I don’t know about you, but I am getting tired of the phrase, “don’t waste your quarantine.” Some of us might have been super productive during the global pause, and others might have felt like they were barely hanging onto their sanity. I fell somewhere in the middle.
I had calm days where I enjoyed the quiet time at home with family, and I had super lonely days where I longed for a little more interaction with those I loved “outside my immediate bubble.” One of my coping strategies was to live a little bit each day in a world where I created and controlled the happily-ever-after.
That time resulted in completing my fourth Christmas novella. I’ve set this unnamed title in a lodge on a snowy mountainside. This winter tale will be ready sometime in 2021. In the meantime, you can enjoy Mistletoe Movie Star. This novella releases on December 1st, 2020!
I have good news for those of you who have been waiting FOREVER for a romantic suspense novel. I’ve crafted a solid synopsis for a full-length romantic suspense novel. It feels like this one has taken a very long time to come together, but now that it has, I LOVE IT! I drafted half the story from one character’s perspective, but it wasn’t working for me. So I reworked the scenes from a different character’s point of view, and wow, it changed everything! I cannot wait to start writing the story.
I’ve also completed the first draft of my third non-fiction book. This project is still untitled. I have loved every minute spent soaking in the Word of God for this text. Non-fiction always takes me the longest to write because I have to share that prep and study time to get ready for speaking engagements.
Speaking of speaking engagements, I have a few lined up now that the world has reopened. The first takes place online in November, so there is no fear of it being shut down should COVID rear its ugly head again. The next engagement is in January at a women’s event for a local church, and the last two are booked for the spring. You can stay up-to-date on all my speaking engagements by checking my website. If you happen to live in an area where I’ll be – I’d love to connect! Please shoot me a message at connect@staceyweeks.com. You can use that same email should you want to chat about booking me for your next event.
We are homeschooling the kids again this year. They are in grades 11, 8, and 7, and it keeps me busy! I also start another class at Heritage Seminary this month. I have really enjoyed the pre-course reading.
Finally, next week, I have the privilege of meeting with an agent for a little career advice. I am excited to discuss the next steps in my career. (I’m also hopeful that she might represent me!) I also have two whole days of writing seminars through the American Christian Fiction Writers online conference. I can’t wait to soak up the wisdom of those more experienced than me.
If you’ve ever rearranged a room or redesigned your living space, you know how much work it can be to create a fresh look in an old space. Well, that’s what I’ve been doing at StaceyWeeks.com. It was time for a new look, and I needed to upgrade my website to better utilize all the tools available to me as an author that ultimate benefit you, a reader.
I took a fantastic website-building course over at Author Media. They walked me through the process step by step, and even answered a few desperate emails when the technology didn’t work quite the way I expected. And the best part – the class is FREE. Yup, you read that right.
I’ve spent the last few months building a new website behind the scenes, and I finally launched it last week. I have to admit that it was pretty scary to hit that launch button. What if the new site didn’t work as it should? What if I messed up? The only thing holding me back was fear. I took a deep breath – – and launched!
If you poke around my site, you’ll notice that although things look slightly different, the message is the same. You can count on the same, reliable, God-glorifying content that you expect from StaceyWeeks.com.
You might notice the EXTRAS page is gone. I will still create excellent bonus material for all my subscribers, but that content will be built right into the emails you receive. The free-shorts page is still here. That’s the go-to spot for all the links and free downloads of stories and studies.
Right after the launch, I also switched email providers to serve you better, my wonderful reader friends. Some of you might have noticed a duplicate email go out not too long ago. I apologize. That was a glitch with the old provider and should not happen with the new provider. I dislike a cluttered and overwhelmed inbox, so I’ve designed a summary email of recent devotionals and blog posts to mail out once a month to limit the number of emails you receive from me. You are welcome to visit my blog page for up-to-date announcements and information anytime. Quarterly newsletters with bonus material and special book news will be sent separately.
That sums up the business side of things. On the creative writing side, I have exciting news coming your way, so stay tuned!
