Author Archives: Cecelia Dowdy

Why Do You Want To Get Published?

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I’m wondering why people want to get published? When people find out that I’m an author, there’s a good chance they’ll say to me, “I’ve always wanted to write a book.” Or they’ll say they know a cousin, aunt, uncle, son, daughter, or some other relative who wants to write a book.

I’m wondering if people mistakenly think that when you write a book and get published, you get tons of money and can quit your day job, writing pages and pages of prose everyday?

Or, I wonder if they think they’ll be famous and admired, like Stephen King or J.K. Rowling or Stephanie Meyer?

Why did I want to get published, and why do I STILL want to get published? I’ve been reading books practically all of my life. Reading has given me an enjoyment that surpassess all of my other hobbies. When I was twenty-eight, I was at my lunch break at work and I didn’t have anything to read. So I decided to write a book.

I’ve been writing ever since.

I guess getting published just gives me a jolt of happiness because I’ve accomplished something that I’ve admired others doing my entire life. Books and reading have always been a big part of my life and the people represent a community that wasn’t really a personal part of my life – meaning, I didn’t have direct contact with authors, publishers, etc. I just read and enjoyed the books. Now being a part of the community that has brought me such joy over the years just gives me a feeling of warmth? I guess that’s why I want to be published so much. Also, I love just knowing that thousands upon thousands of people have read my books and I’ve gotten several letters and emails from readers, stating how much they’ve enjoyed my work! Hearing those words gives me a euphoric feeling and I’m glad that others have enjoyed my books!

I didn’t want to get published for financial reasons, that’s for sure! Most writers are poor, barely able to make a living, which is why most of us have day jobs or we’re living off of our spouses. Initially, I’d thought that writers made about as much as full-time workers. After I became acquainted with the writing community I’ve found that it’s a rarity for writers to make a steady income from their published works.

Now it’s your turn. Why do you want to get published? This inquring mind wants to know!

Also, I want to remind everybody that Chesapeake Weddings is now available at Christianbook.com for only $2.79! Do a bit of your Christmas shopping early and purchase multiple copies to use as gifts and stocking stuffers! Where else can you get a brand-new 367-page, trade-sized paperback book for such a low price?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Chesapeake Weddings – Only $2.79!!!

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You can now purchase Chesapeake Weddings at Christianbook.com for only $2.79! Where else can you buy a brand-new 367-page paperback book for less than $3.00??

Purchase multiple copies to use as stocking stuffers! Do your Christmas shopping a bit early and buy my book! You can’t beat that price, and, just in case you can’t recall what my book’s about, here’s the summary:

Relax along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay as you read about three strong African American women who suddenly face upheaval in life. Monica is caring for her abandoned nephew and trying to pick the proper tutor for him. Emily is struggling to save the family farm when a CPA turns up to do an audit. Karen has been deceived by her fiancé, and now she’s expected to trust a neighbor who knows too much of her business. Can God rebuild their tattered lives with new loves?

Life sends three African American women into a tailspin. Monica’s blind nephew has been abandoned with her. Emily works to save her dairy farm after her father dies. Karen’s fiancé turned into an embezzler. Can these women let God rebuild their tattered hopes when new romances unexpectedly enter their lives?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

What About The Clean Animals?

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I’ve been blogging and commenting on Facebook lately about the Old Testament. I blogged about Adam and Eve here, and if you’re on my Facebook Friends list, you’ll see that I placed my comment about Adam and Eve sewing fig leaves here.

Here’s the scripture I wanted to talk about:
Genesis 7:2 (New International Version)
2 Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate,

I’ve been thinking about the Old Testament lately because our five-year-old son is in kindergarten at a Christian school. They’ve been learning the Old Testament Bible stories and he was telling me about Noah’s Ark the other day. He said, “He had to take two of every animal on the ark.”

I then said, “But what about the clean ones?”

He said, “Huh?”

I went on to tell him that Noah had to take two of every unclean animal and seven of every clean animal. He looked puzzled, stating his teacher didn’t tell him that. As I thought about it, I noticed that when children are taught about Noah’s Ark, the story usually focuses on the two animals, and doesn’t mention Noah taking seven of every clean animal. I wonder why?

