We CAN! promote our books

Tips from the Pros: Elizabeth Baker

May greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the honor of interviewing Elizabeth Baker, who went from a dyslexic high school dropout to a multi-published author, speaker, and Ph.D.!

Elizabeth, how did you get into writing?

I stumbled my way in because I didn't know what I was attempting was impossible. It's a rather long story and you can read full details on my website, but I sent a poorly typed manuscript of three chapters to an address I did not know for sure published books. They accepted, and I had a contract in my hand within three weeks. The advance check saved the family farm. I was not yet thirty at the time.

Tips from the Pros: Martha Rogers

May greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the privilege of interviewing multi-published author and speaker Martha Rogers.

Martha inspires the membership of American Christian Fiction Writers with her Verse of the Week posts to the e-mail loop, and her story should inspire anyone who wonders if it's too late to achieve their dreams. You see, Martha sold her first book at the age of 73. Now she's had nine novels and two novellas published - and in a very short period of time! Her newest novel is Spring Hope, book 4 in the Seasons of the Heart series, which releases this month from Realms.

Martha, how did you get into writing?

I've been writing since I was old enough to hold a pencil and scribble "words" on paper. I've always liked to make up and tell stories. In college I looked into publication, but it sounded so complicated I put it aside until years later.

Tips from the Pros: Marion Stroud

Hello from Sarah Sundin, who has a sudden longing for tea and crumpets. Why? Today's guest, Marion Stroud, hails from my favourite country, England. Yes, I added the U for Marion's sake. Marion is the prolific and bestselling author of 23 books, translated into many languages. This mother of five and grandmother of thirteen also serves as a British magistrate. So do not speed down her street.

Marion, how did you get into writing? How many books do you have published?

A bookworm since babyhood, I always wanted to write. When I "retired" from my profession as a physical therapist to have our first baby, I thought I could combine two ambitions - motherhood and becoming a writer! I have published 23 books, the most recent title being Dear God, It's Me and It's Urgent. My 24th book, It's Just You and Me, Lord, will be released in November 2012.

How did you get your first book contract?

Tips from the Pros: Jolene Philo

Hello from Sarah Sundin in California where some of us are actually praying for rain. Today I have the privilege of interviewing Jolene Philo, who turned her experience with a critically ill child into blessings for others by ministering to parents of special needs children through her blog and her books.

Jolene, how did you get into writing?

I've always enjoyed writing, but for many years thought it was no big deal. About twenty years ago, I began writing stories about my dad for my children. He was in a nursing home because of multiple sclerosis and unable to communicate with his grandkids. I wrote the stories so they could know him as I remembered him from childhood. People would read the stories and suggest I get them published. But I knew how hard it would be for an unknown writer to publish a story about an unknown father. I finally took them to a writers' conference, hoping an editor would tell me to take them home and just write them for my family. After all, I was busy teaching full time and raising kids. I didn't have time to be a writer. But the editor said I should try to get them published. Eventually, God provided a part-time job, so I started writing for magazines, Sunday school papers, and the like.

Tips from the Pros: Janet Perez Eckles

Happy New Year from Sarah Sundin in foggy California. Several years ago I had the joy of meeting Janet Perez Eckles at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, and I was impressed by her humor, warmth, and strength. Today I have the honor of interviewing this accomplished author and speaker.

Janet, how did you get into writing?

Years ago I wrote my story - for my kids and grandchildren - and self-published it. Quite raw in the writing and also in the marketing arena, I was stunned with reactions from readers. I learned two things: readers don't care about beginning writing, and when you write about triumph and inspiration a vital need is met.

Tips from the Pros: Daniel Darling

Merry Christmas from Sarah Sundin! Today I have the honor of interviewing author, pastor, and speaker Daniel Darling. Daniel serves as the senior pastor of the Gages Lake Bible Church outside of Chicago, and is a highly regarded speaker. He also is a frequent contributor to columns and blogs. And yes, he writes books too.

