Monday, January 17, 2011

Giveaway and Author Interview: McKenzie and Kaydie

Welcome to Writing for Christ, Penny Zeller, it is great to have you here!
Thank you so much for interviewing me on your blog, Casey.  It’s great to be here!
Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably doesn’t know?
What a fun question to answer! *grins* Let’s see, I think one of the most interesting things would be how I met my husband, Lon, of 18 years. I met him through a prank phone call when my sister, cousin, and I found his football picture in the newspaper and decided to call him one day. I thought he was just the cutest! (He went to a neighboring school and was a state champion football player, while I was a cheerleader at my school). We met in person for the first time the following week at the local gas station where I told him my real name. (Having an overactive imagination allowed me to come up with just the perfect name when I prank phone-called him). Lon rode up on his motorcycle and I drove up in my old-fashioned high school clunker. Our eyes met…and the rest, as they say, is history!

What surprised you the most about being a published author?

That the hardest work comes after the book is published! J

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

Historical romance is my favorite genre to write, followed by contemporary romance. In third place would be nonfiction. As for reading, I would have to say my favorite is historical romance. There’s something neat about being able to pick up this genre and escape into a simpler time.

When you aren’t writing or interacting with fans, what do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy spending time with my family and camping, hiking, canoeing, gardening, and playing volleyball.

Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how you view writing?

I     never realized it before I began writing, but being an author is a fulltime career. I have to be intentional about setting aside time and setting goals or my writing can easily take a backseat to the other “necessary” daily chores of being a wife, mother, and volunteer. Because I work from a home office, I have to be intentional also about allowing the answering machine to “field” calls and be realistic about time management. Effective prioritizing has been a huge learning experience for me!


What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

There are many exciting things about being a published author, such as, receiving a copy of my manuscript in “book form” for the first time or receiving a kind email from a reader. However, the thing I have enjoyed the most is the opportunity it has given me to share Christ with others. Being able to talk about my career has opened the door to sharing the Gospel in countless ways.

What do you like readers to take away from your books?

Writing is my ministry and I hope my readers will get from McKenzie -and all of my books -the power of God’s love, redemption, hope, and forgiveness.  I want them to catch a glimpse inside my characters’ lives and see that God can and does change hearts.

Places for readers to learn more about you? 

I love to hear from my readers and can be found on the web at www.pennyzeller.com (website)
www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com (my blog – a Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Penny-A-Zeller/96391560959?ref=ts (Facebook)

Thank you for being with us today! Thank you again, Casey, for having me here and for being such an encouragement and a blessing to authors everywhere! We appreciate you!

Okay readers, here is your chance to enter to win Penny's book. Here is how this will work: one winner will receive one of the books. The winner of Kaydie will not get their book April as it has not yet released. Please make note of this.
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:
~"Like" Penny's page on Facebook.


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 January 28th.

55 comments:

  1. The covers on both books are wonderful. Love it! I would love to read either of these books. Please enter me.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Please count me in for these books - I have yet to read one of her books. They look REALLY good, though! :-)

    (+1) I am a follower
    (+1) I am a subscriber
    (+1) I liked Penny on FB

    ~ Katy
    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I absolutely love the cover for McKenzie. Both models are beautiful!

    Congratulations on the books! I look forward to reading them.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've just recently heard of these books, and they sound really good!

    I'm a follower.

    I'm a subscriber.

    I liked Penny's page on Facebook.

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would love a chance to win! I am a follower, and I Like Penny's page on Facebook!

    angelmom1165 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great interview, Case and Penny, and PLEASE throw my name in the hat -- would LOVE to have this one!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy Monday Jo, Katy, Sherrinda, Ariel, Terri, and Julie!

    Thank you for stopping by Casey's blog and for your sweet comments about my books. You made my day :)

    Thank you, Casey, for hosting me on your blog. You are such an encourager and we authors SO much appreciate you!

    Have a wonderful week everyone and thank you again.

    Hugs & Blessings,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd love to read one of Penny's books.
    I'm a follower.
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would love to read one of Penny's books.
    I'm a follower. =)

    umdmaurer(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read both of these books. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. love to win thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  12. gfc follower

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  13. email subscriber too

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Please enter me..these book covers are great!
    lgm52@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm a follower
    lgm52@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. like Penny on fb
    lgm52@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Good Morning Ann Lee, MaDonna, Tore, Apple Blossom, and lgm52,

    Thank you for stopping by Casey's blog. I love reading your comments and so much appreciate them! Thank you also, lgm52 for "liking" me on FB.

    I hope you all have a Christ-filled week!

    Hugs & Blessings,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would love to win either of these books!

    I'm a follower and a subscriber.

    Doreen
    priviesandprims at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Loved the interview and hope to win one of Penny's books. Please enter me in the drawing!

