Congratulations to the Carol Award Finalists!

Including Novel Rocket's own Ronie Kendig, Yvonne Anderson, and James Rubart! Winners will be announced Saturday, September 22, 2012, at the ACFW Awards Gala.

Debut Novel:

Fairer Than Morning  by Rosslyn Elliott (Thomas Nelson – Ami McConnell, Editor)

The Loom by Shella Gillus (Guideposts – Beth Adams, Editor)

Give the Lady a Ride by Linda W. Yezak (Sky Sail [Port Yonder Press] – Chila Woychik, Editor)

Long Contemporary:

Lost Melody by Lori Copeland/Virginia Smith (Zondervan – Sue Brower, Editor)

The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Revell – Andrea Doering, Editor)

Larkspur Cove by Lisa Wingate (Bethany House Publishers – Sarah Long/Dave Long, Editors)

Long Contemporary Romance:      

Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones (Thomas Nelson – Jamie Chavez/Natalie Hanemann, Editors)

Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly M. Long (Thomas Nelson – Natalie Hanemann, Editor)

My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren (Tyndale – Karen Watson, Editor)

Long Historical:

Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis (Moody Publishers/River North – Deborah Keiser, Editor)

Fairer Than Morning  by Rosslyn Elliott (Thomas Nelson – Ami McConnell, Editor)

Mine Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs (WaterBrook Press – Laura Barker, Editor)

Long Historical Romance:

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen (Bethany House Publishers – Karen Schurrer, Editor)

Lilies in Moonlight by Allison Pittman (Multnomah Publishers – Alice Crider, Editor)

To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House Publishers – Karen Schurrer, Editor)

Mystery:

Falling to Pieces: A Shipshewana Amish Mystery by Vannetta Chapman (Zondervan – Sue Brower, Editor)

Died in the Wool by Elizabeth Ludwig/Janelle Mowery (Barbour Publishing – Rebecca Germany, Editor)

Yesterday's Secrets by Kelly Ann Riley (Guideposts – Beth Adams, Editor)

Novellas:

An Accidental Christmas from A Biltmore Christmas by Diane T. Ashley/Aaron McCarver (Barbour Publishing – Rebecca Germany, Editor)

Reese: All Along  from Smitten by Denise Hunter (Thomas Nelson – Ami McConnell/LR Norton, Editors)

A Star in the Night from A Log Cabin Christmas by Liz Johnson (Barbour Publishing – Rebecca Germany, Editor)

Romantic Suspense:

Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble (Thomas Nelson – Ami McConnell, Editor)

Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon (Revell – Jennifer Leep, Editor)

Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig (Barbour Publishing – Rebecca Germany/Julee Schwarzburg, Editor)

Short Contemporary:

The Protector by Shelley Shepard Gray (Avon Inspire/Harper Collins – Cindy DiTiberio)

Lakeside Reunion by Lisa Jordan (Love Inspired – Melissa Endlich, Editor)

Oklahoma Reunion by Tina Radcliffe (Love Inspired – Melissa Endlich/Rachel Burkot, Editors)

Short Contemporary Suspense:

Double Identity by Diane Burke (Love Inspired Suspense – Sarah McDaniel-Dyer, Editor)

Nightwatch by Valerie Hansen (Love Inspired Suspense – Melissa Endlich, Editor)

A Deadly Game by Virginia Smith (Love Inspired Suspense – Tina James, Editor)

Short Historical (four finalists due to a tie):

Promise of Time by S. Dionne Moore (Heartsong Presents – JoAnne Simmons, Editor)

Revealing Fire by Connie Stevens (Heartsong Presents – Rebecca Germany, Editor)

Light to My Path by Erica Vetsch (Heartsong Presents – JoAnne Simmons, Editor)

The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh (Revell – Andrea Doering, Editor)

Speculative Fiction:

The Story in the Stars by Yvonne Anderson (Risen Books – Reagan Reed, Editor)

The Chair by James L. Rubart (B & H Fiction – Julee Schwarzburg, Editor)

Broken Sight by Steve Rzasa (Marcher Lord Press – Jeff Gerke, Editor)

Suspense/Thriller:

Over the Edge by Brandilyn Collins (B & H Fiction – Karen Ball, Editor)

Fallen Angel by Major Jeff Struecker/Alton Gansky (B & H Fiction – Julie Gwinn, Editor)

Freedom's Stand by Jeanette (J.M.) Windle (Tyndale – Jan Stob, Editor)

Women’s Fiction:

A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner (WaterBrook Press – Shannon Marchese, Editor)

When Sparrows Fall by Meg Moseley (Multnomah Publishers – Jessica Barnes/Shannon Marchese, Editors)

Dandelion Summer by Lisa Wingate (Penguin Praise/Berkley – Ellen Edwards, Editor)

Young Adult:

Wreath by Judy Christie (Barbour Publishing – Rebecca Germany/Jamie Chavez, Editors)

The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson (Zondervan – Jacque Alberta, Editor)

There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones (Thomas Nelson – Natalie Hanemann/Becky Monds/Jamie Chavez, Editors)

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8 Publishing Landmines & Helpful Tips for Writers

Katie Ganshert was born and raised in the Midwest, where she writes stories about finding faith and falling in love. When she’s not busy plotting her next novel, she enjoys watching movies with her husband, playing make-believe with her wild-child of a son, and chatting with her girlfriends over bagels. She and her husband are in the process of adopting from the Congo. You can find her online at her blog and on Facebook.  

