People often ask me if I’ve read the current, number-one bestseller. Someday, I sure hope to! I always have my nose in a book, either as an author or an editor. I have the exciting task of putting my eyes on manuscripts before they reach publication. As for simply reading to read, there aren’t enough hours in the day! And yet, I have high hopes that a book I’ve been a part of will reach that bestseller list. It would be a good cause for celebration!

A few of my own books came close. I was within a ‘hair’ of being on that coveted list when the third book of my Smoky Mountain Secrets Saga came out. “Murmurs in the Mountains” fell shy by only a few books sold (or unsold in this case). Still, I was thrilled to be in the top 100 list of Historical Fiction authors on Amazon for about six months.

My husband and I were talking about all this earlier today, while taking advantage of the cooler air outside on our deck. We like to drink our coffee out there and simply take in the stillness of the morning. Yet, it has been so hot lately that it quickly becomes uncomfortable outside. Okay… I went down a rabbit hole. Back to the subject at hand:

I was telling him how I’d never been looking for fame as an author. Truthfully, there are only a handful of authors known to the masses. Unless you’re a Jeopardy contestant (who seem to know everything!), a lot of people don’t know the names of the authors who write the books they love. Especially if they only see the movies and don’t read the books. From the very beginning, what I truly wanted from my books was for people to actually read them, and more importantly, enjoy them. I wanted my stories to have a lasting effect that would touch their heart in some way. I feel incredibly blessed that my stories have been in many hands over the years.

I used to use the above banner at the top of my old newsletter format. (Thank you, Jody Wallace, for creating it!) The quote fits what I’ve been talking about. I don’t ask to be a famous author, I merely want to be able to keep writing and continue touching hearts. You have no idea how much I appreciate it when you tell other people about my books and encourage them to give them a try.

I love hearing from you, too. It’s the fuel I need to keep my writing mojo going! I spend so much time in my office at my laptop, and at times, I become a bit of a hermit. And since this past year has kept me home more than usual, I started really missing the interaction with my readers. I’m happy to say that I’ll be doing some in-person events in the coming weeks and months. Just in time for the holidays!

I’m also very happy to announce that I recently signed a contract with Word Wise Media Services for agent representation. I’ll be working with agent, Steven Hutson, to find the perfect home for my most recent work of historical fiction, “You Took My Place.” I hope this will open some new doors for me and enable me to keep doing what I love.

As for those in-person events, I’ll be at Autumn in the Brier in Greenbrier, TN on Saturday, September 19th from 9:00 till 3:00.

This event is so much fun for the entire family! Lots of things to look at, listen to, and eat. Praying for great weather! Not too hot, and definitely no rain that day.

Be sure to come by and say hello!

And if you can’t be there, reply to this newsletter and let me know how you’re doing. As I said before, I love hearing from you!

God bless,

Jeanne