Congrats to One of Our Own

For many years, Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference has enjoyed the presence of conferee Gina Holmes. In 2011, she will be on faculty (a second time I believe). I remember sitting with her and several other conferees at one of the "rocking" stations--a place with rocking chairs and view of the verdant terrain--and talking about novels. That was some years ago. She, along with some of the other folks in that rocking chair meeting, went on to start Novel Journey, one of the most successful and highly praised blog sites dedicated to writing. Successful as that was, publication remained just out of her grasp. That is, until May of this year when Tyndale House published Crossing Oceans. The novel quickly became a bestseller and starting attracting attention like a magnet draws iron filings.

Yesterday, I learned that Gina's book won an INSPY award. Here's a blurb about the book:

Crossing Oceans focuses on issues we must all face, such as life, death, relationships, and the choices we make when faced with our mortality. Through her protagonist, Genevieve “Jenny” Lucas, Holmes addresses these through Jenny’s final months of battling terminal cancer. Jenny makes difficult choices about her daughter’s future, and her own care and relationships. In the midst of this difficulty, Holmes places the message of faith very subtly throughout the narrative. She leaves her characters flawed and human, which makes them extremely relatable.

I consider Gina one of the many success stories coming out of BRMCWC. Congratulations, Gina. You deserve it.

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In 1998, Gina Holmes began her career penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded, Novel Journey—a literary blog named one of Writer’s Digests best websites for writers. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her husband and children in Southern Virginia. Her debut novel, Crossing Oceans, won an INSPY award for excellence in Christian fiction. To learn more about her, visit: www.ginaholmes.com or www.noveljourney.blogspot.com 

10 Things You Can Do Now to Promote the Novel You Haven’t Even Sold Yet (Workshop)

When you’re constantly receiving rejection letters from publishers or agents, the last thing you’re probably thinking about is publicizing a novel you can’t even seem to sell, but if you wait until your book is releasing or even about to release, you’ve waited too long. Best-selling & award winning novelist, Gina Holmes will give you practical steps to put you in the best position to promote your work so that when the contract comes, you’re well ahead of the game. 

The Making of a Best-Seller (Workshop)

As founder of Novel Journey, Gina Holmes has interviewed today’s mostacclaimed and best-selling authors and found common threads that not only helped her debut Crossing Oceans hit CBA and Amazon best-selling status and can help every author improve their odds of success.

 

Comments

[gina holmes]

Thanks Al. You, and BRMCWC are a big reason for my success.