Debut Author Spotlight ... Linda Yezak

Hitting the Publication Trail

by Linda Yezak

My trail ride toward publication is a bit different from other authors. Mine is more of a “right place at the right time” tale.

The ride started out the same as everyone else’s. I made a list of agents I’d like to work with and publishing companies I was interested in, researched them like crazy, sent out my query letters, and waited. And waited. And waited.

As with many other writers, I received my share of rejections. Most of them were form letters primarily along the lines of “not what we’re looking for at the moment,” or “we’re not accepting new clients a present.” I got a rejection from White Rose Publishing that was my favorite–once I licked my wounds. The publisher wrote and let me know the weaknesses of my novel, pointing out various things to improve upon. The fact she’d read the entire submission was a terrific sign. As busy as agents/editors/publishers are, they don’t usually read past the first few pages. This one had read the entire first five chapters (the required submission for her company). Good sign.

I made repairs based on her suggestions, then hit the trail again. Amazingly, the rejection letters I received left me with the warm fuzzies. They liked the book, just couldn’t use it. For most companies, it was too short, measuring less than 60,000 words. For others, my novel didn’t follow the format they preferred. My mistake for not realizing there was a format! Oops!

So, just like everyone else, I submitted, waited, received rejection letters, submitted again. But after I received my last rejection letter, and while I was strolling the slippery slope of giving up, I got involved in an interesting venture. And that’s where my fork in the road to publication occurred.

A few years ago, a new writer joined ChristianWriters.com, a free community site for Christian authors of all kinds. This lady wrote poetry. As a rule, I’m not overly fond of contemporary poetry. I have one favorite, a gnarly Brit with a heart for Christ, and other than his, I don’t generally read poetry. But she wrote a poem in the old style, instead of today’s free verse, that caught my attention, and the content made me laugh out loud long enough and hard enough, my husband had to see what was up. This woman, Chila (Maggie) Woychik, later bought Port Yonder Press and has been wrangling it from its sea of red ink ever since.

Over time, I’d critiqued some of Chila’s work, and she critiqued some of mine. She was fond of my writing style and was very supportive of me. In March or so of 2010, I asked her if she could use some editing help at PYP. She did, and took me on immediately.

While I waited for my rejection letters, I worked for Chila as a consulting editor. So when that last rejection letter came in, and I was inches away from giving up, I asked Chila if she’d be interested in publishing Give the Lady a Ride. She said something akin to, “Are you kidding me? Of course, I’d like to publish it!” Talk about pulling me from the precipice! Her reaction truly was uplifting and encouraging.

After that, it was a wait to get my publication date. The novel was supposed to come out in October of 2011, but something happened and Chila wrote me in late January of this year. “Do you think your book is ready to go?”

“It’s been ready since 2009.” (What was I gonna say--no? It was so ready!)

After a quick review by her other consulting editors, she set me up with a March publication date, and well–as the dreaded cliche goes, the rest is history.

The Lord creates opportunities and nudges us into them. I believe this was one of his nudges!

GIVE THE LADY A RIDE
by Linda Yezak

SkySail Books, March 2011
254 pages

Patricia Talbert is a high-class social coordinator from New York.

Talon Carlson is a rugged bull rider from Texas.

He thinks she's too polished.

She thinks he's insane.

Opposites aren't quick to attract when the lady who enters the cowboy's world is on a mission to sell the ranch. But a box of letters changes her mission--letters of unshakable faith and a love deeper than anything she's ever experienced.

Soon she finds his integrity appealing. Her spunk draws him in. He has the faith she craves; she may be the love he longs for. But faith and love aren't achieved in a single weekend.

To buy time to explore the possibilities between them, she issues a challenge: "Teach me to ride bulls."

From here on, they're in for the ride of their lives.

Introducing Linda

Two-time ACFW Genesis finalist Linda Yezak resides in the state of Texas where tall tales abound and exaggeration is an art form. Aside from being a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she also belongs to Women Writing the West (WWW) and The Christian PEN. She lives in the heart of a forest with her husband, three cats, four ducks, and a pond full of fish.

