Dear Readers, I first
became acquainted with Kathy Ide when she was the editor for my book Pirate’s Prize. Then we met face to face
at an intimate writer’s retreat in Texas .
Since there were only about a dozen women there, we really got to know each
other. We have been friends since then. I’ve been included in several of her
collections. I used the 21 Days of
Christmas devotional book in December. I’m looking forward to using 21 Days of Love. Several of my favorite
authors have selections in this one.
Bio: Kathy Ide is
a published author/ghostwriter, editor/mentor, and writers’ conference speaker.
In addition to being the author of Proofreading
Secrets of Best-Selling Authors, she is the editor/compiler for the new
Fiction Lover’s Devotional series. Kathy is the founder and coordinator of The
Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network (www.TheChristianPEN.com)
and the Christian Editor Connection (www.ChristianEditor.com). To find
out more about Kathy, visit www.KathyIde.com
I’ve been writing for publication since 1989, and I’ve been
a full-time freelance editor since 1998. I teach at writers’ conferences across
the country, and I’m the director of the Orange County Christian Writers
Conference. I’m also the founder and director of two organizations for
freelance editors: the Christian Editor Connection and The Christian PEN:
Proofreaders and Editors Network.
You’ve created a
Fiction Lover’s Devotional series. What inspired you to gather a collection of
short fiction stories to be used as devotions?
I’ve always loved Christian fiction, and I’ve seen the power
of fiction to touch hearts and change lives, both firsthand and hearing about
the experiences of others. But you know, in my quiet times with the Lord,
reading a chapter from a novel just doesn’t seem quite appropriate. So a
devotional with short fiction stories seemed like a great solution.
Tell us about the
books in this series.
Each one contains 21 short fiction stories, followed by
brief life applications, each written by a different author. Some contributors
are best sellers, some are mid-range authors, and some are new writers. The
first book was 21 Days of Grace:
Stories that Celebrate God’s Unconditional Love. That came out June 1, 2015.
The second book, 21 Days of Christmas,
came out September 1st.
Tell us about this
third book, 21 Days of Love.
21 Days of Love: Stories that Celebrate Treasured Relationships
contains stories about all kinds of love. Boyfriend-girlfriend. Husband-wife.
Parent-child. Teacher-student. Even love for pets and showing love to
strangers. It released January 1, in plenty of time for Valentine’s Day. It
makes a wonderful gift for friends and loved ones. And it’s a great way to get
yourself into the spirit of love.
What is unique about
this series?
Most devotionals contain true stories. And those are great!
But so many believers today are big fans of Christian fiction … because fiction
can be a powerful way to soak in spiritual truths and apply them to our daily
lives. In this devotional, the authors share the themes and messages they see in
the pieces they’ve written, and encourage readers to look for those types of
things in these devotional stories as well as in other fictional things they
might read.
What life
circumstances worked together to put you in a position to be able to create this
series?
Since I’ve been a professional freelance editor for several
years, I’m able to edit the submissions I choose to use, polishing them without
losing the author’s unique voice. And since I’ve been teaching and speaking at
writers’ conferences across the country, I’ve connected with several authors at
all levels, including well-known best sellers. So there are a lot of people I
can personally ask about submitting to the books in this series. And I’ve
developed a strong social media presence, so I can get the word out to other
writers as well.
What other books have
you written?
I wrote Proofreading
Secrets of Best-Selling Authors, to help writers and editors learn how to
proofread manuscripts for typos, inconsistencies, and errors in punctuation,
usage, grammar, and spelling, according to the industry-standard guidelines.
What do you do
besides write?
Read, of course. And go to movies. I also love to travel
with my husband. We visit our out-of-state relatives (when they’re not visiting
us—which happens often since we live in Southern
California ). We also enjoy going jet skiing and camping in our RV.
Can you share some of
the names of the authors who have contributed stories to the devotional?
Absolutely! 21 Days of Love has chapters written
by several well-known, best-selling novelists, including Susan May Warren,
Sherry Kyle, Renae Brumbaugh, and New York Times best-selling author Cindy
Woodsmall. There are also stories by writers you may not have heard of. At the
end of each chapter is an author bio that gives some background information,
and usually the author’s website. So if you really like a story you read, you
can find out what else that author has written. You may just find some new
names to add to your favorites list.
And if you haven’t read much Christian fiction, this
devotional will give you a small taste of several different authors and genres,
without having to commit to reading an entire novel. You might just discover
that you actually love Christian fiction!
What other books are
planned for the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series?
