This week I’m excited to announce that Heidi Main is the volunteer in the spotlight. She has always been a willing volunteer at the annual conference, which is greatly appreciated. She also interviews writers for the Weekly Featured Author Spotlight on ACFW. These programs are successful because of people like Heidi Main. Thank you for all your work for ACFW. …
The Power of Casual Conversation at Conference
by S. Dionne Moore In preparation for conference season, let’s remember a very important factor. Round table talk. It’s like a tonic to those of us who are not extroverts by nature. Round table talk at conference meals is the best way to get to know an agent or editor that you hope to target. For one, the weight of …
Some basic questions about authors and agents…
by Chip MacGregor MacGregor Literary 1. “What’s the best way to find a literary agent?” In my view, a face-to-face meeting is best. And you may find that getting a referral from your friend (who happens to be agented) is a nice way to gain an introduction. 2. “If an agent has asked you to send in a manuscript, is …
Book Review: The Doctor’s Lady
Title: The Doctor’s Lady Author: Jody Hedlund Publisher: Bethany House Date: Sep 2011 ISBN: 978-0764208331 Genre: Historical Romance Reviewed by: Holly Weiss Adventure Moving Like a Strong Current Can you imagine wanting to minister to the west coast Native Americans so badly that you would marry a man you hardly knew and make a torturous seven-month journey from New York …
ACFW Volunteer Spotlight
Casey Herringshaw is this week volunteer in the spotlight. Thank you for helping the ACFW Book Club. She helps read, review and lead the discussion of some of the book club’s monthly selections. She also volunteers at the ACFW conference when she attends and that is greatly appreciated. Then on top of that she is a cheerleader for Christian fiction, …
WIP or RIP?
by Donna L. Rich When people ask me what I’m working on right now, sometimes, I have to stop and think (and count). I wonder if I have too many ideas or too many WIP’s going on at once. The problem is if I don’t get them down on paper (or flash drive), they prod and dig and pound inside …
Five Tips for Plotting a Romantic Suspense Novel
by Susan Sleeman In my December 8th post where I defined romantic suspense, I promised to share my top tips on how to plan a romantic suspense novel. But first, a quick recap on what makes a novel and romantic suspense novel. Romantic suspense is just what the title says. Romance and suspense in one novel. • BOTH storylines have …
Finding Story
by Eva Marie Everson Have you ever read a book or watched a movie and wondered where the writer came up with such a story? I do. The more complex the story, the more I marvel. Or, the more historically accurate, the more I’m fascinated. I’m not a master storyteller, but throughout my life, stories run in and out of …
Book Review: Ransome’s Quest
Title: Ransome’s Quest Author: Kaye Dacus Publisher: Harvest House Date: Aug 2011 ISBN: 978-0736927550 Genre: Historical Romance Reviewed by: Patricia Woodside Ransome’s Quest brings to an end the saga of Julia Ransome and the Witherington and Ransome families. But not before Julia, and her husband’s sister, Charlotte, are both kidnapped by pirates. One is snatched by mistake, the other for …
Create a Unique Take to Present a Villain
by B.J. Robinson Want a memorable villain? When I wrote Last Resort I created one Amazon reviewers left comments about. Author Nike Chillemi said, “This is a novel where the reader can not only connect with the heroine and hero, as would be expected, but there’s also connection with the villain. This is a unique take on how to present …