Deborah Vogts's Blog, page 116
August 8, 2012
Book Drawing ~ Over the Edge
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingOver The EdgeBethany House (August 1, 2012)byMary ConnealyABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Christy Award Finalist, a Carol Award Finalist and an IRCC Award finalist.
The Lassoed in Texas Series, Petticoat Ranch, Calico Canyon and Gingham Mountain. Petticoat Ranch was a Carol Award Finalist. Calico Canyon was a Christy Award Finalist and a Carol Award Finalist. These three books are now contained in one large volume called Lassoed in Texas Trilogy.
The Montana Marriages Series, Montana Rose, The Husband Tree and Wildflower Bride. Montana Rose was a Carol Award Finalist. Cowboy Christmas—the 2010 Carol Award for Best Long Historical Romance, and an Inspirational Readers Choice Contest Finalist. The Sophie's Daughters series. Doctor in Petticoats, Wrangler in Petticoats, Sharpshooter in Petticoats.
She is also the author of; Black Hills Blessing a 3-in-1 collection of sweet contemporary romances, Nosy in Nebraska, a 3-in-1 collection of cozy romantic mysteries and she's one of the three authors contributing to Alaska Brides with her Carol Award Winning historical romance Golden Days.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Seth Kincaid survived a fire in a cave, but he's never been the same. He was always a reckless youth, but now he's gone over the edge. He ran off to the Civil War and came back crazier than ever.After the war, nearly dead from his injuries, it appears Seth got married. Oh, he's got a lot of excuses, but his wife isn't happy to find out Seth doesn't remember her. Callie has searched, prayed, and worried. Now she's come to the Kincaid family's ranch in Colorado to find her lost husband.
Callie isn't a long-suffering woman. Once she knows her husband is alive, she wants to kill him. She's not even close to forgiving him for abandoning her.
Then more trouble shows up in the form of a secret Seth's pa kept for years. The Kincaid brothers might lose their ranch if they can't sort things out. It's enough to drive a man insane--but somehow it's all making Seth see things more clearly. And now that he knows what he wants, no one better stand in his way. If you would like to read the first chapter of Over The Edge, go HERE.
Leave a comment below (along with an email address) to enter this week's book drawing. A winner will be selected on Sunday, August 12.
*Void where prohibited. Open only to US residents. Odds of winning depend on number of entrants. Comments must be made on this blog. Social network comments are not valid.
August 6, 2012
Neosho County Fair
Well, we made it through another incredibly hot, county fair. Most days were well over 100 degrees, topping out the day of the horse show at 109. We were so thankful to have my parent's RV at the fair where we could go to cool off when needed. It was also a great joy to have our oldest daughter at the fair with her husband. Here are a few of our youngest daughter's fair projects.
Meat Goat Show
Foods Project -- Orange-Lemon Cake, Cherry Pie, and Chewy Granola Bars and Onion Crescent Rolls. You can find most of these recipes at Country at Heart Recipes.
Photography - A shot of last year's vacation to Silverton, CO
Fine Arts - Two charcoal sketches
Horse Show
Our church had an outreach booth at the fair this year where we provided lots of freebies, including ice cold bottled water.
We also had scheduled activities such as crafts, and face painting. They seemed to go over really well, especially the face painting. 
Meat Goat Show
Foods Project -- Orange-Lemon Cake, Cherry Pie, and Chewy Granola Bars and Onion Crescent Rolls. You can find most of these recipes at Country at Heart Recipes.
Photography - A shot of last year's vacation to Silverton, CO 
Fine Arts - Two charcoal sketches
Horse Show
Our church had an outreach booth at the fair this year where we provided lots of freebies, including ice cold bottled water. 
We also had scheduled activities such as crafts, and face painting. They seemed to go over really well, especially the face painting.
August 3, 2012
This Week's Recipes
Here are this week's new additions on Country at Heart Recipes. Enjoy your weekend and stay cool!
