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I’ve Moved!

Posted on August 3, 2008
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Visit my new blog at http://maryyerkes.typepad.com/.

The Power of Writing

Posted on November 25, 2007
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“It may be true that a picture is worth a thousand words, but we must not miss the fact that writing words has a unique power all its own. Something powerful happens to the person who writes the words. It is one thing to think the thought, it is quite another to put it into words and see it on paper, or even a computer screen. That process opens a door of intimacy with one’s self that may be unmatched any other way.”
–The late Dr. Paul Bubna, former President of the *Christian and Missionary Alliance

Book Review: Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson

Posted on November 18, 2007
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“One of the most powerful voices in Christian fiction.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, review, Publishers Weekly

Review:

Lisa Samson does it again! Hollywood Nobody is one of her best.

Filled with charming and quirky characters, Hollywood Nobody peels back the curtain on Hollywood today to expose a world rife with superficiality and hypocrisy. Amid the shallow fluff of Hollywood, Scotty struggles with her identity and comes face to face with a secret from her past.

On the set of a Great Gatsby remake, Scotty befriends Seth “Hottie” Haas, a young rising star, and failed fashion designer, Joy Overstreet, as she explores issues today’s young adult readers face. After all, “being normal in a world that demands perfection isn’t easy.”

With engaging dialogue, a fast-moving plot, and delightful characterization, Samson takes readers on a wild ride! In what may be one of her best novels yet, Samson makes “normal” so appealing that even the hardest cynic can’t help but realize–nothing is more beautiful than being who we were created to be.

Five stars for Lisa Samson’s Hollywood Nobody.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Interview with Lisa Samson

Posted on November 17, 2007
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Q&A with Lisa Samson, author of Hollywood Nobody
Interview courtesy of Glass Road Public Relations.

Q. What inspired you to write Hollywood Nobody?

A. NavPress approached me at a publishing conference about writing YA fiction. They felt my writing voice would transition naturally into YA. Well, that day, I was sitting in my car in Opryland’s parking lot, and the idea just gushed out. Nav loved it, and here we all are, me, Nav, Scotty Dawn and her fabulous readers.

Q. What message would you like readers to take away after reading Hollywood Nobody?

A. Be yourself and don’t think the grass is always greener “over there.” Chances are, somebody’s looking at your yard thinking you’ve got it made.

Q. What does faith mean to you?

A. Faith means trusting God even when you have no idea what’s going on around you, or what lies ahead. Faith means that somehow, somewhere, the bad stuff will be turned into good, even if that seems impossible.

Q. Can you describe what a “normal” family means to you? Did you grow up in a “normal” family?

A. Honestly, I don’t think there is such thing as a “normal” family. We’re all odd in our own way. Sure, some families look normal from the outside, but we’re all weird in our “own special way.” Of course, some families’ abnormalities are dark and painful, and I just hope and pray that Hollywood Nobody will provide young women in those situations with a little bit of escape and encouragement.

Q. How did that help you?

I was always encouraged in the arts. My Dad played boogie-woogie for pocket money in college, and painted when he came home from his practice at night. My Mom worked at our church, was involved in other causes, so I became aware of my social responsibilities through her.

Q. In Hollywood Nobody, Scottie really struggles to find authentic relationships due to her nomadic lifestyle and the pervasive Hollywood influence in her life. What do you think Scotty would say to Britney Spears or Lindsey Lohan if she had the chance?

A. She’d say, “Are you kidding me?!”

Q. What book is coming up next? Will Scottie find out who is chasing her?

A. The next book is called Finding Hollywood Nobody and yes, she will figure out who Biker Guy really is!

Q. What book(s) are you reading now?

A. Right now I’m reading, Growing Up Hard in Harlan County and Jesus of Nazareth.

Q. If your book were turned into a movie, who would play the main character(s)?

A. Amanda Bynes with a dark, curly wig. Adam Brody would nail Seth Haas. Charley could totally be played by Kelly Preston.

Q. Which one of your characters is most like you? Why?

A. Well, Scotty thinks a lot like I do. But I don’t think any of the characters in this book resemble me. I am 43 dontchaknow. Scotty, however, is an awful lot like my 17-year-old daughter Ty. I really felt like she was whispering in my ear as I wrote the book.

Q. What do you want your readers to know about you?

A. I guess I hope they know I remember how awful being a teenager could be! I’m not the person who says, “This is the greatest time of your life. Just be happy.” I wouldn’t go back to High School if anybody paid me to do it. It’s a hard gig.

Q. There are many references woven throughout Hollywood Nobody to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Is this a favorite book for you? Why did you choose it as a backdrop for Scotty?

A. Yes, The Great Gatsby is a favorite of mine. I chose it because I was re-reading it when I started writing the book. There are a lot of parallels between the two storylines. Unrequited love, the outsider looking in, wanting what we can’t have. Beyond that, I wanted Scotty to be the literary type and to encourage the readers of Hollywood Nobody to venture out into something more classic than my book!

