Best of the Archives: The Secret Life of An Inspirational Romance Writer and More...

with Tina Radcliffe.

This post first appeared in Seekerville on 7/30/15. Comments are closed today.

In my ordinary world, no one knows that I'm an inspirational romance writer. 

This week a co-worker asked about my recent absence. I shared that I went to New York City for a conference on my vacation.

"A conference? What kind of conference?"
"Um, I do a little writing on the side."
"Oh, a hobby."
Sigh. "Not exactly a hobby...."

This is a typical reaction to my revealing my secret life. 

Of course, there is the occasional flip-side of that. I have another coworker with whom I have shared that I write inspirational romance. She told me that her mother is a voracious reader. So I brought in a copy of my latest release, (in a brown paper bag, of course) for her mom.

That coworker came by my desk later with tears in her eyes and a stunned expression on her face. 

"I texted the cover of your book to my mom. My mother already read your book. She said it was really good. She wants to read it again."
"Your mom is a fan of mine?"
"YES!!"

Those moments are far and few between, but they are absolutely priceless. They make me want to shout!

"I'm an inspirational romance writer! I'M AN INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE WRITER!"

So although I'm not fabulously rich and famous.

And no one recognizes me when I walk down the street.

And though I don't dress in full tiara mode.

Or sit in on a mountaintop waiting for a word from God.

There are a few perks to this gig...

I write fun and sassy books about real Christians and their daily struggles and my name is on the cover of those books.

I get paid for that honor.

My book is on the shelf in the grocery store!

I'm honored to have the privilege to share my faith in a way that is truly me. 

And once or twice a year I get to meet my tribe at a conference. And there is nothing like it. That amazing feeling of being surrounded by like-minded individuals who really, really get me.

Each year the tribe grows a bit more as I reconnect with old friends and add new ones. It's truly an amazing honor and a kick in the pants as well. I'm not ashamed to admit I need my people and yes, they do validate me in a real and very necessary way. After five days with my peeps am ready to go back to the cave and back to my solitary life for another year or so. 

The End. 

As Seekerville begins its eleventh blogging year, 

several Seekers are moving into new seasons.

Dear Seekerville,

Happy Holidays!  2018 will be a year of exciting changes for me. After an entire year of prayer, I have decided that this is the time to retire from Seekerville. Today is my last day in the role of a Seeker author.

 I have spent ten wonderful years in the ministry called Seekerville, and I have been blessed over and over again by the many amazing people who continue to touch my life.

You can still keep up with me by signing up for my newsletter here or checking my updated webpage here to see where I will be in 2018. You can also email me at contact@tinaradcliffe.com

My One Word for the upcoming year is BEST. The best is yet to come! I'm beyond excited to see what the Lord has in store for the next ten years. I'm also delighted that I can visit Seekerville in my new role as Villager.

I pray that 2018 is a year of harvest for you. 

Much love,

Tina Radcliffe

My dear Seekervillagers, what an adventure we’ve shared over the past 10 years! However, the time has come for me to step back from my Seekerville responsibilities so that I can devote more focused attention not only to the writing I love but to the everyday things that make life worth living—faith, family, home, and friendships. Being a part of Seekerville has been such a blessing, especially getting to know so many dedicated writers and readers as friends. I promise to visit often, and I’ll be watching right along with you to see what changes are in store for Seekerville in the New Year.

 I hope you’ll stay in touch with me on Facebook, Twitter, and my website. I also share book news, giveaways, and other fun stuff in my newsletter, so please subscribe!

By the way, Grammar Queen has a new home, too! She now has her own page on my website and will be conducting future lectures via my blog. You can also follow GQ on Twitter. She's always happy to take questions, and you may find yours answered in an upcoming class!

Sincerely,

Myra Johnson

Somebody pass the Kleenex—please—because this announcement is not easy for a CDQ! 

Like Tina, I also have felt God’s leading to retire from Seekerville, so on December 31st, I will be retiring as well to focus more on God, family, and writing. But actually, I prefer the term “Seekerville alumni” rather than retiree because I hope to return with guest blogs here and there. 