Skillet Frittata
Soft Breadsticks
Breakfast Hot Pockets
.JPG)
Skillet Frittata.JPG)
Soft Breadsticks
Breakfast Hot Pockets
August 1, 2012
Readers ~ An Author's Time
This summer, I've shared some about the moments in a writer's life. The next three weeks, I'd like to break this down even further and consider how author's spend time on promotional. Let's begin with readers.
I love hearing from my readers--it's one of the greatest joys of this publishing journey. No matter what sort of promotion I do, I always try to offer some way for readers to contact me--ie. email, social networks, or even snail mail, by way of a PO Box at our local post office.
While email is my preferred mode of correspondence, I'm glad I went to the effort of renting a PO Box, as there are many readers (especially from the older generation) who get out their pen and paper and write to me. One of the first decisions you'll make as an author is how you will respond to your readers. Will you send a form letter? A personal letter? Will you hire an assistant to take care of this business? Will you choose not to respond? Should you decide to respond, you'll also need to decide how timely in manner you'll do so.Here is what works for me:Snail Mail: For those who write to my PO Box, I send out a quarterly newsletter. It will usually be a printed copy of my e-newsletter, with a personal message at the bottom.Email: I try to handle email correspondence on a weekly basis--usually on weekends. And while my response is somewhat generic, if a reader has offered something personal, I will acknowledge that in my reply. I always invite the reader to visit my website for more information about my books and research, as well as invite them to sign up for my quarterly e-newsletter. *One way to keep order in your inbox chaos, is to create a special folder for Reader Mail. When I receive an email from a reader, I'll send the email to that folder. Then at the end of the week, I can go through letters at my leisure.Website Guestbook: Readers can connect with me by leaving a message in my guestbook. As with other correspondence, I try to respond to them in a timely manner. E-newsletters: I send out a mass e-newsletter on a quarterly basis, where I offer a bit about my personal life, my writing life, a favorite recipe, and oftentimes a giveaway. This encourages interaction, and again, I always try to respond to those who take the time to write to me afterward.
A few more thoughts about connecting with readers:Sometimes I hear from reader groups who will be discussing my book at one of their meetings. When this happens, I offer promotional items and discussion guides for their use. They are always thrilled to receive bookmarks, pens, or other items from an author. We might also try to arrange for a conference call. There have been a few times when I've personally met with reader groups for lunch or discussion. This is a fun way to get to know readers if you have the time and are able. Reader Groups can access this information on my website reader page.Another step I like to take with reader mail is to save them in a special Word document for promotional purposes. On occasion I will share a reader letter on my blog for Mailbox Monday, always careful to delete personal information. This has been a nice way to share with other readers about my books and seems to get a positive response when I do.It's an amazing blessing when someone takes the time to write to you, to let you know they like your books, are thinking of you, praying for you, or sometimes, they just need someone to listen to their own hardships. What an honor to be able to reciprocate and connect in some small way.So, share with me. How do you connect with your readers? Next week, I'll go a little deeper and talk about social network connections. Until then, enjoy the moments . . . 
I love hearing from my readers--it's one of the greatest joys of this publishing journey. No matter what sort of promotion I do, I always try to offer some way for readers to contact me--ie. email, social networks, or even snail mail, by way of a PO Box at our local post office.
