March 2025 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website Biblical: The Daughter of Rome by Angela Hunt — In Nero’s Rome, Calandra helps her father, a renowned sculptor, complete the most significant commission of his illustrious career. But then a catastrophic fire nearly destroys the imperial city, leaving Calandra reliant on …
Engaging Book Clubs with Engaging Discussion Questions
by Sarah Sundin @sarahsundin As readers, we delight in socializing with fellow book-lovers. As writers, we delight in connecting with readers. The continuing popularity of book clubs provides an opportunity for authors. By crafting engaging questions about your novel, you can help book clubs have amazing discussions that build community and love of story. Since I belonged to a book …
Gettysburg Revisited
by Jenny Powell MD Despite the legend that Abraham Lincoln procrastinated and scribbled his most famous speech while on the train headed to the Gettysburg battlefield, the original copies are in his careful script. Lincoln thoroughly thought out his speeches and would not have rattled this particular one off the cuff, as is suggested. He knew how important this speech …
How My Novel Originated in the Family Bible
by Glynn Young @gyoung9751 When I was young child, I asked my father what the package was that sat on a shelf in his closet. It was wrapped in brown grocery bag paper and tied with twine. “That,” he said, “is the family Bible, and one day it will be yours.” That day came during a visit home to New …
ACFW New Releases: February 2025
February 2025 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website Contemporary Romance: Small Town Harmony by Milla Holt — Faith, fame, and family collide as a Christian music power couple hides a secret discord. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) Only You Can Love Me by Carolyn Miller — Dr. Jess Martin–Doc Martin to …
A Writer’s Perspective on the Benefits of Chaos, Bedlam and Scandal
By Roxanne Hicks When a younger writer, I hesitated to plunge my characters into perilous events. Like a doting mother, I dressed everyone in clean clothing and admonished them to stay out of the mud. Scandalous outings, unscrupulous friends, and disgusting habits were a taboo. A writing coach asked me, “Where is the excitement or conflict in your story if …
Chasing Perfect Optimism
by M.D. House @real_housemd Jesus was an optimist. That seems a trite thing to say, doesn’t it? It was easy for him to be positive all the time, right? He was the Messiah, for heaven’s sake. He had a direct line to God, and angels were on call to help him. And yet, he often wept—not just for what was …
Why Hospitality Toward Our Readers Should be on Our List of New Year’s Resolutions
by Donna Wichelman @DonnaWichelman Several years ago, while listening to a webinar hosted by Thomas Umstattd, Jr., he made a statement that impressed me and motivated me to write two questions on a Post-It note that still hangs on my computer monitor today. How do you throw a banquet for your readers? How do you serve them if you don’t …
REST in Your Writing
by Susan Lyttek @SusanLyttek Today, as this posts, is my birthday. As with most of us, even if I vow not to, I compare the current me to the me of a year ago. Did I accomplish what I planned? (absolutely never) Did I grow closer to God and family? (almost always) Do I like the person I’m becoming? (never …
New Year, New Tricks
By Angela Hunt I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions . . . probably because I’m failed at so many in years past. What I do believe in is learning new tricks, and the new year is the perfect opportunity to start learning a few. I like to try something new with each book I write. Of course, the subject …