One of my favourite things about launching a new book is thinking up all the creative gifts I can give to my readers. You have no idea how much brain space I devote to you! I’ve made bookmarks and coloring pages, written free short stories and short Bible studies, created Christmas planners and gift tags, but this is the first time I’ve gone audible.
Chasing Holiness released March 4th, and I hope everyone had the opportunity to take advantage of the free book bonus with Glorious Surrender that ends on the 10th. If you missed it, don’t despair, I came up with ANOTHER freebie for you to enjoy.
The idea began at a recent women’s event at which I spoke. It was wonderful! I had a chance to catch up with some old friends. There is something pretty special about friendships that last over twenty years.
The event was recorded, and when they provided me with the recording, I knew I had my gift. This audible track comes from chapter seven of Chasing Holiness. If you keep checking, I’ll soon have a video link that will contain all the slides and images. Unfortunately, file size issues have delayed my ability to provide it today. (If you’re reading this post through an email subscription, you might have to visit the actual post to access the audio track.)
Chapter Seven, Chasing Holiness. Recorded at Hope Bible Church, Oakville, Ontario.
Listen to Chapter 7 from Chasing Holiness #FREE. Visit StaceyWeeks.com and check out the additional bonus material for readers. Free #Bible studies and free #shortstories and an extras page of more surprises.
Also, in the news, starting March 14th, you’ll find me all over the internet on a book tour for The Builder’s Reluctant Bride. I have such a soft spot in my heart for this story because it was my first contracted book, and it went on to win a national award for Christian romance. If you enjoy contemporary fiction with a romantic thread that digs a bit deeper into the issues of the day, you’ll really love Jenna and William.
You can follow the tour by reading the daily reviews that are interspersed with several author interviews. All the tour stops are listed here, but I will also post regular updates on several social media sites. The fun starts on the 14th! Make sure that you enter (and keep entering at every tour stop) for multiple chances to win a lovely “You Are Loved” bracelet from Little by Little.
I can’t get enough of this company! I love Little by Little.
If you missed my FREE 8-day Bible study on Jeremiah 17:5-10, The Blessed Woman, you can catch up by starting here. At the end of each post is a link to the next. Feel free to print and share this study with friends. My prayer is that you will be encouraged and blessed as you press into the Word of God.
Take care, and I hope you enjoy the bonus material!
Mistletoe Mission releases today, and I open my hands to hold loose this story God placed on my heart. It is my offering to Him.
As a writer, I long to worship God with my words. Carefully chosen, and purposefully crafted, they are my offering of praise. Today, as book two set in Mistletoe Meadows hits the market, I’m avoiding Amazon stats and download numbers. Instead, I linger in the Psalms. This is the prayer of my heart:
Give ear to my words, O Lord. Draw me up from the water, out from the darkened pit. Spread your protection over me, cover me with favour as with a shield. Hide me in your shelter.
You remember me. You lead me. You restore me. You are the stronghold of life. I respond in a stillness that knows You are God.
So, I fret not, waiting patiently, forsaking anxiety. You cause broken bones to rejoice and grant dry and fainting flesh satisfaction. My mouth overflows with reverent praise. I will not fear. With lifted hands, I praise your name.
The heavens declare your glory. The sky proclaims your handiwork. I sing. You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
As Mistletoe Mission releases, exposing my heart and making me vulnerable, I am choosing to be still. I will not fear. I lift my hands and praise the God who has gifted me this passion to write for His glory and fame.
Order your copy of Mistletoe Mission and rediscover the God of Christmas miracles.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. To celebrate, I am giving away a free short story! Visit one of my social media sites on Feb 14th to get the link.
You can find me and the clickable story link on Facebook and twitter Feb 14th
Hey all, our church put together this video about our trip to Haiti. I hope you are encouraged by all that God is doing in Haiti. It was an amazing experience.
I was a bit scared to go (totally honest moment here), but I am so glad I went.