AuthorCulture
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2011 Christy Award Nominees Announced

For those of you who love to read exceptional fiction, the 2011 Christy Awards Nominees were announced this morning. This is one awards list I anticipate seeing as I do believe the Christy Award honors the best in Christian fiction.

It's always interesting to note which books I've already read (11 of them), which ones need to go on my gotta read list, which nominees I agree with (or disagree), and which books did they miss?

I'm thrilled to see A SEASON OF MIRACLES, one of my favorite books for 2010, on the list twice: once for Contemporary Standalone and once for First Novel. ALMOST HEAVEN by Chris Fabry and THE BISHOP by Steven James are two other titles I'm rooting for.

I'm disappointed that Lisa Samson's RESURRECTION IN MAY and River's Jordan's THE MIRACLE OF MERCY LAND failed to make the list. In historical romance, I would have loved to see Laura Frantz's COURTING MORROW LITTLE nominated. All exceptional novels.

The one category I wish they'd change or, rather, diversify, is Contemporary--and I say this for book awards across the board as most are guilty of the miscategorization (in my opinion). I'll never understand how Amish fits into Contemporary. That's like comparing apples to cucumbers. Right now there are enough Amish books and authors to create its very own category. If Amish had its own category, perhaps there would have been room for true contemporaries such as Resurrection in May and Mercy Land.

I'd love to know your thoughts. How many of the Christy Awards nominees have you read? What are your favorites? Which do you still want to read? Did they miss any of your favorite novels?

Debut Author Spotlight ... SHADOWED IN SILK by CHRISTINE LINDSAY

A few months back when the Debut Author page was born, one cover stood out to me among all the other terrific covers: SHADOWED IN SILK by Christine Lindsay. I'm not certain what drew me to this cover, whether it was the color blue, or the silk...I just knew that I loved it.

So, I sent Christine a note telling her how much I loved it and she wrote back with this amazing story.

Warning: have tissues handy.

THE STORY BEHIND THE COVER

(reprinted from InkspirationalMessages.com)

Many would say there are disadvantages to being published by a small press. WhiteFire may be small—and I certainly am—but that means we need to lean on God all the more. From my past, I’ve learned that the Lord doesn’t forget about the small individual, and He’s proven this to me again by how He arranged the front cover of my book, SHADOWED IN SILK.

I have to go back 32 years to when I gave birth to a little girl. Not married at the time, I felt God compel me to relinquish her to a Christian couple unable to have children. I named my baby Sarah in the hope that one day I would see her again.

Twenty years later Sarah and I were reunited. But though our reunion was a good one, I began to relive my original loss of relinquishing her. My husband encouraged me to work out my emotional pain by writing. Later the Lord urged me to write out the emotional healing He had given me in fictional stories to help others.

And now my debut novel about the British Raj in India will be released this May 2011—a story that has nothing to do with adoption (well not much anyway). But the Lord had something special in store for me, more than I had ever dreamt of.

As WhiteFire and I discussed the design of the cover, I suggested the model wear the sari material I had purchased in India on a missions trip. WhiteFire loved the idea but said to hold off on mailing the silk across the country as it was pretty heavy with gems and beading.

It was then I noticed that the model they suggested for my main character, Abby, resembled my birth daughter. On a whim I suggested Sarah for the model and WhiteFire agreed. Sarah was shy at first, but she pitched in on this step of faith with me, even though she had to travel 300 miles to participate in the photo shoot.

I began to panic though. What did I know about arranging a photo shoot for my own novel? But the Holy Spirit who urged me to trust my child into His hands all those years ago, urged me again to trust Him with the labor of my heart.

WhiteFire wanted 2 costumes—a western one for 1919 and the sari that Abby wears in the novel. A friend loaned me a straw boater hat, and I was sure I had a tan linen skirt in my closet. But when I went to look . . . it was gone. I’d forgotten that when we moved last year, I’d given the skirt away to a charity. On another whim I decided to go to the local second hand store to search for something similar.

As I walked across the parking lot I prayed the Lord would help me find the perfect skirt. I was not 5 minutes in the store, when I found my very own skirt which I then purchased back for $9.99.

