It's the first book-iversary of the publication of Forgotten Followers and we are celebrating with a Book Birthday Bash!
Click the button for a 60-second video showing highlights of the first year since publication!
Below are details of our 3 birthday surprises:
1. CIPA EVVY award
2. New Pricing
3. Special birthday gift offer
Read on!
Looking back on this novel's first year, I am thankful for so much. I am grateful for the many readers who have expressed interest, shared their thoughts on the themes of this biblical fiction, told their friends about it, or written online reviews. We had a successful book launch event, a local book club discussion, and a book signing/discussion event. I have been blessed by two amazing media articles. Three YouTube Interviewers graciously agreed to have me on their show: the Local Churchology Podcast, the Regency History channel, and the Reluctant Christian Feminist Podcast. I appreciate my local retail outlet: The Nook. I have researched Christian theology, history, and interpretations and published some of my findings on contrasting views of the Bible and gender in The Sword: A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on What the Bible Says About a Woman's Role. I have networked with like-minded people, met the theologian Marg Mowczko, and been a guest blogger at CBE International. I actually researched and wrote most of Forgotten Followers in 2020 then in 2021 I re-wrote and edited it. On August 31, 2021, my article about my 2021 Eight Months of Editing was published in the Charlotte Readers Community. I had no idea it would be another year before my novel was published in September of 2022. Since publication a year ago, I have enjoyed interacting with readers and authors and continued to learn about Christian theology, first-century Judea, biblical fiction, publishing, marketing, and the writing craft.
1. Forgotten Followers is a CIPA EVVY Silver Award Winner!
Forgotten Followers from Broken to Bold is a 2023 Silver Award Winner in religious fiction at the CIPA EVVY Awards!
This secular contest is one of the longest-running book award competitions on the Independent publishing scene. Receiving entries from around the world in nearly 50 categories, the CIPA EVVY™ entries are reviewed and scored according to established minimum criteria. Judges are selected through CIPA’s qualification process and include teachers, business leaders, authors, critics, editors, readers and others.
The annual competition is sponsored by the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA) and the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation. The award will soon show on my book covers.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed a trip to Colorado to attend the August 31, 2023 banquet where I was presented with the award and networked with other authors. I took this photo from the top of Lookout Mountain, home of the Buffalo Bill Museum. It looks out on Table Mountain, where we hiked. We also saw ancient footprints on Dinosaur Ridge and enjoyed hiking near there.
2. New Prices:
After a year of providing a generous wholesaler discount to encourage retailers to offer my book, I have changed to reader-first pricing. Reducing the wholesaler discount provides readers with a better price for paperback and hardcover formats. Prices are set in US currency and on-line retailers automatically convert to other currencies.
The paperback will move from US$19.99 to US$15.99. Hardcovers will move to US$25.99. Ebooks remain at US$5.99. Local independent retailers can get copies at a discount on consignment directly from me.
Local readers will continue to be able to buy the paperback directly from me in person for CDN$20 (no tax, no delivery cost). Ideally, we would meet as a small group for a book signing and discussion.
3. Book Birthday Bash Special!
To celebrate the one-year book birthday, and the CIPA EVVY award and introduce the new online price, I am offering a birthday special!
Those who have read the novel know that the apostle James the Less (Jamie) is portrayed as a blacksmith. When he is on the road with Jesus, he carries a small jeweller's anvil and crafts jewelry, toys, and trinkets to financially support his mother and aunt. This is comparable to how Paul made tents to fund his travels and missions. At the close of the novel, Jamie creates fish designs and gives them to the newly baptized believers.
I have purchased a limited supply of Etsy handcrafted Ichthus fish necklaces and bookmarkers reminiscent of those described in the novel. The above photo shows the fish bookmarker and fish necklace. You can receive one or the other FREE by buying Forgotten Followers on Amazon during the Book Birthday Bash Special September 8-20, 2023.
Bookmarker: The antique silver finish bookmark is 12.5 cm (5 inches) long chrome-plated steel. The fish charm is Tibetan silver-plated and measures 2.0 cm (3/4") in length. (Approx. Value CDN$12.15)
Necklace: The chain is a silver-tone metal chain 22 inches long. The fish pendant is made of Tibetan silver-plated and measures 2.0 cm (3/4") in length. (Approx. Value $13.85)
Terms and Details:
Buy a paperback or hardcover format of Forgotten Followers from Broken to Bold on Amazon during the birthday special period of September 8-20, 2023.
Email me with a screenshot or receipt as proof of purchase from Amazon during the birthday bash period Sept. 8-20, 2023 at elainekellyauthor@gmail.com
Include in your email your preference for the bookmarker or necklace; I will honour your preference while supplies last.
Include in your email the mailing address for delivery. I cover shipping cost and I will not share your email or your mailing address with anyone for any purpose. You may unsubscribe to my occasional e-news at any time.
Available for those in Canada, US, Australia, UK.
Available for a limited time and while supplies last.
Elaine Ricker Kelly uses her experiences as a woman in business to inspire and empower women at home, church and society. She was an investment and insurance advisor for thirty years, has three grown daughters, and is passionate about writing to encourage girls and women in leadership. Elaine R. Kelly lives near Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with her husband and lap dog. She and her husband have hiked the 900 km Bruce Trail and enjoy hiking, nature, tennis, music, history and culture.
Books by Elaine Ricker Kelly:
Forgotten Followers from Broken to Bold - biblical fiction offering hope and healing to anyone who feels forgotten, belittled, or out of place.
The Sword: A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on What the Bible Says About a Woman's Role - provides 104 flashcards with an objective, memorable look at the rationale for diverse views on gender roles.