Book Launch Party!

Posted on November 27, 2009 by Lynn

On December 17th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., at Bow Valley Baptist Church in Cochrane, Alberta I’ll be celebrating the launch of Shoot the Wounded with my family and friends.  I’ve never done a book launch party so I have no idea what to do or expect, but I am going to throw the party like I would a birthday, with a cake, some refreshments and lots of great friends!  Should be fun!

The last couple of days I have been buried under poinsettias!  My son, Brett is heading to Guatemala on a mission trip with his gr. 11 class at BCS and I was one of the coordinators of the Poinsettia Fundraiser there.  I’ve been so immersed in “book things” that it was a pleasant task to do something totally unrelated.  I love interacting with the youth at the school.  It’s a close, tight-knit community, a family of sorts and I have the privilege of occasionally acting not only as a parent helper in that school, but also as a substitute teacher there.  It’s wonderful to have kids from Kindergarten to Grade Twelve acknowledge me in the hall with a hug or a “high five” and say loudly, “How’s it going, Mrs. Dove?”

On Tuesday, the shipment of poinsettias arrived at the school and I recruited all the grade elevens to help off load the truck and then help with sorting out the orders that would be distributed the next day.  In the middle of the off loading, one of the students loudly yelled, “Hey guys!  Did you know Mrs. Dove has written a book?”  (He’s one of my many Facebook friends so he knows what’s going on in my life.)  I think I blushed.  I never blush!

I have to get used to this new notoriety that comes with writing a book.  I don’t mind the spotlight, but this is slightly more intimidating and I’m still dealing with it as I strike out on a new career path.  I am comfortable being a mom and a teacher, but this new title: author, is a little foreign to me.  It’s fun, it certainly is exciting, but the “hat” doesn’t fit right yet.  I have to get used to this and I have to stop blushing every time someone says, “…Mrs. Dove has written a book!”

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Book – Released! November 2, 2009

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Lynn

Shoot the WoundedI suppose an author has truly ‘arrived’ when Amazon.com starts selling your book!  That’s what happened yesterday, and as soon as I found out I put the word out to my Facebook friends and within minutes a few of my U.S. buddies had said they had already placed their order!  Wow!  The power of FB and online shopping!

I can’t believe all the support and encouragement I am getting from so many people here in Cochrane (and my church family and friends near and far)!  It is so true that when you become a Christian, you are part of a larger ‘family’ no matter where in the world you live.  From Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, the U.S. and coast to coast in Canada, brothers and sisters in Christ have Facebooked and emailed me encouragement.  Truly I am overwhelmed!

Living in a small town for close to fifteen years also has its advantages.  I know most of the store merchants by name.  There is such a familiarity and friendliness there!  The other day I dropped off some marketing packages to promote the book and they were eager to help put the word out that there is another new “local author” in town.  In fact, Mary Lou at Bentley’s Books wants to host a book signing for me before Christmas!

I was at my kids’ school yesterday and many of the parents, teachers and students know that I have published a book.  I am overwhelmed by their response and support.  I’ll be doing a book signing at B.C.S. in January.  One of the moms there asked me if I was “proud of myself” for writing a book.  It caught me off-guard slightly.  I suppose “pride” may have it’s place, but for me this is all about God.  I have a hard time taking credit for something that I know is all about Him.  He gave me the ability to write, He gave me the passion for the written word.  He gave me the opportunity to write, and allowed me the time, place, motivation, finances etc. to publish a book.  Most importantly He gave me a “world” of friends, family, and local community who encourage me every day, whether or not I ever wrote a book!

I am more than blessed!

Amazon.com

Amazon.ca

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First Book “Sold”!

Posted on November 18, 2009 by Lynn

I’m just beginning to appreciate the value of “word of mouth”.  My husband, Charles, in a casual conversation during a business meeting actually sold the first copy of Shoot the Wounded before it is nationally released!  I have no idea how the topic of my book came up amidst discussion of oil acquisitions, land sales, stock options and capital ventures…but somehow Charles mentioned that “his wife had just written a book geared towards teenagers” and this business associate told him he wanted one to give to his daughter at Christmas.

In fact, I have heard numerous people who have “talked up” my book and are already making a list of people they want to give the book to!  I must admit, I am extremely humbled by their enthusiasm and particularly the fact that they are “selling” my book, basically sight unseen, but more so since they haven’t even read the book yet!!

As the launch date gets closer and closer…Word Alive Press has informed me that November 24 will likely be the new release date…I admit that now I am getting extremely nervous.  I am starting to second-guess myself.  What happens if people read the book and think it’s awful??  I don’t take criticism well…just ask my beloved husband.  What happens if people walk past me and “tsk tsk” me for writing what they may think is “drivel”!

I have to admit I’m starting to panic just slightly….

On Sunday, David and Jill W. spoke at church during our Missions Month and as I listened to their heartfelt, authentic testimony, I was struck by how the enemy has a way of trying to discourage us especially when we are in kingdom building work.  David and Jill have had numerous challenges, and at times they have met with great opposition from the very people they are trying to reach for the gospel in their small community.  They have felt such numbing doubt that it made them question at times their ‘call’ to ministry there.

As I listened, I was once again reminded that God’s people always seem to face persecution and personal attacks from the enemy when we are a perceived threat to him.  Scripture says we can expect hardships and trials (1Peter 4:12).  James said that we should consider it “pure joy” when we are persecuted for Christ’s sake.  (James 1: 2-4)  Paul tells us to “put on the full armor of God” so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:11)  In fact, some very learned scholars have said that if we say we are Christian and are NOT under some kind of spiritual attack, we should be worried.  (Meaning we are likely not doing much kingdom building if the enemy is not feeling threatened.)

So I got to thinking about how stressed out and nervous I have been with regards to the release of my book.  Shoot the Wounded is a contemporary Christian novel with a clear Christian message running throughout the book.  As much as I am excited that Christian youth will read the book, I did not write the book just for them.  I wrote the book so that un-churched youth would read it as well and in so doing would draw near to God.

My husband “sold” the first book to a man who does not know the Lord, and he will in turn give the book to his daughter.

I get it!…..the enemy must feel a little threatened….that’s why he’s got a full-court press going on trying to discourage me!

I didn’t think about it much while I was writing the book, or even when I was going through the stages to get it published, but it is much on my mind now.  When Shoot the Wounded is released in a few weeks, it will be distributed to Christian bookstores across North America and the U.K. but it will only be “successful” if it gets into the hands of youth who might never enter a Christian bookstore!  So, “word of mouth” may go a long way in doing that.

So I am still a little nervous…who wouldn’t be when you realize you are going into “battle”, but God has greatly encouraged me with this scripture today:

1 Peter 3:13-17: “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.  “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”  But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.  It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

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