Monday, August 30, 2010

Giveaway and Author Interview: The Healer's Apprentice

I have been SO excited for this interview and hope you enjoy it as well. So please help me welcome debut author, Melanie Dickerson to the blog!!

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


Hi, Casey! I’m so happy to be on your blog today! Thanks for inviting me!
Tell us a little about yourself!

Bio:
Melanie Dickerson is an award-winning author who earned her bachelor's degree in special education from The University of Alabama. She has taught in Georgia, Tennessee, Germany and the Eastern European country of Ukraine.


She now spends her time writing and taking care of her husband and two daughters near Huntsville, Alabama. Visit her on the web at http://www.melaniedickerson.com/

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

I wrote a lot when I was a kid, and I finished two novels by the time I graduated high school. But then I stopped writing for about 15 years and finally started back 7 years ago. At first I was only writing short stories, but I’ve been writing novels for 5 or 6 years and my first book is coming out in four days. (Yippee!)

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

So far, Casey, I’ve only held the Advance Reader Copy. As I write this, I’m still waiting to get my author copies of the book that will be in bookstores. But it’s a wonderful feeling. That’s what all authors say, and I thought that was how I would feel, but honestly? It scared me half to death. It kind of turned my stomach and made the nervous butterflies knock themselves out. LOL! Sorry, but it’s true! I’m calmed down enough now that I think I might be able to open it up and read a little bit of it. My daughter, who had already read the manuscript, picked it up when she got home from school and didn’t give it back to me until she finished reading it again. (She says my book is “yummy.” My favorite compliment so far.) Now it’s been sitting on the end table for several days and I just glance at it kind of nervously when I walk by. I think what I’m really nervous about is that I forgot to mention someone in my acknowledgments, or that the letter to the reader in the back sounds stupid.

3: What are you working on now?

Marketing! And I have just finished some revisions on my second medieval YA romance, tentatively titled The Beholder. It’s a Beauty and the Beast story. I hope to also write a Snow White story.

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

On my website, http://www.melaniedickerson.com/  you can find out all about The Healer’s Apprentice and some hints about future books.

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

God works out all things according to his good purpose for our lives if we love Him and try to follow Him. In The Healer’s Apprentice, the main characters struggle and strive to control their future, but in the end they realize God had a perfect plan for them all along.

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

I grew up in L.A. – Lower Alabama, that is – about thirty miles from Monroeville where Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, grew up. I also shared the same last name as Harper Lee. I was Melanie Lee until I married my husband. Secondly, my father was named after a famous author, Zane Grey. I think that’s kind of cool, since I turned out to be a writer!

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

Thanks so much for having me, Casey. I just want everyone to know that God loves you. That seems to be the theme that runs through all my books. God loves you. Bad things happen, but God loves you. Your life may not be perfect, but God loves you. He’s helped you at times and in ways you don’t even realize. So follow your dreams, but let God lead you!

Casey here again: I hope you take a few minutes to watch this book trailer for The Healer's Apprentice. It is incrediable!!



And now readers, here is your chance to enter to win Melanie's debut novel! (which also happens to be an ACFW book club selection.)

Leave a comment with your email address. IF I DRAW YOUR NAME AND THERE IS NO EMAIL ADDRESS YOU WILL NOT WIN!
For extra entries:
~be a follower
~be an email subscriber

And a NEW one:
~Follow Melanie'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 of said prize.
Thanks for coming by to enter!

Contest ends on September 11th.

91 comments:

  1. Thanks for having me on your blog, Casey!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Would like a chance to win this book! Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway!
    cparkins14 AT teancum.net

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  3. I am a follower of Melanie's blog.
    cparkins14 AT teancum.net

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  4. Great interview! Melanie, I love the message of your new book, and I would LOVE a chance to read it! :) Sounds like you have some great books coming out in the future, too!

    I'm a follower of this blog.

    ~Amber

    stokes[dot]a[at]suddenlink[dot]net

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  5. I enjoyed reading this post. I look forward to reading the book. I am a follower here and on Melanie's blog! :-)

    neednspace at aol dot com

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  6. Oh goodness!!! The cover looked good but the trailer makes me want to read it even more!!! Please enter me :D

    I am a follower.

    I am now a subscriber.

    I now follow Melanie's blog.

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

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  7. I have been looking forward to this book for months, ever since I saw the book trailer a while back! Please enter me:

    ruthellenanderson (at) gmail (dot) com

    I'm also a follower of this blog & Melanie's.

    Thanks for the great interview! I'm excited to hear that Melanie is working on other fairy tale retellings, or should I say fairy tale "inspired" works!

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  8. I'm just dying to read The Healer's Apprentice!! This is one I would love to win, but I'll have to buy it if I don't!! :) Not only because I love fairy tale "inspired" stories, but because I just have to support any fellow Alabamians. :)

    I'm a follower.

