Summer Reading, Day 1

Today we begin our 16-day Summer Reading Blog Tour, during which we'll meet various characters brought to life by the creative muse of the talented storytellers of Helping Hands Press.

Today, meet Heather Donovan of The San Francisco Wedding Planner series:

Heather Donovan has no time for her own romance—she’s busy making wedding dreams come true for other people and trying to reel her lonely and lovesick widowed mom Gloria back from beyond the brink of good taste. Her receptionist, Raul, is as interested in his hair style as he is in the clients. Indigo, the wedding photographer, never goes anywhere without his beret—or his attitude. Toss in Skye, the mommy-track best friend who wants to breathe organic air, Mario, the talented, hotheaded caterer with an eye for the ladies, and a tall, dark, and handsome stranger visiting the office on the eve of the busiest weekend ever, and you have a recipe for disaster. Or love. Or maybe both? Along the way discover how duck-hunter ice sculptures end up as rehearsal dinner décor at an upscale hotel, why the young doctor has a broken heart, and whose will prevails when the photographer challenges a young couple’s vision of the perfect wedding. Does love conquer all? We shall see!

CLICK HERE to read author Ruth Snyder's interview with Heather

For readers and writers

Normally I don't do blog tours, but this one intrigued me. An avid reader, I'm always on the lookout for a good read. Reviews and recommendations, in addition to good old fashioned browsing, have been the main sources of finding new favorite authors and books that grab me on page one and don't let go until I've reached the end.

This blog tour is different from other book blog tours: Instead of a plot summary and a spiel of why you should buy the book, each blog will introduce you to a character in the writer's published story.

Whether you like action-packed, fast-paced fiction or a leisurely read that gives your the warm fuzzies, the characters are what pull us into the story and keep us there.

Beginning tomorrow, I'll post a link to a different author's blog each day, where you'll get to meet both the character and the author. Feel free to pass on the link to other avid readers (and writers who want to learn more about crafting fictional characters) you know.

Here's the schedule:

Monday, July 14 - Ruth L. Snyder  http://ruthlsnyder.com

Tuesday, July 15 Cindy Noonan http://CindyNoonan.com

Wednesday, July 16 Mishael Witty  http://bluebrownbooks.com/

Thursday, July 17 - Michele Huey  http://michelethuey.com/

Friday, July 18 - Patti J. Smith  http://gridirongrannyfootballfanatic.blogspot.com/

Saturday, July 19 - Amber Schamel  http://amberschamel.blogspot.com/

Sunday, July 20 - Mark Carver   http://www.markcarverbooks.com

Monday, July 21 - Marian Baay  http://marianbaay.blogspot.nl/

Tuesday, July 22 - Jen Cudmore  www.jencudmore.com

Wednesday, July 23 - Tracy Krauss  http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com/

Thursday, July 24 - Marcia Laycock http://marcialeelaycock.com/thespur/

Friday, July 25 - Joy Davis  www.joyrossdavis.com

Saturday, July 26 - Travis Perry http://travissbigidea.blogspot.com/

Sunday, July 27 - Mark Venturini  http://markventurinijourney.blogspot.ca/

Monday, July 28 – Iola Kirkwood  http://iokirkwood.com/

Tuesday, July 29 – Marsha Hubler  http://www.marshahubler.com/

Happy reading,
Michele

Exciting news from Christian Writers Guild!

If you've been wanting to take a writing course but haven't been able to stretch the pocketbook enough, I've got some exciting news for you:

The Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild has re-tooled their entire roster of course offerings to give you what you’ve asked for: shorter courses, more options, and better value.

The Guild recently launched of the recasting of their Apprentice Level courses and cut the cost of their Articles that Sell course from $810 to just $399, and have cut the price of the other five introductory courses even more. From a previous high of $900, no course at this introductory level will cost more than $399.

All CWG courses have been restructured into levels much like college courses. The Introductory level includes all their Apprentice-level courses:

Apprentice 100
Writing Essentials - Six skills to help your writing sell
Learn to capture your ideas, properly format a manuscript, communicate like a writer, self-edit the way the pros do, and find appropriate markets.

Apprentice 110
Think Like a Writer - Establish yourself as a professional
Learn the essential attitudes and abilities for a career in writing.

Apprentice 120
Write Like a Writer - Opportunities and techniques for success
Learn key skills and techniques for professional writers.

Apprentice 130
The Art of Short Nonfiction - Keys to writing print and web articles
Learn the secrets of writing for electronic and print publications so you can turn your writing into a profitable business.

Apprentice 140
Fiction That Sells - Seven tools for today’s novelist
Learn the elements of compelling fiction, including plotting, characterization, scenes, point of view, and dialogue.

Apprentice 150
Mastering Social Media - Build your publicity platform
Find your niche in social media as you learn the keys to build your online presence through proper netiquette, tribe-building, newsletters, search engine optimization, and more.

