Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 89
May 8, 2020
Weekend Edition
If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, take a minute to read them here. It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and phone number to claim prizes. Note our new email address and please send your emails to Seekerville2@gmail.com
Monday: Mary Connealy give us insight on Keeping it all in mind - when your mind is weird.
Wednesday: Mindy Obenhaus took us back to basics with Conflict 101. The winner of her July release A Father's Promise is...Winnie! Congratulations!
Friday: Beth and Carrie shared Book World Changes they've experienced lately and offered encouragement and insight to readers and writers. Plus we're playing a reader's edition of This or That!
Monday: We will have the amazing Beth Vogt with us today! Don't miss her post titled: "Be Positive and Proactive to Silence Author Doubt." She'll be doing a giveaway!
Tuesday: Jackie Layton is our guest in Seekerville today! So fun to welcome Jackie aboard as a published author and her lively post coaches us on how to shift from 3rd Person writing to 1st Person narrative as we get a sweet glimpse of her debut mystery "Bite the Dust"!
Wednesday: Ruthy storms the virus-held beaches today with her post "10 Ways to Conquer Fear with Faith and Focus" as she tries to help writers who feel like they've spent the last two months running in place get their forward momentum moving again! She's giving away a $20.20 Amazon gift card, not for you... (WHAT????) but for you to give to someone in need. Come on over on Wednesday and let's do this together. Nothing like being kind to others to help us stop thinking about ourselves! Friday: Winnie will be by to tell us about a new (to her) writing term she learned recently.
Due to the pandemic, The Kentucky Christian Writers Conference is moving their conference to an online format this year. All the originally planned speakers will be taking part. For only $20.20, you can get a whole conference using Zoom! The dates are June 19-20. More info here: https://kychristianwriters.com
Mindy Obenhaus's Her Colorado Cowboy, is a HOLT Medallion finalist.
ONE DAY SALEBook #2 of the Brides of Hope Mountain seriesWOMAN OF SUNLIGHT$1.99 IN ALL EBOOK FORMATSKINDLENOOK
It'd make a great Mother's Day GiftANDTried and TrueOn Sale Nowfor $0.99All ebook formatsKindleNook
GENESIS SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!
The Genesis Contest is the ACFW contest for unpublished Christian fiction writersGenesis Semi-Finalists Announced. Congratulations to the 2020 ACFW Genesis semi-finalists! Check the website here - www.acfw.com/contests or see below.
ContemporaryCourtney BallingerJayna BreighSara BrunsvoldJeanie NanceKathy SchuknechtShelia StovallHolly VarniHistoricalNatalie AraucoJohanna JanssenYvonne KaysMark KnightKendy PearsonAmy RenaudJessica SlyHistorical RomanceJulie CostakisRhonda J. DragomirCarolyn HillSavanna KaiserJanice LairdRhonda OrtizPaula PeckhamMystery/Suspense/ThrillerSigna BodishbaughAndy Brodrick (Double Semi-Finalist)Eva CraigPJ GoverA. D. LawrenceFrank YatesNovellaSusan BatemanWendy KlopfensteinErin MifflinLinda PhillipsCierra RoseberryJoey RudderAlejandra Ruiz RomanceStephanie AtkinsBecky DePaulisDebb HackettKerry JohnsonRebekah MilletCaroline PowersCarrie WalkerRomantic SuspenseSami AbramsMary Dodge AllenKelly BorjasKL CopenShirley E GouldKerry JohnsonHope WelbornShort NovelSami AbramsLana ChristianLoretta EidsonHeidi MainJessica MinieriJennifer PurcellGenine WilsonSpeculativeKristin DowdLynnette JalufkaJohn LeathermanSarah PopovichPaige ReedPat SchantzPhilip WilderYoung AdultJenna Brooke CarlsonEmily GellhausHelen JamesonAnne OsielskiHunter TakamiyaPhilip WilderJill K Willis
Need A Good Book Editor? Top Up-To-Date Recommendations by KM Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors
The Art & Peace of Creating by Lynn H Blackburn at The Write Conversation
It's All Research by Sarah Sundin at Learn How To Write A Novel
Time To Silence The Critics by Kariss Lynch at Learn How To Write A Novel
Do e-Readers Put Unfair Pressure on First Chapters by Janice Hardy at Fiction University
How To Write a Novel Synopsis by Jane Friedman
5 Literary Agents Reveal the 9 Pitching Mistakes Authors Make by Bushra Rahmani at Live Write Thrive
Quotes from Recent Books I've Read by Bob Hostetler at Steve Laube Agency
Helpful Blogs from Book Brush by LA Sartor at An Indie Adventure
During Tough Times, Romance Novel Sales Are Set To Soar - Forbes
May 7, 2020
Book World Changes
Hello, friends! Beth and Carrie here! Since our identities have frequently been mistaken for one another, and we practically live on the same brainwave to the extent that we might actually be sharing a brain, we’ve decided to join forces today and y’all can just use your imagination to figure out who says what.
We mustache you... who is who? (see hint)Stories have our hearts (well, Jesus AND stories but since He told stories it’s another reason to love them)! A life with books is far richer than one without them. Perhaps storytellers feel the same way about penning their tales. We’ve even read that avid fiction readers possess more empathy than the poor souls who don’t read (we truly feel awful for them, bless their hearts).Perhaps we're feeling a bit sentimental since celebrating our blog birthdays last month on Faithfully Bookish and Reading Is My SuperPower (4 and 5 years, respectively) but now, more than ever, we realize life is always changing. We’re learning, we’re growing (older, stronger, wiser, softer, you name it), and we’re constantly, even subconsciously, adapting to the dynamics of the world around us.
We want to encourage y’all despite or perhaps because of the uncertainty surrounding us, to embrace the story. Good times, bad times, different times, make time to read (or write), and may the Holy Spirit minister to your story-loving heart no matter what season you find yourself in.
That said, we’re sharing some ways our reading/reviewing/blogging/publicity-ing worlds have changed over the last few weeks, some helpful workarounds if you’re in the same floating-aimlessly boat, and a bit of insight for authors who are wondering why certain formerly dependable readers seem to have fallen off the book planet. :)
Reading
The world has shut down, we are staying home, we have endless reading time, right?! Unfortunately, no. Introverts have been social distancing since before it was celebrated as a life-saving act and those of us who work from home are literally professionals. Not only do we need to continue doing our work (more about that later) but we now have the added distraction of additional people or inevitable cabin fever to contend with. If you are reading more right now, we are delighted for you and if your reading time has taken a hit, know that you are not alone.
We recommend injecting stories into your day with audiobooks (these are also great for those “distracting other people” as well) or set aside time for a mental health break (yeah, that looks like reading for us). Need a family activity? Gather everyone around (on the couch or via video chat) and read aloud to each other!There’s a binding of hearts and something healing about sharing stories during stressful times. Too tired for something new? Revisit a book on your “favorites shelf.” Give yourself permission to avoid certain titles due to emotional fatigue (or author pictures with poultry) or stinky binding adhesive.
Reviewing
Let’s be honest, writing reviews can be challenging under any circumstances. How do we find words to express the beauty of a reading experience? The swoofness is elusive, y’all! (btw, we’re talking about “Squeezing Words Out Of Feelings” if this is the first time y’all have heard of swoof) If a reader who shall not be named happened to be devouring books as a coping mechanism to diffuse stress caused by an inability to swoof, well… it’s a vicious cycle, friends. Heaven sakes, I’m stressing myself out just thinking about it! Talk me off the ledge, Carrie!
