WordServe News: November 2013

Exciting things have been happening at WordServe Literary!

On the final post of each month you’ll find a list of Water Cooler contributors’ books releasing in the upcoming month along with a recap of WordServe client news from the current month.

New Releases

In the “Really? That many products out of one book?” category, Deb Coty may have won the prize. Her book Too Blessed to be Stressed has spawned a Spanish version, a “Page a Day” calendar, a Too Blessed to Be Stressed Promise Book and a 2014 and 2015 Daily Planner.

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Sabrina’s Man by Gilbert Morris (Barbour)

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Elusive Hope by Marylu Tyndall (Barbour)

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My Favorite Angel Stories by Joe Wheeler (Pacific Press)

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Heritage by Mary Davis (rerelease with Harlequin)

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New Contracts

Andrew Gerow Hodges (with Denise George) sold Behind Nazi Lines to Berkley Caliber, the story of his father’s exploits as a Red Cross worker during WWII, personally saving nearly 150 Allied POW’s by his ability to negotiate with tough Nazi officers, standing his ground and building their trust. A true page turner biography of suspense.

Jonathan McKee sold Explicit Sex, a book for parents on the pressures facing today’s teenagers and how to help them navigate decisions that sometimes have lifetime consequences.

Mary Davis sold three books to Harlequin Heartsong, Heart of Honor, Heart of Truth, and Heart of Humility. In the first novel, Heart of Honor, when an American girl falls in love with an English officer, their romance might ignite the war the two sides had kept at bay for over a decade. Readers will fall in love with Mary’s writing and her characters as they work through war, secrets, and forgiveness.

What can we help you celebrate?

March 24, 2012March 24, 2012

Social Media and Your Book Release

Often, authors ask me what they can do to put their book in the social media limelight. While it is not difficult to accomplish, as we have discussed before, there are a few important steps that you can take to ensure that your book receives the attention it deserves. Here are a few ideas that scratch the surface…

1. Start Immediately I had a client named Dan (all names have been changed to protect the innocent). Dan had a wonderful book coming out in about six months. He was so excited, I am sure he felt like he was going to give birth to a baby, or as close as guys get to this feeling (besides kidney stones). Dan wanted to wait until his book came out to get all social media going. Although waiting can still be effective, I don’t advise this or think it is best. Make sure you are lined up with all of your social media accounts now. Do you have Twitter, Facebook, Pintrest, and maybe even Google Plus? Make them look pretty. Get your friends and family on board and let them know what you are doing, so they can be your biggest cheerleaders. Don’t wait. Start today.
2. Start Blogging and Guest Blogging Here are my three simple rules for having a successful blog:

* Be consistent. Same time, same day.

* Don’t be too wordy or too simple. 500 -700 words is a good mark. Don’t over blog. Sadly, I just unsubscribed to one of my favorite blogs because I would receive two or three updates from that person a day. Save the poetry you like for your Facebook page.

* Be consistent. Oh, I said that? But it is valuable. I want my blogs in my inbox the same time every week.

Guest blogs need to be done strategically. Pair up with friends who blog as well. Showcase yourself. It can be a win – win for both of you. Promote it well, and you both will end the day with a bigger audience.

3. Create A Data Base. Compile an email list and blast it out to all your friends and family. I use Mail Chimp: it’s easy, it’s free and it does a great job managing a database. There are some other ones that people have told me about, author Lucille Zimmerman said that AWeber is great. Celebrate great reviews, talk about new projects, and keep people on the inside of your circle, making them feel valuable.
4. Give Away Books. When your book is going to come out, encourage your friends and family to buy a copy. Sure if you are REALLY close to them, you can give them a copy for free, but still get them to buy one and give it to a friend. (Ever heard of Guerilla Marketing?) If your publisher gives you books to give to your friends and family, tell them they can only have one if they agree to write a review on Amazon after reading it. If your book is about the church, give it to church leaders ask them to help promote your masterpiece.

Get your books in the hands of “tastemakers.” What is a tastemaker, you ask? Acoording to Urban Dictionary, “Tastemaker: An individual who’s determination of what’s stylish influences a significant quantity or quality of people resulting in a supportive trend.” A tastemaker is someone who is savvy and all-knowing. It could be your best friend or your coffee shop barista. You want your tastemaker friends to talk about your book; people listen to tastemakers.
What is your best tip to be socially media savvy?