While email is my preferred mode of correspondence, I'm glad I went to the effort of renting a PO Box, as there are many readers (especially from the older generation) who get out their pen and paper and write to me. One of the first decisions you'll make as an author is how you will respond to your readers. Will you send a form letter? A personal letter? Will you hire an assistant to take care of this business? Will you choose not to respond? Should you decide to respond, you'll also need to decide how timely in manner you'll do so.Here is what works for me:Snail Mail: For those who write to my PO Box, I send out a quarterly newsletter. It will usually be a printed copy of my e-newsletter, with a personal message at the bottom.Email: I try to handle email correspondence on a weekly basis--usually on weekends. And while my response is somewhat generic, if a reader has offered something personal, I will acknowledge that in my reply. I always invite the reader to visit my website for more information about my books and research, as well as invite them to sign up for my quarterly e-newsletter. *One way to keep order in your inbox chaos, is to create a special folder for Reader Mail. When I receive an email from a reader, I'll send the email to that folder. Then at the end of the week, I can go through letters at my leisure.Website Guestbook: Readers can connect with me by leaving a message in my guestbook. As with other correspondence, I try to respond to them in a timely manner. E-newsletters: I send out a mass e-newsletter on a quarterly basis, where I offer a bit about my personal life, my writing life, a favorite recipe, and oftentimes a giveaway. This encourages interaction, and again, I always try to respond to those who take the time to write to me afterward.
A few more thoughts about connecting with readers:Sometimes I hear from reader groups who will be discussing my book at one of their meetings. When this happens, I offer promotional items and discussion guides for their use. They are always thrilled to receive bookmarks, pens, or other items from an author. We might also try to arrange for a conference call. There have been a few times when I've personally met with reader groups for lunch or discussion. This is a fun way to get to know readers if you have the time and are able. Reader Groups can access this information on my website reader page.Another step I like to take with reader mail is to save them in a special Word document for promotional purposes. On occasion I will share a reader letter on my blog for Mailbox Monday, always careful to delete personal information. This has been a nice way to share with other readers about my books and seems to get a positive response when I do.It's an amazing blessing when someone takes the time to write to you, to let you know they like your books, are thinking of you, praying for you, or sometimes, they just need someone to listen to their own hardships. What an honor to be able to reciprocate and connect in some small way.So, share with me. How do you connect with your readers? Next week, I'll go a little deeper and talk about social network connections. Until then, enjoy the moments . . .
July 30, 2012
Book Preview ~ The Key on the Quilt
The Key on the Quilt, by Stephanie Grace WhitsonEnter a historic Nebraskan prison where three women find betrayal, love, and ultimate truth. Jane Prescott is serving a ten-year sentence for murder. Can a broken spirit be healed behind bars? Matron Mamie Dawson feels called to help the wounded women in her charge. Will a guard’s attentions keep her from her mission? Warden’s wife Ellen McKenna has changed her preconceptions about these female prisoners. Will it be enough to save her from a life-or-death situation? Will the cryptic quilt connecting their lives expose the truth of one woman’s past and ensure a better future for them all?
About Stephanie: A native of southern Illinois, Stephanie Grace Whitson has lived in Nebraska since 1975. She began what she calls "playing with imaginary friends" (writing fiction) when, as a result of teaching her four homeschooled children Nebraska history, she was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie's fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year. Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends. Her passionate interests in pioneer women's history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities. Learn more about Stephanie on her website HERE. Buy her book on Amazon HERE.
July 27, 2012
This Week's Recipes
We're thick into fair week and it's been a hot one here in SE Kansas. Here are the new additions on Country at Heart Recipes. Have a great weekend and stay COOL!
Cajun Shrimp
Mom's Homemade Ice Cream
Pineapple Zucchini Bread
Cajun Shrimp
Mom's Homemade Ice Cream
Pineapple Zucchini Bread
July 25, 2012
Social Time ~ An Author's Time
This summer I'm sharing a series of articles I wrote on An Author's Time. Today I want to consider the importance of spending time with other people--or more specifically, other writers.
When I became serious about my writing, I took two important steps. I joined ACFW, an online writer's group, and I also joined a local writing group that meets once a month at a nearby library.
