We Have Winners
If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, take a minute to read them. It keeps us all happy!
Tina Radcliffe's Author Page Facebook giveaway winners are: Minion mug winner is Bree Herron. $25 Amazon Gift Card winner is Barbara Fox.
Monday Mary Connealy was your hostess and she brought Disney's Frozen to Seekerville. Because it was SUCH a fun day on Seekerville and the comments were lively and so many of them. I am doing a super surprise giveaway-palooza of four books to THANK YOU ALL. Jeri Hoag, Sparks of Ember, Boo Smelser and Bonton are the winners of No Way Up!
Kimberly Rose Johnson was our special guest on Tuesday with her post, "The Pros and Cons of Writing for a Small Publisher." Trixi is the winner copy of her latest release, A Love To Treasure.
Wednesday we welcomed back Love Inspired Suspense author Lisa Phillips as our special guest. Lisa delved into "Failing Out Loud", a look at epic fails in the public eye. Winners of Dead End are Jill Weatherholt, Cynthia Herron, Nicky Chapelway, Sandy Smith and DebH.
Thursday was the August Contest Update. Did you stop by to meet our August Diva Susan Hollaway!? Journal winner is Barbara Scott. SBOC winner is Jackie Layton.
Monday: "What's So Important About Women's Fiction" with guest blogger, Tyndale author Carre Armstrong Gardner. We're thrilled to have Carre with us and she brought along two giveaways!
Tuesday: We're excited to welcome back Walt Mussell and Lindi Peterson. They've got an insightful post called "The Challenges of Writing for Charity." Stop by to chat, and there are giveaways too!
Wednesday: Saddle up with Carrie Fancett Pagels when she discusses “The Wild Wild West of Hybrid Publishing.” Does it seem that all these opportunities in publishing fiction today are similar to when the American West opened up? Come visit with Carrie as she shares about being a cowgirl in the Wild West of hybrid publishing!
Thursday: Come laugh and cry with award-winning, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne as she tries to cheerfully explain why death is just as important as life in her appropriately titled post "Why Death is Just as Important as Life in Storytelling". While this might seem obvious, it's kind of like Anne Shirley walking that ridgepole... how do you strike a balance that works for writer and reader? And Ruthy will be giving away a $20 Amazon card to one blessed villager... and a one-sheet critique to one writer!
Friday: Best of the Archives with Seeker Pam Hillman. Pam brings us "The Strange Phenomenon of Parkinson's Law." Comments are closed on Fridays to give us all more reading and writing time.
Congratulations to Ruth Logan Herne. Back in the Saddle made the CBA Bestseller List! Check it out here.
Both Tina Radcliffe and Missy Tippens have books in this sweepstakes. And you could win a Kindle Fire! Inspirational Romance Summer Giveaway. Runs August 1-8! bit.ly/inspyromance
Mary Connealy's Fire and Ice is on sale for Kindle $3.99
So if you haven't read it yet, now's a good time! It has a 5-star rating on Amazon with 153 reviews and will give you a sneak peek into Isle of Hope, plus the first chapter, so do check it out at the following link:
A Glimmer of Hope
How? Just click on the link below for all the details on Julie's Journal Jots blog and GOOD LUCK!!
Julie's Contest
Random News & Information
Thanks to everyone who sent links!
First Sale!!!
Congratulations to the new LI Historical Authors and a special Shout Out to June Seekerville Diva, Angie Dicken, who sold her first book to Harlequin Love Inspired Historical!!! More here on SYTYCW.
From Twitter
Congratulations to the ACFW VIRGINIA Short Story Contest Winners! (With a shout- out to Villagers Megan Brummer and Bettie Boswell!
1st Prize: Christmas Courage (Speculative) by Megan Brummer
2nd Prize: Christmas, Cold and Gray (Contemporary) by Sarah Smith Hamaker
3rd Prize: Fred’s Gift (Romance) by Bettie Boswell
The Secret Behind Disappearing Amazon Reviews (Tina Reber)**
Three Facebook Changes You Need to Know About (DBW)** MUST READ!
The Reading Habits Of 8 Incredibly Successful People (Writers Write)
Can Serialized Fiction Convert Binge Watchers Into Binge Readers? (NPR)
Book Marketing Shots in the Dark (ALLi)
Collaboration and Visionary Leadership Shape the Retail Environment of the Future (CBA)
Free Books and What To Do With Them (Writer Unboxed)
Life in the Victorian Era, Fact or Fiction (Romancing History)
Image Dimensions for Major Social Media Platforms (The Write Conversation)**
Consistency: A Wise Investment of Time (the John Maxwell Co.)**
How To Use the Twitter Dashboard ( Social Media Examiner)
News Feed FYI: Further Reducing Clickbait in Feed (Facebook Newsroom)
Difference Between BetaReaders and ARC Readers: What You Need To Know (BadRedhead Media)**
Content Marketing Tips: 11 Types of Content That People Love To Share (Jeff Bullas)**
Short on Time? **Read these first and come back later to catch up on the rest!