This is not an easy transition for any of us because the Seekers and all our Seekerville friends are family, so I’m trying to think of it more as a move to a different state where I don’t see my family quite as often as I used to. :) But we can still stay in touch through Julie's Facebook page or my website, so please don’t hesitate to come by to say “hey,” okay? 

Oh, and you’ll still see me in the comments section with plenty of caps and exclamation points to let you know I’m still around! 

HUGS!! 

Julie Lessman

Harlequin’s decision to close the Love Inspired Historical line has had me examining the pros and cons of continuing to pursue publication. I’m still awaiting God’s direction. Wherever He leads, I’m so grateful for the privilege of having had published books on the shelves and the blessings publication has brought into my life. I especially want to thank those who’ve read and reviewed my books and encouraged me during this fabulous journey.

With the uncertainty about the direction of my writing, I’ve made the very difficult decision to retire from Seekerville. I never dreamed when we stepped into cyberspace ten years ago that Seekerville would become this amazing, close-knit community of writers and readers. As we’ve prayed for each other, celebrated and commiserated with one another during life’s ups and downs, we’ve evolved into what feels like family. 

This isn’t goodbye. I’ll be a frequent visitor to Seekerville to keep up with all of you and to support my Seeker sisters moving forward. 

Thank you for sharing your lives with me!

 May the Good Lord bless you mightily, as you have blessed me!  

 Janet Dean

Dear Villagers, as I am retiring from writing, (see my post here) I will also be signing off on the Seekerville blog.

I plan to visit and enjoy the new directions my treasured Seeker friends will travel. Happy writing and reading, everyone. 

Happy New Year. 

Sandra Leesmith

A Chat with Literary Agent Lizzie Poteet

When I was 18 I was absolutely positive I was going to go to theology school after college. I'd taken an Old Testament course as a freshman, so obviously, I knew what I was doing. The plan was undergrad then post-grad theology school so I could be a college professor. I knew what I was going to do. I had a plan.

 I didn't go to theology school. 

Then when I was a much more mature 21-year-old, I was definitely going to work in publicity. No question. Theology was so in the past. I wanted to work with books. Specifically romance novels. I'd move to NYC and work in publishing as a publicist. I'd be the best book publicist around. I was sure of it. 

I didn't get any job offers in publicity. 

So I switched gears, after all at 22 I was both wiser and more determined, and my new plan was to be a romance editor. I was in NYC for the long run. I scoffed at colleagues who talked about wanting to leave the city to have families or a yard. I had a rat-infested park on my block, same thing as a yard. I was focused, I was confident, and this time my plan was on track. I landed the perfect job at St. Martin's Press in editorial with a fabulous boss and a cool team. I had the job, I had the drive, I was meeting amazing authors and making amazing friends on my romance team, but something was missing. 

The plan was working perfectly. 

As years went by I hit some big milestones in my career: first acquisition, first award nominee, first bestseller. Everyone told me how great I was at my job, and I was focused on being great at my job but... I was unhappy. I was lonely in New York and throwing myself into my career plan wasn't helping. I missed my family in Nashville - and I mean that literally. I was so dedicated to my plan I missed my little sister's college graduation, my grandfather's funeral, my brother's courthouse wedding. Sure, I went home the weekend after my sister graduated. And yes, I flew home the week after my grandfather passed before his funeral and made it to my brother's celebratory wedding reception, but being so far from my support system was wearing on me...as was the creeping doubt that maybe I didn't love my job the way I'd thought I would. I loved my colleagues. I loved my authors. But I didn't love being an editor. 

My life was going according to plan but I started to realize, my plan wasn't working for me anymore. What do you do when your plan fails?

For me, it meant hitting pause. I threw "the plan" out, stopped trying to live my life based on what I thought I needed to do to achieve my definition of success. I made some calls. I made some lists. I took what'd I'd learned and made some changes. What did I want? 

