Monday, May 6, 2013

Carrie Fancett Pagels Guest Posts -- GIVEAWAY!!!

Recently, I had the privilege of reading Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance, the debut release of my new friend, Carrie Fancett Pagels. Today’s blog post is authored by Carrie, so please make her feel welcome!


What Surprised Me About My Debut Publication

That was one of the topics Andrea gave me and a pretty easy one to answer.  If anyone had told me a year ago or even at Christmastime that a Civil War novella would be my debut release I would have laughed and told them they were crazy.  You see in all my submissions out there (two-three book proposals, a stand alone full-length novel, and a colonial novella that I put on hold and another colonial project that got canceled because of the publishing house’s changes and another novella as part of a package out for two years now) I had only ONE Civil War blurb.  Not even a manuscript. But I’d had the idea in my head for a while and had percolated it.  And I have another Civil War story I’d like to do but it was not historical romance but a women’s fiction, so… 

Also if you’d told me I could finish the research, write the story, and have it published in under six weeks I’d also have thought you needed therapy.  And as a former psychologist (for twenty-five years) I might have offered it to you!  But God really provided!  I’d just pulled one three-book submission back to offer one of the stories to a publisher who requires exclusive consideration.  That left two orphan stories.  One was my Civil War story set at Shirley Plantation, a place I love to visit—the staff there is amazing!

I was surprised at how Julian Charity’s book “Courage at Home and Abroad” (which is a military history of Shirley Planation) helped me frame the backdrop for my story and how this young historian’s knowledge and helpfulness gave me the confidence that what I had was historically accurate.  I include information in the Editorial Notes about this process and some deviation in history.  This was, after all, a fiction. But I have been to Shirley so frequently that I feel I “know” these people who are long gone to be with the Lord—like Mary B. Carter, who really sounds like one of the godliest women and a mother with a burden for the Lord. 

I write mostly colonial fiction, have a blog “Colonial Quills” and founded the Colonial American Christian Writers group several years ago.  I live in the historic triangle of Virginia, known for its colonial and American revolutionary war history.  I can drive mere miles and be at many historic sites.  Most, however, were also the places where the Civil War took place.  So perhaps I shouldn’t be too surprised after all….


Carrie Fancett Pagels writes “romantic” historical fiction. Her debut, Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance, is a Kindle Civil War best seller. She and her family live in Virignia.

Please visit Carrie at her website: www.carriefancettpagels.com


GIVEAWAY: Carrie will be giving ONE person (chosen at random) a packet of beautiful Shirley Plantation notecards by artist Clark Goff. In order to be eligible to win, you must “Like” Carrie’s Facebook Author Page AND leave a comment here on this blog.

(Due to postage costs, this giveaway is open only to U.S. residents.)




YOUR TURN: What is something that surprised YOU about the job you currently have?

26 comments:

Faithful Acres Books ~ Linda Marie Finn said...

Its was so interesting to read how you learn things for the books you write and I so enjoy learning more about You Carrie and your books, as I love to read about all my author friends and their work and lives.
The Lord bless you in all you do.
Linda Marie Bradt Finn

Faithful Acres Books ~ Linda Marie Finn said...

Thank you Andrea for Sharing here about Carrie and her fine work...
Linda

Carrie Fancett Pagels said...

Thank you so much, LINDA! You are a sweetheart!!!

Diana Flowers said...

Just wanted to stop by and say "hey", CARRIE and ANDREA! Carrie, after all the colonial talk we have shared together, if you would have told me during that time you were going to write a Civil War era book and it would be published in 6 wks, I would have offered YOU therapy! LOL I couldn't be happier for you. Another congrats to go along with the truckload I have already given you! :)

Carrie Fancett Pagels said...

DIANA, you are so sweet! I think you actually said "huh???" to me when I told you, lol! Hugs!

Janet said...

Hi Carrie & Andrea! I love historical fiction... it is one of my favorite genres of books to read. Thank you for the chance to win!

dowelljanet@hotmail.com

rittywrites said...

I have definitely "liked" Carrie's facebook page and would love to win a copy! :-) Each time I see a giveaway for her book advertised on facebook, I try to hope over to it as soon as I can! :-) Hopefully determination will pay off soon. :-) This is exciting! Thanks for sharing!!

rittywrites said...

Oh and my email is rhonda.ritenour@gmail.com :-)

Diana Flowers said...

I more than likely did! lol

spangldlady said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
spangldlady said...

What has surprised me about my job?---Since I am retired it is trying not to just sit and read all the time--which I want to do!!! :D Would love to read Return to Shirley Plantation and know more about it. I love to read historical fiction and especially that about the Civil War. Note cards would be great too! I have long ago "liked" Carries FB page. Carrie is a delightful writer. Enter me please. Blessings! Darlene.
spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com

I deleted the other comment because I hadn't addressed the job! :D

Andrea Cox said...

My pleasure, Linda! Thanks for stopping by. May the Lord bless you in your journey with Him.

Andrea

Andrea Cox said...

Thanks for dropping in, Diana! It's a pleasure to meet another friend of Carrie's.

Andrea

Andrea Cox said...

Hi Janet! Thanks for visiting with us today. :)

Andrea

Andrea Cox said...

Hi Rhonda! I'm glad you enjoyed Carrie's article. I'm happy to see you participating in the giveaway.

Andrea

Andrea Cox said...

Hi Darlene! Thanks for answering my question. It's so fun to have people participate in my blog. It's extra special this week, since Carrie is guest posting. She is delightful, I agree. :) Have a blessed day!

Andrea

Carrie Fancett Pagels said...

Hi JANET! I love historical fiction, too! Thanks so much for coming by!!!

Carrie Fancett Pagels said...

DARLENE, you are so sweet! I want you to read my story!!! Many blessings and thanks SO much for liking my page!!!

susanlulu said...

I "liked" Carrie's page. Give-aways are so fun to enter! I look forward to reading Carrie's novella.
susanlulu@yahoo.com

Carrie Fancett Pagels said...

Great to see you here, SUSAN! Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment.

Andrea Cox said...

Hi Susan! Glad to have you visit and enter the giveaway. agree; they're so much fun! I'm sure you're going to LOVE Carrie's novella.

Andrea

Carrie Fancett Pagels said...

Thanks, ANDREA!

Anne Payne said...

Just stopping by to say Congratulations to my friend, CARRIE! I'm so excited for you!!!

Andrea Cox said...

:) Great writing deserves great compliments.

Andrea Cox said...

Thanks for visiting, Anne! I appreciate it. :)

Blessings,

Andrea

Carrie Fancett Pagels said...

Thanks so much, ANNE, you are a doll!!! Blessings!