Ellen Gable's Blog, page 83
August 29, 2013
Catholic Writers Retreat
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven….” (Ecclesiastics 3:1)
Come away for a time in the beautiful autumn of Michigan. Do you need time to flesh out a book? Working on a current manuscript that needs to be completed? Do you want to redefine your writing style, expand or find new avenues to express God’s way in your work, or simply need time away to center yourself as a writer?
The Catholic Writers Guild is sponsoring Your Word is my Delight; A Catholic Writers Retreat, October 13-17, 2013 at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt, Michigan. Because of a generous grant from a private donor, we are able to offer our retreat at half the price of most writing retreats–$450 includes food and lodging for five days in a modern facility.
This retreat offers you time to write…a lot of time. Your days are open for you to do as you wish. You can walk the 95 acre site, write in the privacy of your room, go to Reconciliation and attend daily Mass and Adoration. There is a library on-site for research, and a daily speaker on the topic of content evangelization. There will also be an opportunity for you to schedule an appointment to pitch your book with Lansing-based publisher, FAITH Catholic.
It is a season for drawing dawn into the autumn of the year, to settle into a slower pace and write. Come and find your voice.
For more information, click here.
August 28, 2013
In Name Only, Stealing Jenny Photo Endorsements
Special thanks to Laura Pearl, author of “Finding Grace,” for giving this photo endorsement of my books,
August 24, 2013
Sunday Snippets – August 24
Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
Join me and other Catholic bloggers at RAnn’s Place for Sunday Snippets where we share posts from the previous week. RAnn has just started asking a question each week and this week is: “What is your favorite hymn that you hear/sing at Mass?”My favorite hymn is “O God Beyond All Praising.”
Here are my posts:
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 85
Emily’s Hope and Stealing Jenny Photo Endorsement (thanks to Erin McCole Cupp)
For more Snippets, click on the link to RAnn’s place above.
August 23, 2013
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 85
Friday is here again (where did the week go?) and it’s time for 7 Quick Takes. Check out more fun Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.
1. Memorable Moments from the Catholic Writers Conference Live
Check out my recent post at the CWG Blog entitled “Memorable Moments from the CWCL.”
Treasurer and Conference Coordinator Ann Lewis and myself at the CWCL
2. Don’t You Forget About Me by Erin McCole Cupp
Final edits and preparations to publish Erin McCole Cupp’s upcoming novel, Don’t You Forget About Me, are happening as we speak. Erin passed out free tomato pie at the Catholic Writers Conference (and I must say, it was very scrumptious…I actually prefer it to pizza…although I usually stay away from wheat.)
3. Successful Kindle Marketing for the 21st Century Author
My presentation on “Successful Kindle Marketing” went well and the attendees even participated in a game called “Snowstorm” (second photo below).
4. We’ll Be Warm This Winter
Just received our yearly delivery of logs for the winter.
5. Our “Pope” Picture
At the Catholic Writers Conference/CMN Trade Show a few weeks ago, we posed with the best cardboard cut out of the Holy Father that I’ve ever seen. Even standing in front of this double of the Pope, and knowing it was merely a cardboard cut out, we were amazed at how lifelike it was!
copyright James Hrkach
6. Reading Shelf
A Body in Prayer – Neil Combs
Finding Grace - Laura Pearl
7. Be Fruitful, Multiply (Classic Cartoon)
Image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach (Please do not use without permission)
Cartoon copyright James and Ellen Hrkach/Full Quiver Publishing
Text copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
August 20, 2013
Emily’s Hope, Stealing Jenny Photo Endorsements
Special thanks to Erin McCole Cupp, author of Jane_E and Don’t You Forget About Me (to be published November 1st), for this photo endorsement of my books, Emily’s Hope and Stealing Jenny!
photo copyright James Hrkach
August 17, 2013
Sunday Snippets – August 17
Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at RAnn’s Place for Sunday Snippets, where we share posts from the previous week.I’ve missed a few weeks of Sunday Snippets because we’ve been away.
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 84
Special thanks to Barb, “Franciscan Mom,” for this wonderful review and photo endorsement of Stealing Jenny!
August 16, 2013
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 84
Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.
