Welcome back to the Extra Edition newsletter! I’m excited to bring you bonus content each month with a special inside look at my novels and the history behind them.
What’s in this Edition:
Let’s Send up Sparks!– A Launch Team Reminder
And With Your Spirit – My visit to Kenrick Glennon Seminary, founded in 1818
Speaking of Churches – Bookish churches you can actually visit
Let’s send up Sparks!
Want to read Sparks Fly Upward before its July 2 release? There’s still time to:
Earlier this month, my son attended summer camp at Kenrick Glennon Seminary, St. Louis’s Catholic seminary. For those who aren’t familiar, the seminary is where unmarried men study the faith and earn a college degree in preparation to become deacons and priests of the Catholic Church. The camp was really part camp, part retreat as the goal is to show middle school and high school boys what seminary life is like and encourage vocations to the priesthood. Almost 200 boys gather over two weeks to learn about the faith while also having fun. Odds are, they won’t all be called to the priesthood or religious life, but hopefully they’ll become closer to God and more willing to encourage others who may be called to a religious vocation.
In my books, I write about many historical Catholic Churches. Kenrick Glennon Seminary was founded in 1818 with its current building constructed in 1931. It includes many of the traditional architectural elements that are found in the churches I write about. My husband and I actually attended several co-ed retreats at the seminary during our high school days, so I gave into nostalgia and snapped a few photos to share.
The front entrance and bell tower:
Inside the St. Joseph’s Chapel, one of several chapels on-site. This photo does not do justice to how pretty the ceiling is.
Two of the many beautiful stained glass windows. Even the radiator grates are decorated.
I was especially happy to get a photo of the confessional as most modern Catholic Church confessionals are built into the wall rather than as their own separate element. The Latin above the door reads, “accipite spiritum sanctum,” which means “Receive the Holy Spirit.” If you’ve read Unsettled Shores, this is the type of confessional the characters visit.
As mentioned above, as a Catholic Christian author writing about mostly Catholic Christian characters, I like to include real-life Catholic churches in my novels. While I haven’t had the privilege to visit most of these (yet), if they’re in your neck of the woods, I recommend stopping by. If you do, please send a photo. I would love to hear what you thought.
Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Happy June, readers! Welcome to the new subscribers from the O’Fallon Farmers Market. On May 19, fellow author Susan Laspe and I joined the St. Charles City-County Library’s local author booth. It was hot (summer’s here, y’all!) but so much fun to meet new readers.
In the latest writing news, there are some big highlights:
1. Due to a certain online retailer’s publishing platform being troublesome, Sparks’s publication date is back to July 2. The good news is that I think final edits will be relatively light. Details for the launch team are toward the bottom of this newsletter.
2. For a Noble Purpose is now available in audiobook on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, and I have a number of promo codes, first come first served. If you’d like to listen for free, reply to this email.
3. I’ve now reached a full 6 months off social media. Here’s the biggest discovery I’ve made:
Off Social Discovery #6 – I’m not going back.
That’s right, friends; after 19 years, I’m leaving social media. But here’s the thing, it didn’t take me six months to figure out. In fact, it took me less than two. I waited the full six months to allow myself time to really contemplate the decision, but my feelings never changed.
First, I do want to acknowledge that social media has its good aspects. As a new author, I learned so much about business and marketing from other authors’ posts and in writing groups. I made connections with authors and readers around the world, several of whom I now call friends. Through it, I found the Catholic Writers Guild, the Christian Mommy Writers, and many small online shops that I now frequent. It helped me build my newsletter list and brought me my first cover design clients. For all those reasons, I will always be grateful. Despite all the good, however, the time finally came when, for me, it no longer outweighed the stress, pressure, and security concerns.
I’ve taken social media breaks before – for a week, a month, during the entire season of Lent. About seven years ago, I stopped posting photos of my kids and about four years ago, I removed almost everything from my personal Facebook page and kept it strictly to my author life. I could see how all the little steps I’d taken over the years finally added up to a big decision, but what I really needed was someone to tell me I had permission to leave.
Enter children’s author and fellow Christian Mommy Writer, Kristen Gwen. After I announced my social media sabbatical, she told me how she left Instagram in June 2023 and what a great decision it was. She directed me to the Writing Off Social podcast, hosted by Christian authors Sandy Cooper and Mary K. Tiller. Their show’s opening sequence says they are the “podcast for female Christian writers who want to grow and nurture their audience without social media.” Here’s the opening of every show:
“We know you’re tired of chasing the algorithm. Using social media to build your platform has left you feeling drained, overwhelmed, and unfruitful…maybe even trapped. You want to be free to build a sustainable, God-honoring writing career. We get it! That’s why our vision is to empower you to confidently reject life-sucking, ineffective methods of platform growth and instead pursue strategies that play to your strengths and yield a better ROI.” These two women were singing the song of my heart. I needed to learn more.
