Monday Milestones

By Iola Goulton @iolagoulton

In Monday Milestones, members of the Beyond the Borders zone of American Christian Fiction Writers share their latest achievements.

Click here for more information on joining American Christian Fiction Writers. In case you were wondering, Beyond the Borders covers all members outside the USA—there are almost 100 of us, from over a dozen different countries.

Onto our Monday Milestones!

Awards

Kara Isaac won the 2018 RITA Award from Romance Writers of America for Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements. Congratulations, Kara!

Click here to read the full list of winners, or click here to watch the replay and Kara's awesome acceptance speech!

New Releases

Grace in the Shadows by Christine Dillon

Christine Dillon (Taiwan) has released Grace in the Shadows, the sequel to Grace in Strange Disguise.

Physiotherapist Esther has survived cancer, but wounds within her family remain unhealed. Is her revived faith the reason for the rift or could a simmering secret be the root cause?

Cosmetics consultant Rachel buried her past - and her father’s God - but the past refuses to stay buried. Will she continue to run or is confronting her pain the way to freedom?

Two women. Two different lives.

One collision course with truth.

Can God’s grace shine even in the darkest of shadows?

Return to Baragula by Mary Hawkins

Return to Baragula by Mary Hawkins (Australia) has been re-released by ForgetMeNot Publishing.

When overcome by being alone with the man she loved on the romantic beach setting, teenager Emily Parker failed to keep her promise to God never to make love until married. She never dreamed how it would impact her own life and the lives of many others. Six years later, despite the hateful way she’d been treated there, she has to return to her home town, but discovers that Matthew Davidson, the man she’d yielded to, is now the local doctor.

While Emily’s faith is now weak, even believing God can no longer love her, Matthew’s life has changed since he committed his life to Christ. However, now he has to deal with all the consequences of his actions with Emily. When he becomes ill and is still weak when disease attacks the community, Emily, a registered nurse, has to help him. But danger from her life in the city has followed her, and now also threatens her family. Through it all, will Matthew and Emily’s faith and love be strong enough to forgive each other, and deal with all the consequences of their behaviour?

All Made Up by Kara Isaac

Kara Isaac (New Zealand) has released All Made Up, a standalone contemporary romance that features some characters from her previous novels.

Everyone thinks Katriona McLeod is living the dream. Her professional career as a make up artist sees her traveling the world working with the stars and she's got no shortage of men wanting her affection. Only problem is she's never gotten over Caleb Murphy, the one guy she's ever loved. When she accepts a job on the latest looking-for-love reality TV show, Falling for the Farmer, she discovers to her horror that Caleb is the leading man and she's cast as one of his harem. But she hides a secret that means that even if she wanted a second chance with the guy who broke her heart she could never have it.

Caleb Murphy couldn't care less about C-Class celebrity fame or reality TV and he certainly doesn't believe it could lead him to love. The one thing he does care about is fulfilling his mother's last wish. Kat's presence on the show seems to offer up a solution that will make both the network and his mother happy. It might have been almost ten years since they split but he knows he can trust her with his plan. Just as long as he doesn't fall in love all over again with the woman who will never stay.

Unknown Enemy by Janet Sketchley

Janet Sketchley (Canada) has released Unknown Enemy, the first in her new Green Dory Inn Mystery series.


Landon Smith vowed never to return to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Despite her faith, the memories might undo her.

But a shadowy figure has been skulking around the Green Dory Inn—seen only by her friend Anna.

Loyalty demands she stand by this woman who’s been a second mother to her. No matter the cost.

With the police unable to find solid clues, and the incidents escalating, Landon must help Anna discover the truth about the prowler and stop him. Before he turns violent.

Works in Progress

The Making of Mrs Hale by Carolyn Miller will release in November 2018.

Rita Stella Galieh is working on a proposal for a new series.

Jessica Kate is working on the edits for Love and Other Mistakes, which will release from Thomas Nelson in 2019. Click here to read the first chapter on her website.

Kara Isaac is working on the edits for One Thing I Know, which will release from Howard Books in February 2019.

Janet Sketchley is working to release Hidden Secrets (next in the Green Dory Inn Mystery series) in early 2019.

New Agent

Tara Ross has completed her first YA novel, and signed with Cyle Young and Hope Bolinger at Hartline Literary Agency. She is currently querying and hoping her manuscript finds a home.

Cover Reveals

The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings (Thomas Nelson, March 2019) 

When three people take the wrong suitcase from baggage claim, their lives change forever.

A hothead businessman coming to the city for a showdown meeting to save his job.

A mother of three hoping to survive the days at her sister's house before her niece’s wedding.

And a young artist pursuing his father’s dream so he can keep his own alive.

When David, Gillian, and Michael each take the wrong suitcases from baggage claim, the airline directs them to retrieve their bags at a mysterious facility in a deserted part of the city. There they meet the enigmatic Baggage Handler, who shows them there is more in their baggage than what they have packed, and carrying it with them is slowing them down in ways they can’t imagine. And they must deal with it before they can leave.