    Subscriber.

    I already follow Melanie's blog.

    bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com

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  9. CParkins, thanks for coming by! You're definitely entered! I like your tenacity, girl!

    Amber, thank you so much! This book's message was what God was placing on my heart in my own life at the time!

    Sheree, thanks for coming by!

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  10. Thanks so much, Ariel! The publisher had that trailer made and it turned out really great! I was so blown away by it.

    Aw, thanks, Ruth!!! Yes, I'm hoping to have many more fairy tales to come! (At least two more, anyway!) Thanks for coming by and saying hi!

    Bluerose, we Bama girls have got to stick together!!! Thanks so much for your interest in my book! I really appreciate it! And I hope you like it! You'll have to write me and let me know what you thought of it after you read it. :-)

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  11. Great interview. I live in South Mississippi. Glad to know you're from the south. The book sounds great. Love the cover. Thanks for giving away a copy. Looking forward to reading this one.
    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  12. Love Melanie. I've had my eye on this book. I adore the concept, the book video trailer, the whole nine yards. Plus I review for a historical fiction blog and this would be posted there if I win, too. :)

    joyfulhutch[at]msn[dot]com

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  13. The interview was really interesting, I would love to read the book.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  14. Great interview....Loved the LA...thinking CA. You sure have a lot of famous authors in the family, even if it is by name association!
    Please enter me in this giveaway!

    I am a follower.

    I am a subscriber.

    I now follow Melanie's blog.

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  15. "Yummy" is high praise, I can't wait to read The Healer's Apprentice. Lovely book trailer!

    worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com
    I'm a follower.
    I'm a subscriber.
    I'm a follower of Melanie's blog.

    Thanks for a chance!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love fairy tale retellings and have been waiting for this book!! It sounds fantastic!!

    I'm a follower of your blog.

    I'm a follower of Melanie's blog, too.

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  17. Loved the video. I'd love to win the book thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  18. This looks like a good book, thanks for offering it.
    I am a follower and a subscriber of this blog.
    I am now following Melanie's blog.

    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  19. follower of WfC



    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  20. email subscriber of WfC


    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  21. follower at Melanie's


    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for ALL your great giveaways!

    I'm a follower and subscriber.

    Please include me!

    Doreen
    priviesandprims at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hey I'd love to win this book :)

    I'm a follower of this blog and my email is karusowa(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  24. I would love to win this book from an Alabama author. I live in Alabama, too. In L.A. thats lower Alabma to us. Adding you to my Must Read Author list. Thanks for the chance to win. ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I subscribe by e-mail ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Public follower on Google Friend Connect. ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I also signed up to follow Melanie's blog. Thanks for all the entries. ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  28. thanks for the opportunity to read melanie's fabulous novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. i'm a follower :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. i'm an email subscriber :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Welcome Melanie and thanks for visiting Casey! I enjoyed your interview very much. I visited your blog to become a follower and left a message for you.

    I liked the trailer and description of "The Healer's Apprentice" very much and can't wait to read it. Winning would be the "icing on the cake." You mentioned your father was named after Zane Grey, I've read some of his books. My father was a fan of Mr. Grey's and had several of his book while I was growing up.

    Casey, I'm a follower of your blog, I subscribe to your emails and I'm a follower of Operation Encourage an Author.

    Blessings~
    Beverly
    bgrider2@cox.net

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  32. Enjoyed the interview and I love the cover art on The Healer's Apprentice. Would love to win a copy. Thank you for the chance.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  33. I am an email subscriber.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Love the interview and the honesty. I'd be terrified to publish something! Those butterflies probably felt like tumbling boulders at times. The book sounds terrific and the cover is gorgeous. I'd love to be entered.

    je2kids(at)yahoo(dot)com

    I follow you in Google Reader.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'd love to read this - thanks for the chance
    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I follow on GFC
    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Sounds like a wonderful read

    bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I follow Melanie's blog on GFC
    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I would love to be added to this drawing. I am a follower of this blog, and of Melanie's.

    Thank you!
    stinarose(at)bell(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  40. wow, i've had my eye on this book for awhile!! i'd love to enter!!

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. i'm a blog follower!!

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

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  42. This sounds like an interesting read. martha(at) lclink(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Great interview! I enjoyed learning about Melanie, and watching the book trailer; it's fantastic, and though I've never read a book in this type of setting, I look forward to reading it SOON! : )

    Congratulations on your debut novel, Melanie!

    Sweet Blessing to you! And thank you to Casey for offering such awesome giveaway!

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

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  44. I am a follower. Thank you for the extra entry!

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  45. I am a subscriber. Thank you for the extra entry!

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  46. I am now following Melanie's blog. Thank you for the extra entry!

