March 9, 2017

Me

The Suitcase--Thirty Somethings

It is March, can you believe it? We are already more than two months into 2017, lent is underway, and I feel so grateful for more things than I could ever mention. I just turned in my taxes, so I can especially say that I’m grateful to be done with that!

In 2016, two children’s books, When God Made You, and A Book of Questions made their way into the world. One thing I have learned over the years is that I sincerely appreciate all of you who have supported these stories once they’re published. As you know, there is a lot of written material out there, circulating, spinning through our lives. Sometimes it’s good material, sometimes not, and sifting through it takes effort. My writing life is not just so I can play with words, but has turned into a ministry of sorts (you can ask my husband, and my tax guy!) and I hope that you find the stories I write worth the effort… I know that I feel incredibly blessed to be able to do this work… 

Anyway. Promotion. A necessary something.

I have one more book to announce to the world, and then I think there will be a lull for a while. This email is to invite you to help me launch one final children’s picture book, The Suitcase, about to be published by Paraclete Press. I am looking for some wonderful word-of-mouth chatter, and several honest reviews to help propel the book forward. So here’s the scoop.

If you’re interested, I am looking for thirty people to be on my launch team. Ten have already signed up, so I have twenty spots left. Here’s what it entails:

• Read through an electronic version of the book and prepare in advance an honest review that you will post both on Amazon, and on another platform (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, your blog, Goodreads—any of those would be great).
• When I give the go ahead, post the review. It will be sometime between March 20th and April 1st; I will let you know what date is best.
• Paraclete Press will then send you an actual copy of the book; I will send you a GIANT thank you; and you will get to read the book to some kiddos! (Of course you can read the electronic version to kids too, but I think holding a real copy is more fun…)

Please let me know if you’d like to be a part of this team by simply emailing me jane@janegmeyer.com. I’m excited to see this book come into the world. The story is close to my heart. 

The Suitcase. A story about giving.

Here’s a tiny bit about it:

As young Thomas shows his family the items that he has packed into his suitcase after hearing a stirring homily at church, they marvel at his inventiveness and loving heart. Thomas is traveling to the Kingdom of Heaven, and he knows what it takes to get there! Along with his suitcase, Thomas and his family figure out a way to accomplish the almost impossible goal that Thomas is so excited about.

Talking points about the book

• The Suitcase captures bits and pieces of Jesus's parables in a story format, familiarizing the reader with Christ’s Heavenly Kingdom in a natural, subtle way.
• The protagonist in the story, though it’s not communicated outright, is most likely autistic. Several of the typical symptoms of autism are included in the narration about the character.
• The child leads the family toward beauty, toward following Christ and serving one’s neighbor, instead of the typical parent/leader role.
• This book celebrates a young child’s enthusiasm to put into practice the words of Christ: to feed and clothe the poor; help the needy; and love one’s neighbor.
• The end of the book is an illustration of a meal for the homeless. Why do some people have homes, and others do not?

So, let me know if you’d like to be one of the thirty to review the book and receive a free copy. 

And just in case you’re in a searching-around-the-web mood…

Here is the book’s page for preorder on Amazon.

Here is the book’s page for preorder on Paraclete’s site.

And soon I will have a page up on my own website with a teacher’s guide, some information on the illustrator, and more behind-the-scenes goodies.

Sending you love during this beautiful time of year.