Tag Archives: Christmas

Your Handy Dandy Guide to Where I’ll be Signing Books From Now Until Christmas….And How YOU Can Get Your Books Signed, Even If You Don’t live Near Me…

Can you believe that we are just ten weeks away from Christmas? I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the sooner it comes around. When I was a little girl, the gap between one Christmas  to the next was excruciatingly long! But these days, I often think that I might just as well leave my tree up all year, because no sooner have I taken it down than the season is here again!

If you’re planning on buying any of my books for Christmas (and I hope you are!) did you know that I have wonderful, self-adhesive signed bookplates that I’d be more than happy to mail to you, free of charge? Take a peek at these cute Zonderkidz creations for Twas the Evening of Christmas, Snuggle Time and Love Letters from God.

I can add your child’s name or a personal message to any of these bookplates and mail them to you to make your Christmas gifts extra special. Contact me for yours!

Of course, If you live in the Dearborn or Grand Rapids area then I’d love to meet you and sign your books! Here’s a list of all the places I’ll be from now until then. .. Continue reading

Happy One Year Anniversary to ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas! Who Wants to Win a Copy?

On October 3rd one year ago, Twas the Evening of Christmas was published. In its first year, this premium picture book received well over 100 five-star reviews on Amazon, was a finalist in the 2018 ECPA awards, climbed into the CBA Bestseller lists and was chosen by both Barnes & Noble and Hobby Lobby as a featured Christmas title. 

Written in the familiar rhythm of the Clement C Moore classic, this book focuses on Jesus, rather than Santa, who is, after all, the real hero of Christmas. To celebrate its one year anniversary, I have three copies to give away (courtesy of my awesome publisher, Zonderkidz).

Here’s three easy ways to enter and four chances to win! Continue reading

A Christmas Eve Memory from my Childhood in England, PLUS my Five Minutes of TV Fame!

It’s Christmas Eve…

many, many, many years ago.

There’s no snow in the air, but there IS a certain magic, dancing in the dark night skies outside our bedroom window. We have our noses scrunched against the glass. And we’re peering out, into the blackness, my siblings and I.

And suddenly a cry goes up: Continue reading

What People are Saying About ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas, and the FINAL Giveaway!

It’s hard to believe, but we have reached the end of our blog tour for ‘Twas the Evening of ChristmasThere’s just one last chance to win this premium picture book! Head over to my colleague’s blog, at DeDe Reilly, leave a comment there, and if you win, your book will be on your doorstep just in time for Christmas.

In the meantime, if you own ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas, you might have noticed that this book is dedicated to my wonderful husband, David, without whom I would never have been an author. You can read David’s story here.

And what are people saying about ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas? Here’s some of my favorite words from the  84 Amazon reviews… (Do you think I’ll reach my goal of 100 before Christmas?) Continue reading

A Lovely Surprise in the Mail, and A Brand New Giveaway of ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas

A lovely surprise was lying in wait for me the other day.

I opened the mailbox to find a little brown envelope full of letters from a first grade class at Byron Center Christian School. They were among the 350 students who listened so carefully as I read ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas and Snuggle Time Christmas Stories  to them.

But they weren’t just good listeners. They were excellent observers too, as can be seen by this wonderfully accurate depiction of me, by Natalie.

Don’t you just love my red lipstick? And look at my necklace, my blonde hair, my lovely boots, the way I’m holding the book, and how all the children are listening so intently: the boys on the left, and the girls on the right?

Here’s another lovely picture of me, drawn by Mya, who I assume is the very good listener, sitting cross-legged at my side… Continue reading

A Joint Author/Illustrator Interview, and a new Giveaway of ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas

One of the questions I’m most often asked at Writers’ Conferences is:

How do you find an illustrator for your book?

The simple answer is, I don’t. My publisher does. My job is to write the words, and Zonderkidz’ job is to find the illustrator. And what a treasure they found in Russian artist Elena Selivanova!

Publishers Weekly describes her work in ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas as: Continue reading

A Ten Minute Interview with Radio Host Shelley Irwin, and a New Giveaway of ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas

Glenys, are you available for an interview on WGVU Radio with Shelley Irwin next Thursday?

This little invitation, courtesy of my wonderful publisher, Zonderkidz, popped up in my inbox a few days ago. It was a no-brainer. What author wouldn’t want to chat to Shelley Irwin, the well-known NPR host, five-time Gracie Allen Award winner and one of Michigan’s top 50 Influential Women?

Of course I’m available. Who wouldn’t be?

Continue reading

The Beauty of a British Accent. (And ‘Twas Giveaway Number Four)

Everyone who lives in England knows that there are two major accents: one is highly desirable. It’s somehow synonymous with wealth and intelligence. The other is highly undesirable. It’s sadly synonymous with poverty and lack of education.

Unfortunately, my accent belongs in the latter category, while Queen Elizabeth’s belongs in the former.

I grew up in Wigan (John Wesley called it Wicked Wigan) a town in the industrial north, home of coal mines and cotton mills. Whenever we went on holiday to the south and I opened my mouth to talk, I was always uncomfortably aware that I was a northener. 

Imagine my surprise, then, when I moved to the United States and people loved the way I spoke. I could hardly believe it! Michigan has to be the only place in the world where it’s cool to have a Wigan accent.  Continue reading

‘Tis an Exciting Stop in the ‘Twas Blog Hop… and Did I Say, a Giveaway?

Just in case you didn’t know, I’m taking part in an 11-week tour to celebrate the release of Twas the Evening of Christmas. But here’s the thing… I don’t need to pack any clothes, or jump on a jet or even drive anywhere. In fact, I won’t ever have to leave the comfort of my own home.

This tour is a virtual one, courtesy of the internet, where eleven different folks from far-flung states such as Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas and New York are writing about my latest release.

From homeschooling mums to authors; from reviewers to Children’s Ministers, these eleven folks are sharing their thoughts about the book, and offering a giveaway of this new Christmas title at every stop, courtesy of my wonderful publishers, Zonderkidz.

And today, I’m super excited, because this stop is different from all the rest… Continue reading

On Brand New Babies, and Books, and Awful, Ugly, One Star Reviews…

So my brand-new, precious baby is just one week old today. She was formed inside me a long, long time ago.

As soon as that seed began to take shape and develop, I watched over her like any proud parent would. I nurtured her growth at every single stage. Sometimes I would get tiny, tantalizing peeks into what she would be like, and anticipation would build.

And then, the glorious day came when I welcomed her into the world! She arrived! I got to hold her for the first time, turn her over, and examine every minute and marvelous detail.

As crazy as it may seem, when an author welcomes a brand-new book into the world, it feels as though that book is borne from your being; those pages are part of who you are; every sentence that you painstakingly penned and prayed over are ones that somehow spilled out from the center of your soul.

Which is why, as author Alison Hodgson alluded to so humorously and hauntingly at the Breathe Writers Conference, when someone writes a review such as the one that I’m about to share, it’s tantamount to announcing to the author that your precious, brand-new baby is UGLY… Continue reading