Why were these steps so important? As writers, we spend a lot of time alone in front of a computer, with only our words and our imagination to keep us company. While this can be quite fun at times, it is also a very solitary business.Joining a writing group helped me in the following ways:* It gave me someone to talk to who understood the writing life (and all those strange people in my head.)* It offered me a place to go when I had a writing question or concern. It also gave me a chance to learn new techniques, as well as to learn from those who had more experience and wisdom in the writing world.* It gave me a place to share my work, to receive reader impressions and/or critiques, and it allowed me to reciprocate by helping others with their work. At one time, I belonged to an online critique group with four other women, and each of us were submitting a chapter a week. This turned out to be one of my greatest learning experiences ever.* It allowed me a chance to be involved in a writer conference--to attend as a member, as well as to help organize. Conferences are wonderful opportunities to meet other writers and business professionals, and also further friendships made online or at monthly meetings.* Because both groups were Christian organizations, they were also places I could ask for prayer and spiritual support. Being a part of such groups has blessed me in so many ways. Many of the people I've met have turned in to some of my greatest friendships.While I gain tremendous benefits from the online group, I am so glad to have regular contact from the local group. There is something very special in knowing I have a monthly date on my calendar, when I can visit my local writing group, face-to-face, or even to go out for a bite to eat and talk about writing--one of my favorite things.So, to all my writer friends out there--you are a blessing to me. Thank you for your friendship. If you don't belong to a writing group, I encourage you to get out there and join one. A great place to find regional, local or online groups is the Christian Writer's Market Guide by Sally Stuart.Next week, I'll chat with you about another part of a writer's time--time for readers. Until then, enjoy the moments . . .
When I became serious about my writing, I took two important steps. I joined ACFW, an online writer's group, and I also joined a local writing group that meets once a month at a nearby library.
Why were these steps so important? As writers, we spend a lot of time alone in front of a computer, with only our words and our imagination to keep us company. While this can be quite fun at times, it is also a very solitary business.Joining a writing group helped me in the following ways:* It gave me someone to talk to who understood the writing life (and all those strange people in my head.)* It offered me a place to go when I had a writing question or concern. It also gave me a chance to learn new techniques, as well as to learn from those who had more experience and wisdom in the writing world.* It gave me a place to share my work, to receive reader impressions and/or critiques, and it allowed me to reciprocate by helping others with their work. At one time, I belonged to an online critique group with four other women, and each of us were submitting a chapter a week. This turned out to be one of my greatest learning experiences ever.* It allowed me a chance to be involved in a writer conference--to attend as a member, as well as to help organize. Conferences are wonderful opportunities to meet other writers and business professionals, and also further friendships made online or at monthly meetings.* Because both groups were Christian organizations, they were also places I could ask for prayer and spiritual support. Being a part of such groups has blessed me in so many ways. Many of the people I've met have turned in to some of my greatest friendships.While I gain tremendous benefits from the online group, I am so glad to have regular contact from the local group. There is something very special in knowing I have a monthly date on my calendar, when I can visit my local writing group, face-to-face, or even to go out for a bite to eat and talk about writing--one of my favorite things.So, to all my writer friends out there--you are a blessing to me. Thank you for your friendship. If you don't belong to a writing group, I encourage you to get out there and join one. A great place to find regional, local or online groups is the Christian Writer's Market Guide by Sally Stuart.Next week, I'll chat with you about another part of a writer's time--time for readers. Until then, enjoy the moments . . .
July 23, 2012
The Girls Are Making a CD
This summer, our two youngest daughters have had the privilege to record some songs in a recording studio. It came about after the Katy Days Got Talent competition, when Russell Head, the director at the Recording Arts Department at LCC, invited us to visit his studio. 
What came next was a whirlwind of activity.
Hours of recording, listening, and trying various arrangements. 
Right now, they're in the process of rerecording a few songs, including two original works. We'll keep you posted on when the CD will release. If you haven't done so already, you can follow their news on their BLOG or on FACEBOOK.
July 20, 2012
This Week's Recipes
Stop by to view this weeks new additions at COUNTRY AT HEART RECIPES.
Guacamole Dip
Mississippi Mud Bars
Ham and Beans
and this week's Featured Author Audrey Hebbert's recipe for Black Pepper Corn with Basil. 
