STARDUST ~ Coming in May, 2012

Thrilled to share with you at last ~ my next novel, coming in May, 2012.

STARDUST: A Novel

Shortly after burying her unfaithful husband, Georgia Peyton unexpectedly inherits the derelict Stardust motel from a distant relative. Despite doubts from the community and the aunt who raised her, she is determined to breathe new life into it. But the guests who arrive aren't what Georgia expects: Her gin-loving mother-in-law; her dead husband's mistress; an attractive but down-on-his-luck drifter who's tired of the endless road; and an aging Vaudeville entertainer with a disturbing link to Georgia's past.

Can Georgia find the courage to forgive those who've betrayed her, the grace to shelter those who need her, and the moxie to face the future? And will her dream of a new life under the flickering neon of the STARDUST ever come true?

Here are a couple of the early endorsements:

"A reverence for the past and a keen eye for interesting characters make Stardust as bright and magical as a twinkling neon sign on a dark, lonely two-lane. You'll love the journey as much as the final destination. Another winner from an author with a uniquely beautiful talent!" (Lisa Wingate, National Bestselling and Award-winning Author of Dandelion Summer and Blue Moon Bay)

"Carla Stewart is one of the best at slicing out a piece of Americana and serving it to the reader in a delicious story. STARDUST is a smooth, inviting, well told story that will stick with you long after you read the last line and close the book. A worthy read." (Rachel Hauck, award winning author of Dining with Joy)

This was a fun book to write, although I didn't whip it out as fast as I would've liked. As you all know, life intervenes, and during the months when I was writing, a lot was going on. Somehow it all came together just in time. And I can't say enough about the talented, creative cover art team at FaithWords. It was love at first sight when I got my first glimpse of this one. You'll hear more in coming months about the writing and the setting, but for now, another book is in the embryo, hankering to be written stage, AND it's on a deadline, so I'll be carving out some writing time the next few months.

Have I mentioned that I LOVE this writing thing? And for all of you - I cherish your support, your cheering from the sidelines, and hearing from you. We're in this together!

And with that said, perhaps I should ask - what would YOU like for me to write a story about? Any burning topics that fall in the "nostalgic" realm? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Where I'm From

“Where I’m From”

I am from endless sky, long hot summers, Rainbow bread and rabbit-eared television. From Nehi orange and cinnamon rolls hot from the oven.


I am from a cracker box house, gray-shingled, single bathroom, and three sisters giggling as the breeze riffles the bedroom curtains. From prairie grass bent in the wind, horny toads, and rainbows after a hailstorm.


I am from hopscotch on sidewalks, skate keys, and limbo under the broom handle. From lilac bushes, fingers black from cherry picking, baby chicks and playing nursemaid to orphaned bunnies.


I am from the land of pump jacks nodding against a purple and scarlet sunset, the noonday whistle, daddy leaving for the graveyard shift.


I am from Mike and Pat, supper at six o’clock, Avon calling, and pennies saved for a spinet. From German prayers at Thanksgiving, Grandpa’s whiskey jug, and Granny’s rice pudding.


I am from second pew on the right, Easter bonnets, Just As I Am, and baptismal waters.


I am from No Man’s Land, long stretches of time in the state of the Alamo, from Boomer Sooner and a college parchment stamped with RN.


I am from keep your nose clean and to the grindstone, laughter around the oak dining table, the snap of playing cards shuffled, and a family of storytellers. From elbow grease and belief in the American dream. I am blessed and rich in family and love and grace.


What I am not is a poet, but when I saw this writing prompt on one of the loops I frequent, I was mesmerized by the music in the simple words of this poet form and knew I had to write my own “Where I’m From”. Even more, it made me realize how wonderfully crafted and uniquely made we are and how our experiences have shaped us. We all have rich stories springing from the basic elements of our pasts—the concrete facts, the hurts, the victories, the sensory details that give texture to our lives and wings to our words.

I’m reminded all over again of the tremendous responsibility it is to string together words that edify and heal and bring laughter to the lips of readers. What a glorious privilege!

You can craft your own “Where I’m From” using the template of George Ella Lyon here.

It's All Good

Hello, lovely readers! I've been a little incog lately. Life has snowballed on me in the last few months. I wish I could blame it on something other than:
a) lack of organization
b) wasting too much time
c) overcommitment
d) laziness
e) being easily distracted
f) bad weather

It's actually a combination of all those things. I'm not a multi-tasker and yet it may be time to take some juggling lessons.

So, winter's behind us, the daffodils are blooming, and I'm back. Hopefully, you'll hear more from me.

