July Newsletter from Janet Wilson
‘Easy Walk’
Andrew and I walked to Easedale Tarn from Grasmere when we were on holiday last month in the Lake District. We found the walk in a brochure which pronounced it ‘easy’. Great, we thought, a nice easy walk – and the scenery looked wonderful. Well, the scenery was wonderful, and it may be an easy walk by some people’s standards, but for me it was really hard work! It was a steep climb in places, over a rough path, on a really hot day. In places you have to clamber up and over rocks with sheer drops to one side. We could have done with lighter clothes, walking boots instead of trainers and a big bar of Kendal mint cake. 🙂 I had to stop to get my breath back from time to time – and the worst part – getting over a brow of a hill thinking we had reached the tarn, then realising there was still another hill to climb! Still, we did eventually reach the peaceful waters (photo is proof!).
Sometimes in life we have to step out in faith, not knowing all there is to know, not knowing how challenging a task will be, but keeping the destination in mind. Isn’t life like this, my friends? It’s certainly the story of Dernier Publishing!
New Book
I told you last month that Eleanor Watkins is writing a new book for us. Here’s the blurb so far: “Rebecca and Jade are both sixteen and come from very different backgrounds, but against all the odds they have become friends. When one of them becomes pregnant, both find they are faced with choices that could affect their own lives and those of others in ways that are more far-reaching than they could imagine. Will their friendship be strong enough to survive the difficulties ahead?” This book will be for teens, due to the more adult content. As usual, Eleanor writes with sensitivity, fun and drama, and keeps readers guessing till the end. But the serious issue of the consequences of choices we make is woven in from a Christian perspective. This book has great potential to touch lives. Please pray!
So Nearly There With The City Kid!
Thanks so much to those of you who have ordered the paperback version of The City Kid to review. As soon as copies arrive I will send them out to you – I’m expecting them any day. If you would like a pdf or jpg copy of the poster to print out for your shop or school, please let me know. I’m a bit nervous about this book, as it’s the first time I have dealt with the typesetter and designer direct, instead of going through a third party. The printing is costing us more than bargained for, too, due to the change in euro/sterling exchange rate, but may the Lord use it anyway!
If you know anyone who is going out to Africa this summer, would you consider taking some books with you, or sending some to a school or children’s home you support? We hear over and over again about children in schools in poor areas who are desperate for books – and what better than Christian novels?
Sharing the Wealth!
Here’s a lovely photo to encourage you! This little chap is reading A Pennyworth of Peppermints. His Mum said in an email to Mary (author), “Thank you very much for Ricky’s book, it was a lovely surprise when it arrived. He hasn’t put it down since and is enjoying reading it. He even took it into school.” (Name changed for confidentiality.) If you have a photo of your child reading one of our books, please send it in, we’d love to see it!
Posters
Anyone like a pack of these? I know they’ve been around for a while, but I’ve only just thought of putting them up on the website as a pack of four. Four posters (one of each) at the special price of £6.99, post free to UK addresses. Great to give away to children at holiday clubs. Click here to find them on our website. If you would like more than one pack, contact me for quantity discounts or postage rates abroad.
Visiting the West Country?
Mary Weeks Millard writes, “I am looking forward to two events in August. The first is Wareham Flower Festival, in Dorset. The Flowers at Lady St. Mary Church are always spectacular, and inside the church hall, besides lovely lunches and cream teas, there is a great bookstall. I will be there on Friday August 12th from 10am – 3pm signing copies of all my books, both for adults and children. If you are in the area, do come and see me!
The second event, is at Weymouth. Monday August 15th – Friday 19th, at Weymouth Bay Methodist Church there is an arts and crafts week. Included in this is a table of my books – they will be available for sale, and I hope to be around some times throughout the week. Once again, there will be refreshments for sale – and it is Carnival week – so there will be a lot to enjoy in the town.”
Do pop in and see Mary if you can; a signed book makes a special gift. 🙂
Mary also writes, “My church family, (St. Aldhelm’s, Radipole, Weymouth) have just had a book Sunday for the children who attend. The Junior age group were allowed to look at the books I have written for children of their age group and choose a title. They love to be able to choose their own! It is a wonderful way to get Christian books into the hands of children. Maybe this is something your church could do? They are not given as prizes, just as presents for the children.”
Once again, do contact me for quantity discounts.
For Girls With Sight Loss
Big drum rum roll please! All four of Eleanor’s Beech Bank Girls books are now available in Braille and large print versions! Thanks to the Torch Trust, these books are available at just £5.99 per copy, the same as the standard books. Orders can be made by calling the Torch Trust Client Services team on 01858 438260. We are delighted to help make accessible versions available to girls with sight loss.
Yippee Testimony!
A lady posted on the Dernier facebook page: “After reading The Birthday Shoes, (my then) 10yr old daughter said she wanted to know Jesus just like the girl in the story. Two years ago at age 12, she was baptised and confirmed.”
Thank you so much to all of you who pray. Testimonies like this make all the hard work worthwhile! Maybe one day we will meet children in heaven who have read our books. I dare to dream. 🙂
If you would like to give this book away to girls in your Guides group, Girls’ Brigade or other clubs, contact me for quantity discounts, I would love to help you (and if you want books for boys I can help with that, too!). And don’t forget you can get all our books from your local Christian bookshop.
Who knows what seeds you might be sowing?
On that note I will leave you, with huge grateful thanks, as always, for your kind support,
Janet
P.S. Always happy to share the Dernier story with your ladies meeting or writing circle. 🙂