Autumn with Austen.
Happy November! During this beautiful fall season, Praying with Jane has been on the move–and there’s still more to come! This week, I’m taking a break from writing my new book to rest, spend time with my family, and catch up on life.
I’ve had a busy fall, and I have lots to share!
September adventures.
I signed a book contract with Barbour Publishing for a new devotional book (an Anne of Green Gables devotional book)!I taught an Office Hours class on “finding your niche” for Tricia Goyer‘s Write that Book Facebook group. I LOVED it.I taught a seminar on the life and writing of L.M. Montgomery for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
October on the go.
October 2-6: I took Praying with Jane on the road to the JASNA AGM in Colonial Williamsburg (think “Jane Con”). I hosted a book table, signed books, listened to talks, ate at banquets, and attended a ball. I met people from all over the country, watched a Regency-era cricket match, visited with old and new friends, met up with colleagues I’ve only met online, and grabbed late dinners with old friends.
October 11-12: I hosted a book table at a local church at a their annual crafters’ festival. With over 40 vendors and hundreds of people coming through each day, I had a wonderful time. I made sweet connections on a local level. People from churches around our area came to the event. I heard stories about what God’s doing in lives all around my community.
October 1-31: Literary Life blog and Facebook book club featured Praying with Jane as their October Book of the Month. The group has people from 130+ countries. They come together to discuss books and faith on an online platform. I spent 31 days discussing prayer with people I’ll probably never meet face-to-face. Wow!
God met me.
The vendor life is intense. It means operating on very, very little sleep, standing up for 14+ hours a day, and living on snacks and drinks stowed in a box under my table. Here’s a small sampling of God’s tangible goodness:
A smiling man in Regency dress brought me a hot cup of tea. California friends gave me a break so I could grab lunch. Shuttle drivers waited for me and helped with my cart.New friends helped carry my boxes through the woods at night. Friendly Uber drivers made impossible timetables possible. A bus driver stopped and took a group of us to our hotel, outside his normal route, because we looked so lost.
Every single person in the above list did something to help me . . . without ever being asked. They saw a need and filled it.
What it all means.
Participating in events and promotions like these means meeting people from all over the world, in person and online. It means signing books for friends and family members I’ll never meet but hope to bless.
It means connecting with hotel employees who keep coming back for more books. It means listening to stories told through choked-back tears. It means clasped hands, tight hugs, and whispered prayers. It means giving away gifts. It means finishing well and taking home less than I brought. It means relieved smiles and exhausted goodbyes. It means handfuls of new friends and colleagues, sisters and brothers.
Best of all, it means sending hundreds of people home with a book that I pray will nourish their souls and give them hope.
Right now.
I have several weeks of manuscript revision ahead of me in December, but for now . . . for right now . . . I’m spending the week at home with my family, setting my book aside, grading papers, cleaning closets, baking pies, reading books, and waiting on the Lord.
I’m asking the Lord to speak, asking him to refresh, asking him to release the stress, asking him to fill me again. What’s your prayer?
Coming soon.
December 4-8: Blog Tour with Just Read Tours. I’m looking forward to sharing my devotional book with new readers as they prepare their hearts for Christmas and the New Year.
December 13-15: Instagram Blitz with Just Read Tours. Dozens of Bookstagrammers are gearing up to highlight Praying with Jane in the days leading up to Christmas. It’s a beautiful thing when book communities come together to share life-giving books with a hurting world.
Bonnets and ballgowns.
And, finally, some photos from Williamsburg:
[image error]My book table . . . all decked out.
[image error]These two looked stunning every day!
[image error]Is this Milsom Street?
[image error]Taking a stroll through the Emporium.
[image error]We saw Colonial dresses, too!
[image error]This photo doesn’t do Zoe’s dress justice.
[image error]My new friend, Renee. She is a kindred spirit!
Let’s Keep in Touch:
Books & Gifts: When you purchase a Praying with Jane book between now and December 12th, you’ll get a FREE prayer journal to go with it. I’d love to sign a book for you or a friend.Bonus: FREE SHIPPING on all orders: November-December 12th!Click here to subscribe to my blog. You’ll receive a FREE set of Jane Austen prayers cards as a welcome gift!Jane Austen’s World: For my contributing articles on Jane Austen’s World, click here.
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