Monday, June 25, 2012

Interview with Jeanette Levellie


      Jeanette Levellie is here today to share a bit of her insight and trademark wit and wisdom. I am excited! 
    
      I met Jen shortly after I started blogging; she's a faithful friend and delightful writing buddy who always makes me laugh. Her book, Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top hit the shelves this spring and is a big hit. It is currently in the #10 slot for Christian Humor/Family/Parenting on Amazon. 

Jen's generously offered a copy of her book for a giveaway. Details on that and her $100 Gift Card Giveaway follow the interview.

        




Karen: Welcome, Jen! Congratulations on your book's success. I imagine you are pretty excited. When did you start writing for publication?

Jen: Thank you, I am! It's great to be here. When my son was a baby, I wrote several poems for La Leche League, which they published in their international calendars.  I was thrilled to see my work in print, delighted that people all over the globe were reading it. LLL offered me a job editing the newsletter for our local region, but I turned them down, since I had two small children at the time, and wanted to devote all my time to them. When they were a bit older, I started writing for a large church’s daily devotional, and then my first article, Felines: Friend or Foe? was published by an educational magazine. Since then I’ve had hundreds of columns, articles, and stories published. Several of the columns I wrote for our local newspaper are included in my book, Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top.

Karen: What is Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top about? 

Jen: It is a light-hearted look at God’s enormous heart. I’ve taken 72 stories of everyday battles, brouhahas, bliss, and added a touch of humor. My goal is to make you laugh, help you like yourself, and enable you to receive God’s love. I’ve aimed it primarily at Christians, but it has some “salt” sprinkled in it as well, to make pre-believers thirsty to know Jesus.

Karen: Where did you find the inspiration for your stories? 

Jen: Mostly from stupid things I’ve done or messes I’ve gotten myself into. I share what I’ve learned about God’s bottomless grace from my own misadventures. I also love to observe other people’s nutty behavior, and draw funny conclusions from those. Every happening and encounter in my life is a potential story to write about, and I see humor in nearly everything and everybody. So be careful if you ever hang out with me—I may use you in my next book! 

Karen: I'll have to remember that. :) I'm curious about the process of finding an agent. How did you find yours?

Jen: I went to the Write to Publish conference in Wheaton, IL. I did what they told me to do, and researched the staff ahead of time. I picked out Diana Flegal of Hartline Literary as my top choice, since she represented non-fiction writers, and she looked like a gentle soul. I had no idea she was also a pastor’s wife, like myself. When I met with her, we just clicked. It had to be the Holy Spirit guiding my steps, because she is the perfect agent for me. She gets my nutty sense of humor, and we’ve become great friends and prayer partners. But you really must do your homework on this one. It’s better to have no agent than a bad one. You can check out a potential agent on a website called Preditors and Editors. Also, find out some of the authors they represent, and interview them. 

Karen: Thanks for the info and for joining us today. It's been a pleasure! Wishing you much success with all your writing endeavors. :)

Jen: Thank you, and thanks for having me!

Stop by Jen's blog or Facebook page; she'd love to see you. Don't forget to check out her $100 Gift Card Giveaway.

For more info on Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top, click here. To read my review, go here.

Book Giveaway 

Jen has offered a copy of her book, either in Kindle, hard copy, or pdf file. Here are the details: 
  • You must be a follower and leave a comment, with your email address.  
  • Gain bonus entries (+1 each) by posting this on Facebook, your blog, and/or Twitter. Please total your entries and include link with your comment where applicable.
  • Open to residents of the United States.
  • Deadline to enter is midnight EST, Friday, June 29, 2012. Winner will be notified via email and will have 36 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Winner will be announced Monday, July 2, 2012.

Do you have any questions for Jeanette? What are you reading now?

Happy writing,
Karen



42 comments :

  1. Wonderful compelling interview.

    Yvonne.

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  2. Thanks for the delightful interview, Karen. I enjoyed reading about Jen and her special gift of humor. It's beens aid that laughter gives the heart the equivalent of an aerobic workout. Thanks very much, Jen, for bringing "medicine" to the Body of Christ through your writing.

    Blessings,

    MaryAnn
    ______________________
    MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA
    www.maryanndiorio.com
    www.thewritepower.blogspot.com

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  3. HI, Jeanette! Love seeing your smiling face!
    I have your book already but haven't started it yet!

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  4. I love jeannette and am so happy for her and her book!

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  5. Yvonne,
    Thank you! I had a lot of help from Jen on this one. :) She's a wonderful lady.

    MaryAnn,
    You are welcome. Jen's a peach, and she made it easy for me!

    Jennifer,
    I think you will enjoy Jen's book. I know I did. :)

    Terri,
    I know, me too! So happy to see how successful the book has been.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  6. Thanks, Karen, for having me in your neighborhood today! Me and Mr. Rogers are proud of you, and all you do to promote Christian writers and their work.

    Thanks to you all for your kind comments.

    Jennifer: WHY NOT??? Seriously, it's a fast read. Each chapter is only 2-3 pages long. Thanks for buying it!

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  7. I would love to win a copy of Jen's book. I'm a follower and my email is everythinghomewithcarol at yahoo dot com.
    I'm still making my way through the Writer's Workout by Christina Katz and I had Safely Home by Randy Alcorn on my stack but my daughter snatched it :).

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  8. I posted this on Facebook and Twitter. :) everythinghomewithcarol at yahoo dot com.

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  9. Hi Karen and Jeanette. Great interview and tips on finding an agent. Thanks for sharing.
    Blessings
    Dotti :)

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  10. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  11. Great "conversation" and good to become familiar with yet another author who is worthy of getting to know better. Thanks!