That's it! Have a great reading and writing weekend and don't forget to come out of lurkdom to win a surprise giveaway!!!
Happy Lurker Weekend, Seekerville.
ReplyDeleteSay hi! Introduce yourself! Writer? Reader? Both? Where are you from? These giveaways are open to US and international lurkers. We are an equal opportunity lurker friend.
Back to edits, but I'll be checking in on the lurks.
ReplyDeleteWe know you're out there.
Congratulations to all this weeks winners. Also a big CONGRATULATIONS to Ruthy for making the CBA Bestseller List for Back in the Saddle. Last but not least, congratulations to Angie Dicken on your first sale to LIH. That is so very awesome! And also, congratulations to the winners of the ACFW Virginia short story winners. I would like to say, "YAY!" for all of you!
ReplyDeleteAnother great weekend edition Tina! Thank you for all you all do.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
Welcome lurkers! Congratulations to all of the winners here and outside of Seekerville, so much great news. Congrats to Ruthy too!I appreciate the copy of Lisa's book, Dead End! Woo Hoo!
ReplyDeleteTina, we all appreciate the time involved in putting together the WE each week. Thank you for all of the informative links!
Congrats Seekers. I'm was so happy to place in the Virginia contest. Thank you Seekerville for the encouragement. Also on your recommendation, I have been working my way through Conversations with a Writing Coach by Susan May Warren. It is an amazing resource. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
ReplyDeleteSelf edit...I was so happy to place...
DeleteHappy Lurker Weekend. I want to encourage all the lurkers to dive in. This is a safe and encouraging place to make friends.
ReplyDeleteTina, thanks for all the great links, and congrats to all the winners!
Hi all, I'm a reader but not a lurker by definition as I do occasionally comment and believe I won a prize once. I don't honestly remember what I won but I do remember having to email Tina, the queen of the prize closet. I think it's great that you're having this weekend to encourage lurkers.
ReplyDeleteTHANKS too to all seekers for your writing and for this site to encourage each other and other writers! I can always rely of the book being great if a seeker is the author. I don't think you get enough appreciation for all the work that goes into your books.
CONGRATS to Ruthy for making the CBA Bestseller List for Back in the Saddle! I love that book and can't wait for the next one! Congrats to the new LIH authors!
I also encourage all lurkers. I've never been contacted (unless in response to my e-mail when I won a prize) or spammed because I gave my info. You do need to check back to the Weekend Edition to see if you won as winners are posted once a week. But the prize winners are always at or near the top of the post of the weekend info so you never have to search or read a post you might not be interested in. Good luck! These seekers are great writers so if you win a prize, you'll get a GREAT book.
You are welcome, Cindy! Lots of wonderful folks to salute this weekend
ReplyDeleteSo proud of all the goals achieved!!
You are welcome, Jill. Have an excellent reading and writing weekend.
ReplyDeleteBettie! Thanks for the heads up on the Susan May Warren book. Will add it to my list.
ReplyDeleteAND CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Right, Jackie? We all lurked somewhere at some time.
ReplyDeleteJump in. We hardly ever bite. There's virtual food to be had.
Wow, Dawn Leonard, that was a long time ago. I had to check. It was 2015. So you've been lurking since then? Gee, your name is in the lurker fish bowl.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you here.
Congrats to all weekly winners, Divas and writer accomplishments!
ReplyDeleteI usually comment a couple times a week, but am lurking in the background the other days.
I think I'm a lurkmenter, lol.
Thanks Tina! I love the virtual food! Tied with best virtual food with Yankee Belle Cafe - I love no calorie food! Got any chocolate frosted brownies you can pass my way? That's what I'm craving today.
ReplyDeleteOBJECTION!
ReplyDeleteI must, in good conscience, object to the term 'lurker'.
'Lurker' has a very unsavory connotation. As a word, 'lurker' is first cousin to 'peeking tom'. The word's very image suggests that a lurker is someone hanging around, often in the shadows, staying quiet and unnoticeable as possible, in order to engage in some opportunistic nefarious activities.
Calling people lurkers is not the best way to win friends and influence people. I never heard a pastor call out in church for all the 'lurkers' to please stand and be recognized. ('Lurker' is not an endearing term any more than 'shirker' is.)
As such, I suggest a new term:
Reverent visitors.
This term suggest respectful individuals who sit quietly at the back of a church until they know the ways of the church and learn what constitutes proper decorum. Reverent visitors honor the members by being non-intrusive, non-offensive and non-distracting.
