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June/July 2007
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This 'n That Note from Ginny!
Summer is here! I don’t
know about you, but I’ve got a few busy months ahead of
me. A vacation in Mexico in June, my daughter’s wedding
in July, a new book releasing in August, and several
speaking engagements, too. And between those events I’ve
got to find time to write a couple of books!
I don’t know if you’ve
noticed, but I’ve added a page to my website. I’m now
posting book reviews. If you’re looking for a good book
to read during the summer, pop over to
this
page
and check out the ones I’ve read recently.
And while you’re at it,
be sure to look at the “Fun Stuff and Giveaways” page on
my website. My new mystery, Murder by Mushroom,
won’t be available for purchase until August, but I’ll
start giving away preview copies as soon as my author
copies arrive from the publisher. That might be as early
as June, so watch that page for updates.
I hope you’ve got some
fun things planned for the summer, and that you take the
time to read a few good books.
May all your dreams
come true, my friend!
Virginia Smith |
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Murder by Mushroom
Book Cover Finalized |
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My publisher finalized the
cover for my new book a few weeks ago. I’m so excited to
show it off! Most people think authors
design their own book covers, but that isn’t true. My
publishers have all asked me for ideas about the cover
design for my books, but so far none of them have taken my
suggestions. That’s okay with me! I’m a writer, not an
artist. I’d rather leave important things like cover design
to the experts.
I think the artist did a
fantastic job with Murder by Mushroom. Everyone who
looks at this cover has a common reaction – they smile. And
that’s good, because even though the story is a murder
mystery, the quirky main character makes me smile all the
way through. I just love that Crime Scene tape! I’m hoping
to get some to plaster across the front of my booksigning
table.
What do you think of the
cover for Murder by Mushroom? Send an e-mail to
Ginny@VirginiaSmith.org
and let me know.
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A Divine GPS |
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I think one of the coolest
gadgets invented in recent years is the GPS (Global
Positioning System). A few months ago television news crews
in Salt Lake City covered the story of a group of back
country skiers who’d been caught in an avalanche, and one of
their party buried. This almost always means certain death.
But the guy survived because he carried a handheld location
beacon with a built-in GPS. Rescuers were able to find him
quickly because of a piece of equipment built with
technology that I can’t even begin to comprehend.
I remembered that incident
earlier this week while talking with a friend. She started a
new job recently, and she’s worried that she may have made
the wrong decision in leaving her old one. “I’m just not
sure I’m on the right path anymore,” she confessed.
They say life is a journey.
I picture my life like a huge map. There’s one path that
leads straight toward the end point, with hundreds of
crisscrossing trails. The straight path is bright and
beautiful because it’s paved with peace and joy. That’s the
path of God’s perfect will for me, the one He laid out
before the beginning of time. He walks with me along that
path, right by my side.
But every so often one of
those crisscrossing trails looks pretty good. I take a
detour. Often I don’t realize it’s a detour until I’m
stumbling over the thorns and thickets that grow over the
trail, and then I discover with chagrin that I’ve gotten off
the straight path.
I’ve learned something,
though. God is like that GPS system. He’s there with me,
walking beside me on that trail, picking me up when I
stumble, and digging me out when I manage to trigger an
avalanche. I can’t begin to comprehend how He does it, but
He knows exactly where I am in that maze of crisscrossing
trails I call life. When I keep Him with me, I’m never lost.
He gently guides me through the twists and turns until my
feet are back on the straight path.
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Gearing Up for the Release of Murder
by Mushroom |
I absolutely love my MP3
player. I keep it loaded with music, and books, and sermons,
and whatever else I can get in an MP3 format. It goes with
me to the gym and keeps my mind off the terrible pain of the
cardio machine. So I figured if I enjoy mine so much,
my friends would probably like to have one, too. To promote
my August release, Murder by Mushroom, I’m giving
away an iPod like the one pictured here – a $250 value!
