Welcome to the Weekend Edition!
"Look How Far We've Come!"
If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, take a minute to read them here. It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and phone number to claim prizes. Send to Seekers@Seekerville.net
Tuesday: Tina Radcliffe presented "The Top Ten Ways to Fritter Away Your Writing Hours." Patti Jo is the winner of a shameless self-promotion mug and Mary Preston is the winner of a Seeker e-book of choice courtesy of the Queen of Frittering.
Wednesday: Julie Lessman discussed "The Emotional Roller-Coaster of a Hybrid Author." The winner of Julie's latest e-book and a print copy of Splickety Love Magazine, which includes Julie’s revised ending for Gone With the Wind is Keely Brooke Smith.
Thursday: Ruth Logan Herne braved a blizzard and brought us advice from Whole Whale owner George Weiner on how to "Find That Author!" Winners of copies of Ruthy's newest Love Inspired "Their Surprise Daddy" are Patti Jo and Jeannette Hill! Congratulations, ladies!
Monday: Edie Melson will be bringing us "Love the Novel World You Create--But Not Too Much." She'll also be giving away a copy of her science fiction novel Alone.
Tuesday: Myra Johnson is your hostess as we celebrate Valentine's Day with a peek at the writing spaces of our bravest Seekers and Seekervillagers! If you have preconceived notions about where certain writers write, you may be in for some fun surprises!
Wednesday: Debby Giusti will lead us in a discussion on "Mentors" and the important role they play in our stories. Leave a comment to have your name added to her drawing!
Thursday: Richard Mabry returns to Seekervill with his post, "What Makes a Story Great." Seekerville is giving away a print or ebook copy of Richard's latest release, Medical Judgement to one commenter.
Friday: "Best of the Archives" is Christian author Ruthy Logan Herne with an antique (almost) post on "Building in Seekerville", a great post about book construction! Comments are closed so we all can write, but Ruthy will leave a plate of cookies at the door!
Due to a number of requests, Julie revised the novella to include four additional chapters with background on Ben and Tess and a new ending, so the new version is now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo and is still FREE.
You are invited to the Faith, Hope and Love RWA chapter's Facebook Party featuring Seeker, Sandra Leesmith and three other Christian authors this Thursday, February 16th. Enjoy fun chats and giveaways with each of us. The party begins at 7:00 pm EST and usually lasts an hour.
Debby Giusti sends her thanks to the Love Inspired Art Department for the fantastic cover they created for the May 2017 release of the first story in her Amish Protectors series, AMISH REFUGE. Preorder HERE!
AMISH REFUGE ~~ By Debby Giusti
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
Miriam Miller barely escapes the ruthless attacker that killed her mother and kidnapped her sister. Running deeper into the woods, she’s running out of hope…until she falls into the arms of an unlikely bodyguard—a peaceful Amish farmer. Something about Abram Zook inspires her trust, but even in bucolic Willkommen, Georgia, Miriam faces danger. Both from the men pursuing her and from her growing feelings for the caring—though guarded— widower who protects her. Because if she falls for Abram she’ll have to embrace his Amish faith as her own—or lose him. With each minute, her abductor creeps closer, pushing Miriam to an inevitable choice: stay and risk her heart…or leave and risk her life.
Thanks for the link love!
RWA'S FHL Chapter 2017 Annual General Meeting.
Your Own Something Special (The Editor's Blog)
Not Writing for Writers (Writer Unboxed)
3 Social Media & Blogging Mistakes to Avoid
The Indie Author's Guide to Customer Reviews (BookLife)
Katie Pryal on the importance of reader reviews (Tall Poppy Writers)
You Can Write a Best-Seller and Still Go Broke ( The Slate Book Review)
Dare We Disturb the Universe? (Writer Unboxed)
How To Accurately Write About Your Character's Pain ( Writers Helping Writers)
Dress Up Your Author Media Kit with “5 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Me” (The Book Designer)
You, Inc. (Steven Pressfield)
Book Cover Design: How self-publishing authors can do it best (reedsy)
What It Takes: Love Story Cheat Sheet/Conventions (Steven Pressfield)
Seekerville is getting ready for 2017 Speedbo.
