I know that’s a lot to pack into one post but that’s what the last two weeks have been filled with!
Let’s start at the beginning. Book Releases. Wow. It’s been AMAZING! We kicked off the release of BE STILL MY SOUL with a book launch party that was so much fun. I posted a bunch of pictures on my Facebook page, and if you get my newsletter there will be more! Thank you to all the fabulous bloggers, writers and just plain ‘ol friends who’ve hosted me this month. It’s been a blast!!
This last weekend was our local writer’s conference in San Diego. I had the pleasure of driving down with some of my critique partners and stopping for dinner (there may have been gourmet mac ‘n cheese involved but you didn’t hear it from me) I’ve never seen BE STILL MY SOUL on a bookshelf before so one of my critique partners checked with the B & N that was along the way and it said those magic little words– in stock!
So we flew off the freeway (literally, because she almost missed our exit), found the Barnes and Noble and there it was! It was a total dream come true! The lovely ladies you see below are some of the women who poured so much love, advice and wisdom into my writing and to celebrate this moment with them was really special.
Ashley Ludwig, Me, Beverly Nault and Dona Watson
Ashley jumped right in by facing the book. Is she a seasoned pro, or what?
Then it was on to the conference for a great evening. I got to visit with my editor, Shannon, from WaterBrook Multnomah and also give a hug to the fabulous Susan Meissner (center). Susan is an amazing writer, one of my absolute favorites, and if you have a copy of BE STILL MY SOUL, yep, those are her pretty little words right there on the front cover. Squeee!!! Her newest book, THE GIRL IN THE GLASS is at the top of my TBR and I can’t wait!
The highlight of the night was watching my critique partner, Beverly Nault win the Nancy Bayless Award for excellence in writing for her fiction debut, FRESH START SUMMER. It’s a GREAT read filled with charming characters. If you like clean, contemporary fiction that will make you smile and give you the warm and fuzzies all at the same time, this one’s for you!
What a great blog about a day that still seems like a dream. From seeing your brand new, fabulous book on the shelf >she’s too humble to say, but Joanne won the Nancy Bayless in 2009!< to hearing my name called, all with the best critique partners a writer can have by her side…what a night! God is good!
Beverly, I still do the happy dance in my heart each time I think about that award! It really was like a dream. An amazing dream! We’ve worked so closely together in our little group and to celebrate these victories together makes it so special.
Caught!!! Facing books!!! And now everyone knows my secret!
Joanne, so exciting to share in your journey… Love you, sister!!! And Bev, we are so proud of all that you have accomplished with the FRESH START SUMMER series!
So grateful for time together, with Dona, too! now time to get back to work!
Much love and many blessings,
Ashley
Haha! Caught!! Notice I didn’t post the picture of me signing the books? Yes I get the “naughty blogger” award 😉 IT was so much fun being with you girls that night and I’m still thinking about our tomato basil soup. LOL, yes, we all better get back to work, shouldn’t we 😀
So blessed to read this and share these wonderful moments with you via your blog. So proud of you and I gotta admit a bit choked up at the moment with joy for you!
I’m so glad! You are one of my greatest supporters and sounding boards and encouragers and the list goes on. Don’t know what I’d do without you!
I’m lovin’ every minute of your success, Joanne! 🙂 Too fun.
Aw, thank you Denise! It’s been a blast, made all the more wonderful by friends and family!
What a cool experience to see your book in the bookstore! Whenever we go into Barnes and Noble, I lead my husband to the Christian fiction section and point to the H’s. I say, “Someday, this is where my books will be.” Hehe. A girl’s gotta dream, right?
It was so surreal and so fun! You dream on girl! I used to walk my hubby down the isle and point to all the imprints, pointing out my favorites. Excited for the day to see your name in the “H” section!
What an exciting two weeks! So happy for you. I have The Girl in the Glass sitting on my coffee table right now. It’s my next review pick with Blogging for Books. Guess I picked another good one! 🙂