21 Days of Joy:
Stories that Celebrate Mom, comes out April 1.
If these first books sell as well as we anticipate, the
series will continue with new titles, topics, and themes. I’ll be announcing
those on the Fiction Lover’s Devotional website, www.FictionDevo , and on my website, www.KathyIde.com . Fiction readers can find
out what new titles are coming out, and fiction writers can get the writers’
guidelines that explain how to submit to a future book in the series.
Where can people
purchase the books?
They’re available online at Amazon, ChristianBook.com,
Barnes and Noble, and other websites. If you go to FictionDevo.com, you’ll find
several links that will take you directly to the ordering pages for all of the
books in the series. You can also find them at Christian bookstores and Barnes and
Noble.
Tell us about some of
the stories in 21 Days of Love.
This book has stories about all kinds of love. The first chapter
is about a high school girl who is suffering the aftermath of a tragedy that
has left her wondering if God really loves her. Another story is about a little
girl whose family is too poor to purchase store-bought valentines for her
classmates. One is about a young Amish mother who’s grieving over some choices
she and her husband made that separated them from their families. Some of the
stories are about people who don’t have a special someone in their lives to
celebrate Valentine’s Day with. And one is about a harried wife who decides to
do something unexpected and spunky for her husband.
What is your story in
21 Days of Love about?
I wrote about a young woman who believes she has found the
love of her life, a man who has swept her off her feet with grand romantic
gestures of affection, like filling her apartment with fresh-cut flowers. But
one night he shows his true colors and she begins to second-guess what love is
really all about.
How do you hope readers
will use 21 Days of Love?
This book makes a great gift for family and friends, with
its beautiful debossed hardback cover, full-color interior, and even a ribbon
page marker. With stories about all kinds of love, it’s great for just about
anyone.
Like the other books in this series, 21 Days of Love makes a
wonderful daily devotional. And if you want to go deeper, you can get a Study
Guide with additional questions to ponder about each of the stories. It’s
available as a free PDF download at www.FictionDevo.com
or as a 99-cent e-book from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
What do you hope
readers will get out of reading 21 Days
of Love?
I’m praying the Holy Spirit will speak to the hearts
of everyone who reads this devotional about how much God loves them and how
they can show that love to those around them.Thank you, Kathy, for sharing this beautiful book with us. I've enjoyed the first two and look forward to my book arriving so I can use it soon. I know my readers will love it, too.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the hardback book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
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This sounds lovely. I enjoy Christian fiction and often see many thought-provoking themes and aspects of the stories that are applicable in life. Your book, 21 Days of Love sounds great as a short story collection, as well as a devotional. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnnie (MD)
This sounds wonderful. I wish I had it right now to start reading it. I love the range of the stories and really enjoy short stories. I hope you choose me as the lucky recipient.
ReplyDeleteLinda in California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I loved putting this devotional together because I had a chance to work with writers of all levels and genres. I got so many wonderful stories, it was really hard to choose just 20 (leaving room for one chapter for myself). :-) The stories I chose for this book were ones that really touched my heart, so I figured they would do the same for other readers.
ReplyDeleteI also was attracted to the idea of being able to read fiction in my devotional time!
This sounds fun and enticing. Can't wait to read this!
ReplyDeleteJ.C. -Indiana-
angela in ky would love to win.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed 21 Days of Christmas and would love to read 21 Days of Love! Thank you for sharing this lovely interview and giveaway!
ReplyDeleteBritney Adams, TX
This does sound wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Sounds great. North Platte Nebraska.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed 21 Days of Christmas, Britney! Have you read 21 Days of Grace too?
ReplyDeleteMary P ... I would LOVE to get 21 Days of Love into Australia! How do Aussies celebrate Valentine's Day?
ReplyDeleteI love to read Christian fiction. This book sounds unique since it can be used as a devotional, which appeals to me. Thanks for letting us know about 21 Days of Love and the chance to win it.
ReplyDeletepmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas
Enter me in your great contest!!
ReplyDeleteConway, SC.
This series is indeed unique. I don't know of any other devotional that has fictional stories. That's what I love about it!
ReplyDeleteI love devotionals and this is very intriguing because o of the fiction. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteConnie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I can't wait to read 21 Days Of Love. I am such a fan of Christian fiction. I do love short stories and devotionals. I'm sure to enjoy this one. I would love to win this one.
ReplyDeleteBrenda in VA
Loved 21 days of Christmas! Can't wait to read this! Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteBlanch NC
Sounds wonderful. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMelissa in NC
Looks like a great book to read for Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeletePam in OH