Over the next two months, I listened to all 30 currently available episodes. Each one was like turning on another neon sign that read, “You can do this!” They hosted author after author who left social media and were successful both professionally and personally. Then I searched the internet and found person after person, both authors and non, who had left social media and never looked back. Not only were they happy being away but were thriving free from the comparison-and-keep-up game. They had found ways to accept their FOMO and developed richer connections with their friends and family. Then it got really weird.
I no longer had to search for people leaving social media. Every week, I had validation sent straight to my email inbox through other authors, readers, and even personal friends who were all taking extended social media breaks. Had I started a social media exodus? No. Leaving social media altogether isn’t for everyone, but others’ temporary reprieve did provide one more level of validation for my own decision. It turns out the world survived before social media and the world still survives without it. As was mentioned in one episode of Writing Off Social, it’s ok to only give people access to yourself who have earned the right to be there.
You, my newsletter subscribers, have earned the right to see behind the publishing curtain. You have taken a step beyond the simple click of a “like” and I am so very thankful for each one of you. I thank you for having remained with me over this six month social media sabbatical and look forward to where the future takes us.
So, if you’re like me and need someone to tell you it’s ok to leave social media, even if only temporarily, this is me giving you permission to walk away, both personally and professionally. This is me saying, “You can do this!” We can do it together.
For now, my author Facebook and Instagram pages will remain open as a way to direct readers back to my website, and I have placed an autoreply on all direct messages. I will also continue to be on Goodreads.
As a final reminder, in lieu of social media posts, I have created an “Extra Edition” newsletter which includes special behind the scenes book content just for subscribers. Simply, complete the form at the link below to receive all the inside info. The next edition releases on June 17. If you’ve signed up in the past, you’re already on the list!
Want to read Sparks Fly Upward before its July 2 release? Why not join the Launch Team? If you’ve been on my launch team before, you’ll see that we’re doing things a little differently this time. Since I’m not on social media, I’m not asking you to post about my book there either (unless you want to). What I would ask for you to do:
Read the provided eBook (sent by June 25) and post your review before July 25. Feel free to post anywhere you feel comfortable. Preferred outlets are Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub.
Recommend the book to 5 friends (or more!) via email, text, snail mail, video chat, direct message, in your book club, or through some other non-social-media format. This could be as easy as forwarding one of my newsletters to a friend.
Request that your local library add it to their collection. If they don’t already have Book 1, For a Noble Purpose, request that one instead. Most libraries will want to start at the beginning.
Need another read? Here are the new releases I’m excited about:
Weaving Roots by Heather Wood – sweet romance about a weaver in the pre-industrial 1820s
The Hudson Collection by Jocelyn Green – a Gothic mansion, a treasure hunt, and a tangled web of secrets in 1920s New York
Summer Ever After by Kortney Keisel – clean romantic comedy about falling for your best friend’s brother
The Exile by Allison Ramirez – Book 2 of The Divided Kingdom dystopian series inspired by the divided kingdom of Israel in the Old Testament.
Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes – a former Hollywood leading lady restores an abandoned Colorado estate in 1948
Want to know what I’m currently reading? Follow me on GoodReads.
Did you know reviews help both readers and authors? Even one sentence is enough, and every word greatly appreciated. Consider leaving a rating on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, and/or your favorite retailer!
Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Welcome back to the Extra Edition newsletter! I’m excited to bring you bonus content each month with a special inside look at my novels and the history behind them.
Performing the Incredible
“The audience roared as a set of wide stable doors opened and two lines of dazzling cream-colored mares paraded out, each set carrying a matched female and male rider. Every rider was draped in azure costume, the men with bare chests and the ladies’ skirts cut scandalously up their thighs. One by one, each female rider raised her arms toward her partner. Gripping their waists, the men rotated the women to stand inverted, palms upon their shoulders and toes pointed high. Then the men rose themselves. Each one’s feet perfectly balanced upon his horse’s bare back while the animal maintained perfect stride. Truly, an incredible feat.” ~from Sparks Fly Upward
In my upcoming novel, Sparks Fly Upward, there are many well-known circus acts: the strongman, trapeze artists, clowns, and jugglers, just to name a few. The two acts central to the story are the fire tenders and the equine acrobats. I’ve included two videos that best showcase these incredible talents as they might have been experienced within the story.
