What's a Richmond Writer To Do?

In my surfing the net and following several links at some friendly blogs, I found the following upcoming events that may be of interest to writers in the Greater Richmond Area. If you go, let me know by leaving a comment! Writers need to network and take every opportunity to learn the art AND business of writing!

11/9/2009 7 – 9 PM: The Richmond Playwright's Forum meets monthly at the Barksdale Theatre Willow Lawn conference room. Members share works in progress and discuss the play writing process. RPF is open to all interested persons, and welcomes your participation as voice actors or active listeners. For more information, contact Margie Langston at margie.langston@yahoo.com.

11/10/2009 12 – 1 PM: Eugene Trani discusses and signs his collaborative work with Donald E. Davis, Distorted Mirrors: Americans and Their Relations with Russia and China in the Twentieth Century. Free and open to the public. Limited free parking under the library. At The Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St, 804-692-3500, http://www.lva.lib.va.us/.

11/11/2009 5:30 – 7:30 PM: “Writers Wednesday.” JRW hosts a casual meet and greet for writers of all genres every second Wednesday. At Richbrau Brewing Company’s TapHouse Grill, 1212 E Cary St. Access parking in the decks on 12th St or Virginia St (between Cary and Canal Streets).

11/13/2009 4 PM: “VCU Visiting Writers Series” continues with a reading by acclaimed poet Lucia Perillo (Luck is Luck). Free and open to the public. At Barnes & Noble, VCU, 111 W Broad St, 804-828-1678. For further details call Thom Didato at 804-828-1329.

11/13/2009 6 – 9 PM: Grand opening of Books On Wheels Thrift Store: Books, Bikes, and Beyond. Catered by Joe’s Inn. At 302 Brookland Park Ave. For more details visit Chop Suey Books or call Ward at 804-422-8066.

11/14/2009 11 AM – 3 PM: “1st Annual Authors Literary Festival.” Free and open to the public. At Precious Memories Book Store, 3229 Idlewood Ave, 804-726-8501, http://www.blackauthlitfestival.webs.com/.

11/14/2009 5 PM & 8 PM: SlamRichmond’s Poetry Slam Workshop and Open Mike. Cost $5. At Artspace Gallery, 31 E 3rd St, 804-232-6464. For more details visit http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond

If you go, let me know how it was!

Blessings on your journey

The Importance of Targeting Your Marketing

This cartoon came from a bloggy friend. He is very creative. Some of his cartoons are a little "colorful" but I really liked this one! Enjoy




Courtesy of Past Expiry Cartoon

A Holy Roller Coaster Ride

I am feeling like I'm riding a roller coaster we rode on when we went to Disney World about 20 years ago. The entire track was inside - in the dark! You literally could not see when the next turn was coming, how far up or down you be carried; You could sure tell you were going really fast though!


I've never been a big roller coaster fan. I'm afraid of heights, so the downhill dives almost give me heart failure! God's had me on a roller coaster lately. It is just about as frightening as that Disney roller coaster, too. You see, once I obeyed him and published my book, He has enlarged my territory, expanded my sphere of influence, grown my "base" of readers and pumped me full of the Holy Spirit!


My last post shared how I will be giving $1.00 from the sale of each book to Just the Roof. On Monday I attended a meeting for Operation Community Kindness. I'll be taking over some blogging duties and probably writing/editing some content for the site for this promotion. I'm also going to be part of the team that works on compiling a book of stories from the participants. While I was waiting for the organizer to arrive so we could have the conference room unlocked, there on the table directly in front of me was a manual entitled "How To Start a Non-Profit Organization."

Can you guess where I'm going here? I almost checked out the book, but I uncharacteristically decided I would wait for affirmation and clarity. I've received it! I had lunch with a friend on Wednesday and I shared with her this had occurred. We got to talking about all the women we could minister to and all the ways we could spread the Good News--in other words, how our own individual ministries could be combined and enlarged to do even more to offer hope, healing and the love of Christ to even more hurting and broken women.

I know absolutely nothing about starting a non-profit organization. But I know a couple of people who do. I also know the public library has a really good resource I can read. I keep reminding myself I didn't how to self-publish a book until I tried it, researched it, stepped back and redid and retried it until I got it right. Not knowing how has never been an obstacle for me! I can learn how. I'm willing to learn how as long as it's what God is directing me to do. I think it is. Right now I'm going to pray--a lot. Then I'm going to pray some more.

I'm starting a national marketing campaign for my book and I'm going to include information about my speaking to womens groups. We'll see how it flies and go from there. The other two women who will be part of this undertaking are so gifted and bright and have such a heart for Christ. I am so grateful for their presence in my life and feel more and more the more I get to know them that we three were brought together for a divine purpose. You know how I feel about that!

Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. (Isaiah 54:2)

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31)

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. (1 Chronicles 4:10)

Taking My Show "On the Road"

A few days ago I registered to be a vendor at a Christian Book Summit (conference) in Orange, VA. I have heard the sponsor, Eugene Williams, Jr. with Wise Educators speak at a Christian writer's conference last year and really liked his presentation (and him). I also was excited to see the summit because Renee Bobb is the keynote speaker. She has become the "self-publishing guru" to many and has built a thriving business by sharing her own experiences, then helping others achieve their goals.

I called the information number because I wanted to be sure I didn't also need to pay for a ticket to attend some of the workshops. When I received a return call, the coordinator asked me if I would also like to speak at the summit!! I am so excited to have this opportunity! What a wonderful chance to tell my story of the journey to having my book published and to encourage other Christian writers!

The Summit is at the end of April, so I'll plenty of time to prepare marketing materials and print of sets of my Scripture cards, order copies of the book and copies of my blank journal as well. The other really great thing is that one of my Christian sister/writer friends is going to go with me! We're both really pumped up and just brimming with excitement to have the chance to minister to other writers

My First Speaking Engagement to Discuss My Book

I have been invited to read an excerpt from Woman at the Well, and talk about my ministry at a prayer shawl retreat on February 28!

I am very excited to have this chance! There will be members of several churches in attendance, and I hope to have the opportunity to connect with them and be invited to speak at their churches or small groups as well!

God continues to bless me beyond anything I ever imagined! I honestly ordered 10 copies of the book, believing that they would be adequate inventory for several months. Now I have a total of 35 books in inventory and I am seriously considering ordering more.

Not only that, I received this invitation in response to my offer to donate a copy of the book for a door prize! Also, a dear friend has offered to post a link to the book with the offer for an autographed copy so potential buyers will be directed to the book.

Now that I have finished my Faith Development course through BTSR I'm going to get busy with some article writing for several publications and will begin working on a developing a study guide to go with Woman at the Well!

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (1 John 5:14 NIV)

Book Selling and Other Joys I Never Thought I'd Have

Today I sold 1 copy of my book at church and I have sold two copies from the lulu.com site:-) OK, my Dad bought them to give to two of his brothers! Still . . . I'm excited! Another friend from chuch has said she wants to buy one later this week when we are at book group meeting together.

It's still a bit surreal that I actually have a beautiful, professionally published book!!!! Woman at the Well should hit amazon.com and some other sites in about 6 weeks.

Our Minister of Adult Discipleship at my church has suggested I order some more copies of the book and she will "market" them at church as great Mother's Day gifts. I feel so blessed to have such supportive family and friends who continue to bless me with their encouragement.

For anyone still "in process" with their writing, know that you will reach your goal! At several points in my years-long process I felt as if I was "done" with the book. At each point, though, God intervened either through an insight or idea, through the involvement or interaction of a person, or through an event or series of events that led me to "wait."

That is not easy for me! This was an exercise in obedience -- God wanted me to publish this book! It was also an exercise in waiting on God. Both of these areas were and continue to be growth areas for me. I sincerely believe God brought me through this process so I could learn to trust in Him more and "wait on Him" in other/all areas of my life.

I know that as I work to market the book, God will be in charge. He will lead the way and provide opportunities for me that I cannot even dream of today!

and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; (1 Kings 2:3)

Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinances which the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong, and of good courage. Fear not; be not dismayed. (1 Ch 22:13)

He who gives heed to the word will prosper, and happy is he who trusts in the Lord. (Proverbs 16:20)

so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)

All Scripture is Revised Standard Version

It Came In The Mail Today!

I received my "proof" copy of Woman at the Well in the mail today! I still can't believe it's really done! Well . . . I made a couple of changes and will hopefully receive the "new" proof copy early next week. I hope so since I wanted to give out several copies as Christmas gifts to family and a couple of friends.

Since so many individuals and websites are giving away freebies, I decided I would sponsor one in my newsletter this month. The fifth person who emails me that they have NOT finished their Christmas shopping will be the winner of a copy of Inspiration, Imagination and Faith blank journal! (Click on the link to go my lulu.com storefront and preview the journal.) I've received four emails so far. Either everyone is so busy finishing their Christmas shopping, or they're too busy to check their email! Of course it hasn't even been 24 hours, yet.

I think next month I'll give away a copy of my book, and then do other items in following months. One more reason for people to subscribe to the newsletter:-)

A Christmas Gift To Myself

I just uploaded Woman at the Well to lulu.com!!

This is an accomplishment that I have worked toward, longed for and one which has afforded meunderstanding of truly waiting on God. His timing is perfect, and because I waited, I believe the final copy is better than what I ever could have imagined!

It will be available for sale soon and a big announcement will be forthcoming!

I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God. [Psalm 38:15 NIV]