May 2016 Meeting

Learn the ins and outs of the publishing industry from our panel on Thursday, May 12th at 7 p.m. at Meridian First Baptist Church. This is a non-denominational event. Feel free to invite your friends. ($5 suggested donation)

Author Bios:

Patrick E. Craig
Best-selling author, Patrick E. Craig, is a lifelong writer and musician In November, 2011, Patrick signed a three book deal with Harvest House Publishers to publish his “Apple Creek Dreams” series. His Latest work, “The Amish Heiress” (Book One in The Paradise Chronicles series) has been on the best seller lists on Amazon since August. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.
Ray Ellis
A veteran law enforcement officer, former Marine, and ordained Christian pastor, Ray’s first novel, “Notorious”, was published in 2011. Since then Ray has been selected as one Idaho’s Top 50 Authors for the year of 2011, and then as a Top 10 Idaho Author in 2012; most recently Ray was awarded the 2014 ACFW, Idaho chapter Writer of the year.
Robin Lee Hatcher
Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Winner of the Christy, the RITA, the Carol, the Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and many other industry awards, Robin is also a recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She is the author of 75+ novels and novellas with over five million copies in print.
Peter Leavell
Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild’s Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing’s Best award for First-Time Author. Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. For entertainment, he reads historical books, where he finds ideas for new novels. Whenever he has a chance, he takes his wife and two homeschooled children on crazy but fun research trips.
Lisa Phillips
A British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London, Lisa attended Calvary Chapel Bible College where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Since then she’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.
Angela Ruth Strong
Angela Ruth Strong studied journalism at the University of Oregon and published her first novel, Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2010. With movie producers interested in her book, she’s decided to rerelease it and write sequels as a new series titled Resort to Love. This Idaho Top Author and Cascade Award winner also started IDAhope Writers to encourage other aspiring authors, and she’s excited to announce the sale of her first romantic suspense novel to Love Inspired Suspense.
Rebecca Carey Lyles
Rebecca Carey Lyles grew up in Wyoming, the setting for her Kate Neilson novels. She and her husband, Steve, currently live in Idaho (not to be confused with Iowa!), the beautiful state that borders Wyoming on the west. In addition to writing fiction and nonfiction, she serves as an editor and a mentor to aspiring authors and as a transition coach for women transitioning from prison to “the outside.” “Winds of Freedom” is the sequel to the award-winning first book in the Kate Neilson series, “Winds of Wyoming.”

Come join us for devotion, good fellowship, and a great panel!

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April 2016 Meeting

 

This month, on Thursday, April 14, we are going to focus on some Critiquing and Brainstorming.

Here are the details:  
6:45 Doors Open

7:00 Devotional. 

7:15 Critiquing and Brainstorming Sessions. 
Attendees may choose to visit a Critique or Brainstorm Group. Members will form groups of four and are encouraged to group with other writers in similar genres(if available).

8:25 Closing Prayer.

A few pointers on Critiquing andBrainstorming as a refresher.

Critiquing:
1. We will divide into groups of 4.
2. Each member will get 15 minutesto work on their project
3. Bring 4 copies of your 1 page,single-spaced work to be critiqued.
4. I recommend spending 8 to 9 minutes allowing others to read your work, and 7 to 6 minutes discussing it.
If you are the reader point out what you enjoyed about the piece, any mistakes you noticed, and offer suggestions to improve from your perspective.

Brainstorming: 
This is straight forward, talk about what you want to do with your book idea or where you’d like to take your work in progress. Simply lay out your ideas or existing timeline in fairly brief detail(within 5 minutes) and ask for ideas on what comes next.
     Tips: As ideas are offered that won’t fit your book, don’t shoot them down with anti-aircraft weapons, graciously acknowledge them as good ideas and specify how you’d like to take the story in a different direction. Also while offering ideas don’t stop offering them if some of them won’t work. Your doing your job correctly and it is always appreciated by the one looking for ideas.
Our meeting will be held at Meridian First Baptist Church in Meridian at 7pm!
428 W Pine Ave, Meridian, ID 83642

Come join us for devotion, good fellowship, critiquing, and brain storming!