I wanted to move closer to my family. I wanted to leave editorial. I wanted a career that allowed me to still do what I love - working with authors, building careers, developing projects - but in a way that would fit me better. I wanted to have more of a work-life balance. Which is how I ended up an agent with the Seymour Agency working in Nashville. It wasn't my original plan, but so what? For years I felt trapped in NYC because leaving meant failure, leaving meant the fear of the unknown, but now I can't help but think I'm where I'm meant to be right at this moment. Here for my baby sister's engagement. Here for a difficult family diagnosis. Reconnecting with friends, helping out with my grandmothers. I had to accept that there are a whole lot of different paths you can take if you let yourself be open to them.

Now...how does that apply to you? The writer?

 Simple: it's great to have a plan, to know what you want, but sometimes things don't happen like you think they will. Sometimes you have to shift gears. I'm not saying don't write down your goals and strive for them, but I am saying that if something doesn't feel right, if you're frustrated, sit down and reassess. 

Here's some real-life practical advice from me to you. Every author's journey to publication and success looks different, so don't be afraid to follow your own path if needed or even throw out the plan.

Why haven't I been signed by an agent?

1. Maybe your book just isn't ready yet. I often get pitches from authors who aren't technically ready for representation. Meaning their writing still needs work. The voice might be missing, the story arch might be too simplistic, the dialogue might be unrealistic, the syntax might be a bit too amateur. Just because you've finished writing your book doesn't mean you're finished working on it.

 Even published authors are constantly honing their craft, so don't be afraid to hit pause on your timetable and admit to yourself that "hey, it's amazing and inspiring that I've finished a book, but now I'm going to really pay more attention to the technical side of writing." Join a writer's circle, get some beta readers, attend workshops. Step back from pitching and querying and focus on your craft. For every author who sat down and instantly wrote a bestseller, there are five more who had to write and rewrite to get there. 

Photo by Tirza van Dijk on Unsplash

2. Maybe your book just isn't The One. As an agent, I'm looking for authors whose voice I am passionate about, whose writing inspires me, and... who I think I can sell. Sometimes I get queries that are creative and inventive but have no idea what to do with them. Okay, you wrote an Amish time travel YA... sounds cool, but do I know the inspirational YA market? Is there an inspirational YA market? And would they want time travel or Amish? If my answer to any of these is "I don't know" then I'm not going to waste your time by signing you. We always say don't write to trends, but the flip side to that is unless I can see a publication strategy for your book, I'm not going to be the right fit. 

So what can you do? Maybe it means doing more research on the market by gathering strong comp titles in your genre - show me that there's a market for Amish YA! -, maybe that means doing more research on the agents you pitch. In some cases, maybe it means shelving this book while you start on another project. As I mentioned before, authors learn something new with each book they write. There could be something missing from your Amish YA that a little distance and time will help you see.


3. Maybe a traditional path isn't right for you. Some authors find it weird to hear an agent advocating indie publishing, but I realize that the traditional path isn't right for everyone. Are you a type A personality who loves to be hands on? Do you want to publish and write shorter stories? Are you writing something that isn't easily defined? Indie publishing is a great way to find an audience for genres that are harder to sell traditionally. Just look at the thriving paranormal romance genre in digital right now. That said, if you do decide to go indie, commit to it. You're publishing a book when you go indie. It's not a placeholder.

 Often I get queries from authors telling me that the book they've pitch me just came out on Amazon two weeks ago. Ummm...okay? My primary job as an agent is to sell your work to publishing houses, so pitching me a story that's already been published doesn't start us off on the right foot. If you've tried indie and want a more hybrid career (traditional and indie) or just found it wasn't for you, then come up with a new idea and query that - not the book you've already put up for sale.

So if you aren't happy, you aren't seeing the success you want, don't fret. Instead, sit down, look at what you're writing, identify what you really want, and don't be afraid to change paths.

What are your thoughts and questions about the journey?
 What do you do when your plan fails?? 