A little over a month ago, one of my lifelong dreams came true. I officially became a published author. My debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter, hit the shelves.

I’m a reflective person by nature, so I often ask the question: How did I get here?

The simple answer: I did some things right and I did some things wrong.

I thought I might share both with you today.

When it comes to navigating this huge field called publication, we run the risk of stepping on all kinds of landmines—those hidden dangers that knock us on our rumps. Here are eight of the more popular ones I’ve seen. I know because I’ve stepped on a few of them.

Be on the lookout for…

1. The Comparison Landmine

We pay attention to how long it takes other writers to get an agent, who’s getting book deals, who’s self-publishing, who’s selling more books, who has more blog readers, who’s winning awards, who’s receiving accolades, etc, etc. Before we know it, we’re wishing for so-and-so’s journey instead of our own. Remember, everybody’s writing journey is unique. God has us on our own path for a reason.

2. The Book One Landmine

So many writers get stuck on book one. Polishing, polishing, polishing, unable to let go and 
move on. Might our first book get published? Sure. Will we make a career out of one book? No. At some point, we all have to set aside our first effort and write something new.

3. The Contest Landmine

Contests are great. We get feedback from judges and winning can be a huge foot in the door. But sometimes, we get so focused on making those first fifteen pages perfect that we neglect the remaining two hundred seventy-five. Fiteen shiny pages does not a novel make.

4. The Defensive Landmine

Critique is part of the writing life. Whether it’s from a fellow writer, an agent, an editor, a reviewer, or a reader. Are we listening—really listening—to the critiques? Or are we letting our predisposition to like our own story get in the way of growth and improvement?

5. The Cosmetic-Obsessed Landmine

It’s a whole lot easier to get rid of adverbs and tighten our prose than it is to address the serious problems. Here’s the thing. We can write the most beautifully, tightly written novel in the history of all novels, but if the plot, structure, or character development is flawed, all the cosmetics in the world won’t help. Jody Hedlund recently blogged about this in a post titled Why Skimping on Macro Editing Could Cost You Readers.

6. The Immediate Gratification Landmine

Publication is a long journey. There’s nothing immediate about it. Letting impatience dictate our next move will often lead to regret.

7. The Recluse Landmine

The days of holing up in our offices and turning out novels for our publishers is long gone (not sure they ever existed). The act of writing might be a solitary endeavor, but being an author isn’t. If we have a do-it-alone mentality, we’ll either never get published or we’ll miss out on the rich relationships that often come when we reach out to encourage and be encouraged.

8. The Social Butterfly Landmine                                                                    

Social media is good and necessary. But if we’re putting more energy into Twitter and Facebook and blogging than we are into our stories, than we’re stepping into dangerous territory.

On the flipside of what not to do, I believe there are things we should do. Things that help us reach our goals.

Here are eight things I did that I believe helped me get to where I am today:

1. I sought and listened to critique.

Whether that meant paying a professional, reading feedback from contest judges, or finding a critique partner, I did my best to push past my defenses and learn from the feedback.

2. I read LOTS of craft books.

I spent an entire summer devouring every craft book known to man and frequently revisit some of my favorites.

3. I read LOTS of fiction.

In my genre, sure. But more important than that, I’m always searching for high-quality fiction, regardless of genre. The kind that will challenge and inspire me to be a better storyteller.

4. I joined ACFW, (American Christian Fiction Writers)

Support, networking, and education. Three huge benefits to joining a writing group.

5. I went to a conference.

I know conferences are expensive, but they’re worth every penny. Especially if you feel like you have a story that is truly ready for publication. Having a face-to-face meeting with an agent or editor is so much more effective than a query letter.

6. I learned about the industry.

Not only did I make a point to study the craft, I made a point to study the industry. This is a great starting place. So is my agent’s blog, Rachelle Gardner.

7. I kept writing.

I wrote three books before getting an agent. Five before getting a book deal.

8. I persevered.

Rejection is a part of the process. So are the excruciatingly long waits. Writers who get published are writers who persevere through both.

Let’s Talk: Have you stepped on any of the landmines mentioned above? What has been helpful in moving you forward in your writing journey?

Wildflowers from Winter

A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built a life far removed from her trailer park teen years. Until an interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa. Determined to pay her respects while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan.

Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years. So when Bethany is left the land, he must fight her decisions to realize his dreams. But even as he disagrees with Bethany’s vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away.

For Bethany, making peace with her past and the God of her childhood doesn’t seem like the path to freedom. Is letting go the only way to new life, love and a peace she’s not even sure exists?

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