Most immediate, I have a couple of things to share with you.

The WINNER of When All My Dreams Come True by Janelle Mowery is CARA PUTMAN!!!!

This is a terrific book with so many twists and turns you have to be careful not to get whiplash. And cute cowboys, too!! Enjoy the book, Cara.

AND NOW, another bit of fantastic news. I've signed a new two-book contract with FaithWords (Hachette Book Group). And that, basically, is why I've been snowed under. While I was enjoying the thrill of being a debut author last year with book signings, interviews, and generally lapping up the attention, I let my writing slip a little. Yes, BROKEN WINGS is on schedule and will come out this June. It's available for pre-order now.

BUT, I didn't get nearly enough done on my next book so I've been in my writing closet for a couple of months, hammering away at the keyboard. If you are counting, that's three books that I'm either promoting, fixin' to promote (yay!), and writing. Plus brainstorming for new ideas in my spare time. This is the life I dreamed about, and I must say, it's both different and more wonderful than I ever imagined. You have all been so supportive, and that's been one of the cool things about being a writer - connecting with all of you.

Okay, off track a little there (see item "e" above). Now that I've signed the contract, I can share with you that the next book (Summer, 2012) is called STARDUST. Here's the short version of the story:
STARDUST is the story of an East Texas widow who sets her dreams on running the Stardust Tourist Court, but when her dead husband's mistress arrives with a child in tow and polio strikes, she finds her original dreams are crippled.

I've had so much fun researching for this book (THREE trips to East Texas) and trying to pull it all together. I'm still doing some fine tuning before I turn it into my editor ONE WEEK from today. Yikes! What a fun and glorious life I lead.

Tell me, how do you juggle the many facets of writing/marketing/home if you're a writer?
If you're not a writer, do you struggle with kids/hubby/work/home, and how do you give them all the proper attention they deserve?

Complete disclosure here: This is my breakfast table a couple of weeks ago. It's not much better today.

Hope to see more of you now!

Old Friends and New: Book Signings Part Two

I went through all twelve grades with Angie

Last weekend, I returned to another of the "home fires" - the town where my parents grew up and where my sister and dad still live. Although the times I've actually lived there have been short, it's where I come home to - where many of my relatives lived and died. But it's more than being related to people - there's a kinship with the folks in the Panhandle that transcends blood ties. It's knowing someone who is related to an old classmate or someone who knew your mom when she worked at the bank or someone who's heard about my book down at the Baptist church. It's small town friendliness where you're not really strangers, but friends who just haven't met yet.

When I learned I would be attending my grandson's concert a couple counties over on Dec. 5, I called Virginia, a friend who had been asking me to come to Guymon for a book signing. And what a day she and a half dozen others put together! On Saturday morning, The Word Weavers, a small, but dedicated writing group, hosted a reception at Main Street Guymon (the tourism/public relations office).

The Word Weavers prepared the brunch and organized everything. Thank You!

Signing Books at the doctor's desk

A little side note here: The Main Street Office is housed in a restored building that was for many years the office of Dr. Hays. The ladies had me set at the doctor's roll-top desk to set up my display and sign books. It made me feel rather scholarly . . . and quite honored, to be sure.

We had a wonderful turnout! The Word Weaver's served brunch, asked me to do a reading (a first for me), and before I knew it, it was time to scoot over to the Guymon Public Library for the next event - a punch and cookies reception and signing hosted by the Friends of the Library.

Friends of the Library had punch & cookies at Guymon Library

Mary Gail on left, my sister Marsha on right

My dad, my sister Marsha, many of Marsha's friends, a high school classmate, a couple of sisters of high school classmates, and a host of lovely people stopped by at both locations. It was a wonderful day. And like the title of this posts - old friends and new - I'm blessed to have both. And I learned that, yes, you can go home again.
Many thanks to Virginia and Pam and the Word Weavers for your hard work, for the amazing job you did on the publicity. A special thanks to Melyn Johnson for wanting to have the reception at Main Street Guymon and to Sherry Lindley and the Friends of the Library for making me feel welcome. The only sad note of the day was that Virginia, who had worked so hard, came down with a stomach bug a couple of days before the events and was unable to come. I was so sorry she had to miss and am grateful that she is now feeling much better.

I will post more pictures in an album on FaceBook in a day or so and will update you with the link when I do so. In the meantime, I have many warm memories for this chilly December. Perfect weather for curling up with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. Which I plan to do as soon as I finish my Christmas shopping.

Until next time . . . .

How did you come up with that?

