Tips from the Pros: MaryAnn Diorio

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Almost-Thanksgiving greetings from Marti Pieper, posting today from Sevierville, Tenn. and the National Bible Bee. Through the magic of the Internet, author MaryAnn Diorio and I were able to set up today's interview in advance. I'm thankful to have met MaryAnn in person when we both taught at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. She has some wise words to share, so without further ado, enjoy our Q & A session. MaryAnn, how did you get into writing? How many books do you have published? What are a few of your latest titles? I've been writing since I was a young…

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Review: Daily Reflections on the Names of God by Ava Pennington

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Daily Reflections on the Names of God: A Devotional (Revell) by Ava Pennington Review by Marti Pieper Would you like to spend a year getting to know God in a deeper, more intimate way? Would you like to spend time acquainting yourself with the details of His character and meditating on how they affect your life? Would you like to immerse yourself in Him? If these questions intrigue you, you’ll want to pick up a copy of Ava Pennington’s recent release, Daily Reflections on the Names of God: A Devotional (Revell). The author organizes her work around God’s character and…

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Tips from the Pros: Crystal Bowman

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A warm greeting from sunny Florida, where fall means cooler days, shorter nights, and (as my teenage daughters say), choosing the flip-flops with the wider straps. Today, I have the privilege of sharing an interview with fellow Florida author Crystal Bowman. I first met Crystal when we taught together at the Florida Christian Writers Conference, and I’m delighted to share her words of wisdom today. How did you get into writing, Crystal?                                 I started writing when I was 10 years old. I loved writing…

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Tips from the Pros: Davalynn Spencer

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Greetings from historic Philadelphia, where I’m teaching “WannaBe Published,” a continuing session, at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. I always enjoy spending time with other writers, and this conference is dear to my heart. Every month, Davalynn Spencer, Sarah Sundin, and I alternate in posting interviews with our fellow CAN authors for this “Tips from the Pros” feature. So I take special delight in sharing the following interview with Davalynn. She has some creative answers and insights to share that I know you’ll enjoy. Welcome to the other side of the interview desk, Davalynn. How did you get into…

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Tips from the Pros: Angela Breidenbach

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I don't see a sign of April showers here in Florida, but Angela Breidenbach, today's featured author, may be watching out for snow showers in her Montana home. She and I became acquainted a few years ago when we both taught at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference, and our paths have crossed in several professional ways since. I'm thrilled to introduce Angie and her newest book, which released April 1, to our CAN audience!  How did you get into writing, Angie?                                  I started my…

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Tips from the Pros: Lynda T. Young

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Greetings from sunny–and short–springtime in central Florida! Marti Pieper here, lifting my head from my current manuscript long enough to share an insightful interview with author Lynda T. Young. Lynda not only has an interesting journey to publication but some unusual elements to her marketing strategy as well. Welcome, Lynda! Let's forge ahead with the interview.  How did you get into writing? How many books do you have published? What are a few of your latest titles? I co-founded a ministry, Kindred Spirits International, in 1999 and we sent out a newsletter. My articles mainly dealt with children’s hospitals and…

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Tips from the Pros: Maureen Pratt

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New Year's greetings from central Florida! Now that you've finished off all the extra fudge and gingerbread cookies, I hope you'll take time from the treadmill long enough to read today's marketing insights from award-winning playwright, journalist, and author Maureen Pratt. Maureen has lots of wisdom to share, so let's get started. Maureen, how did you get into writing? How many books have you published, and what are a few of your latest titles? I was always writing–scripts, songs, stories, even a comic strip–when I was young. My first paid writing job was as a stringer for a local newspaper….

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Tips from the Pros: Linda Gilden

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In the throes of news about superstorm Sandy and the election, I'm delighted to bring you some helpful information from author Linda Gilden. I know her gracious answers to our CAN questions will spur your thinking about marketing your own books. How did you get into writing? I have loved to write ever since second grade, when I wrote the story of my younger brother's birth. My teacher let me read it in front of the class, and I was hooked! However, because of a discouraging experience with a college creative writing professor, I gave up my dream of writing…

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Tips from the Pros: Tracy Higley

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An end-of October hello from Marti Pieper in beautiful Mount Dora, Florida, where the advent of fall means temperatures have dipped to a chilly fifty-five degrees (yeah, I know). Today, I have the privilege of sharing with you the marketing and publicity expertise of multi-published author Tracy Higley. I know you'll enjoy her insights as much as I have.  Tracy, how did you get into writing?   I've been writing since I was a little girl–short stories, newspaper articles, poems, plays, and fiction. I got serious about publishing about thirteen years ago and decided to write a novel and try to…

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