Novelists, Inc.

With guest blogger, award-winning, best-selling author Margaret Daley!

Ruthy here, delighted to bring you some information about a published authors' group called "Novelists, Inc"... Our buddy Margaret Daley became a member a few years back, and I was delighted when she agreed to take a day and tell us about it! Welcome back, Margaret!

Beachcomber Margaret!

Novelists, Inc. (NINC) is an organized worldwide group for published authors. Twenty-five years ago five authors started the organization. Its main purpose is “to help each of us manage our writing career throughout a lifetime.” It originally was for traditionally published authors of at least two books but now self published authors can qualify if they have published two books of 50,000 words and each one has earned $5,000 in a twelve month period. You can find NINC at http://www.ninc.com. Check it out and look at some of the pictures of the past conferences.

I became a member several years ago and have gone to two of their annual conferences, both in St. Petersburg, Florida (an island off Tampa’s coast). Two things drew me to the first conference—its location on the beach and the lineup at the conference. I wanted a conference geared totally to an author who is publishing. I wanted advice about marketing and promoting. I walked away from that first conference as a member of the planning committee for the second one. I’ve never learned so much at a conference as I did at the first and second NINC conference. My brain was on full overloaded every night when I returned to my room (with a great view of the beach and Gulf of Mexico).

 In 2015 the theme was NINC Goes Global and some of the speakers at First Word were Porter Anderson, a speaker who specializes in the publishing industry and its digital disruption, Kris Austin, co-founder of Draft2Digital, Lori Bennett, digital expert for the Nelson Literary Agency, Jim Bryant, Founder of Trajectory, a network that connects publishers, retailers, libraries and readers, Julia Coblentz with Nook Press, Catherine Coulter, New York Times bestselling author, Katie Donelan with BookBub, Ricardo Fayet with Reedsy, a connection for editing and design talent, Jane Friendman, worked for Writer’s Digest, Christine Munroe with Kobo Books. Jack Royal-Gordon with BookTrakr, Daniel Slater with Amazon, Brenna Shanks, a selection librarian and many more. Also many different vendors from the major online bookstores to support groups for writers.

Night Owl sessions covered topics from Can We Talk (about various genres from Contemporary to Inspirational to Paranormal books), Writing Serials, Self Publishing: Beginner and Advanced Levels, Binge Writing, Stress, Anxiety and Depression: Coping with the Author’s Life, How to Increase Your Discoverability through Your Website, and many more sessions. The 2015 conference information is up at http://ninc.com/conferences/ninc_world_2015.

The classes were chalk full of information but meeting informally with industry people and other published authors was invaluable. I made a lot of connections.

Margaret, Debra Clopton Parks and Laura Marie Altom... who may have just won the lottery?
Or had a grandchild... Or placed first in a contest (story of your choosing!)

This year I will be planning the Night Owl sessions again. Planning for this year is in its early stages, but the theme for the conference is NINC 2016: Master Class. From business to craft to creativity to marketing and sales, we will present speakers to guide us to a higher level of knowledge and achievement (quoted from the website). The focus is taking our writing career to the next level. Come join us.

Here are some more delightful pics from Margaret and the 2015 NINC conference:

Beach tradewinds of St. Pete... (I don't know about the rest of youse, but Ruthy could use a dose of this right about now!)

Lacy Williams and Allie Pleiter, happily working!

 Dinner on the beach... Lacy Williams and Debra Clopton Parks.

Margaret, thanks so much for being here and giving us this overview of Novelists, Inc....

and Margaret has graciously (as ever!) offered a copy of her recent suspense novel "Deadly Noel"...

Kira Davis put the wrong man in prison. Now she has to catch the real killer before he kills her.

Come on inside, the coffee's on, the tea kettle's steaming, and breakfast awaits! Leave a comment to have your name put into the drawing... 

A Visit With Margaret Daley

Today we have a lovely guest from Love Inspired Suspense.  I have known Margaret Daley for years and she has been a wonderful role model and mentor. She has visited us here on Seekerville before, but today I wanted to honor her achievement as a multi-published author.


Hi Margaret,  It is wonderful to have you visit with us in Seekerville today.  I read on the Harlequin Website that you have written over 60 books for them that have been published. I also understand you have written several books with other publishers. She told me a secret also—she has several books written that haven’t even been published.

