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.