"Reverent visitors: when you feel you are ready, please come forward so we can give you our full personalized welcome."
Vince
All in good fun Vince, all in good fun! The term doesn't bother me at all!
ReplyDeleteVince, I like that...reverent visitor. It sounds far more dignified than lurker!
ReplyDeleteI do comment on occasion, but I pop in and check things out a few times a week.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone :)
Hi. I'm a writer and a reader and I guess I would qualify as a lurker. I have commented once or twice over the two years or so I've followed Seekerville. I really like the monthly contest updates. I'm getting ready to enter my fourth contest for the year! This is big for me, since I've been hesitant about anyone reading my writing but the feedback is so helpful! Thanks, Seekerville! I find a lot of encouragement here!
ReplyDeleteHappy Lurker Weekend! Waving "Hi!" and hoping you'll say "Hi!" back :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing WE ... look at all those winners and finalists and achievers, oh my! Congrats to one and all. I see the promise of many more good books to read in my future. So much fun to see names I 'know' on book covers.
Back later to read links. Thanks, as always, Tina for the time you invest in all of us.
Nancy C
I love me some lurkers!!!! Yes, I mean YOU!
ReplyDeleteCome out of hiding and chat it up with us... and I'll be glad to play barista at the coffee bar!
Cindy, thank you! No one was more surprised than yours truly! And I love that story... Back in the Saddle... and can't wait for Nick's story to hit the stands in just two more months!
ReplyDeleteHappy dancing!
And huge congrats to Angie and all who've gotten the "CALL" so far from Love Inspired. Melissa Endlich of Love Inspired took a chance on me seven years ago... And nearly 40 stories later, I am living the dream I dreamed.
All it takes is one phone call to get a new ball rolling, my friends!
Dawn! I get to see you on facebook all the time, but I'm so glad you came over here to chat! YES!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see all those facebook buds drop into Seekerville for some deliciously soft and chewy Ruthy Chocolate Chip cookies and coffee... or tea! Or COKE!!!!! :) Welcome aboard!
This is such a brilliant idea!! I don't count myself as a lurker but I could definitely comment more often. I read the posts in my email and most times I don't take the extra step of clicking through to comment.
ReplyDelete<3
Vince, that's so funny!
ReplyDeleteI love the term "lurker" on computers, but you're right. In a suspense novel, it's a whole other kettle of fish!
But having been a teen-age lurker who was never quite invited into the mainstream of the cool kids in town, I understand lurker mindset!
So if you're shy.... or think you don't have anything to say... or if TINA SCARES YOU... trust me, we get it!
:)
Come on "in", chat a while... and de-lurk!
Michelle, good for you! That's awesome that you're stepping out like that...
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, the Contest updates rock. That's a Tina thing, and she's amazing at it.
Good to chat with you.... and best of luck with those contests. They were a huge help to me, for sure.
TINA is AMAZING and so is the WE!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Ruthy. I loved BACK IN THE SADDLE as well, and am looking forward to Nicky's story.
I'd congratulate all the wonderful winners by name, but I'm not so sure I wouldn't leave someone out. So CONGRATULATIONS to all.
Seekervillagers may be a little scared at first, but they are all AWESOME people and authors.
I'm an avid reader that loves to read all of Harlequin series my love for reading started at a young age by the age of 12 I use to borrow my mother's Harlequin books she would choose which one's I could read
ReplyDeleteI'm an avid reader that loves to read all of Harlequin series my love for reading started at a young age by the age of 12 I use to borrow my mother's Harlequin books she would choose which one's I could read
ReplyDeleteOOooh looking forward to Wednesday and Thursday's posts! And I am SO excited for Angie and that she got The Call! Been rejoicing via social media with her!
ReplyDeleteHappy Lurker Weekend! (Or... Happy Reverent Visitor Weekend, whichever). I "lurked/visited" for a long time. Then I stopped by for coffee and snacks, and the fellowship and writing goodies drew me in.I was hooked! This community has it ALL, PLUS one--fun, food, fellowship AND teaching within a safe, nurturing environment. (And no one laughs when we goof. Well...at least not to our faces. :-) ) Seriously--if you're lurking OR lingering very reverently, come out, come out wherever you are and join the party!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great week on Seekerville. Thrilled to win Lisa's Dead End! Thank you SO much!
It looks like another wonderful line-up next week, too. Can't wait!
Congrats to all winners, and CONGRATS to ANGIE on her FIRST SALE!
Again, Seekerville, thank you for all you do and for your continued encouragement.
Now... I'm off to dorm shop. On the agenda today? A refrigerator!!!! (AND our girl goes in six--SIX--days!) Clearly, next week will be a coffee-guzzling, chocolate-eating, three hanky kind of week.)