(Repeat after me, Beth. The swoof will return. Trust the swoof.)
Let’s all take a moment and just breathe deeply. We need to give ourselves permission to read a book and occasionally only leave a couple-sentence review on retail sites. Something like, “This book is so beautiful I can’t even put my feelings into words. Except to say, ‘Read it. You’ll thank me.’” Not every review has to be a full swoof, friends. If you’re reviewing on your blog and need to fill in more space than 2 sentences, talk about a couple of favorite quotes to flesh out a longer review. In other words, employ the Dory method - Just keep swoofing!
Blogging
We love to introduce our fellow readers to books and authors but it’s not as easy as Carrie makes it look! (Note from Carrie - ha! Not easy at all!) There’s so much to learn and consider with search engine optimization and social media promotion and giveaways and updating old posts and site navigation and newsletters and sometimes this introvert gets stuck in overload. Have you ever heard of stress paralysis? (Where are my Moms’ Night Out fans?!) It’s a thing.
One of the first things my big sister blogger taught me was the “my blog, my rules” principle, and years later, it’s still a good reminder. If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone and give yourself grace and permission to have fun or step back as needed. Throw together some spotlights or quick lists if you’re all out of creativity or time but still want to show love to some authors & books.You may find, like our book sisters Rachel (@bookwormmama14) or Annie (@justcommonly), that bookstagramming will get your creative juices flowing. A little less writing, a little more space for artistic expression, and a whole lot of cover love, Instagram is quickly becoming one of the most popular platforms for spreading the book love! Whether you bookstagram as part of your book blogging or instead of (even for a season), we think you’ll continue to benefit and bless the bookish community with your enthusiasm.
JustRead Publicity-ing
Even the world of online book promotion is not immune to Covid19. At JustRead (and I’m sure other tour groups would say the same thing), we’ve had to cope with various shipping issues & delays in getting books to our instagram hosts. There have also been several delayed release dates which means long-ago-planned tour dates have to be shifted around and squeezed in on new weeks in an already-full calendar.
Communication snafus are inevitable in a world where everybody else is now adjusting to working from home too. All of these are necessary adjustments in this ‘new-for-now normal’ on top of all the ‘still normal’ to-do tasks involved with running a publicity company. And of course, we are willing to do whatever is needed right now to support the authors & books & publishers we love so much. But if we seem more frazzled than usual (because let’s face it, we’re always a bit frazzled), that’s why!
Here are a few tips which apply now more than ever! Schedule early and keep the lines of communication open. Please meet deadlines; publicity companies must juggle several tours in various stages of planning at once in a neverending cycle so the domino effect of not having what we need when we need it impacts your tour and other tours and our sanity in unattractive ways.
Play This or That with us! Let’s check your reader life pulse! Share your answers in the comments.
Right now I want to read…Nearly All the Time or At Least RegularlyLighthearted with Laughing/Swooning or Deep Pondering/SuspenseShorter Stories or Big BooksNew Release or Old FavoriteFamiliar Genre or Out of the OrdinaryPandemic Reads or Anything ButWhat changes or challenges have y'all faced over the last several weeks? How have you made the best of these trying circumstances?
Carrie and BethCarrie Schmidt is an avid reader, book reviewer, story addict, KissingBooks fan, book boyfriend collector, and cool aunt. She also loves Jesus and THE Story a whole lot. Co-founder of the Christian Fiction Readers' Retreat and JustRead Publicity Tours, Carrie lives in Kentucky with her husband Eric.She can be found lurking at various blogs and websites (because she can't stop talking about books) but her main home is the blog she started in 2015 - ReadingIsMySuperPower.org.
Beth Erin is a Christian fiction enthusiast, book reviewer, blogger, and JustRead Publicity Tours co-owner. She strives to edify and connect with readers and authors at Faithfully Bookish and on social media.
Beth also contributes to the Seekerville, Hoarding Books, and Diversity Between the Pages blogs. She is passionate about promoting authors and their entertaining, encouraging, and redemptive stories.
May 5, 2020
Back to Basics - Conflict 101
by Mindy ObenhausConflict. The word alone is enough to make us squirm. Most of us avoid conflict at all costs. Then you become a writer and they say you must have conflict.
Noooo…
The reality is that a story without conflict is, well, boring. If Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters had helped her with her chores so she could get ready for the ball, we would’ve had no reason to cheer Cinderella on to victory. If the yellow-brick road hadn’t been plagued with flying monkeys and the wizard hadn’t told Dorothy to bring him the broom of the wicked witch, Dorothy would have kept moping, never realizing that home was a pretty special place after all.
Of course, conflict doesn’t always come in the form of a villain. Conflict is anything that stands in the way of a character achieving their goal. Have you ever been late for an appointment because you were stuck in traffic? And how many horrible scenarios ran through your head before you got to said appointment? Only to find out that the person you were meeting with was stuck in the same traffic.
Conflict is part of growth. It teaches you to leave extra early for those important appointments. It forces you to look within yourself to realize that maybe you can love again. And conflict encourages us to turn to God and allow Him to give us the strength we need to overcome something we think is impossible. Such as adding conflict.
So how do we how do we create conflict?
Since we're still warming up to conflict, let's keep things simple.Know your character’s goal – While characters have an overarching goal in a story, each and every scene also needs a goal, motivation and conflict. Start by asking yourself what the character’s goal is in any given scene.Keep them from reaching that goal – Say their goal is to make it to the bank before it closes. What will happen if they don’t? Will a check bounce? Will their house be foreclosed on? And what if there’s a traffic accident along the way that prevents them from getting there? See how those small things can all work together to create conflict for your character?
Take things from bad to worse – In his book Writing the Breakout Novel, Donald Maass says to ask yourself this: What is the worst thing that can happen to your character at that moment? Then he says to find a way to make it happen. I’ll admit, I kind of blew that one off for a while. But then I tried it and not only did it work, I actually kind of enjoyed it. Me, the one who hated conflict. Go figure.Conflict helps refine your characters which then enriches the story. Conflict can bring out the best or the worst in people. It shows them and the reader what they’re really made of. What's important to them. Conflict can humble a person. And it is an essential part of every story.Writers, do you struggle with conflict or look forward to it? Readers, how do you feel about the push and pull of conflict in stories? Often, it’s what keeps you reading. Which is a good thing, unless you have to get up early and you just can’t put the book down. Then you have conflict.
Leave a comment to be entered to win an advanced copy of my July release, A Father’s Promise.
Is he ready for fatherhood?He doesn’t think he deserves a family… But now he has a daughter.
Stunned to discover he has a child, Wes Bishop isn’t sure he’s father material. But his adorable daughter needs him, and he can’t help feeling drawn to her mother, Laurel Donovan—a woman he’s finally getting to know. But can this sudden dad overcome a past tragedy that has him convinced he’s not meant to be a husband or a father…and make a promise of forever?
Three-time Carol Award finalist, She’s a multi-published author of contemporary Christian romance, and lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com
May 3, 2020
Keeping it all in mind---when your mind is weird
I had a friend say to me a while back, "I don't see how you do it. How do you keep it all in your head? How do you come up with a whole book. The talking. The plot. All the details."Well, this week was one when I wondered that myself.
How do I...or shall I say, How do WE do it? How do we keep all those DETAILS flowing. Remember them all. Twist and turn a plot out that makes sense. Characters chattering all the time. Interacting.
I came through some heavy revisions this last month. And I love this. I have this as my goal, to finish book one, and book two, and get a good solid start on book three before book one is in stone.
