Monday, July 5, 2010

Giveaway and Author Interview: Seeds of Summer


My guest today is author, Deborah Vogts! There will be a giveaway of her latest book at the end of the post, so read on!

Welcome to Writing for Christ! Thank you for being with us today.


Tell us a little about yourself!

Author Bio: Deborah Vogts and her husband have three daughters and make their home in Southeast Kansas where they raise and train American Quarter Horses. As a student at Emporia State University studying English and journalism, Deborah developed a love for the Flint Hills that has never faded. In writing this series, she hopes to share her passion for one of the last tallgrass prairie regions in the world, showing that God’s great beauty rests on the prairie and in the hearts of those who live there.

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

Ever since I was in high school. I began writing my Great American Novel as a junior—Splendor of the Sun. That earned me an A++ in Senior English. I studied English and journalism in college, but it wasn’t until 2002 that I began taking serious steps to be published. That was the point in my life when I felt God prodding me to do more with my writing or risk having the talent taken from me. So, I jumped in with both feet!

I joined a local writer’s group and ACFW, (an online writing organization). I also joined a critique group, started reading writing how-to’s and attended writing conferences. I met my first agent at the ACFW Nashville Conference in 2005. We hit it off at our meeting, and she gave me some tips on making my book series “bigger.” I did that and submitted my idea to her and she took me on. We shopped my Seasons of the Tallgrass series for a year and had a few bites (one of them Zondervan) but no sale. In the end, she released me, which was a real heart breaker. However, we don’t always see the big picture like God does, and six months later I signed with agent, Rachelle Gardner with WordServe Literary, and we had an offer from Zondervan three months after that in May 2008.



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

It was really exciting—seeing a dream fulfilled. I laughed, jumped, screamed and giggled. And my family laughed at me.



3: What are you working on now?

I’m currently finishing up the third book in the series, Blades of Autumn, which is the story about Clara, the owner of Clara’s Café.

(Blurb for Book #3) With a café to run and three children to raise, Clara Lambert doesn’t have time for men or loneliness, despite what her heart might tell her. When two handsome cowboys vie for her attention, one of the brothers proves to be her soul mate, but at what cost? Will it tear the brothers’ relationship apart or is blood really thicker than water?



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

I’m on Facebook, Twitter or readers may visit my Web site: http://www.deborahvogts.com/  or my Country at Heart blog: http://www.deborahvogts.blogspot.com/



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

 I’d like readers to remember how important family relations are and that we can get through our difficulties if we remember to love and forgive each other. I also hope to give my readers a taste of the Flint Hills and of how God’s beauty rests on the prairie and in the hearts of those who live there.

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

 I LOVE camping in the Rocky Mountains & when I was a teenager, I wanted to be a concert pianist.
Thank you for being with us today. Any final words for readers? - Keep smiling, stay faithful to God and to yourself, and enjoy the moments He gives you . . .

Okay readers, here is your chance to win Deborah's brand new book, Seeds of Summer!!

Here is how you can enter...

PLEASE LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS! If I draw your name and there is no email, YOU WILL NOT WIN!

For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber

And a NEW one:
~Follow Deborah's blog HERE

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 for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on July 17th.

76 comments:

  1. Wow I am first. I would love to win this book. I am a big Deborah fan. Her books are just down to earth good reading. Thanks for the chance to win! ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  2. I follow on Deborahs blog on Google Friend Connect. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  3. I subscribe by e-mail Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  4. I follow on Google Friend Connect. Thanks for all the extra entries. ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  5. Would love to read this one!Count me in on the giveaway.
    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  6. I would love the opportunity to win "Seeds Of Summer." Thank you.

    louann@carolina.rr.com

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  7. I am a follower :)

    louann@carolina.rr.com

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  8. I am a subscriber :)

    louann@carolina.rr.com

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  9. I follow Deborah's blog :)

    louann@carolina.rr.com

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  10. I went to graduate school in Kansas back in the 70s, so I love the Flint Hills setting of Deborah's series. I would love to read Seeds of Summer and appreciate the chance to win a copy.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

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  11. Deborah's book sounds great.
    I am a follower.
    csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com

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  12. I'd love a chance to win Seeds of Summer, it sounds like a get book for summer reading. Thanks!
    worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

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  13. I follow Deborah's blog.
    worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

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  14. Thanks for your encouraging writings and for all the book giveaways!

    Doreen
    priviesandprims@ yahoo dot com

    I'm a follower and subscriber!

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  15. Hi! I really liked Deborah's "Snow Melts in Spring" and even wrote a review on it. Good book. So please enter me in this drawing, would like to win this one!