It’s been a whirlwind two weeks with visiting family in New Jersey, then helping to organize the Catholic Writers Conference Live (held in conjunction with the Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show) in Somerset, NJ. I gave three presentations, organized the CWG Booth and basically spent 16 hours a day on my feet. It was a great two weeks, but understandably, I’m exhausted. I met many new people and connected with long-time friends. More on the conference and trade show in upcoming posts.
1. Cool Odometer Reading (again, it’s kilometers, not miles) 
2. Famous Philly Water Ice Place
Special thanks to my cousin for treating me to some delicious water ice.
photo copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
3. Lucy the Elephant, Margate NJ
When I was a child and my family visited Margate, NJ, I was always in awe of the giant elephant, Lucy. Back in the 60′s, however, it was in disrepair. Thankfully, in the 1970′s, it was restored and, since then, it has been a popular attraction in the seaside town. 
photo copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
4. View from the Top of Lucy
photo copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
5. EWTN Live Radio Interview at the CMN
For me, one of the highlights of the Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show was being interviewed live on EWTN radio: 
photo copyright James Hrkach
photo copyright James Hrkach
6. Reading Shelf
My reading/review shelf now has an additional 40 books, thanks to the publishers who gave away books at the Catholic Marketing Network’s “Author Reception” and various author signings throughout the Trade Show. Here are two of the best books that I received and will be reviewing in upcoming posts:
Treason by Dena Hunt (Outstanding Catholic novel! Review coming soon!)
The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers and Devotions by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
7. EWTN Bookmark
I was interviewed briefly again by Doug Keck for EWTN’s Bookmark and I spoke about the Catholic Writers Guild’s Seal of Approval process.
photo copyright James Hrkach
Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
August 14, 2013
August 2, 2013
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 83
It’s Friday so it’s time for Catholic bloggers to meet at Jen’s Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.
1. Catholic Writers Conference Live
It isn’t too late to register for the Catholic Writers Conference Live, which takes place next week from August 7-9 in Somerset, New Jersey.
2. Huge Summer Giveaway!
It’s also not too late to enter my blog’s giveaway to win $125 worth of books! Click here to see which books I’m giving away and leave a comment to be entered (before midnight!)
3. Journey to the Father
A few weeks ago, I had a wonderful weekend at the Journey to the Father Youth Conference. I have been attending this conference for nine years as a vendor. I always feel spiritually edified and uplifted and this year was no different. Thank you to all the organizers and volunteers that work so hard to make this weekend such a success!
4. St. Raphael’s Ruins
The Journey to the Father Conference takes place near St. Raphael’s Ruins (see history below). 
5. Carol Burnett – Jim Nabors Medley
I recently found my favorite medley from an episode from the Gomer Pyle show on youtube and wanted to share it with my readers!
6. Review of Unlovely
Earlier this week, I reviewed a great new book, Unlovely, by Carol Walsh Greer.
7. Ten in a Bed Cartoon
Image copyright James & Ellen Hrkach (Please do not use without permission)
I’ll be taking the next week or so off from blogging since I’ll be visiting with family and attending the Catholic Writers Conference. I’m scheduled to be interviewed by EWTN Radio live from the CMN on Friday, August 9th at 10:30 a.m. so if you’re around your computer, click http://www.ewtn.com/radio/index.asp, then click on “Listen Live.”
Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
July 30, 2013
Unlovely by Carol Walsh Greer – Mini Review
Carol Walsh Greer is certainly an author that knows her characters and especially the main protagonist of her novel, Unlovely. Claudia Milford isn’t just a character, though. She is a your cousin or your sister-in-law’s friend or your brother or…anyone you might know. Like many people with mental health challenges, Claudia’s problems are virtually unknown to her.
For me, the measure of a good book is that I cannot put it down until I’m finished. This book is definitely one of those “can’t put it down” books. The plot is compelling and the characters, especially the character of Claudia, is brilliantly defined and illustrated.
I did find the ending abrupt (I personally like more resolution), and the edition I read had typos and some editing issues (although the author has informed me the typos have been addressed). Editing issues aside, this was an outstanding read and I thoroughly enjoyed this story by a first-time novelist. I look forward to reading more by her. Highly recommend!
To download it, click here. If you’d prefer a print edition, it will be available soon!