It makes sense to tell it like it is…I’m just sayin’….

~Cecelia Dowdy~

The House On Malcolm Street By Leisha Kelly

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The House On Malcolm Street by Leisha Kelly

From the bestselling author of Emma’s Gift, comes The House on Malcolm Street, Leisha Kelly’s latest novel about finding healing in the most unexpected of places.

It is the autumn of 1920 and Leah Breckenridge is desperate to find a way to provide for her young daughter. After losing her husband and infant son in an accident, she is angry at God and fearful about the future. Finding refuge in a boardinghouse run by her late husband’s aunt, Leah’s heart begins the slow process of mending. Is it the people who surround her—or perhaps this very house—that reach into her heart with healing?

Delightful, realistic characters and skilled writing make The House on Malcolm Street by Leisha Kelly a treasure.

Leisha Kelly is the author of several bestselling historical fiction books, including Emma’s Gift, Julia’s Hope, and Katie’s Dream. She has served many years on her local library board, continuing to bring good reads and educational opportunities to her community. Once a waitress, cafe manager, tutor, and EMT, Leisha is now a busy novelist and speaker who is active in the ministries of her church. She lives with her family in Illinois.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

This was a good book, however, it took awhile for me to actually get into the story. I found it to be a bit slow at first, and I think I felt this way because the book was written in first person, and there was an awful lot of thought and reflection for the characters and it took me awhile to read a book that was written this way.

Leah and her daughter Eliza are destitute. After the recent death of her spouse, she goes to live with her deceased husband’s elderly aunt who runs a boardinghouse. Not wanting to accept charity, Leah strives to help out around the house by tending the garden, cooking, doing laundry, anything to ensure that her and Eliza can stay with Aunt Marigold so that they aren’t forced back onto the streets. Leah’s faith in God is weak, and her daughter’s faith is as strong as can be. Throughout Leah’s life, she’s suffered from nightmares about trains. She’s terrified of the huge machines and is unsure from where her fear stems. The nightmares worsen after the death of her husband, and she longs to find peace and solace, away from those dreadful dreams.

To make matters a bit more complicated, Leah’s elderly Aunt Marigold has a surly boarder named Josiah staying at the boardinghouse. Leah can’t figure out what makes this weird boarder tick. He makes her feel uneasy, and the strangest words tumble from his mouth, making her wonder if he even knows how to think before he speaks. Marigold knows she needs to keep her distance from Josiah if they want to live amicably in Marigold’s house since his strange questions and comments make her angry, making her wonder if Josiah believes that her and her daughter are nothing more than vagrants, mooching off of her Christian aunt’s kindness.

Josiah is suffering from his own demons and he’s also getting over the loss of loved ones. He’s still healing, and Leah’s and Eliza’s sudden appearance in his life brings his grief fresh to his mind and he wishes the twosome would leave the boarding house so that he can get some peace.

I did think that the conflict between two secondary characters, Marigold and her next-door-neighbor, Mr. Abraham, had a bit of a different twist. These two elderly people are in love, however, Marigold is a Christian and Mr. Abraham is Jewish. Can a Jew become a Christian? Interesting and totally unexpected turn of events happen between these two people.

This story is a good read if you don’t want a lot of action and adventure. The story is about people working through their problems, while they work out their issues with faith in the Lord.

The House On Malcolm Street is available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Many thanks to Baker/Revell for providing this review copy for me.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

ACFW Conference 2010 – Marketing Your Fiction

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A couple of people have emailed me, wanting more details about the conference. The workshop that I attended entitled Marketing Your Fiction taught by author James Rubart and agent Chip Macgregor had a lot of helpful hints. Rubart recently wrote this blog post and on that post he covers a lot of the material that he discussed at the conference.

One thing that Jim said that I really thought was interesting was the social media aspect. I notice when I go to other authors Facebook pages, including mine, a great majority of their friends are fellow writers and authors, which is nice, but, to market your stuff, you have to reach outside of that zone, try to reach new readers.

