Happy Thanksgiving! May this be a time of remembrance for all God has done and a time to celebrate with family and friends.
This week I would like to share the latest Holiday newsletter I'm sending out to my subscribers. And in it are plenty of reasons I give thanks as a writer this past year, especially to God for allowing me to minister His word through the art of storytelling:
Hello and welcome to the 2009 holiday newsletter for author Lauralee Bliss!
I can’t believe it’s been so long—nearly a year—since I last sent out a full newsletter. And it’s strange, too, as this has been a tremendous year of blessing as far as my writing goes, as you’ll soon see in the NEWS section. But I’ve learned so much and continue to grow as I write and seek new opportunities to minister through the written word. I hope to communicate with you more often as doors open and I see where the journey of writing leads me.
NEWS
Shortly after I sent out last year's holiday newsletter, I received news from the Heartsong fiction editor at Barbour that they were contracting a three book series based in the lovely state of Utah. The first book should be going to press soon, as I just completed the galleys. Book one, entitled Love’s Winding Path, based on the Prodigal Son story and set in Moab, Utah near Arches National Park, will feature rafting on the Colorado, among other things. And what better way than to experience storymaking firsthand, so my husband and I spent a few weeks this past June doing just that. We explored Utah for this series as well as some of the beautiful national parks in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s a link to my Facebook page and the wonderful places we saw. Also check my hiking blog for one of my adventures scaling Lassen Peak in the snow!
I have several new releases out this holiday season. The first of my Christmas releases is Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire by Summerside Press (of which we journeyed to the lovely town of Bethlehem to see the town in winter along with the beautiful snow covered mountains). Check out my Bethlehem Blog for reviews and the history of this interesting town set in northern New Hampshire. My second holiday novel is A Blue and Gray Christmas that I wrote with three other gifted authors. My novella takes place during the battle and aftermath at Fredericksburg, VA. I’ve also had past Heartsong novels re released in two collections—Blue Ridge Brides and Mountaineer Dreams. You can find these releases and my Bethlehem book at your local WalMart or Sam's Club or at your local Christian bookstore. And of course, online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, etc.
This past September I flew to Denver for the annual ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference. What a wonderful opportunity to network with authors and editors. Unfortunately on my way to the airport, I suffered a severe ankle sprain and spent most of the conference hobbling around and putting bags of ice on a very swollen ankle. But God was gracious, and I had a good time meeting with editors and discussing various projects, some of which have turned into proposals and are currently being considered at various houses.
Finally, I have written my first nonfiction book, a personal account of the Appalachian Trail hike I took with my son in 2007. I am looking at different avenues of publication, as soon as funds become available.
So it has been a busy year for me!
Blog
"Blissful Writing Thoughts" chronicles my ideas on writing, a writer’s life which can have its many ups and downs, as well as announcing upcoming books and contests. And new this year, I am having popular authors guest once a month on my blog to share their writing insights— some of whom are even offering book giveaways. I hope you will have a chance to pop over and take a look at Blissful Writing Thoughts and subscribe to the blog. I publish every Monday (unless I am out of town).
A Very Special Giveaway!
As a thank–you for being a part of my writing ministry and in honor of my book, Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, I'm giving away a handmade ornament with Bethlehem, New Hampshire inscribed on it. I bought this in the actual town of Bethlehem, New Hampshire last year while researching my story. I will hold the drawing on December 19th. If you are receiving this newsletter by e-mail, you are already in the drawing. If you are not and would like to be included in the drawing, please send me your e-mail address along with a note that you would like to subscribe to the quarterly newsletter by Lauralee Bliss (this is to abide my anti Spam laws. See other restrictions below). Please have your request in no later than December 19th. Thank you for being a part of my writing ministry!
Contest rules: US residents only. Void where prohibited by law. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received.
AND Great Gifts for Christmas or any time!
With tough economic times these days, why not give the gift of a great book? Most of my titles are on sale on my website and at terrific prices. Shipping will depend on the number of books and how you wish them sent. But if you order three or more titles, I will pay for shipping! So please check out my website for books that I will be happy to autograph.
Wishing you a most blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with God’s mercy, grace, and peace.
Lauralee Bliss
Website: http://www.lauraleebliss.com/ Email: blissful63@gmail.com
I am also on Facebook and Goodreads! Come be my friend. I love readers!
Copyright 2009, by Lauralee Bliss. All rights reserved.
Just as a reminder, in honor of my release, "Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire" on December 19th, I'll be giving away a handmade ornament with "Bethlehem, New Hampshire" inscribed on it to one of my newsletter subscribers. I bought this ornament in the actual town of Bethlehem, New Hampshire last year while researching my story. If you would like to be included in the drawing, please send me an e-mail to blissful63(at) gmail.com along with a note that you would like to subscribe to the quarterly newsletter by Lauralee Bliss (Note: you may unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time. But there will be great news on future releases, including a brand new contemporary series set in beautiful Utah!).
