I’ve been waiting to make this announcement, but it is official. My book, Mouse’s Christmas Gift, will be published in October, 2018 by HarperCollins Zonderkidz. The illustrator will be the very talented Dow Phumiruk. I am so excited to see this book come to life! The countdown begins!
Author: admin
Widow Barthomew’s Strawberry Jam
Widow Bartholomew brings a jar of strawberry jam with her for the Christmas Eve party. I wanted strawberry for the color–it seemed Christmasy and festive, even in a small community hit by hard times. At the link below you can find directions telling you how to make your very own strawberry jam. Good luck! I would love to hear how it turns out! And of course, if you have a recipe you would like to share–feel free!
Mouse-sized World
I’ve been thinking about what Mouse’s living quarters must look like in Parson’s church. I picture it similar to the scene in the children’s book by Audrey and Don Wood entitled, The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear.
As a child, I loved the book series The Littles, by John Peterson. I read each of those books over and over! I also had a doll house. I don’t remember actually playing with the doll house, but what I loved to do was make my own furniture and accessories for it. You know, like take a sticker and “frame” it for the artwork on the wall. Or use a toothpaste lid stuffed with a dab of play dough for a “vase” that a little twig could stick into. Or find a little box and a fabric scrap and fashion them into a bed. You get the idea. The illustrations in The Littles books inspired me, and I loved to think of what a miniature world would look like. Nowadays there is Pinterest. I browsed for awhile and came up with a few projects to share. I’m pretty sure Mouse would love a few of these in his living quarters. Aren’t they adorable? Which project looks fun to you?
THE HOPE OF HEAVEN by Alan Hallene Jr. with Erin Keeley Marshall
In 2008, Alan Hallene Jr. discovered the lifeless body of his 22-year-old son. Alex had committed suicide. While Al waited for the authorities to arrive, he had ten minutes alone with his young son. During that wrenching time, God sent him eight visions of heaven, where the father and he son would someday reunite. Al recounts those life-changing visions in The Hope of Heaven, released on
March 10, 2015
The Hope of Heaven is a very different kind of “heaven book.” Rather than an argument for the existence of heaven or the account of an out-of-body experience, Al gives readers a glimpse of life beyond the tragedies we endure.
“I did not go to heaven. I was the one left behind and the one who received clear messages from God in the aftermath of my son’s death.” Al Hallene Jr.
“The story points to Jesus as Savior–and not just a general Savior but one whom we each need to acknowledge our personal need for.” Erin Keeley Marshall
Alan M. Hallene Jr., PhD. is the father of three grown sons, one whom he anticipates reuniting with someday in heaven. While working on The Hope of Heaven, Al was on leave from his teaching position at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA. He has also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Iowa, and is President of NorthHill Consulting, LLC.
Erin Keeley Marshall is the author of Navigating Route 20-Something and The Daily God Book. She spent the early years of her career as an editor for Tyndale House Publishers and has edited and written for several publishing companies throughout the United States. She lives in Arkansas with her husband, Steve, and their two children.
An Interview with Author Erin Keeley Marshall
Today’s guest author is a personal friend of mine…Erin Keeley Marshall. We have been friends since college. I am so amazed at all of her accomplishments in the writing world! She is the author of several books and hundreds of devotions. Her latest book is called The Hope of Heaven, and she co-wrote it with Alan Hallene Jr.
Today I did a short interview with her. My next post will highlight her latest book, The Hope of Heaven.
Me: What is the process of co-writing like?
Erin Keeley Marshall: Co-writing, or collaborative writing, requires the art of balance because a collaborative writer often plays many roles, including serving as the link between the story and the publishing process. Whenever I’ve coauthored something, I’ve had to argue tactfully and proactively for my coauthor—who often has the heart of the story and needs me to put it in publishable words—as well as on behalf of the agent, the editorial team, and the marketing team. A professional collaborative writer needs to understand the process of publishing and what is worth pushing and what needs to remain in the hands of the publisher.
The co-writer leads the way in writing the proposal and sample chapters and sending that document to the agent or editor at a publishing house. Once a publishing offer is extended, accepted, and the contract is signed, the co-writer then continues leading the way through writing the manuscript, scheduling due dates for back and forth revisions between writers, and working through the editing process with the editorial team.
A collaborative writer needs to play a behind-the-scenes role with a great deal of proactive assertiveness, tact, and professionalism that carries over to the other writer.
Me: What are a few of the highs and lows of your publishing journey?
Erin Keeley Marshall: Contract signing is always a highlight because it points to the future and holds so much potential for something new and exciting that is about to be born. The first offer I received to write my own book—Navigating Route 20-Something—was a thrill. Actually, whenever I get a phone call or email from my agent requesting me to work with someone on a story that touches my heart, I am encouraged to keep going in this challenging field that I’ve loved being part of for twenty-some years.
Me: What aspect of your career do you enjoy the most and why?
Erin Keeley Marshall: I love the freedom to dream and put words to those dreams. Through writing I can organize my thoughts, as well as learn more about myself and what drives me. I can inspire others to think in new ways about life and faith and truths that extend to eternity past and into forever. I also enjoy working from home because of the flexibility. Writing is freeing because I can form thoughts in my head no matter what else is going on during the day. I love the unending wonder of what God will place on my heart next.
On the web: Erin’s website
Twitter: @EKMarshall
Facebook: Erin Keeley Marshall, Author
Linked In: Erin Keeley Marshall
Pinterest: Erin Marshall
For Speaking Events and Media Opportunities: ekmarshall@marshallgroup.net