Margaret Daley

Wow. That is a lot of books.

I would love to talk to you about that amazing accomplishment.

1. Do you ever have difficulty sustaining your enthusiasm for writing? What do you do to keep your creativity charged up? Do you have any secrets you can share? 

Yes, I have struggled with this during my over thirty years writing. Sometimes I just have to slosh through it because I’m on deadline. I try to take time off between books, if possible, and pace myself writing a story. I figure out how many days I have to write a book and divide it into my word count to see how many words I have to write a day to make my deadline. Try to write and read what you love, exercise, pray and connect with others.

2. How do you find new ideas and/or ways to make a boy meets girl with a happy ever after romance fresh and different? 

I honestly don’t know. Usually a concept or a seed of a story comes to me. I brainstorm with myself and others, and it develops. I feel it’s the Lord working within me. I can go to sleep with a problem concerning the story and wake up with an answer.




3. You have also written in several different sub genres of romance. What is your favorite genre? Why? 

Most definitely romantic suspense. That is my favorite genre to read. I love the fast pace, the adventure, the suspense, the excitement.

4. What was your favorite setting for a romance and why did that appeal to you? 

That’s a hard question.  I have several—the jungle, the mountains, the canyon lands in the Southwest. Often what I love to write is the setting becoming another character in the suspense story. Since I write romantic suspense mostly, I like the setting to challenge my characters.

5. You mentioned you were attending the RWA national convention in San Antonio. In fact, you are already there. How many years have you been a member of RWA?  Please share some of your roles and contributions as an RWA member. 

I first joined RWA when it formed in the early 1980s. For a few years I wasn’t in RWA, otherwise I’ve been a member since its beginning. I have been involved with some of the local RWA chapters, and I was a president of FHL chapter of RWA for a year. I’ve volunteered at the national conference and was on the committee to determine the classes at the national conference.

Lacy Williams and Margaret Daley

6. You have been putting out novellas with other Love Inspired authors. Can you share what it is like working with authors for an anthology of novellas? 

I have enjoyed working with Lacy Williams, Debra Clopton, Janet Tronstad, Camy Tang and Linda Goodnight. They are fantastic authors to be with in a novella collection. They are professional, supportive and easy to work with.   

7. I hear you are working on a special project. Can you tell us about the series Strong Women, Extraordinary Situations?  What instigated this series? 

I was ending my Guardians, Inc. Series for Love Inspired Suspense, but I still had readers ask me if there were going to be any more of the stories about female bodyguards. I started thinking about why the readers enjoyed those stories. Many told me they loved seeing a strong woman in the book. That’s what gave me the idea to do the first one in a series about different strong women—from a law enforcement officer to a doctor to a mother. I’ve started with a female bodyguard and a female Texas Ranger. I’d love to know from you all what you think a strong woman is and what occupation you would like to see me write about in the series.

Thank you Margaret for joining with us today.  Please share with us some of your conference experiences in your comments today.

Those who comment will be entered into a drawing for some gifts from Margaret. One winner will win an ebook copy of Deadly Hunt.

A second winner will win an ebook  copy of Deadly Intent from the Strong Women, Extraordinary Situations Series.


A third winner will win a print copy of Christmas Bodyguard which is the first book in the Guardians, Inc. Series about female bodyguards.

What lovely gifts. Thank you Margaret.  I know you need energy for the conference, so I’ve set out a table filled with chocolates from Sees Candies.  Have fun.

Photo from www.sees.com

How To Produce and Not Go Down in Flames

Janet here. I'm excited to have Margaret Daley in Seekerville today. As you'll see from Margaret's post, no one is more qualified to talk about productivity. As a bonus, she's brought some hunky "heroes" with her AND she's giving away two of her latest releases. Here's Margaret!

 

As soon as I figure that out, I will be able to write a post about how to do it. What I am going to tell you is what I've been doing, but I'll tell you that doesn't mean it has been easy. In fact, it has been downright hard at times. I have managed not to go down in flames--yet. But I've been close. You can only juggle a full schedule for so long before it affects you. So as I talk about producing, keep that in mind.

 

For many years I taught full-time and wrote three books a year. When I retired four years ago I upped that amount. My writing became my full-time job. I began to write five books a year. Recently someone asked me how I did it. I have always wanted to have something to do. I'm not sure I know what to do with too much free time, but come January I will have more time on my hands when I step down from being on the ACFW board as its president. After four intense years I'm looking forward to having some time to read again for pleasure. I've missed that.