Welcome to the Lurkers!!! And Reverent Visitors! :) Welcoming you all with open arms and lots of hugs...wait, you can't hug with open arms. So I'll stick to welcoming you with lots of hugs!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, thanks for leaving a comment!!! Congrats on your contest entries! Woot!
Celebrating Angie Dickens' CALL! So exciting! Congrats, Angie! Welcome to the LI family of authors. More hugs...
I'm in the countdown for completion of the first book in my Amish Trilogy. The end is in sight and I'm excited. Revising the climax today. Need to save my heroine...and redeem my hero! And all from my office, which I'm thinking of calling "The Sweat Shop!" After the last two weeks, the name applies.
Hugs to all. Enjoy the weekend. It's sunny and warm in Georgia, and I wish I were at the beach! Just saying...
Musing on the new name for my office! When the manuscript is submitted on Monday, I can easily change the name from "The Sweat Shop" to "The Sweet Shop." Just a thought!
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I'm getting the tissues ready. Six days until your "little one" is college bound. Always hard to cut those apron strings...and the empty nest can be...well, empty! So many of us have been there. You will survive.
ReplyDeleteRemember they eventually come home...with laundry! :)
Hugs!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!
ReplyDeleteTINA, thank you for another awesome WE! ANGIE, congrats on your first sale!
As a reader, I enjoy the behind the scenes of a writer/author's world. The Seekerville community is amazing! The beverages and FOOD are the best.
HAPPY WEEKEND! GO TEAM USA!
Thank you, DEBBY! It all just feels so...so...strange. It's surreal. I'm not sure how to explain it. My heartstrings are definitely being tugged. When your last one gets ready to leave, their's a similar poignancy to the first, but yet it's different. And you're right--I remember her brother's. haha
ReplyDeleteWhat an avalanche of exciting news in the writing world -- so congrats all round. And I love that Seekerville is the gathering place for the cheering squad!
ReplyDeleteLoved the article on Victorian era true or false. I was definitely surprised a time or two.
And now we're into the Olympics. I counter Caryl's Go Team USA with a Go Team Canada!!!!! LOL
Happy weekending.
I love Seekerville so much! I am not a lurker and I won a prize on my birthday today. I was lucky enough to have Sandra LeeSmith at RWA this year. I am writer and I have learned so much valuable information here. It's my go to site for everything. Thank you Seekerville
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Jeri!!!
ReplyDeleteI've brought a Red Velvet Cake (so Southern!) and vanilla ice cream to celebrate you! Helium balloons as well.
Blow out the candles and cut the first slice! :)
Waving to those who are thinking about sticking their toes in Seekerville waters! Come join us. There's no sharks in our waters. Well, one snark but that's all in good fun! :-)
ReplyDeleteJanet
JERI, happy birthday!! I'm excited that Debby brought red velvet cake to celebrate your special day. Yummy!!
ReplyDeleteJanet
Congrats to our winners and to contest winners ANGIE, MEGAN and BETTIE!! You gals rock!
ReplyDeleteTINA, thanks for the links and another fun Weekend Edition!
Janet
I love the Weekend Edition! I look forward to it every week :)
ReplyDeleteAnd this is a great one! Congrats on the new LI Historical contracts. That's amazing!! Hi fives all around!!
And congrats to Bettie and Sarah! I'm happy dancing over here with you.
And THANK YOU SEEKERVILLE. It's because of a Contest Update that I even knew about the short story contest in the first place. And it's because of this blog that I was able to move from hesitantly admitting that I sometimes write stuff to confidently calling myself "a writer."
So to all the "reverent visitors" ;) out there, I encourage you to dive in! It's worth it!!
I am a reader and a wannabe writer. I am a lurker too. I have entered several contests but I don't always read the Seekerville posts as I am usually overwhelmed with emails that I am trying to follow or unsubscribe from. This is not one of them. I am trying to learn how to be a writer. I have a story in my head screaming to get out. I hope I can do it justice. I like getting all the info on writing techniques and love reading the books that these authors write. I congratulate all the winners. Good luck to all the entrants.
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend everyone! I'm excited to win Lisa's book Dead End. I love suspense so can't wait to read it. The only problem is I have so many Seekerville books in my TBR pile it's going to take a while to get to them all! Such a happy problem, though. I just can't understand that there are people out there somewhere who don't read.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to all the "lurkers" or "reverent visitors"! I have been a regular on Seekerville for just a little over two years now and I love it. I feel like I have made so many friends, even though I haven't met most of them in person! Everyone here has given me so much encouragement to finally get started on the book I wanted to write. I am slowly getting there with it.
I also meant to say congratulations to Ruthy on the CBA bestsellers list. Very exciting. And congratulations to Angie on your first sale! Congrats to the contest winners as well.
