Day 4! Enlightened: My Personal Journey with Christ Through Scripture Journaling FREE

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See how journaling and scripture reading can bring you closer to God.

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Day Three! Last day to get your Two FREE books!

Beginning July 7, 2022, and going until July 9, 2022, get Heaven 24/7 - Living in the Light and the Parables of Virginia Bean for FREE!

Both books are inspiring reads.

The first is nonfiction. The second is three books in one and is Fiction.

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Heaven 24/7

What's it all about?

If you've ever wondered,

"Is it possible to live more spiritually minded. . .

even in the midst of day-to-day earth life?"

If you've ever worried about what others really think of you. . .

or about being perfect NOW.

If you've wanted to forgive someone. . .

but couldn't.

If you've tried hard to see how to get past the scars in your life. . .

but haven't.

If you feel as if you live in fear. . .

and wonder where God is.

If you have a hard time letting go of sin. . .

sharing who you are. . .

knowing what you really want out of life. . .

and having the courage to do it.

It may just be your time to view heaven 24/7.

Are you ready?

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For the first time, get all three books:

Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones

The Feast: A Parable of the Ring

and

The Gift: A parable of the Key

All in one place!

Virginia gathered five smooth stones to defeat her first goliath – the loss of a job. With God’s help, she uses the stones again, the powers of listening, trust, optimism, tenacity, and constancy becoming a daily part of her life as she visits the goliaths in her marriage.

But when the third goliath comes, the loss of a child, will Virginia be ready? Will she be prepared to use the powers within the five stones to overcome the most difficult journey yet?

Will her torn and wounded heart finally heal?

The Virginia Bean parable series is for anyone desiring to travel beyond mediocrity, pain, and fear. It is for anyone with a goliath they haven’t, as yet, been able to conquer.

As goliaths go, this book may even be – for you.

Enlightened: My Personal Journey with Christ Through Scripture Journaling

Enlightened: My Personal Journey with Christ Through Scripture Journaling, is here!
(And I need reviewers!)

If you'd like to review this book, and you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, please let me know. We can discuss the details. Email me at kathy@ariverofstones.com.

Get it at Amazon
or send an email to kathy@ariverofstones.com
and I will autograph and send you a copy!

Is it Time?

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones has been a lover of journaling since the time she was a teenager. But the journaling that began as a keeper of secret thoughts, daily activities, and hopes and dreams of the future, one day changed direction in focus and feeling the moment she realized what personal revelation could truly mean for her.

Although personal scripture reading began at about the same time, it was much later, while Kathryn was reflecting on the power of the Kirtland Temple dedication, that the Lord’s voice was heard, and Kathryn wrote of the experience.

Connecting personal revelation to scripture study and prayer as a conduit for an even stronger relationship with Jesus Christ is the premise of this book.

May it enlighten your life and may your own path be made clear as you take the Lord’s hand, listen to His words, and follow His voice.

Marketing Your Book on a Budget 2018 is almost here!

Get an after Christmas gift for yourself!

Marketing Your Book on a Budget will be available January 1st!

Not a writer?

Get the book for a writer in your life. They will LOVE it!

MARKETING YOUR BOOK ON A tight BUDGET IS ALMOST HERE!

It's that time again! Now in its 7th year, (wow) I am really itching to share some new ideas with you!

I've been asked what sort of budget this book focuses on, and it finally occurred to me that the word 'budget' means different things to different people, so this year's update includes a special word that will help you from here on out to know what I mean! (I guess the dollar bill cover was too subtle!)

Plan on seeing the newest edition in January, more than likely in that first week!

Can't wait?

You can still get the 2017 edition 

here

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Rita Avaud A Najm

1.     Tell me about yourself. What got you started in writing?

I‘ve always loved writing. I remember writing my first play and the lyrics of its songs when I was 7 years old. Besides me, the actors were my brother and my close friends. I even once won the first prize during a competition in Arabic poetry between all Lebanese Catholic schools, when I was 11 years old. The results were on national TV. It was the first time I stood in front of a microphone and a huge camera. I was shaking, but I did a good job.  

The hectic life took me from writing for many years until I went back to college in Houston, and I had to decide on my graduation project.

Since I was volunteering at my children’s school, mostly at the library, I decided that my project should be a guide for teachers to encourage students to read more non-fiction and poetry books.

I haven't stopped writing since then.