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Poteet attended Colby College where she majored in English and Religious Studies. While studying at St. Andrews, she realized that though she enjoyed Shakespeare and the Dead Sea Scrolls, she preferred reading stories with a little more heat and heart. Lizzie took her passion for romance and turned it into a position with RT Bookreviews as a romance reviewer. In 2011, she joined the editorial team at St. Martin's Press where she worked with romance, YA, nonfiction, and women’s fiction. Then in 2015, Lizzie became the e-book original coordinator for SMP Swerve, helping launch the digital-only romance imprint.

 Lizzie is always looking for a good love story. She loves classic romance tropes, strong dialogue, sassy heroines, witty banter, and good old fashion romance. She’s actively seeking inspirational romance, cozy mystery, New Adult, YA, romantic suspense, historical and contemporary romances, and loves anything with a happy ending.

Leave a comment today for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card that Seekerville is giving away in honor of Lizzie's visit. 

Winner announced in the next Weekend Edition.

God's Spot-On Timing

with guest Krista Phillips.

Photo Credit: Olivia Snow Unsplash

Back in 2004, my hubby and I were debating a move/job change. It would be a HUGE life-changing deal. We prayed about it. But when we didn’t get a specific answer, I did what I always do. 

I took things into my own hands and made a plan. <3 font="" plans="">

I had every single detail timed out to almost the hour. I remember the day. It was a Tuesday. I was supposed to hear back sometime that day if I “got” the job, which would determine our move and set my plan in motion. But in order for my grand plan to work, I had to get that call by noon. I was convinced it couldn’t happen any other way.

I sat at my desk all morning, jumping every time the phone rang. But that phone call didn’t come. The clock ticked over to 12:01. I sighed. It wasn’t meant to be. No new job. No move closer to family. I might as well take my plan that I’d worked SO HARD on and throw it in the trash. At 12:05, I stood to go to lunch, completely dejected. 

Then the phone rang.

And in that moment, before I even answered it, I knew it was them offering me the job. I had this mental picture of God smirking just a bit, having delayed that call from coming in an extra five minutes just to remind me that HE was in charge and my timeline was worthless when it comes to a big God who can move mountains.

They did offer me the job. At a higher salary than I expected. I marched into my boss’s office and kindly told them I was moving and gave them my already-written- 2-week notice. (I was prepared!)

What does that have to do with writing, you ask?

That little reminder that God so lovingly taught me by delaying a phone call an extra five minutes has served as a constant and needed reminder throughout my writing journey.

Photo credit: Ales Krivec Unsplash

God’s timing.

Not Krista’s.

Period.

As I was contemplating how best to share with you God’s unique timing in MY writing journey, I thought you really needed to SEE the timing. 

Krista’s Writing Journey

May 2007: We bought a house. The previous owner was a writer. His galley edits from Zondervan were sent to my house in error. (And I peeked… so sue me. He knows and thought it was funny…) It was as if God pointed his finger at that package and said, “WRITE.” Three months later, I’d finished my first novel.

2007-2010: I realized I stunk at writing. So I set my hand to learning it, editing as I went. Wrote a new book. Networked. Went to conferences. 

April 2010: I semi-finaled in my first writing contest. That same week we found out our 4th child, still in the womb, only had half of a heart. 

July 2010: Annabelle was born. She almost died multiple times. I didn’t care one bit about writing. 

January 2011: Annabelle was still in the hospital. I received a call from an editor friend asking for a proposal. Our conversation was interrupted by doctors coming in for a meeting to tell us they thought Annabelle would die unless we listed her for a heart transplant.

March/April 2011: Editor asked for full manuscript. Annabelle got her new-to-her-heart but still struggled.

June 2011: Annabelle almost died when her new-to-her heart failed. A week later, I got a call from the editor of Abingdon, offering me a contract. 

July 2011: Annabelle almost died at home just 3 days after her 1st birthday. She was life-flighted to the hospital. What was this writing thing again?

September 2012: BOOK RELEASE! But honestly? I found it hard to care. Home oxygen, g-tube feeds, 3+ therapy appointments a week and weekly doctor appointments took precedent. My book sales never did great on that book, but still—publishing stuff helped a little to get my mind off the crazy.