Dan, how did you get into writing? How many books do you have published?

I've been a writer and editor for about twelve years. For several years I worked as an in-house writer and editor for a large Christian media organization. I began freelancing about nine years ago and published my first book, Teen People of the Bible, with New Hope in 2007. I've since written two other books, Crash Course and iFaith, and have a fourth book releasing in the summer of 2012.   

Tips from the Pros: Rebecca Ondov

Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! I pray you had a bountiful Thanksgiving with family and friends. Today I have the honor of interviewing Rebecca Ondov, who turned her extensive experience as a horseback guide and Ranger into the book Horse Tales from Heaven.

Rebecca, how did you get into writing?

For years I'd been working from the saddle in the Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana, taking people on horse pack trips. During the winter of 1992 when I was "out of the hills" and working an off-season job, I reached in my mailbox and pulled out a Guideposts magazine. As I thumbed through the issue, an advertisement caught my eye. It said something like, "Win an all-expense paid trip to New Yo rk." Guideposts was having a writing competition and would fly fifteen winners to New York, where they would be personally tutored by some of the top Christian authors in the world. 

God resounded in my spirit, "Write a manuscript and send it in."

Tips from the Pros: Darlene Franklin

Hello from Sarah Sundin on a crisp November day! Today I have the privilege of interviewing multi-published author Darlene Franklin.

Darlene, how did you get into writing?

I started writing daily in the wake of my divorce, twenty years ago. My first book was published in 2005.

How many books do you have published? What are a few of your latest titles?

I have fifteen books in print and five more in process. This fall I've had three books published: Lone Star Trail, book 1 in the Texas Trails Series; Christmas at Barncastle Inn, a contemporary Christmas anthology; and Knight Music, a contemporary Heartsong romance.

Tips from the Pros: Jeanette Windle

Good day to you from Sarah Sundin!

Today I have the honor of interviewing award-winning author, Jeanette Windle. Her most recent novel, Freedom's Stand, was nominated for the Golden Scroll Novel of the Year, and her novel Veiled Freedom was a finalist for the Christian Book Award and the Christy in 2010.

 

SS: Jeanette, how did you get into writing?

JW: Writing has always been such a part of my life, I can’t remember ever consciously wanting to write. The missionary kid boarding school I attended in the Venezuelan Andes put great emphasis on proper composition (we were doing term papers with footnotes in junior high), and we spent far too much time writing to ever daydream about it. I was newspaper editor and yearbook copy editor in high school. In college I did some short stories, then as a young missionary, my writing was mainly prayer letters and ministry material.

Tips from the Pros: Susan Titus Osborn

Hello from Sarah Sundin on a blustery day in northern California. Today I have the honor of interviewing a veteran writing professional, Susan Titus Osborn, author of over thirty books, including several on the craft and business of writing. Susan is also director of the Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service, and offers many on-line writing courses on her website.

Susan, how did you get into writing?

 In 1978 while I was teaching Sunday school, I decided to write some stories for the kids. They loved my stories, so I thought I would sell them to church school take-home paper markets. A friend introduced me to a published writer, Karen Wojahn, who offered to mentor me if I promised to go on and mentor others, which I have done.

How many books do you have published? What are a few of your latest titles?

Today, by the grace of God, I have published 30 books and am the director of the largest Christian critique service in the country, The Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service. My latest book is Too Soon to Say Goodbye: Hope and Healing for Victims and Survivors of Suicide, published in 2010 by New Hope Publishers. It is co-authored with Karen Kosman and Jeenie Gordon. Wounded by Words was published in 2008, by the same publisher and with the same co-authors. A Special Kind of Love: For Those Who Love Children with Special Needs was published by B&H Publishing Group and co-published by Focus on the Family. Focus has done an excellent job of promoting this book. I've also written and/or compiled three books on Christian writing and seven pamphlets.