Read the rules here and prepare for the sign-up
that begins on February 18.
Everyone who signs up by 11:59 pm March 1,
is included in a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card.
For each additional fifty participants,
we toss another $25 gift card into the mix.
Don't delay.
Get ready for Speedbo NOW!
Happy Weekend Seekerville. May your Saturday and Sunday be filled with lots of reading, writing and chocolate.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great WE! And congratulations to all the winners. I'm looking forward to Speedbo next month!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE SEEKERVILLE!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteBEST PLACE EVER!!!!
Thank you, Miss T - - another awesome WE as always!!
CONGRATS to all the winners!!
And I am THRILLED because I hit the jackpot!! (of course anyone who visits Seekerville hits the jackpot because this is the BEST site ever!!).
THANK YOU sooo much - - I am super excited to win the MUG and a RUTHY BOOK!!!! :) WOOHOO!!!! (and yes, I am using lots of !!!! because I am sooo excited!!).
Must get some sleep (after midnight here on the east coast...zzzzz...) but will visit again tomorrow and bring food! ;)
Hugs, Patti Jo :)
Hooray for you! I love "banner weeks"!!!!! And I just brought toffee chip brownies, a delicious concoction made by tossing half a bag of Heath brickle chips and a cup of Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate chips into a brownie mix.... SO GOOD!!!
DeleteDefinitely willing to share!
You are tooooo funny Patti Jo. We love you too.
DeleteThe coffee pot is ready for the Saturday morning rush!
ReplyDeleteI always love checking the links in the WE.
Thank you! Grabbing coffee now, my diet Dew isn't cutting it anymore... need coffee infusion!
DeleteYep, ready for some coffee and will grab one of Ruthy's toffee chip brownies to go with it. What a way to start the day.
DeleteCongratulations to all of the winners!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the terrific WE, Tina.
Debby, your cover looks great! I love the ominous sky.
Isn't that cover marvelous? An eye-catcher for sure.
DeleteThanks, Jill and Ruthy! I was thrilled when I first opened the jpg!
DeleteHappy weekend, Seekerville--and, as always, lots of goodies to read in the W.E.! Boy, Speedbo is just around the corner! If you've never tried it, give it some thought and sign on!
ReplyDeleteFirst, I just pre-ordered Amish Refuge, and can't wait to read it, Deb!!!!! YAY!!!!! And it's only $5.22 on Amazon, SWEET DEAL!!!!
ReplyDeleteAND... Debby and I will be on the shelves at the VERY SAME TIME, Seeker twins! Happy dancing! Singing Alleluia!!!! With a big grin attached!!!
Yay, will keep my eye out for a double whammy treat.
DeleteRuthy, glad our books will share shelf space! A Seeker win-win!
DeleteI am looking forward to Speedbo.... but plan on using the next 17 days of February to finish one book "Grace Haven 5" and then Speedbo month to finish "Welcome to Wishing Bridge".... Both are more than half done now, so I'm breathing easy and loving my job...
ReplyDeleteGod is good!
Wonderful weekend!! Congratulations to all the winners!! Has anyone seen my snow? I'm still looking for it. Happy writing weekend and preparing for Speedo!
ReplyDeleteDarling, I saw it in NYC and it sends its regards but then barrelled up the coast toward Boston!
DeleteHaha! Yeah I watched it from the weather channel. I think it's GPS is confused! I've decided if I don't see it in the next few weeks I'm going after it lol.
DeleteCongrats to all the winners this week. Patti Jo, you had a double whammy. Yay! Now that superbowl is over we can get down to some serious writing. Oh wait, Valentine's Day is coming up. Let's splurge on chocolate and have some romance. Hubby brought me flowers yesterday and has been running Hallmark movies while I recuperate from a nasty viral infection. Yay for romantic hubbies.
ReplyDeleteI did not get a romantic husband.... Hmmm.....
DeleteMe neither, Ruthy. Where did we go wrong???
DeleteHi Myra:
DeleteMy wife has a romantic husband and she also wonders where she went wrong. I guess opposites attract. The only romances I've gotten her to read in over 39 years have been Debby's CID romances because they are like Jack Reacher and John Puller!