I try to reach new readers, but, sometimes, it’s kind of hard to think of ways to find people who may enjoy my books. It’s kind and hit or miss for me. I’ve even contacted professional organizations that dealt with alcoholism since my novel Milk Money is about a non-Christian who becomes saved and learns to breaks his addition shortly before he finds Christ. I tried to find organizations that catered to Christian alcoholics and I contacted a few, but never got a response.

Oh well. Any authors reading this who have great marketing tips about how to reach new readers? Comment if you wish!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Strawberry And Banana Smoothie

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I met with my local ACFW writers group yesterday in Columbia Maryland. We met at Panera Bread in the Columbia Mall. It was a great meeting and while I was there, I drank a blueberry smoothie. I had not had a smoothie in ages! It was so good. So good that today, while at the store, I wanted to buy ingredients to make a pineapple smoothie, but my five-year-old son said, “Mommy, I want a strawberry smoothie.” I don’t think I’ve ever made a smoothie myself, but I’ve found it’s very easy to do! The smoothie I made today wasn’t as sweet as the one at Panera, but it was still luscious! If you want a sweeter smoothie, you could always add a little sugar. Here’s the recipe:

Strawberry And Banana Smoothie

3 6oz. containers strawberry yogurt
3 ripe bananas
6 (or more) fresh strawberries
Ice

Slice bananas and strawberries into the blender. Add yogurt. Blend until smooth. Add desired amount of ice and then pulse until smooth. Pour into glasses. Serve with a straw!

Yummy!!

My son said, “Mommy, this is good! I want some more!” LOL! 🙂

Enjoy! 🙂

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Question From A Writer

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Gina wrote to me with the following question:
I am wanting to get my first christian book published. I came across Strategic Book Publishng company who say they want to publish my book. They are telling me I need to pay $995.00 and will get royalty of 50%, then after selling 1000 books I would get a bonus of $1000.00.
Does this sound legit to you? Have you heard of this company?
Please let me know what you think.

My response?
I’m probably not the best person to ask since I’ve never paid a company to publish my work. Since I’m commercially published, I usually submit my work to a publishing house, and if they decide they want to publish it, they offer me a contract. The contract usually grants me an advance and after I’ve earned the advance back, I get royalties. I don’t get 50% in royalties, commercially published people usually get royalties somewhere between 5%-15% per copy sold, give or take…BUT commercially published people USUALLY sell several thousands of copies of books since our books are distributed widely via bookstores and places like Walmart, Kmart, etc.

Also, you have to remember, it’s a major feat to sell 1,000 copies of a self-pubbed book because you have to practically hand-sell each copy. Your book won’t have the same distribution as the books you’ll see on the shelves of most stores. Do you have a platform, or a means to sell your books so that your money is not wasted on this venture?

If you decide to pay to have your work published by this company, I’d see what kind of marketing support they give you. Also, you might want to see if there are any other writers online that have used Strategic Publishing’s services. You may want to ask Strategic Publishing’s customers if they’ve found their services useful. I just visted the site and saw that they have books advertised on the sidebar. I’d look through those published books to get authors to contact, and then see what they say.

You might also want to see if you can find other self-pubbed people who use other companies besides Strategic. I’ve heard you can publish your stuff cheap nowadays and I’ve heard others state that $1,000.00 is a bit pricey?

Another option would be to use Lightning Source to publish your novel. They’re cheap, BUT, your manuscript needs to already be edited and you’ll need your cover before you approach them. I’ve heard they publish the book “as is” so you’ll need to be sure it’s perfected before you send it to them. You might want to hire a professional editor to edit your book before you publish it yourself.

Hope that helps!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

ACFW Conference 2010

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Patricia commented on my ACFW Blog Post. Her comments are bolded:

Planning on going next year?
Probably, depending on a number of factors. I’d love to go again, though. I think I get more out of ACFW than RWA because MOST of the Christian publishers attend ACFW. Only a few Christian publishers attend RWA. When I went to RWA last year, I believe the only Christian houses attending were Bethany House and Steeple Hill.

Maybe when you’re rested, you could give us just a little about the workshops you attended?

