2 Excitement Stirrers – Okay, 3!

I’m so excited! Yeah, the words of that song are running through my mind at the moment! Some GREAT things have been in the works for a while and they are all coming to a head TODAY! Woohoo!

First …

… is my radio talk show, Publishing Laine, airing tonight on BlogTalkRadio.com at 7PM Central. Here’s the direct link:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/alongcameawriter/2017/04/05/publishing-laine-with-marji-laine-clubine-of-write-integrity-press

Tonight’s topic is the variety of choices that today’s market gives to authors in regards to publishing. All of those options produce both challenges and benefits. And we’ll be analyzing those. I say “we” because I won’t be alone on this talk show. My guest is Dena Netherton, author of a creepy new thriller, HAVEN’S FLIGHT.

And that’s my second …

Yea! This book goes beyond suspense and involves a mad stalker and the natural challenges of the rugged Cascade wilderness. Here’s the short version:

Sometimes you flee from your enemy; sometimes you stand and fight.

Haven enrolled in Life Ventures Therapy Camp in the Cascade Mountains to help her heal from horrible memories of her mother’s violent death at the hands of an armed robber. But now, a greater fear dogs her steps. In the mountains, the rustle of leaves or the snap of a twig could be nothing. Or it might signal the presence of the man who won’t stop following her. It seems like a cruel trick from God to throw Haven into another dangerous situation only a year after her mom’s murder.

He hides near her tent and listens to the girl talk with the counselor. Mostly she talks about her father. She’s unhappy, and he can’t stand to listen and do nothing about it. He needs to rescue her. He needs to make sure she doesn’t ever go back home to her father. His own father was the cause of his mother’s death. And Ruth’s. He can’t let that happen again. When the time is right, he’ll take her away to his hidden cabin where she’ll be safe. She’ll never be seen or heard from again. And he will feel peace for the first time in years.

Can one month of survival training equip a girl to face all that the rugged wilderness and a madman can dish out?

And then there’s my third

This one is on a more personal level. Spunky, one of my twins, started her new job this morning and yes, the dog picture does her justice! It’s a mirror image of her enthusiasm when I picked her up after her shift! So happy for her!

But I could use the prayers. For the next several weeks, until she gets her license, she’s got 5AM and 3AM shifts – guess who gets to chauffeur? #Just5MoreMinutes? #WayTooEarly!

YOUR TURN: What is turning on your excitement today???

It’s Contest Season

Last month, I started talking publishing on my own radio show. What a fun time we’ve had so far! In January, author Shirley Crowder joined me and we chatted about her experiences.

You can listen to my introductory program at the Blog Talk Radio link!

And be sure to join us next Tuesday at 7PM Eastern for another episode of Publishing Laine. This time, we’ll be talking about Contest Season. This is the time to be entering your 2016 releases in contests. Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Yes, contests really matter. Here’s the LINK for Tuesday evening’s show!

Do you have a question about contests or awards? Ask me here in a comment or email me at downpublishingway@gmail.com. If I use your question on the air, I’ll send you a free book. Last month David Humphries asked me a question on Facebook and got three recent releases as a thank you. (Well, it WAS my first show!)

And join us on Tuesday. (You can always call in with a question, too!) Who knows, you might hear about a contest that is perfect for your book!

Need to Focus on ONE THING!

This month, my company released a new book (Study Guide on Prayer! Find out more about it here!)

And I hosted my first radio show. (YES! I’m gonna be on the radio at 7PM Central the first Tuesday of every month. Listen here!)

And I’m setting up the final touches on a 10-week teenage Bible study – armor of God with some great hero movies!

And I’m making returns on more gifts than I’d like to admit! (My poor sizing guesses!)

And I’m tying up loose ends from the holidays – sending off prizes to award winners and gifts to folks I didn’t get to see, cleaning up the final touches inside the house.

And … and … and …

I gotta tell you, who has time to make New Year’s resolutions? I have trouble just getting dinner on the table! There are serious times when I’d like to do nothing but put up my feet and watch a football game. Even if the Cowboys aren’t playing! LOL!

Do you every feel like that? Overwhelmed with so many things to do and no prayer of making them all work out the way they are supposed to? That helpless feeling is why I choose a special word every year and keep it at the top of my consciousness every day. I start talking to God about the word and focus that He wants me to have starting in December – about the time I’m ready to pull my hair out! LOL!

By the first of January, or a short time following, He’s shown me where He wants me to put my energy.

Last year, my word was “INTENTIONAL.” I had a good feeling that I would be published traditionally in 2016 and wanted every action I took, especially on social media, to be helpful to my coming book and my writing career. And I was published, just not exactly as I’d expected. And it was all of the other blessings – becoming the head of a publishing company jumps to mind – that steered me toward my word for this year.

FOLLOW.

Road

Things look great right now – magical – unbelievable. But my position is still a job, still full of responsibilities. And though the Lord has blessed my company with a host of talented and encouraging authors, I have my part to complete. That’s why He’s placed me here.

I’ve said to friends, “I don’t know why God chose me; I don’t know what I’m doing.” I hate to actually admit that, but especially at the beginning, this was so true and still is in some respects. And yet, I know Who does know everything I need to bring this company and its authors to the place that the Lord has purposed. God put me here. And He continues to lead.

My job is to listen. My job is to be willing. My job is to step into His footprints without hesitation. My job is to follow the plan He has.

That’s my focus, unique for 2017 and the challenges that I face leading this new company. What is your focus this year? To what challenge has the Lord called you? To prayer? To teaching? To being quiet? To consistency? To stepping from your comfort zone? Where do you hear His call?

You’ll See, or Hear, the Truth to My Claim

I’m so flattered that Lena Nelson Dooley asked me to join her on her internet radio show! I’m so excited and you’ll get a chance to hear for yourself just how much of a hick I am when you listen to the recording!

Did I ever tell you about my trip to Mexico a couple of decades ago? Oh, that’s a story!