High-five Friday!!

Baby, it may be cold outside, but some of my fellow writers are feeling warm with excitement, celebrating the good things that happened to them in 2010. Below are some reasons they’ve found to ring in the new year with cheer!

Loree Lough is busy these days writing devotionals for God’s Grace is Sufficient…but Decaf is NOT! (third in this fun series from Summerside). She’s working with author pals Kristin Billerbeck, Sandie Bricker, Diann Hunt, and Cynthia Ruchti. Loree is also putting the finishing touches on a novella anthology project with Christina Berry, Miralee Ferrell, and Kimberly Johnson, while trying to complete seven full-length novels, all due between December 15^th, 2010 and September 1, 2011. (Yes, she’s going insane!) She’s praying that when From Ashes to Honor (#1 in her First Responders series from Abingdon) releases in conjunction with the tenth anniversary of 9/11, it will honor everyone—especially the brave men and women who were taken from us on that tragic day. Now, we know why decaf is not sufficient for Loree!

Christine Lindsay received news in November that WhiteFire Publishing will publish her debut novel, Shadowed in Silk. The release will be coming in two parts, first as an eBook in the summer of 2011 and as an actual printed book around the end of 2011. Shadowed in Silk, set in India immediately after WWI (1919), won the 2009 ACFW Genesis Contest for historicals under the title Unveiled. In January, Christine will share on this blog her story about how she chose the time and setting for her novel and in a later blog she’ll discuss the research that went into writing it.  

Phyllis Keels is all smiles after having her first book signing for her childrens’ book, Emma and the Paper. She’s also completed the first draft of Lady of Daldriada, her Christian fantasy, and is preparing to start the second book, Yeoman of Daldriada. Read the story here of how her childrens’ book came to be.

Roger Bruner rejoiced with a happy dance when he recently received copies of his first Young Adult novel, Found in Translation. The book releases the first of January. He posted a picture on his website showing him opening the box when it arrived from Barbour Publishing. No, you won’t see him dancing, but he’s wearing an awfully big smile!

Connie Stevens has strapped on her dancing shoes with the January 2011 release of her debut historical, Leave Me Never, published by Barbour as part of their HeartSong Presents line. This is the first novel in her Home to Willow Creek series. In a September post on her blog, Connie carries on an eyeopening and very funny conversation with one of her characters. 

Janalyn Voigt celebrates the selection of her short story, Flower of Life, to appear in The Book of Sylvari: An Elven Anthology published by Port Yonder Press. The expected release of this book is summer 2011. A collection of good fantasy reads.

Dan Walsh is happy to announce his publisher, Revell, will be releasing two of his novels in 2011 (previously, they’ve released just one per year). The Deepest Waters will release in April and Remembering Christmas in September. And he’s just been invited to write the fifth book in a new Guidepost series, Miracles of Marble Cove. The team of writers include bestselling authors Melody Carlson and Anne Marie Rodgers. Dan is working on his fifth novel with Revell right now. Part of Dan’s exciting 2010 included winning two ACFW Carol Awards for his debut novel, The Unfinished Gift.

Dani Pettrey relishes having signed a three-book deal with Bethany House for her inspirational romantic suspense series. Book One, currently titled Submerged, will be released Summer 2012. This is Dani’s debut novel and the blurb on her website indicates it will be a good one for those of us who love suspense.

As for me, today marks the one-year anniversary of this Wordslinger blog. My thanks go out to all those who have contributed this past year to its fun and success!

High five, everyone!