In this modern-day parable about the burdens that weigh us down, David Rawlings issues an inspiring invitation to lighten the load.

Congratulations, everyone!

WHY GO TO WRITER EVENTS?

A special writer mentoring event.
Australian writers and Wombat
publisher, Rochelle Manners.  

It’s that time of year again when several major writers’ conferences are offering great times of fellowship to writers. In many countries there are different half day or one day events as well as full weekend conferences for writers. Although perhaps some conferences and events are more popular than others, obviously the ones that continue faithfully each year and build up a good reputation are well supported.

Any new writers reading this post? Any beginner writers wondering if they should really spend their time and money attending at least one get together of writers a year? Whether you are considering an event relatively close to where you live, or even an Aussie like me who would have to brave that exhausting twenty plus hour flight across that Big Pond to America again, that question applies to us all.

I was living in rural New South Wales when I first started writing. This was in those years well before there were even computers, and certainly no internet. Except comments from tutors through a correspondence writers’ course, for years I had no contact at all with other writers. Having had so much time writing in isolation, and now being a member of perhaps too many writer groups, I do know about the benefits as well as any reasons not to attend writer workshops or weekend conferences.

Don’t mistake me for a moment. I absolutely love writers conferences.
Since 1991 I’ve attended as many as possible and learnt so much about how to try and improve my writing. They keep us informed about the changing world of publishers’ requirements and promotion needs. I’ve met so many lovely, established authors who so generously share their expertise and experiences.

At a Queensland Christian Writers Conference
CALEB finalists

Be warned. Conferences can almost become an addiction so I’d like to share a few things to consider.

Does the overall programme seem to meet your needs as a writer?

Who are the speakers and presenters of workshops? Are they experienced writers, even published themselves in the kind of book you want to write? Will professionals in the industry like agents, editors, publishers be there to meet and hear from?

2009 in Denver with Loree Lough

For example, romance writers need to hear from experienced, published writers in that genre. However, there are many sub-genres so if the conference only deals with specific ones like fantasy, historical, inspirational etc, etc that you do not want to write, should you choose to go? Ones that try to cover also many general aspects of novel writing as well as the expectations of your genre readers have real value for beginners. Anyone targeting the romance genre should seriously consider attending events organised by organisations like RWA. Of course for Christian writers, whether targeting the Christian market or general market, our own ACFW kind of conference is excellent value for all fiction writers.

Remember that as well as “How to” information, even best-selling, multi-published writers at times simply need encouragement, be challenged by inspirational talks from writers and other professionals in the publishing industry. Or there may be times like I do when you just love to meet old friends again, need face to face “writer talk” over and above contact only on the internet.

So, you’ve found a great conference or event you know could help you. However, does the full cost of travel, accommodation etc and fees risk being too much of a financial burden for the perceived value?

This has to be the best use of your time and money available. Many years ago at one of the first great two day Romance Writers of Australia, I will never forget the words I overheard from an excited, very enthusiastic young woman. It went something like this: “I was absolutely determined to come this year,” she told some other writers. “My husband really didn’t want me to, said he was too busy to mind the kids and we couldn’t afford it. I told him I was going no matter what he said. And here I am!”

I’d had my first books published and she was a complete stranger, but I was very disturbed and my heart feared for that mother and wife. I uttered one of those quick prayers, asking that if the Lord wanted me to speak to her to give me an opportunity to do so privately. A few minutes later, we were the only two left in that bathroom so I warned her she must always put her own romance first before anything else. Nothing was worth more than her husband and family. The poor dear did gape at this bold, older woman and walked away but the next day sought me out, said she realised how foolish she had been and actually thanked me for caring enough to warn her. I never did know her name but have often wondered if at the right time for her she has become published.

The most important consideration:
As a Christian, are you sure this is where God wants you to go? Is this the right time for you to go?

If you are sure this is one of God’s appointed times then be prepared for an out-pouring of HIS blessings on you. As well as learning more about this crazy writing business, He will have other writers and professionals there HE wants you to meet. It may not necessarily be to advance your writing career but simply to share with other writers, enjoy Christian fellowship with like-minded folk and make friends that you can mutually share with down over the years. This has been my greatest delight and blessing.

One final word!
A few minutes ago just as I was about to copy and paste this to Blogger, I saw that Allen Arnold had a post on Novel Rocket blog.

ACFW 2009 with Karen Ball,
Allen Arnold and Debbie Macomber

I was so privileged to meet him at the ACFW conference in 2009 when he was a senior editor at Thomas Nelson. His sessions with Karen Ball were wonderful blessings. Although this is already a long post, I have taken the liberty of copying one of his paragraphs that is essential when considering attending conferences.

He wrote:
We get so busy doing that we can forget how to be still and approach our art as holy ground. Maybe that’s why some Christian speakers, books, and conferences end up focusing almost all of their time teaching writers about craft and how to get published – and so little time on how to actually create with God.

This is just a taste! Do read his whole, excellent blog, STAY WITH GOD at http://www.novelrocket.com/ 

Would love to have comments about why you go to writer events - whether small or large ones.

A Queensland farmer’s daughter, then a registered nurse, the wife of a minister, mother of three children and now a grandmother, Mary Hawkins has always made time to read, write and go to writer events! After enjoying years of planting churches, three short term mission trips to Africa and two years ministering in England with her husband, Raymond, also a published author, they now live in Tasmania, Australia. Mary is a best-selling, international author and delighted her Barbour Heartsong Presents inspirational romance books are now released again as e-books. She also enjoys speaking and presenting workshops at writer events to try and help other writers not make all the mistakes she has over the years. 

She is on Facebook, irregularly on Goodreads, and has a website which does need updating when she can somehow crowd it into her busy days. http://www.mary-hawkins.com

Book Recommendation from Mary Hawkins

Writers meet through many different ways. About thirty years ago I longed to have other writers to share with, bounce ideas off, simply “talk writing” with. These days we are very spoilt being able to meet in places like this with like-minded folk  and through several different writing organisations. Nearly all of them - if not all now - have a presence online. And this is how I met a young, unpublished writer back in 2005 through the then relatively new American Christian Fiction Writers e-loop. I was thrilled there was another Australian also writing inspirational romance novels and able to contact her! However, Tasmania and Canberra are a long way from each other so we did not meet face to face until 2007 at a Romance Writers of Australia national conference.

I interviewed Narelle on my February ICFW blog post to celebrate the release of her very  first book and also the first one of her six book contract with Harlequin Love Inspired, Heartsong Presents, Falling For the Farmer. I really enjoyed that story, the first fruit of her hard work and perseverance over many years. I so admire Narelle not only for that perseverance, but the way she is always prepared to continue learning, always improving her skills, keeping up with what is happening in the romance genre writing industry.

Narelle is also VERY generous to other writers in the way she seeks to help us in many and varied ways. This has included being a co-president of the Romance Writers of America Faith, Hope and Love chapter, supporting our own great Australian Omega Writers, very involved in helping organise our Australasian Christian Writers group blog and the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance (ACRBA) - just to mention a few of her activities for us.

I personally have been blessed by her reading and commenting on my own manuscripts. Believe me, this is one very cluey reader who has given me great feedback. It is an honour to be presenting a workshop with her at the Romance Writers of Australia national conference this coming August. 

I am delighted to be able to recommend my friend’s inspirational romance novels. Today, May 5^th, we are celebrating the release of her second Heartsong Presents inspirational romance. I have sadly discovered it will take about three months for The Nurse's Perfect Match to reach our bookshelves here in Australia but it is also an e-book. Would love to hear from anyone who sees it first on shelves anywhere in the world - as well as America.

Nurse Amy Wilkins has come home 

After her marriage ends in tragedy, Amy returns to Snowgum Creek to rebuild her life. There she meets widower Ben Morton, who’s not looking for romance, though his young children are eager for Amy’s attention. She’s given up on her dream of being a mother, but can’t ignore how she’s drawn to Ben’s little ones, and to their handsome farmer dad. 

As love kindles between Ben and Amy, she worries how she’ll ever measure up to the wife he lost. And Ben is concerned about how Amy will ever truly fit into life on the farm. They could be the answer to each other’s prayers — if the secret Amy is keeping doesn’t tear them apart.

narelleatkins.com

BUY! BE BLESSED!
TELL YOUR READER FRIENDS!

Mary Hawkins is multi-published and a best-seller in inspirational romance. All except her Baragula single title trilogy are now out of print. However, she is delighted seven of her Barbour Heartsong Presents novels are again available to readers as e-books through their Truly Yours Digital Editions. Check out the VIDEO TRAILER  for her historical Great Southland series.

Her Outback Cowboy, is the working title of her latest single title just completed and in every writer’s nerve-wracking state - the submission process.

SO WHY WRITE BOOKS OF PRAYER?

Mary says:

I was privileged many years ago to read and be blessed by the devotional books of my guest writer here today, Marion Stroud. I first met her face to face at a great Christian Writers conference in London when Ray and I were ministering in England from 2001-2003. Later during that time, my husband and I also enjoyed Marion and her husband’s hospitality and fellowship at their home. We soon discovered we all had a good deal in common, especially our love for Christ and desire to serve Him. It has been great in recent years to “meet” again online.

Marion tells me she really loves reading Christian novels and for some time now has had a hankering to also write them. I personally would love to read fiction books by her where she would actually show God at work in people’s lives through their stories. These could even more vividly portray for readers the out-working of her wonderful, thought provoking, devotional meditations and prayers.

Marion asks: 

So why in the world would you write books of Prayers?

The honest answer is ‘Because I was asked to.’ I’ve written 26 books all told and in every case, except for the three children’s stories and these books of prayers, I was looking for  a book to meet a need, couldn’t find what I wanted, and researched and wrote it myself. You know the old adage about ‘Fools rushing in...’

“Dear God It’s me and It’s Urgent “was different. A publisher was launching a new imprint and wanted a book of prayers as part of his list. I almost said ‘no’ because I’m not from a liturgical tradition and don’t often use written prayers myself. Then I remembered Marjorie Holmes, whose ‘Apron Pocket Prayers’ had been hugely successful in America during the 70’s and 80’s. More a conversation with God than formal prayers, they had helped me a lot at the time, and so I decided to try writing in that style. The book sold very well in the United States [120,000 copies and still selling] and the American publisher asked if I would like to write another title in the same format. This is how ‘It’s Just You and Me Lord’ came into being.

These books aren’t intended to be read straight through, but dipped into, savoured and either provide inspiration for the reader’s own prayers, or give them words when they can’t express all they want to say. I didn’t focus too heavily on prayers for marriage and mother hood,  because although these life areas are vitally important to many, not every woman experiences those roles. With that in mind, I have also included  life areas common to us all - prayers for work, for church life and life’s later years; the dark days as well as life’s joyful celebrations.

Most of the prayers are based on real life experiences – my own or other people’s. ‘Burning still’ [ Dear God It’s Me and It’s Urgent ] reflects the pain of seeing my beloved mother-in-law losing sight, mobility and mental clarity in her last few years, but also rejoicing in the way that her faith shone through, despite her difficulties .’Lost and Found’ is based on the terrible moment when I discovered I’d left my infant son outside the house and driven off without him [!] [ It’s Just You and Me Lord’] and The Suitcase  ponders on why it is that we pray for missions and missionaries but so rarely invite overseas students into our homes. [It’s Just you and me Lord]

I have had letters from readers saying “ I didn’t know that you could talk to God like that” or “ It’s great to know that other parents struggle with how much ‘screen’ time to give their children.” So I count it a privilege to share my life experiences in this way.
And one day ... just maybe ... I’ll turn my mind firmly back to fiction.
Watch this space! http://www.marionstroud.com

 

Mary Hawkins is a best-selling inspirational romance author who for many years has enjoyed being a minister's wife in Australia, two years in England and on three short term mission trips to Africa. Her first novel was released in 1993 by Barbour Publishing in their Heartsong Presents imprint. She is delighted that her contemporary Search and historical Great Southland series are now available again from Barbour's Truly Yours Digital Editions as e-books. Her fourth single title manuscript since her Heartsong novels is currently being assessed by a publisher and she hopes to have good news to share very soon about it becoming her twentieth published book. She also enjoys trying to share with other writers some hints about writing she has acquired over the last thirty years.
http://www.mary-hawkins.com

FALLING FOR THIS DEBUT AUTHOR OF "FALLING FOR THE FARMER" & Book Giveaway.

Mary says: Meet fellow Australian, Narelle Atkins. Click on her name above for more details about her.

As far as I am aware, until now there was only one other Australian author besides myself published in the Heartsong Presents book club when owned by Barbour Publishing. Jenni Adams is now a multi-published Harlequin author in their Sweet Romance line. I was so excited to hear at last of another Australian signing contracts for Heartsong Presents inspirational romance which is now owned by Harlequin in their Love Inspired line.

Over several years it has been a real privilege becoming a friend of this vibrant author, Narelle Atkins. I am delighted to have this fellow Australian share some of her writing journey so far to achieve an amazing six book contract by an unpublished writer.

Mary: Narelle, you reminded me a while back that although we’d had contact for some time through email, we met for the first time at the 2007 Romance Writers of Australia conference. We are both members of several other writer organisations.

How important has this been for you to achieve your first book sales?

Narelle: Writing organisation memberships are invaluable for numerous reasons. I’ve heard writers complain about the cost of writing memberships and I think they’ve missed the point. If you want to become a professional writer and published author, you need to invest in your writing education in the same way a doctor, teacher and other industry professionals invest in their education and professional development at college and university.

Writing organisations can provide writing contests, online classes, conferences, networking opportunities, relevant publishing information, newsletters, critique groups, and many other helpful services and resources. In August 2012 I read about Harlequin’s purchase of the Heartsong Presents line on both the ACFW and FHL email groups. I followed the link to the Harlequin Community Forums and learned they were open for submissions, including international settings. I may not have heard about this opportunity if I hadn’t been a member of writing organisations that catered for my chosen genre.

Mary: For an unpublished writer, it is a great achievement to have signed a six book contract with Harlequin Love Inspired. Can you share how you believe you satisfied their guidelines and your submission and acceptance process?

Narelle: I was thrilled to read on the Harlequin Community forum that my editor, Kathy Davis, was open to contemporary romance submissions with foreign settings. The initial sale process for my first manuscript happened quickly, approximately seven weeks from the initial query to offer of publication on September 20, 2012.

I accepted the offer for my first book and Kathy asked if I’d written anything else. I had three complete mss, including the sequel to the book I’d sold, and a runaway bride story. A couple of days later I sent my runaway bride story to Kathy and this led to discussions regarding two 3-book series. I wrote three proposals for brand new stories over the next few months, and revised the proposal for the sequel to the book I’d already sold. I submitted all the proposals before Christmas in 2012 and I received the offer for a 6 book contract on February 7, 2013. 

The Heartsong Presents guidelines allow for a more overt faith element in the story. I love how I can share my characters’ faith journeys in my stories in a real and authentic way. Their interaction and connection to a church community is an important element in a Heartsong Presents story and I like having the freedom to explore this aspect of their lives.

Mary: Have you had any difficulties with your plot, characters and Australian setting in trying to reach an international readership.

Narelle: I have been blessed to have two American critique partners who have pointed out numerous Aussie expressions that don’t translate to a North American audience. For example, in Australia we call flip-flops ‘thongs’. I can’t have my characters’ talking about wearing their thongs to the beach, even though that’s a normal and respectable thing to say in Australia.

I also entered a number of unpublished writing contests in the US, which helped me to gauge the reader expectations for my genre. I appreciated the generosity of the judges who provided helpful feedback and explained why certain story elements could be problematic due to cultural differences.

I use American grammar and spelling because my home market is North America. It’s a juggling act to keep the authentic Australian flavour in my stories and use language that makes sense to a North American, Australian and international audience.

Mary: With Falling for the Farmer being the first in a three book series, can you tell us about the series and also the next three book series you have signed contracts for.

Narelle: Falling for the Farmer is set in Snowgum Creek, a fictitious town I created on the western slopes of the Snowy Mountains, Australia. Snowgum Creek is situated in the region that includes Tumut, Batlow and Tumbarumba. The Nurse’s Perfect Match (May 2014) and The Doctor’s Return (August 2014) are also set in Snowgum Creek. It’s a continuity series and either the hero, heroine or both are minor characters in a previous book in the series. The Nurse’s Perfect Match starts two years after Falling for the Farmer ends.

I love my Snowgum Creek series, and I have a number of ideas for future stories that I hope to write.

My second series, titles to be confirmed, is set in Sydney, Australia. These are urban stories and have a different feel to my Snowgum Creek books. For example, my heroine in the first book is a former party girl and recovering alcoholic. This series is set around the northern beaches region of Sydney where I grew up. I love Sydney and I’m looking forward to sharing the real life setting with my readers.

Mary: Is there anything you would like to share with international writers to encourage them in their writing journey?

Narelle: I encourage international writers to not give up on selling their books with international settings due to lack of market opportunities. I was told numerous times that it was virtually impossible to sell an Aussie contemporary inspirational romance to a large traditional publisher in the US market. We do need to have realistic expectations of the market and reader expectations. Plus, work hard on learning the craft of writing in order to produce the best possible stories.

Mary Says:
Narelle, all your hard work has sure paid off and I do congratulate you for this first book.

Being a farmer’s daughter, I know a little about city and country differences only too well. As a minister’s wife for nearly fifty years now, I have seen some of the problems and differences of family, faith and church issues that Christian couples may need to work through to achieve a happy marriage. Your Kate and Jack are real people with real problems and I thoroughly enjoyed reading their story.

I had indeed “fallen” for the author as a good friend and sister-in-Christ quite a while ago and so proud of you. Congratulations on these contracts with Harlequin and I look forward very much to reading many more books from Narelle Atkins.

For more details about Failing for the Farmer, click HERE

Book Giveaway: Narelle has been an active contributor to ICFW blog since it commenced and would like to give away a print copy of Falling for the Farmer. The book giveaway is worldwide and includes the giveaway on Valerie Comer’s book review post yesterday.

Readers can gain two entries in the drawing if they comment on both today and yesterday’s posts. Entries close on St Valentine’s Day, Friday, 14th February, and the winner will be announced on Sunday, 16th February in the Sunday Edition. Please leave an email address [ ] at [ ] dot [ ] where you can be reached.

"Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws."

Mary Hawkins is multi-published and a best-seller in inspirational romance. All except her Baragula single title trilogy are now out of print. However, she is delighted her Barbour Heartsong Presents novels are again available to readers as e-books through their Truly Yours Digital Editions. Check out the video trailer for her historical Great Southland series: http://youtu.be/mN5Mym_3doU

She enjoys speaking engagements where she can share the writing journey God is still taking her on. She is a member of several writing groups and as time permits, tries to help other writers, especially those targeting the romance genre.

Her latest manuscript, Her Outback Cowboy, is her latest single title just completed and now in the submission process. Checkout the latest news on her blog and more about Mary from http://mary-hawkins.com

MORE THAN A FEVER

My husband, Ray Hawkins, gave me this fun article and I can’t resist sharing it with you. Okay, he doesn’t write fiction just devotional books and articles which God often uses to bless and challenge me. Some are included on this blog’s Friday devotions.

I am wondering if any other writers can identify with his thoughts!

Sitting around in an easy chair seemed like a great idea. Recovering from day surgery provided the excuse. Sunshine drew me into its beams. There I sat lost in daydream land. Not for long. Words began to run riot in the mind. I tried to erase them but they wouldn’t disappear.

 

Gone, yes gone was my lazy day in the sun. I couldn’t resist the urge to grab pen and paper. Ideas and quotes required attention. Then it was off to renew my acquaintance with the computer. (It had been twenty four hours since last we inter-faced). The mouse squealed with delight at the touch of my fingers and the computer jumped into life.

My body wanted to lie on a bed. My stomach longed for sustenance. My mind was as light as fairy–floss (cotton candy) but my fingers danced upon the keyboard. Through fuzzy eyes (or was it a mind shrouded in the aftermath of anaesthetics?) words assembled themselves. Captured! Yes I was captured, if not enraptured, by the marshalling of words on screen. 

 

As I typed away I felt as if I had run a marathon. That was strange as I had never run more than the length of a cricket pitch. Not that I’ve done that lately either. The body was screaming, “To the couch old boy, to the couch”. But the chair held me fast. 

 

Time passed. Was it hours? No! Ten minutes of delightful agony had crawled by.

“That’s it! Yes, that’s it!”

Somehow or other the missing element of my world shattering, devotional meditation has invaded my empty space. (Some define that as my mind.) The lure of the couch was overcome. I must record my invasive thought before it is swallowed in the black hole of forgetfulness.  

The computer screen reflected my feverish inspiration. Was it not brilliant? Well, maybe it was just simply wonderful. I couldn’t decide which at that moment as nature called. I pressed the ‘save’ icon and went. I tried to find my way back to the computer but exhaustion led me to the bedroom.

Tomorrow (maybe even later to night?) I would be in better shape.

 

Something inside of me whispered, “I doubt it!”

 

Was it referring to my aftershocks from surgery or my infection and affliction defined as ‘Manuscript Mania.’ Whatever the term my seat in the sun will be empty until…!

 

Ray (a victim of M.M.) Hawkins.

 

And was this the book being released next February which was the end product of the above?

 

If not, perhaps it is the one next May, "Signpost To Happiness". 

 

 I am so delighted that  my husband sits for so long at the keyboard these days to share his deep thoughts from God's Word the way he does.

 

Would love some comments how you can identify with my husband's being a "victim of Manuscript Mania."

Mary is multi-published in Inspirational romance. All except her Baragula single title trilogy are now out of print. However, she is delighted her Barbour Heartsong Presents novels are again available to readers as e-books through their Truly Yours Digital Editions.

 

Check out the video trailer for her historical Great Southland series: http://youtu.be/mN5Mym_3doU

 

 

Oh yes, and another single title is in the pipeline for release in 2014.

 

 

When God Does the Schedule

As I wrote my last post in July for ICFW, the registrations for our Australasian Christian writers CALEB conference were open. I shared, “I believe the CALEB conference should be a MUST for Australia and New Zealand Christians who are writing - whether it be for the Christian market or general one.” And after this conference in October, do I still think so? Yes, even more so!



      Rochelle Manners with her Wombat
and Even Before Publishing authors



Ruth, Bonetti, Anne Hamilton and Jo Wanmer











Each year these conferences have kept on improving and it was great this time to have more publishers present to share with us. Those of you who have been privileged to share at such conferences know the delight of meeting author friends again and getting to know other authors, writers, editors and folk in the publishing industry.


CALEB Award dinner
Finalists waiting for the winner.



Writing exercise at master class

The sessions on both full days sought to cover topics for fiction and non-fiction writers both published and unpublished. The Friday included Master classes on writing Fantasy and Young Adult books and the Romance genre - which I presented. Other sessions included “Over the Ditch” - on writing in New Zealand, Spiritual obstacles in Writing and Devotional Writing - which Ray presented. Included on many and varied sessions on the Saturday were the panels I shared with other published authors about “Romancing the Story” and “Writing a Series”.

Then of course there was the CALEB Award dinner with some excited finalists waiting to hear the winner in various categories.

This year, instead of flying to Brisbane, my husband Ray and I decided we would put our car on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry to cross Bass Strait and spend several weeks on the Australian mainland before and after this great conference weekend. From Melbourne we would travel out west up to Queensland to attend the conference and then back down the east coast to Sydney on the way to Victoria to get on that ferry for home 6 weeks later. We planned to try and book as many speaking and book-signing appointments as we could. However, the months beforehand while we tried to organise our schedule ended up being a very busy time with commitments, especially trying to finish writing projects.

Of course, from the start the whole venture was much prayed about and we tried to leave it all in God’s hands to open and close doors for us. Now we can testify once more that God is the very best scheduler any writers can ever hope to enjoy the benefits of. That doesn’t mean there were no challenges or unscheduled events. Sounds just like “life” doesn’t it?

Click on the link below to see details of this beautiful shop. A real privilege to share there.
Cornerstone shop in Erina, Gosford area of New South Wales.

Book-signing at Cornerstone at Erina

This is one of the most beautiful Christian bookshops we've ever seen.
Also has a great café at back with an outdoor courtyard with tables

We were able to do book-signings in Christian bookshops at Orange and Erina in New South Wales, and at a general bookseller in Dalby on the Darling Downs west of Brisbane.

The plan was also to visit briefly other Christian bookshops in towns we drove through to at least introduce ourselves as published authors to the staff. We had a list of shops but were really saddened to discover quite a few had closed their doors, including in major country towns like Albury and Tamworth. With online and e-book sales becoming more prevalent, many shops are doing it very tough. Over the years I have worked as a volunteer in small independent shops and know the ministry these can have. It is sad for us as writers of course. It is even sadder to have these real opportunities disappearing to share with folk who may never enter a church door but will venture into a Christian shop and leave with material God can use to show His love in their need, to draw them to Himself.

Another challenge was a health one. During those hectic weeks before we left Tasmania, Ray had visited his doctor to have treatment for a sore on his face. A couple of weeks into our trip, in Dalby God provided a very experienced doctor in skin cancers who even sacrificed his afternoon off to correctly diagnose and cut out the skin cancer - fortunately a carcinoma, not melanoma but which still needs further treatment by a specialist now we are home.


So Ray had a dressing on his face all through our time in Brisbane. When we needed to find another doctor as we continued on our travels, God again had us with the right friends at the right place whose doctor was only around the corner and without delaying our journey was able to check the wound and remove the many sutures. Was it merely a coincidence that many weeks before we had arranged to stay with my brother near, Dalby, have appointments there, visit these friends ten days later? No way!

My dear Hunter Valley romance writer
friends of many years.

 Ray and I had not only a rich time of fellowship at the conference and bookshops. Besides God’s doctor appointments, He also organised the three Sunday church services where Ray preached and the various other meetings we both were able to share something of the writing journey our faithful, loving God is still taking us on. There were wonderful moments right through those six weeks of unexpectedly meeting old friends and sharing with family members, some not seen for many years.

It was a real delight to see an aunt of mine from South Australia I have not seen for over fifteen years who just “happened” to be visiting my cousins in Brisbane while we were there. We travelled 5,124 kilometres with so many other “God incidents” during those six weeks that I am still awed by. I am often the “list maker”, the main “organiser” in our family. I like to know why, when, where, what and how. Once again God has reminded me that HE is in control, that when I hand over all that I am, all my ambitions, self and pride, HE will be able far more affectively to use me in His service where and when and how HE wants to.

Mary Hawkins's first book was published twenty years ago. Since then her books have been released in 19 titles and she is now trying to do final edits on her current manuscript before submitting it to a publisher.

She is delighted that her Heartong Presents historical and contemporary inspirational romance novels are now available again as e-books from Barbour Publishing through their Truly Yours Digital Editions.

Check out the video trailers for her current Baragula books and especially the new one for historicals, The Southland series, on YouTube.

A TRIBUTE TO THE "JENNY BLAKES" -- WRITERS' HELPERS

A few years ago, I heard online about a lady called Jenny. I can’t even remember now just when and where I started to hear of her.  At first she was often just mentioned as “ausjenny” and it was some considerable time before I discovered more about her.

Many authors overseas as well as in Australia now know her through her blog,  Come Meet Aus Jenny where she has featured many on interviews, told about their books. This kind of exposure is invaluable to published authors. I noticed that Lisa Harris mentioned in her post on ICFW last Tuesday that it is essential for a writer to "get the word out" about her book, and "ausjenny" may not even realise how much help she has been to us.

In the last few years, things have changed a great deal with many more blogs now available to try and follow. However, at that time I personally had a very heavy schedule and found it difficult to keep up with the internet writing scene, especially blogs, but this “ausjenny” was one of the first I heard about as being an Australian in this Christian fiction blog arena. Okay, so I know now I was  rather slow to catch on as she has had her blog for the last five years.  

For some time I did not even know her real name, did not know until this wonderful woman who was supporting authors overseas began to help and focus more on the increasing number of Australian authors published in Christian fiction. Then I discovered this prolific “Writers’ Helper” was not a writer herself, has no ambition to be a published author. Eventually the news filtered through that “ausjenny” was a Jenny Blake who loves books, especially Christian fiction and was a volunteer at an Australian Christian bookshop. That was only the beginning of my discovering her many and varied talents.

I know that the last few years have been a very tough time for dear Jenny with health and family, including the passing of her mother. But has that stopped her doing what she can where and when she can to help authors? No way!

This is just one personal example. My husband’s publisher told him he really needed to do more promotion for his 31 Day Devotional series. While I’ve had a website  for a while now and finally ventured into having a blog, Ray and I are both technically challenged in this whole modern era of the internet. A writer friend told me how good Jenny was at setting up blogs,  so who did we turn to for help? Jenny Blake of course and she was wonderful.

Since then Jenny has been very involved in helping start online ventures for Australian writers. Currently, with Narelle Atkins, she is one of the administrators of our Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance , and the last few weeks the new Australasian Christian Writers Yahoo group and the new Australasian Christian Writers  blog.  What would we do now without you, Jenny?

I believe there are other Writers Helpers that so often we never really know about. These days, published authors simply have to be involved on the World Wide Web and promotion in all kinds of areas so readers know our books are available.  There are others like Ray and I who need heaps of technical help. I know I still have to spend far more time on social media and promotion than I want to. It takes up valuable time I’d much rather spend writing my books. How much harder it would be without our Jenny Blake.

So, here’s a very big “Thank you” to all those folk who love books, who have no ambitions to be writers themselves but seek to support us in practical ways  - as well as praying for us. May we never be tempted to take your help for granted or forget to thank God for you.

And, dear Jenny, this is my personal thank you for all your support and prayers for Ray and I as well as the heart you so obviously have for Christian writers.

Would love to hear comments from other writers around the world about their own invaluable  “Jenny Blakes”.  Perhaps there are other readers who would love to help writers "get the word out" about Christian novels. There may be some authors reading this who personally have been also helped by our Aus Jenny Blake over the years.

Mary Hawkins lives in Tasmania, Australia, with her retired minister husband. They have three adult children and six grandchildren. She is the author of 19 titles and is delighted her Heartsong Presents contemporary Search series and historical Great Southland series are now  available for readers again as e-books through Truly Yours Digital Editions 

Adam Collings - Novelist and You Tube video creator

For some time now I have been in contact with fellow Tasmanian writer of speculative fiction, Adam Collings. He is currently working on a science fiction novel and works as a software engineer during the day. Recently I was very intrigued to read on his blog and Facebook that he has commenced releasing a new YouTube series – Stories. 

First of all I was curious how this fits in with his desire to be a published author and then wondered just how he produces these YouTube videos. 

Adam, can you tell us why you started writing novels, why this YouTube series, what they will include and how you are creating the videos? 

Certainly, Mary. I’ve loved writing stories since a very young age. I think it was encouragement from my Mum that really got me thinking seriously about writing a novel in the hopes of getting published. Writing fiction is a desire within me that can’t be extinguished. 

As I’ve learned more about this writing world, I’ve come to understand the importance of building a platform. Social media is a great tool for this, and is a very natural form of communication for me. 

I recently read How To Market a Book by Joanna Penn. I was intrigued by what she had to say on the subject of content marketing. The idea is that you produce content which is either useful or entertaining and give it away. This helps build a fan following (who may end up being potential buyers of your book). 

The same time, I became aware of the booktube phenomenon – a community of people who review books on YouTube. This sounded like a whole lot of fun. The people I need to connect with are fans of science fiction and fantasy, particularly Christians. I decided to start my own YouTube show talking about books – both Christian and secular - but also movies and the occasional computer game, as sci-fi fans tend to enjoy all these forms of story-telling. 

I wanted to keep it simple and very quick to produce and not take time away from my writing. With a wife, two kids and a job, time is rather precious. 

Thinking about what I’m going to say is important. I wrote out a full script and tried to memorise it as best I could. In terms of shooting, you don’t need much fancy equipment. Most modern smart phones these days have decent video cameras in them. I shoot small, bite-sized segments that could be edited together. 

After transferring the footage to the computer it’s editing time. I used a package called Adobe Premier Elements, but most computers come pre-installed with basic video editing software like Windows Movie Maker or iMovie. A more powerful free solution is Blender, though it has a steep learning curve. 

An endeavour like this takes time to build momentum. I’ve only released one episode so far, but am already planning my second. Through this I hope to build a bit of a following so that when I become an author (I know I can do it) I will have a good platform. 

Thank you, Adam. I found this all very interesting. Not sure I have the equipment and tech know-how to do this, but I hope is a big help to our authors to get the information to the readers. 

I am impressed you mentioned the priority of time spent with your wife and family because I too have always found this to be an essential balancing act. 

Besides all the promotion we would like to do, most important is to make the time to write the best book we can, then keep producing them as regularly as possible to build up that fan base – or as some call them, our “Tribe”. 

All the very best with having your books published. 
While I am not particularly a reader of sc-fi or fantasy novels do add me to your fan list!

Do enjoy some of Adam's efforts by clicking the following link -.  
http://www.youtube.com/user/collingsshow
Also, don't forget to click also on the words in blue throughout the post for more information about Adam, Blender and Joanna Penn