I’ve been taking a break this summer from blogging, recovering from an intense year of teaching, writing, and working to become a Colson Fellow.
Even though I’ve been pursuing rest, I haven’t been standing still.
Aside from family and quilting time, and yet another round of COVID, I attended a couple of conferences and participated in a mission effort in Northern Ireland. I plan to update you on some of my summer adventures in future posts.
But first, the BIG announcement!
This week, I signed a contract with AE Books Publishing for my middle reader Wandering Swallow: A Young Girl’s Quest for Freedom (working title, working cover, below). Wandering Swallow garnered a first place Sonshine Award at the 2023 Florida Christian Writers Conference and was a Finalist for Writer of the Year in Serious Writer’s 2023 contest.
The story begins in Sinuiju, Chosun (North Korea), in 1995 where thirteen-year-old Hana’s school has closed because of flooding and famine. Her parents and other townspeople have left in search of work and food.
One night, Hana and Grandfather miraculously cross the Amnok River to China. Once inside a safe house, they realize they’ve joined Operation Yellowbird, a covert effort to help Chinese dissidents escape persecution in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square Massacre of 1989.
Hana and Grandfather and their guide, a survivor of the massacre, must make their way through China to Hong Kong before Chinese police can arrest them. Along the way, they encounter a windstorm, an earthquake, and the effects of underground coal fires.
Along the way, Hana learns about a Savior greater than any human leader preparing her to respond to a still small voice.
Pre-ordering will be available in October with delivery in plenty of time for Christmas!