ReplyDeleteIn the words of Vince.
ReplyDelete"Reverent visitors: when you feel you are ready, please come forward so we can give you our full personalized welcome."
Welcome, Michelle!
ReplyDelete"Reverent visitors: when you feel you are ready, please come forward so we can give you our full personalized welcome."
Theresa!!!!! Consider this your personalized welcome. We are avid readers of romance too. So avid we had to write them. Welcome. Welcome and more welcome!!
"Reverent visitors: when you feel you are ready, please come forward so we can give you our full personalized welcome."
ReplyDeleteConnie! Welcome.This is the PLACE. We will challenge you to make your dreams come true!
Sigh! I love when dreams come true! As Tina mentioned, they come true in Seekerville!
ReplyDeleteWelcome all!
Trivia: A road in Atlanta is named Welcome All Road. How fun is that! :)
I love SEEKERVILLE! As a busy mom/reader/aspiring writer, I try to keep up with what's going on here. Occasionally, I'll retweet SKRViLL's posts because everyone needs to know about you beautiful ladies. Such fun.
ReplyDeleteHey Therese Jubran, when I outgrew Nancy Drew I started reading my mother's Harlequins. I think we read every Janet Dailey book. (Yes, I'm showing my age.)
ReplyDeleteWelcome All Road! I love it Debby. Was it named before the Olympics came to Atlanta?
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Jeri!
ReplyDeleteAngie, congrats on your first sale! Whoohoo!
ReplyDelete"Reverent visitors: when you feel you are ready, please come forward so we can give you our full personalized welcome."
ReplyDeleteDomino! Welcome. You need to meet Meg Brummer and Deb H and all the other busy mommies in Seekerville.
Stick around. The best is yet to come. So glad you are here with us!! What do you write?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JERI!!!
ReplyDeleteCynthia!!! Those last days before dropping them off at college! Oh my stars, that's a mix of emotions!!! God bless you!
ReplyDeleteTherese I am so glad to see you here!!! Welcome to Seekerville, my friend!!!!
Connie, hello! I'm still laughing at the reverent visitors, oh my stars.... But it is VERY RESPECTFUL!!!!
ReplyDeleteHeaven knows the world could use more respect!
Domino!!!! Welcome aboard! Thank you for your kind words and those re-tweets!
ReplyDeleteIt is so much fun to meet new peeps!!!
Wait.
Vince, my friend!!!! And smartest person I know!!! Can I use "peeps"???? :)
Echoing that happy birthday, Jeri!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I painted my toenails orange.
ReplyDeleteIt's supposed to be "bright melon" and that's what it looks like in the bottle, but on the ends of my feet.... orange
Makes note to save this bottle for OCTOBER!!!!!
I consider myself a Seekville Lurker these days! I'm coming aboard to say Happy Weekend. Not-too-long ago, I managed to win a prize so I likely
ReplyDeletequalify as a Seekerville regular. Put my name in somewhere, please!
Hi Tina! Thanks for the welcome. To answer your question, I write a few things. ;) Without publishing, I've been writing romantic suspense novels, romance novellas, and nonfiction about how to start volunteering in your community. I'm now to the point of taking my projects to their intended audience.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you out mingling with the rest of the visitors Domino. Next time we have a prize of a critique, be sure to wave your hand!!!
ReplyDeleteWell Cathy Shouse, now you have to sit down and grab a coffee or tea and tell us what you've been up to. Welcome back.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I just figured it out. I follow you on Twitter. Laura Domino. Lovely meeting you!!
ReplyDeleteTina, lovely meeting you too. I've been around, but mostly here and there in the background. Learning. I've met a couple of Seekerville ladies at ACFW a time or two. However, I haven't been to a conference recently. Yes, a critique would be fabulous. A great prize.
ReplyDeleteDOMINO, THERESA, CONNIE, MICHELLE, welcome!!! CATHY S, hard to think of you as a lurker, but I have missed you. The great think about chatting in Seekerville is you'll be experienced and comfortable on social media when you do sell.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Happy Lurkers Day to all the lurkers! I am so grateful I discovered Seekerville a couple years ago.
ReplyDeleteI hope everyone is having a great weekend. I'm trying to make it a profitable weekend for writing and reading.
I was saddened to learn yesterday that the publisher I was considering using when I have a book to that stage is closing its doors. Sad to see another publisher of great books not able to continue in the business.
I am sitting in my living room and looking out on the gorgeous crepe myrtle that is right in front of the window. Birds, bees, and butterflies love this bush. I find it calming and an inspiration for my writing.
What publisher is that, Wilani.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow. I love Crepe Myrtle.
