OVER THE RAINBOW: An Author's True Pot of Gold!

Somewhere over the rainbow … there’s a pot of gold that most authors don’t expect to find, and I gotta tell you—it took me by complete surprise.

Oh, I suspected there might be more than a few blessings after I signed that first book contract—a bit of fame, a bit of money, a new circle of like-minded friends and peers to usher me into a whole new world I never even knew existed. And I have to say, all those things have been pretty great.

But … the true treasure that I’ve discovered in my career as an author—which exceeds any contracts, any royalty checks, or any awards I may have acquired— are the incredible reader friends I have made, whose friendships have blessed my life more than I can say.

True … some “friendships” have been scarier than others.

Uh, like the Mennonite family who are now dear friends because their daughter fell in love with A Passion Most Pure and encouraged her mother to read it. I have to admit with my brand of edgy inspirational romance, I was a wee bit nervous when that mother thanked me over and over for teaching her daughter Biblical precepts through my fiction. She ended her email by saying she “couldn’t wait to start APMP” herself that night. 

Wait a minute … she hadn’t read it yet??? YIKES!! I remember turning to my husband like a deer in headlights, saying, “uh-oh … this could be a lawsuit in the making if this Mennonite mother thinks I’ve brainwashed her daughter with too much “passion” in a Christian novel.” As it turned out, she loved it and is now a dear friend who’s not only had me over for dinner, but her sister planned to print off flyers for APMP and pass them out in her Mennonite restaurant. Whew! My hubby joked that I should ask my publisher to stamp “Mennonite Approved” on all my books. ;)

The stories go on and on of wonderful reader friends (I despise the word “fan” because we’re all just women who love God, whether we are readers or writers) who have taken time to come see me for coffee, lunch, or dinner, several of whom are now such close friends that have even traveled long distances to come visit. And trust me, there’s nothing better to this author than one-on-one personal time with women whose hearts beat alongside my own when it comes to Christian fiction that touches their soul.

In fact, reader friends have been such a pot of gold in my life that I often wished I could sit down and chat over coffee or lunch with many of them.

Well, guess what? I now have that opportunity, and so do you!

How? Welcome to the CFRR, the truly inspirational brainchild of three amazing women whom I am privileged to call dear friends—Bonnie Roof, Carrie Schmidt, and Annie (Just Commonly). 

What is CFRR? It's the Christian Fiction Reader's Retreat, and I am one of the speakers, along with Mary Connealy, Laura Frantz, and Ruth Logan Herne, with participation by Seekers Janet Dean, Debby Giusti, and Myra Johnson as well as many other authors you love. It's going to be small, cozy, and just like going to lunch together except with prizes and personal prayer, so I invite you to learn more about it by checking out the CFRR website here HERE. 

How did this all get started? Well, let’s just say it was officially born during Seekerville’s New Year’s Eve Bash, but God planted the seeds in the heart of these three amazing woman long before that, so I’m going to let them tell you about that, and I hope they bless you as much as they have blessed me!

A Note From Bonnie Roof:

My part in the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat began indirectly through Liz Curtis Higgs in May 2011. Her speech in a women's conference was so compelling, I immediately purchased some of her books, read them, and continued purchasing until I had read every book she’d written. Until then, I knew nothing about Christian Fiction; however, that was the beginning of my love affair with it. I couldn't get enough! I was then drawn to Julie Lessman's online rapport with her readers, her passion, and her devotion to God. As with Liz, I read each book Julie had written, back to back. 

I began reading articles written by numerous authors re: the writing journey of each and all that is involved in turning an author's ideas into a published book. I was astounded! Conferences, contests, critiques, rejections, agents, contracts, editors, publishers vs. self-pub, plotting, researching, writing, rewrites, edits, promo, and on and on. For many authors, it’s years of waiting, struggles, and sacrifices. I began to realize what a beautiful ministry Christian Fiction is, yet also how underrated it is by many people, and how underpaid many of its authors are when compared to the hours invested.

