Happy Birthday, Book Baby ♥️

Today, my children’s picture book, Guess How Much God Loves You, celebrates its one-year birthday 🎉

What a wild ride! Full of anticipation, excitement, joy, gratefulness, uncertainty, adjustment, and flexibility. This is my first traditionally published book, so to say I’m on a learning curve is quite the understatement. 

But thanks to God, I am truly #gratefulthankfulblessed to be living this writing dream. It wasn’t that long ago I felt like giving up - thinking of going a different route because I was growing weary in the waiting.

Well, God is faithful and I discovered in a fresh way that there are many important lessons to be learned in the waiting.

But now, on my book’s one year birthday, I’d like to share some highlights and extend an enthusiastic “thank-you” to every reader, reviewer, bookstore, and library that has given this ‘baby’ such a warm welcome.

Thank you Readers!

I was amazed and grateful for so many warm, wonderful book reviews!

Readers have taken the time to post reviews on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookbub and Goodreads, and send texts, IG posts, and tell me in person how much they and their young readers have enjoyed the book. All glory to God!

This means so much. We authors spend so much time pouring our hearts, minds, and time into writing with no guarantee of outcomes, and often wondering if it’s any good. All with the hope that readers will appreciate the story and be moved by it. 

So when someone takes the time to review and give positive feedback - well, it’s a huge blessing and an encouragement to keep writing!

Thank You Bookstores and Libraries

Honestly, I was a bit late to the ‘book event scheduling club’ for my book launch. We had sold our house and moved across the country shortly before my book launched and with printing delays (still left over from Covid issues), there was uncertainty around the publishing date so I wasn’t able to plan for the normal six months or more advance notice for events.

But God! I was able to make several immediate connections in my new town for in person events. Including one at my very favorite bookstore in downtown Franklin, Landmark Booksellers. This is one of the most charming bookstores I’ve ever visited! And it holds quite a history along with a special story you can read more about here: Landmark Booksellers

While I was grateful to participate in many virtual events, they just can’t offer what the brick and mortar book locations can: the opportunity to meet and talk with young readers (and the adults who buy them books :) face to face! Such a joy! 

If you’d like to host an author visit for your church, school, or homeschool group, let’s connect!

During the visit I will share the first book in the Guess How Much God Loves You picture book series, all about God’s Creation! I’ll answer questions about the writing and publishing process, and provide age appropriate activities to reinforce the creation concepts covered in the book. 

These events are perfect for preschool to elementary-age students.

Thank You Writer Friends

I have learned so much from other authors and writers and had a ton of fun participating in several group author online events! No one quite gets a writer like another writer. The encouragement, prayers, and support I’ve received from other Christian women writers has been one of the biggest blessings on this journey.

So I have to send a #shoutout especially to Jennifer Bosma, fellow Ambassador International children’s author, who has an infectious energy and excitement for sharing God's Word to little ones ❤️

Also to Sandra Chambers, a seasoned writer and prayer warrior, who leads our writer’s prayer group well and with such godly wisdom. She has a book available on prayer and will soon be an official Ambassador International author with her children’s devotional 🙌

To Kayla Green, The Unicorn Writer. A librarian and author, also under Ambassador International, who was so kind as to give a special spotlight to my book on her blog for earth month. I appreciate her creativity and commitment to promoting biblical truth for young readers 📖

And to Dawn Francis, founder of the Make Me Available movement, which operates in 18 countries. She’s not an author, but she is a huge supporter of authors and women in business and ministry. She invited me to be a guest contributor on her blog when I first starting using IG, and it was in that post that I first announced my upcoming children’s book. I’m always encouraged and inspired by Dawn’s social media posts and newsletter. Her mission is to boldly point people to Jesus, and she does a fantastic job of that! 

And of course, to the entire team at Ambassador International! Thank you for believing in this book (and upcoming book series) as much as I do! ❤️❤️❤️

Highlights? 

There have been many. 

At one event, a man stopped by my table looking for another book that was out of stock. After sharing our testimonies and talking about my book, he walked out with a copy, eager to share with his Sunday School team at church. He called it a “divine appointment.”🙌

My first read aloud, where a woman came up afterwards saying she was touched by the story, and excited to share the book with her niece who came from a troubled home and needed to hear about God’s love for her ❤️

And then there was Pumpkinfest in downtown Franklin, one of my favorite towns for my favorite bookstore, getting to talk with dozens of people who stopped to ask about the book, and hearing stories of the special people they would give it to. I was blown away by the love shown to my book baby. The energy and excitement was unmatched. 

But honestly, my favorite part has been seeing my own grandson (who the book is dedicated to) read the book and point out grandma in the back and Papa Joe, one of the main characters, who is modeled after his great grandfather (my dad) who is now home with the Lord ❤️❤️❤️

So happy birthday book baby! It’s been a wonderful year and I look forward to seeing what next year brings. I’m also looking forward to adding six more babies to this book family. MUCH more to come! :)

***

Karen Ferguson is a freelance writer and the author of the Guess How Much God Loves You picture book series. A lover of words, family, animals, and Jesus, Karen is a passionate advocate for truth that transforms lives. Her mission is to write stories that grab and hold young readers’ attentions, teaching them all about God’s unchangeable truths and His unchanging love for them. Karen is married to her best friend. They have two grown daughters, a growing tribe of dearly loved grandchildren, and one crazy golden retriever furbaby. Her favorite part of the week is eating dark chocolate and spending time with her family exploring new places. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and sign up for her free newsletter to be the first to know about special events, book updates, freebies and giveaways.