Linda has such a eye for story, Vince! Actually, I'm always touched when you mention the comparison she makes. I need to send her chocolate!!!
DeleteAnother Debby suspense. That's exciting. Yay Debby.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra. Hope you start to feel better. I've been laid low with the flu this week. CDC says my part of Georgia is in the throws of a flu epidemic. Some schools have closed due to so many children and teachers being sick.
DeleteStay healthy, everyone!
Congrats to all winners and Happy Weekend, SEEKERVILLE and friends!
ReplyDeleteThank you for another great week and all the wonderful links, TINA!
Also, DEBBY,that new cover looks amazing!!!!! Will have to ck out SANDRA's FB party, and I still want to download JULIE's A Glimmer of Hope. Ahhh...I need more time!!!! :-)
Thanks, Cynthia. I love the cover too!
DeleteI hear you, Cynthia! NEED MORE TIME!! Or ... I could learn to use mine more efficiently, but then, what fun would that be?? ;)
DeleteHugs,
Julie
Good morning, Seekerville! Ruthy, I sooo need one of those brownies. Talk about decadent!! Congrats to Debby...terrific cover! And congrats to all the winners. :-)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to Speedbo. Now I need to settle on one project. That sound you hear is nail chewing.
Here you go, darling!
DeleteYummmmmmmm. mmmmmmmm.
DeleteThanks, Barbara!
DeleteThanks, for another great weekend! Congrats to all the winners this week! And Debby, I love the cover!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Jackie, you're always so sweet. Thanks for mentioning the cover!
DeleteLooking forward to Speedbo!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all the winners this week,
So far this has been a crazy month for me. In the last two weeks I have had extreme vertigo for all but 18 hours. I got up this morning with great intentions of getting things done around the house,but not going to happen. I should have known it would be this way when I kept falling over for no reason last night.
In my waterclass class on Thursday, we were painting bears. My poor bear had the most horrible face and I kept trying to fix it. My teacher told me he looked sick and not to do anything more to his head. Everyone else's looked so awesome. I kept looking at my bear feeling very disappointed. Of course the vertigo was extreme on that day so doing detailed work just wasn't going to turn out right. I looked at my poor sad bear and all of a sudden a story for preschoolers took shape. Now my poor bear is going to be a star in his own story. I came with an idea to do a newsletter each month for the kids in my class. He will now have his picture and a story. Somehow I felt better about the situation.
Hope you all have a great weekend and I will keep pushing through to try and get some writing as well as taking down my Christmas tree and cleaning my house .
By the way for those of you in Georgia I will be coming your way. I have an appointment with the ear nose and throat specialist in Dawsonville on the 24th I hope he can help with the Meneires and all this vertigo. The typical things that people suggest I try doesn't work because it was caused due to an injury.
Oh, this is so hard, Wilani! Praying for your complete recovery and comfort!
DeletePraying for you, too, Wilani. Vertigo can be debilitating! Awful. I've had it before, but testing ruled out Meniere's. Turns out mine was caused by allergies. Then I fell out of bed, suffered a concussion, damaged my vagus nerve, and now have extremely low blood pressure that causes dizziness/ vertigo-like symptoms. I take medication to raise my BP to about 110/60. Plus I'm encouraged to eat as much salt as I can every day. lol Weird, huh? On the upside, how can anyone doubt God's existence? We are wonderfully made!
DeleteWILANI--I'm so sorry to hear about the ongoing vertigo. :( Years ago I had a long-term extreme vertigo, so I know the misery you're in firsthand. Hopefully your doctor can recommend a good therapist to work with you and possibly teach you exercises that might help a little bit. (Meds never helped me, but the exercises did somewhat. Although those were certainly NO fun to do, they did help over time. A lot depends, of course, on the source of the vertigo as to what works or doesn't work.
DeleteBarbara, sorry to hear what you went through.
DeleteWilani, hope the doctor in Dawsonville can help you!
On Julie's book, I went to Amazon and they said I bought the book in Feb. 2016, and I did. Is there another way to get the extra chapters? No pressure, just curious. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJackie, are you signed up for Kindle updates on your Kindle? Because it should update it for you, I think....
DeleteI had the same problem, Jackie. It said I already had the book. I wonder if you remove it from your Kindle, then try again if it would work?