I felt God leading me into the encouragement of Christian Fiction authors, praying for them and sharing/promoting their work. Learning more about them personally led to an even greater understanding of, and appreciation for, their hard work. I had a desire and vision for all Christian Fiction readers to more fully understand and appreciate its authors, their work, their calling from God, and dedication to their craft. Hence, the idea for an author/reader retreat. I contacted a couple of authors for advice, ideas, and/or suggestions to help further my vision. Not receiving the response I needed - I continued to pray about the retreats and wait for God to open doors. I then related my vision to Julie Lessman in an email on September 22nd, 2013 and asked her to join me in prayer. 

And then God opened doors through Seekerville! It was in the wee morning hours of January 1st, 2016 during Seekerville’s online New Year's Eve Party that Annie JC mentioned her desire for an event in which Christian Fiction readers could meet and spend time with their favorite authors. When other readers responded affirmatively to her comments, I felt God's leading to contact Annie and ask if she would like to consider planning an event with me. After praying about it, she agreed. When talking to Laura Frantz about participating in our event, she mentioned Carrie Schmidt also had been praying about the possibility of such an event. 

There’s no doubt in my mind that God placed the three of us together to plan this reader's retreat, the theme of which is "Honoring God Through Christian Fiction.” From Carrie's beautiful artwork, Annie's event-planning experience, and the computer skills of both, God is the Master Event Planner, guiding us each step of the way in our appreciation for His gift of Christian Fiction and the authors who write it.

A Note From Annie (Just Commonly):

CFRR really started during Seekerville's New Year's Eve party. A couple of us were talking about how there are always author conferences or writing sessions, but what about something for the readers?  As it so happened, several of us thought the same thing, and here we are!  Being the first retreat, we wanted something more intimate, and not convention-sized, so every reader's able to sit and chat with authors sometime during the event. Personally, I'm really looking forward to meeting all these wonderful authors, getting to know them a little or more beyond the world of Christian fiction in their books. Then there's also the opportunity to do some fan-girling in person with other like-minded readers! Exciting indeed!

A Note From Carrie Schmidt:

Since I started blogging, one of my very favorite blessings has been getting to know some of my favorite authors as “real people”.  They love to read.  They love their families.  They fangirl over their own book heroes. They like to send HUGS (I’m looking at you, dear Julie Lessman!). They ask for advice. But most of all, these Christian fiction authors? They are crazy about Jesus. I am so excited about this event in Nashville because it brings authors and readers together in one room to just hang out and be “real people”, crazy about Jesus and fiction and each other. TOGETHER. 

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t also looking forward to the author panel I’m moderating on the subject of KISSING in Christian fiction.  I would also be lying if I said I wasn’t the tiniest bit afraid that I will lose all control of said panel with panelists such as Julie Lessman, Ruth Logan Herne, and Pepper Basham… just to name some of the participants in that particular event. But can you even imagine what a time of laughter and friendship and good old-fashioned fanning that will be? 

Oh – and I have to talk about prayer! As Bonnie has mentioned, prayer has been part of this event since it was just a wishful thought.  It continues to be part of our preparation for August, and it will be the most important activity of the day when the event finally arrives. Praising God with worship music. Praying with fellow readers. Praying FOR and with your beloved authors as they prepare to head to the ACFW conference the next day. Lots of books are pitched and career decisions hang in the balance at the ACFW. What an absolute privilege it will be to send them off wrapped in our love and reminded that Jesus has got this. 

Okay, I don't know about you, but I'm a bit on the weepy side right now over these incredible gals who are just as "crazy about Jesus" as any of we authors are, and I can't thank you enough sweet Bonnie, Annie, and Carrie. It is a privilege and blessing to call you my friends!

Hugs,

Julie 

GIVEAWAY!!

Leave a comment to win one of three e-copies of winner's choice of Isle of Hope, A Glimmer of Hope, or A Light in the Window. 

And just FYI ... those who register for CFRR early at the reduced price will also be entered for additional prizes including a box of books!