Giveaway and Author Interview: Love Finds You in Calico, California

Today my guest is author, Elizabeth Ludwig.

Welcome to Writing for Christ! Thank you for being with us today. Tell us a little about yourself!


Thanks for having me!

My first novel, Where the Truth Lies, which I co-authored with Janelle Mowery, was released in spring of 2008 from Heartsong Presents: Mysteries, an imprint of Barbour Publishing. This was followed in 2009 by “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” part of a Christmas anthology collection called Christmas Homecoming, also from Barbour Publishing.

In 2010, my first full-length historical novel Love Finds You in Calico, California will be released from Summerside Press. Books two and three of my mystery series, Died in the Wool, and A Black Die Affair, respectively, are slated for release in 2011 from Barbour Publishing.

In 2008, I was named the IWA Writer of the Year for my work on Where the Truth Lies. I am the owner and editor of the popular literary blog, The Borrowed Book, and I’m an accomplished speaker and dramatist. I work fulltime, and currently live with my husband and two children in Texas.

(To learn more about Elizabeth and her work, visit her at http://www.elizabethludwig.com/ .)

1: How long did you write before you were published?

I finished my first novel in 2001. Like every other aspiring author, I sent my (VERY) rough manuscript out expecting every house I submitted to, to beg me for the right to publish my book. After all…I was an English major in college and I had read all the great works. Imagine my chagrin when every single publisher turned it down! LOL!

So, I started entering contests. I joined a critique group. I bought books on writing. All of this led me to understand how much I had to learn. Several years and manuscripts later, I sold my first novel to Susan Downs at Heartsong Presents: MYSTERIES!

I’ll never forget that day. Janelle (my co-author) called me at work to tell me she had just finished an Instant Message with Susan. She was interested in our cozy.

“How interested?” I asked.

“They want it.”

I’ve never heard more glorious words. LOL!

2: When you held that first book in your hands, what was your first thought?

This will probably sound weird, but I cried! I literally had to hold the book away from my body because I didn’t want to get tear stains all over it. It had been such a long struggle, with so many doubts along the way, I just couldn’t believe when I held my book that the words inside those pages were mine. I’ve kept the first copy of every book since…okay, there have only been three, but I hope to keep adding to that stack. ;-)

After the tears dried up, I spent a lot of time thanking God for the privilege of seeing my work in print. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly.

3: What are you working on now?

Well, currently, I’m drafting a historical series set around Ellis Island, and I’m working on a contemporary proposal about a retired football player who returns to his hometown and comes face-to-face with the demons of his past. Both of these books would require quite a bit of research, but I’m hoping the ideas will spark some attention.

4: Where can readers find out more about your books?

I have both a website and a blog, or I can be found on Facebook. Here are the addresses:

http://www.elizabethludwig.com/

http://www.theborrowedbook.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?ref=name&id=1663260840

5: What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?

I’ll use my current release Love Finds You in Calico, California as an example: From the onset, I placed several challenges before my heroine—things that not only sapped her strength, they sapped her faith. Bottom line, I hope my readers see what a loving Father they have in heaven, One who understands their strengths AND their weaknesses, and whose faithfulness to us does not depend on our faithfulness to Him. That’s the message I hope readers take with them when they finish my books.

6: What are two things that people wouldn't normally know about you as a writer and or person?

Well, I guess that would be how much I love to read. When I was a young girl, around eight or nine, and I loved to read by the light of the Christmas tree. It wasn’t enough to sit near the tree, mind you. I had to crawl completely under the tree and let the lights shine down directly onto the page. Try explaining that to four sisters who already think you’re a geek.

Thank you for being with us today. Any final words for readers?

Just a bit of encouragement…if your goal is publication, great! But don’t be so focused on the goal that you forget to enjoy the journey you’re on while reaching it. There are some awesome lessons to be learned along the way, and great friends to be made…all of which you will miss if you attempt a shortcut. Trust God. His timing is always perfect.

Readers to enter to win Elizabeth's book, PLEASE LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS! If I draw your name and there is no email, YOU WILL NOT WIN!

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Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items of said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter!

Contest closes on July 17th.