So I've just finished what Bethany House calls Designed Pages. That is the final chance at revisions. The book is all laid out. If you want to make changes they need to be very minor. Like catching that I typed Seth when I meant Ethan. Or book when I meant boot.
Little stuff, but still, there is time to fool with it.
I turned that in May 1.And I'm finished with book 2, and spent the last two weeks reading and revising it with the details off book #1 firmly in mind. I already had about ten thousands words done on book #3 before I had to drop it and do the designed pages, then pull any threads I've found through book #2, and now I'm back to book #3.
But I was revising those already done about a month ago, 10,000 words of book #3 and came to the mention of the bad guys, caught at the end of book #2 (there are more bad guys, never fear!) and that they'd hang for murder.
Reading that line, I started trying to remember who exactly they murdered.
It's like this weird little WORM wriggling around in my head. It does seem like they murdered someone, but I JUST CAN'T REMEMBER WHO!
Three people got shot...no four. But anyway, they're fine. One person got attacked in one early scene then three more people got attacked later.
But no murders.
That I can remember.
So now what?
I'm tired just typing this.Anyway they were also cattle rustlers who are all the way for sure guilty of that, so I can hang them.
But that line bothered me. And it got me thinking about all the DETAILS. I know I struggle sometimes with hair color and eye color. Not usually for the heros and heroines. But minor characters, what was his last name? Did I ever give him a last name?
What kind of horse does she ride? Does she have a favorite? Does she had a bunch of horses and switches off?
sigh
I've tried excel spread sheets. The trouble with that is, sometimes I change something in the book, but forget to change it in the spread sheet. Then later I can't remember what I changed it too and go to the spread sheet...and seem to remember I can no longer trust the spread sheet.
See, for a person who is lining up a really VAST string of details, I'm kinda a dork. Pretty disorganized.
Which brings me back to "How do I do it?"
It just seems to come down to, I love it. I just love writing. It's an odd way to behave. Sitting alone for so much of your life. Imaginary friends to an exponential degree.
A form a madness really.
But I love it.
Does writing give you joy? Do you laugh and cry at your own work? Do you ever go back to re-read or revise and think, "Hey, I wrote that. It's pretty good?"
At the same time does it make you anxious? Make you feel like a failure? Do you spend time during every SINGLE STINKING BOOK THINKING 'I CAN'T WRITE! WHAT AM I DOING THIS FOR?'
Tell me how writing makes you feel.
I've got Tried and True on sale for 99 cents. Go grab a copy on Kindle or Nook. I love that book. I might go read it again just to remind myself I CAN DO THIS!!!
http://www.maryconnealy.com
Keeping it all in mind---when you mind is weird
I had a friend say to me a while back, "I don't see how you do it. How do you keep it all in your head? How do you come up with a whole book. The talking. The plot. All the details."Well, this week was one when I wondered that myself.
How do I...or shall I say, How do WE do it? How do we keep all those DETAILS flowing. Remember them all. Twist and turn a plot out that makes sense. Characters chattering all the time. Interacting.
I came through some heavy revisions this last month. And I love this. I have this as my goal, to finish book one, and book two, and get a good solid start on book three before book one is in stone.
So I've just finished what Bethany House calls Designed Pages. That is the final chance at revisions. The book is all laid out. If you want to make changes they need to be very minor. Like catching that I typed Seth when I meant Ethan. Or book when I meant boot.
Little stuff, but still, there is time to fool with it.
I turned that in May 1.And I'm finished with book 2, and spent the last two weeks reading and revising it with the details off book #1 firmly in mind. I already had about ten thousands words done on book #3 before I had to drop it and do the designed pages, then pull any threads I've found through book #2, and now I'm back to book #3.
But I was revising those already done about a month ago, 10,000 words of book #3 and came to the mention of the bad guys, caught at the end of book #2 (there are more bad guys, never fear!) and that they'd hang for murder.
Reading that line, I started trying to remember who exactly they murdered.
It's like this weird little WORM wriggling around in my head. It does seem like they murdered someone, but I JUST CAN'T REMEMBER WHO!
Three people got shot...no four. But anyway, they're fine. One person got attacked in one early scene then three more people got attacked later.
But no murders.
That I can remember.
So now what?
I'm tired just typing this.Anyway they were also cattle rustlers who are all the way for sure guilty of that, so I can hang them.
But that line bothered me. And it got me thinking about all the DETAILS. I know I struggle sometimes with hair color and eye color. Not usually for the heros and heroines. But minor characters, what was his last name? Did I ever give him a last name?
What kind of horse does she ride? Does she have a favorite? Does she had a bunch of horses and switches off?
sigh
I've tried excel spread sheets. The trouble with that is, sometimes I change something in the book, but forget to change it in the spread sheet. Then later I can't remember what I changed it too and go to the spread sheet...and seem to remember I can no longer trust the spread sheet.
See, for a person who is lining up a really VAST string of details, I'm kinda a dork. Pretty disorganized.
Which brings me back to "How do I do it?"
It just seems to come down to, I love it. I just love writing. It's an odd way to behave. Sitting alone for so much of your life. Imaginary friends to an exponential degree.
A form a madness really.
But I love it.
Does writing give you joy? Do you laugh and cry at your own work? Do you ever go back to re-read or revise and think, "Hey, I wrote that. It's pretty good?"
At the same time does it make you anxious? Make you feel like a failure? Do you spend time during every SINGLE STINKING BOOK THINKING 'I CAN'T WRITE! WHAT AM I DOING THIS FOR?'
Tell me how writing makes you feel.
I've got Tried and True on sale for 99 cents. Go grab a copy on Kindle or Nook. I love that book. I might go read it again just to remind myself I CAN DO THIS!!!
http://www.maryconnealy.com
May 2, 2020
Sunday Scripture & Prayer Requests
The Seekerville bloggers are praying for YOU and for our entire blog community. If you have any special intentions that need additional prayer coverage, leave a request for prayer in the comment section below.
Please join us in praying for our country--and the world--during this coronavirus outbreak.
Dear Lord, protect us and keep usfree from COVID-19 infection. Help all who are working hard to contain the spread of this virus, especially those in the healthcare professions and those caring for the sick. Give clarity and right judgement to the National and StateTask Forces, the CDC, NIH and Public Healthagencies combating this outbreak.Guard all of us and especially our elderly and immunocompromised. Bring healing to those who have the disease, Eternal Glory to thosewho have succumbed to the virus andcomfort to the families who have lost loved ones.God bless us, and God bless the United States of America.Amen.
We are so grateful for all of you—for your friendship and your support! May the Lord bless you and your families abundantly throughout this Easter Season.
The Good Shepherd, Bernhard Plockhorst, 19th C.
[PD-US]
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENTGOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY
Jesus said:“Amen, amen, I say to you,whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gatebut climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.When he has driven out all his own,he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,because they recognize his voice.But they will not follow a stranger;they will run away from him,because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”Although Jesus used this figure of speech,the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you,I am the gate for the sheep.All who came before me are thieves and robbers,but the sheep did not listen to them.I am the gate.Whoever enters through me will be saved,and will come in and go out and find pasture.A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”John 10:1-10
Please join us in praying for our country--and the world--during this coronavirus outbreak.
Dear Lord, protect us and keep usfree from COVID-19 infection. Help all who are working hard to contain the spread of this virus, especially those in the healthcare professions and those caring for the sick. Give clarity and right judgement to the National and StateTask Forces, the CDC, NIH and Public Healthagencies combating this outbreak.Guard all of us and especially our elderly and immunocompromised. Bring healing to those who have the disease, Eternal Glory to thosewho have succumbed to the virus andcomfort to the families who have lost loved ones.God bless us, and God bless the United States of America.Amen.
