4 winners:

Rebecca Mumm

Pamela Toczylowski

April Tobias

Katherine Grider

with blessings,

shelley

Book Release Contest!

[image error]Christmas in Sugarcreek releases today! I can't tell you how exciting it is to see my very first Hardcover from Avon Inspire. The cover is shiny, and there's little snowflakes at the beginning of each chapter. It really would be a wonderful gift to give…or receive!

So, in honor of Christmas in Sugarcreek and the upcoming book tour, I'm offering a wonderful, wonderful gift.  Books from Amish Holiday Book Tour authors Amy Clipston, Vannetta Chapman, and Shelley Shepard Gray, and a beautiful engraved ornament!  This week four winners will receive the following items:

Autographed copy of Falling to Pieces by Vannetta Chapman
Autographed copy of Naomi's Gift, by Amy Clipston
Autographed copy of Winter's Awakening, by Shelley Shepard Gray (the first book in the Sugarcreek series!)
Christmas ornament, engraved with Amish Country Holiday Book Tour 2011

This contest is running for one day only…and only here on my blog today. All you have to do is write a comment and tell me something that you love about Christmas!

We'll announce the winners tomorrow!

Thank you for visiting, and Merry Christmas!

Shelley

A Few Notes From Orlando

I got home last night from five days in Orlando. I met so many great people-I hope I get to go back one day soon!

Here are a couple of the highlights:

1) Meeting 'Linda from Ohio' face to face at the Orlando LifeWay Christian Bookstore. Linda and her husband made a special trip to the store so we could meet in person-and even picked up a copy of A Texan's Promise to try. Giving Linda a hug and seeing her pretty face was the highlight of my day.

2) Speaking of booksignings…the folks at the LifeWay Christian Bookstore have to be some of the nicest booksellers ever. They made the signing so special, and even picked me up from my hotel and drove me to the store! I'm so thankful that I got to thank them in person for carrying my books.

3) The Florida Writers Conference was big! 500 people! I had such a good time meeting other authors-and even making plans to see a few next year at RWA National conference! I had a great time speaking about Inspirational Romances and the journey I've had with my agent, Mary Sue Seymour.

4)  I was so happy to spend time with Nicole Resciniti, my agent's new partner. She was so warm and smart and funny!

5) We spent the day at Epcot before the conference began. The sun was shining and the weather warm. By the end of the day, we had ridden Soaring and had eaten our way through just about every country at Epcot.

6) In the middle of it all, I wrote 50 pages, which made me very happy indeed.

I'll check in again tomorrow…it's book release day!

Shelley

5)

See you in Orlando!!

I'm leaving tomorrow to attend the Florida Writers Association 10th Annual Conference. There, I'll be this year's 'Author-in-Residence'. I'm presenting two workshops and will be meeting with aspiring authors to talk about agents and query letters and publishing careers. I can't wait! So many people have helped me along the way that I truly enjoy giving back.

In the middle of the conference, I'll be sneaking off to a booksigning. If you're in the area, I hope you'll join me!

On Friday, October 21, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, I'll be having a booksigning at the Orlando LifeWay Christian Store. 

Here's theinformation:

LifeWay Christian Store

Colonial Plaza Market Center

2522-B East Colonial Drive

Orlando, FL

phone: 407*894*0077

Contest on Facebook!

If you go to my FB page (you can get there by clicking on the Facebook icon), click on the icon that says 'win a gift basket', and enter the drawing for a gift basket packed full of all kinds of 'Think Pink' items as well as several signed books. I think all of these items would make great gifts. Or, perhaps you know of a special Survivor in your life who you'd like to give the whole basket to! The Sweepstakes runs until October 31.