February 2007 Newsletter
BLUE MOUNTAIN BACKROADS
Well, February has arrived, the month of groundhogs and valentines and very cold weather. Ice Storms, snow measured in feet instead of inches, record breaking cold temperatures. I don't know about you, but I've had about all of the Global Warming I can stand.
Seed catalogs are arriving filled with pictures that create a lust in me even though I know I'll never be able to raise anything that even slightly resembles the perfection pictured there. I'm sitting by my own fireside drinking peppermint tea and reading a lot of good books, some of which are featured in the book review section of thenewsletter. A lot of good writers out there.
One good thing about February it's a short month and every day brings us closer to spring. I hope you all have been busy writing, turning out perfect prose, and that you each one hit the best seller list this year, or get that coveted contract. Since Valentine's Day is right on us, tell the people close to you how much you love them. Life is fragile and we never know how long they'll be with us. A hug and a verbal message of love beats candy and flowers any old day.
May your manuscripts be filled with words of pure gold. May your next book cause a frenzied bidding war, and may your life be filled with love. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
WRITING NEWS OF THE MONTH
Deborah Voughts has a new author interview on her web site at www.deborahvogts.com. This month's pick is Janice Thompson, the first author in Barbour's new Cozy Mystery line. If you'd like to enter a drawing for Janice's book, The Wedding Caper, please sign Deborah's guest book. The winner will be announced the first part of March. Also new this month is a recipe for caramel popcorn, perfect for these cold, winter evenings. ;)
Deborah says, "To enter my gift drawing, please sign-up for my newsletter listed on my web site
"Okay, so news this month . . . I've updated my site at www.deborahvogts.com and am offering a women's leather journal and cross pen as a gift drawing to those who sign up for my newsletter.(Guests may do so at this site.) Drawing will take place March 1, and the winner will be announced soon thereafter.
Debbie
* * *
Tricia Goyer's new book, Valley of Betrayal was released from Moody on Feb. 1st. It's Tricia's fifth fiction book, but the first book in a three book series on the Spanish Civil War.
The Story Behind the Novel:
A few years ago when I was researching for my fourth World War II novel, Arms of Deliverance, I came across a unique autobiography. One B-17 crewmember I read about claimed to make it out of German-occupied Belgium after a plane crash due, in part, to his skills he picked up as a veteran of The Spanish Civil War. Reading that bit of information, I had to scratch my head. First of all, I had never heard of the war. And second, what was an American doing fighting in Spain in the late 1930s? Before I knew it, I uncovered a fascinating time in history—one that I soon discovered many people know little about. This is what I learned:
Nazi tanks rolled across the hillsides and German bombers roared overhead, dropping bombs on helpless citizens. Italian troops fought alongside the Germans, and their opponents attempted to stand strong—Americans, British, Irishmen, and others—in unison with other volunteers from many countries. And their battleground? The beautiful Spanish countryside.
From July 17, 1936-April 1, 1939, well before America was involved in World War II, another battle was fought on the hillsides of Spain. On one side were the Spanish Republicans, joined by the Soviet Union and The International Brigade—men and women from all over the world who have volunteered to fight Fascism. Opposing them, Franco and his Fascist military leaders, supported with troops, machinery, and weapons from Hitler and Mussolini. The Spanish Civil War, considered the "training ground" for the war to come, boasted of thousands of American volunteers who joined to fight on the Republican side, half of which never returned home. Unlike World War II, there is no clear line between white and black, good and evil. Both sides committed atrocities. Both sides had deep convictions they felt worth fighting and dying for.
Book Description:
For reasons beyond her control, Sophie finds herself alone in the war-torn Spanish countryside. What was once a thriving paradise has become a battleground for fascist soldiers and Spanish patriots. It doesn't take long for Sophie to realize just how far from home she really is.
Caught in the middle of what is quickly becoming a bloody battleground, she receives tragic news, but remaining in Spain is her only option. The route to safety is blocked and fighting surrounds her. On her darkest night, Sophie takes refuge with a brigade of international compatriots. It is among these volunteers, through the use of her fiancé's camera and her art, that she pledges to make the plight of the Spanish people known around the world.