We are so grateful for all of you—for your friendship and your support! May the Lord bless you and your families abundantly throughout this Easter Season.
The Good Shepherd, Bernhard Plockhorst, 19th C.[PD-US]
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENTGOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY
Jesus said:“Amen, amen, I say to you,whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gatebut climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.When he has driven out all his own,he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,because they recognize his voice.But they will not follow a stranger;they will run away from him,because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”Although Jesus used this figure of speech,the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you,I am the gate for the sheep.All who came before me are thieves and robbers,but the sheep did not listen to them.I am the gate.Whoever enters through me will be saved,and will come in and go out and find pasture.A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”John 10:1-10
May 1, 2020
Weekend Edition
If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, take a minute to read them here. It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and phone number to claim prizes. Note our new email address and please send your emails to Seekerville2@gmail.com
Monday: Erica Vetsch shared how she casts the characters in her books. And did I see "giveaway?" Make sure you visit the sites mentioned in her post featuring, The Lost Lieutenant, and enter to win some awesome giveaways!
Wednesday: Erica Vetsch (again!) invited fellow authors releasing books during the pandemic to share how they feel about the situation and what they're doing about it.
Friday: Candee Fick joined us this week discussing the pros and cons of bundling books for a collection. Jackie Layton, you are the winner of one of Candee's ebooks!
Monday: Mary is our hostess.
Wednesday: Mindy will be here to share. Friday: Join Beth and Carrie for a chat about reading, blogging, (maybe even publicity-ing), and changes they have/are experiencing in each.
I'm so grateful for your friendship and support!Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Tried and TrueOn Sale
99 cents in all ebook formats
Click Here to buy on Kindle
Click Here to buy on Nook
How To Write A Perfect Cliff-Hanger by Rachael Cooper at Live Write Thrive
15 Productive Tasks When You Don't Feel Like Writing by KM Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors
Dipping The Quill Deeper - The Writer and The Sword by Eva Marie Everson at The Write Conversation
The Power of Journaling Through Difficult Times by Bonnie Randall at Fiction University
So Many Ideas, So Little Time by Rachelle Gardner
5 Tips For Building A Community Of Readers by Karen Lock Kolp at The Creative Penn
23 Top Writing Podcasts That Help You Improve Your Craft by CS Lakin at The Self Publisher
Is It Ready To Submit? By Bob Hostetler at Steve Laube Agency
April 30, 2020
To Bundle or Not to Bundle: The Pros and Cons of Boxed Sets for Readers and Authors
Welcome Seekerville guest, Candee Fick!
Happy May Day to everyone in Seekerville!
I don’t know about you, but I am more than ready for Spring weather. In some parts of the country, people say that April showers bring May flowers. Well, here in Colorado—especially this year when it snowed on Easter Sunday and dumped an additional foot of the white stuff a few days later—we’re more inclined to say that April snow makes May things grow…
However, there’s just something about Spring that gives my heart Hope. Maybe it’s the fresh greenery, the scent of blooming flowers, or the warmth of sun on my face after being cooped up inside for months. (And that was before the recent pandemic orders!) But there’s also the reminder that after the dark and cold and barrenness, there is still the promise of Life and Love.
That’s why when a group of fellow authors and I started planning to do a boxed set collection together, I was thrilled that we decided the stories had to be set in the spring or early summer. And while weekends are not the usual for such things, we also picked Mother’s Day 2020 as our launch day for the Love is in the Air collection.
Love Is In The Air Yes, that’s in just 10 days… Which means I’ve got boxed sets on the brain! So, let’s talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly, starting with an overview.
When I say boxed set, there’s actually no box involved at all (unless you look at the picture). It’s merely a visual representation that “inside” there is a collection of multiple ebooks. Those books could be part of a series by the same author, or—like our set—a compilation from different authors with a common theme like Christmas, mail order brides, or in our case flying in planes or hot air balloons.
The good news for voracious readers is that they get numerous books for one low price. (And by low, I mean that often these sets are priced at just .99 especially during the pre-order stage.) Readers also get to enjoy books by their favorites plus discover new authors at the same time.
And the good news for authors is that they can get discovered by new readers while multiplying the reach of their marketing efforts through cross-promotion and a pooled budget.
But there’s a lot of work involved in putting together such a set.
In addition to the writing and editing of the individual stories, there’s cover design (individually and collectively), deciding the order to present them, compiling together, formatting, uploading to the publishing platform(s), deciding on the price, and then all of the marketing including guest blogs, social media posts, email blasts, newsletter swaps, and advertising. There are additional logistics and a lot of communication required when it comes to decision making, assigning of jobs, budgeting, and transparency with accounting. Of course, most of these tasks are part of any book launch, so splitting the load between the group of authors makes it easier individually.
For readers, the only bad thing about a boxed set is that they are usually only available in ebook formats. Why? Our set is 743 pages long…which would be a beast to format and expensive to print therefore even more expensive to buy making it less likely to turn a profit for the amount of time invested in creating a print version. So, authors save the work and readers have to be content with electronic files.
Love Is In The Air linkFor authors, the biggest downside to a boxed set is financial. For a .99 book on Amazon, authors only make a third of that. Divide that by five authors and you’ll see that’s a lot of work for six copper pennies per sale. Unless of course we sell thousands of copies. Or those new readers we hoped to attract buy other titles from us. Which is why most authors in boxed sets join for the marketing exposure and not the money.
And the ugly of boxed sets that I hinted at? I’ve been blessed with my co-authors not to experience any of this, but I’ve heard horror stories about personality conflicts, mediation, stolen royalties, and the like. We prevented a lot of problems early on with clear communication and accountability, but I can see how things could get ugly.
So, there you have it. The good, the bad, and the ugly of boxed sets. I brought a giant (virtual) platter of homemade, gooey cinnamon rolls to share while we chat. Oh, and as an additional treat, I’m also giving away an electronic copy of one of my books. Just join the conversation to be put in the drawing.
Do you enjoy collections? What new authors have you discovered through boxed sets? Which of your favorite authors would you love to see work together on a set? And if you’ve been on the author-side of such a collection (and I know there were a few original Seeker collections…), what did you gain from the experience?
P.S. Remember that steal of deal at .99? The pre-order special ends on Mother’s Day so if you like Contemporary Christian romance, grab your copy of Love is in the Air today.
--------
Love is in the Air: 5 Contemporary Christian Romanceshttps://books2read.com/u/3LDxaD ~ Preorder Price of .99
This collection of five brand new romances is sure to send your heart soaring. Journey from Canada to Georgia and Colorado to Paris by way of Michigan as these couples find love is in the air. All they had to do was look up.
Titles include:
First Class, Wrong Flight by Laura V. HiltonA Castle in the Clouds by Candee FickFlying into Love by Kathleen RouserWritten in the Clouds by Kathleen FriesenTo Gain Forever by Tanya Eavenson-------BIO: Candee Fick is a multipublished, award-winning author. She is also the wife of a high school football coach and the mother of three children, including a daughter with a rare genetic syndrome. When not busy writing, editing, or coaching other authors, she can be found cheering on the home team at sporting events, exploring the great Colorado outdoors, indulging in dark chocolate, and savoring happily-ever-after endings through a good book.
