HUTTERITE DIARIES - Linda Maendel - One Free Book

Dear Readers, there is a lot of interest in the Amish and Mennonites right now. I knew both of these groups came from the historical group Anabaptists. That’s all I knew about. However, I met a couple of women who are German Baptists that also came from the Anabaptists. This book is memoir that gives us a peek into another group—the Hutterites.

Welcome, Linda. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

I’ve lived on a Hutterite colony my entire life, and love it! When I’m not working in our school, I enjoy reading, writing, or spending time with my two nephews and niece. During the summer months, I also enjoy gardening. I have one flower garden in front of our house, and I also plant and tend the flowers in the community cemetery.

Tell us about your family.

I have five sisters and one brother, and we all live on the same colony. My mom lives here too. My dad has passed away. While my immediate family is in the same colony, I have a host of uncles, aunts, and cousins in many other colonies all over Manitoba and in South Dakota as well.

Have you written other nonfiction books?

I’ve written a German children’s book, Lindas glücklicher Tag, (Linda’s Happy Day). It’s about a childhood memory when my uncle made me a sled. My sister, Sonia illustrated it.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

Only in my dreams, at this point. Right now, I think it’s best for me to celebrate Hutterite Diaries, and see how that goes. If it does well, which is what I hope, I may consider writing another one. But at this point, I don’t know what that might be.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

Besides reading and writing, I sometimes crochet and do a little bit of sewing. In the past I’ve also done some scrapbooking. I enjoy going for long walks, sometimes with a camera to capture some of the beautiful things in nature I happen to see.

Why did you write the featured book?

I love to write and when Herald Press gave me the opportunity to be part of their Plainspoken Series, I grabbed it. There are very few books about Hutterites, written by Hutterites and I firmly believe that should change. For no one can tell our stories like we can. From what I’ve learned since my book got published, there are many people who’ve never heard, or know very little about Hutterites. People seem very interested in our communal way of life, and tell me they’re grateful that I’ve shared my stories with them.

I know my blog readers will be very interested, too. What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

I want readers to get a glimpse of my Christian community. I hope my collection of stories does that; may they come away a little wiser in regards to their knowledge of Hutterites and that they enjoy reading my book.

That’s what all us authors hope that very same thing. Is there anything you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book?

Since Hutterite Diaries has been released, it’s been gratifying to read many reviews, and have many others tell me verbally and via my blog how much they’ve enjoyed it. As much as I enjoyed the writing and revising stages, this part of the journey is definitely an added bonus. My sincere thanks to everyone who’s taken an interest in my book and my Hutterite life, and for taking time to share your thoughts with me.

One of the lovely surprises since my book’s release is the fact that it’s been on a bestseller list for two weeks straight now. June the 3^rd, I had a launch at Grant Park McNally Robinson in Winnipeg, which resulted in Hutterite Diaries making their bestseller list the last two weeks. I knew there would be people interested in my book, but never dreamed of it making it on to any bestseller lists.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

Twitter: @HuttWriteVoice and on my blog: http://hutt-writevoice.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for sharing this book with us, Linda.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

http://www.amazon.com/Hutterite-Diaries-Prairie-Community-Plainspoken/dp/0836199464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435195344&sr=8-1&keywords=hutterite+diaries&pebp=1435195353935&perid=1F5ESK1CBYGYPS3HDDPS

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