2.  How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

I actually don’t schedule my writing time. I always have a notebook next to my seat to write down whenever I have a new story idea. I used to wait until my children went to sleep or got busy watching TV or playing a game to write. But since I moved to Utah, and because of my children go to a year-round school with many off-track times, I have plenty of time now, especially when I am not substituting any French teacher. 

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a laptop or some other method of getting your words down?

My notebook is always handy to write ideas. Random funny thoughts make me create a cute little story!  

When I write Arabic poetry, I usually prefer white blank papers.

But since English is my third language, in addition to my Arabic and French languages, a laptop is always needed. Honestly, it’s the spelling check and grammar that I need, to make sure that no mistakes are left.

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4.  What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

My least favorite thing is not finding the right word. Feelings are difficult to express sometimes.

My favorite part is when I reread my work and find that there is nothing that needs to be changed, removed or added. I know then that what I wanted to write about is perfectly done. 

5.  How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?

“Memories are special moments that tell our story!”

The memories of my childhood and all the things I did back then make me smile now and wish to share them with my children. I have plenty of them. Some are like timeless treasures, some are sad, but all of them tell my story.

It doesn’t take me much to write a story when I have the main idea or character to talk about. Sometimes it takes an hour or two. But editing takes more than that. My two books didn’t take much! But it took me a year and a half to find the right publisher.

       

 What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

I have plenty of friends, and I work for many schools that have dual immersion French programs. That’s my main focus for a beginning, besides the KDP (kindle direct publishing) and media groups on Facebook and Instagram.

7.  What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

My two new books are already out “La Petite Rita” Volume 1 and Volume 2. I am working on my “La Petite Rita” volume 3.

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Besides my childhood stories, I also write short funny bedtime stories for children and families, that hold a moral lesson too. I have 5 stories ready to be published in picture book format that needs illustration. 

8.  Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

I actually have those 5 stories that need lots of illustration. I tried to do it myself since I am an artist, but painting portraits are one thing; landscape in an impressionism style on canvas is totally different. It is a special field of drawing.

9.  What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

Go ahead! Do not wait for the encouragement! Believe in yourself! Know your value! We all need someone to support our ideas…. But if we don’t have that someone we shouldn’t give up. We are all talented in different ways! Do not let discouragement stops you from doing what you like! Overcome any fear or frustration of not reaching your goal! Your effort will be rewarded at the right time by the right people. But guess what! You have to seek these people. You may not find them the first time, or the second time, but you will… Just go ahead! Make your words, thoughts and ideas come alive, your imagination visible and create your own world between the lines of your book!     

***

 Connect with Rita on Facebook or LinkedIn.

MARKETING YOUR BOOK ON A BUDGET 2018

Just a little head's up about my five-star book.

Marketing Your Book on a Budget 2018 will be up for sale in January! Expect new and updated material - plenty of links and specific places to market your book in 2018.

Get the 2017 version at Amazon

FRIDAY FLICKS: In Spite of Myself by Katie Hornor

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on November 7

FRIDAY FLICKS: Playful: Fun Projects to Make With + For Kids

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FRIDAY FLICKS: Different by Sally Clarkson and Nathan Clarkson

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jeff Bullas

     Tell me a about yourself. What got you started in writing?

This video is a good answer to that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UUHeqwN52RM7GIrKEE5INpng&v=8DgbhiyVBwI

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

I set aside 5:30am till 9am for writing 5 days a week.  This time blocking is the best way to create something of consequence without life, distractions and busyness getting in the way.

     How and where do you write? Do you prefer a laptop or some other method of getting your words down?

I prefer to use a laptop with a second big screen in my home office.  Writing chapters for a book as blog posts is one tactic I use to write snack size bites of content. Also I use Word as my primary software to write a book.

  

     What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

I love crafting the words. Another thing I love is to see a rough draft become something I am proud of.  Also enjoy the creative art of coming up with topics and headlines that I think will resonate with my readers and draw them in.

The least favorite part about writing is wondering whether what I have written is good enough. Fighting the doubt.

     How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?

The idea came up as I read other blog posts and read other books and wondered what I could create and share that was of consequence, relevant and authentic.

It took me about six months from starting to get it to my editor.

     What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

Marketing is a launch process. It includes email, social media and video marketing. 

     What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

I am about 20,000 words into my next book. The book topic is to be revealed soon.

     Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

The project is an online course with the book as the pillar content and part of the overall launch.

     What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

Push past the doubt and just start.  But being a good writer is not enough, you need to learn (or hire) the art and science of marketing.