This question and many others came from a dozen lovely ladies of the Welch Bookies Book Club a few days ago. For my first face-to-face book club, the initiation was pure bliss! We laughed, talked about our favorite characters, and had random discussions about pink sponge hair rollers, Ford Edsels, Gone With The Wind, and Happy, Texas. Sort of like stepping into a roomful of friends I didn't know I had and wishing I could unpack and stay awhile.

And that's not to mention the amazing hostess of the evening: Jeane Wynn. She selected my book for her "turn" and had the meeting at the Wynn-Wynn Media office. Tyson, the other half of Wynn-Wynn took off his work hat and donned his chef's apron to prepare a banquet of hors d'oeuvres. Yummmmm!

I have to tell you two of the "coincidences" of the evening. One was that Jeane borrowed a 1950s red and white enamel table for holding the beverages. What she didn't know was that I ate at a table exactly like that as a child (and have the table upstairs now - a remnant of my childhood). The other thing (and I think this might have been intentional on Jeane's part) was that one of the cakes was also exactly like the one I envisioned Irene Flanagan from Chasing Lilacs bringing to each and every occasion that required a cake. And it tasted as good as I envisioned, too!

Jeane presented me with Welch Community Cook Book

Thanks, Jeane and Tyson, for all the great food, decorations, and hospitality. Thank you, Welch Bookies, for one of the nicest evenings I've had all summer. You've set the bar high for my next book club appearance.

My new friend who won the gift basket! Congrats, Mary!

I'll be back with one of the recipes from the evening later in the week.

Q4U: Do you belong to a book club? I'd love for you to tell me about it!

On The Road

In about twelve hours I'm headed to the northeast part of Oklahoma for a book signing at the CHAPTERS BOOK STORE in Miami and then later spending the evening with a book club that has just read Chasing Lilacs. There's a lovely writeup on the WelchOK.com site. And if you're in the area, please come by and say hi! I'll be at Chapters from 3:30pm until 5:30 pm. Love to see you! 

And speaking of being on the road and book clubs . . . I just signed up for the Pulpwood Queen and Timber Guy Book Club's "Girlfriend Weekend" in Jefferson, TX which will be held on January 13 - 16, 2010.

Here's the scoop from the tiara-wearing, book-loving queen, Kathy Patrick . . .

Flamboyant comedian, actress, screenwriter, and author, FANNIE FLAGG, of "I Still Dream About You, Honey: A Novel" has just been confirmed by Random House Publishers to be one of our Keynote Speakers during Girlfriend Weekend 2011!

We have attained the TRIPLE CROWN! Announcing our Keynote Speakers for our 2011 book club hosted event, Fannie Flagg, Pat Conroy, and Rick Bragg! Woo! Hoo!

New York Time's Bestselling author, back by popular demand, Pat Conroy of "My Reading Life" has confirmed , also Random House Publishers, he will too be here with this incredible message below that he personally emailed me. Look out Pulpwood Queens, he's bringing with his entourage', his best friend, Bernie Schein! You have been warned!!!!!

ALL the information is right here including what's on the schedule when, the authors who've been invited to participate in two days of author panels, all the extra activities and WHAT TO WEAR to the ball on Saturday night.

I can't wait for this event!! A little secret: The price goes up on September 1, so you might want to hop over there now to get your name on the list. Of course, I'll be telling you more about this and the Books Alive! event in Jefferson in November (MUCH MORE about that later). And you can find info for that here.

Have I mentioned how much I love being with my readers and other authors?? This is a joy beyond anything I dreamed. Maybe I'll be on the road to your neck 'o the woods soon.

Life Is a Merry-Go-Round

My apologies, dear readers, here at the Cafe. I've been absent more than present lately. Truthfully, I've been caught in the thrill - and sometimes daunting merry-go-round - of marketing of Chasing Lilacs. After five book signings, including my first ever trip to the International Christian Retail Show in St. Louis, I was feeling a bit wiped out. I LOVE meeting readers and schmoozing with all my writing friends, but I was feeling like I needed a good dose of my "normal" life. So that's what I've been doing. We've had two of our grandsons for their annual stay with Mimi and Papa Max, celebrated our grand-twins' birthday, and am feeling recharged and ready to go. Oh, I also finished the copy edits for Broken Wings, my novel which comes out next summer, and am working on the proposal for what I hope will be my third novel (it's not sold yet - I have to present the idea with a few chapters - prayers would be appreciated).