Ingrid Schneider is WordServe’s resident Marketing Maven. With a specialty in social media, Ingrid loves helping authors find and manage an online tribe of readers. After spending the last 15 years managing and marketing restaurants, people, and businesses, Ingrid knew that helping people market themselves via social media and online platforms was a passion and something at which she excelled. Now doing social media marketing for some great-named authors, Ingrid also loves to imagine that she is a secret agent, because she can’t disclose with whom she is working. (Believe us when we tell you that Ingrid handles some big names, but for anonymity’s sake, we can’t disclose this TOP SECRET information.) Imagination and creativity is something Ingrid is serious about and loves to incorporate into her work with her clients.

October 31, 2011January 28, 2012

WordServe News Update and New Releases

Exciting things have been happening at WordServe Literary!

On the final post of each month you’ll find a list of WordServe clients’ books releasing in the upcoming month along with a recap of WordServe client news from the current month.

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November New Releases

The Encounter: Sometimes God Has to Intervene

by Stephen Arterburn, with WordServe collaborator James Pence*

Contemporary Fiction

Thomas Nelson Publishers

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His Grace is Sufficient…But Decaf is Not

by Sandra D. Bricker* with Loree Lough, Trish Perry, and Cynthia Ruchti

Devotional for Women

Summerside Press

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Paper Angels

by Billy Coffey*

A Novel

FaithWords

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Lakeside Reunion

by Lisa Jordan*

Contemporary Romance

Harlequin Love Inspired

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As Sparks Fly Upward

by Gilbert Morris

Historical Romance

Howard/Simon and Schuster

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The River Queen (Book #1 in the “The Water Wheel” series)

by Gilbert Morris

Historical

Barbour Publishing

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Playing with Purpose: Basketball: Inside the Lives and Faith of Top NBA Stars

by Mike Yorkey

Sports biography

Barbour Publishing

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Contest News

The 2011 INSPY Award

On the Romance Shortlist:

The Preacher’s Bride by Jody Hedlund*, Bethany House, October, 2010

Yesterday’s Tomorrow by Catherine West*, Oak Tara, March, 2011

On the Speculative Fiction Shortlist:

The Resurrection by Mike Duran*, Realms, February, 2011

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New Clients

Susan Scott Krabacher: Haiti Orphan advocate and ministry leader, author of Angels of a Lower Flight: One Woman’s Mission to Save a Country…One Child at a Time (Touchstone, 2007) (www.haitichildren.com).

Jeff Nesbitt: Summerside novelist.

Mandy Steward: blogger at www.messycanvas.com.

Shellie Tomlinson: the creator of www.allthingssouthern.com, blogger, speaker, radio host.

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Contract News from Greg

Valor Studios head Adam Makos and all-star collaborator Marcus Brotherton* are writing Voices of the Pacific, a compilation of alive (and very old) marines who served in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. Many were featured in the HBO mini-series “The Pacific.” Signed by Berkley Caliber (Penguin).

Dr. Rita Hancock, Total Wellness Now, a medical approach to emotional healing and weight loss. To Charisma Publishers.

Adam Makos and Larry Alexander are writing A Higher Call, the true story of American B-52 pilot crippled after a bombing run, and the German fighter pilot who, instead of shooting the bomber down, escorted it safely to British airspace so other German pilots wouldn’t shoot it down, and their meeting, faith, and friendship after the war. Signed by Berkley Caliber (Penguin).

(* = WordServe Water Cooler Contributor)

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That’s our good news for the month.

Please share yours in the comments so we can celebrate with you.

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Post Author: Keli Gwyn

I write inspirational historical romance. My debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, will be released July 1, 2012. I live in the heart of California’s Gold Country. My favorite places to visit are my fictional worlds, the Coach factory outlet store, and Taco Bell.

September 30, 2011January 28, 2012

WordServe News Update and New Releases

Exciting things have been happening at WordServe Literary!

On the final post of each month you’ll find a list of WordServe client books releasing in the upcoming month along with WordServe Literary news from the month drawing to a close.

October New Releases

Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride

by Sandra D. Bricker*

Contemporary Romantic Comedy

Abingdon Press

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Challenging Puzzles from the Bible:

Including Crosswords, Word Search, Cryptograms, and More

by Timothy Parker

Howard Publishers

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The Exceptional LIfe:

8 Powerful Steps to Experiencing God’s Best for You

by Stephen Arterburn

Bethany House

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Extreme Puzzles from the Bible:

Including Crosswords, Word Search, Cryptograms, and More

by Timothy Parker

Howard Publishers

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Lethal Remedy

by Richard L. Mabry, MD*

Medical Drama

Abingdon Press

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Sacrilege

Finding Life in the Unorthodox Ways of Jesus

by Hugh Halter

Baker Publishing

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A Time for Peace

by Barbara Cameron*

Amish Romance

Abingdon Press

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The What’s for Dinner Solution:

Quick, Easy, and Affordable Meals Your Family Will Love

by Kathi Lipp*

Harvest House

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Agent News

We’re excited that Barbara Scott has joined WordServe Literary as the third agent.
To learn more about Barbara and what she’s looking for, read this announcement.