    Blessings!
    Angel
    allstahrfamily@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'd love to win Kaydie (I have McKenzie - great book)!
    tressa(dot)sherman(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Liked Penny's FB page (Tressa S).
    tressa(dot)sherman(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I also love the covers and thought this was a great interview! Very insightful! I can't believe how busy authors are AFTER the "work" is done!

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. GFC follower

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Email subscriber

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I like Penny's page on FB

    Meredith M.

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Please enter me to win. Thanks!
    ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. your follower
    ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. like penny's page on facebook
    ruthhill74

    ReplyDelete
  29. I would love to win!

    Carman sent me. :)

    photographer4ever832[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thank you for the chance to win- both books look great! Carman sent me:) jdjmcc@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love to win ! Carmen sent me!
    atouchofheaven2010[at]gmail[dot]com
    Mary B.

    ReplyDelete
  32. i'm a google follower.
    atouchofheaven2010[at]gmail[dot]com
    Mary B.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I subscribed to your blog
    atouchofheaven2010[at]gmail[dot]com
    Mary B.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Sounds like a great read, would love to win.

    true_sheila at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Great story of how Penny met her husband. I also love that Penny looks at her writing as a ministry, the faith elements are important to me as I read Christian fiction. Please include me in the drawing, thanks.

    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
    I'm a follower.
    I'm a subscriber.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Happy Friday Doreen, Angel, Tressa, Meredith, Ruth, Charity, Jdjmcc, Mary, Sheila, and Merry!

    Thank you for stopping by Casey's blog and entering for a chance to win a copy of McKenzie or Kaydie. I loved reading your comments. I'm so glad you enjoyed reading McKenzie, Tressa!

    Thank you, Tressa, Meredith, and Ruth for "liking" me on FB. I so appreciate that!

    Thank you for your comment, Meredith about how busy authors are after the book is published. I used to think that I could just sit back and relax after the publication, not so! But that's ok...I love connecting with my readers :) That's actually one of my favorite parts about being a writer!

    I'm glad you enjoyed the part about how my husband and I met, Merry. I love it that faith elements are important to you when you read Christian fiction. They are so important to me too and I pray my words will impact lives for Christ.

    Have a blessed weekend everyone and thank you again for your comments!

    Hugs & Blessings,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  37. I would love to have either book. Please include me!


    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I am a follower!

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'm already a friend of Penny A Zeller on Facebook


    alekee02[a]tyahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Please enter me in the drawing!

    I have read and enjoyed McKenzie and I am looking forward to reading Kaydie.

    Thank you!
    Lisa Nelson

    storyreader617 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Please enter me in the drawing.
    Thanks,
    Lisa

    bluejay@hwyman.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I've got an ARC of Kaydie which has me quite interested in McKenzie ;).

    Just liked the FB page :). And I'm a follower...

    carol at carolmoncado dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. love your first book and will like to read the second
    vjpineda@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hello Maureen, Lisa, and Carol!

    Thank you for stopping by Casey's blog. I'm so glad you left a comment for a chance to win! Thank you, Lisa, for your kind comment about McKenzie. I'm honored that you enjoyed the book!

    Thank you, Carol, for your interest in McKenzie also. I'm excited to hear what you thought about Kaydie!

    I hope you all have a blessed weekend.

    Hugs & Blessings,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  45. I would love to win either of these books!

    I dream of having novels published, as well, and about to take the plunge. I plan to write novels for kids.

    I am a subscriber and a follower.
    Thank you,
    Christina
    hohmann@netzero.net

    ReplyDelete
  46. I would love to win!

    I'm a follower and
    I'm a subscriber.

    Doreen
    priviesandprims at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Good Afternoon Anonymous, Christina, and Doreen!

    Thank you for stopping by Casey's blog.

    Anonymous - thank you for the kind words about "McKenzie." I'm thrilled that you enjoyed reading it!

    Christina - I was excited to read about how you are writing novels for kids. As a mom, I am always on the lookout for great reading material. Thank you for having a heart for kids. May the Lord bless you and guide you in your writing ministry.

    Doreen - I just have to say I am totally impressed with your Privies and Prims blog! I so admire your crafting ability :)

    Hope you all have a wondeful week.

    Blessings,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  48. *gasp* I LOVE the *new* blog layout, Ms. Casey! The colors work so well together! I've been getting the e-mail updates, so I haven't been here lately, LOL. =) Thanks for a great interview (and also to Mrs. Zeller) ...

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

    ReplyDelete
  49. I'm an e-mail subscriber. =)

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

    ReplyDelete
  50. Carman sent me. Thank you for the giveaway, it looks like a really good read!

    Loveangel132@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Love the book covers..would love to read them both! Thanks for the opportunity!
    lgm52@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. follow via gfc
    lgm52@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. email subscriber
    lgm52@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. These books sound great! Would love to read either one. Thanks for the giveaway.

    plhouston(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. :)