I didn’t attend all of the workshops I signed up for since I got tired a few times and needed to rest, or sometimes I’d bump into people and we’d sit and talk and skip the workshops. This information is kind of sketchy, so read at your own risk, and take the following words with a grain of salt!

For the Continuing Education session, I attended Jim Rubart’s and Chip Macgregor’s class on Marketing Your Fiction. Basically, you need to find something you’re good at…something marketing related, and do that to market your stuff. For example, if you can’t stand blogging, then don’t start a blog! Also, you need to shock editors, agents, people, about your work. Give them material that’s not the norm. When you write a thank-you note for your rejections, think of writing something with some spark that’ll make that editor remember you! I missed part of this workshop since I had appointments. If you really want to know about all that was said, it’d be best to buy the CD. Marketing is all about getting people to like you and help you promote your material, build a tribe and they’ll help you promote your stuff. That’s all I can recall off the top of my head.

I went to Terri Blackstock’s workshop on writing suspense. Very interesting. You need to raise the stakes in your suspense stories and not make them too predictable. She used the movie Ransom? to illustrate what she was trying to tell us. We were supposed to watch this movie before attending the workshop, but I didn’t take the time to do that, but still gleaned lots of great information from her teaching.

The mock acquisitions meeting that Thomas Nelson did was quite interesting. It was great to see a re-enactment of the dialog that editors have when trying to decide if they want to publish a book. People asked questions afterwards.

That’s a brief summary of what I can recall from the conference.

Was this your first ACFW conference? If so, any thoughts from the perspective of a first-timer?
Nope, it wasn’t my first conference! If memory serves me correctly, it was my third conference. If you’re a first timer, just go and enjoy, take good notes and make lots of connections with authors!

Oh, got another rejection today! I’m not typing the full rejection on this blog post as I promised I would. Why? It’s too lengthy and I’m tired of typing. But, she gave me great feedback and I’m going to re-submit this project since she suggested I do so.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

What If Eve Had Not Tasted The Fruit?

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Genesis 3:1-6
The Temptation and Fall of Man
1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”
2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

What would our world have been like if Eve had resisted, and not eaten the fruit? What would our world have been like if Adam refused to eat the fruit, in spite of Eve doing so? Would we be living in a Garden-Of-Eden-like planet full of beautiful scenery and trees heavy with luscious, mouth-watering fruit? Would it be a natural place with no buildings or concrete, just pure natural perfection? What are your answers to those questions? This inquiring mind wants to know!

I think our earth would be just like the Garden of Eden if both had resisted eating the fruit. If only Adam resisted…well, it’s hard to tell what God would have done! Would Eve have been banished out of the garden, by herself, if Adam had obeyed God? But, if Adam and Eve had both resisted and had children while living in the Garden…well…the serpent could have tempted the offspring, I guess, then there’s no telling what would have happened! Tough question to ponder, but it would make a great discussion!


~Cecelia Dowdy~

Surrender The Wind By Rita Gerlach

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Surrender The Wind by Rita Gerlach

No, I haven’t had the pleasure of reading this book, but it does sound like a good, interesting historical novel. If you’ve read this book, leave a comment about your thoughts. If it’s on your to-be-read pile, then stop by once you’ve read it and let me know your thoughts. If you don’t have this book, I encourage you to give it a try!


When an American patriot of the Revolution inherits his grandfather’s estate in faraway England, he inherits more than an isolated manor house. He discovers Juleah’s love and a plot that leads to kidnapping, murder, and betrayal, in this stirring tale of fidelity and forgiveness. ~

Here are a few quotes about Surrender The Wind:

* * *

From author Marylu Tyndall ~ Ms. Gerlach’s historic research is evident throughout the story, and her attention to detail and literary descriptions of scenes placed me right in the middle of the action.

If a writer wishes to write a historical novel, research is a vital, essential part of developing a great story. When I began Surrender the Wind, I read numerous accountants of the Battle of Yorktown where the book opens in the prologue. I researched uniforms, dress, weaponry, food, and culture.

