Hello friends! ‘Tis the season of gift-giving! If you’ve been following me for some time, you’ll know that I often offer free, signed, personalized bookplates for folks who preorder my new titles. But this year, I’m offering those for ALL the following Christmas books!
SQUEAL! I apologize, but that’s kind of my favorite word lately, and it’s what I tend to do when I open up my email to see the WONDERFUL brand-new, FREE downloadable Activity and Resource Pack to accompany ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas, just newly updated to include all the details you’ll need for using this book to offer a Christmas Storywalk in your community.
I mean…look at it!! Wouldn’t you squeal too?
Here’s a peek at what this wonderful pack contains… Continue reading
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
Here’s a little trip down memory lane, with my top author highlights from 2017, plus a teeny hint at what’s coming for 2018…
APRIL 2017:
Girls’ Love Letters from God, the fourth book in the popular Love Letters from God series hits the shelves. and it’s even read by mermaids!
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
It’s hard to believe, but we have reached the end of our blog tour for ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas. There’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 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
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
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?
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