RUTHY is being modest. Her book has been on the CBA bestseller list for a few months! I'm so proud of you!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats to Angie for selling to LI. What a great feeling.
And a big hello to all our silent peeps. The food and conversation over here is like sitting on a big front porch together, sharing our dreams.
Thanks, Tina for another spectacular WE. You are da bomb. :-)
And I won the journal this week. Whoo-hoo!! Can't wait to caress the cover and sniff those new pages. Maybe I'll make it my special Seekerville journal to record bits on advice...and virtual recipes.
Have a great afternoon everyone��!! Stay cool.
RUTHY is being modest. Her book has been on the CBA bestseller list for a few months! I'm so proud of you!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats to Angie for selling to LI. What a great feeling.
And a big hello to all our silent peeps. The food and conversation over here is like sitting on a big front porch together, sharing our dreams.
Thanks, Tina for another spectacular WE. You are da bomb. :-)
And I won the journal this week. Whoo-hoo!! Can't wait to caress the cover and sniff those new pages. Maybe I'll make it my special Seekerville journal to record bits on advice...and virtual recipes.
Have a great afternoon everyone��!! Stay cool.
I'm not a lurker really, more like MIA I love Seekerville! it is without a doubt the best place for readers and writers who want to learn the craft. I home school my daughters, work at our family business and write. Spread too thin, I had to cut back on a several of my favorite online places. When I judge writing contest (oh right, I'm a judge in over five contests as well) I often direct writers to past post here because of all the helpful information for writers.
ReplyDeleteThis summer my critique partners and I put out a new mail-order bride series and while I'm waiting on word from a LIH editor on revisions I sent back to her I'm plotting a series to go with the book. If you're going to dream dream big :)
Jamie! Welcome back and you are right. GO BIG OR GO HOME.
ReplyDeleteThere are days when I'm just lurking around this island. However, whether I comment or not, I love being a Seekerville Villager. :)
ReplyDeleteMegan, we love having your DIVA self here. You are an inspiration. I know that very soon we will be able to celebrate that first sale.
ReplyDeleteLet's talk menu now.
Pink frosted cupcakes? What do you think?
The publisher I referred to is Hope Springs Books
ReplyDeleteOh, that's too bad, Wilani!
ReplyDeleteDawn you are absolutely right, Seekerville will NEVER sell your information and send you spam.
ReplyDeleteNot because we're all that honorable, we just haven't found a buyer yet.
SO YOU'RE ALL SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Ruthy baby-gurl! You are smoking with that book. I love this series!
ReplyDeleteCOWBOYS FOR EVERYONE!!!
I always enjoy the WE! It's a great way to end the week and look forward to the new week coming up! You do such a fabulous job, Tina! A lot seems to be coming up in these last days of summer. My daughters, who are both teachers in Arizona, have already started school! I live in Oregon so we haven't done that yet. I'm an empty nester so I don't pay attention to that anymore except for my daughters!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winners this week!
It's so fun to see the new names.
ReplyDeleteWELCOME.
And it's wonderful to hear you've been here all along!!!!
I'm hardly a lurker and have won many prizes here. However, I do feel I've been somewhat absent of late due to job and family. So, I'm excited to be a presenter in Seekerville this week.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as I sit here in a hotel in Mississippi, knowing that I will see my college freshman son one more time before I have to leave him here and return to Georgia. I am not ready for the house to be without him. He has enriched my life in many ways. My rosary beads are about to get worn out.
And congrats to June Seekerville Diva, Angie Dicken, for her first sale. Yeahness!!!
ReplyDeleteTina, pink frosted cupcakes sound lovely. Though I may not eat the frosting since I brought my own Vanilla Coke to drink. Sometimes there is a thing as too much sugar...Sometimes. :)
LOLOL, Megan.
ReplyDeleteYes. Sometimes.
Aw, Walt. You sentimental daddy you.
ReplyDeleteYou almost make me sniffle. Almost. Between you and Cyntha Herron. Almost.
I pushed mine out of the nest with no parachute. With the last one, we moved out of state when he wasn't looking.
Yes. That is what you do when you have 4 kids and the oldest is ten years older than the youngest. You grab your life back after complete devotion for 30 years. OMGOSH. It's time baby, it's time.
Congrats to the finalists and to first sales!! And congrats to Ruthy's bestselling status! An exciting week for lots of you. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear from our lurkers! Off to read comments now...
Michelle, we're glad you jumped in today!
ReplyDeleteVince, how about reticent visitor?? ;) I know that's how I feel on sites where I lurk. :)
Therese, welcome!! I think a lot of us starting out reading our mother's or friend's books. :)
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I feel your pain. After having my daughter home all summer, and my son home for two weeks, it's going to be terribly difficult to send them back to campus. But that first time, freshman year, is the worst.