Want to connect? Sign up for her email list or check out her website www.CandeeFick.com
April 28, 2020
Releasing a Book During a Pandemic
Erica here: I'm not going to lie. This is a tough time we're going through, fraught with uncertainties. Authors are not immune.
Several of my friends have and are releasing books during this time when our readers have to stay at home, when they might have reduced incomes, and when they certainly have increased amounts of anxiety and stress.
For myself, I released a book just about a week ago. A book that has been on the publishing calendar for almost two years. Nobody could have anticipated the current situation when we first signed the contracts for The Lost Lieutenant.
But authors are creative people. When thrown a curve ball, they choke up on the bat and take their swings. I thought it might be interesting to hear how some of my writer friends are coping, both with the pandemic and all that brings, and the release of a book during this time.
Ruth Logan Herne
I saw a tweet the other day from one of our wonderful Love Inspired editors... she talked about a lot of things, things to be happy about, things to be sad about. In New York City, right now, with everyone holed up in their tiny apartments or out in tight neighborhoods on the island, working from home, the city that never sleeps is facing a crushing situation. And she talked about that, but she also mentioned that she was sad for her authors that had books coming out this month because people weren't out shopping. Would they see them? Think of them?
And you know, if this month's sales take a smackdown because of the Covid 19 virus pandemic, it's nothing compared to what small businesses are doing, feeling, suffering. Forced to shut down for weeks, maybe fail.... Millions of people... not tens of thousands, but millions of people out of work... So I decided that I'd let folks know about my book.... I'll use social media and my website and my newsletter, but while I want people to buy my book, I know that milk and bread and shoes are more important.
More important than me, than my beautiful book (which is in Walmarts and grocery stores from sea to shining sea!) and also available at Amazon.com , are those folks struggling right now. Trying to figure all this out, deal with it. My daughter messaged me today to keep writing. No matter what happens, she said, keep writing. Because as this plays out, people are going to need Ruth Logan Herne books to make them feel hopeful again. And that's like the best advice of all.
Kimberly Duffy
My debut, A Mosaic of Wings, releases May 5 (Bethany House). My book will be releasing right in the middle of the global shutdown. There are no open bookstores, no signings, no release parties, which is a huge disappointment, but it’s also forcing me to think much more creatively.
My publisher has been fantastic in supporting me and helping brainstorm. I’m trying to think in terms of community—so I’ve written a homeschool unit study (since everyone is homeschooling now) that will be available for high school students who read my book. I’m also gathering ideas to use on social media that will bring people together, using the themes and setting of my book as a launching off point. Because my book is set partially in India, I think it will prove a nice escape for people who can’t leave their houses. Vacations have been canceled so this might give readers a way to go somewhere.
I allowed myself to grieve the falling apart of what I thought my book launch was going to look like. It’s particularly hard because it’s my debut and it will be my only debut so I had grand plans of celebrating with friends and family and readers. I’m a planner and I don’t like when things take a turn I didn’t expect. But I also don’t tend to wallow, so after taking time to cry and eat lots of ice cream and talk to friend after friend after friend, I threw myself into embracing the change. I see it as a challenge now, to come up with interesting ways to get people excited for my book, and it’s also a releasing—in the most complete way I could have every imagined—of my dreams and book to God. I trust him to do better things with it than I ever could.
BIO:
Kimberly Duffy is a Long Island native currently living in Southwest Ohio. When she's not homeschooling her four kids, she writes historical fiction that takes readers back in time and across oceans. Her books feature ahead-of-their-time heroines, evocative settings, and real-life faith. Kimberly loves trips that require a passport, recipe books, and practicing kissing scenes with her husband of 20 years. He doesn't mind.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKimberlyDuffy/
www.kimberlyduffy.com
https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyduffyauthor/
Order from: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/a-mosaic-of-wings-9780764235634
Jill Lynn
We are coping day by day during this strange time. A lot of my time is spent coaching my kids on how to do this quarantine/stay-at-home thing when I’m not really sure how to do it myself! Ha! As for having a book release, that’s been interesting also. I’ve still been talking about my book releasing, because I think people need hope-filled stories right now. I think we always need hope-filled stories. So, I’m doing my best to walk the line of being sensitive to what’s happening in our world but also embracing and celebrating successes for me or my author friends who have books on store shelves.
Jill Lynn is an award-winning author, hot mess, loud laugher and coffee addict who lives with her husband and two children near the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She writes the kind of stories she likes to read—ones filled with grace, humor and happily-ever-after. Her current giveaway can be found at Jill-Lynn.com/news, and she loves to connect with readers online at www.facebook.com/jilllynnauthor and www.Instagram.com/jilllynnauthor.
Find her current release, Her Hidden Hope, at Walmart, grocery stores or online. Book links at www.jill-lynn.com/books.
Barb Roose
(Erica here: Lest you think only novelists are facing challenges in releasing books...nope. Non-fiction writers are bringing out books too. And sometimes, they're exactly what we need during a crisis!)
I have a new Surrendered Bible study on letting go of control that released
on April 7 that speaks right to where we're at right now.
AMAZING BONUS! My publisher, Abingdon Women, is making my six
Surrendered dvd teaching sessions available for FREE to everyone through
Amplified Media from April 7-June 30 (link below).
ABOUT THE STUDY:
Are you self-described control freak? When we're uncomfortable or in
crisis, fear often drives us to try to fix people or control outcomes.
The brand NEW study, Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus by
author Barb Roose addresses the five control-loving behaviors through
Jesus' example during his 40 days in the wilderness. As you study Jesus'
experience and apply six life-transforming tools, you'll learn how to
let go of what you can't control and experience God's peace, power and
provision during the tough seasons of your life.
LINKS
1. Sixty-second preview of the study: https://youtu.be/cnxvhj2Wz0c
2. Surrendered Webpage: https://barbroose.com/surrenderedstudy/
(includes non-Amazon ordering site)
3. LINK TO FREE ACCESS TO TEACHING DVD -
https://my.amplifymedia.com/amplify/series/unitedmethodistpublishinghouse/32668-
surrendered.
ABOUT BARB ROOSE
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about
equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and
dignity. She enjoys teaching and encouraging women at conferences and
retreats across the country, as well as internationally. Barb is the
author of four Bible studies (Surrendered, I’m Waiting, God, Joshua,
Beautiful Already) and two books (Winning the Worry Battle and Enough
Already). She also writes a regular blog at BarbRoose.com and hosts the
“Better Together” podcast. Barb lives in NW Ohio and is proud mother of
three adult daughters. Whenever possible, Barb prefers to eat dessert
first.
Beth Vogt
My book, The Best We’ve Been, releases May 5. It’s the third and final book in my Thatcher Sisters Series. I’m encouraged by how many other authors have reached out to support me during this time. Some of these authors are close friends and some I know because we’re connected by membership in the same online groups. No matter how close the connection, I’ve heard, “I’m here to help you anyway I can” over and over again. The writing community has stepped up so beautifully during this time, and it’s reminded me to not just think about myself, but to support others, too.
Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA Award finalist. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Books of 2014. After writing ten contemporary romance novels or novellas, Beth transitioned to women’s fiction and her award-winning Thatcher Sisters Series with Tyndale House Publishers includes Things I Never Told You (2018); Moments We Forget (2019); and The Best We’ve Been (2020).
Social Media:
Website:http://bethvogt.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bethkvogt/
BookBub:https://www.bookbub.com/profile/beth-k-vogt
ORDER LINK: https://bethvogt.com/beths-books/the-best-weve-been/
Lindsay Harrel
My book The Joy of Falling just released on April 14, so I've been trying to find ways to connect with readers virtually. Before the book released, I read my first chapter aloud on Facebook Live, and on launch day, I hosted a Facebook Live event with another author whose book was releasing the same day.