"Stephen King was asked ‘how do you write these 120,000 word novels and he said

‘One word at a time…’

The path to success is just one step at a time.

Going for a run every now and then is good. But the only way to achieve peak fitness requires persistence.

Succeeding in life and business…whether it’s as an author, blogging, digital marketing or re-inventing your company or re-inventing yourself is sometimes not apparent.

It requires shedding comfort for growth inducing discomfort. Pain is often the path to success" 

The real secret to succeeding as an author?

“Successful books are all about marketing” - Robert Kiyosaki

And that is something I can vouch for.

That is maybe the truth that most wordsmiths don’t want to hear.

***

Learn more about Jeff:

http://www.jeffbullas.com/blogging-the-smart-way-how-to-create-and-market-a-killer-blog-with-social-media-book/

http://www.jeffbullas.com/

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Paula Margulies

Tell me a about yourself. What got you started in writing?

About 15 years ago, after working in marketing and public relations at the corporate level for more than three decades, I wanted to try my hand at something creative. I’ve always loved literature (I was an English major in college), so I decided to take a class in creative writing at one of our local community colleges. After the class ended, some fellow classmates and I decided to form a writing group. While I was a member of that group, I wrote a collection of short stories called Face Value: Collected Stories and then, in 2003, went on to write my first novel, Coyote Heart, which is set on the Pala Indian reservation here in San Diego. My inspiration for that novel was a visit to the Pala Mission, which happened while my kids were writing reports about the California missions for school. Coyote Heart was represented by an agent and published by a small press in 2009 (I later got my rights back and issued a second edition of the novel, which I now sell on Amazon and other publishing platforms).

I enjoyed working with the Luiseno and Cupa tribal members I met at the mission so much that I decided to try my hand at writing a Native American historical novel. In 2008, I wrote Favorite Daughter, Part One, which is a retelling of the Pocahontas story from her perspective (rather than the John Smith version of history that we’re taught in school). I’ve been a book publicist for the past 9 years and decided this year to write a book about publicity for authors. I published The Tao of Book Publicity: A Beginner’s Guide to Book Promotion in March of 2016.

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

When I first started writing, my kids were in elementary and middle school and involved in sports, so I didn’t have a lot of time to write during the week. I usually spent Sundays writing, with a goal of producing a complete scene on those days, and used the rest of the week to think about the next scene. Even now, after my kids have both graduated from college, I still look at Sunday as my writing day.

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or some other method of getting your words down?

I write in my home office, unless I’m out of town or away on a writing residency. Then, I’ll use my laptop and transfer files to my desktop computer in my office later on.

What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

I love hearing the voices of my characters when I write. Imagining each character, designing his/her background, and figuring out the storyline as it develops are the best parts of writing for me. My least favorite part has to be revising – once a book is finished, I’m anxious to get it out and move on to the next project!

How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?

My books are written in different genres (short story, women’s fiction, historical fiction, non-fiction, etc.), so there have been different inspirations for each one.

My latest book, The Tao of Book Publicity, came about because as a publicist, I receive a lot of the same questions from writers who contact me about working with them. I found I was sending the same responses to questions over and over, so I decided to put the most common questions and my answers together in a book, so authors would have all the answers to their questions in one place.

What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

Ha! Not as much as I’d like, unfortunately. In addition to being a book publicist, I also teach business classes at a local community college, so I can get pretty busy during the spring and fall. In-between those times, I try to do some local signings and work in a blog tour. I also periodically lower the prices on my books and advertise them on various ebook sale sites. I like to enter my books into contests and announce any wins on social media. And, occasionally, I’m asked to do an interview like this one.

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

I released The Tao of Book Publicity last March and have spent most of my time on marketing that book. I’m currently working on Part Two of Favorite Daughter and hope to have it finished in the next year or two.

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

Yes, I’ve been wanting to write another historical set in Hawaii. But I need to finish the Favorite Daughter series first, before I begin to dive into the next one.

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

I recommend taking a college writing class - it’s the best way to learn how to put a story together and get some experience writing in a safe, supportive environment. It also provides a chance to meet fellow writers in the local area, which will be important for forming future writing groups. 

As for publishing, there are lots of options. If writers want to try being traditionally published, then they need to get an agent. The best way to do that is to attend a writing conference that includes pitch sessions, which provide a platform to meet agents in-person and to practice talking about a book. 