One of the main things you can do to produce consistently is setting priorities. You need to decide if you want to write books and how much. It needs to become a priority. You have to sit down in front of the computer (or whatever you use to write on) and write. Most of the time I write everyday. By doing that, it is easier to stay in the story. I set a word count for the week. If I get it done before the week is over, I can take a day off. That inspires me to work during the week, but you know how it can be. Some days the words just don't come. By doing a weekly word count instead of a daily one, I don't get upset as often if I don't make my word count. That helps keep my spirits up which is important.

 

So the key to producing one story after another is to write consistently and make it a priority. But how do I keep myself from going down in flames? Take a break when you need to. Try not to wait to the last minute to write a book. Give yourself enough time and spread it out over weeks--months. Try not to send yourself into a panic mode too many times. It will take its toll on you if you do it too often.

When you start to feel yourself burning out, step away for the time being. Do something different--totally different (like the above picture--too bad the male is a cutout--now the bottom one is a little better when I was at RomCon). Change up your routine. Forget your story for a while (sometimes harder to do than say). Know when to step back from writing (not the last two weeks before a book is due) and when you should write (near your deadline because it is important to make your deadline whether self-imposed or contract imposed). If you haven't sold a book and don't have a deadline, give yourself one. It's the same as setting a goal. When you do set that goal, pretend it is as serious as a deadline of a sold book. We need goals to keep us writing. We need the why we are doing something. And it is always good to establish a solid work routine. That will make it much easier when you do sell that first book.

 

There is one last tidbit to keep you producing your stories (okay maybe two). When you hit a brick wall and we all do from time to time, brainstorm with others what is bothering you about your book or what is blocking you. If nothing else, talk it out with yourself out loud if you can. Hearing it often helps me find a solution to what I need to do next. Or if that doesn't work, I go back and read what I've written so far. It often sparks the next direction I need to go. Another trick is to look at the main characters' back-story. Sometimes I need to add more to his past to mold a more in-depth character for my story. I often tell a writer if you feel you don't have enough plot for your story, look at your characters and dig deeper into who they are.

 

But the bottom line if you want to produce is sit down and write--every day if you can. I love seeing people reading and enjoying my books. I want my books to make a difference in people's lives. What are some things you do to keep yourself writing even when you don't want to?

 

 

 

Margaret is giving away a copy of Christmas Stalking and Shattered Silence. Leave a comment to be included in the drawing.

 

 

 

 

Christmas Stalking blurb:

 

Bodyguard Ellie St. James has one objective: protect her client…without letting her know. Pretending to be Rachel "Winnie" Winfield's assistant lets Ellie stay close, but there's an unexpected complication—Colt Winfield. Winnie's grandson wasn't in on the plans, and the suspicious marine biologist isn't easy to fool. When the truth comes out, so do more threats to Winnie's life. Trapped on a Colorado mountain, Ellie and Colt must trust each other to guard Winnie and find the stalker. Before this Christmas becomes their last.

 

Shattered Silence:

A serial killer is targeting illegal aliens in southern Texas. Texas Ranger Cody Jackson is paired with a local police officer, Liliana Rodriguez, to investigate the murders. 



 

While the case brings Cody and Liliana ever closer, the tension between Americans and Mexican Americans heightens. As Cody and Liliana race to discover who is behind the murders and bring peace to the area, what they uncover isn’t what they expected. Will Cody and Liliana’s faith and love be strong enough to survive the storm of violence?

 

Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-three books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.

 

 

 

Seekerville Welcomes Margaret Daley!

Here’s the Scoop about the ACFW Conference from the ACFW President
By Margaret Daley

Debby here! What an honor to have award winning author Margaret Daley (far right in the photo) with us today! Known for her big heart and willingness to serve, Margaret is always quick to help those in need. Got a question? Ask Margaret. Have a task that has to be done? Find Margaret. Need advice? Well, you get the idea. Plus, Margaret is a fantastic writer whose 75 books have touched hearts around the world.

During her career as a special education teacher, Margaret penned a myriad of stories and was active in a number of professional writing organizations, including American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. After retirement, Margaret became even more involved. Last year, she held the office of volunteer coordinator for ACFW, and she is currently serving as our ACFW president.