DeleteThanks, ladies!
DeleteJackie, yes, unfortunately that's what Amazon does, which is so frustrating to me!!
DeleteRuthy, even signing up for Kindle updates won't allow it, at least that's what my research said. :(
Jack and Glynna, somebody told me they removed the old prequel from their Kindle and it allowed them to upload the new one, so would you mind trying that and letting me know if it works for you?
And if it DOESN'T work for you, I will be happy to send you a mobi file of the rewrite, okay?
Hugs,
Julie
Happy weekend & congratulations to all the winners!
ReplyDeleteWill read for chocolate :) Cute!
May God bless you and all of Seekerville!
Hmmm chocolate :) one of my main food groups. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend! We are getting a puppy today...I'm half excited and the rest of me thinks we're crazy.
ReplyDelete#mustlovepuppies!!!!!
DeleteMegan, how fun! And cray!!!!
Ah, a puppy! How fun! Do you have a name picked out?
DeleteI'm 98% sure it's going to be Abraham. (and he's a doll!) but then again my son suggested 'tree' be his name...so there's always that to consider. :)
DeleteTina said,
ReplyDelete"May your Saturday and Sunday be filled with lots of reading, writing and chocolate."
That sounds like a prescription for a pretty perfect weekend. I think I'll take you up on it - after I do the food shopping. Which now needs to include chocolate.
Hey, I was in Brooklyn on the 61 degree day... and wished I could have seen you! We were over in Park Slope for a little bit, and how nice to see everyone out walking a dozen hours pre-blizzard!!!!
DeleteSeriously? How did I not know that?
DeleteI confess, as much as I enjoyed the 62 degree day and lunch duty outdoors, I was a bit partial to the SNOW DAY the next day. Sweet middle of the week day off.
Gorgeous, gorgeous cover, Debby!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats to all our winners!
Looking out at a beautiful blue sky this morning and hoping it'll warm up quickly so I can go out and enjoy it later!
Thanks, Myra! The Art Dept got it right! Although I'm always pleased with their work. This time more than ever. :)
DeleteYikes, Speedbo is here already? [note to self: start preparations now! Less pantsing this year, more plotting!]
ReplyDeleteGo you!!!!!
DeleteHappy Weekend Seekerville! Congrats to all the winners!
ReplyDeleteDEBBY - I LOVE the latest cover AND the blurb!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet Glynna! Yay for LI ART! Go Amish! :)
DeleteHappy Weekend and congrats, winners! I've got a few hours in between hockey games (state tourneys begin today) to squeeze in some writing. I gotta whip my Genesis entry into shape!
ReplyDeleteChocolate? There's chocolate? I'm in.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Seekerville, congratulations to all the winners. Hope everyone is having an awesome day.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I got sidetracked by chocolate before and didn't comment on anything else.
ReplyDeleteDebby, the cover is great, but the blurb is AWESOME! I can't wait to read this!!!!
Thanks for all the links. Great way to FRITTER
and call it work. :)
I'm excited for SPEEDBO. Trying to decide between two projects. But first I have to finish up the current one. Endless winter colds have me low on energy and slow on revisions.
Thanks, Mary.
DeleteCongrats to our winners! I'm looking forward to a great lineup next week!
ReplyDeleteDEBBY, love your cover!! Your heroine looks scared. No wonder with the difficult choices she will have to make. Can't wait to read Amish Refuge!
Janet
Thanks, Janet! I love the cover too. They captured the suspense angle, IMHO. :)
DeletePerfectly!
DeleteJanet
Debby that is an amazing cover! Talk about eliciting emotion before you even see the first page :-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations all this week's winners.
I see some excellent link reading for Sunday. Thank you, Tina, for another super, informative WE.
Nancy C
Thanks, Nancy. I believe the cover elicits emotion as well! Hugs!
DeleteGreat WE, thanks TINA!! Congratulations to all the winners (Woo Hoo Patti Jo!!)
ReplyDeleteDEBBY, congrats on the newest book -- such a wonderful cover!! Off to read the links!
Thanks, LCK! Hugs!