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  12. Jen,
    You are a sweetheart! I've never been complimented by Mr. Rogers, thank you. :D Always good to have you along.

    Carol,
    Glad you enjoyed the interview. I think you would like Jen's book. Thanks for spreading the word. Got you on the list!

    Dotti,
    Thanks so much. Always good to see my friend from down under. :)

    Jennifer,
    Thank you! The credit goes to Jen for this one. She is indeed worthy of getting to know better. Hope you get a chance to read her book. :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  13. God's grace is endless! Lucky for us. Sounds like a funny book.

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  14. Great interview, girls! Jen's humor is excellent medicine for what ails a soul, that's for sure. I'm so glad "Scoops" is hitting high on Amazon. Wonderful news!

    Don't enter me as I have her book already. Someone who doesn't have it yet really needs to win this!

    Go Jen! Go Karen!

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  15. Oh, dear, I MEANT I and Mr. Rogers are proud of you. I hate to have him in a sentence with incorrect grammar!

    Thanks, everyone, for joining us and spreading the word. I'm very grateful to you and the Lord for believing in me and Two Scoops!

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  16. Very much enjoyed this interview.

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  17. Great to see Jen here and learn more about her path to publication. Wonderful interview, ladies!

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  18. Your book sounds like a blessing, Jeanette. Happy marketing. And thanks Karen!

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  19. She sounds like a nice lady, Karen. Thanks for the interview. Susan

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  20. I'm a true believer in laughter being the best medicine. Count me in!

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  21. Alex,
    This is true. So thankful for it!

    Rhonda,
    You know, it really is good medicine for the soul! I know, the Amazon rating had me cheering too. :)

    Jen,
    No worries - I didn't even catch that. :)

    Denise,
    Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Good to meet you!

    Sarah,
    I know, I thought it was interesting. She's an inspiration.

    Joylene,
    I am sure you can relate to the marketing aspect! Glad you liked it.

    Susan,
    She is, I can attest to that! Thanks a bunch.

    Sally,
    It really is, isn't it? Jen will surely have you laughing!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  22. Karen:

    I enjoyed this interview and learning more about Jen. Thank you for this post.

    Jen:
    Thanks for the tips on how you found your agent. I'm with you--sounds like it was the Holy Spirit who led you to her!

    Blessings to you both...

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  23. I THOUGHT I was a follower because I've commented before, but I am now for sure :) Fun interview! I'm so happy for Jen and the book sounds great. Thanks, Jen, for sharing some of your journey to finding an agent, writing your story, and getting published.

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  24. Anyone that finds inspiration in "stupid things" is a friend of mine! Thanks for sharing such a lively lady.

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  25. Janette,
    I know, it's great to learn more about her, isn't it? I liked her agent story. :)

    Cindy,
    I thought you were too! Thanks for becoming a new old follower. :) Thrilled for Jen too; she's such a sweet lady.

    Kathleen,
    I know it - me too! She lays it all right out there and makes you feel so comfortable. :) Jen's a blessing, as are you.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  26. Two Scoops sounds so wonderful. I always love stories about God's bottomless Grace.

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  27. Great interview, Ladies! I love Jen's voice, and would love the chance to read her book.

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  28. Great interview. Jen's book sounds lovely. Good luck, Jen!

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  29. Jen sounds fabulous - I love the title of her book! Great interview, ladies.

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  30. Lynda,
    It is a good book! :) I like the way you put that - "God's bottomless grace."

    Melanie,
    You just might enjoy her book! It's a winner!

    Rachna,
    It is very nice. It's a complete package of fun, humor, and lessons learned.

    Talli,
    I know, the title is catchy, isn't it? Thanks a bunch.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  31. Dear ladies: I am overwhelmed with your kind comments; thank you soooo much for cheering me on! And a special, cherry on top thanks to Karen for hosting me on her popular, full-of-grace blog!

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  32. Wonderful interview, ladies! Congratulations on your book's success, Jen! I purchased a copy for my Kindle - can't wait to read it. Loved reading about how you and your agent connected. Don't you just love those 'God things'? Have a blessed week!

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  33. Great interview of a super cool guest!

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  34. Jen,
    Thank you. You are so sweet. The pleasure's all mine!

    Maria,
    Glad you enjoyed it. Jen makes it easy! I think you'll like Jen's book!

    Annie,
    She is super cool! Thanks a bunch!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  35. I thank God for his unending mercy and grace. Jeanette, your book sounds wonderful. I am going to Amazon this weekend to buy a few books. Yours is on the list. If I don't win it here. *wink* Tweeted and facebooked, amigo. (((hugs)))

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  36. I'm amazed by how prolific Jeanette is! Great interview!

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  37. Robyn,
    Me too! Yes, I think you will like this one, amigo! Thanks for spreading the word about it. :)

    Jessica,
    She sure is! Thanks a bunch!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  38. Hi Karen & Jen,

    What fun to open your blog and see my buddy, Jen! I loved her book and know readers will be blessed by her humor and insights.

    Hugs,
    Susan :)

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  39. Hi Karen and Jen .. really inspirational post of writing your stories .. with some wise words re publishing ..

    Cheers - I'm over the pond so no entry sadly ... Hilary

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  40. Susan,
    Her book is a winner, isn't it? She encourages in a unique way, that's for sure.


    Hilary,
    Jen surely is an inspiration! So glad you had a chance to come by.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  41. oh congrats!! loved reading this interview..inspiring.

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  42. Just getting around here after a computer crash and am trying to learn a new system.

    Congratulations to Jeanette on the success of her book.

    Karen: As always, it's nice to come here to see what you have for us.

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!