I've received some of the nicest notes from many of you and more great reviews. You don't realize how much those mean to me - sometimes it's more than my heart can hold. I'm also getting back on the carousel this week and will be making my first "in-person" visit with a book club and traveling to the Northeast corner of the state to the Chapters Book Store in Miami, OK. I can hardly wait! And I love how one of my recent readers, the Redneck Diva, is spreading the word about that event. You can also read her review of Chasing Lilacs here. Her giveaway opportunity has passed, but just wanted to share her sweet take on my book.

So wherever you are, I hope you're having a "happening" summer, that you're able to spend some time with those you love, meet new friends, and recharge your batteries. Hmmm. Having written that, I realize that summer is OVER for many of you - school buses are starting to roll. Alarm clocks are buzzing. Gee, it doesn't seem possible.

Hope to see you all here more often. And if you're in the area, here's the info about my booksigning this week.

Chapters Book Store
Main Street, Miami, OK
Thursday, August 12 ~ 3:30 - 5:30 pm

Miami's a small town. If you find Main Street, then you can find Chapters! Looking forward to a grand time!

Until next time . . .

A Winning Proposal - A Fantastic Conference

In six short weeks, I'll be headed to Indianapolis for the American Christian Fiction Writers' annual conference. This is one of my favorite events of the entire year. My sweet friend, Cynthia Ruchti - aka debut author and President of ACFW - penned a proposal for this year's gathering. With her permission, I'm sharing it with you. You'll notice that this little advertisement also masquerades quite cleverly as the perfect example of a winning proposal. Plug in the information for your own stunning novel, add a synopsis and a few chapters and you'll be set to meet even the scariest agent or editor! See you in Indie!

PROPOSAL FOR 2010 ACFW CONFERENCE

Title: ACFW Annual Conference

Tagline: “Serving Him in WORD and deed”

Scriptural Inspiration: “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17, KJV).

Elevator Pitch: Noted throughout the industry as the premier gathering dedicated to Christian fiction, the 2010 ACFW Conference promises high adventure, a healthy dose of suspense, soul-stirring emotional subplots, and a cast of both heroic and quirky characters.

Back Cover Copy: When 500 fiction writers and industry professionals descend on the Hyatt Regency Downtown in Indianapolis Sept 17-20, the fiction world tips on its axis. So many accomplished and apprentice authors gathered under one roof with 1500 others cheering them on from homebase! Watch the plot unfold as editors and agents find the dream project they’ve been looking for, as writers connect with long-lost brothers and sisters, as a flashflood of fiction craft information careens down the canyon of downtown Indianapolis and sweeps eager writers off their perches. Will an agent fall in love with a manuscript? Will writers find critique partners with whom they can build a future? Will the murder mystery novelists draw curious stares from hotel personnel as they plot their next victim’s demise? What surprises await at the gala award ceremony? And how will the TSA employees react to luggage with its normal contents jettisoned so the return traveler can pack home more books from the conference bookstore?

Simply magnificent. Simply inspired. Simply the best Christian fiction conference.

It’s one story you won’t want to miss.

Bio: ACFW is in its ninth year of presenting a quality conference devoted to Christian fiction. Inspired by the founders of ACFW (now ACFW) and their passion to encourage and educate writers of Christian fiction, each successive year’s board members and volunteers have worked to expand the education, insights, inspiration, and camaraderie offered to ACFW members. The conference is an annual highlight for ACFW, an intense microcosm of what happens throughout the year within the organization, as well as an invaluable opportunity for writers to meet face-to-face with highly respected authors, editors, and agents; grow in their knowledge of what it takes to write life-changing Christian fiction; and reflect the love of God in our worship of Him and our service to one another and our readers.

Market Comparison: None

Endorsements: Come see for yourself whose presence and whose sponsorship of the ACFW conference indicate their endorsement of the unparalleled opportunities and unique blend of worshipful/professional atmosphere it offers.

Takeaway Value: Direction for future projects. Connections with industry experts. Spiritual encouragement. Refreshment. Invigoration. A high-quality education in the craft of Christian fiction. Inspiring moments. History-making experiences. The priceless opportunity for fellowship and worship with others also writing to honor God and serve Christ with wholehearted devotion.

Projected date of completion: Ask past attendees and you’ll hear it said that the Lord is never really finished using what happens at an ACFW conference to build them as a writer, build their career, and build them as a person.

If you would like to respond to this proposal, please click on the conference pages link on the ACFW website. 

Pressing on for His glory,

Cynthia said it better than I ever could. If you've thought about attending a writers' conference, this may be the one you've been waiting for. 

How about you? Any readers/writers out there who will be at ACFW?