Tag Archive | author

Newsletter – September 2026

Sep7

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.

Screenshot

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

Newsletter – November 2025

Nov28

I’ve been taught all my life to give thanks in even the worst circumstances. Easier said than done. It’s hard to feel thankful when something bad happens, and yet, when I look back at some of the most difficult times in my life, I can see how I learned and grew as a person during those difficulties. Frequently, good came out of the bad.

Sometimes, we think our lives are supposed to go a certain way. We think we know what’s best for us. I moved to Nashville, TN, thinking I would be a singer for the rest of my life. I found the music industry to be a bit vicious, and I even had a good friend who worked directly in the industry who told me that she hoped I didn’t get a recording contract. She feared that the industry would change me, and she told me that I was too nice to get caught up in the ugliness of it.

I never did get that recording contract, but I understand why. It wasn’t meant to be, and God had other plans for me! My husband will tell you that I moved to Tennessee for him. We’ve been married almost thirty years now, and I’m thankful for him every day! So, yes, he was definitely part of the plan.

As for my creativity and need to express it, I found I had an ability I never dreamed of… until I dreamed about it. Most of you have heard my story, but if you haven’t, in 2010 I had a dream where I was told I was supposed to write a novel based at a time of civil unrest. In that dream, I wrote the novel, and when I woke, I remembered everything: the plot, the characters, and the location. Thanks to the encouragement of my coworkers at the time, I sat down and actually wrote the story. That ‘dream’ story is now a 7-book series, “The Southern Secrets Saga.”

Since then, I’ve written like a manic fool! I found a passion I never knew existed, and I no longer mourn over the music career that didn’t happen. I love what I do, and I love my sweet husband. I’ll never be sorry that I moved to Tennessee.

This past month has been a whirlwind of in-person events. I met lots of new people and introduced them to my books. If you’re one of those people, and this is the first time you’ve read my newsletter, welcome aboard!

I remember when people first started reading my books, and how excited I was to share my stories. That excitement has never died! I decided to put up a map of the U.S. and ‘pin’ the cities where I know I have readers. If you’re one of my readers, and you don’t see your city pinned on this map, please post the name of your city and state in the comments. I’d love to add you! Currently I have readers in half of the states, and I’d love to reach all 50. It’s been fun to learn where my readers reside.

While you’re posting your city and state, I’d also love to know which of my books is your favorite. Maybe even what (or who) you’d like to read more about.

Next month, I have only one in-person event on December 13th. It’s the Return of the Misfits Craft Show in Manchester, TN. https://www.facebook.com/events/ada-wright-center/return-of-the-misfits-crafts-show/1018595263274207/

I’ll be with author, J.L. Lawrence, along with many other craft vendors. If you’re looking for some unique Christmas gifts, this is a great opportunity to find that special something!

Aside from that, I’ll be busy preparing for Christmas and time with friends and family. Of course, I’ll also be writing and editing! I’m thankful to have an indoor job as the weather gets colder.

There’s so much to be thankful for! I pray that you’re enjoying this holiday season and able to do the things you love with the people who matter the most to you.

God bless you all!

Jeanne