For more information, click here.

The Christian Writers Guild has been training people to write since 1964. You are matched with a hand-picked mentor — an experienced writer and editor — who offers practical advice and coaching in response to the assignments you complete for each lesson.

I have been a mentor for the Guild for about 10 years. Over that time, I've been increasingly impressed by the quality of the lessons and have immensely enjoyed working with budding writers eager to improve their skill and hungry to learn all they can about writing and publishing.

Christian Writers Guild is a top-notch organization with one purpose in mind: to educate, train, and support writers who desire to promote a biblically-based, Christian worldview through their writing.

And now their high quality courses are more affordable and doable than ever! If you're serious about becoming a published writer and you haven't looked into the Christian Writers Guild, now is the time. 

Happy writing,
Michele

New release

Have you ever wanted to chuck it all –mowing, blowing snow, tending to that endless “fix it” list? When Gracie Allen’s newly retired husband puts their home up for sale and buys a fifth wheel to spend their retirement years traveling, her secure, snug little world is turned upside-down. If she wants her 45-year marriage to survive, she has to decide which she loves more: the things that make her who she is—or the man who provided them.

It's a story baby boomers will love!

Click here to download for only $.99.

*****

Since March, I have been crazy busy. My debut novel, The Heart Remembers, was released that month, and, although I understood that authors have the lion's share in publicizing and promoting their books, I had no inkling of how much work it was. But

NO ONE BELIEVES IN YOUR WRITING AS MUCH AS YOU DO.


Here are some things you need to do to promote your work. Beside each suggestion is a link to my page so you can see how I have it set up and how often I post. Check out the web pages (web sites, blogs, Facebook pages) of your favorite authors and analyze them.

• BLOG regularly, at least once a week, if you can. Think: What can I offer readers? I have three blogs: God, Me, and a Cup of Tea; God, Me, and a Cup of Tea Daily for 2014; and Christian Writers Page (this page). Invite friends to subscribe to your page, and respond positively to comments. Use Blogspot or WordPress. Both are free, and you can have several pages: one for your blog, one for your bio (About Me), one for your books, one for your schedule. Don't make the page too busy (too much stuff), but do put interesting information in the margin.
• Create a FACEBOOK author page and post often. Invite your Facebook friends to LIKE your author page.  Michele's FB author and speaker page
• If you have a book on AMAZON, create an AMAZON author page and keep it updated. Ask readers to post reviews. Michele's Amazon author page
• Open a PINTEREST account if you don't have one already and pin at least once a week. You can have several boards. With lots of cooks and readers out there, recipes are favorite pins, as are books. Michele's Pinterest site
• TWEET. I'm not crazy about Twitter, but lots of folks like it, and it's a way to get your name and message out here. Michele's Twitter page
• Create a GOODREADS account and set up an author page there, too. Offer giveaways. Goodreads is where you find readers. I love to read, and the recommendations and reviews posted there give me good titles for my reading stack. Run a giveaway. I received a call this morning from a lady across the country who won an autographed copy of The Heart Remembers when I ran the giveaway last month. She loved the book, and called me to tell me how much she loved it and asked how she could obtain my meditation books. Michele's Goodreads page

Interact with people on these sites. Remember they are real people with emotions and are struggling with life like you and I are. Read Rise of the Machines: Human Authors in a Digital World by Kristen Lamb. Subscribe to her blog. She has a genuine desire to help writers.

And I haven't mentioned book signings, author appearances, interviews, book reviews, and giveaways (complimentary copies).

When "Gracie's Gift," Volume One of my Fifth Wheel series, was released, I spent the day publicizing and promoting it, and updating all my web sites. I got nothing done that was on my do-list for the day.

But such is the life of an author. It's no pie-in-the-sky or a walk in the park. It's hard work. Consistent work. And writing isn't the half of it.

But it's my dream. And it's up to me, with the help of the good Lord, to make it come true.

Keep writing,
Michele

May Goodreads giveaway and other news

Only one week left in the May Goodreads giveaway!

I'm giving away three autographed copies of my debut novel, The Heart Remembers.

Dedicated to all who who served in Vietnam, The Heart Remembers enjoys a 5-star rating on Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble.

 Click here to enter to the giveaway.

Here are some reviews of The Heart Remembers:

“Truly one of the best Christian books I have read in a long time.” (Barnes & Noble)

“The Heart Remembers by Michele Huey grabs the reader and won't let go. I can heartily recommend this incredibly well written, researched, and crafted novel about the Vietnam War, about love lost and remembered, about family and faith, and about never giving up hope.” – Cass W.

“From the first page to the last, this book is a riveting and entertaining story that will keep you in suspense and unable to put the book down until the final page is read.” - Deborah B.