As the book moves forward into Chapter 1, the reader is taken to England, to a crumbling manor house in Devonshire. The historical research from this point on had to be in the details. I wanted my reader to see in their mind the scene, outdoors and indoors. Everything from a tallow candle in the socket of a brass candlestick, to the blue and white pitcher and bowl on the heroine’s washing table, adds strong visual imagery. My editor told me once that a place can become a character in a book. I feel that is true for Ten Width Manor. It’s walls hold secrets of lives past and present in the story. Because it is the ancestral home of the Braxtons, Ten Width has a stronghold on those living in it.

Then there are the historical cultural markings in a book that make up the characters. Dress. Etiquette. Traditional family life. I studied 18th century wills and marriage customs, the fashions of the period, and how the classes interacted with each other.

* * *

From author Linda Clare ~ The American Revolutionary period comes to life as Gerlach explores themes of patriotism with a faith element.

In America today there is a resurgence of patriotism. We are returning to our roots, our Constitution, and faith. In the 18th century faith played a major role in the lives of people in both the Colonies and United Kingdom. In Surrender the Wind, I bring faith into the story as a lifestyle. It is delicately woven into the characters’ personalities. One thing I did not want to do is write a ‘religious novel’. My goal was to write a novel where readers would become immersed into the characters by relating to the struggles they faced which bring about spiritual breakthroughs.

* * *

From Annette Temple ~ A Well-Watered Garden Blog’ This book is one of the most romantic books I’ve ever read. The passion and love that is poetically described between Seth and Juleah was rousing.

I am so grateful to Annette for this comment. She helped me realize that I achieved my goal. Most of us ladies want a bit of romance in our stories, don’t we? We want a hero that is tough with the world, but tender with his lady. And a heroine that is strong in the face of tribulation, but swept away by the love of a man. Romance in a novel, in my opinion, is the most intriguing when what is written is just enough to leave the rest up to the reader’s imagination. In Christian fiction a writer brings out romance deftly, love that goes beyond the material, but deeper into the heart and spirit of the characters.

I’ll close here with a romantic excerpt from Surrender the Wind . It is Seth and Juleah’s wedding night. I hope you will consider reading my novel, and keep an eye out for the release of book 1 in a new series, Daughters of the Potomac, coming out in May, 2012, entitled ‘Before the Scarlet Dawn’.

* * * * * *

In his bedchamber, which they now shared, Juleah slipped on her silk nightdress. Thin white ribbons laced the front. She sat at the dressing table brushing her hair. Tinted with the golden splendor of the candles, she smoothed it over her shoulder and ran her fingers down its length. Excitement filled her, tripped over her skin along with desire. She glanced around the room. How masculine it appeared. A fresh coat of paint would improve its appearance, and white curtains over the windows would bring it warmth and light.

She set the candlestick on the table next to their bed. The brass clock on the mantelpiece chimed out the hour. She paused to listen to the musical sound it made, while she pulled down the coverlet. The door drifted open. Seth came inside, shut it, and proceeded to pull off his waistcoat.

“Ah, have you seen the moon?” She opened the drapes wide to let the moonlight pour in. It bathed the room soft blue. “Is it not lovely, Seth?”

He joined her at the window. Wrapping his arms around his wife’s waist, he stood close behind her. His breath brushed against her neck and she sighed.

He whispered in her ear. “Doubt thou the stars are fire. Doubt that the sun doth move. Doubt truth to be a liar. But never doubt I love.”

It pleased her that he, a Virginian rebel, had memorized the beauty of Shakespeare’s verses. Melting with longing, she turned to him. He took her into his arms. She reached up and pushed back a lock of hair that fell over his brow. “I will never doubt your love, not for anything in the world.”

He brought his lips to hers and she strained against him. Love rose within each heart. He lifted her, and her feet dangled above the floor. Holding her, he kissed her, turned with Juleah toward their bed, and took his bride away from the window.

* * * * * *

Read Chapter One: http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/displayImage.aspx?pcid=1173111

Rita’s Website: http://www.ritagerlach.com/index.html

Surrender the Wind is available wherever books are sold. Kindle additions available from Amazon.com

Cokesbury Bookstore is having an amazing sale. http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=783958

~Cecelia Dowdy~