ReplyDeleteConnie Brown, you should go for it! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun WE Tina Isn't it a blast to hear from some our friends we haven't heard from in awhile. Waving at you all.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Angie Diken. There is nothing more exciting in this business than that first sale.
Congrats to Ruthy and Julie For best selling and 153 reviews that add up to 5 stars. Whew!!!! You girls ROCK!!!
Walt I'm so sympathizing. Its never the same when they leave, but how blessed that you had him all this time. I know the Lord is smiling at the fine job you did.
ReplyDeleteVince I so agree with you. I never liked the word lurkers. I thing REVERENT VISITORS is perfect. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteBut I have some friends who have told me they read Seekerville but never comment. So I'm waving to Maridel and Betty
And to all the rest of you reverent visitors out there. Love and hugs to you.
*waves* to my favorite peeps!
ReplyDelete*waves* to my favorite peeps!
ReplyDeleteHi Jeri Hoag Yes, yes, yes, it was super great meeting you at RWA San Diego. Wasn't that a wonderful conference?
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite things to do at conferences is to meet Seeker friends.
Thanks for dropping by and bringing back fun memories.
Christina, so good to see you. Stretching arms and giving lots of hugs!
ReplyDeleteAlso Cathy Shouse! Waving wildly. Welcome home to both of you!
Jackie, good question about Welcome All Road and the Olympics.
ReplyDeleteNope! The road was already named long before our 1996 Olympics. Wonder how I could find out when the road was named? Perhaps a Google search...after my manuscript is out the door and on its way to NYC, baby!
Hugs!
Christina loves us so much she's waving twice! Welcome back, Christina!!! XXXX
ReplyDeleteWalt, praying you home!
ReplyDeleteHappy Lurker/Reverent Visitor Weekend everyone!! Another great WE, TINA! Been popping in and out while tending to the newest (sweet, sweet) grandbaby and as always there's so much valuable info here. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all the winners! Congrats also to ANGIE, MEGAN and BETTIE!! So happy for you!!
Off to explore the links for a little while - thanks again!
Grammar Queen
ReplyDeleteFuture Post
Request
I have never been able to determine when to use 'that' and when to use 'which'. It just has never made sense to me. When to use 'that' and 'who' is easy. Not so 'that' and 'which'. : (
This problem came up twice in a single post this morning. Here's one of the sentences I used:
"That leads to another consideration: there are dozens of reasons why a story can be rejected that have nothing to do with its objective merit."
I don't ask you to answer this now but I'd sure like to see it in a future post.
Thanks,
Vince
Hi Ruth:
ReplyDeleteYou asked:
"Vince, my friend!!!!... Can I use "peeps"???? :)"
That's really funny. I can't remember even knowing what peeps even meant until you used it in a post to refer to what we always called "Easter Marshmallow Chicks". I'm probably the least qualified person to comment on the use of peeps anywhere near Seekerville.
Hi Missy:
ReplyDeleteYou asked:
Vince, how about reticent visitor?? ;) I know that's how I feel on sites where I lurk. :)
I think the problem with using 'lurker' is why you would want to use the term in the first place. Why would you have to identify anyone as a lurker? You can always just let visitors know that comments are welcome. You can even back this statement up by offering prizes to all commentors.
Why use 'lurker'?
Well, I think it is a somewhat less than subtle way of embrassing such visitors into making a comment. This is because it could be assumed that a 'lurker' is one who takes the benefit of an interactive community without contribiting. In a way, a lurker is a visual version of 'shirker', that is, someone who avoids his share of work in a community, like the Army, and thus makes others do the work for them. To be called a shirker in the military is a very bad thing. Ask you husband!
Now my problem with many alternatives to 'lurker' is that they may have negative (and to some people) offensive connotations. Consider even the rather tame word: 'reticent'. Below is a dictionary entry:
Reticent: not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily. Synonyms: reserved, withdrawn, introverted, inhibited, diffident, shy;
'Reticent' is not all that positive a thing to say about someone.
But then again, I see no need to have a term to replace 'lurker'. I think it is best used by marketing people and webmasters behind the scenes. But then, I'm an ad guy. : )
Vince
Congratulations to all the winners of last week's contests!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Ruthie on making the best seller list!
Congratulations to all of our published authors!
Please enter me in the drawing for a Seeker Book of Choice.
May God bless you and all of Seekerville!
Vince. My words for you are aye, aye, aye, aye, aye.
ReplyDeleteHappy Lurker Weekend Phyllis.
ReplyDeleteYou are in.
