Tips from the Pros: Rhonda Gibson

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Hello from Sarah Sundin in northern California.Today I have the privilege of interviewing award-winning author Rhonda Gibson, who writes Christian romances – contemporary mysteries and historicals. In 2009, A Connecticut Christmas, a novella collection she contributed to, received the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award, and in 2007, her novel To Trust an Outlaw won the Heartsong Presents Favorite Historical Novel award. Rhonda, how did you get into writing? I started writing when I was young; it was my love of reading that led to writing. I know that’s the normal answer and it’s true for me, too. How many books do…

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Marketing, Step One

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As you may have heard, your book is not likely to sell itself. Marketing and publicity is hard work. The whole secret is to determine who your target readers are and how to get in front of them (in a non threatening way, of course). So, even if your book isn't out yet, you should start promoting now.  As I blog about marketing and publicity, I'm going to share everything I've learned in my experience over the past few years. I’m far from an expert, but I know my efforts have made a difference in the success of my novels….

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CAN Book Review by Diana Brandmeyer: A Wealth Beyond Riches by Vickie McDonough

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I love sequels and this one–A Wealth Beyond Riches–follows The Bounty Hunter and the Bride. It is Jimmy’s story. His world is spinning after rescuing a beautiful woman who disappears. He’s surprised when she appears at the very place he has been hired to build a house.   Sasha’s world is turned upside down in the first few pages. She discovers she’s not who she thought she was and heads west to look for her uncle and finds a way of life she’d never imagined. McDonough is a great storyteller. Her plots and characters stay with you after you finish the…

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Story Part III: The Premise

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  Hi from Gail Gaymer Martin at www.gailmartin.com – or visit my writing blog at www.writingright-martin.blogspot.com  Writing is a lonely business and needs concentration, hard work, and constant honing. So as always it’s my pleasure to share some writing types with you. I’ve begun a series of blogs on Creating Story – and this is the third in the series. When developing story, premise is another factor that happens early in the planning as you build your story. Premise is hypothesis of your novel, the assumptions that come from the basic idea. From the way you build your story, readers…

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I’m Planning a Party – Part I

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Hi, all – Ava Pennington here. I love a good party, don’t you? And I’m planning a special party in October – a launch party for my first book! If you’ve ever hosted a party, you know there’s a lot that goes into the planning. When we add the launch of a book to the mix, it’s not just another item on the list.    A book launch party has its own peculiar nature. In this post, I’ll touch on the various logistics we need to consider for a successful launch party. Since I’m planning my first book launch for…

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CAN Book Review by Diana Brandmeyer: Deadly Exposure by Cara Putman

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T.V. news Reporter, Dani Richards moves to Lincoln, Nebraska to care for her Aunt Jayne who has Alzheimer's. Taking her aunt to see Cats, Dani prays she won't see Caleb Jamison, the man who stole her sixteen-year-old heart. Not only does she see him, she has to work with him when she discovers a dead body at the theater. Caleb is on the police force and is assigned to keep Dani safe, but can he protect her heart from him? Deadly Exposure is a page turner. It was a delight to read a suspense novel that doesn't go into grisly…

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Conferences and Opportunities

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Aloha from Karen Whiting, CAN Treasurer Last week I was on faculty at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference and felt the excitement of aspiring and experienced writers as they had good meetings with editors. It reminded me of all I’ve gained from attending conferences and so many reasons why writers should go and I want to chat about that today.  

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