Winter Writing Retreat

Join us for our winter writing retreat.

Saturday, January 23rd, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. until Noon at Meridian First Baptist Church. 428 W. Pine Ave. Meridian, ID.

Brainstorming, encouragement, and writing time are on the agenda.

What to Bring:

Whatever you need to write. There will be outlets available to charge laptops.

(Optional): A snack to share and/or a water bottle.

Christmas Party

Bring your whole family to the annual Idahope Holiday Party!

This potluck event will start at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 10.

Meridian First Baptist Church has graciously provided their gym for us to use.

What to bring: Huge smile on your face because we have a good time at this event. And…food (see the Potluck sign-up below). Hope to see you there!

Perfect Potluck Sign-Up 

 

 

November Meeting News

Last month author Lisa Phillips shared her knowledge and tips on Deep Point of View. She recommended Rivet Your Readers with Deep Point of View for those who missed the meeting or want more in-depth tips.

Big news! This month we are meeting on the third Thursday instead of the second. We will be focusing on critique and brainstorm groups. Hope to see you there!

Where we meet:

The Meridian First Baptist Church graciously offered our non-denominational group of writers the use of their library for our monthly meetings: 28 W Pine Ave, Meridian, ID 83642

When: We start at 7:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m.

Welcome Back!

We hope to see you on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 7 p.m.

The board gathered the results of the survey, met over the summer, and developed a plan to implement your suggestions!

First off, we have a new meeting place. We remain a non-denominational group of Christian writers, but teamed up with Meridian First Baptist Church as our new meeting place. We are so thankful they are opening up the use of their library to our group free of charge. Not only will it be a larger space with plenty of chairs and tables, but we will be surrounded with books. Ah, books…Don’t you feel inspired and encouraged already?  Click on the link above for Google Map directions.

Second, you may notice a new meeting format. Based on your input, we hope the monthly meetings reflect what our attendees want most. Here is a typical agenda:

An information table in front of the library will hold: name tags, signups for events, the Idahope Library, and a question submission box.

7pm: Icebreaker/writing exercise will be introduced.

7:30-745 pm: Devotional time followed by prayer.

7:45 p.m .Critique Groups or Brainstorming Groups

Critique Groups will be divided, ideally, in groups of four. Members are encouraged to join other writers in similar genres.

Bring four copies of your ONE page, single-spaced work to be critiqued.

Each member will have ten minutes dedicated to their work. The first five minutes are allotted to read aloud your work while others follow along. The remaining five minutes are used as time for readers to point out what they enjoyed and any possible suggestions.

Brainstorming:

Grouping recommendations are the same as above. Each writer has ten minutes to request & gather ideas from others in the group. Use specific questions and try to keep explanations of the plot thus far to a minimum due to the time constraints.

Use positive words in trying to steer the group to ideas/paths you need such as “Yes,and…” (Instead of “no, because…”)

8:30 p.m. Closing Prayer

*Critique and Brainstorm will be replaced by special speakers in some instances

This month, come and hear guest speaker  Robin Lee Hatcher!

Mrs. Hatcher (astounding bio below) will be joining us to speak on “Marketing with Goodreads!

Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. She discovered her vocation after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles.

After fifteen years writing for the general fiction market and a change in her own heart, Robin began to write stories that included her Christian faith and values.

Winner of the Christy, the RITA, the Carol, the Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and many other awards, she is also a recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from both Romance Writers of American (2001) and American Christian Fiction Writers (2014). Robin is the author of over 70 novels and novellas.

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. Her main hobby (when time allows) is knitting, and she has a special love for making prayer shawls. A mother and grandmother, Robin and her husband make their home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with Poppet, the high-maintenance Papillon, and Princess Pinky, the DC (demon cat).

You can visit her website at http://www.robinleehatcher.com/

Our meeting will be held at Creekside Arbor in Meridian at 7pm!