Today, Margaret is giving us a sneak peek into this year’s ACFW Conference. Grab a cup of coffee, and be sure to leave a comment and your email address to be included in a drawing for Margaret’s upcoming release, FROM THIS DAY FORWARD. Now help me welcome Margaret Daley to Seekerville!

What is going to happen at the ACFW conference? Fantastic things from the Gala Event for the Awards Ceremony on Saturday to our Early Bird speaker, Dr. Stanley Williams who wrote The Moral Premise (Harnessing Virtue and Vice for Box Office Success). Who doesn’t want to write a box office success? And when we write we pit virtue against vice. That is what can drive your plot. Even if you can’t go to the conference or the Early Bird session, pick up Dr. Williams book to glean what he knows about a great topic for a writer.

What is different this year? One thing that comes to mind is there will not be a booksigning this year. At least a planned one. That doesn’t mean you can’t buy books and get your favorite authors to sign the books. I hope you do. Get your books early then stalk the authors, but don’t tell them I said so. Remember half of the proceeds goes to the ACFW Foundation to offer full scholarships next year to the conference. So not only are you getting a great read but helping someone too.

Also another different thing this year is there will be no tickets for the meals except the Gala Awards Dinner on Saturday night. Your name tag will be your entry into the sessions and meals so remember to wear it.

A couple of things from our Conference Director Robin Miller. This hotel has a quiet policy from 9 pm-9 am. The Hyatt in St. Louis is a great hotel right on the Mississippi River near the Arch--a nice location with views from your room that are breathtaking. I found the staff to be nice and helpful. Also Robin hopes if you are at the hotel on Wednesday that you register from 4:30-8:00 pm, so if you have an appointment problem there is a better chance you can get it corrected easily.

This year we will be giving a Lifetime Achievement Award again (and every year because there are so many great people in the industry). When you hear who it is, you will agree that this recipient deserved the recognition. But then the same will go for the Editor of the Year, the Agent of the Year, the Mentor of the Year and the Member’s Service Award. We have some wonderful, deserving people who are receiving these awards. Not to mention the authors who are receiving the Carol and Genesis Awards. What a Gala Event Saturday night will be with extra special touches the conference director has promised me to make the evening elegant.

There are some great opportunities for published authors with Thomas Umstattd’s appointments concerning social media and the writer as well as different media people being at the conference from Christian Retailing to Publisher Weekly to Romantic Times. There are some bookstores represented along with CBA and ECPA.

Then for all authors there are many editors and agents attending. They are offering appointments, but they are also available throughout the conference to answer questions. One of the things I love about this conference is the accessibility of the editors and agents for the attendees.

Then last but not least, we have Tracie Peterson coming to the conference as the keynote speaker. What a pleasure and inspiration to hear from Tracie who has been in the industry for years as an editor and author with 85 books. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to hear her.
_____

Margaret Daley is an award winning author of 75 books with two out in September, From This Day Forward, Summerside Press, and Hidden in the Everglades, Love Inspired Suspense. Visit her at http://www.margaretdaley.com.

Two for the price of one--Christmas Peril

by

Margaret Daley

and

Debby Giusti

It’s my pleasure and honor to bring award-winning author Margaret Daley to Seekerville today. Many of you know her through ACFW where she served as volunteer coordinator this year. A mentor at heart, Margaret is always ready to answer questions or give encouragement or advice. When I published, Margaret opened her arms and welcomed me into the Steeple Hill family of authors. Now I'm thrilled to welcome her to this blog.

Until she recently retired, Margaret taught special education full time and wrote each evening when she came home from school. Despite her busy schedule, she has 66 books in print. Many of her stories have won awards, including the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year, the Holt Medallion, Golden Quill, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice, Winter Rose, and the Barclay Gold.

Last year, Steeple Hill inquired if I wanted to do a two-in-one Love Inspired Suspense with Margaret. Naturally, I jumped at the chance. CHRISTMAS PERIL is in stores now, featuring Margaret’s exciting novella, Merry Mayhem, and my story, Yule Die. Today we’re doing a joint interview, asking each other five writing questions. We’ll be online to talk about writing so leave a comment. Include your email address to be placed in a drawing for a copy of CHRISTMAS PERIL.

Now, let’s learn more about Margaret...