Which one would you be most interested to learn? I honestly think I would be terrible at either one and probably only do myself harm, but if forced, I’d try equestrian over fire.
Circus Costumes and Cigarettes
Now that you’ve seen their acts, what do you suppose these performers might have worn? It might surprise you to learn that costuming hasn’t really changed all that much since the mid to late 1800s. Below are a few examples of what one might expect to see when attending a performance. These photos were actually taken from cigarette pack trading cards, which were used similarly to how baseball or Pokemon cards are traded today.
Movie Musicals to Inspire
Can’t wait until August 27 for a circus read? Here are a few other novels you might enjoy:
The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff – traveling circus fiction set during WWII
The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler – magical realism about circus mermaids
The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy – Christian fiction of aerialists and acrobats in 1911
The Ringmaster’s Wife by Kristy Cambron – Jazz age Christian fiction with the Ringling Brothers
If you’ve read too many books lately (is that possible?) and prefer to watch your stories, make sure to check out the family-friendly movie musical, The Greatest Showman and the Canadian tv show about a circus school, Big Top Academy.
Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Happy May, readers! Welcome to our new subscribers from the IWA Spring Boutique! We’re glad you’re here! Here’s a photo from the event with fellow historical fantasy author, Susan Laspe. Thank you to all who attended, chatted with us, and purchased books.
Release Date Update
This month brings a big update. If you receive my Extra Edition newsletter, you’ve already heard the news, but I am delaying the release of Sparks Fly Upward to August 27, 2024. The reason for this is due to a herniated disc I sustained in my neck in mid-March, which resulted in over a month of terrible pain in my back, down my right arm, and into my hand. Sitting at a desk was particularly painful, which means that what energy I had for typing was being used by my day job.
With rest and physical therapy, I’ve been slowly recovering, and as of last week, have thankfully, started to get back to a normal routine. One of the things I love about being an indie author is that, even though I lost six weeks in the publishing process, I have the freedom to give myself more time. This extra time has also allowed me to brainstorm about Book 4 in the series and develop a new final chapter to Sparks Fly Upward that I think you’re going to love.
Keep an eye out for next month’s newsletter to join the Launch Team!
Off Social Discovery #5 – My calling is not anyone else’s.
On the heels of last month’s off social discovery, now that I have a world of possibilities open to me for marketing my writing, how am I supposed to figure out which direction to go?
Something I’ve noticed that probably doesn’t surprise you is social media is rank with comparison. Authors are susceptible to it, too. We see what other authors are doing and think, I need to do that, too. But another person’s calling is not my calling or your calling. God gives each of us a specific job to do that is no one else’s. No one can tell your story the way you tell your story. So, then, why are we trying to let them?
Something I realized these past five months is that – *deep breath* – I don’t have to sell books. It’s true. I love writing books. I love talking to readers about them. I love reaching people through my stories and hoping I’ve made a difference. But I don’t have to sell them in order to keep my family afloat.
Some authors do. Writing is their full time job and so their approach to selling books looks very different from mine. For me, I have a full time day job, so I only need to sell enough books to cover my publishing expenses. When I finally hit that number…then what? Where does God want my focus if money isn’t it?
On Him, of course. It sounds cliche, but I didn’t switch from mainstream fiction to Christian fiction because I thought it would make me rich. I did it because it was what I felt called to do. Through my characters, I want my readers to see a piece of themselves, to experience God’s message, and know they aren’t alone. Taking this time away from social media has helped me to renew my focus and shift my mindset from marketing for selling’s sake to marketing for the sake of sharing and glorifying Him.
Please pray for me that I may remain open to His calling and help me to follow where He leads.
As a reminder, in lieu of social media posts, I have created an “Extra Edition” newsletter which includes special behind the scenes book content just for subscribers. Simply, complete the form at the link below to receive all the inside info. The next edition releases on May 18. If you’ve signed up in the past, you’re already on the list!