Come join us for guest speakers, worship, good fellowship, and a writing exercise!

New Release!

Congratulations to Gwyneth Bledsoe on the release of her second novel, Death At The Races (part of the Inspector Lawrence Mystery series) released January 22!

New Release!

Three Cheers for Andrea Graham with her release of Creature Of The Web: Volume Three of The Web Surfer Series Released February 5th!

Releasing in March!

A hearty Huzzah to Angela Ruth Strong for the third instalment of her Fun4Hire series The Food Fight Professional! Due to release March 14–Pi Day!

Releasing in March!

Many Felicitations to Lisa Philips, Angela Ruth Strong, and Heather Woodhaven on the release of their first Team Love On The Run Anthology! Due to Release March 27th!

Idahope Sale Starts Today!

.99c Ebooks

Today through Sunday!

CLICK ON THE BOOK COVER TO BUY!

 

 

The short stories of Heaven Help Us Volume Two can each stand alone and should be appreciated by anyone. They are part of a multi-platform curriculum designed to help young people grow in their connection with God. The short stories volumes one and two are designed to be part of the homework for the curriculum. The 35-lesson curriculum will include 35 short stories, a smartphone application that provides seven thoughts on prayer with the supporting Scripture for each lesson (a total of 245 prompts), an active participation student manual, a teacher’s manual with guidelines for teaching the lessons, a session planning sheet for each lesson, additional teacher resources, and of course, tests for each unit. The curriculum is designed for the following possible settings: release time courses for public schools, middle school and high school youth groups, homeschool, Christian schools, and the training of indigenous Christian leaders.

 She longed for adventure…the safe kind.

Twenty-year-old Leah Petra Jones calls out to God for an adventure, something more than life as the dutiful daughter of a worship pastor.

Only, in a church filled with secrets, adventure already waits.

At first sign of risk she reneges—but it’s too late. A handsome intern pastor helps the church transition right into a scheme where she is both prize and pawn. Petra learns that the most dangerous adventure can happen right in your own church.

Dave Johnson is the world’s biggest superhero fan. His comics allow him to escape the pain of the real world where he’s stuck in a dead end job and his wife and eldest son have lost respect for him.

Then Dave meets Zolgron, a symbiotic alien banished from his home world and forced to give great powers to whoever he attaches to. With Zolgron’s help, Dave becomes Powerhouse, a super strong, superfast crime fighter whose super imagination can mold reality to his vision. Dave sets off to save the day just like a comic book superhero and hilarity ensues.

 

 

 

I, Joey Michaels, am the Snowball Fight Professional.

Basically this means that customers pay me to shoot snowballs at other people. I’ll use the profits to buy Grandma a gift so impressive that she’ll give me a puppy for Christmas. Unless, of course, my cousin Winston has anything to do with it …

 

 

 

 

 

Four authors who also happen to be friends. Sixteen unique short stories. From tales of spies and trains and John Wayne, to monks, magic and marriage, readers will be entertained, challenged and inspired. The stories are as varied as the authors, yet theyeach portray individuals transitioning through the passageways of life.

Valerie D. Gray, Lisa Michelle Hess, Peter Leavell and Rebecca Carey Lyles met several years ago at a newly formed writers group in a back corner of Rediscovered Books, an Idaho indie bookstore. Over time, they became critique partners who share the ups and downs of the writing life as well as act as first readers for one another’s work.

 

 

 A frightened teen rescued from the horrors of the licentious streets of Pattaya, Thailand, Nataya, immediately regrets leaving her friend Suchin behind in the brothel. But when Nataya is given life-changing news, she learns that Suchin isn’t the only one that still needs rescuing.
A lonely Peace Corps volunteer in Cambodia, Jakobi, wants to make a difference in the world. The arrival of two orphaned children in the small village where she lives soon challenges everything Jakobi thought she knew about life and humanity.
The owner of an eclectic clothing store in Boise, Idaho, Zanna, is fiercely independent. She doesn’t need her family or anyone else. Or at least that’s what she thinks until one horrifying morning changes everything in her life.