I could go on and on about the details—there are so many. I’d asked the Lord to put His fingerprints all over the cover, and He did.

It wasn’t until later that I realized—that without my ever planning or imagining it—He had not only inspired me to write through the loss of my first child to adoption, but He then blessed the fruition of that faith with the beauty of the very child I had relinquished to Him.

Only our Heavenly Father could do something so intricately tender.

We serve a God who delights in working with little people and small things—a shepherd boy and a few smooth stones. A child with a lunch of bread and fish for one. A babe in a womb that rocks the world.

If you’d like to read more about my journey as a birth mother, and that of Book One of my series, Twilight of the British Raj, then drop by my website: http://www.christinelindsay.com/

SHADOWED IN SILK

She was invisible to those who should have loved her.

After the Great War, Abby Fraser returns to India with her small son, where her husband is stationed with the British army. She has longed to go home to the land of glittering palaces and veiled women . . . but Nick has become a cruel stranger. It will take more than her American pluck to survive.

Major Geoff Richards, broken over the loss of so many of his men in the trenches of France, returns to his cavalry post in Amritsar. But his faith does little to help him understand the ruthlessness of his British peers toward the India people he loves. Nor does it explain how he is to protect Abby Fraser and her child from the husband who mistreats them.

Amid political unrest, inhospitable deserts, and Russian spies, tensions rise in India as the people cry for the freedom espoused by Gandhi. Caught between their own ideals and duty, Geoff and Abby stumble into sinister secrets . . . secrets that will thrust them out of the shadows and straight into the fire of revolution.

SHADOWED IN SILK will be released in 2 stages: First as an eBook May 1, 2011, and the printed version Sept. 1. This book can be purchased at all locations where eBooks are sold—Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobel, Kobol, Borders . . .

Christine Lindsay writes historical inspirational novels that have strong love stories, and she doesn’t shy away from difficult topics. Her debut novel SHADOWED IN SILK is set in India during a turbulent era. Christine’s long-time fascination with the British Raj was seeded from stories of her ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in India. SHADOWED IN SILK won the 2009 ACFW Genesis for Historical under the title Unveiled.

Battle of the Sexes

Here's an interesting, just-for-fun website that determines whether your blog/website is written by a man or a woman: Gender Analyzer.

Spire Reviews comes out with a 55% guess that it's written by a woman. In other words, this site is gender neutral. Since I target both the male and female audience, I think that bodes well for Spire Reviews.

I also entered my website, Brenda Anderson Books, and it registers a 54% guess that it's written by a female. Again, I find this encouraging in that I hope what I write will cross gender borders.

When you put your site through the Gender Analyzer, what does it come up with? Are you happy with the results?

Pet Peeves in Fiction

As readers, we realize that what individuals love or hate in fiction is subjective. I may roll my eyes at a particular plot device, while the reader next to me may love it. I'm not talking about the "rules" of writing, but rather those elements in a story that bug us for various reasons.

Here are some of my main grievances:

The Princess Bride movie references. Once upon a time I loved that movie. It was quirky and fun with understated intelligence. But then it seemed every other book I read quoted, "Inconceivable!" or "As you wish." or some other TPB reference. Isn't it time to move on to something new? Please?

Bullet Point Prose. Here's a quick example: "She typed words on the keyboard. Read them. Erased them. Typed them again." Isn't that the same as this?

• She typed words on the keyboard.
• Read them.
• Erased them.
• Typed them again.

Yawn. When I read a book, I don't want to read an outline. I'm looking for prose with a flowing cadence, not a jolting stop. Yet I'm seeing this more and more in fiction, especially since writers are consistently being required to trim words. Sure, I can see this technique used in fast-paced thriller scenes, but I'm seeing it everywhere. As a reader it nearly always stops me, and I have to re-read the sentences. I'm just guessing that's not the author's intention ...