Need another read? Here are the new releases I’m excited about:
To Crown with Liberty by Karen Ullo – split-time between the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror and the swamps of Spanish Louisiana
When Hope Sank by Denise Weimer – post-Civil War historical romance about the sinking of the steamboat Sultana
Dereliction of the Heart by Hannah Hood Lucero – the fourth book in the Sons of Vigilance military romantic suspense series
Teagan’s Treasure by Colleen Marie – inspirational college romance set on the Emerald Isle
Stuck in Time by Heather Manning – time travel set in 1933 Kansas City, “a city run by the powerful mafia machine”
Want to know what I’m currently reading? Follow me on GoodReads.
Did you know reviews help both readers and authors? Even one sentence is enough, and every word greatly appreciated. Consider leaving a rating on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, and/or your favorite retailer!
Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Welcome back to the Extra Edition newsletter! I’m excited to bring you bonus content each month with a special inside look at my novels and the history behind them.
This month, we’re going to take a walk through memory lane, looking at content from when I published my first book, Across Oceans, in 2017. The reason for this?
Sitting at my computer for extended periods of time is difficult right now. About a month ago, I woke up with terrible pain in my back, down my right arm, and into my hand. An MRI showed that I had herniated a disc in my neck which was pinching the nerves. With rest and physical therapy, I’ve been slowly recovering, but it means that what energy I have for typing is being used by my day job. (My main April newsletter was, thankfully, already completed prior to my injury.) You, my Extra Edition readers, are also the first to hear that I’ve decided to push the release of Sparks Fly Upward to August 27, 2024. Rather than stress over trying to complete edits and organize a launch team, I’m choosing to focus on my health. This extra time will also help make Sparks Fly Upward the best possible book it can be. I appreciate any prayers during this time.
My First Post – Dare to Fail
This was my first ever post on July 4, 2017, one month before the release of Across Oceans.
There’s something so beautiful about fireworks: the kaleidoscope of color, each boom’s heart-stopping thrill, and the emotion they convey when displayed against a well-chosen soundtrack. At the same time, they can be terrifying. One misplaced fuse, one ill-timed action, and everything will, quite literally, go up in smoke.
Standing on the edge of achieving a goal can sometimes feel like that – beautiful and thrilling, yet in the same breath, terrifying. One step away from victory and also one step away from disaster. We begin to doubt everything we were so certain of yesterday.
For writers, as we near our novel’s publication date we begin to ask, “What if every review is negative? What if I overlooked an embarrassing grammatical error? What if, despite all my research, I explained every detail inaccurately?” We spend months or years, perhaps decades, crafting what we believe to be an amazing story. We pour a little piece of ourselves onto the paper and risk much to share it with others. Is it worth it?
One summer during college, I apprenticed at Opera Theatre of St. Louis. During one of the most rewarding and educational summers of my life, the most important lesson I learned was said by our technical director during our first apprentice meeting: “Dare to fail.” This phrase has been posted on a little purple sticky note on my desk for over a decade now.
Every goal has a possibility of failure. If we never take chances, we never fail, but we also never succeed. Does this mean we should make reckless decisions? Of course not. We must be smart with our actions, but sometimes breaking out of our comfort zone is the only way to see what we are truly capable of. For introverts, this can be especially difficult, which is why so many of us write our thoughts instead of saying them.
Today is America’s Independence Day, a celebration of people who risked much to achieve much. What if our forefathers never fought for what they believed in? What if our ancestors, from all corners of the world, decided that leaving their country’s familiarity was easier than starting over somewhere new? What if Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, or Abraham Lincoln quit before they began? The United States would look very different from the country we know today.
To quote Thomas Edison, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
Fear of the unknown is worth the effort. We may succeed in exactly the way we imagined, or nothing could go according to plan, and it all blows up in our face. But we can sift through the ashes to discover that something even better lies hidden beneath our supposed failures.
So dare to fail. I am. Because sometimes, like fireworks, even explosions are beautiful.
An Interview with Reuben Radford
*Originally a guest post on the History Imagined blog in 2017.
Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Reuben Radford, one of the two lead characters from Across Oceans, a captivating novel of romance, secrets, and unexpected truths set in Edwardian England. For our meeting, I’ve arranged a lunch reservation around the corner from the Fontaine Gazette, the newspaper where Mr. Radford works. I wait until the food arrives before extracting a notebook and pencil from my handbag.
KG: Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to meet with me, Mr. Radford.
RR: Chuckling. We all have to eat, don’t we? It seems odd for you to be interviewing me though. Usually I’m the one who gets to grill the other bloke.
KG: My questions won’t be nearly as trying as the ones you probably ask. Let’s start simple. Where and when were you born?