Guacamole Dip
Mississippi Mud Bars
Ham and Beans.jpg)
and this week's Featured Author Audrey Hebbert's recipe for Black Pepper Corn with Basil.
July 18, 2012
Learning ~ An Author's Time
Today, I'd like to share about the importance of devoting some of an author's time to learning--learning about the business of publishing and the continued learning of the craft.If at all possible, an author should try to attend at least one large writing conference a year. Writing conferences are a great way to learn about both sides of the business. Most conferences offer a number of workshops at various learning stages, and also allow you time to visit with other authors, as well as pitch to agents or editors.One conference I highly recommend for fiction authors is the
ACFW Conference
put on by the American Christian Fiction Writers group. This year's conference will be held in Dallas, September 20-23. There are also many regional conferences that are smaller and less expensive. Search online for places and dates or check Sally Stuart's Market Guide for a state listing.
For those of you who are unable to attend a writing conference because of finances or time commitments, don't despair. There are many other ways for you to continue your learning. Sign up for an online writing workshop or Webinar, buy a year's subscription to a writing magazine, such as The Writer, Writer's Digist , The Christian Communicator, or the Advanced Christian Writer.Another way, and possibly one of the best ways to learn about fiction writing, is to read fiction. Great fiction, and lots of it, in all genres, both CBA and ABA. Sure, it's important to read the genre you're writing in, but it's also good to know what's out there.Since owning my Kindle, I've opened myself to many different books I would never have tried because of free downloads or sample chapters. And if you don't care for the writing, simply stop reading; delete the book or don't buy it.One habit I try to incorporate into my learning time is to read one writing how-to book for every three fiction novels I read. This keeps my mind churning and learning, yet allows me ample room to escape to the fictional world I love. Here is my top ten list of writing how-to books:Stein on Writing by Sol SteinPlot & Structure by James Scott BellWord Painting by Rebecca McClanahanRevision & Self-Editing by James Scott BellWriting the Breakout Novel by Donald MaassSelf-Editing for Fiction Writers by R. Brown & D. KingGMC - Goal, Motivation & Conflict by Debra DixonGetting into Character by Brandilyn CollinsThe Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. WhiteThe Complete Guide to Writing & Selling the Christian Novel, by Penelope J. StokesNext week, I'll share another important aspect in an author's time schedule--social time. Until then, enjoy the moments . . .
For those of you who are unable to attend a writing conference because of finances or time commitments, don't despair. There are many other ways for you to continue your learning. Sign up for an online writing workshop or Webinar, buy a year's subscription to a writing magazine, such as The Writer, Writer's Digist , The Christian Communicator, or the Advanced Christian Writer.Another way, and possibly one of the best ways to learn about fiction writing, is to read fiction. Great fiction, and lots of it, in all genres, both CBA and ABA. Sure, it's important to read the genre you're writing in, but it's also good to know what's out there.Since owning my Kindle, I've opened myself to many different books I would never have tried because of free downloads or sample chapters. And if you don't care for the writing, simply stop reading; delete the book or don't buy it.One habit I try to incorporate into my learning time is to read one writing how-to book for every three fiction novels I read. This keeps my mind churning and learning, yet allows me ample room to escape to the fictional world I love. Here is my top ten list of writing how-to books:Stein on Writing by Sol SteinPlot & Structure by James Scott BellWord Painting by Rebecca McClanahanRevision & Self-Editing by James Scott BellWriting the Breakout Novel by Donald MaassSelf-Editing for Fiction Writers by R. Brown & D. KingGMC - Goal, Motivation & Conflict by Debra DixonGetting into Character by Brandilyn CollinsThe Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. WhiteThe Complete Guide to Writing & Selling the Christian Novel, by Penelope J. StokesNext week, I'll share another important aspect in an author's time schedule--social time. Until then, enjoy the moments . . .