If writers want to self-publish, they should plan to hire a professional editor (not a friend or family member!) and cover designer to ensure that the book has been scrubbed and packaged as professionally as possible before publishing.

Where is the publishing industry headed and how do you see it changing in the next 10 years?

From Paula:

This is an interesting question and one that I’ve grappled with for many years. There have been so many hugely transformative changes in the industry in the past decade, including the shift from traditional to self-publishing and from print books to ebooks. Those changes have altered how we advertise and purchase books and have resulted in the demise of brick-and-mortar bookstores and the consolidation of the big publishing houses. Fewer people read than in past decades and prices on books have fallen as a result of the number of books that are now on the market, which has changed how we market to readers (and made that task a difficult one). That said, the self-publishing industry, in particular, is probably as robust (and fluid) as it’s ever been, but where it goes from here is hard to tell. I’d be interested in hearing what you and your blog readers think about this question!

From Kathryn:

Great question. The publishing industry has changed, and quite a bit. Years ago, when I was putting my works out there, I was grappling with rejection letters, letters that gave me hope (they had either hand written comments on the rejection letter or the publisher asked for a re-write). I pretty much could have wallpapered a room with the rejection letters I received.

I have since discovered that I really prefer self-publishing anyway. Not only is my hand in every process, but I am able to make more money doing it my way. My first book was published traditionally, but after buying the rights back, I have been on my own and have never looked back.

I think readers will always want to read paperbacks, but I think more and more readers will vie for shorter books, and books that can be read electronically. 

***

Links:

Website: http://www.paulamargulies.com

TheTao of Book Publicity:  A Beginner’sGuide to Book Promotion

FavoriteDaughter, Part One

CoyoteHeart, Second Edition

FaceValue: Collected Stories

I can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Goodreads, etc. My Goodreads page contains links to all of my books and book trailers.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Heather Hart

Tell me a about yourself. What got you started in writing?

This is such a loaded question that I could write an entire book about, but the overview is that I have always loved writing. I hate that that sounds cliché, but it’s the truth. Growing up I was told it wasn’t a realistic profession, so while I always hoped to have a book published, I didn’t think it would ever happen. But God stepped in. In December of 2007 I gave birth to twin girls, and became a stay-at-home mom. Since I was home, I started volunteering for a few online ministries. Partly to help others and partly to help me feel like I was still a productive member of society (nothing against stay-at-home moms, I am one after all, but I wasn’t raised that way and it took some getting used to).

In 2009 two of the ministries sort of overlapped. One of the moms in the moms group that I led asked about devotionals for teen girls–it just so happened that I also volunteered for a teen girl’s ministry, but I didn’t think they had any devotionals. So I asked.

I got an e-mail back saying they didn’t, but it would be a great addition to the ministry and they wanted to know if I could help get it started. Me. They wanted me to write! I was beyond giddy and started right away. It took a while to get everything up and going, but our first devotional book (a book with my name right there on the cover) was published in 2010.

I’ve been writing professionally ever since, and in every capacity I could find. I love writing, and I love that I can do it in real life.

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

When my kids were little, I wrote after they were all in bed, but now that they are all older (my twins just turned 9!), I usually write in the day while they are at school. I’d love to tell you that I write from 1pm-3pm every day or something official like that, but I don’t. During the seven hours they are gone I work my hardest to squeeze in writing, marketing, cleaning, eating, fitness, errands, etc. and some days I don’t get it all in. I’m hoping to have a better schedule going into 2017, but for now, I just do the best I can with the time that I have.

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or some other method of getting your words down?

Really, it’s not the place that matters as much as having a keyboard. Writing my thoughts out by hand isn’t fast enough and I like to make edits while I type and I can’t do that by hand or when I dictate. Most often I write on my desk top computer in my home office. But I do have a laptop that I use on the go or in other places in my home or back yard. I love writing at my picnic table out back when the weather is just right.

What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

I love the written word. I love forming ideas and penning them down to be read by others. I love crafting phrases that can impact lives and bring glory to God.

My least favorite part about writing? Typos. I hate it when I spend hours and hours working on a piece only to have it published being less than perfect. Drives. Me. Nuts. But, it also brings me back to Jesus because I know that people aren’t looking at me thinking I’m the best author ever, but they can usually still glean that Jesus is King, and that’s what matters anyways. I love the gospel and I always try to see how it works in the corners of real life. And that includes my typos, because no matter how many words I misspell or commas I miss, Jesus loves me anyways.