RR: Easy question, easy answer.Nineteen years ago on the tenth of August 1891 in Fontaine, Hampshire.
KG: Can you tell me a bit about your family?
RR: Well, we’ve lived in Fontaine all our lives. I’ve never even traveled anywhere else, although my parents have visited London several times. They brought home what I imagine are all the best parts of city culture – theatre programs, gramophone records, stacks of books. They haven’t traveled anywhere lately though. In fact, it’s rare that my mother even leaves our house. You see, my younger sister, Mira, died a few years back and our mother took it really hard. Honestly, we all did. Our family never recovered from the blow. Swallows hard. My apologies, can we talk about something else?
KG: Of course. Tell me about your job. You’re a reporter?
RR: Yes. I’ve worked as a features writer at the Gazette for two years now, same as my father before he took over as chief editor of the paper. Honestly, that’s how I managed to come into this position at such a young age. Nepotism at its finest. Don’t think that means I have it easy though. My father’s tough on his writers, myself included. I think a lot of that transferred over to me. No one’s harder on me that I am on myself.
KG: Your parents must be proud of you following in your father’s footsteps.
RR: They were. But, like I said, our family changed when my sister died. Before that, I would have told you my parents were proud of me, but now? Well, let’s just say, given the option, I’m not certain I’m the child they would have chosen to keep around.
KG: So, what’s the worst thing you’ve ever done then?
RR: Blimey, what kind of question is that? Are you honestly expecting me to reveal all my worst nightmares to you? And trust me, I have them, day in and day out I have them. You do not want to know what secrets lurk inside my head. Takes a deep breath Let’s just say I trusted someone I shouldn’t have and failed everyone. Happy with that response?
KG: Not particularly, but I see you’re uncomfortable with the topic, so let’s move on.
RR: Thank you.
KG: Not a problem. Let’s discuss your romantic interests, Mr. Radford. A young handsome gentleman like you must be quite adept with the ladies.
RR: Smiling. That certainly is a change in topic. I wish I could say that I’m as virile as you give me credit for; however, I’ve actually never been with anyone. But I’m hopeful it will happen. Someday soon if I have any say in the matter.
KG: That sly look in your eye says there’s more to this story. Have you already taken a fancy to someone?
RR: There is one woman, Maggie, who I can’t seem to get out of my head. We met last May Day while I was visiting my sister’s grave. She’s beautiful, spontaneous, and has one sassy mouth on her. She made up all these incredible tales about people in the cemetery, people she had never met, simply because she believes everyone deserves a good story to their lives. I’ve met all the daughters of my parents’ friends and, trust me, she’s not like a single one of them. In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t agreed to meet onlyon May Day every year after that.
KG: Only one day each year? Why would you propose such an arrangement?
RR: Maggie devised it, not me. But, like a fool, I agreed. I’ve been trying to devise excuses to run into her since then, however even with more proximity, I doubt I’ll convince her to give me a chance. She’s against the concept of marriage. Almost like she sees falling in love as a sign of weakness.
KG: Then why are you bothering to catch Maggie’s eye?
RR: Because that kind of thinking is mental. Forgive me, but I’ve seen what real love looks like and it’s amazing. My parents had it once. My father danced my mother dizzy across our living room. He’d kiss her full on and embarrass my sister and I, red from our teeth to our ears. Every night he told her he loved her, and my mother never lied to my father because she cherished him. That’s the kind of love I’m searching for. It’s rare, but it’s not impossible. Eventually, I hope to show Maggie just that.
KG: But your sister’s death ruined even your parents’ marriage, didn’t it?
RR: He grabs my notebook. Isn’t there something else in here we could talk about? Why yes, look at that, ‘Who are your favorite writers?’ Ask me that one.
KG: I steal the notebook back. Who’s giving the interview here? Very well, Mr. Radford, who are your favorite writers?
RR: I’m fairly diverse when it comes to novels. I’ve read a bit of anything and everything, but I’m drawn to the works of H.G. Wells above any other. The Time Machine in particular always makes me believe in impossible things. I think it’s why I enjoy what I do. Words, even if only in a news article, give people knowledge and hope, just like my favorite books give to me. Maybe I’ll even write a novel of my own someday.
KG: What advice would you give your readers?
RR: Blimey, what could I say? I need my own life in order before I can tell anyone else how to live theirs. But when the time comes, I could tell them how I know that life can be a completely miserable thing, but it won’t always be that way. Yes, that’s what I would tell them. Time changes things. And I’m waiting for it to change me.
Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.
