Thursday, September 16, 2010

Special Giveaway and Interview: The Call of Zulina

Help me welcome author, Kay Strom to the blog today! She is giving away a copy of A Call of Zulina, so be sure and read on.

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

Tell us a little about yourself!
Bio:
Kay Marshall Strom is the author of thirty-five published books. Four were chosen as book club selections, nine have been translated into foreign languages, and one was optioned for a movie. Although she is well established as a non-fiction writer, her current fiction has met with high acclaim, receiving praise from Publishers Weekly and a starred “Highly recommended” review from the Library Journal. In addition to her writing, Kay is an in-demand speaker. Her work as a 21st century abolitionist take her around the globe where she speaks out against social injustice, especially modern-day slavery. She and her husband make their home in the Pacific Northwest.

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

Depends on what you mean by “write.” All my life I’ve written stories. Tommy the Turtle was published in our school paper when I was in fourth grade. But of course you mean after I started writing for more universal publications, don’t you? Actually, it was just one year. I took my first manuscript (which was very raw) to a writers’ conference where I met an editor who saw a glint of potential in it. She helped me along, and my first book was released at the end of that year.

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

Wow! Am I dreaming? I’ve got to tell Mrs. Eckert about this! (Mrs. Eckert was my junior high teacher who always told me that one day I would be a writer—and bought me my own dictionary because I was such a wretched speller!)

3: What are you working on now?

My second historical fiction trilogy, this one set in India. The first book, Ashish: The Blessing of Faith, will be released in Sept. 2011.

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

On my website: http://www.kaystrom.com/. For this current Grace in Africa historical fiction trilogy, the site: http://www.graceinafrica.com/

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

Both in my fiction and non-fiction, I am first and foremost a storyteller. But I’m a storyteller with a passion. My goal is to tell a rollicking good story with a heart-cry for justice.

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

• In unity with Christians in Egypt—and at their request—I have a Coptic cross tattooed on my right wrist.

• As a writer and speaker, and husband and I have the opportunity to take cruises to wonderful places in exchange for giving a few presentations on the ship. Fun, huh?

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

If you want to be a writer, write. Write and write and write some more. Never give up. Everyone gets better and better. No one gets worse and worse.

Okay readers, here is your chance to enter to win Kay's book, The Call of Zulina!


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

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 September 25th.

39 comments:

  1. Thanks for the opportunity!

    forsurveysonly at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have really wanted to read this one! Please enter me!

    Blessings
    Michelle V
    lifeinreviewblog[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am a follower.

    Blessings
    Michelle V
    lifeinreviewblog[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am a subscriber.

    Blessings
    Michelle V
    lifeinreviewblog[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for the giveaway. Sounds like a great book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Whoa, Kay has sure done a lot. This book sounds great. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for giving away a copy.
    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  7. It would be interesting to hear her speak about the modern day slavery issue.
    I am a subscriber and follower.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Id love a chance to win the first book in this series! It looks great!!


    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am a follower of your blog!

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am an email subscriber as well!

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sounds great :) Thanks!

    I am a follower.

    I am a subscriber.

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Please enter me in this contest.

    I am an e-mail subscriber.

    I follow with GFC.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. This book looks great! please enter me!

    PS i love your blog. I have a book blog of my own so I always like to check and see what everyone else is reading!

    worth(dot)ann001(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'd love to win this book. Please enter me!

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am a follower!

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. The cover of "The Call of Zulina" is dramatic yet beautiful. It really makes me want to open the book to find out what is happening with the story. I enjoyed your interview very much. Thank you for taking the time to visit with Casey.

    I am a follower of your blog and OEA, also a subscriber to both.

    Blessings to you both!
    Beverly
    bgrider2@cox.net

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kay, the title of your book draws me in immediately and the cover is very dramatic and secretive. I enjoyed your interview with Casey. I would love to know more about the story. Thank you for the giveaway and the opportunity to win this book. I hope I do!!

    Sharing Christ's Love,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I loved that your Jr High Teacher had such faith in you, and you were able to share your success with her!
    Please enter me!

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am a follower!

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am a subscriber!

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I would love to win and read this book.
    I am a follower/subscriber.
    Thank you for the chance.
    Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ooops I forgot the email address.
    wdesirees{at}yahoo{dot}com
    Thank you for the chance.
    Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  23. thanks for the opportunity to read this novel...

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. i'm a follower :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. This sounds like a great book!

    ~Lauri M
    http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com
    l_meinhardt@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I follow

    ~Lauri M
    http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com
    l_meinhardt@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I subscribe

    ~Lauri M
    http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com
    l_meinhardt@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'd love to win! I just became a follower.
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Kay, So glad you had the encouragement to continue with your writing so now I have the opportuninity to read The Call of Zulina. Great interview and I have added this book to my wish list. Thanks for stopping by to chat.

    Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am a GFC follower

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I am old email subscriber

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm following you! :)

    1haelb@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'd love a chance to win this book. Thanks so much! reneeasmith61[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I have never read you before, but I would love the chance!
    apeygirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Please enter me!

    Thanks!

    God bless!

    ~Katie G.

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am a follower.

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am a subscriber.

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks for the opportunity to win this!

    hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Always love your blog! I'm a follower and subscriber. Enter me please.
    Carman sent me!

    latawniakintz[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. :)