"Along Came a Writer" Interview and Book Give Away With Elaine W. Miller

You can listen to this interview on-line and hear Elaine's journey as a Christian, a writer, and a speaker on: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rrradio/2016/02/18/along-came-a-writer-books-authors-and-buzz

Congratulations to Kathleen Turner, winner of We All Married Idiots!

I have a book. How do I get it published? is my most asked  question. Find the answer to questions about writing and the life of an author tomorrow,

 February 18, 2016

  1:00 p.m. EST

 Linda Kozar (www.lindakozar.com)

 interviews me on her radio show 

"Along Came a Writer"

If you have a question, we're there to answer. 

Just call and say hello 

during the interview at 

646-595-4478.

PLUS!!! WE'RE GIVING AWAY YOUR CHOICE OF ONE OF MY BOOKS:

Splashes of Serenity: Bathtime Reflections for Drained Moms

Splashes of Serenity: Bathtime Reflections for Drained Wives

We All Married Idiots:
Three Things You Will Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten Things You Can

Simply connect with "Along Came a Writer" on the Along Came a Writer facebook page and leave a comment  to win one of my books. Your name will be entered in the drawing.

You can listen to the interview live tomorrow February 18, 2016 at 1:00 EST on the Along Came a Writer facebook page or Along Came a Writer blogtalk radio. The entire interview will be on podcast to hear at your convenience. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rrradio/2016/02/18/along-came-a-writer-books-authors-and-buzz

Thanks for listening friends!

Here's a peak into my writing life. Here's why I write and keep on writing:

"Let this be written for a future generation, 

that a people not yet created may praise the Lord. . . " 

Psalm102:18

May a splash of serenity come upon some writers who don't know where to go from here,

Taking Your Writing and Speaking to Another Level

Is your writing and speaking a job or a hobby? For me, it is a calling. I never sought this writer/speaker life, but God flew open doors and in obedience to Him, I tiptoed in. Never did I think my books would be published or I would speak in the next state or in another country. But God gave fruit and He brought friends who encouraged me, prayed for me, publicized me, endorsed me, interviewed me, educated me, and challenged me to be the best writer and speaker for the glory of God.

So many encouraged me on my writing journey, but today I want to mention one group that took my ministry to the national level.

I thank God for the women in the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. www.AWSA.com 

After my second book was published, I learned at a writer's conference that I might qualify as a member of AWSA. I applied, was accepted, and my ministry mushroomed.

These sweet AWSA sisters understand what life is like for a national and international writer and speaker.  We share joys and we share sorrows. Prayer is the key that locks these 400 women together.

I remember asking for prayer for a painful personal attack. Oh my! The prayers came, as well as books AWSA sisters wrote on the subject of my pain. God heard this mighty group of prayer warriors, satan ran, and God was glorified. 

This weekend I have the joy of attending my first AWSA conference learning from and worshiping with these dear cheerleaders in the faith. I am expecting many hugs.

If you are a writer and speaker looking for encouragement, please check out www.AWSA.com. If you qualify, please don't hesitate to apply. You'll be glad you did! 

Below is a video of last year's conference. Oh, I'd love to see you there next year. Enjoy!



Let me know any way I can pray for you as a writer and speaker. I'd love to lift your ministry up to the Father!

"Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their work: . . . "

Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV)

May this blog splash serenity on your writer/speaker calling. I'd love praying for you.

All the Money an Author Doesn't Make

I am writing this for those people who wonder (and ask me) how much money I make? Dan did our taxes today, so now I know. First, let me explain the reality of my profession.

People think having a book published is like winning the lottery. Now that my book is published, I'm living like this:

Au contraire mon ami.

Statistics vary but the following are safe estimates:

Three percent of writers see their book published, so in a way I have won the lottery. My published books number three.

The average book sells 90 copies. My books sold many more than 90 copies, so I am above average. In fact, I've hit some best-seller lists and had some second and third printings. Celebration time!

One percent of those three percent who publish earn enough money to support a family. Oops, I'm fading fast. I didn't make that glorious one percent, even if I lived in a third world country.

So the average and above average published author does not look like the woman above, but rather like the man below.

Rob Eager stated in a recent blog that a self-published book yields an average $5,000 income and a book published with a traditional publisher yields $10,000. Now we know why authors write more than one book a year, and, most likely, still can't support their family.

I hate disappointing my enthusiastic fans who are thrilled at my sudden wealth. Taxes don't lie. I figured out my income and I earn about 59 cents an hour. I use the term "earn" earnestly, because writing and speaking is hard work.

The question remains, is it worth the time, effort, and money I invest to write a book? Oh my YES! The royalty checks aren't much, but the emails from readers are priceless. The marriages saved, encouragement given, new lives committed to Christ, joy-filled hearts, and  splashes of serenity on readers who knew no hope until they read my books — well, how do you put a salary on those blessings?

So, what do you think? Are you surprised? You can take me off that pedestal now.

Writing Splashes of Serenity for not much money, but with plenty of joy!

A Book Made Me a Grandma! Hallelujah!!!

Writing a book is not about ego or praise of man. It's hard work and an act of obedience to God's call to write in Psalm 102:18 "Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created will praise the Lord."

My heart rejoices this morning at the new-birth of a spiritual grandchild. Authors Penny and Tony Monetti received a phone call from a man telling them he was baptized with a copy of their book, Called to Serve: Encouragement, Support, and Inspiration for Military Families, tucked in his pocket near to his heart. Our words do matter. Books change lives.

I rejoice in this baptism and remember well the baptism of the authors, Penny and Tony Monetti, in the Rome Alliance Church where my husband served as Pastor. We sat with Penny and many other wives as their men left Griffiss Air Force Base to fight in Desert Storm. Upon Tony's return, Penny and Tony were baptized by my husband.

Over 20 years ago, I had no thoughts of writing a book, nor did Penny. We are now reconnected as authors and co-laborers in the work of the Lord. What joy to see the fruit of God's ministry.

Thrilled to see grandchildren born into the family of God today!

Check out Called to Serve and the Monetti's new book Honored to Serve releasing on June 1, 2013.

 

 



Support the military families you know with a book that will change their lives. Click the book covers above for an instant link to their Amazon page.

Praying for many more splashes of serenity in baptismal waters.