Happy March, readers! This month, you may have noticed my sudden lack of social media posts after posting nearly every day for months. With all the craziness in life – and a nudge from our parish priest’s homily – I decided to stop posting during Lent to allow myself time to reflect. For Christian Fiction authors, marketing is a delicate balance. We obviously want to sell books, we want people to enjoy them, and good reviews and social media engagement are absolutely key to achieving that. Yet, at the same time, our true purpose shouldn’t be the applause of our audience, but bringing them hope and faith, honoring God rather than ourselves.

What I Will Be Posting

While I won’t be posting on my own social media pages, I will continue to support my fellow writers by sharing their stories. On March 28 at 8pm EST / 7pm CST, I will be hosting an Instagram Live Q&A with Kimberly Duffy for the @faithandfictionbookclub quarterly read. We will discuss her book, A Tapestry of Light, a beautiful story mixing 1880’s Indian and British influences within a tale of love, family, and faith. Q&A is open to all.

I’d also like to congratulate B.M. Baker on her book, The Trumpeter’s Forever Promise, which launches today! I am really looking forward to reading this modern-day marriage of convenience story.

Lastly, in April, I will have the honor of beta reading for Jennifer Q. Hunt, Susan Laspe, and Tanya E. Williams. Their new books will release later this summer/fall, so now is a great time to pick up their back list.

For a Noble Purpose Cover Update

After it was brought to my attention that the model on my cover didn’t have a face (whoops!), I did another evaluation of the entire cover. The feel is the same, but with a few changes. Other than giving her a face, her skirt is fuller, the bottom embellishment is now blue, the words have been given a little pop, and Hawthorn blossoms were added to her hair (in honor of her hometown, Hawthorn Ridge). Many, many thanks to my beta readers and Christian Mommy Writers group who provided initial feedback. Now, it’s your turn. What do you think of the changes?

Last Chance! – For a Noble Purpose Launch Team

Want to read For a Noble Purpose before its release on June 7, 2022? Applications for my launch and influencer teams close on April 1. There are two available teams: one for those willing to read and review and one for those without time to review, but would still like to post about the release. Advance copies will be sent to launch team members after May 1.

Apply to the Launch Team

Or if you’d rather skip the launch team and just read the book, you can pre-order below:

Pre-Order For a Noble Purpose

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.

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COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2022

 

Happy February, readers! I don’t know about you, but this has been the month of weather whiplash. Missouri is always somewhat unpredictable, but for the last three weeks we’ve had warm days followed by ice and snow followed immediately by warm days. Even as I write this, I’m remembering yesterday’s 60 degrees while waiting for the snow to begin in a few hours. Are things erratic where you are or pretty steady?

Beta Reader Edits – Constructive or Critical?

The answer: hopefully both. As an author, you need beta readers. You can’t be 100% objective about your own work because it’s yours. You know the story inside and out, including all the background that didn’t make it into the story. While you can hopefully see most errors, your love of your characters will, at some point, afflict you with blindness to the story’s flaws. A good beta reader will not only call out your grammatical weaknesses, but will also note when your characters are acting out of sorts or when the dazzling fight scene you wrote could never physically happen.

I am blessed with a team of amazing beta readers who can both celebrate the strengths of my novel and also highlight its weaknesses. They don’t just say, “It was good” or “It wasn’t my style.” They tell me why, sometimes in several paragraphs. An ideal team includes those from diverse backgrounds who can view your work through various lenses. Several are authors, a few editors, all voracious readers, and one who hardly ever reads books but still provides fantastic feedback (thanks, Dad!). There are those who love Christian Fiction and those who don’t and both sides help tell a well-balanced story.

March 1 is the deadline for beta reader feedback and then the last stretch of edits begins. With only three months to go, I’m itching to share the first part of Sarah and Tobias’s story with you. In the meantime, see below for an exclusive sneak peek at the first paragraph with more to come in the next newsletter. Enjoy!

“Spanish lace and a cascade of hawthorn blossoms seemed a strange prelude to death, yet once again, Sarah Walcott found herself ensnared in its elusive web. She wondered how long it would be this time. Within the next hour? Two? By midnight surely. Either way, she knew with certainty that by tomorrow morning her husband would be dead.”

