WOW! Wonderful, exciting things are happening in the mountains of North Carolina

Okay, year before last I rode a camel,
last year on the back of a Harley Davidson,
and this year…I became a turtle.

What the director of the
Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference
will do to make a point.

—PERSEVERE!

“Slow and steady wins the race.”

At the May 21-25, 2006 conference my pastor/son (David Lehman), now Director of Ministry Relations at Montreat College, sat in a rocking chair and read “The Tortoise and the Hare,” while his mom struggled back and forth across the stage on a little 3-wheeled turtle scooter. He brought some “dignity” to the situation while I emphasized the theme of PERSEVERANCE. This was his first time to attend a writers conference. He finally got to see his mom in her professional role (dressed like a Ninja turtle!)

Everyone involved was so excited that our numbers have grown in leaps and bounds over the past six years. That first year we had 180 attend. This year there were 410 registered. Word has gotten around about our wonderful faculty (the most fun and best teachers anywhere—who are in demand at other conferences). It’s beautiful here any time of year but especially spectacular in the springtime.

Attendees came from 39 states and Canada and most are members of such groups as American Christian Fiction Writers, ChiLibris, The Writers View, Faith Hope and Love, American Writers and Speakers Association.

Tracy Leigh Brown, a member of FHL and ACFW won first place in the novel category and was the top winner of our Award of Excellence.

To view the other contest winners, click here. Also, you can view photos from these various events at my new photo gallery on my Web site.

MAY 20-24, 2007 CONFERENCE

In planning stage. You can make reservations by calling Ridgecrest 1-800-588-7222. Anyone who didn’t attend can go to the website: www.lifeway.com/christianwriters and click on Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference for information about this year’s classes, faculty, editors, agents, etc.

OCTOBER 2007 RETREAT

We’re also planning an Advanced Writers Retreat for the fall when when the leaves are beginning to change color. We’ll have outstanding teachers, time to write and be inspired by the beauty of these mountains. More information will be forthcoming.

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH ME

Moving the Mountain, a Heartsong Presents has just arrived on my doorstep. This was inspired by the TV show “Wife Swap” and “Love Comes Softly.”

By Love Acquitted, a Heartsong, will be released in 2007

I've been contracted for Caught Red-handed, a novella in Hearth and Home collection. The other authors are Lena Dooley, Ron Benrey and Janet Benrey.

Also contracted for A Bride Idea, a Heartsong to later be put into a West Virginia collection.

Two of my books have sold over 100,000 copies in 2006: Schoolhouse Brides a novella collection written by me, Wanda Brunstetter, JoAnn Grote and Colleen Reece. The other is South Carolina, a four-novel collection of my books.

BOOK SIGNINGS

On Sunday, August 13, I will be one of the featured authors at the Charlotte Literary Festival. REALEYES Bookstore is sponsoring the signing. AIf you're in the area, stop in. They're having two days of an exciting festival.

PRAYER LIST

I would greatly appreciate your praying for me, conferences plans, faculty and students past, present and future. I would love to pray for you, too. If you would like to be on the list to be prayed for and/or pray for us, send your name and we’ll list you either in the newsletter or on my website. You may (or not) want to put a request such as: my writing, deadlines, personal matters, family, etc. We don’t want to get too personal.

OTHER NEWS

Other than my having five family members (David, his wife Kellie, their children Stephen 12, Rebekah 10 and Luke 8 while they’re searching for a house) in my home where I’d downsized…we have four new kittens. When my son (et al) returned, my chow bit their two labs and hated children on bicycles. So, after expert advice, I had to take him where someone would give him a good home. The two labs were sent to relatives in Georgia. A cat showed up. I’ve never liked cats but this one acts like a dog. The children named her Socks (for obvious reasons). I’d said I would never have a cat in the house. Well…I wouldn’t have, but you can’t let them stay out in the snow and ice and freeze. So she became one of the family. Now, she has four kittens: one is black, one silver, one gray and ochre like her and one is dark and light orange striped. I claimed him and named him Professor because of his take-charge, observant attitude. Did you know a cat can mate with more than one for her litter? I didn’t know that, but it’s so!

MY ADMONITION TO YOU (AND TO ME)

Pray, learn, read, write and…persevere.

Blessings and best wishes,

Yvonne
www.yvonnelehman.com
ylehman@bellsouth.net
www.lifeway.com/christianwriters

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