Modelesque/Hollywood-type Protagonists. I know, we all like to watch "beautiful" people. Our movies and books are filled with them. But, a book that can use the ordinary and make them a thing of beauty is far more interesting. It's my opinion that if your characters are modelesque, there should be a purpose behind their extraordinary beauty. Just as setting plays an important role in literature, shouldn't character appearance also play a role? Would Jane Eyre have been the same if she had exquisite beauty? Two of my favorite series' have "plain" leads: Trixie Belden, and Hadassah in Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series. I've read two authors of late who have used the unconventional lead: Kaye Dacus and Sarah Sundin. Their books prove that the definition of beauty is far broader than a Hollywood description.

Romances where the male and female leads spend precious little page time together. If the book is a romance shouldn't the leads actually spend time with each other? Shouldn't we see them getting to know each other? Show them fight? Tease? Sure, conflict can and should keep them apart emotionally, but shouldn't the book show them interacting in the midst of the conflict? Isn't that how true love grows?

The No-Good, Cheating, Dead-Beat Ex-Husband. Pick out a handful of books classified as Women's Fiction and I'll bet half of them have a female lead who's overcoming her victim hood from her lousy ex-husband. (Or at least it seems half of them use this plot device.) The ex-husband is typically a very shallow, one-dimensional character, and the wife is merely a casualty of his selfishness. I honestly can't read any more fiction with this device. It's old and way overused. I know writers are more creative than that.

Whew. I feel better getting all that off my chest.

Now, here's your opportunity to vent your irritations. What are your pet peeves in literature? What elements of story do you see overused? Do you think I'm nuts? Do you love the very things I hate? I'd love to know. Remember, this isn't about what's technically correct; it's simply about your opinion.

Interesting Debut Author Stats

In case you're an aspiring author looking to break in, here are a few interesting statistics from the Debut Novel page.

(Please note: the list for 2011 is still incomplete as I only have books listed through September. The majority listed release by May.)

Total Books Listed: 32

Genre:
Amish - 2
Biblical Fiction - 2
Contemporary - 3
Historical Fiction - 11
Memoir - 1
Romantic Suspense - 3
Romance - 7
Speculative - 1
Young Adult - 2

Publisher:
Abingdon Press - 1
B&H Books - 2
Barbour Novella - 1
Barbour Publishing - 1
Barbour/Heartsong - 1
Bethany House - 2
Black Lyon Publishing - 1
Desert Breeze - 3
GES - 1
JourneyForth - 1
Love Inspired Historical - 1
OakTara - 1
Realms - 1
Revell - 1
SkySail Books - 1
Thomas Nelson - 5
Torn Veil - 1
Tyndale House - 2
Waterbrook Multnomah - 1
Whitaker House - 1
White Rose - 1
WhiteFire - 1
Zondervan - 1

It doesn't surprise me that Historical Fiction leads the way with eleven debut novels. Romance lags a bit behind with seven. Combine that with the three from romantic suspense and you have ten. I am rather surprised that Amish only has two.

It's also interesting to note that Thomas Nelson has five new authors while other major publishing houses only have one or two. A little over one-third of the books releasing this year come out under a small or lesser known publishing label.

Question: What is your take on these statistics? Does it give you hope? Does it point you in a different direction?

Fiction and Baseball

There's nothing like the crack of a bat to usher in spring. Here in Minnesota, snow still coats much of the ground, and they're predicting snow for tonight.

But we don't care.

In one day we'll be singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," and we'll be cheering on the M&M boys, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Personally, I can't wait.

But, just because baseball is coming, doesn't mean we need to give up reading. One of life's greatest pleasures is sitting outside, drinking lemonade, and listening to the game on the radio, all while reading a book.

To get you in the mood, I've found a few novels that combine our national pastime with story--books for all tastes.

A GREAT CATCH
book 2 in the Lake Manawa Summers Series
by Lorna Seilstad

Revell, May 2011
368 pages

If a never-grow-up baseball player strikes out with a spunky suffragette, Independence Day may take on a whole new meaning.

When twenty-two year old Emily Graham’s meddlesome aunts and grandmother take it upon themselves to find her a husband among the Lake Manawa resort guests, the spunky, slightly clumsy suffragette is determined to politely decline each and every suitor. Busy working in the suffrage movement, she has neither the time nor the need for a man in her life. The “cause” God has called her to is much too important.