I had all sorts of grand plans for a launch week giveaway contest where people would take pictures with the book in Target or out in the wild. Obviously, that couldn't happen, so instead I tried to think of a fun giveaway that would meet readers where they were at. Because one theme in my book is finding joy in all circumstances, I put together a "Choose Joy Survival Pack" that included a mug, a gratitude journal, a copy of the book, and a gift card.
Finally, in my most recent newsletters, I've offered to pray for readers if they need it. I feel like people need genuine connection right now more than ever--not to be "sold to." They want to know we care, and we need to remember that even though this is a business, many of us are authors because we want to serve readers and offer hope in trying times like the one we are currently facing.
Where you can get The Joy of Falling:
https://www.target.com/p/the-joy-of-falling-by-lindsay-harrel-paperback/-/A-79514740
Cynthia Ruchti
As an author who lives 15 miles or so out in the country from the nearest medium-sized town, and who has worked from a home office since I was 27, some of the safe-at-home issues don't seem all that different from daily life. But the heart-heaviness of caring about what's happening to disrupt other families, threaten health or lives, and shove people into dangerous financial situations affects all of us. In addition to resorting to more web calls and cleaning my office, I'm coping with the writing life and with preparing for my latest novel's release in June (while writing a nonfiction book and editing a novel that releases in 2021) in three ways.
"Adjust and Trust" has been a motivator for a long time whenever a crisis hits. If I adjust expectations, preconceived notions, standards means of operating...and then trust the God for whom I write...my mind and heart remain at peace despite the tempest swirling.
I'm also learning not to neglect the power of creativity. It's easy to let any crisis dominate and cripple creativity. But creativity is healing. If all I can do is jot down one sentence, that sentence is a victory and often spurs me to write more. The process of putting thoughts on "paper" heals, strengthens, fortifies, and allows room for God to work.
And that's not even counting how creative we have to be to sell books when fewer people are buying and some sources aren't shipping! As I near the release date for Afraid of the Light (which, interestingly enough spotlights extreme anxiety issues), I'm on the lookout for ways the book can be an answer for readers, rather than an advertisement for a product.
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed-in-Hope through her award winning novels, nonfiction, devotionals, and through speaking events for women. Her books have garnered industry recognition from reader, reviewer, retailer, and other honors. Cynthia and her grade school sweetheart husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and six grandchildren. Her tagline is: “I can’t unravel. I’m hemmed in Hope.”
You can pre-order Afraid of the Light HERE.
You can find Cynthia online at https://www.cynthiaruchti.com/
Sharee Stover
I’m a planner to the max. I love scheduling things and making to do lists. It gives me an illusion of control. Yes, I know it’s an illusion, but I like to pretend. It only stands to reason then, that of course, I had planned book signings for my new release, Untraceable Evidence, the first book in my ATF Heroes series. Covid-19 has decimated many a plan for all of us, so needless to say, my signings have been cancelled and optimistically rescheduled for later in the year. I remain hopeful.
Launching a book in the middle of a pandemic wasn’t something I anticipated; however, I think now is a great time for readers to have books in hand, especially those that are uplifting and encouraging. I’ve adopted the word GRACE for this time. With all the unpredictability and stress, it’s a means of survival. We are all doing the best we can with where we are and my expectations of myself and others has relaxed. Thankfulness is another key. I’m grateful books are still releasing. I am grateful for the online community reaching beyond social distancing, state, and even country lines. So, in this time, I’m communicating as much as I can using social media and other online tools to reach readers.
Someone’s after a deadly weapon… and only she can stop them.
It’s undercover ATF agent Randee Jareau’s job to make sure the government’s 3-D printed “ghost gun” doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. So when someone goes after scientist Ace Steele, she must protect him…before she loses the undetectable weapon and its creator. But with a mole inside Ace’s company and everyone a suspect, this assignment could become Randee’s last.
Colorado native Sharee Stover lives in Nebraska with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and a ridiculously spoiled dog. A self-proclaimed word nerd, she loves the power of the written word to ignite, transform, and restore. She writes Christian romantic suspense combining heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Nebraska Writer’s Guild. Sharee is a triple Daphne du Maurier finalist, winner of the 2017 Wisconsin Fabulous Five Silver Quill Award, and her debut, Secret Past, won Best First Book in the 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards. When she isn’t writing, Sharee enjoys reading, crocheting, and long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German Shepherd. Visit her at www.shareestover.com.
Erica Vetsch
This has been such a push-pull for me, the releasing of The Lost Lieutenant in the midst of a pandemic. On the one hand, there has been a lot of online buzz about the book. A social media takeover on JustRead Publicity Tours, a blog tour with I Read with Audra Publicity, and another blog tour planned for next month. Yay!
And yet, I have struggled with anxiety about this book. It's my first with a new publisher (Kregel Publications) who has been nothing but lovely throughout this ordeal, and I want the book to do well for them as well as myself. They've invested time and money in the project, and I want them to get a good ROI. It's my first foray into full-length Regency romance, and I want readers to have a happy, entertaining read...can they do that in the midst of the pandemic?
All of this, however, has underlined again for me that I am not in control. God is the One who will decide how the book launches, into whose hands it will fall, and the impact it will have on readers' lives. And this has always been true. I am responsible for what I am responsible for, nothing more. Write the best book I can, be a good team-member with my publisher, agent, and marketing team. Reach out to readers how and when I can. Trust God for the rest.
You can order your copy HERE (amazon) HERE (B&N) and HERE (BakerBookHouse)
Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. She’s a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota, and she is married to her total opposite and soul mate! When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com where you can read about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/EricaVetschAuthor/ where she spends way too much time!
I know this has been a lengthy post today, but I hope it was informative and encouraging. Tell us, how are you doing? Have you read any of the books featured here today? Are they in your TBR pile? How are you connecting with the authors you follow?
Several of my friends have and are releasing books during this time when our readers have to stay at home, when they might have reduced incomes, and when they certainly have increased amounts of anxiety and stress.
For myself, I released a book just about a week ago. A book that has been on the publishing calendar for almost two years. Nobody could have anticipated the current situation when we first signed the contracts for The Lost Lieutenant.
But authors are creative people. When thrown a curve ball, they choke up on the bat and take their swings. I thought it might be interesting to hear how some of my writer friends are coping, both with the pandemic and all that brings, and the release of a book during this time.
Ruth Logan Herne
I saw a tweet the other day from one of our wonderful Love Inspired editors... she talked about a lot of things, things to be happy about, things to be sad about. In New York City, right now, with everyone holed up in their tiny apartments or out in tight neighborhoods on the island, working from home, the city that never sleeps is facing a crushing situation. And she talked about that, but she also mentioned that she was sad for her authors that had books coming out this month because people weren't out shopping. Would they see them? Think of them?
And you know, if this month's sales take a smackdown because of the Covid 19 virus pandemic, it's nothing compared to what small businesses are doing, feeling, suffering. Forced to shut down for weeks, maybe fail.... Millions of people... not tens of thousands, but millions of people out of work... So I decided that I'd let folks know about my book.... I'll use social media and my website and my newsletter, but while I want people to buy my book, I know that milk and bread and shoes are more important.
