Deborah Raney

Christy Award finalist. . .and more!

2008-05-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

I recently learned from my editor, Dave Lambert at Howard/Simon & Schuster, that the first Clayburn novel, Remember to Forget, is a finalist for the Christy Award. I am still pinching myself over this news! I was a finalist once before with my novel Playing by Heart, but this year it's been all the more fun to celebrate because my critique partner, Tamera Alexander, is also a finalist (same category!) with her wonderful novel, Remembered. I guess having the word remember in the title held some charm with the judges this year.
Winners will be announced at the awards banquet July 12 in Orlando. This is the ninth year for the Christy Awards, and I've been able to attend every one so far. Below, Tammy and I are decked out for the banquet two years ago when it was held in Denver.

Remember to Forget also was named a HOLT Medallion Award of Merit...and so was Tammy's Remembered!

Mother's Day events

2008-05-08T21:19:00.000-07:00

The weeks around Mother's Day are always a busy time for speaking events. This year was especially fun as I spoke at a brunch at my home church, and a dinner at my sister's church. Even though our grown children live out of state, I feel very blessed to have so many in my family close by. Above, and at my book table with my youngest daughter, and some friends from church.

Below, my mom, my sister and her daughter, who now lives in England.

Books I've written that I cannot read

2008-04-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

It's been fun to see some of my novels translated into foreign languages. But to have written a book I can't read is a bit disconcerting! When my first novel released in Danish, Swedish and Norwegian, I asked a friend who'd been a foreign exchange student in Sweden to read a few paragraphs for me. It was reassuring to know not much was lost in the translation. Last summer at the International Christian Retail Show in Atlanta, I had the privilege of meeting with Hella Willering and Marieke van den Hazel, editors with Kok Publishers of The Netherlands. It was fascinating to discuss with them some of the challenges they face translating a novel. For instance, writing for the more conservative Dutch Christians, references to a female character's cosmetics or blue jeans often will be deleted. American humor doesn't always translate well, and a motif - from Scripture, for example - may depend heavily on the sound or spelling of the English word to work. It can be a challenge to find an alternative. Kok has put out beautiful editions of (from top left) Beneath a Southern Sky, Over the Waters (the Dutch title translates as "Rain Season"), and A Nest of Sparrows, appropriately renamed "Father Love." I'm excited that Kok plans to publish more of my titles in the future. Besides "tweaked" titles, foreign editions usually get new covers. I think these Dutch covers are especially stunning.

Photos from the Gideon Media Arts Conference

2008-04-17T13:27:00.000-07:00

Author Kathryn Mackel taught a fabulous class on adapting a novel to a screenplay. A few members of the class (l to r) Terri Blackstock, Deborah Raney, Jenny Cote, Karen Ball with instructor Kathy Mackel.
Here as part of the Honored Authors program at the Gideon conference are authors (clockwise from the arm of the sofa) Yvonne Lehman, Sharon Ewell Foster, Karen Ball, Terri Blackstock, Ray Blackston, Gayle Roper, Martha Bolton, DiAnn Mills, Ann Tatlock, Deborah Raney and Doug Peterson.

Playing by Heart

2008-04-16T17:29:00.000-07:00

I had the neatest opportunity at the Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival near Asheville, NC, to adapt a short scene from one of my novels to be read by professional actors.
Actress Bonnie Johnson served as casting director and the two actors she cast in the roles of Art Tyler and Maddie Houser for my scene from Playing by Heart could have stepped right out of the novel. It was so amazing to see them bring the scene to life exactly as I imagined it when I wrote it. They nailed it and the audience laughed in all the right places.

Left, author Steven James presides over the rehearsal with narrator, author Vonda Skelton, and actors Gary Moore and Lyndi Patton-Gura.

Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference

2008-03-28T03:52:00.000-07:00

Spent a fantastic week at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference near San Jose, California, in March. It was my very first time there after fourteen years of writing! What an amazing experience! Above is the faculty being introduced the first day of the conference. The entire conference was a spiritual retreat - how could it help but be amid God's gorgeous creation! And the incredible worship times led by camp director and talented musician Dave Talbott were inspired.

