Exciting News!!
It’s a BOOK!
Two years ago my husband and I turned a twenty-year project into a website called Joy of Advent. We’re delighted to announce that our Advent Celebrations will be published as a book, set to release in 2024!
This season, throughout Advent and the 12 Days of Christmas you can enjoy subscription-only daily celebrations of readings, curated music, art and more family resources than you could possibly use.
This is my gift to you! And next year, we’ll also have a printed book!
How to Write a Book . . . in a Month.
In mid September, my agent at Credo Communications mentioned that there was interest in a proposal I had put together for a book based on my website, JoyofAdvent.com. The deadline could be close at hand, she suggested. I quickly realized I had a lot of work to do! I leaped into full writing mode.
When the book offer came, September was nearly over. And the deadline? The first half of the book by October 5th and the second half by the end of October!
I made to-do lists for the homeschoolers, gave Stephen (my co-author-theological-editor) his assignments, and barely left my chair for a month. But the work paid off and I am BEYOND THRILLED with the finished manuscript!
Each day’s celebration in our new book will have something for everyone: a quick-but-meaningful personal reflection for teens and adults, Jesse Tree symbol and description, daily carol, prayer, and a short meditation for the whole family. Plus our daily Advent emails will provide inspiring art and links to music video performances of every day’s carol. (If you haven’t already, you can sign up at Joy of Advent!)
The book is also full of ideas for celebrating all the special days within Advent and the Twelve days of Christmas.
What am I working on now?
The biggest task now involves marketing of The Joy of Advent: Family Celebrations for Advent and the Twelve Days of Christmas. Yup, authors do much of a book’s marketing, and we start a year or more before the book’s release date. Would you like to help? We’re recruiting for our launch team. Just reply to this message for more information.
I have other books in mind that I’m eager to write, but my focus now is on social media, securing endorsements, lining up appearances, and crafting. I can’t complain about the final item on that list. Bring on the glitter glue!
A Christmas Delight
Angelina, Traveling Angel by Becky Van Vleet follows Angelina, a Christmas-tree-topping angel decoration, as she’s passed down through three generations. Although Angelina’s lights dim and her song fades, she continues to share the message of Christmas joy with her family. Many families have a tradition of collecting a new Christmas picture book each year, and Angelina the Traveling Angel would be a touching addition to any collection.
