UNEXPECTED CHRISTMAS HERO - Kathi Macias - One Free Book

Welcome, Kathi. I've looked forward to featuring this book after I got the first peek months ago at the possible cover. I even voted for this very one. Since you’re being published regularly, what new avenues will your future books take?        

I don’t see myself deviating much from issues-related fiction, though I may write a few less intense ones now and then. I also have a couple of nonfiction book stirring around inside me that I’d like to let out, but we’ll see what time allows. The biggest change I see in my career is that I’m doing a lot more speaking these days, much of which has opened up as a result of writing about such issues as the Persecuted Church, human trafficking, etc.

What conferences will you be attending this year? Will you be a speaker at any of them?      

The only conference I consider attending where I’m NOT speaking is ACFW, and that depends on what other engagements/deadlines I have at the time. I have a couple of writers’ conferences scheduled where I’ll be speaking, but primarily I’m speaking at women’s conferences now, which I absolutely love. I’m so grateful to God for combining my two great passions—writing and women’s ministry—in a way that I can continue in both venues.

If you were in charge of planning the panel discussion at a writing conference, what topic would the panel cover, and who would you ask to be on the panel, and why?      

Much would depend on the makeup of the attendees—beginning, intermediate, or seasoned writers; fiction or nonfiction writers; men, women, or both; older, middle-aged, or young writers who might be more interested in fantasy and/or film/screen writing. The answer to these questions would determine the topic focus and who I would invite to be part of the panel. Panel members (and faculty in general) need to already be accomplished in the area(s) of writing aspired to by attendees.

How important is it to you to be active in writing organizations?

Hugely important! When I first considered trying to write professionally I joined a group called Pen Women. It is the oldest writers’ organization in the country and was founded by Longfellow’s niece because women weren’t allowed into most professional writing associations. That group is not only national but has local branches where members gather monthly to hear speakers from all areas of professional writing. The more accomplished members encouraged the rest of us to press ahead and to continue to polish our craft. Their help was invaluable to me. Even now, as a seasoned writer with 40 published books to my name, I belong to such professional writing/speaking groups as Advanced Writers/Speakers Association (AWSA), Christian Authors Network (CAN), American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and others. Networking is the key, and we to be connected with others who share our passion.

Where in the community or your church do you volunteer?       

Because I’m on the road speaking so much I’ve had to back off of regular ministry involvement on a local level, though I still consult regularly with aspiring writers in our community (and even online). When possible I volunteer my time to lead the women’s retreat at our church, and I often donate my time to speak at local events. When my travel schedule isn’t so demanding, I enjoy being involved in jail/prison ministry, homeless ministry, and always in women’s ministry at any level.

James and I have been involved for over a decade in homeless ministry, but now that involvement has changed to different ways to minister to them. Who are the five people who have made the most impact on your life, and how?

Wow, that’s a tough question! Let me give it a try:

*My mom, who was a prayer warrior and a worshipper; I learned from her the importance of quality time with the Lord

*My dad, who wasn’t a Christian until the last days of his 88 years on earth, taught me the importance of hard work and of doing my best at whatever task came my way daily

*Margaret Brownley, whom I met during my early days at Pen Women; her clear, concise advice on fiction writing taught me more than any class I could ever have taken

*Rosey Grier, with whom I was privileged to work on several projects and whose advice to “speak from your heart” was a huge help in getting me over the hurdle of “I don’t do public speaking”

*My husband, Al, who has known me since we were six years old and who always reminds me of the day when we were teenagers and I told him I was going to be a writer someday—he especially brings that to my attention when I start grumbling about being too busy, and the reminder helps me refocus on the blessing of being able to live out the dream God birthed in me as a child

If you could write the inscription on your tombstone, what would it be?

She loved God and left nothing undone that He called her to do.

Tell us about the featured book.     

Unexpected Christmas Hero is a fictional story about a young family (mother and two small children) who become homeless when the husband/father dies and they are suddenly thrust into economic disaster. A homeless Vietnam vet takes them under his wing and, through a selfless act, gifts them with a true Christmas miracle.

In addition, let me tell you about the “story behind the story.” The man on the cover, Willard Parker, truly is homeless and hadn’t seen his family in years when New Hope Publishers asked him to pose for the picture. When he told us his story, we set about trying to reunite him with his family, using social media to spread the word. It worked. We are now in the final stages of raising funds to cover the cost of their reunion. Isn’t God amazing? He knew this would happen all along, but I’ve been blessed and surprised at every turn.

Yes, I’ve been so excited watching this unfold and praying for it. Please share the first page with us.

      The late November sunshine was thin and tepid, but a welcome interruption to the gray skies and constant drizzle that usually hung over the small Washington town of Riverview for the better part of eight or nine months each year. Josie Meyers shivered as she stood in line behind her two children, waiting their turn for a free Thanksgiving meal.

            Tears bit her eyes at the memory of past Thanksgiving celebrations, particularly the most recent one the previous year. Though they had all been grieving the passing of Josie’s mother, they still managed to turn the day into a festive occasion, as the four of them gathered around the table to give thanks for the spread that awaited them.

            Sam, she thought. You stood there that day, offering a brief prayer of thanksgiving to a God I’m not sure you even believed in, and never let on for a moment that you hadn’t a clue where our next meal would come from or how we’d make the mortgage payment that month. How in the world were you able to carry it off for so long? If you hadn’t gotten sick, would you finally have found a way out of the mess we were in—or would you be standing here with the three of us now, begging for a hot meal and wondering where we’d sleep tonight?

Jacob and Susanna shuffled forward a couple of steps, each clutching a plastic tray in their bare hands. Josie had agreed to let them remove their mittens since the day was slightly warmer than normal and it would simplify the eating process, but she’d cautioned them to tuck the hand coverings securely in their jacket pockets as they would need them again by evening.

            Josie could smell the food now, and her mouth watered despite the sadness that clutched her insides and regularly threatened to emotionally disembowel her. They’d lost it all. Everything! First her mother, then her husband…and finally their home. Not to mention our dignity, she thought, refusing to let the tears flow from her eyes onto her cheeks. Will there ever be an end to this?

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

www.kathimacias.com or www.boldfiction.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kathi-Macias/75996188045

https://twitter.com/alandkathi

http://pinterest.com/kathimacias/

Thank you, Kathi. I can't wait for my copy of this book to come. It will move to the top of my reading pile.

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Unexpected Christmas Hero - paperback
Unexpected Christmas Hero - Kindle (only $.99 today)


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