Debby asked : Margaret, you write for both the Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense lines and publish many books each year. How do you keep up the pace? What’s your writing schedule, and do you set a daily page count in order to meet your many deadlines?

Margaret: I usually write every day and I do have a weekly word count that I need to reach. I don’t like to set a daily count because I would get stressed when something came up and I couldn’t make it. Over a week’s time I usually can make my word count. One day I might not write much, but the next one I’ll make it up by writing more.

Debby: Did you find writing Merry Mayhem challenging and, if so, why? What about the word count? Did you change the story because of the shorter length?
Margaret: I had to strip the story down because the word count was half of what a normal Love Inspired Suspense story is. I found it harder to write because you have to weave in romance, suspense and faith. That can be hard in a normal Love Inspired Suspense, let alone try to do it in a LIS novella.

Debby: The end of the year is often a time of reflection. What did you learn in 2009 that helped improve your craft? Have you set writing goals for 2010 that you could share with the Seekers?

Margaret: I have two books that are due in the first part of 2010. After that, who knows? I’ll be coming up with some proposals and see what happens. The life of a writer is precarious. You never know when and where your next book will come from. I leave it in the Lord’s hands. He’s so much more capable of running my writing life than me.

Debby: How much time do you spend on marketing and what do you find most beneficial in terms of getting your name and book in front of readers? What marketing advice would you give newly published authors?
Margaret: The most important thing is having a web site. I also think being on some of the social networks can help. But I think you need to be careful and not spread yourself too thin or take too much time away from writing your book. I have bookmarks that list my next year’s books coming out, and I always send them out to my mailing list at Christmas. I also have a newsletter I send out four times a year through a yahoo group. Anyone interested can go to my web site (http://www.margaretdaley.com/) and sign up for it. I have a blog where I feature Christian writers each week. I also write about various things during the week on my blog. In addition to my personal blog, I belong to several group ones.

Debby: Tell us about when you got The Call. How long had you been writing? Did you ever get discouraged? What advice would you give writers seeking publication?
Margaret: All I can remember is the shock and thrill when I received the call from my agent. This was back in 1981 so I have been writing a long time. I had an eight-year dry spell after selling twenty books. I didn’t give up. I kept writing (although I tried to quit and couldn’t). Then I sold a book to Kensington and that started my “return.” Since then I’ve sold forty-six books, but the best part is that I discovered the inspirational romance market. It’s a perfect fit for me.


Now it’s Debby’s turn to answer Margaret’s questions…

Margaret asked: Why do you like to write romantic suspense?
Debby: As an Army brat and Army wife, I traveled to many foreign countries and have met wonderful people from a variety of different cultures and backgrounds. Now that hubby’s retired from the military, I satisfy my wanderlust and need for adventure through my writing. With each book, I become totally enmeshed in my characters’ struggles and see myself actually battling the bad guys--all from the safety and security of my home, of course. Creating characters and helping them solve their problems – both internal and external – allows me to become that medical researcher or undercover cop. I’m confronting evil and winning, which makes for a good day in my way of thinking.

Margaret: What is the most difficult thing about writing romantic suspense?

Debby: My stories usually take place in a short time frame, often no more than a few days. Having a romantic relationship develop quickly is a challenge. The hero and heroine need to be attracted to each other almost immediately, and those feelings have to deepen into something long lasting throughout the course of the story. The pronouncement of love and commitment occurs at the very end of the story, and often I’ll add an epilogue to show them living happily ever after.

Margaret: What advice would you give another writer who is interested in writing romantic suspense stories?
Debby: Read extensively in the line you’re targeting, but also read best-selling suspense authors. Don’t shortchange the category or trade readers who want the same action-packed stories as the big name writers deliver in their single title hardbacks. Strive to be the best suspense writer you can possibly be and keep learning new ways to improve your work.

Margaret: What is the easiest thing for you to write in your story – romance, faith or the suspense element and why?
Debby: I started writing straight suspense and find that part comes naturally. Developing a satisfying love story takes more effort, and I’ll often expand the romantic elements later during the rewrites. The faith thread is woven lightly throughout the story and doesn’t demand as much effort, perhaps because I try to understand my characters before I begin to write. Since I have a deep love for the Lord, that Christian worldview transfers easily to the written page.