2012-2014: Krista did super good to get out of bed each morning. 

2014-2016: My years of recovery. God was slowly healing places in my heart and allowing writing to be cathartic again. I indie published a few novellas just for kicks. It helped.

February 2016: I decided to indie publish the novel my agent had been shopping. The day I was taking the first step to do so, I got an email from my agent asking me to hold off. Barbour was interested.

August 2016: The summer had been—ugh. Lots of health issues with my daughter. I was SO thankful I didn’t keep my plan to publish the novel on my own. During the mess, I got a phone call from my agent. Barbour/Shiloh Run Press was offering me a contract.

November 1, 2017: The Engagement Plot released.

This timeline doesn’t mention the smaller moments like ARCS arriving and positive reviews coming on the exact day Annabelle ran a fever/puked/visited the ER and scared the wits out of her momma. 

During one such moment this past summer, I panicked. I texted a friend and told her I needed to quit writing. It was making my daughter sick. Every time something GOOD would happen in my writing life, something BAD would happen with Annabelle.

It felt like God either had a sick sense of humor, or I was just a horrible mother.

I’d always told myself it was God timing it out to make me keep writing in a proper perspective. But secretly, I’d also feared that He was punishing me for following my dream of writing. It wasn’t a new fear, but the first time I’d allowed myself to voice it to someone else.

That friend lovingly told me how ridiculous that was. 

If God really didn’t want me to write, he wouldn’t go about it by harming my child. He is a GOOD Father. I can trust Him. Period.

He called me to pursue writing back in 2007, and in a way that was clear and left no doubt.
The only thing that had ever told me otherwise was my fears. And fear, my friends, is not from God.

I took my fear (finally) to Jesus. In time, I saw this picture of God seeing the hurts that come with life. Those same hurts have molded me into a completely different person than I was when I started ten years ago. which now enables me to give much more depth to my stories, because *I* have more depth. Then, He sprinkled in some good news with the bad. He allowed smile moments during some of my lowest, darkest points. He timed them out to perfection to be exactly when I needed them most.

It was such a healing picture for me, one that my heart needed very badly.

Photo credit: Heather Zabriskie Unsplash

His timing is perfection.

So many of us have seasons of discouragement, of fear, of being told wait, of having bad news upon bad news, both in writing AND in real life. Or maybe even being told to put aside writing for a while even though you were so sure this is what God wanted you to do when you started.

I want to encourage you, no matter if you’re in a “go” or “wait” or “I-feel-like-God-is-telling-me-to-go-but-all-I-get-are-road-blocks” season, to hold on to Jesus. To remember that writing isn’t your whole journey, but a piece of it. To keep your focus your eyes on God, because looking at the bumps in this journey, both writing and life in general, can make you dizzy and nauseous if your eyes are trained on them instead of on Jesus, who is steady and constant and unwavering in his love for you.

What are some ways God has worked his timing out in YOUR writing journey? Have you ever had a season where you had to put it aside, or you felt like you were following God’s leading but didn’t see results and doubted your calling?

Krista is generously giving away one copy of The Engagement Plot to one commenter. Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.

Can Hanna and Will Find True Love amid the Bright Lights of Reality TV? 

Six months ago, William stole Hanna’s heart and shattered it in front of millions of people on a reality TV dating show. And now the big-wig CEO is back on Hanna’s home turf in Minnesota and wants her to forgive him? Fat chance of that. But life is swirling around faster than snow in a blizzard, and despite her objections, teaming up with William seems like the only option to rescue her reputation.

              

William has never regretted anything more than the day he gave that ill-fated interview for the reality show, The Price of Love. But while he can’t change the past, he’s determined to fix the future. He just needs to convince Hanna to forgive him—and pretend to be engaged with him. Simple, right?