I got a chance to visit with my wonderful agent, Steve Laube... and lots of writer friends like: Gayle Roper, Susan Schreer Davis, Brandilyn Collins, Sarah Sundin (Sarah and I buddied up on the 6 a.m. hike to Mount Hermon's cross on Palm Sunday morning. We were rather proud to be among the 33 out of almost 500 who made the hike up the mountain!)

2008-02-28T14:03:00.001-08:00

Leaving November, book 2 in the Clayburn Novels series from Howard/Simon & Schuster, is showing up in bookstores all across the country now. Much of the story is set in a great little coffee shop called Latte-dah. Well, I've discovered my own Latte-dah...or Shangri-la? It's called Lincoln Perk and it's my new favorite place to write. Mary and Ana and the gang at "the Perk" hosted my very first booksigning for Leaving November and it was a blast! Got to visit with many hometown friends, and a few from much farther away! Lou and Howard Miller drove all the way from St. Joseph, Missouri for the event! Lou is a wonderful encourager and supporter of Christian fiction. I treasure the notes she's sent me over the years. They always seem to come just when I'm needing a boost!

Spring has sprung in Kansas and I can't wait until the weather will let me sit out on the Perk's flower filled patio and soak in the sun. For more on Lincoln Perk, read this review.

Latte-dah mug giveaway!

2008-02-06T18:17:00.000-08:00

Many of the scenes in my new book, Leaving November (fiction) are set in Latte-dah, a very cool (fictional) coffee shop in (fictional) Clayburn, Kansas. Leaving November released March 4, and when I do booksignings, I'm giving away a free Latte-dah mug (definitely not fictional!) with the purchase of any three novels.

Now I've come up with a way for my online readers to take advantage of this offer, too. Get this ceramic mug with Latte-dah logo FREE when you purchase any three of my titles (autographed and personalized if you desire) from www.signedbytheauthor.com.

More in the Clayburn Novels series...coming soon!

2008-02-05T18:02:00.000-08:00

The first copies of Leaving November, second in the Clayburn novels series from Howard/Simon & Schuster, just arrived on my doorstep! It never gets old to hold a brand new book in my hands for the very first time. This sequel to Remember to Forget hit bookstores March 1, and the first draft for the third Clayburn novel, Yesterday's Embers, is winging its way through cyberspace to my editor this week. I'm loving this new story, and thrilled to be "back in Clayburn" again. (Click on the cover to enlarge and read the synopsis for Leaving November.)

Romantic Times Book Club gave Leaving November 4 Stars!

"The second book in Raney's Clayburn series is meaningful, with realistic characters whose fears and dreams will touch the hearts of readers. Larger themes of forgiveness and looking toward the future after addiction are significant."

Oh, and by the way, for those of you who have asked, there is a real recipe for Wren's Peaches-and-Cream Cheesecake! It just happens to be a long-time Raney family favorite and I'm delighted to be able to share the recipe with you. (Click on the peaches.)

Celebrating sisters and 75th birthdays

2008-02-04T12:53:00.000-08:00

Already, 2008 has been a year of fun family celebrations! My sweet sisters and sister-in-law (my brother's wife) had a fun late afternoon lunch at Panera Bread Company in Wichita to celebrate the New Year's Day birthday of my "baby" sister. It's never easy to find a time when we can all get together, but we always have so much fun when we do!
We also had the privilege of celebrating both of my parents' 75th birthdays recently. They run circles around all their kids, and what a blessing they are in all our lives.

2007-11-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

WITHIN THIS CIRCLE
the long-awaited sequel to
A VOW TO CHERISH

The brand new sequel to A Vow to Cherish, released in November in mass market size...the perfect companion to the mass market edition of A Vow to Cherish released in October.

Library Journal says: "Raney's sequel to A Vow To Cherish is a skillful drama that tackles the subject of depression and its devastating toll on those affected. This title would make a good book club selection, as it provokes discussion of families coping with mental illness and the issue of grandparents raising their grandchildren. Recommended for public libraries."