Margaret: What do you do to promote your books?
Debby: I love meeting readers so I do a number of events each year that bring me face-to-face with the public, whether at writers conferences, book signings, readers luncheons or community events. I have a big signing in my hometown to launch each book and always donate the proceeds to charity. The newspaper publishes information about the event, which increases interest in my local area. I have a group of faithful readers—many from my church community—who send books to family and friends across the country, which spreads the word about my work. That word of mouth means so much. I also take out an ad in Romance Writers Report for each new book. The magazine goes to 20,000 writers who are also readers. Maintaining an online presence is equally important. I’m blessed to be a member of the Seekers and have gotten to know so many wonderful people who stop by the blog. The Craftie Ladies of Suspense is another site where I can interact with readers and writers alike. I hope to start my own blog in the not-too-distant future. The focus will be on books, writing and the power of prayer. God keeps nudging me to move forward on that blog, and I hope to have it up and running in the early part of the New Year.

Margaret and I want to hear from you today. Ask questions, mention your writing goals for 2010 or tell us what you like about books in general.

Wishing you a joyous Christmas and much love in the New Year,
Debby Giusti and Margaret Daley
http://www.debbygiusti.com/
http://www.margaretdaley.com/

Need a stocking stuffer for friends and family? CHRISTMAS PERIL is on sale now, featuring two great suspense stories:

Merry Mayhem

by Margaret Daley
When single mom Annie Coleman unexpectedly arrives in Christmas, Oklahoma, police chief Caleb Jackson suspects she's hiding secrets. He'll be watching her closely. And his protection is just what Annie and her daughter need, as danger has followed them to their new home.

Yule Die

by Debby Giusti
It's hardly a happy holiday for medical researcher Callie Evans…until she discovers her ailing patient is her long-lost brother. And he's being watched by undercover police officer Joe Petrecelli. When the trio is abducted by a cadre of bad guys, Joe and Callie will have to fight to keep her brother—and themselves—alive.

Margaret Daley on Volunteering at the 2009 ACFW Conference

This year we have an exciting conference planned in September (17-20) in Denver. Donald Maass is teaching a class before the conference opens on Thursday evening, Sept. 17th. Our keynote speaker is Debbie Macomber. I’ve heard her speak before, and she is awesome. She is so inspiring and filled with a love for the Lord. Beyond those two great speakers, we have many workshops covering the craft of writing for beginners through the multi-published.

One of the most important aspects of the conference is the role of volunteers in making it a success. In fact, the conference wouldn’t be possible without its volunteers. There are a lot of opportunities to volunteer this year. I have already put out a call for people to be hostesses/hosts for the classes offered. People were great. I have those slots filled and will be turning to the other volunteer jobs that need to be filled.

Registration will open Wednesday night because of the Donald Maass workshop that starts bright and early (8:00) Thursday morning and goes until 4:00 in the afternoon. The people who are taking the workshop will need to register the night before. We will need most of our volunteers to man the registration desk on Wednesday night and all day Thursday. On Friday and Saturday we will need a few to be at the registration desk for people who come in late or for only one day.

Then there will be a need for people to help in the bookstore, with the editor/agent appointments and greeters at the meals. Those activities happen during the conference. Beforehand, we’ll need people on Wednesday to help stuff the conference bags for all the attendees. Now you see how the conference wouldn’t be a success without its volunteers. Every aspect of the conference is manned by people giving of their time to make the experience the best it can be.

So why should you volunteer besides the fact we can’t have a conference without people helping? It’s a great way to give back to ACFW. I’ve volunteered in the past. I love seeing old friends but also meeting new people. One of the reasons to go to a conference is to network. What better way while you are helping others?

So if you are going to the ACFW conference in September in Denver, think about volunteering to help out in one of the places I mentioned above. You won’t regret it.

Margaret Daley is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, and the Barclay Gold Contest. She wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines. She has sold sixty-four books to date. You can visit her web site at http://www.margaretdaley.com and read excerpts from her books and learn about the ones recently released and soon to be released.

Conference Teasers

ACFW Conference

Debbie Macomber and Donald Maass, are just two of the great reasons to attend this year's conference.

Coming to Seekerville July 29: Welcome to 5280, Denver the Mile High City. A virtual tour of everything cool, hip, and historical and legendary in Denver.

Seekerville is coming to ACFW, Denver. Find out more September 1.