More important than me, than my beautiful book (which is in Walmarts and grocery stores from sea to shining sea!) and also available at Amazon.com , are those folks struggling right now. Trying to figure all this out, deal with it. My daughter messaged me today to keep writing. No matter what happens, she said, keep writing. Because as this plays out, people are going to need Ruth Logan Herne books to make them feel hopeful again. And that's like the best advice of all.
Kimberly Duffy
My debut, A Mosaic of Wings, releases May 5 (Bethany House). My book will be releasing right in the middle of the global shutdown. There are no open bookstores, no signings, no release parties, which is a huge disappointment, but it’s also forcing me to think much more creatively.
My publisher has been fantastic in supporting me and helping brainstorm. I’m trying to think in terms of community—so I’ve written a homeschool unit study (since everyone is homeschooling now) that will be available for high school students who read my book. I’m also gathering ideas to use on social media that will bring people together, using the themes and setting of my book as a launching off point. Because my book is set partially in India, I think it will prove a nice escape for people who can’t leave their houses. Vacations have been canceled so this might give readers a way to go somewhere.
I allowed myself to grieve the falling apart of what I thought my book launch was going to look like. It’s particularly hard because it’s my debut and it will be my only debut so I had grand plans of celebrating with friends and family and readers. I’m a planner and I don’t like when things take a turn I didn’t expect. But I also don’t tend to wallow, so after taking time to cry and eat lots of ice cream and talk to friend after friend after friend, I threw myself into embracing the change. I see it as a challenge now, to come up with interesting ways to get people excited for my book, and it’s also a releasing—in the most complete way I could have every imagined—of my dreams and book to God. I trust him to do better things with it than I ever could.
BIO:
Kimberly Duffy is a Long Island native currently living in Southwest Ohio. When she's not homeschooling her four kids, she writes historical fiction that takes readers back in time and across oceans. Her books feature ahead-of-their-time heroines, evocative settings, and real-life faith. Kimberly loves trips that require a passport, recipe books, and practicing kissing scenes with her husband of 20 years. He doesn't mind.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKimberlyDuffy/
www.kimberlyduffy.com
https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyduffyauthor/
Order from: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/a-mosaic-of-wings-9780764235634
Jill Lynn
We are coping day by day during this strange time. A lot of my time is spent coaching my kids on how to do this quarantine/stay-at-home thing when I’m not really sure how to do it myself! Ha! As for having a book release, that’s been interesting also. I’ve still been talking about my book releasing, because I think people need hope-filled stories right now. I think we always need hope-filled stories. So, I’m doing my best to walk the line of being sensitive to what’s happening in our world but also embracing and celebrating successes for me or my author friends who have books on store shelves.
Jill Lynn is an award-winning author, hot mess, loud laugher and coffee addict who lives with her husband and two children near the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She writes the kind of stories she likes to read—ones filled with grace, humor and happily-ever-after. Her current giveaway can be found at Jill-Lynn.com/news, and she loves to connect with readers online at www.facebook.com/jilllynnauthor and www.Instagram.com/jilllynnauthor.
Find her current release, Her Hidden Hope, at Walmart, grocery stores or online. Book links at www.jill-lynn.com/books.
Barb Roose
(Erica here: Lest you think only novelists are facing challenges in releasing books...nope. Non-fiction writers are bringing out books too. And sometimes, they're exactly what we need during a crisis!)
I have a new Surrendered Bible study on letting go of control that released
on April 7 that speaks right to where we're at right now.
AMAZING BONUS! My publisher, Abingdon Women, is making my six
Surrendered dvd teaching sessions available for FREE to everyone through
Amplified Media from April 7-June 30 (link below).
ABOUT THE STUDY:
Are you self-described control freak? When we're uncomfortable or in
crisis, fear often drives us to try to fix people or control outcomes.
The brand NEW study, Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus by
author Barb Roose addresses the five control-loving behaviors through
Jesus' example during his 40 days in the wilderness. As you study Jesus'
experience and apply six life-transforming tools, you'll learn how to
let go of what you can't control and experience God's peace, power and
provision during the tough seasons of your life.
LINKS
1. Sixty-second preview of the study: https://youtu.be/cnxvhj2Wz0c
2. Surrendered Webpage: https://barbroose.com/surrenderedstudy/
(includes non-Amazon ordering site)
3. LINK TO FREE ACCESS TO TEACHING DVD -
https://my.amplifymedia.com/amplify/series/unitedmethodistpublishinghouse/32668-
surrendered.
ABOUT BARB ROOSE
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about
equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and
dignity. She enjoys teaching and encouraging women at conferences and
retreats across the country, as well as internationally. Barb is the
author of four Bible studies (Surrendered, I’m Waiting, God, Joshua,
Beautiful Already) and two books (Winning the Worry Battle and Enough
Already). She also writes a regular blog at BarbRoose.com and hosts the
“Better Together” podcast. Barb lives in NW Ohio and is proud mother of
three adult daughters. Whenever possible, Barb prefers to eat dessert
first.
Beth Vogt
My book, The Best We’ve Been, releases May 5. It’s the third and final book in my Thatcher Sisters Series. I’m encouraged by how many other authors have reached out to support me during this time. Some of these authors are close friends and some I know because we’re connected by membership in the same online groups. No matter how close the connection, I’ve heard, “I’m here to help you anyway I can” over and over again. The writing community has stepped up so beautifully during this time, and it’s reminded me to not just think about myself, but to support others, too.
Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA Award finalist. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Books of 2014. After writing ten contemporary romance novels or novellas, Beth transitioned to women’s fiction and her award-winning Thatcher Sisters Series with Tyndale House Publishers includes Things I Never Told You (2018); Moments We Forget (2019); and The Best We’ve Been (2020).
Social Media:
Website:http://bethvogt.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bethkvogt/
BookBub:https://www.bookbub.com/profile/beth-k-vogt
ORDER LINK: https://bethvogt.com/beths-books/the-best-weve-been/
Lindsay Harrel
My book The Joy of Falling just released on April 14, so I've been trying to find ways to connect with readers virtually. Before the book released, I read my first chapter aloud on Facebook Live, and on launch day, I hosted a Facebook Live event with another author whose book was releasing the same day.
I had all sorts of grand plans for a launch week giveaway contest where people would take pictures with the book in Target or out in the wild. Obviously, that couldn't happen, so instead I tried to think of a fun giveaway that would meet readers where they were at. Because one theme in my book is finding joy in all circumstances, I put together a "Choose Joy Survival Pack" that included a mug, a gratitude journal, a copy of the book, and a gift card.
Finally, in my most recent newsletters, I've offered to pray for readers if they need it. I feel like people need genuine connection right now more than ever--not to be "sold to." They want to know we care, and we need to remember that even though this is a business, many of us are authors because we want to serve readers and offer hope in trying times like the one we are currently facing.
Where you can get The Joy of Falling:
https://www.target.com/p/the-joy-of-falling-by-lindsay-harrel-paperback/-/A-79514740
Cynthia Ruchti
As an author who lives 15 miles or so out in the country from the nearest medium-sized town, and who has worked from a home office since I was 27, some of the safe-at-home issues don't seem all that different from daily life. But the heart-heaviness of caring about what's happening to disrupt other families, threaten health or lives, and shove people into dangerous financial situations affects all of us. In addition to resorting to more web calls and cleaning my office, I'm coping with the writing life and with preparing for my latest novel's release in June (while writing a nonfiction book and editing a novel that releases in 2021) in three ways.
"Adjust and Trust" has been a motivator for a long time whenever a crisis hits. If I adjust expectations, preconceived notions, standards means of operating...and then trust the God for whom I write...my mind and heart remain at peace despite the tempest swirling.