    I am following you and Deborah!

    latawniakintz at gmail dot com

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  16. Please enter me!

    I am a follower.

    I am now a follower of Deborah's blog.

    pinkdaddysgirl@msn.com

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  17. Please enter me in the giveaway! I would love to read one of Deborah's books.

    Thanks!

    hspruitt AT [juno] dot COM

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  18. I also follow your blog via Bloglines.

    hspruitt AT {juno} DOT com

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  19. I also am now subscribing to Deborah's blog via Bloglines.

    hspruitt {at} JUNO DOT com

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  20. I also follow your blog on Google.

    Thanks!

    hspruitt {at} JUNO dot COM

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  25. I would love to read Seeds of Summer. bluerose_shelnut(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. I'm a follower.
    bluerose_shelnut(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  27. I follow Deborah's blog.
    bluerose_shelnut(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  28. I'm a subscriber.
    bluerose_shelnut(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  29. I would love to be entered to win this book!


    janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

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  30. I am a follower on Google Friend Connect.

    janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

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  31. I am a subscriber of this blog.

    janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

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  32. I am also a follower of Deborah's blog.

    janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

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  33. This book looks so good. Please enter me. I'm a subscriber in Google Reader.

    quiltyreader(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. I'm also a subscriber to Deborah's blog.

    quiltyreader(at)gmail(dot)com

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  35. please count me in...thanks :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  36. email subscriber :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  37. e-mail subscriber.
    enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

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  38. Following Writing For Christ
    enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

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  39. Following Deborah's blog.
    enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

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  40. I would love to win. Looks good. shondaet@gmail.com

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  41. I'm a follower. shondaet@gmail.com

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  42. Hi Casey, Thanks so much for having me on your blog. Many blessings to you & your readers!! :)

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  43. I am now a follower of your blog! I would love to win Seeds of Summer. Thank you so much for this opportunity!
    Stephanie
    lightlifelove@live.com

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  44. Would love to win this. Thanks!
    naburcaw@gmail.com

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  45. I am a follower.
    naburcaw@gmail.com

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  46. I am a subscriber.
    naburcaw@gmail.com

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  47. I follow Deborah's blog.
    naburcaw@gmail.com

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  48. I have never read any books by this author, but the book looks really good!
    Carman sent me.

    dymesich(at)juno(dot)com

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  49. I am now a follower on both blogs - rejordan79@msn.com

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  50. I would love to read this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  51. Seeds of Summer by this review sounds like a great read.
    Thanks!

    rbooth43(at)yahoo.com

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  52. I am a follower and email subscriber.
    Thanks!

    rbooth43(at)yahoo.com

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  53. I loved the first book of Deborah's, and I'm excited about reading this one, too.
    Thanks for the opportunity to be added in the drawing.

    I am a follower and a subscriber,too.

    debracollins(at)tds(dot)net

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  54. Love to read Deborah's book!
    Ann
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

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  55. Loved the first book and have anxiously been waiting to get the other one!! Have told and written to everyone about her first book and it was awesome! Please add me as a hopeful in winning this book. Thanks and Deb keep writing!! Love u!

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  56. Carman sent me!

    Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

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  57. I am a follower
    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

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  58. I follow Deborah's blog.

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

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  59. I'm a follower!

    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

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  60. I would love to win this!! Thanks
    winnieayala at yahoo dot com

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  61. I follow on GFC!
    winnieayala at yahoo dot com

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  62. I follow Deborah's blog on GFC
    winnieayala at yahoo dot com

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  63. I would love to win this book.

    pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

    I'm a follower.

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  64. I'm an admirer of Deborah. We are fellow Kansas natives, attended the same college in Kansas and both love the people and the land. We have much in common and I'm a follower of hers and friend on Facebook. I'm happy to see her book being offered here and glad for the chance to win.

    Blessed Be in Christ,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10(at)tx(dot)rr(dot)com

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  65. Greetings,
    Sounds like a super book. I would love to read it.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

    Trinity Rose

    wandaelaine at gmail dot com

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  66. I follow your blog.

    wandaelaine at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I subscribe to your Rss feed

    wandaelaine at gmail dot com

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  68. Please include me! this looks so good! Thanks
    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

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  69. I'd love a chance to win this book! Please count me in!

    Katie M

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

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  70. I am a follower of your blog!

    Katie M

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
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  72. email subscriber

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  73. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  74. This sounds like a wonderful book! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  75. Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  76. I follow Deborah's blog

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)