 

 

US Marshal John Mason gains full custody of his son and is transferred to Sanctuary, a witness protection town that isn’t on any map. When the town’s first ever murder occurs, John’s plans to reconnect with his boy are derailed by the investigation. Andra Caleri gave up her old life a long time ago, but someone wants her out of Sanctuary–to pay. As accusations fly and John uncovers a conspiracy that stretches all the way to Washington, Andra’s past comes back in a true test of the mercy she received. Can John give up what he wants the most to bring the truth to light?

 

 

 

 

Magic. Myth. Miracles. They say there’s truth in legends.

It’s time to meet the real Santa Claus, so get ready for the Christmas love story of a lifetime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A man of character and purpose living life while making choices that effect the world around him.

Cady Miller Series, book 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heat, cold, loneliness, and fear…One man’s journey as his soul rediscovers the path his life has followed.

Will he find triumph or tragedy?

“I”, one man’s story, will it be yours as well?

 

 

 

Walk with Brad through “David One” and experience some time with this young rookie.

Crime fiction

Meeting tonight 11-20-14

Since last week’s regularly scheduled meeting was canceled due to snow, we will meet tonight at the regular place and time: Creekside Arbour in Meridian from 7 – 8:30 p.m

Creekside Arbour is located at 1425 N.E. Fifth, Meridian, Idaho (see map)

Hope to see you there!

Idahope Writers Holiday Sale! November 26 — 30, 2014

The following books by Idahope writers will be on sale, November 26, 2014 through November 30, 2014 for only .99 cents!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dale Roy Erickson

Heaven Help Us Short Stories Volume Two

The short stories of Heaven Help Us Volume Two can each stand alone and should be appreciated by anyone. They are part of a multi-platform curriculum designed to help young people grow in their connection with God. The short stories volumes one and two are designed to be part of the homework for the curriculum. The 35-lesson curriculum will include 35 short stories, a smartphone application that provides seven thoughts on prayer with the supporting Scripture for each lesson (a total of 245 prompts), an active participation student manual, a teacher’s manual with guidelines for teaching the lessons, a session planning sheet for each lesson, additional teacher resources, and of course, tests for each unit. The curriculum is designed for the following possible settings: release time courses for public schools, middle school and high school youth groups, homeschool, Christian schools, and the training of indigenous Christian leaders.

Genre: Education

+++

Hilarey Johnson

Heart of Petra

She longed for adventure…the safe kind.
Twenty-year-old Leah Petra Jones calls out to God for an adventure, something more than life as the dutiful daughter of a worship pastor.

Only, in a church filled with secrets, adventure already waits.

At first sign of risk she reneges—but it’s too late. A handsome intern pastor helps the church transition right into a scheme where she is both prize and pawn. Petra learns that the most dangerous adventure can happen right in your own church.

Genre: Spiritual Suspense

+++

Adam Graham

Tales of the Dim Knight

What would you do if you had superpowers?

Dave Johnson is the world’s biggest superhero fan. His comics allow him to escape the pain of the real world where he’s stuck in a dead end job and his wife and eldest son have lost respect for him.

Then Dave meets Zolgron, a symbiotic alien banished from his home world and forced to give great powers to whoever he attaches to. With Zolgron’s help, Dave becomes Powerhouse, a super strong, superfast crime fighter whose super imagination can mold reality to his vision. Dave sets off to save the day just like a comic book superhero and hilarity ensues.

Genre: Science Fiction

 +++

Angela Ruth Strong

The Snowball Fight Professional (Amazon) The Snowball Fight Professional (Barnes and Noble)

Joey Michaels must make enough money with his snowball fighting business to buy his grandma a gift, thus convincing her he is responsible enough to take care of one of her puppies. Unfortunately, his cousin also wants the puppy and is doing everything he can to sabotage Joey’s efforts. Looks like it’s going to be an all-out winter war. Book 2 in the Fun4Hire series for ages 8-12.

