Good News from Friends

I contacted some of my friends and asked them to share some of their recent good news. Here’s what they had to say:

My agent Tamela Hancock Murray is blessed once again by one of her beautiful, sweet, smart daughters.

            I am excited that my youngest daughter is graduating from high school this year and will be attending Liberty University! My husband and I will soon be empty nesters, and though we will miss her, we look forward to our new stage of life.

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After a rough season of helping her mother during the final stages of cancer, Julie Pollitt has some news to share.

            I received an email from an editor requesting my full manuscript. Even if they decide not to publish my book, I feel privileged enough to get past the front door. 

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My close friend and fellow About.com guide Cherie Burbach received a nice note from one of her Friendship page followers.

            Today I got a letter from a reader that really touched my heart. He thanked me for my newsletter and articles and reiterated how my advice had helped him and his wife make new friends. It was so genuine and heartfelt that it made me stop and just be thankful.
            I wonder if readers know just how much letters like that mean to writers. So often we take the "negative" that goes with writing (like receiving bad reviews), but when we receive something positive like this it lifts you up.
            His letter reminded me to stop and take a moment to thank God. I get to do something I love every day and once in a while people connect to it. This gives me a purpose that makes me excited to get up and go to work. What a blessing it was to be reminded of that.

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My good friend Cindi Myers has an abundance of good news, both professional and personal.

            The View From Here is a finalist for a Colorado Book Award in genre fiction. The Colorado Center For the Book recognizes the best work by Colorado Authors each year. There's a reading/signing at the Denver Press Club next week and the winners will be announced at a reception in Aspen in June. I'm also a finalist for Writer of the Year for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. I sold a second book to Harlequin Heartwarming this week. 

            A friend of mine who was diagnosed with lung cancer has been told by a specialist she might not have cancer at all. She's having exploratory surgery this week to find out what is going on.

            Our church food pantry received a grant which allowed us to buy new refrigerators, freezers and shelving and double the size of the pantry.

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Friend and former coworker at HSN – she still works there, I don’t – Carrie Henderson is about to embark on a fun journey with her new website. I'll share more when it's live.

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Another good friend, Trish Perry, wants to share her happy news.

            Since my house is paid off, I end up getting a huge property tax bill twice each year, and I'm always a little taken aback by it. This year I've been trying to prepare, but that bill was still going to hit me hard. This week, not only did my son transfer some money he owed into my bank account, but I discovered a rather huge error I had made in my math. Those two additions equaled exactly what I need for the bill I'll get this month. I'm ready! And blessed!

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One of my personal pals and Bloomfield buddies Kathi Macias has a reason to smile.

            My Bloomfield novel, Last Chance for Justice, releases May 1, and I’m very excited! Also, my dear hubby retired the end of March and we’re having a blast getting used to this new “non-schedule.”

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My pal RhondaGibson’s career is going great! Her fans will be very happy to hear this news.

            I’m delighted to announce that I just signed a 2 book contract with Love Inspired.

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Fellow Bloomfield author Miralee Ferrell has some great things to celebrate.

            My husband has been out of work for 7 months and recently was hired for a very good-paying job in Alaska. We’ll be separated for 6 months with only one visit mid-way, but we’re so thankful to have steady income. My upcoming release, Blowing on Dandelions, (June 1) was given a strong, positive review with PW and has been chosen as the featured title for July for Crossings Book Club.

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My friend Sandie Bricker received something from a reader that made her smile.

            I've been so concerned about the most recent book I wrote because Raw Edges (Abingdon Press - September 2013) is far more serious than my normal laugh-out-loud books, and I poured a lot of personal pain on the page when I wrote about an ovarian cancer memory quilt. I had no idea what my readers would think of something so different, and I didn't want them to be disappointed. However, the first review just came in recently, and the reviewer wrote that, in addition to my trademark laughs, there was a depth there that makes her think it's my best book yet. It was such a humbling relief, and I'm grateful for the reminder that I'm actually doing what I'm supposed to be doing.

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Pal Beth Dolezal Teller is happy to share some family news.

            My husband is feeling better after being ill for months, and my daughter earned straight A's. And, I feel blessed to have some AMAZING friends!

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I totally know how Debra Collins feels.

            The best news I’ve received lately is that two of my grandchildren have moved closer to me. As a matter of fact, there’s only six miles between us now. This is one happy Nona!