Category: Uncategorized

Announcing release of my friends’ book: Unthinkable Choice

I am pleased to announce that Unthinkable Choice, by Sampson and Lee Ann Parker was released on September 16, 2014. Sampson’s hand was caught in a piece of farm equipment on September 11, 2007, and he had to make the “unthinkable choice” to try to get free of the machinery as it was catching on fire. He lost his right arm. This book is Sampson and his wife’s story about the accident and its aftermath. Please go to amazon.com or Barnes & Noble and buy their book. Their story will make you realize how precious life is and how your life can turn in a split second.

Words of encouragement from another author

It was nice to hear from A.J. Mayhew yesterday. A.J. is the author of The Dry Grass of August, a wonderful historical novel set in the segregated South of the mid-20th century. If you haven’t read it, you need to buy a copy. There are characters and scenes from the book that will continue to haunt you long after you finish reading it.

A.J. wrote to congratulate me upon having a book published. She gave me some words of wisdom and encouragement. One thing that she and I share is that we weren’t young when our first books were published. Learning the ins and outs of the ever-changing publishing business at this stage in our lives is a bit challenging. I have learned a lot from A.J. and I value the moral support she gives me.

A.J. is writing her second novel. I will let you know when it is available.

An e-Book!

I guess I have truly arrived. Today I discovered that my book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, is available as an e-book for Kindle. I bought it and was delighted at the ease with which I could navigate through the book. Every website reference is clickable, as is every page referenced in the index. The postcards are sharp and crisp. I like it!

Grateful

I am grateful to the sales and marketing staff of Arcadia Publishing for getting my book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, on the shelves of a good number and variety of stores in the mountains last week. As I write thank you letters to the store owners to express my appreciation for their agreeing to sell the book, I am reminded of just how many people it takes to get a book from an author’s hands and into the hands of the reader.

Where you can purchase my book

The sales and marketing people at Arcadia Publishing have been hard at work getting my book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, on store shelves. The book is available at the following locations in the North Carolina mountains:

Smoky Mountain Host Visitors Center in Franklin

Books Unlimited in Franklin

Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville

The Gilded Lily by Patra in Blowing Rock

Village Pharmacy in Blowing Rock

University Bookstore at Appalachian State University in Boone

Boone Drug – King Street and New Market in Boone

Lake Junaluska Assembly at Lake Junaluska

Walgreens on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville

Walgreens on S. Tunnel Road in Asheville

Malaprop’s Books and Cafe in Asheville

Asheville Chamber of Commerce

Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar in Asheville

Christa’s Country Corner in Newland

Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock

Town Hardware and General Store in Black Mountain

I am thrilled to know my book is being sold at all those locations in the North Carolina mountains! Soon it will be available at Second Look Books in Harrisburg, NC.

Juggling act

I’m juggling plans for my book launch, scheduling speaking engagements, helping to organize the history room/library in the new building at Rocky River Presbyterian Church, compiling notes for docents to have at four history stations at the church on November 1 for a community day, and planning a series of monthly church history talks to begin in September.

My reading time is suffering, and my sewing and quilting time has evaporated. I’m not complaining, though. It is wonderful to have so many interests and activities!

Book release alert: Just 14 days until the publication of The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, by Arcadia Publishing.

Another deadline met!

This has been an exciting week! On Tuesday I went for my first head shot. I do not enjoy having my picture made, but Joanna Rogers of Memories by JoannaR put me at ease and made me look pretty good. The session was relatively painless. Thanks, Joanna!

Today I had a sales and marketing (along with head shot) deadline with Arcadia Publishing. It was with great relief and pleasure that I clicked on the “send” button at 4:59 p.m. yesterday. Deadline met!

With that deadline met, I’m one step closer to the August 25 publication of The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Only 38 days, but who’s counting?

Notice for anyone wanting to order any of my three Rocky River Presbyterian Church history booklets: My costs have gone up dramatically since I set the prices listed on my website. Those prices include shipping, so I am now losing money on photocopying, binding, and shipping. Stay tuned for some necessary price increases. I hate to do it, but I can’t afford to lose money on every sale. In the mean time, if you wish to order one of those books, please contact me at Janet@JanetMorrisonBooks.com for pricing information. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Amy Clipston at Friends of the Harrisburg Library

Last night I had the privilege of hearing author Amy Clipston speak. She was the guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Friends of the Harrisburg (NC) Library.

Amy has written numerous Amish fiction books and YA books. I eagerly await the release of A Mother’s Secret, the sequel to A Hopeful Heart. These books are in her Heart of the Lancaster Grand Hotel Series.

Amy has also written The Gift of Love, about the journey she and her husband took through organ donation. I am at the top of the waiting list for it at the library.

Check out Amy’s website to learn more about her and her books. And if you aren’t a member of a local Friends of the Library organization, inquire about it at your public library.

I just realized I haven’t blogged in more than a month. Time flies when you’re looking after a very sick dog and dealing with 10.5 inches of snow… and life. My vintage postcard book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, is in the hands of the line editor at Arcadia Publishing. I’m waiting to hear what the line editor thinks of my writing. While I wait, I continue to sew and make various items to try to sell in my online craft shop on Etsy.com and I am doing the research in order to write postcard captions in case I get to do a second book for Arcadia of vintage postcards from the Piedmont section of North Carolina.

I have selected a literary agency to send a query letter to about The Spanish Coin. When I get the letter polished and we get our e-mail problems under control, I will take a deep breath and send it off.

Since my last post, I have read The Parting, by Beverly Lewis; Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail, by Louise Shivers; and The Angel of Bastogne, by Gilbert Morris. I’m currently reading Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. It is riveting! I finally had to put it down at 4:00 this morning. Great book!