Do I need to read your books in order?
No, I strive to write my books to stand on their own so that any book can be picked up, read, and enjoyed on its own.
However, if you intend to read all my books, I’d start at the beginning of a series and read them in order simply because they are chronological in nature.
Of course, the fact that romances end with main characters happily together (because you know you’d hate me if they didn’t), the main couples from one book are liable to show up together/engaged/married in books that come after theirs. You may also hear about things that went on in previous books when it affects the current story, but nothing that should spoil the journey if you decide to read them out of order.
Who/What do you intend to write about next?
I will try my hardest to keep this question updated, but if I don’t, feel free to ask this question on the Goodreads “Melissa Jagears Answers Your Questions” page or pester me with an email and tell me that this is out of date.
Currently I’m writing Bowen “Bo” McGill and Raven Owens’ love story. You’ve seen Bo in several of the Frontier Vows books and Raven made an appearance in Marrying Mr. Wrong.
At this time, I have a total of six books planned for the Frontier Vows Series, so there’s one more after that! (And that story belongs to Celia.)
After the Frontier Vows series is finished, I intend to move to a five book series in North Dakota, but you never know! I have two other projects planned that are really calling to me, too. One’s a series, and one is a stand alone book I don’t want to tell anyone about in case they steal my idea and get it done before I do! So many ideas, so little time!
When is your next book coming out?
That’s the question the majority of you pressed the link to see, now wasn’t it? I really don’t want to write any projected deadlines here, because my life right now is out of whack. Pray for me, would you? If I can get things ordered better in my life, I might have a more orderly schedule for book releases, too. But right now, I’m blessed to release books as soon as I’m able. The readers who know best when my next book comes out are those subscribed to my newsletter. If I share something in my newsletter, I’m confident of the timeline.
Can you do an interview on my blog, with my book club, etc.?
I likely can. Feel free to ask me by email: author(a)melissajagears.com
How did you get published?
I wrote that story here.
Are your books in audio?
Currently all the Unexpected Brides series and the three main novels in the Teaville Moral Society can be found in audio. You will need to look to retailers that sell audio for those. The others are on my to-do list, which I hope will first appear in my author bookstore exclusively. If you want to know the minute that happens, it’ll be announced in my newsletter.
Can you help me with the book I’m writing?
~ I occasionally take on mentoring or editing clients. You can see what I offer and how to request services here.
~I’ve written a book to help writers self-edit. Check out my book: Strengthen Your Fiction by Understanding Weasel Words
~For those looking for free advice, here are some sites and books that will steer you in the right direction:
Seekerville and the Seekerville Archives (In the archives, you’ll find occasional guest posts by me–even one where I had to stop hosting the comment section to run off and have a baby – that’s a fun little time capsule.)
Writer’s Inside Edition newsletter
American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW)
Riveting your Readers with Deep Point of View by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maas
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Rennie Browne & Dave King
The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman
GMC: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon
These FB groups are geared to self publishing. I suggest using the group search function (or the Tree of Wisdom in Wide for the Win) to look up everything you want to know before posting questions and irking the group by asking something that’s already been covered. Only the first group is geared to Christian writers.
Indie Inspiration with Elana Johnson
I don’t have money to buy books. Can you send me some?
Though I sympathize since I myself cannot buy all the books I want, the money I make from books is needed to pay bills and I can’t afford to eat the cost of books and shipping for everyone who asks. However, there are many ways you can get books for reduced prices or free:
1. Since you’re reading this answer online, your computer can be used to read ebooks even if you don’t own an ereader. There are several newsletters you can sign up for, like BookBub, that will send you emails when authors have sales or freebies, but only if that author pays to be featured there.
If you don’t want to miss any sales or free books–since not every author pays to be in every newsletter every time they have a sale–this site daily lists free and on sale Christian ebooks regardless of whether the author paid for them to be included: Christian Book Finds
2. Even if it’s too far to travel to your library, they will likely have ebooks you can access. Whether you want to read an ebook or a paperback, you can request your library to carry books in the format you wish to read them. That also helps authors. Sales of any kind add up. Often your library system has a place online where you can request them to carry a book, but if not, you can ask them at their main desk. Ask them to alert you when they’ve obtained a copy for you to borrow. If they choose not to acquire the book you want, you can see if the book is available in their Interlibrary Loan System.
3. You can sign up for publishers’ or book tour review programs. In exchange for free books, you promise to review around the internet. Each publisher/book tour company has different requirements, so google your favorite publisher and a phrase like “book review program” and see if they offer such a program. If you read a review by someone doing a “book tour,” find the name of the company they’re reviewing for and check if you can sign up.
Here are some that I know of:
http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/bethanyhouse/bookreviewers
http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/revell/revell-reads
https://www.celebratelit.com/celebrate-lit-blogging-program/become-a-celebrate-lit-blogger/
https://netgalley.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360036135594
https://myreaderrewardsclub.com/
https://www.audrajennings.com/p/sign-up-for-read-with-audra.html
4. Lots of authors host giveaways that you can try to win.
This website has a list of current Christian book giveaways: http://fictionaddictionfix.blogspot.com/
If you are on GoodReads, check out their giveaway tab and look under the tag Christian.
5. Authors are often looking for people to help get out the word about their new releases. If you enjoy a particular author, sign up for their author newsletter and when those opportunities arise or sales/giveaways happen, you’ll be the first to learn about them!
My author newsletter can be signed up for here.