The contest will run during the month of August, so be sure
to read the August-September issue of this newsletter for
details on how you can win!
I’m also planning to do a
blog tour to promote Murder by Mushroom. A blog tour
is a series of interviews or book reviews posted on a
variety of different blogs and websites. I’ve got about a
dozen scheduled to run from the last week of July through
the end of August. Watch my website for a schedule of blog
appearances. And if you know a blog that might like to host
an interview or post a book review of Murder by Mushroom,
please let me know.
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Need a Speaker for an Event? |
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Event speaking is one of my favorite things to do, next to
writing. And scuba diving. And skiing. And… okay, well let’s
just say it’s up there in the top ten. I speak on a variety
of topics, or will tailor a presentation to a specific
event’s needs. To see some of my topics, take a look at the
Speaker page of my website
here.
(You don’t want to miss the picture of me in my Star Trek
uniform on that page!) I’m currently scheduling events for
fall 2007 through summer 2008. If you need a speaker for a
retreat, a special service, a conference, or a banquet, my
publicist can send you a packet of information about my
speaking ministry, including a DVD of one of my recent
events. Send an e-mail to Kathy Willis at
Kathy@glassroadpr.com
to request yours today. |
This Month's
Book Giveaway |
 This
month’s giveaway is an autographed copy of Reluctant
Runaway, book two in
Jill Elizabeth
Nelson’s ‘To Catch A Thief’ series. Jill really
knows how to spin a fast-paced tale of suspense and
intrigue. In this book, museum security expert Desiree
Jacobs’ attempt to find the reason behind a new mother’s
disappearance gets her mixed up with some really unsavory
characters. In her quest to unearth a horrifying secret and
save a baby from danger, she comes head-to-head with an evil
villain more horrifying than she’s ever encountered.
About this book, Jill says,
“Writing Reluctant Runaway was a profound spiritual
experience as much as it was a combination of fun and hard
work. In creating a cult so close to Christianity that it
could fool believers, I understood on a deeper level the
absolute necessity of acknowledging Jesus Christ as fully
man and fully God. The soul that refuses to recognize this
simple but profound truth cannot receive salvation from His
atoning sacrifice, and the fine-looking religious group that
does not teach this reality is a deception. As the times
grow more and more perilous, believers must develop
finely-tuned discernment. In Reluctant Runaway, I
wrapped the simple truth in a fast-paced, nail-biting
package. I pray my readers get as much enjoyment—and as much
enrichment—from the story as I had in writing it.”
I'll conduct a drawing on
June 30th and will give away Reluctant Runaway to the
lucky winner. Subscribers to this newsletter will be
entered into the drawing twice - so you get a double chance
of winning. Good luck!
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Congratulations Christy Award
Finalists |
| I
want to give a special word of congratulations to the
finalists for the 2007 Christy Awards. For those of you
unfamiliar with the Christy Awards, it’s like the Oscars for
Christian fiction. I’m especially thrilled that the books of
some of my author friends are on this year’s finalist list,
including two that I’ve been privileged to give away to
subscribers of this newsletter!
Maureen Lang’s
Christian fiction debut, Pieces of Silver, is a
finalist in the Historical category. I gave away Pieces
of Silver last June, and the sequel, Remember Me,
just last month. And
Mary E. DeMuth’s
excellent first novel, Wishing on Dandelions was
part of my Christmas spectacular giveaway. The awards
banquet will be held in July. Good luck to these talented
ladies. To see a complete list of finalists, check out the
Christy Award website
here. |
And Finally ... |
| If
you're enjoying my newsletter, I hope you'll forward it to
your friends and family. And if you have any suggestions for
cool content, please send me an e-mail at
Ginny@VirginiaSmith.org. Or you can just reply to this
e-mail. If someone has forwarded this newsletter to you, I
hope you'll subscribe yourself. It's easy - just
Click Here. I promise I won't
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time by going to the link at the end of this e-mail. |
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