We've talked recently here about our reasons for writing. As Christian writers, we all write for His glory, but deep down in your heart, you know how important your readers are as well. Multi-published, award-winning writer, Lena Nelson Dooley, shares with us today how important her readers are to her. ~ Angie
One of the most important things in this author’s life is my
readers. I love all of you. Hearing from you is a high point of my day. Even if
you didn’t like some aspect of my book, I like to hear from you. I want to connect
with you in every way I can. And you can find me on a lot of online
venues—Facebook, Twitter, Shoutlife, Pinterest, Goodreads, my blog, and my web
site.
I’m really interested in book clubs and reading groups. I
enjoy connecting with you through the electronic technology of telephone calls
or Skype video. I’m happy to answer questions about the stories, why I wrote
them, and any other question you may have.
My newest series McKenna’s Daughters. The heroines were born
on one of the last wagon trains on the Oregon Trail. Their mother died giving
birth, and because of the circumstances, they were separated. It’s not until
they are about eighteen years old that they learn they have two sisters. And
the desire to find their sisters is strong in each of them.
Books one and two are stand alone novels, which can be read
in any order. But you’ll probably want to read book one and two before book
three releases in January 2012.
Maggie’s Journey released in October 2011. I’ve heard from a
lot of readers. Many of they have been adoptees. They were interested in that
aspect of the book, which was set in1885 in Washington Territory. Maggie
journey took her to Little Rock, Arkansas, by train.
Maggie had grown up the spoiled daughter in a wealthy
family. She had no idea she was adopted. Most people were intrigued by the way
she found out. One Christian reviewer put Maggie’s
Journey on her Top Books of 2011 list.
Mary’s Blessing is releasing May 15, 2012. Mary has always
known she was adopted, but because her mother died when she was eleven years
old, no one told her the circumstances. That information really affected her
when she found out. Her mother had called her God’s Blessing, but she didn’t
feel like anyone’s blessing. Her spiritual and romantic journey intertwine in
an interesting and surprising way.
Have you ever let an author know when something in a book
bothered you?
Have you ever contacted an author and let that person know
how much their book meant to you?
In either case, what happened?
Award-winning author, Lena
Nelson Dooley, has more than 690,000 books in print. She is a member of
American Christian Fiction Writers http://www.acfw.com/ and
the local chapter, DFW Ready Writers. She’s a member of Gateway Church in
Southlake, Texas.
Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Travel is always on her horizon. Cruising, Galveston, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Mexico. One day it will be Hawaii and Australia, but probably not the same year. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with eighteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins from American Christian Fiction Writers, and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award at their national conference. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books.
Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Travel is always on her horizon. Cruising, Galveston, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Mexico. One day it will be Hawaii and Australia, but probably not the same year. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with eighteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins from American Christian Fiction Writers, and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award at their national conference. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books.
Her 2010 release was Love Finds You in Golden,
New Mexico, from Summerside Press which recently won the Will Rogers
Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western literature for fiction.
Lena is currently under two 3-book contracts with Charisma House/Realms. The
first book released in October 2011. Maggie’s
Journey appeared on a reviewers Top Books of 2011 list. The second is Mary’s Blessing, which will release in
May 2012.
In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent
speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national
conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. She is also one
of the co-hosts of the Gate Beautiful blog radio show.
Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife,
Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected
blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books.
Connect with Lena:
Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lenandooley/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley
Official Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson-Dooley/42960748768?ref=ts
Featured Book:
Author: Lena Nelson Dooley
Title: Mary’s Blessing
Series: McKenna’s Daughters Series, Book 2
ISBN: 978-1-61638-617-7
Publisher: Realms
“Lena Nelson Dooley paints a vivid picture of all the
tragedies and triumphs of nineteenth-century life. The charming characters,
godly themes, and tender love story will leave you wanting more and eagerly
awaiting her next book.” —Margaret Brownley, New York Times best-selling
author of Brides of Last Chance Ranch
When her mother dies, Mary Lenora must grow up quickly to
take care of her brothers and sisters. Can love help her to shoulder the
burden?
Mary Lenora Caine knows she is adopted. As she was growing
up, her mother called her “God’s blessing.” But now that she’s gone, Mary no
longer feels like any kind of blessing. Her father, in his grief, has cut
himself off from the family, leaving the
running of the home entirely in Mary’s hands.
As she nears her eighteenth birthday, Mary can’t see
anything in her future but drudgery. Then her childhood friend Daniel begins to
court her, promising her a life of riches and ease. But her fairy-tale dreams
turn to dust when her family becomes too much for Daniel, and he abandons her
in her time of deepest need.
Will Daniel come to
grips with God’s plan for him? And if he does return, can Mary trust that this
time he will really follow through?