I'm also learning not to neglect the power of creativity. It's easy to let any crisis dominate and cripple creativity. But creativity is healing. If all I can do is jot down one sentence, that sentence is a victory and often spurs me to write more. The process of putting thoughts on "paper" heals, strengthens, fortifies, and allows room for God to work.
And that's not even counting how creative we have to be to sell books when fewer people are buying and some sources aren't shipping! As I near the release date for Afraid of the Light (which, interestingly enough spotlights extreme anxiety issues), I'm on the lookout for ways the book can be an answer for readers, rather than an advertisement for a product.
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed-in-Hope through her award winning novels, nonfiction, devotionals, and through speaking events for women. Her books have garnered industry recognition from reader, reviewer, retailer, and other honors. Cynthia and her grade school sweetheart husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and six grandchildren. Her tagline is: “I can’t unravel. I’m hemmed in Hope.”
You can pre-order Afraid of the Light HERE.
You can find Cynthia online at https://www.cynthiaruchti.com/
Sharee Stover
I’m a planner to the max. I love scheduling things and making to do lists. It gives me an illusion of control. Yes, I know it’s an illusion, but I like to pretend. It only stands to reason then, that of course, I had planned book signings for my new release, Untraceable Evidence, the first book in my ATF Heroes series. Covid-19 has decimated many a plan for all of us, so needless to say, my signings have been cancelled and optimistically rescheduled for later in the year. I remain hopeful.
Launching a book in the middle of a pandemic wasn’t something I anticipated; however, I think now is a great time for readers to have books in hand, especially those that are uplifting and encouraging. I’ve adopted the word GRACE for this time. With all the unpredictability and stress, it’s a means of survival. We are all doing the best we can with where we are and my expectations of myself and others has relaxed. Thankfulness is another key. I’m grateful books are still releasing. I am grateful for the online community reaching beyond social distancing, state, and even country lines. So, in this time, I’m communicating as much as I can using social media and other online tools to reach readers.
Someone’s after a deadly weapon… and only she can stop them.
It’s undercover ATF agent Randee Jareau’s job to make sure the government’s 3-D printed “ghost gun” doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. So when someone goes after scientist Ace Steele, she must protect him…before she loses the undetectable weapon and its creator. But with a mole inside Ace’s company and everyone a suspect, this assignment could become Randee’s last.
Colorado native Sharee Stover lives in Nebraska with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and a ridiculously spoiled dog. A self-proclaimed word nerd, she loves the power of the written word to ignite, transform, and restore. She writes Christian romantic suspense combining heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Nebraska Writer’s Guild. Sharee is a triple Daphne du Maurier finalist, winner of the 2017 Wisconsin Fabulous Five Silver Quill Award, and her debut, Secret Past, won Best First Book in the 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards. When she isn’t writing, Sharee enjoys reading, crocheting, and long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German Shepherd. Visit her at www.shareestover.com.
Erica Vetsch
This has been such a push-pull for me, the releasing of The Lost Lieutenant in the midst of a pandemic. On the one hand, there has been a lot of online buzz about the book. A social media takeover on JustRead Publicity Tours, a blog tour with I Read with Audra Publicity, and another blog tour planned for next month. Yay!
And yet, I have struggled with anxiety about this book. It's my first with a new publisher (Kregel Publications) who has been nothing but lovely throughout this ordeal, and I want the book to do well for them as well as myself. They've invested time and money in the project, and I want them to get a good ROI. It's my first foray into full-length Regency romance, and I want readers to have a happy, entertaining read...can they do that in the midst of the pandemic?
All of this, however, has underlined again for me that I am not in control. God is the One who will decide how the book launches, into whose hands it will fall, and the impact it will have on readers' lives. And this has always been true. I am responsible for what I am responsible for, nothing more. Write the best book I can, be a good team-member with my publisher, agent, and marketing team. Reach out to readers how and when I can. Trust God for the rest.
You can order your copy HERE (amazon) HERE (B&N) and HERE (BakerBookHouse)
Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. She’s a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota, and she is married to her total opposite and soul mate! When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com where you can read about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/EricaVetschAuthor/ where she spends way too much time!
I know this has been a lengthy post today, but I hope it was informative and encouraging. Tell us, how are you doing? Have you read any of the books featured here today? Are they in your TBR pile? How are you connecting with the authors you follow?
April 26, 2020
Casting the Roles in your Story + Giveaways!
Happy Monday! Today I'm choosing happiness! I hope you are too.
Because I'm choosing happiness today, I decided to talk about one of the happy things I do when plotting a book. I cast my characters.
That is, I search the internet for photographs to represent the characters in my book. And not just the characters, but the settings and clothing as well!
This past week, my first full-length Regency novel, The Lost Lieutenant, released. I am excited about this story, and I thought I would show you some of the photographs that I chose to illustrate the story as I plotted it out.
This is Johnny Lee Miller, who played Edmund Bertram in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. I chose him as the template for my hero, Evan Eldridge, because A) I like Johnny Lee Miller and B) he fit what I thought Evan would look like when he wore his "earl persona."
This is Frances O'Connor, the template for my heroine, Diana Seaton. She has just the right amount of strength and vulnerability, especially in this photo, to depict my heroine.
Diana and Evan together as the Earl and Countess of Whitelock. :)
I needed some ideas and inspiration for the dilapidated manor house that Evan inherits: White Haven. In the story, he's got to get the manor remodeled and repaired in time for a visit from the Prince Regent, and it's a monumental task.
In my mind, a totally restored White Haven would look something like this beautiful Georgian manor house.
And what Regency historical is complete without the right wardrobe? Empire waistlines, pelisses, spencers, breeches, Hessians? My heroine is the daughter of a Duke and is being introduced to society, so Diana needed snazzy clothes. And my hero is a former member of the 95th Rifles, whose uniforms were green with pewter buttons. He also got a complete makeover to turn him into a gentleman (with varying results.)
My question for you is: If you are a writer, do you 'cast' your characters with photographs?
If you're a reader, does it help you visualize the characters to see the photos they are based upon?
Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. She’s a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota, and she is married to her total opposite and soul mate! When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com where you can read about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/EricaVetschAuthor/ where she spends way too much time!
You can Order The Lost Lieutenant at: https://amzn.to/32NYANi and pre-order The Gentleman Spy at https://amzn.to/2qOjkHD
About The Lost Lieutenant:
He's doing what he can to save the Prince Regent's life . . . but can he save his new marriage as well?
Evan Eldridge never meant to be a war hero--he just wanted to fight Napoleon for the future of his country. And he certainly didn't think that saving the life of a peer would mean being made the Earl of Whitelock. But when the life you save is dear to the Prince Regent, things can change in a hurry.
Now Evan has a new title, a manor house in shambles, and a stranger for a bride, all thrust upon him by a grateful ruler. What he doesn't have are all his memories. Traumatized as a result of his wounds and bravery on the battlefield, Evan knows there's something he can't quite remember. It's important, dangerous--and if he doesn't recall it in time, will jeopardize not only his marriage but someone's very life.
Readers who enjoy Julie Klassen, Carolyn Miller, and Kristi Ann Hunter will love diving into this brand-new Regency series filled with suspense, aristocratic struggles, and a firm foundation of faith.
There are several giveaways going on right now involving The Lost Lieutenant:
A JustReads Tour giveaway that includes a $25 Amazon or B&N gift card and a Bible Verse sign:
https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2b09c62e813/?
And: from I Read With Audra Publicity Tours:
