We are over halfway through this year! Wow! It's going fast! The second half of the 2023 Celebration has a slightly different twist. I'm eager to share more, but I can't quite yet. So for right now, July is a bit of a "pause and prepare" month. Because of that: * July's theme is "Remember...today is the main event" * And this month's giveaway is shared with the Book Launch Live event (see info below). Read more about this month's theme here: |
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June's theme was Helping Others Keep Promises. The month started with helping an incredible 14-year-old author plot out her first novel. And the month ended with helping an amazing mother and grandmother finish her book that has been in the works for over five years (she reached out to me two years ago to help her complete it). I am so grateful for these experiences and can't wait for both books to go to print. |
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TODAY IS A SPECIAL EVENT I'm delighted to be a part of this fantastic group of authors for K.J. Fieler's launch party. |
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KJ Fieler shared this about the event in her newsletter: Drum roll, please! To celebrate the launch of my debut novel, Shadow Runner, I’ve put together a little shindig. Join me and five best sellers LIVE at 6:30 pm EST on July 28th. Our featured authors are Tara Allred, Susan Kaye Quinn, David Rabin, Fiona Cawdron, and Gail Ward Olmsted. Hosted by GoIndieNow and emceed by the lovely and talented Ms. Tonya Todd, whom you may have seen in the TV show, Black Ops …Yes that actually is Senator Ann! This exciting event will include discounts, giveaways, games, and lots and lots of merriment! Watch on GoIndieNow's YouTube page, FB Live, or Twitch. |
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My featured time is a little after 5:30 MT (7:30 ET) but the party starts at 4:30 MT/6:30 ET pm. Plenty of giveaways and great fun. Join us if you can. The launch event is where I'll share this month's giveaway. Enter to win a REMEMBER "memory" gift set. |
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I've been working on telling what I think is a very special story, but it keeps getting interrupted. And the one thing a storyteller doesn't like is an interrupted story - lol! Back in the Fall of 2021, I began sharing this story through my newsletter. I recap both of those shares here: |
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SPECIAL SPOTLIGHT: JAMES DAVIDSON |
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James Davidson blends his passion of storytelling, imagination, and performing—as a full-length audiobook narrator. James is a writer, self-proclaimed bookworm, and button masher; if stories or video games allow him to explore deep dungeons, alien oceans, or a futuristic world, he’s content. His goal is to share every creative story with others—who also crave the chance to be in different worlds—one chapter at a time. When he’s not recording audiobooks, you’ll find James soaking up every minute of newlywed bliss and often serenading his beautiful wife. | | |
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On Wednesday, July 19th, I had the incredible opportunity to revisit Logan, Utah. This city holds a special place in my heart, as it was my home back in 2003 when I signed with my first publisher and diligently worked on the revisions of my debut novel, Sanders Starfish, preparing it for publication. It was a surreal moment to return. At a beautiful park near the Logan River, I took some time to do the final ordering of events for For the Eternal. Twenty years ago, I sat near that same spot, working tirelessly on Sanders' Starfish. I cherish this retrospective moment, remembering the beginning while currently working to bring The Existence Series to its end. Very soon I will be reaching out to my beta readers. It's about to get real! |
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Page Turner Award Book AwardFinalists Announcement |
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The Page Turner Award is an international contest based out of the UK. They are one of the few with the rare category of Best Book Series. Yesterday they announced their finalists. And The Existence Series made the list. |
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Although any public recognition is nice, this one offers something very special to me. I've chosen to be conservative in my marketing until the last book is out. As a result, I've sometimes had a quiet journey. But crafting it has been one of the most cherished times of my life. I believe this series has value. The Page Turner Awards announcement feels like a nod of the head. Another dear message to the heart, it all will be okay. When the last book is ready, this series will find its readers. Overall, this recognition truly helps add credibility to the series. And for this, I could not be more elated! |
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We now come full circle. I began this newsletter with July's theme. I end this newsletter on another thematic post:
Embracing the Main Event: A Lesson in Remembering
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While juggling a myriad of priorities, I have deeply appreciated this month's focus. Jeannette O., a cherished reader and friend, is who inspired this month's theme. She shared, "Oh, how I need to be reminded of that simple concept over and over … I find it so easy to miss the beautiful gifts God brings across my path each day because I am focused on ‘checking off my to-do list’." Read her story of a changed focus and the special moment that came. | | |
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Enjoy your main event of today! |
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