2016 pre-conference mix and mingle

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It’s almost time, y’all!!

Welcome to the fourth annual pre-conference mix and mingle, the event with the cheesy name but serious fun. In case you’re new here and have no idea what this is all about, it’s just a little link up with some questions that help us get to know each other before conference arrives. I’ve loved the opportunity to “meet” people ahead of time, especially that first year in Indianapolis when I was a newbie  🙂 At the bottom of this post, there’s a little link-up with friends who will be going to conference and their own get-to-know-you posts.

Here’s how to play:

– Copy/paste the questions and fill out your own answers in a post on your own website and paste the URL to that specific post (not your homepage) using this handy link-up tool. Just click on the button below that says “Add your link”. If you don’t have a website, feel free to answer the questions in the comments below!

– Make sure to link back to this post after you fill out your answers so any of your readers who are conference attendees can participate, too! The more, the merrier.

– Click through the links below to get to know other conference attendees before Nashville!

Here are my answers!

Name: Laurie Tomlinson

Location: Tulsa, OK

What you write/tagline/trademark: Contemporary romance for 20s and 30s audiences / “Stories of grace in the beautiful mess”

Place in the book world: Newly contracted author represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary. My debut novel is currently in production with Harlequin Heartwarming, and I’m also writing my fourth manuscript.

On a scale of hugger to 10-foot-pole, please rate your personal space: All the hugs.

Something VERY serious: How do you take your Starbucks? Not a coffee drinker, but chai or iced Passion-Tango tea, please!

The unique talking points that will get you going for hours: Planners, pens, cooking, Texas Longhorns football, and whatever TV show I’m currently watching (Try Firefly)!

Loved ones at home you’ll be missing: My husband, 4-year-old daughter, and 16-month-old son. You’d better believe I’ll be missing my yellow Lab snuggles, too!

Conference goals we can pray for? Last year, I prayed God’s vision for my writing would be clear, and that was answered with a renewed passion to continue my series for the “New Adult”/early 20s audience, even though it’s been a tough sell in the inspirational market. So I would love prayers for the two books I am pitching AND for all the opportunities/connections that conference will bring!

Anything we can celebrate with you? My debut clean contemporary romance is coming out from Harlequin Heartwarming in the near future!

One or two ways we can help you build your platform? You can like my author page on Facebook and sign up for my email list by clicking here!

Your turn!

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Be sure to check out who’s going to conference as (hopefully) the links start showing up!

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  • Name: Betsy Lowery

    Location: Helena, AL (outside Birmingham). Native of North Carolina.

    What you write/tagline/trademark: I moved this question to the end.

    Place in the book world: Completed a lightweight suspense/adventure last year and currently writing its sequel. Book 1 set near Gatlinburg, book 2 set in greater Atlanta. Attended BRMCWC in May and am seeking mentoring/representation as I revise and complete this debut duo. I also have a women’s devotional book from 2004, Pause: Everyday Prayers for Everyday Women. It’s out of print by Baker/Revell, but still online. I even found a copy in 2nd and Charles book store this week. https://www.amazon.com/Pause-Everyday-Prayers-Women/dp/0800759273

    On a scale of hugger to 10-foot-pole, please rate your personal space: Three-foot pole for many people in a group setting. Hint: my parents weren’t overly huggy. The more we agree and laugh, the more likely I am to touch your arm for emphasis when ranting (in a good way) on a topic of interest.

    Something VERY serious: How do you take your Starbucks? 99% of the time, it’s decaf or half-caf vanilla latte. Mocha works and anything with ice cream, chocolate chips & whipped cream is a decadent treat.

    The unique talking points that will get you going for hours: KNITTING! Correct spelling & grammar, Pride and Prejudice, sewing. Teaching children to sew. When Calls the Heart, and old movies (1930s-1970s). Brady Bunch, Gomer Pyle, & Columbo. Poetic song & hymn lyrics. Spiritual application found in everyday topics like the song in my 2-part Christmas in July blog post. Part 1 is here: https://calledoutlife.wordpress.com/2016/07/12/the-voice-robie-lester

    Loved ones at home you’ll be missing: Jeff, husband of 30 years; two grown daughters and the sweet new dog belonging to one of them.

    Conference goals we can pray for? That I won’t submit anything that’s not ready, that I will end up in helpful classes, and that I won’t drop my lunch or dinner on the floor. Or trip and fall.

    Anything we can celebrate with you? I have a business card now. Does that count? And I still have a day job and a very supportive community & family who want to read my novels once they’re published. And I’m about to ask my next-door neighbor if she will become my prayer partner for nation, community, and family. That is going to be a big step for me, so do please celebrate that.

    One or two ways we can help you build your platform? You can like my Books by Betsy Lowery page on Facebook (& answer the quizzes and surveys I sometimes post that flow out of my 2 books’ plots), follow my devotional site calledoutlife.wordpress.com (and actually Like and Comment), and pray that God will show me if fiction has a place within the serious but often wittily observant voice I’ve been using for more than 10 years under the name Called-Out Life E-devotional. This Christ-centered devotional platform draws from personal experience and life lessons found in books (including the Bible), songs, and movies. For example, that day in Jordan-Hare Stadium last football season when God told me to buy a funnel cake. https://calledoutlife.wordpress.com/2015/11/18/god-told-me-to-buy-a-funnel-cake/

    What you write/tagline/trademark: No clear genre yet, no tagline, no trademark. Too bad for me that this was the lead question. If it wouldn’t be a marketing disaster, I’d say my tagline (mentally, at least) is: Grace Livingston Hill is my hero. I am not attempting to mimic her style, plots, or characters. Not at all. I actually think my plots and characters are fairly novel. No pun intended, but I do love unintended puns. It’s Mrs. Hill’s purpose, to honor and proclaim Jesus through fiction, that inspires me.

    Thank you so much, Laurie.

  • I don’t have an active blog, but I can’t WAIT to squeeze your neck, lady!! ONE MORE MONTH! <3

    • Yessssss! But you can answer your questions here in the comments if you want! There are and will be others!

  • Done Laurie! Great idea. Thanks for the chance to get to know some folks before making the trek to Nashville.

  • Thanks so much for hosting this Laurie! I see we share a mutual love of chai tea and writing for 20 somethings 🙂 Looking forward to a chance to meet you in August!

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