Q. Are you a vegetarian like Scotty or her mother?

A. I’ve tried it a time or two. And I wish I could stick with it. But usually it’s fried chicken that knocks me off course every time. (I love fried chicken!)

Q. Scottie struggles with defining faith and how it fits into her life. Can you describe your experience coming to faith?

A. I’ve been in church all of my life! When I was three I remember asking Him into my heart. But faith isn’t just a nice little formula, it’s embracing Christ and God’s faithfulness, day after day after day. Honestly, each day I hope I come to Christ a little more, hoping to draw closer to Him, to be more like Him, to love Him more.

When is a Deadline?

Posted on November 10, 2007
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When an editor gives you a deadline of December 1, what does that mean?

Linda Formichelli asked six editors what that means. To see what they said, visit Linda’s blog, The Renegade Writer.

January 2008 e-Courses

Posted on November 10, 2007
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Are you looking to boost your income as a freelance writer? Then check out The Renegade Writer’s e-courses! All classes start in January 2008.

Classes include:

* Writing for the Women’s Markets with Denise Schipani
* Introduction to Food Writing with Monica Bhide
* Make Money Writing for Trade Magazines with Pat Curry
* Magazine Writing Basics with Elaine Grant
* Get Published in Magazines with Linda Formichelli

To learn more, visit The Renegade Writer today.

Today’s Christian Woman talks to Novelist Lisa Samson

Posted on November 9, 2007
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There’s a great interview with Lisa Samson in this month’s issue of Today’s Christian Woman. An excerpt is below:

When Christy Award-winning Christian fiction writer Lisa Samson, 43, quips about losing her keys, or about being unable to manicure her own nails or make a decent pie crust, she sounds like fun-loving Typical American Woman. Fun-loving—as evidenced by her funky earrings and her warm, welcoming laugh—sure. But typical? Not exactly.

That’s because this author of 17 novels (number 18, Embrace Me, is due February 2008 from Thomas Nelson) has deviated from what many consider the norm of the “American dream.”

Read more…

House & Garden Magazine Has Been Axed

Posted on November 6, 2007
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NEWS FLASH:

Condé Nast released a statement today saying it will cease publication of the 106-year-old House & Garden magazine:

“House & Garden magazine will cease publication with its December issue, it was announced today by Charles H. Townsend, President & CEO of Condé Nast Publications. The website, houseandgarden.com, will also be shut down.”

Read more…

Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson

Posted on November 2, 2007
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Check back soon for a review of Lisa Samson’s new novel, Hollywood Nobody.To learn more about Lisa, visit www.lisasamson.com.

Editorial Reviews
Book Description
Fifteen-year-old Scotty Dawn has spent her young life on the road, traveling to movie sets with her single mom, Charley, a food designer. Yet even though Scotty is wise beyond her years, she still struggles to find her identity. Complicating matters is a mother who offers no guidance and a father she’s never met. Read more at: www.amazon.com.

From the Back Cover
Scotty Dawn has all the freedom a fifteen-year-old girl could want. As she and her mom, Charley, travel to movie sets for Charley’s work, Scotty’s allowed to go anywhere and be anything. But there are costs to such a life. Scotty doesn’t know who she is, where she comes from, or who to trust. And who is the mysterious man they’ve been running from? Does he hold the clue to Charley’s big secret?

Scotty writes in her Hollywood Nobody blog, and the answers she finds are darker than she had expected. Will she discover who she can trust and finally make sense of her world?

Product Details

* Paperback: 221 pages
* Publisher: Th1nk Books (August 30, 2007)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1600060919
* ISBN-13: 978-1600060915
* Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
* Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
* Average Customer Review:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Samson is the author of twenty books, including the Christy Award-winning Songbird. Check back soon for a review of Lisa’s latest book, Hollywood Nobody.

A Walk with Jane Austen by Lori Smith

Posted on October 20, 2007
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A delightful read, one that I highly recommend. Lori’s writing is intelligent, lyrical, and poignant. Her authenticity and vulnerability are rare in Christian circles. This book is a breath of fresh air, one that should be inhaled deeply.

A Walk with Jane Austen–A Journey into Adventure, Love, and Faith
by Lori Smith

* Paperback: 256 pages
* Publisher: WaterBrook Press (October 16, 2007)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1400073707
* ISBN-13: 978-1400073702

From Publishers Weekly:

“In this engaging, deeply personal and well-researched travelogue, Smith (a PW contributor) journeys to England to soak in the places of Jane Austen’s life and writings. The book is sure to ride the wave of Austen-philia that has recently swept through Hollywood and a new generation of Americans, but this is an unusual look at Jane Austen…Smith’s voice swings authentically between the raw, aching vulnerability of a single Christian woman battling a debilitating and mysterious chronic illness and the surges of faith she finds in the grace of a loving God.” Read this review in its entirety. (You’ll find the review about halfway down the page.)

To learn more, visit Lori’s blog, Following Austen.
Read an interview with Lori Smith.

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