DeleteThanks for a great WE Seekerville and congratulations to the winners! This coming week looks exciting and a chance to win chocolates is always appreciated!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Happy Valentine's Day!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Valentine's Day.... Hmmm.... Heart-shaped cookies for Tuesday! With homemade frosting!!!!! And red sprinkles!
DeleteStopping by again on Saturday night (Ruthy's toffee chip brownies were calling to me - - YUM!!). And glad some of Helen's coffee left! I drink coffee 24/7, LOL. :)
ReplyDeleteDebby, echoing what others said about your newest book and that wonderful cover - - WOW!! :)
Wilani, praying for your vertigo and hope the doctor appt. goes well. SO sorry you're going through this.
Sandra, praying you'll be all well SOON! And your hubby sounds like a true romantic! :)
If anyone needs a late-night snack, I'm setting out pecan praline cookies and a warm peach cobbler. (The cobbler has fruit and fruit is healthy, right?!) ;)
Hugs, Patti Jo
Gimme the cobbler and no one gets hurt!!!!! :)
DeleteThanks, Patti Jo! :)
DeletePatti Jo, do you have ice cream for your warm peach cobbler?
DeleteJanet
Happy WE everyone!!! Debby what a wonderful (almost) new book baby out in the world, congratulations!! OH I LOVE THAT COVER!! I think Love Inspired has some of THE best out there :-) And the premise is even better...GAH!!
ReplyDeleteLots of excited !! here too because I see I won "the first in the known universe giveaway of Mary's almost-released LONG TIME GONE"!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Mary!!
Congrats to the other winners too (we're all winners, of course by being part of Seekerville)....Patty Jo for the double win....a Ruthy book & a mug to drink your coffee while reading the said Ruthy book :-) What more could a girl ask for, huh??
The Faith, Hope,and Love RWA Facebook party sounds good, I'm marking my calendar for this Thursday! Thanks for the heads up on it, love chatting & connection with authors in this way.
Is it almost Speedbo time already?? WOW, just seems like it was here. You GO authors!! I'll be sitting on the sidelines cheering you on :-)
Have a blessed SONday SeekerVillagers! Looking forward to another fantastic week.
I have to have Sandra remind us for Thursday... I'll set my phone to remind me but if I'm working in one room and it's in the other, I might miss it. (Says the woman who is always hunting for her phone....)
DeleteTrixi, I love LI covers too! The Art Dept always comes through for me. Glad you like the cover and the premise!
DeleteI'm chiming in halfway through the weekend but for once, I had time to go through all those wonderful links Tina puts together for us! Thank you, Tina. And I love your cover Debby - LI covers are truly works of art. You could frame them for your office they're so lovely. I'm excited for Speedbo as well. March is a much more manageable month than November for NaNo. Wishing you all a blessed Sunday,
ReplyDeleteLaurie
My son and dil have framed a number of my covers as special gifts for me, which I LOVE!!!
DeleteHAPPY WEEKEND, EVERYONE!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a week for weather!! We had snow and 20-degree temps one day this week and then went out boating yesterday in 80-degree weather!!
LOVE the new cover, Deb -- that will fly off the shelves, I'm sure because the face of the heroine backdropped by stormy clouds is very appealing to me, and that's just the cover. We already know that what's inside is even more powerful!
Sandra, got the FB party on my calendar, so see you then!
Hugs,
Julie
Glad you like the cover, Julie! Hugs!
DeleteBusy weekend so getting here late. But I have to sign in to get in the drawing for the chocolate. Can never have too much chocolate!
ReplyDeleteHope everyone had a good weekend. I'm getting ready for Speedbo and will be signing up next week.
ReplyDeleteI'm late dropping by. Hope you've all had a great weekend! I look forward to my guest tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteJANET DEAN, Yes!! There is ice cream for the warm peach cobbler! Whipped cream too, if you prefer! ;)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to another week in Seekerville - - the BEST place to be for writers and readers!! :)
Hugs, Patti Jo
I am coming by a bit late, because I had to say THANK YOU for a great weekend edition that I am reading now! :) I took my husband on a long weekend away in Phoenix to celebrate his birthday so I missed catching the last few posts. Diving in! Thanks so much for all the great posts and links!
ReplyDelete