If you’ve been following me lately, you know my first novel, Surrendered, is being released by Celebrate Lit Publishing on April 30th. Of course, I’m very excited about this since it’s been a dream of mine for a very long time. It just so happens, I have another release taking place next month: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Life Lessons from the Dog. Of course, it’s not just my story that’s being released, but 100 other authors as well. It will be available to purchase on April 9th. I just received my box of complimentary copies.
My story, Soul Sniffer combines two of my past loves—teaching and my sweet Bichon. Einstein, who passed away last June on his fifteenth birthday. This is my second contribution to Chicken Soup books. The first, A God-Colored Lens, was published in 2014 in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injury. It was a story about my daughter, Nicole, and, obviously, her recovery from traumatic brain injury. Nicole’s story inspired my novel Illusions, which will be released May 1, 2020.
One of the other contributors to CSFS: Life Lessons from the Dog, is my good friend, Blossom Turner with her story A Dog Knows. I find this a sweet coincidence (or not coincidence) as she and I have been walking this writer’s journey together for the past ten years. We met at the Mount Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2009, and although she lives in British Columbia, we’ve remained close. Technology can be a very good thing. Like me, she had to step away from writing for a period to work alongside her husband. We both jumped back into it at the same time and continue to encourage and support each other. In fact, we edited each other’s Chicken Soup stories before submitting them. We will be reunited (and rooming together) next month at the 50th Annual Mount Hermon Writer’s Conference in the Santa Cruz mountains
More perfect timing? Blossom received her first contract only a few short months after I did. Her novel, Anna’s Secret will be released in the next few months. I will announce the exact date when it becomes official.
I have been reading Chicken Soup books since they first appeared on the scene. I have always enjoyed the inspiring stories, but never dreamed I’d be part of the “team.” All royalties from this particular book goes to the American Humane Society—so purchasing a copy is one way of supporting the safety, welfare and well-being of animals.
Comments 1
Jennifer your story in CSFS: Life Lessons From the Dog called Soul Sniffer will have readers reaching for a tissue because they are wiping the tears dry. The heart-wrenching place where student, teacher and beloved Einstein collide … is truly well worth the book in that one story.
What a joy and a privilege to walk this writing road beside you my friend and I thank you for being the best critique partner ever. I also thank God for how our lives have been woven together by the love of words, the power of story and the joy of Jesus.