The Book Pusher: September

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BARRAYAR Lois McMaster Bujold: Space Opera

If you like your adventure pulse-pounding, BARRAYAR is your book. Add two of the most delicious love interests ever and you're in for a treat. Intelligent characters make this read wonderful. Read this Book!

SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE Christa Allan: Christian Women's Fiction

When life goes into storm mode for Olivia Kavanaugh, she has to find the faith to let herself forgive and live. A fabulous read!

EVERYTHING WE LEFT BEHIND Kerry Lonsdale: Romance and Family Fiction

Be sure to read Everything We Keep first. This sequel will keep you turning its pages with its amazing plot twists and deep psychological insight. Great Read!

HOME TO CHICORY LANE Deborah Raney: Christian Fiction

Home to Chicory Lane is sweet start to a five-book series and is the story of the tight-knit Whitman clan and how going home again can be the answer to achieving your dreams.

WHEN THE MORNING GLORY BLOOMS Cynthia Ruchti: Christian Women's Fiction

When the Morning Glory Blooms is the story of three women, three tales of motherhood in all its joy, sorrows, and above all else, love. Ruchti's story will hold you heart and fill it with the beauty of forgiveness and family. 

MR. PENUMBRA'S 24-HOUR BOOKSTORE Robin Sloan: Magical Realism/WF

Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore is truly an unclassifiable story, that rewards its readers with one of the sweetest truths at its heart. Check the genre classification on Amazon before reading to see if it fits your tastes, but you'll be glad you read it. 

Next Post: IWSG
I'll be attending the ACFW Conference in Texas this week. Keep my in your prayers, thoughts, and wish me the best! 

2017 ACFW Conference Mix and Mingle

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This is going to be fun! I'm attending the ACFW Conference starting Wednesday. 

Just a reminder of my last large conference--Surrey International, October 2016

I wanted to get into the swing of meeting a few people early. Check out Laurie Tomlinson's blog for more info on the Mix and Mingle.

– Copy/paste the questions and fill out your own answers in a post on your own website and paste the URL to that specific post (not your homepage) using this handy link-up tool. Just click on the button below that says “Add your link”. If you don’t have a website, feel free to answer the questions in the comments below!
– Make sure to link back to Laurie’s post after you fill out your answers so any of your readers who are conference attendees can participate, too! The more, the merrier.

Name: Zan Marie Steadham (As a good Southern girl, I use both of my given names. ;-)

Location: Temple, GA

What you write/tagline/trademark: Tag line: Hope Comes Home. I write contemporary Women's Fiction. In the blogging world, I'm known as "The Book Pusher." Check my posts out!

Place in the book world: Published author of two devotionals and two church histories. I've edited a history and a TBI patient's memoir.

On a scale of hugger to 10-foot-pole, please rate your personal space: All the hugs, all the time.

Something VERY serious: How do you take your Starbucks? Tea! Iced, hot, all the time.

The unique talking points that will get you going for hours: Besides my WIP, I'll talk about history, teens, and my two toy poodles. FYI: I have a deep-fried Southern accent of a Georgian born and bred. 

Loved ones at home you’ll be missing: My husband of 40 years and our current pets, Max and Casey--the above mentioned toy poodles.

Conference goals we can pray for? I’ll be there from Wednesday afternoon and I'm praying for a chance to pitch several agents and connect to other writers of all genres.

Anything we can celebrate with you? My 40th anniversary was two weeks ago. There are great people to meet by the map of Africa in a college class...just saying.

If you wish, you could like my author page. 

I can't wait!

IWSG for September and Links!

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Insecure Writers Support Group

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Co-Hosts: Tyrean Martinson, Tara Tyler Raimey Gallant Beverly Stowe McClure

September Question: Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing? (For example, by trying a new genre you didn't think you'd be comfortable in?)

Short Answer: All the time. Everyday. ;-) 

Long Answer: I've been working on my present WIP since March 2008. It was only this May that I realized the theme of my story. It's been in front of my face the entire time. I write Christian Women's Fiction. Here's my short pitch. 

Laura Grace Bradshaw, retired teacher, childless, and recently widowed, defies her narrow-minded family and her small Southern church when she opens her home to abused twelve-year old Samantha Smith, who might be the key to long-buried family secrets.

Do you see the theme? I didn't. It's a Good Samaritan story. Truly, I hadn't seen that until lately. I added an epigram and some scripture at the end to show the theme more clearly. Will those additions be part of the published version? I have no clue. Only the Good Lord above knows that. 

When I pitch it at the national ACFW conference in Dallas later in September, we'll see if any of the agents like it. Whatever happens, I know the best will be. I trust the new understanding to see me through. 

What about you? What's the craziest thing you've learned from writing?

Links:

• "The Seven Most Common Manuscript Submission Mistakes"
• This is an oldie, but a must read: "Will Literary Agents Really Read Your Query Letter?"
• "Why Agents Reject 96% of Author Submissions"
• Do you need more focus? Try the Pomodoro Technique: "What to be More Focused & Productive?
• Jane Friedman gives us clues on "The Challenges of First-Person POV"
• Sometimes, the necessary, stark truth hurts, but don't let it stop you from creating--"Want to Earn a Living Creating? Here's Your Mountain"
• Past or Present tense? I have a preference and Novel Writing Help's "Past Tense or Present Tense" explains why for me. What about you?
• I love, love, love this one: "Writing Insights Part One"

Next post: September Book Pusher, of course. ;-)