 “The Heart Remembers takes readers on a journey of the heart that will be with them long after they put the book down. With characters you can’t help but care about, Michele Huey weaves a story of intrigue, faith, and—most importantly—love. A delightful read.” – Robyn W.

 “This was one of the best books I have ever read! I couldn't put it down! The story held surprises at every turn, and I felt a personal connection to the characters. I would definitely recommend this as a must read!” – Brenda T.

 

Click here to enter to the giveaway, which ends May 30. Get your entry in by May 29, as I've noticed the giveaways I've run in April and May were done at midnight on the day they were to end.

The Heart Remembers is available as an ebook and print book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

Click here to order from Amazon.

Click here to order from Barnes & Noble.

*****

The Heart Remembers proceeds to benefit veterans

A portion of the proceeds from the sales of autographed copies of The Heart Remembers  will be donated to Tomorrows Hope, a locally owned transitional housing and service center that provides shelter and basic necessities to homeless veterans.

Located in Coalport, Pa., "Tomorrows Hope provides transitional housing and services for Veterans of our U.S. Armed Forces. A clean, safe, and comfortable living space, counseling, education, life skills, recreational activities, and job training are among the services made available to Veterans at Tomorrows Hope. We aid Veterans in achieving independence through the rehabilitative support and services we provide. We give hope and help to those who have fought for our freedom."

NOTE: This is for autographed copies only.

*****

Purchase autographed copies of The Heart Remembers at the following venues:

• B's Books, Etc., 122 E. Mahoning St., Punxsutawney, Pa., where I'll be signing copies on Friday, June 6 (the 70th anniversary of D-Day) from 1-3 p.m.

• Punxsutawney Groundhog Festival, Sunday, June 29 - Saturday, July 5 from noon - 7 p.m. each day. The festival is held downtown in Barclay Square. Look for my booth. Did you know that The Groundhog Festival is the setting for a chapter in The Heart Remembers? 

• Email me to order your autographed copy or mail your check to Michele Huey, 121 Homestead Lane, Glen Campbell, PA  15742. The cost is $15 even--tax included. I've asked those who have had their orders mailed to them to donate the cost of the postage to a worthy veterans' organization of their choice.

One dollar for every book sold will be donated to Tomorrows Hope.

 

How well do you measure up?

In his Christian Writers Guild blog post, Dennis Hensley lists "5 Traits of Successful Freelancers." Which ones do you have? Which ones do you need to work on?

To read the blog post, click on the article title above.

Conference time

 

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. 

Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come. 

-  Song of Songs 2:11-12

In one week, Spring will officially be here. YAY! It's been a long, hard, weary winter. And living where I do, I don't like to make plans to go anywhere from November through March. So cabin fever this year has been a challenge to cope with.

BUT . . . 

March is almost over. The daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops, and other spring flowers are awakening and nudging up through the frozen soil.

Like those bulbs, I, too, am ready to break out of my winter quarters.

And what better way than to attend a writers conference?

Here's a rundown of the Christian writers conferences in Pennsylvania coming up (click on each to take you to the conference web page):

April 26 - Writing Success XXII, Stoneboro, PA (one-day conference)  

June 17-21 - St. Davids Christian Writers Conference, Grove City College, Grove City, PA  

July 20-25 - Montrose Christian Writers Conference, Montrose Bible Conference, Montrose, PA

July 30-August 2 - Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference, Cairn University, Langhorne, PA

There are also a number of excellent Christian writers conferences around the country, including:

May 14-17 - Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Estes Park, CO 

June 4-7 - Write-to-Publish Conference, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL (Chicago suburb)

The Writing Academy's Writers Weekend usually is held at the end of July, the beginning of August. The information for 2014 isn't up yet, but you can check out their page. The retreat is held at the beautiful Mount Olivet Retreat Center near Minneapolis. 

If you would like to suggest a writing conference, please add it in the comment section below and, if possible, include a link to the conference web page. Thanks!

Keep writing,

Michele

 

March book giveaway

Enter to win one of three Minute Meditations: Meeting God in Everyday Experiences I'm giving away on Goodreads this month.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER.

Goodreads notes

In preparation for the release of The Heart Remembers, I've created an author page on Goodreads and have added my two meditation books, Minute Meditations: Meeting God in Everyday Experiences and I Life Up My Eyes: Minute Meditations Vol. 2.

If you've read either or both of these, will you please visit the page and rate the book?

Get to the Goodreads page by clicking here.

Thank you!

Michele

Getting ready for release . . .

In preparation for the release of The Heart Remembers, I've created an author page on Amazon. Check it out by clicking here.

I'll post information about the novel's release date as soon as I get it. 

OOPS!
I inadvertently let the domain name for my web page expire and, long story short, had to get e new one. Same pages. Just a different address: http://michelethuey.com/