Genre: Middle-Grade Humor

+++

Rebecca Carey Lyles

Passageways (Amazon) Passageways (Barnes and Noble) 

Four authors who also happen to be friends. Sixteen unique short stories. From tales of spies and trains and John Wayne, to monks, magic and marriage, you’ll be entertained, challenged and inspired.

Genre: Short Stories

+++

Elaine Sherman Sturm                                  

Sherman

Sherman, an adventure through life for the author and her family. From Montreal, where she was born, four siblings, mom and dad, survived the cold of winter and the humid heat of summer on the Atlantic. A poor family, health issues moved them to the west coast, to Vancouver, in beautiful British Columbia. With both parents having a strong work ethic it didn’t take long to find work to support the family. Her Mother, Rae, a borderline genius, worked as a waitress most of her life to help keep the family fed and in good clothes, sometimes living above their means. The stress of debt caused many migraines for her father, Issie, who worked as a janitor most of his life, but his job was much more than that. Working mostly at hospitals, he spent time with patients, becoming a friend and an encourager to many. If one parent was sick the other got a second job. They did all they could to survive and provide for their children.

Genre: Memoir

+++

B.D. Riehl

The Heavens Are Telling (Book Two Child of Deliverance Series)

A frightened teen rescued from the horrors of the licentious streets of Pattaya, Thailand, Nataya, immediately regrets leaving her friend Suchin behind in the brothel. But when Nataya is given life-changing news, she learns that Suchin isn’t the only one that still needs rescuing.

A lonely Peace Corps volunteer in Cambodia, Jakobi, wants to make a difference in the world. The arrival of two orphaned children in the small village where she lives soon challenges everything Jakobi thought she knew about life and humanity.

The owner of an eclectic clothing store in Boise, Idaho, Zanna, is fiercely independent. She doesn’t need her family or anyone else. Or at least that’s what she thinks until one horrifying morning changes everything in her life.

Three compelling and heart-wrenching journeys interweave in unexpected ways to challenge the most basic of beliefs.

Genre: Christian fiction/suspense

+++

Lisa Phillips

Sanctuary Lost–WITSEC Town Series Book 1 (Amazon) Sanctuary Lost–WITSEC Town Series Book 1 (Barnes and Noble)

U.S. Marshal John Mason gains full custody of his son and is transferred to Sanctuary, a witness protection town that isn’t on any map. When the town’s first ever murder occurs, John’s plans to reconnect with his boy are derailed by the investigation. Andra Caleri gave up her old life a long time ago, but someone wants her out of Sanctuary–to pay. As accusations fly and John uncovers a conspiracy that stretches all the way to Washington, Andra’s past comes back in a true test of the mercy she received. Can John give up what he wants the most to bring the truth to light?

Genre: romantic suspense/mystery

+++

Kristine McCord

The Santa Society

Magic. Myth. Miracles. They say there’s truth in legends.

The real Santa Claus is nothing like you’ve imagined. Get ready for the Christmas love story of a lifetime.

Last Christmas, Erin Sinclair came home to be with her dying mother. This Christmas will be a year, and Erin still can’t move on. Fortunately, everything in her life is about to change. A behemoth dog named Klaus and Reason-the-handsome-realtor enter the picture, and together they turn Erin’s life upside down…in a good way.

Reason offers to help Erin sell her mother’s house, an effort that turns into a circus of fiascos. Just when it seems her luck can’t get any worse, Erin finds herself falling in love with Reason, the man of intrigue himself. But he’s more than he seems, and now Erin is immersed in the clandestine world of the Santa Society, a centuries old secret organization that protects the truth behind Christmas.

Winner of the 2013 Mistletoe Christmas Romance Award Top 10 Idaho Book Award Fiction 2013

Genre: Christmas Romance

+++

Danney Clark

Shield of Justice

Book three in the Cady Miller series, first story begins in Baker City Oregon.

 Genre: Christian mystery, adventure, political intrigue