The fun began this week. Last Friday I got to leave my lonely office and travel to four different bookstores to meet with some of my readers. I was very excited to present my newest book, “Waves of Mercy” to them. The novel is based on the true story of the Dutch immigrants who left the Netherlands in 1846 to settle the town of Holland in the wilderness of Western Michigan. I even bought a new outfit to wear for the occasion. It’s a typical Dutch costume from the province of Zuid Beveland, and is the type of dress that the characters in my book might have worn. What do you think?
My first stop was the Kregel Parable Christian Store in Grandville, Michigan. Here are some of my new friends.
Next, I traveled southwest to Banner Books – Parable Christian Store in St. Joseph, Michigan. More new friends!
On Saturday morning, I met all of these wonderful people at Light of Grace Book & Gift Store in Nappanee, Indiana.
And finally, I drove to J.Farvers Bookstore on Saturday afternoon in Shipshewana, Indiana. Thanks for a great time!
I met so many wonderful people, and I can’t begin to describe how contagious their enthusiasm is. I came home determined to finish writing my next book because I know that all of these amazing new friends will be waiting to read it. I cautioned them to read s-l-o-w-l-y, though. They can read my book in a matter of days but it takes me a year to write it!
I’m not quite finished launching “Waves of Mercy” yet. On Tuesday, October 4, I’ll be speaking at Baker Book House in Grand Rapids, Michigan at 7:00 PM (2768 E. Paris Ave., SE, Grand Rapids). I’ve put together a power point presentation with some of the pictures that inspired the novel—and I’ll tell a little bit about why I decided to write it. I hope to meet more of you there.
Two days later, on Thursday, October 6, I’ll be giving the same presentation in Holland at 7:00 PM at Christ Memorial Church (595 Graafschap Rd., Holland). Maybe some of you are descendants of those first settlers? I would love to meet you. “Waves of Mercy” will be available for purchase at both of those places.
So, I have to say that while it was awkward at first, I’m growing fond of this Dutch dress. You can’t tell from the picture but there’s a voluminous petticoat underneath the skirt, and a black apron on top of it. Twenty yards of cloth is very effective at hiding any and every flaw in my figure. But don’t try to drive a car in wooden shoes…just saying.
Happy reading!
Latest posts by Lynn Austin (see all)
- Can An Old Dog Learn New Tricks? - November 15, 2021
- A 1951 Christmas - November 1, 2021
- Researching? - October 18, 2021
Please come to the east side of the mitten state!!!
I would love to–when things slow down. Maybe next spring?
I love your Dutch outfit, Lynn. Those shoes!
“I met so many wonderful people, and I can’t begin to describe how contagious their enthusiasm is.” Yes! This is how I felt after spending a day with readers and bloggers at the Christian Fiction Reader’s Retreat. It’s good for us to get out from behind our desk chairs now and then and MEET the people who read our books. It’s truly encouraging.
Yes, our readers are the most important people. I want to write books in the same era as Julie Klassen next time. She gets to wear fancier dresses.
Your “don’t try to drive a car in wooden shoes” comment cracked me up, Lynn! I’ll take that under advisement, though I must confess, the thought never crossed my mind until you brought it up. 😉
I don’t know how people even walk in those things! But then I’m not too good with spike heels, either.
I wanna THANK YOU for all the time and hard work you put in the research and writing of your books!! It’s definitely worth the effort. God spoke through your books many times to me and I learnt a lot from different times and history. But sometimes when we readers are so enthralled in the story and can’t stop turning page after page – it is very hard to read s l o w l y 😉 and we easily forget the hard work it takes to write these wonderful books.
Also I wanna say a big thank you to you and the other authors here for this great blog every week, the background information of the stories, the awesome photos and sharing your life with us!
Thanks, Coco. I’m so glad to hear that our stories are blessing our readers. You are the reason we write!
I can’t wait to read your new book! I have it pre-ordered.
That’s great, Brenda! I hope you enjoy it.
Can’t wait to read this one, Lynn! You look terrific! And what fun!
I think I’ll wear this outfit the next time we tour together.
Can’t wait to get this one! As a West Michigan native, this is my heritage. Of course now I am transplanted to Colorado. Smile! Thanks for writing about this subject.
That’s great, Jen. Your West Michigan ancestors were a hardy bunch!
I’m a reader from the Netherlands. We have family in the USA; their parents emigrated in 1950 from the Netherlands to the USA and the children are still living there.
I look forward reading your new book Waves of Mercy and I hope it will be translated very soon in Dutch and I hope you’ll visit our country to introduce this special one!
Ah, I’m so so excited to read this!!! 🙂 (And I second Annette’s comment. Come to Europe. :-))