Carter Stockton, a recent college graduate and a pitcher for the Manawa Owls, intends to enjoy every minute of the summer at Lake Manawa before he is forced into the straight-laced, dawn-to-dusk business world of his stern father. He has no plans for romance until Emily crashes into his life at a roller skating rink.

When subterfuge and distrust interfere with their budding romance, will the pitcher strike out completely? Or will the suffragette find strength in her faith and cast her vote for a love that might costs her dreams?

SAFE AT HOME
by Richard Doster

David C. Cook, March 2008
348 pages

The spring of ’53 started out like any other for sports columnist Jack Hall, as he and the rest of his small southern town, Whitney, eagerly awaited the magical first pitch that would open the Bobcat’s season. But when ticket sales wane with the new distractions of air conditioning and I Love Lucy, the Bobcats face an early end not only to the season but to their careers as well. The team needs a white knight to save them and ironically, that white knight seems to be a 17 year old "colored kid", Percy Jackson, who’s got a .364 batting average and has never seen a grounder he couldn’t chase down.

Not everyone—not even most people—though can wrap their heads around an integrated baseball field, even if they have seen them on TV. This is Whitney. Things don’t change and they don’t need to change. Do they?

Hearts, minds, faith and tradition will be tested as will friendships and marriages when this sleepy southern town comes to grips with itself amid the early years of the Civil Rights Movement.

HER BEST CATCH
by Lindi Peterson

Bell Bridge Books, March 2011
204 pages

Allison Doll’s mother is rebelliously turning fifty, her two best friends have started dating and a gorgeous injured relief pitcher has joined her Sunday school class rocking her world into confusion, heartache and temptation, places she hasn’t visited in a long time, much less all at once.

But with the help of family, old friends she really hasn’t lost, a new friend she really can count on, and God, she finds herself no longer a girl waiting for life to happen, but a girl who’s ready to commit to her best catch!

A SEASON OF MIRACLES
by Rusty Whitener

Kregel Publications, August 2010
272 pages

The 1971 Little League season is Zack Ross's last chance to win a championship---and new kid, Rafer, could make that happen. Sure, he's different---but he can really hit a baseball! When Rafer is hospitalized, the team's determined to gain the trophy in his honor. Will Zack learn there's more to life than winning or losing?

LILIES IN MOONLIGHT

by Allison K. Pittman

Multnomah Books, April 2011

352 pages

The Roaring Twenties are anything but carefree for disfigured veteran Cullen and his senile mother, Betty Ruth---until fun-loving flapper Lilly scales a wall and falls face-first onto their property! When Betty Ruth prophesies that Cullen will be healed if he returns to his first love---baseball---the three embark on a winning journey of faith.

Also check out Allison Pittman's STEALING HOME.

THE KING'S GAME
by John Nemo

JNB Books, December 2007
240 pages

A story of fathers, sons and baseball, along with the eternal choice every man must one day face ...

The crowd of 45,000 rises as one, chanting his name. Veteran pitcher Cody King takes the mound for Game Seven of the World Series, unaware these nine innings will mark the end of his troubled existence. With each pressure-packed pitch, King confronts a past - from being abandoned by his teenage mother to keeping his wife's love from fading away - filled with tragedy and talent. And before he flings his final fastball into the cool autumn air, King, a fatherless son who grew up to become one of the game's greatest pitchers, will have to face the one true father he's never known.

HOMETOWN DAD

by Merrilee Whren

Steeple Hill, January 2011

224 pages

A pair of rowdy boys would be exhausting for two parents—little wonder single mom Melanie Drake feels overwhelmed. Her sons are her world, but she knows she needs a helping hand to keep them in line. Enter Nathan Keller—respected banker, descendant of the town's founding father…and baseball coach. Melanie knows he's out of her league, but as her sons learn to love Coach Nathan, Melanie starts falling for him, too. With the whole town rooting for happily ever after, it won't be long before this hometown dad joins their family for good.