Also, they are giving away free copies for anyone who is interested in doing a review. They can contact amy@triciagoyer.com or tricia@thegoyers.com
Tricia's website is www.triciagoyer.com and her blogs: triciagoyer.blogspot.com, genxparents.blogspot.com and writerquotes.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for checking in,
Amy Lathrop
* * *
Deborah Raney's new novel, Remember to Forget, releases from Howard Books/Simon & Schuster on Feb. 6. This is the first in Deb's Clayburn Novels series. The next book in the series is Leaving November, scheduled to come out in March 2008.
NEW NEXT MONTH from Howard/Simon & Schuster: Remember to Forget Now updated and expanded: A Vow To Cherish (Steeple Hill Books) The novel that inspired the award-winning film from World Wide Pictures Visit my Web site at: http://www.deborahraney.com
Deborah Raney
* * *
Kelly Mortimer's story, Like Mother, Like Daughter, has been accepted for publication in the book, Trusting Him with Your Addicted Child.
Kelly L. Mortimer
Mortimer Literary ...Diabolically Diligent
"Relax, I'm really a human. I'm only disguised as an agent."
* * *
Anita Higman is announcing the release of her Heartsong novel entitled, Larkspur Dreams, which she coauthored with Janice Thompson.This lighthearted romance comes out through Barbour Publishing in February.
* * *
Nancy Jo Jenkins has been invited by the SW Chapter (San Antonio) of ACFW to speak at the February meeting. Nancy says, "I'll be talking about the spiritual walk writers take when they endeavor to write for the LORD".
She was also interviewed on the "Deeper Shopping" TV program out of Atlanta. It telecasts in the U.S. and internationally. Her interview appeared on Jan. 11th. www.nancyjojenkins.com
* * *
Delia Latham, has launched a monthly newsletter called "Musical Notes" (in keeping with the title of her debut novel, Almost Like A Song). Delia says, "It's available for viewing on my website (www.delialatham.com), or subscribers can receive it in their e-mail. To subscribe, they just need to send me an e-mail (delialatham@sbcglobal.net) with "Newsletter Subscribe" in the subject line."
Delia's novel, Almost Like A Song is available now in all major book stores.
* * *
Wayne Thomas Batson's The Door Within and The Final Storm CBA Bestsellers again! For the month of January, The Door Within is #7 and The Final Storm is #15! Also, The Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour (CSFF) will featured The Door Within Trilogy on January 22, 23, 24th!* * *
Annette Irby's Love Letters - a novella is coming out in February through www.thewildrosepress.com BLURB:
Randy Ambrose has penned scores of love letters to his wife, but she's never seen them. He fears she won't receive his affections, and her rejection would destroy their marriage. He also fears strong emotions, including passion. For ten years, he has kept his heart hidden. Jordan Ambrose is trying to pretend Randy's emotional distance doesn't hurt. She has erected walls to protect her heart.
When she finds a box of ardent letters written from R to J, she hopes they're to her. Randy has some explaining to do, and their tenth wedding anniversary is right around the corner. Can he rescue his marriage by taking an unprecedented risk and making a crucial confession?
RELEASE TIMING: by Valentine's Day, 2007
PUBLISHER: The Wild Rose Press, White Rose Line
WEBSITE: www.thewildrosepress.com through their White Rose Line
FORMAT: ebook, novella length ("Rosebud")
Annette
* * *
Rebecca Miller has an announcement: "Here's information for our next two CSFF blog tours: February 19, 20, 21 the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour will feature fantasy author and freelance editor Jeff Gerke's "Home of Christian Speculative Fiction" web site, WhereTheMapEnds http://wherethemapends.com
March 19, 20, 21 the tour will focus on Randy Ingermanson, http://www.rsingermanson.com/html/on_writing.html one of the writers has helped ease open the door for more speculative fiction.
To learn more about the CSFF Blog Tour or to see the list of bloggers posting reviews, interviews, or discussion about these featured writers, visit the CSFF BT home site http://csffblogtour.com
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Christian Fantasy
http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/
http://specfaith.ritersbloc.com/
If you write Science Fiction or Fantasy check out this site. It was created for people like you. You'll love it. For information check with Rebecca. Miller.
* * *
Robin Miller has good news "I won the WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD for 2006 from the Mortimer Literary Agency. Oh, and I'm the newly elected president of ACFW."
Congratulations, Robin. Proud of you.