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Bestseller News

New York Times October 2, 2011 Lists

Erica Vetsch* – A Log Cabin Christmas, a nine-author novella collection that includes Erica’s story “Christmas Service,” hit #34 on the NYT paperback trade fiction list.

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Consultant News

The WordServe agents have hired Ingrid Schneider to work with their authors on all of their social networking needs. Though it’s fee-based consulting, Ingrid’s been doing some fantastic things to help our authors coordinate all the various social networking platforms, blogging and the rest into a cohesive author brand.

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Contest News

ACFW 2011 Agent of the Year

We’re excited that Rachelle Gardner was named ACFW’s Agent of the Year!

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ACFW 2011 Genesis Contest for unpublished novelists

Camille Eide* was the winner in the Women’s Fiction category with My Father’s House!

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ACFW 2011 Carol Award for published novelists

We cheered for our finalists, who were one of the top three in their respective categories.

Jody Hedlund* in the Debut Novel category with The Preacher’s Bride.

Richard Mabry* in the Suspense/Thriller category with Medical Error.

S. Dionne Moore in the Short Historical category with Promise of Tomorrow.

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Contract News

Signing News from Greg:

Dena Dyer and Tina Samples – Wounded Women of The Bible, to Kregel.

Sid Phillips – You’ll Be Sor-ee, his WWII memoir on audio, to Tantor Media.

Helen Shores and Barbara Shores Lee with Denise George – A memoir of their life growing up in Civil Rights era Birmingham and the influence their legendary Civil Rights attorney Arthur Shores had on the movement, to Zondervan.

Bob Welch – Resolved, the WWII memoir of Army hero Lt. Clay Conner, an escapee from the Bataan Death March, who lived and fought in the jungles of the Philippines until the end of the war, to Berkley Caliber (Penguin).

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Rachelle announced the following deals on Publishers Marketplace:

Phil Cooke – One Big Thing: Discovering What You Were Born to Do sold to Thomas Nelson
How to identify your personal “one thing” and more importantly, how to make it a reality in your life.

Jody Hedlund* – Echo of Fall and two other titles sold to Bethany House
A young German immigrant must marry or lose her Michigan homestead and falls for a disguised nobleman while waiting for her mail-order groom.

Richard Mabry* – Stress Test and two other titles sold to Thomas Nelson
Sparks fly between a doctor being framed for murder and his fiery redheaded lawyer, as they chase down the truth before the killer strikes again.

Krista Phillips* – A Sandwich Romance sold to Abingdon Press
A 20-year-old moves to Sandwich, Illinois, to make a new life, then falls in love with her boss and becomes embroiled in a mystery that she must solve if she wants to save both her heart and her job.

Brian Sussman – Eco-Tyranny sold to WND Books
How the Left’s Green Agenda will Dismantle America, a follow-up to his first book, Climategate.

Lucille Zimmerman* – Oxygen for a Woman’s Soul: Self-Care Strategies That Will Save Your Life sold to Abingdon Press
Exploring the idea that women can only love others if they care for themselves, so it’s time to get over thinking self-care is “selfish” and instead, embrace rest, peace and joy.

More News from Rachelle:

Paula Moldenhauer* was awarded her first fiction contract by Rebecca Germany of Barbour Publishing during a special presentation at the ACFW conference for her novella, “You’re a Charmer, Mr. Grinch,” in a Christmas collection with authors Paige Winship Dooly, Darlene Franklin, and Kathy Kovach.

(* = WordServe Water Cooler Contributor)

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That’s our good news for the month.
Please share yours in the comments so we can celebrate with you.

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Post Author: Keli Gwyn

August 31, 2011January 28, 2012

WordServe News Update and New Releases

Exciting things have been happening at WordServe Literary!

On the final post each month you’ll find a list of Water Cooler contributors’ books releasing in the upcoming month and a recap of WordServe client news from the current month. (Since this is the first New Releases and Recent News post, we’re playing catch-up.)

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September New Releases

(The titles are links to Amazon.)