After a tumultuous courtship, John and Julia Brighton have a second chance at happiness, a fresh marriage and, now that their children are grown, time to revel in the promise of the future. Only such a promise is never guaranteed. And life can change in a moment. The Brightons life is turned upside down when John's daughter Jana abandons her husband and three-year-old daughter. John and Julia reach out to little Ellie, to give the young couple time to heal, but how much sorrow and stress can both fledgling marriages endure? Two very different couples, each with only their love and faith to guide them.

NEW! Audio interview about Within This Circle, with Dianne Burnett of CBD.com!

The World Wide Pictures film inspired by A Vow to Cherish is available at your local video rental store, or through World Wide Pictures.

"No motion picture could ever define
the power behind the Billy Graham ministry
more effectively. I have not been so moved
by any movie, maybe ever. Not just entertainment."
—Paul Harvey

Talking with novelist Deborah Raney

2007-10-10T05:29:00.000-07:00

Writing is a solitary occupation ninety-nine percent of the time. Being an extrovert by nature, I enjoy the rare opportunities I get to interact with people during my workday...especially when the subject is writing! Below are links to some recent interviews about the writing life and my novels.

NEW! Interview with "Relz" Australian Book Club
NEW! Christmas interview with author Rachel Hauck
NEW! Audio interview with Dianne Burnett of CBD.com
Interview with author Dr. Richard Mabry
Interview with Lynne Ford of WBCL Mid-Morning
Interview with radio personality Cindy Swanson
Interview with author/columnist/artist MaryAnn Diorio
Interview with Crystal Miller's Chat'N'Chew Cafe
Titletrakk Interview with C.J. Darlington
Blog Interview with Katy McKenna Raymond
Blog Interview on faithwebbin.net
Interview with Dianne Burnett at christianbook.com
Audio Interview with Kelli Standish of Focus on Fiction
Interview/Video with Larry Hatteberg at ABC/KAKE-TV
Answering the "Faithful Fifteen" at faithfulreader.com
Interview with Author DiAnn Mills
Interview with Bob Latta at The Hesston Record
On Rewriting-Interview with The Writers Corner, christianbook.com
Novel Journey-Interview with Gina Holmes, noveljourney.blogspot.com

ACFW annual conference in Dallas

2007-08-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

The ACFW annual conference in Dallas this September was wonderful! For lots more photos, check out the ARCHIVES page.

Deb and Tammy Alexander with keynote speaker
James Scott Bell after the gala awards banquet Saturday night.

Fun before the conference started with roomie
Tammy Alexander and wacky Brandilyn Collins.

An informal snapshot of the Advisory Board of ACFW.
Left to right, Brandilyn Collins, Rachel Hauck, Gail Martin,
Randy Ingermanson, Deb Raney and Colleen Coble.

Seventy-eight years...and counting

2007-08-12T18:54:00.000-07:00

I've had the privilege of knowing my husband's wonderful grandparents for almost 35 years now. They are in their late nineties now and sadly, Grandpa had to be moved to a nursing home a few weeks ago. It was hard to see Grandma and Grandpa separated, but they've proven that it takes more than mere miles to separate two people who've been married for over 78 years. That's right...that's not a typo. Lord willing, come next May we will celebrate Grandma and Grandpa's 79th anniversary! Can you even imagine being married that long? Makes the 33 years my husband and I celebrated last month seem like a drop in the bucket. We're not even halfway to 78! But because of the example Grandma and Grandpa have set by their devotion to each other, I feel pretty certain that we'll at least make it till "death do us part."

CLICK HERE to read a column I wrote about Grandma and Grandpa for DearReader.com, an online book club that goes out to over 350,000 readers each weekday.