Robin Miller writing as Robin Caroll
Deep South Mysteries for an Inspired Heart
BAYOU JUSTICE--October 2007 Steeple Hill
http://robinswritingworld.blogspot.com/
Critique Boutique, for all your ms critiquing needs!
* * *
From Lena Nelson Dooley
Here are my February interviews on my blog: I'm also taking bookings
for speaking at writing meetings in 2007.
MaryConnealy Petticoat Ranch
Cyndy Salzmann Dying to Decorate
Wanda Brunstetter A Merry Heart
Sharlene Maclaren Through Every Storm
- Characters who grip your heart
Phil's quirky thing on the blog flirts with being x-rated. Reviews of Violet Dawn, Shepherd's Son, and English Carols and Scottish Bagpipes in my January newsletter on my web site. Author/Editor/Speaker/Reviewer (Soon to be greatgrandmother!!!!!) http://www.LenaNelsonDooley.com - a free copy of one of my books every month to someone who signs my guest book--
This month's winner is Robert Parrish.
http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com - Author's Interview this week is with Phil Little and his book Hell in a Briefcase. Ronie won a copy of A Sounding Brass by Shelley Bates. There's still time to leave a comment on Dorothy Clark's interview for a chance to win Lessons From the Heart.Upcoming Interviews—Max Elliot Anderson, Allison Strobel Morrow, Mary Connealy, Cyndy Salzmann
* * *
Jill Eileen Smith spotlights new releases and her list follows:
We've got eight new releases in Christian fiction this month and a new interview with author Sharon Hinck on Spotlight.!
1. A Valley of Betrayal, Book One in the Chronicles of The Spanish Civil War series by Tricia Goyer Moody Publishing. For reasons beyond her control, Sophie finds herself alone in the war torn Spanish countryside and pledges to make the plight of the Spanish people known around the world through the power of art.
2. Golden Days by Mary Connealy. Book One in the Historical Alaska series from Heartsong Presents. An independent Tlingit woman is forced to accept help from the gold hunter who has invaded her Northern land.
3. Ground to Believe by Shelley Bates. Book One in the Elect trilogy (mass market paperback reissue) from Steeple Hill. He'd find Kailey someday. One assignment at a time. One prayer at a time ...
4. Love Letters by Annette M. Irby, The Wild Rose Press. When God challenges Randy Ambrose to share the boxful of love letters he's written to his wife, will he do it?
5. Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy. Barbour Publishing. A suspenseful romantic comedy about a mountain man trapped in a pretty, sweet smelling, confusing all-girl world.
6. Picket Fence Pursuit by Jennifer Johnson. First book in the repackaged contemporary Indiana from Heartsong Presents/Barbour Publishing. In pursuit of the perfect life, Chloe Andrews meets anything-but-perfect Ryan Watkins and finds herself in a spiritual battle between God's will and hers.
7. Remember to Forget, First book of The Clayburn Novels by Deborah Raney, from Howard Books/Simon & Schuster. When a carjacking leaves Maggie Anderson stranded miles from home, she grabs the chance to start her life all over again.
8. Renovating Becky Miller, Book Two featuring Becky Miller by Sharon Hinck, from Bethany House. Young mom Becky Miller daydreams about happy endings while remodeling an old house, but can she stop trying to fix everything and let God renovate her heart?
Happy reading! (Some of the links may not be working right now due to Blogger problems. Please try again later.) And congratulations to all of our authors!
~ Jill ~
Jill Eileen
Smith
www.jilleileensmith.com - Spotlight on Sharon Hinck!
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
Revelation 22:20-21 NKJV
Jill also says, "If you have a Christian novel coming out in April, May, or June of 2007, please email me with the following information. Christian fiction only please.
This is what I need:
Name of book
Number of book in the series and name of the
series, if applicable
Name of publisher
Your name and url (website)
Release month
A ONE sentence summary of the story (maximum 30 words - preferably 15-20 words) - please NO lengthy back cover blurbs.
For novella collections - please include the following:
Name of Collection
Name of Publisher
Names and URLs for each author
Release month
A ONE sentence summary (maximum 30 words, preferably 15-20 words) of the entire collection, not the individual stories.
Please do not italicize or use bold lettering or quote marks for titles, etc. HTML Coding forces me to redo and undo any special fonts you use. Times New Roman 12 font is preferred.