How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?

My newest book, Mirror Mirror… Am I Beautiful? was actually originally written by Shelley Hitz in 2007. She approached me about coming on as the co-author of the second edition in early 2016, and I was honored. I had read her book in 2009 and loved it. It was the book I wish I would have had when I was a teen. It was like the perfect handbook for Christian girls living in the real world. It didn’t just cover the pretty Christian topics, but the real-life, nitty-gritty issues that girls are faced with in high school: Insecurities. Guys. Fashion. Evolution. Faith. Sex. It was all there.

And it was about a decade too late for me.

As my own daughters approach their teen years, I didn’t want it to be too late for them. So, when Shelley asked me about it I jumped at the chance to make it relevant for today's teens. I added much of my own story to give an added perspective to the book, updated any facts or content that were out of date, and added a chapter on social media.

All in all, I worked on the second edition of the book for around 9 months. It’s actually available free on my website. You can find out more at TrueBeautyBook.com

What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

I use social media a lot. It seems to be great for driving traffic to sales pages and blog posts and for engaging my audience. I also have a large email list that I utilize on a regular basis. I’ve found email marketing to be one of the most rewarding avenues. So, blogging, social media, email, it’s just a little bit of everything really. They all work together to make one big book marketing web to snag my ideal readers.

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

My newest book, Mirror Mirror… Am I Beautiful? that I mentioned above released December 8^th, and I’m already moving on to my next project. It’s an anthology for Christian women called Candid Conversations. Over a dozen other women have sent in testimonies about how God has helped them through the struggles of real life. I am in the process of weaving all the stories together in one seamless book.

I guess you could say it’s not your traditional anthology, it won’t be just a bunch of stories thrown together, but I am writing the bulk of the book and sprinkling it with the words of other Christian women. I am both super excited and humbled by this book.

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

*Hangs head* Too many to count. I have a couple devotional books for teen girls, a couple of Bible study books, and a few books for authors. The one closest to being finished is a book on email marketing. I just have two chapters left and it will be ready to send back to the co-author to finalize and send for edits. I am so thankful to have gracious writing partners who let me set the time line for our projects.

The email book is part of The Book Marketing Survival Guide Series published by Body and Soul Publishing. We also have a book on book launches for that series on the back burner as well.

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

My writing has improved so much since I started. Seriously. When I go back and read articles I wrote when I first started I shudder and wonder why anyone thought I was worth publishing. But I never would have improved if I hadn’t gotten started. Working with an editor really helped me grow. But, also just practice and research. It’s just like training for any other job. You get to work, research what you need to know and keep at it. You’ll improve as you move forward, but you’ll never make it anywhere if you are too afraid to try.

A Question For Kathryn:

Thanks for having me Kathryn, real quick before I go, I do have a question for you. What do you think the biggest mistake most authors make is? Would you say it’s in the editing, writing, marketing? I’d love to know.

Good question. I would say that editing is king. And I only say that because that seems to be the biggest hang-up for writers. They've written a book, think it's great, and try to get it published themselves before the editing is done. I know they're excited; I was pretty darn excited when my first book came out, but there needs to be some tweaking, maybe even entire scenes removed before the book travels out there.

I realize that there will be things that will be missed - there may be one or two grammar issues in a book once released despite multiple editors, but it's always a good idea to have a few beta readers and even an editor look at your book before you put it out there. Yes, even if you want to be traditionally published, it doesn't hurt to have some editing done before you send it off.

With that said, I also think that even with superb editing, the story needs to be good to great in the first place. And I think that marketing needs to be done on a daily basis to really see some sales in your books. That also means plenty of booksignings, book talks and the like. 

I like to balance my writing and editing with my marketing, but it isn't always easy. Sometimes I find that I'm am writing, writing, writing and forgetting to market the books already out there. Sometimes I get caught in the marketing trap and forget to write. 

The important thing is to make time for all of the aspects of writing. A great book will not sell unless readers know it's there. By the same token, a book that's highly marketed but is not written very well will eventually show its true colors. 

***

Heather is an internationally best-selling and award-winning author who has an unquenchable passion for Jesus. Her desire is to help women of all ages embrace who they were created to be and find their true beauty in Christ. She currently resides in a small Texas town with her husband and their four quickly growing children. You can learn more about her teen ministry visiting www.FindYourTrueBeauty.com and learn more about her women's ministry at www.CandidlyChristian.com.

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