2007-06-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

My husband, Ken Raney, he has been hard at work on a certain project since before I met him 34 years ago. Finally, after all these years, it has launched! The Forever Quest is presented in graphic novel format with a new scene online each Monday.
This story, an allegory of the armor of God, has entertained our own children and those we’ve taught in Sunday School classes over the years, and we are so excited for it to have a chance for a larger audience. We’d love for you to help us spread the word (and the Word!) by sharing the link with anyone you think may enjoy this tale of an adventurous boy, the friends he meets in the mysterious land of Forever, and their quest for an amazing suit of armor. Aimed at children of all ages, we’re discovering that anyone who is a child at heart finds the story compelling. The Forever Quest launched June 4 at theforeverquest.com. Hope you have as much fun in Forever as we have!

Calling all book discussion leaders...

2006-05-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

Author Deborah Raney

If you lead a book discussion group and plan to discuss one of my novels in the coming months, I'd love to know about it. Many of my books have discussion questions in the back, and you can find study guides for many other novels HERE. I'll be glad to answer any questions your group might have about one of my books, or about the process of writing that particular book. If your group has 15 members or more, I'll even send some goodies for you to use as door prizes. If your group qualifies, CONTACT ME and let me know the date of your meeting and which book you've selected.

Readers often say, "I loved your book; now how can I help get the word out to my friends?" Click here for a whole list of ideas and thank you for asking!END

Hanging out at Club Deb

2006-05-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

I'm blessed with a bevy of friends who just happen to share my name. During a getaway at a bed and breakfast a couple of years ago, one of the guests dubbed us "Club Deb" after being introduced at the breakfast table. The name stuck, and we've been sharing birthdays and other special occasions together ever since (although we'll use any excuse to get together!) I count my wonderful "Deb" friends as one of the great blessings of my life.

Marriage Perspectives on crosswalk.com

2006-02-11T19:39:00.000-08:00

Ken & Deborah Raney and Ryan & Tobi Layton

My daughter, Tobi Layton, and I write a column each month on crosswalk.com, a great Web magazine devoted to faith, family and community. My husband and I share an August anniversary with Tobi and her husband, Ryan. Each month, Tobi and I explore various aspects of marriage as viewed from the perspectives of a young married woman (Tobi) and an old...er, I mean long married woman (me). We've had such fun writing together, though I'm not sure our husbands are quite so thrilled, since they are featured prominently every month. ;) Each column contains several discussion questions that would be great conversation starters for your next date with your spouse.

Read more Marriage Perspectives by Deborah Raney and Tobi Layton:
Choose Your Battles
Marital Intimacy - Not a Taboo Topic
Should In-laws Be Outlawed?
Why the Struggle with Body Image?
Pursuing True Fulfillment in Marriage
Learn to Fight Right in Your Marriage
Money Matters in Marriage - Sometimes Too Much
God's Plan for Romance Looks Different from the Movies
Submitting Your Married Life to the Lord's Timetable
Compromise, Humor are Vital Ingredients for Loving Marriages
Opposites Attract - and Drive Each Other Nuts!
"I Can Do it Better": When Competition Creeps into Marriage
Children Change Everything - Especially Your Marriage
Marriage Perspectives - Pursuing God as a Couple

The best things in life are...kids!

2005-07-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

Three of our four kids are grown and living out of state now, so the times are all too rare when all four of them, plus our son-in-law, soon-to-be daughter-in-law - and of course, our little grandsons - are home at the same time. But when that happens, we have such a great time just hanging out together.

We play cards and board games (usually boys-against-girls), work jigsaw puzzles, cook and eat together, entertain extended family and just enjoy being all in one place together. It's a joy to discover the children we raised are such genuinely nice people. Children are truly a blessing from the Lord!

...and grandkids!

2005-07-06T05:12:00.000-07:00

Two years ago, my husband and I got the sweetest Christmas present we could ever have wished for when our very first grandbaby was born—a precious little boy - and now he's a big brother! These two little guys have stolen our hearts and made the distance between our house and theirs seem like five thousand miles. They are growing up way too quickly, but oh what a joy they are!

2002-12-15T17:48:00.000-08:00

2002-12-14T01:56:00.000-08:00

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