Hi from Texas. *waves* I have posted a few comments over the years, but I most lurk away. ;) I love to both read and write. I know some great Seekers on FB and other sites. (That's actually how I found this wonderful place.) I have learned a lot here. Thank you for graciously allowing me to hang in the background.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all recent contest winners! :)
Blessings,
Christalee
CHRISTALEE, thanks for making yourself known! As a Texas gal, are you fond of writing or reading cowboy stories?
ReplyDeleteJanet
Christalee is in my online class. Good for you for coming out of lurkdom!@!!! So excited!!
ReplyDeleteHi Seekerville!
ReplyDeleteI confess, I am a serial lurker of Seekerville. Thanks to all the amazing craft tips I've learned here, last year I signed with the amazing Janet Grant of Books & Such Literary Agency and am currently working on writing my 9th historical romance (one of which just finaled in the Genesis). God has been incredibly good and I'm so thankful for all of you who continually inspire and challenge us to grow in our craft and be the best, most authentic writers we can be. There's a lurker in Arkansas who loves all y'all! :D
Tara Johnson, you took my breath away! Wow!!! Congratulations on the Genesis and your new agent. Thanks for letting us know.
ReplyDeletePlease do not be a stranger. And all you lurkers you are no longer lurkers are entered in the drawing!
TARA, huge congratulations on getting your agent and the Genesis final!! I'm thrilled you feel Seekerville is part of that! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Thank YOU! You lovely ladies are helping far more people than you know. Each morning I wake up, thank Jesus for another day, read my Bible and then pick up my phone to read the Seekerville blog. You've helped me grow as a writer exponentially, and I know I'm not alone. Keep doing what you do so well. I'm so grateful to God for your giving hearts.
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness. You sweet thing you. Now you may never go back into lurkdom.
ReplyDeleteTara, that's so sweet of you to say that. I'm so glad you let us know you're out there! Congrats on getting an agent.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! I just tried to get caught up and found several new names. Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteTara your comment is such a blessing to us.
ReplyDeleteSome times I think maybe Seekerville only exists so I can make fun of Ruthy.
But then a nice note like yours reminds me we have a LARGER purpose.
I don't qualify as a "lurker", as you all know....heehee!! I think when I discovered Seekerville I jumped right into the lake/pond/river/ocean with all of you; commenting, joking, encouraging, sharing in all the great food & snacks, drinking Ruthy's famous coffee and just generally have a great time :-) I love reading each days post & don't like when I miss--I feel bereft if I ever do!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Angie Dicken on the first sale!!!!!! Such wonderful news :-) And of course all the new LIH authors...whoohooo, I adore LIH :-D
Thanks for another WE, please add my name to the pot for a Seeker book of choice. See you all on Monday!!
OK-OK - I don't usually take time to comment, but couldn't resist this one (introvert-even online). Guilty of being a lurker. I'm a writer and a reader, and there's always something to check out on Seekerville. Thanks for being faithful to the calling of writing and helping other writers. You are a blessing.
ReplyDeleteHey seekerville, I'm a writer and find your posts so helpful!!
ReplyDeleteLaura
Laura Russell! Haven't seen you in ages. So you've been lurking all this time!!!
ReplyDeleteGood to see you again. What have you been writing up to??
Ruth Tredway..okay, it's been way, way, too long. Three years since we heard from you.
ReplyDeleteNow, do tell us what you've been writing!! Good to see you.
Contemporary westerns, Tina. The Rancher's Reunion is on my keeper shelf::-)
DeleteLongtime lurker!! I read. I adore books and authors.
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Leola Ogle and I am a lurker. I love love love Seekerville and all the awesome ladies on here, but I seldom comment. I do read Seekerville posts, though. I am an avid reader, but I do write. I am an indie author. I would love to win a prize, but I have won on here before. So best of luck to all the other commenters.
ReplyDeleteI am a lurker. I'm subscribed to the email thread, so I get the posts a day late, which is usually when the villagers have moved on.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm loving all the comments. Thank you so much for letting us know that we are helpful in our small way. That was what we wanted to do, was share the knowledge we have been learning along the way.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming out and commenting, Tara, Amber, Leola, Susan P, Laura, Ruth T.,Trinity 7837, and all of you. Have a great week.
Susan P! Welcome. Glad to have you around.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see long time villagers Leola, and Amber peeking their heads in. We miss you guys!
ReplyDeleteSO many congrats are in order - congrats to Angie Dicken, the winners of the ACFW Virginia Short Story Contest, all the WE winners, and YOU - Seeker authors!! Just perusing that banner of Seeker books again - what a beautiful display and goldmine of reading entertainment and inspiration!! My thanks to each of you!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful WE, Tina - thank you, looking to more wonderful Seekerville posts this week!! I'd love the opportunity to meet you in Nashville, Tina!!
Oh, wow, Laura. Another one rides off into the sunset, Laura. Awesome.
ReplyDelete