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  47. The cover to this is absolutely captivating!
    shawnawilliams(at)allegiance.tv

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  48. Hi Melanie, I already love The Healer's Apprentice. I have read several reviews and one other interview and am so excited for you with your new novel. I added to my wish list after the first review. I am so glad I found Christian writers so I don't have to skim or skip the parts I don't want to read. The video was great. We are neighbors since I live in GA. Thanks for stopping by to chat with us.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  49. I follow via GFC


    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I am an email subscriber

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I follow Melanie's blog

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  52. Oh man, I want this book BAD!!! ESPECIALLY after watching that trailer!! I showed it to my husband, Mel, and he said ... "uh, where's your trailer, Julie???" I slapped him and then repented of my jealousy almost immediately. :)

    Casey and Mel, fun interview!! I'm a follower so PLEASE enter me in the contest!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    gsus(at)charter(dot)net

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  53. It's so exciting to see so many people stopping in and leaving comments!! Thank you all! I so appreciate your interest in my book! It's so encouraging to me!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Please enter me! If I win this book, I wil definitely be sending it to a friend. :)

    booklovercb[at]yahoo.com

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  55. Please enter me! I have been wanting to read this book ever since I heard about it!
    Thanks and God bless!

    ~Katie G.

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I am a follower.

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I am an email subscriber.

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Please include me in the giveaway! Sounds like a great book!

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    Katie M

    ReplyDelete
  59. I am a follower of this blog

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    Katie M

    ReplyDelete
  60. I am a subscriber as well!

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    Katie

    ReplyDelete
  61. I love the cover of this book and once I heard what it was about I really wanted to read it..so please enter me. :)


    I am now a follower.

    I am now a subscriber.

    I now follow Melanie's blog.

    Thank you!! :)
    sundaisy920 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Please enter me int the drawing.

    pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  63. Please enter me in the drawing - what a neat cover!

    Sheri

    hspruitt [at] juno [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I am a follower of Writing for Chirst.

    Thanks!

    Sheri

    hspruitt [at] juno [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I am also an email subscriber and via Bloglines.

    Sheri

    hspruitt [at] juno [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I have become a follower of Melanie's blog.

    hspruitt [at] juno [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  67. This sounds like an excellent book!


    Amy S.
    artsyrockerchick at aim dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. Thank you for the wonderful interview and giveaway! I would love to read this book!

    showcasesisters at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I would love to win this, count me in.

    sonflower277(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Please enter me!

    I'm a follower


    Rae Byuel
    raebyuel(@)gmail(.)com

    ps carmen sent me!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Hello! I happened upon your blog from Mrs. Dickerson's blog. I first found out about "The Healer's Apprentice" when I was 'blog hopping' and I saw the cover of "The Healer's Apprentice." I immediately fell in love with the cover art . . . and was intrigued by the summary since I love medieval and Christian fantasy, so I know I'd enjoy this book! Thank you for putting together this contest and for the awesome author interview!

    Please put two entries in my name --I've subscribed to your e-mail alerts. (I hope it's okay that I haven't posted my real name . . . I don't like to do that if at all possible . . .)

    Thanks again!

    --Lady DragonKeeper
    jafuchi7 [at] hawaii.edu

    ReplyDelete
  72. Hi . . . my sister just told me about this contest and bugged me to enter it. =) This book sounds cool and I ADORE the cover. Personally, I think we need more "medieval" Christian fiction for teens . . .

    Thanks!

    kristia4 (AT) hawaii (DOT) edu

    ReplyDelete
  73. Lovely cover and sounds like a neat story to boot! This is totally going on my to-read list.
    gijanechosen(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I found your blog through ACFW and am really enjoying it. And, of course, I'd like to win the book!

    ReplyDelete
  75. wow great interview. I would love to have this book. Thank you
    trishbazin(at)yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I would love to win this book! I have been waiting for it to come out ever since I saw the trailer-seems like forever! : ) I am so excited you are doing a Beauty and the Beast story because it's my favorite fairy tale. : )
    potosrose(at)gmail(dot)com

    I'm a follower, subscriber, and a Melanie subscriber : )
    Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  77. I’d love to enter!

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  78. I'm a follower.

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  79. Looks like a great book! Thanks for the intro to the author...

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

    We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/09/healers-apprentice.html

    ReplyDelete
  80. I am a follower

    bkhabel AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  81. I also now follow Melanie

    bkhabel AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  82. Thanks for the giveaway - I'd love to read it!
    winnieayala at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  83. I follow Melanie on GFC
    winnieayala at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  84. Sounds like a good book - I'd love to win!

    Aleksija at ymail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  85. Would love a chance to win a copy. :-) Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

    thebookfaeryreviews AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  86. Please enter me.

    Wendy
    ebeandebe at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  87. Please include me. I'd love to read this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  88. I would love to win this book! Sounds great!

    TaraTagli at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  89. I think this book sounds wonderful.
    wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  90. Thanks for this giveaway!

    allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  91. Blog follower

    allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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