When the media erupts with even worse accusations, teaming up and pretending to be engaged seems to be the only way to salvage their reputations.  Despite the media frenzy that swirls around them, an attraction neither of them can fight off begins to surface. Could this love run deeper than a scandal, or will old wounds tear them apart once and for all?  When all seems lost, it’s only with help from above that Hanna and Will may find their happily-ever-after.

Krista Phillips writes contemporary romance sprinkled with two of her favorite things, laughter, and Jesus. And sometimes chocolate for kicks and giggles. She lives in Middle Tennessee with her husband and their four beautiful daughters and is an advocate for congenital heart defects and organ donation awareness. Visit her online at www.kristaphillips.com.

5 Ways to Make an Acquisitions Editor Say Yes

 with guest Raela Schoenherr, Fiction Acquisitions Editor, Bethany House Publishers. 


 While the basic job description of an acquisitions editor—acquire new books for a publishing company to publish—at first glance seems like a job where I get to regularly say “Yes!” and make authors’ days all day long, the truth is the number of aspiring authors exceeds the number of available publishing slots, and most acquisitions editors have to say no far more than we get to say yes.  And yet, despite how it may feel to pre-published authors, we LOVE when we get to say yes! We get to make you happy, you get to make us happy, and we both get to make the publishing company happy.

Since it makes my day when I get to say yes to a new author, I want to offer up five ways you can make it easier for me to say yes to your proposal, your book, and you.

1.) Great writing

Shall we get this one out of the way? Those of you who have studied the industry, attended conferences, or read publishing blogs knew this one was coming, didn’t you? 

All of us who say we are looking for great writing are well aware of how vague and indefinable this feels to a writer. In many ways, it’s a “we’ll know it when we see it” kind of thing. Which really doesn’t give you a lot to go on, does it? 

While this often boils down to the particular taste of an editor, there are some ways you can work to earn that nebulous label of great writing. And most of that involves studying the industry. 

Read widely in your genre—definitely in the CBA market, but also in the ABA market, if you can. When you’re moving books to the top of your TBR list, make sure to include those that are winning awards and receiving positive recognition from discerning sources. 

 Enter your unpublished manuscripts in contests where you will receive feedback from qualified judges even if you don’t end up placing in or winning the contest. Join a critique group, find a critique partner, or gather beta readers who have the ability to offer you constructive criticism as well as point out the areas where you shine. 

Read industry and customer reviews of the books you love and those that have received recognition to look for common themes in what is resonating with industry professionals and readers.

2.) Professional presence

In this day and age, where authors are more accessible to their readers than ever, the way you present yourself matters more than ever.

I love when I get to meet an aspiring author in person and hear directly from you about yourself and your book. A positive in-person interaction with an author suggests that you will leave similarly positive impressions of yourself and your work on future readers.

It almost goes without saying that an author’s online presentation of himself or herself makes a difference, as well. Editors and authors often don’t have the opportunity to meet in person before signing a book contract, so we’re basing most of our confidence in you on phone and email conversations as well as how you have chosen to present yourself online. 

As you go about your interactions and presence on the internet, try to act as if you already have several thousand readers following you online, and make sure you would be comfortable with any member of a publishing staff seeing what you’ve posted or commented on or liked or reviewed.

3.) Unique angle

Since there is a lot of competition for opportunities to publish your book with a traditional publisher, any way you can make yourself stand out from all the other authors and proposals an editor receives the better. 

It may be that your story or your approach to telling your story feels new and fresh and distinct from a particular house’s current list of authors or what is available in the market. (Although, of course, this comes with qualifiers since a book still has to be a reasonable fit for a publishing house’s readership.) Rather than offering a carbon copy of a specific book a company is already publishing, consider how you can craft a story in such a way that it will appeal to the same type of reader without feeling like a retread of another book. 

Or, it may be that something about you as the author is what makes this project unique. Is there anything about you that sets you apart as uniquely qualified to be telling these stories or that will particularly attract readers to your books? 