Pre-Order For a Noble Purpose

 

For a Noble Purpose Launch Team

Want to read For a Noble Purpose before its release on June 7, 2022?

I am compiling a team of readers excited to help post and review by release day. There are two available teams: one for those willing to read and review and one for those without time to review, but would still like to post about the release. Applications are open now through April 1.

Apply to the Launch Team

 

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.

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COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2022

 

I know it isn’t the last Friday of the month, but I’ve had a calling on my heart for awhile now and it finally seemed like time to share it with you. I also shared this same post on social media if you follow me there.

Have you ever said you’re “all in” for something? It’s a familiar phrase, but how often do we really think about what that means?

About six months ago, after standing on the edges for my last two novels, I decided I was ready to take the leap into the world of Christian Fiction publishing. I told myself I was “all in” while only announcing my decision to my author friends and close family, but not my readers. Of course, I made a few changes to my website and posted more spiritual content on social media, but I was still hiding my light under a bushel. Because let’s face it, I was afraid.

“What if they find me preachy?”
“What if they give me terrible reviews?”
“What if they accuse me of being a fraud?”
“What if all my readers leave me?”
“What if…?”

I had spent seven years cultivating my readership and it could all my gone with the click of a button. Was being “all in” really worth that?

The past month of my life has been flooded with reminders that “whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God.” As in near-daily occurrences. I heard it in my Mommy Writers group and in multiple Instagram reels and posts. It was the message in our priest’s homily this past Sunday, seen in a Walking With Purpose Bible Study video on Monday, and at Ladies Praise and Worship last night in a church that wasn’t even my own denomination. But it wasn’t until afterward, in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, that I finally committed to writing this post.

Jesus’s answer to every one of those “what ifs” I had was “What if they do?” and that is not an easy answer to accept. But I do believe the risk is worth it. God wants us to be “all in” for Him. That doesn’t mean it will be easy and truthfully, it will usually be a daily battle. But he takes that battle on His shoulders and fights for us. And I want my words, in whatever small measure, to fight for you and inspire you, my readers.

I hope you will continue this journey with me, but even if you don’t, I am thankful for each and every one of you. I hope you know how truly blessed you are. ❤️

 

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.

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COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2022

 

Happy January, readers! A new year and new series means it’s time for a new website! Or rather a website refresh. As you navigate the site, you’ll now notice an updated color and font scheme as well as new layout on many of my book pages. Let me know your thoughts!

Go Behind the Scenes with Reader Extras

Over the past few months, I’ve posted character introductions for both the Over the Atlantic and War Across Waters series. If you missed any, head over to Instagram or Facebook to catch up. Each post includes aesthetic photos plus key (spoiler free) details for each of the main characters. Here are the posts for the main characters from my most recent WWI release, Unsettled Shores.

   

   

As part of my website refresh, I’ve also added a new “Extras” section. This section has a link to Aesthetic Photos, Book-Inspired playlists, and coming soon, historical links to my favorite research sites. I’ve heard from a few readers that certain songs remind them of specific characters, so please let me know yours and I’ll add them to the playlists! Also, tell me if there’s any other extras you’d like me to consider for future updates!

Start Your Behind the Scenes Experience

 

For a Noble Purpose Launch Team Applications

For a Noble Purpose is with beta readers, so it’s time for me to switch hats once again from writer to editor to business manager. Being an independent author means being tasked with marketing your own work, which is where you, my readers, can make all the difference.

For the launch of For a Noble Purpose, I am compiling a team of bookstagrammers, book bloggers, and other influencers excited to help post and review for the release on June 7, 2022. There are two available teams: one for those willing to read and review and one for those without time to review, but would still like to post about the release. Further details are available on the application, available on my website below:

Apply to the Launch Team

 

The Book Shop

Need a copy of my books? All are available online in ebook and paperback or by request from your favorite indie bookseller or local library. For book club appearances, contact me here.

                    

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.

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COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2022

 

Happy Friday, readers! Snuggle up with a cozy sweater and a cup of tea (or coffee or cocoa). Here are my reading favorites from October through December. It was a good quarter for reading with nine to choose from! Did any of these make your list?

~ Kelsey

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COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2022

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