Please take care to follow these guidelines as it becomes too time consuming to follow up on missing information. Thanks so much! I look forward to announcing your work - and congratulations to all authors!
Blessings,
Jill Eileen Smith
This is a good way to spotlight your new releases and Jill does great work promoting her fellow writers. Let her know if you have a book coming out. She wants to hear from you, but please follow her guidelines.
WHACKY NEWS OF THE MONTH.
(News too weird to make up)
Well, Groundhog Day has come and gone and Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow, so we're not supposed to be having this winter weather. It might surprise you to know there are other groundhog forecasters too. There's General Beauregard Lee in Georgia, Sir Walter Wally in North Carolina, and the queen of all groundhog forecasters, Woody in Howell Michigan. One thing Woody has going for her is that she is a female. That's right. Woody uses female intuition to determine the weather, which is probably why she's right so often. She has correctly predicted when spring would arrive six out of eight years. That's a pretty good record, considering last week my local forecaster predicted we'd just get a trace of snow. We got three inches.
Supposedly Woody forecasts the weather by her stomach. Come on, now. What female spends any time concentrating on her stomach, otherwise known as the body disaster zone, unless we're feeding it with Lindor Truffles, AKA Chocolate to die for. But it seems if Woody comes out of her den, eats food, and stays out at least thirty seconds, then spring is coming soon. If not it's six more weeks of winter. I'm assuming she was on a diet.
And if they ever replace Punxsutawney Phil with a female, they can just call him Phyllis.
WRITING TIP OF THE MONTH
FINDING YOUR VOICE
Most of us who read have certain favorite authors. If you ask why we prefer these writers, the answers may vary, including plot, characters, good story, etc. But the same plot, characters, and storyline, in the hands of a different writer may not draw the same readers at all.
I think the difference is found in the writing voice of each author. It's possible to have too much respect for the process of writing. We strive to obey the rules, copy the style of our favorite writers, and follow the trends. We try to be technically perfect. In the process we forget to be ourselves.
Each writer has a unique, likable voice that belongs to him or her alone, but all too often that voice is buried under a neutral, colorless, everybody does it this way style. However the writers who really catch our attention usually don't sound like anyone else. I can pick up one of Tony Hillerman's books and without ever looking at the name of the writer, I'd know who wrote it. The same with the late Anne George.
So how do we find our voice? For one, thing, we learn the rules, then we learn to break them. We write what works for us as individuals. Most writers have an inferiority complex. We don't really feel we are writers. We develop an imitative voice, trying to become the next Mary Higgens Clark, a copy cat John Grisham. But publishers don't want a second Clark or Grisham. They want the original you. Copying someone else's voice is a one-way street to rejection.
Don't try to be everything to everyone. Not everyone will like your writing, no matter what you do, but if you put your own personality on the page, you'll build your own fan base. Write your own story, your own way. Don't worry if it fits the latest trend. By the time you get it written the trend will change anyway. Write what you care about, the story you're passionate about, and that passion will show up in your writing. Let someone else imitate the best sellers or use the soapbox. Tell a good story and tell it your own way.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
The largest room in the world is the room for self-improvement.
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
COCONUT CREAM CHEESE POUND CAKE
½ cup softened butter or margarine.
½
cup shortening
1 (8 oz) package softened cream cheese
3 cups sugar
6
eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 (6 oz)
package frozen coconut thawed
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp coconut
flavoring.
Cream butter, shortening, and cream cheese. Gradually add sugar, beating well at medium speed of an electric mixer. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
Combine flour, soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture, stirring just until blended. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10 inch tube pan.
Bake at 325 for 1 ½ hours or until a wooden pick inserted in the center of cake comes out clean.
Cool in pan 10-15 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool on a wire rack..
Remember this is your newsletter. If you have writing news, let me know. Let me help you spread the word.
Barbara
Blue Mountain Editorial Service
www.barbarawarrenbluemountainedit.com
To read Barbara's book reviews, sign up for her newsletter by clicking the link below; or view them on Dancing Word Writers Network: http://www.dancingword.net
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But they that wait upon the
lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they
shall run, and not be weary: and they shall walk, and not faint.
- Isaiah 40:31 KJV
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