4.) Partnership potential

It’s often said that platform is not as essential in fiction as it is in nonfiction. While I believe this to be true, I would also say it’s steadily becoming more of a factor. A publishing company may not expect you to carry the brunt of the marketing and publicity for a book, or even most of it, but if two very similar authors with very similar projects are up for discussion, one author’s potential to be a stronger or more engaged partner could be one of the things to tip the scale in his or her favor. 

A huge platform may not be a realistic option for many pre-published fiction authors, but strong partnership potential might be something you can offer. Are you particularly savvy when it comes to networking with future influencers, endorsers, and/or reviewers? Are you really creative when it comes to ways to collaborate with libraries or indie bookstores or the media? Do you have an education or background in the content that makes up your story? Are you a Facebook or Pinterest or Twitter or #bookstagram fiend? 

Ultimately, as you take a close look at how you can be a desirable publishing partner, figure out what makes the most sense for you and where you feel you can be most successful and focus your efforts on your areas of strength.

5.) Knowledgeable passion

We’re all here because we are passionate about books and reading. That’s what brings us all together! So, while most aspiring authors may have passion about books in general, what stands out is an author who is informed and knowledgeable about their passion.

You can ask yourselves some questions to consider if you’re as knowledgeable in your passion as you could be. 

• Are you aware of books on the market that are comparable to yours? Have you read them?

• Have you read outside your typical genres to further your awareness of good storytelling? 

• Are you aware of industry trends and news and events? 

• Do you know the major publishing players and the authors and types of books they publish? 

• Are you particularly excited by the content/setting/hook/unique features of your book, or are you simply chasing the market? 

• Are you passionate not just about your story but can defend why it’s a good fit for the market and/or the publishing company? 

• Have you made strides to learn and study your craft?

•  Do you ask questions and make the most of the opportunities you have to network and learn from others in the industry?

•  Have you been willing to put in the amount of time it takes to truly make your manuscript the best it can be, or are you too impatient to go beyond that first rough draft?

Those are just five things that can help make an author an easier yes to an acquisitions editor. Every author and every situation is different, so these are not hard-and-fast…but they sure don’t hurt!  

What are your honest answers to the challenges Raela offered above? Leave a comment and we'll give one commenter the opportunity to win their book of choice from these Bethany House Publishing titles. Readers, say hi to our special guest and let her know which Bethany House Publishing titles you're currently enjoying or are on your TBR pile!

Raela Schoenherr is a fiction acquisitions editor and has been with Bethany House Publishers since 2008. She grew up reading Christian fiction and enjoys being able to work with the kinds of books she always loved. When she’s not reading (or listening to audiobooks!), she’s probably cheering on the Green Bay Packers, running, or spending time with her wonderful family and friends. A graduate of Bethel University, she makes her home in Minneapolis, MN and is active on Twitter at @raelaschoenherr. 

And we have more Happy Birthday videos 

as we continue our 10th Birthday Celebration!

Rachel Dylan

Ann H Gabhart

Susan Ann Mason

Vacationing Like a Researcher

with guest Stacy Henrie.

Years ago, I accompanied my husband on a business trip to Boston. While there, I was able to see a good portion of the sights and I took a bunch of pictures. However, if I were to try and set a book in Boston these days, I would still need to do a great deal of research about the city and its history, even though I’ve already been there. Why? Because too much time has passed since that trip and because I didn’t vacation there with a researcher’s eye for a potential book setting.

Since then, I’ve taken trips that were solely for research, where most of my time is spent collecting information for a planned story. But what about those regular, just-for-fun vacations with family or friends? Can those be turned into possible research gold-mines, even without a potential story idea in your head before you go? Absolutely!

Last month my family and I took a trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan—purely to see what we’d been told was gorgeous countryside. And it is! This trip wasn’t for a planned book of mine, but I came home with a wealth of information and pictures that may very well find their way into a future story. 

If you’re planning an upcoming trip or vacation that’s just for fun, here are some tips for approaching your time away as a book researcher.