A Bride’s Portrait of Dodge City Kansas

by Erica Vetsch*

Historical Romance

Barbour Publishing

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“Christmas Service” in A Log Cabin Christmas

by Erica Vetsch*

Historical Romance

Barbour Publishing

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The Doctor’s Lady

by Jody Hedlund*

Historical Romance

Bethany House

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Light to My Path

by Erica Vetsch*

Historical Romance

Barbour Heartsong Presents

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Lily and the Lawman

by Erica Vetsch*

Historical Romance –

Thorndike Large Print Edition

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Bestseller News

CBA September 2011 Lists

Tim LaHaye – Edge of Apocalypse hit #19 on the Fiction list.

Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall – Thunder of Heaven hit #29 on the Top 50 list and #3 on the Fiction list.

Karen Witemeyer* – A Tailor-Made Bride hit #17 on the Fiction list.

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Contest News

ACFW 2011 Agent of the Year

We’re excited that Rachelle Gardner is one of the three finalists

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ACFW 2011 Carol Award for published novelists:

Jody Hedlund* is a finalist in the Debut Novel category with The Preacher’s Bride.

Richard Mabry* is a finalist in the Mystery/Thriller category with Medical Error.

S. Dionne Moore is a finalist in the Short Historical category with Promise of Tomorrow.

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ACFW 2011 Genesis Contest for unpublished novelists:

Camille Eide* is a finalist in the Women’s Fiction category with My Father’s House.

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New Clients

Charise Olson accepted an offer of representation from Rachelle.

Wendy Paine Miller* accepted an offer of representation from Rachelle.

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Contract News

Greg announced the following deals on Publishers Marketplace:

Carol Barnier – A Prodigal Speaks sold to Moody Press. Going from parsonage to atheist to Christian, Carol writes to parents and gives valuable lessons on loving a child who is away from the faith.

Rick Marschall – One Year Book of Cartoon Devotions sold to Tyndale. The book uses syndicated cartoonists and contains 365 cartoon panels and devotional readings after each one. Rick also signed with Tyndale for a YA devotional to be written with Clubhouse editor Jesse Florea.

Dave Runyon and Jay Pathak – The Art of Neighboring sold to Baker Books. What does it mean to be a great neighbor with no motive but to serve and care for those around you? Combining practical stories from a whole city whose churches practiced this concept with radical biblical thoughts on what Jesus meant when he said “love your neighbor,” the authors make a compelling case for a new way to neighbor as a person of faith.

Rachel St. John-Gilbert – The Well Lived Laugh sold to Barbour. Rachel uses Seinfeld-style observations, offering comic relief from the pressure to check off all the “culturally correct, socially responsible, and spiritually edgy” boxes that are confronting today’s overwhelmed woman. The reader is encouraged to shape her own unique perspectives based on her gifts and limitations that have characterized her life experiences thus far.

Chuck Tatum – Blood Red, Black Sand sold to Berkley Caliber. The story is about Chuck, a WWII veteran who trained under and fought with Medal of Honor recipient John Basilone; chronicling their “two weeks in hell,” where he would watch his hero, Basilone, fall, where the enemy stalked the night, where snipers haunted the day, and where Chuck would see his friends whittled away in an eardrum-shattering, earth-shaking, meat grinder of a battle. Before the battle for Iwo Jima ended, Chuck would find himself, like Basilone, standing alone, blind with rage, firing a machine gun from the hip, in a personal battle to survive from a relentless foe.

Bob Welch – Wonderful Life Lessons sold to Thomas Nelson. Bob, a Eugene Register Guard journalist, uses the classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life as a springboard and mines 52 gold-nugget lessons that everyone should consider.

More News from Greg:

Wayne Cordeiro signed with Zondervan for a book called Sifted, the lead book for the Exponential Conference next April in Orlando.

Cheri Fuller signed with Bethany House for a non-fiction book, What Sons Need In A Mom.

Tim LaHaye signed with Zondervan for Book #4 in “The End” series.

Calvin Miller signed with Worthy Publishers for a non-fiction book, Letters To Heaven.

Gilbert Morris signed on for a new 3-book historical series with Barbour.

Jordyn Redwood* started out by signing just one book with Kregel, but they quickly signed on for two more in the series

Margot Starbuck signed a two-book deal with Baker Publishing Group, the first with a working title of Jesus In Vegas.

(* = WordServe Water Cooler Contributor)

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That’s our good news for the month.

Please share yours in the comments so we can celebrate with you.