Know Before You Go

Before our trip, I came up with a list of places and attractions I wanted to see while we were there. Being a historical writer, there were several museums on my list, but there were also places that are iconic to the area that I didn’t want to miss like Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. For my kids, there were things like a shipwreck boat tour on Lake Superior and a visit to a family-owned zoo. Nowadays, you can find lots of “Top Ten” lists of things to see and do as well as other travel blog posts on just about any place in the world. These can help you compile a list of things you want to see and experience on your trip. 
 

Ditch the Guidebook for the Camera

Several of the historical museums we visited in the UP had lots of valuable information posted on signs or plaques. So rather than purchasing a book from the gift shop about everything in the museum or on one central topic, I opted to take pictures of all the informational plaques I found interesting or I thought I might want to reference later. With a smart phone or tablet – or even a regular camera – you can photograph any pertinent information for free. And the more pictures you take of your surroundings, the more likely you’ll be able to call to mind the details of what a place looked and felt like.

Check out the Local Flavor

I’m talking about more than food here—although, sampling the local fare is also a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the place you’re visiting. What better way to know what your potential characters might eat, then to try the food yourself? The UP is known for its pasties (which we learned is NOT pronounced paste-ee. It’s called a past-ee). So we had them for dinner one night. I recommend the chicken ones. We also had fantastic fish and chips in a small town on the eastern side of the UP.

In addition to food, though, be sure to check out the haunts and hangouts of the locals. I’d read online about a café and bookstore in Munising, Michigan that had great ice cream. While the ice cream certainly turned out to be yummy, it was the ambiance of the café that proved to be the coolest thing about the place. Regular kitchen tables are set up around the room, which has walls lined with books. Patrons can eat at the tables or play one of the supplied board games or do both. At the far side of the room, a band was playing music. And nearly everyone sang along when they played “Sweet Caroline.” Having been there and experienced the local flavor of the place, I could easily recreate a similar café and bookstore in a future story.


Allow for Spontaneity

While it’s helpful to make a list of things you don’t want to miss on a trip or vacation, there is something to be said for having days or hours of flexibility. Time to make unscheduled stops and simply enjoy the beauty of the moment. It’s often in those moments that you can really connect with a place. 

One such moment for me was looking for agates along the south shore of Lake Superior. It was equally as fun to read an account, after coming home from our trip, about a woman in 1881 who also had a collection of agates from along the south shore. If I had to write about someone agate hunting on Lake Superior in early August, I could do it now. I could describe the gray day, the cold water, the smooth rocks, and the lake stretching out to the horizon. 

It’s these details, these in-person experiences, these pictures that can enhance a story—even if it’s one we haven’t yet created. 

Writers, have you taken a non-research trip or vacation that you later used as the setting for a story? Readers, do you like to plan out your vacation itineraries or do you like get to where you’re going and decide then?

Leave a comment today for an opportunity to win your very own ecopy of The Keeper of Her Heart! Winner announced in the Weekend Edition. 

The Keeper of Her Heart

A Girl on the Brink of Womanhood, a Country on the Brink of War

Even at a young age, Ada Thorne knew that she would marry only for love, never money. So when she finds herself irrevocably drawn to Ned Henley, the lowly gamekeeper on a neighboring estate, she defies her parents and society by eloping with him to London to build a new life.

Without her family’s support, life in the city is far more difficult than the one of ease and privilege Ada has always known. She’ll find herself relentlessly tested in ways she never imagined—especially when Ned, answering the call of duty, enlists to serve his country in World War One.

Alone and near poverty with a child to raise, Ada’s resolve will be strained at every turn. And as she struggles to remain true to her convictions and live life on her own terms, Ada will embark on a journey of courage, faith, and love that will surpass even her own humble dreams  . . .

USA Today bestselling author Stacy Henrie is the author of western romances, the anthology Love for All Seasons, and the Of Love and War series, which includes Hope at Dawn, a 2015 RITA Award finalist for excellence in romance. She was born and raised in the West, where she currently resides with her family. She enjoys reading, road trips, interior decorating, chocolate, and most of all laughing with her husband and kids. You can learn more about Stacy and her books by visiting her website at stacyhenrie.com.

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