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IN THIS ISSUE . . .
__A Word in Due Season __On the Homefront __May Giveaway Winner Announced __June Giveaway __Progress Report (New Feature!) __The Inside Story __Featured Book of the Month __My Novel Picks for June __The Recipe Rack
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A WORD IN DUE SEASON ...
by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD
Dear MaryAnn Diorio,
Lately, I've been in a reminiscing mood. Perhaps it's that my first grandchild turned ten and is now a budding gymnast on a US Gymnastic Team. Perhaps it's that my first grandson will soon be a teenager. Perhaps it's that my oldest granddaughter just applied for her first job.
All three incidents have made me wonder where the time has gone.
My husband will be 84 years old this month. I am approaching my 78th birthday. Our firstborn daughter will be 50 years old this year, and our younger one is not far behind.
I remember when I turned 50. I remember when I applied for my first job. I remember when I became a teenager and when I turned ten.
Psalm 39: 4 says it well: "You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”
Yes, "each of us is but a breath." Here today; gone tomorrow. Yet, even though one day we must all leave this earth, we can leave a part of us behind. I like to call it a legacy. Not necessarily of material things, but of things far more important. A spiritual legacy from which those who knew us can draw as they walk out their own breath of life.
We can leave behind a legacy of love and faith and peace. A legacy of memories of kindness, generosity, and caring. We can leave behind words of encouragement and hope.
As much as I like reminiscing, I like even more looking forward. So today, I ask myself, "What kind of legacy will I leave behind?" The good news is that I can choose the type of legacy I will leave. And you can, too.
So, I ask you today, "What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?" Seriously think about it. And then make it happen.
Love and Blessings!
MaryAnn
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My ten-year-old granddaughter loves to read. Here she is, stocking up on library books. I can usually find her in a cozy corner, curled up with a good book. She is my chief brainstorming partner for my children's stories. :)
My youngest grandson celebrated his fifth birthday last month. It seems as though he just joined our family as an infant. Where has the time gone?
My grandchildren's homeschool community recently held its annual "Faces of History" event. My granddaughter played Marie Antoinette, while my grandson played Wipo of Burgundy. Both of them were required to present an oral history of each character.
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MAY GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED . . .
I am excited to announce that the winner for May's Giveaway is Donna Griffin! Donna has won an ebook copy of my popular novella, Surrender to Love. Congratulations, Donna! I trust that my story will bless you.
We had more entries for the May Giveaway than ever before. Thank you to all those who entered. Keep entering! You may be a future winner!
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JUNE GIVEAWAY . . .
Win a free ebook copy of my award-winning novel, In Black and White, by entering our June Giveaway Drawing. To enter, simply write to me at maryann@maryanndiorio.com and write the words "JUNE GIVEAWAY" in the subject line.
When I receive your entry confirmation, I will place your name in the drawing.
The winner will be announced in my July newsletter.
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PROGRESS REPORT . . .
One of my favorite parts of being a writer is researching exciting places for my books. The best way to research is to go to the setting, if possible. So far, I have been to all of the settings in my books except for Ghana in my novel In Black and White. For that beautiful country and its amazing people, I did a lot of in-depth research online.
My current book, The Rabbi and Mrs. Goldstein, Book 2 of The Wives of Old Cape May series, takes place in Cape May, NJ. I've been to Cape May numerous times.
In late May, my husband and i took another trip to Cape May for more research, photos, and a delicious dinner at the Peter Shields Inn, an oceanfront inn built in 1905.
I thought you might enjoy seeing a few photos of our trip.
Top Left: My awesome husband of 53 years, Dom. Top Right: Yours truly at Cape May Beach, my favorite place in the whole world. Bottom Left: The Morningstar Vila, built in 1885. Bottom Right: The Peter Shields Inn, built in 1905.
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THE INSIDE STORY . . .
This month, I'd like to address the issue of how much a writer earns.
Very few writers earn a living from their writing. By a living, I mean enough money to pay the mortage, the car, utitilies, food, etc. Most writers have to supplement their income through a full-time day job, speaking engagements, teaching courses, or doing freelance writing for magazines and newspapers. Some have jobs totally unrelated to writing and write after work hours.
The average writer earns between $5,000 and $10,000 per year. Of course, there are those who earn $25,000 to $50,000 per year, but they are few and far between. And there are those rare writers who earn six-figure incomes. But the average writer—particularly. the average Christian writer—earns far less just from his writing. Most writers have other sources of income outside of writing—activities I call "para-writing".
So, the next time you think that writers make a lot of money, remember this inside story. And support your favorite authors by purchasing their books, telling others about them, and posting reviews. Most of all, pray for Christian writers, and be assured that your prayers avail much.
Thanks and Blessings,
MaryAnn
P.S. You may be interested in this short video by Pastor Chris Buscher titled "How Much Money Do Christian Authors Make?".
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FEATURED BOOK OF THE MONTH . . .
To order, click on the cover.
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The Captain and Mrs. Vye |
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A 19th-century middle-aged widow discovers that her late husband has left her destitute.
Print: Ebook:
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MY NOVEL PICKS FOR JUNE . . .
Here are my novel picks for June. Don't miss these excellent authors. I've chosen one contemporary and one historical novel for you. Enjoy!
(Click on the cover to order. Affiliate links.)
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Photo by MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved.
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Linguine with Artichoke Sauce
(From the Kitchen of MaryAnn Diorio)
INGREDIENTS
__1/4 cup Olive Oil __6 Tablespoons Butter __2 teaspoons Flour __1 cup Chicken Stock, heated __2 Cloves Garlic, crushed __2 teaspoons Lemon Juice __1 teaspoon Minced Parsley __Salt to taste __Pepper to taste __3 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese __1 lb. Linguine __1 14-ounce can or jar Artichoke Hearts, drained and chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
__Heat 1/4 cup Olive Oil in heavy skillet. __Add 4 Tablespoons of Butter and melt. __Add Flour and cook, stirring for 3 minutes. __Stir in heated chicken stock. __Increase heat and cook for 1 minute. __Add garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper __Cook over moderate heat for 5 minutes. __Add Artichoke Hearts and 2 Tablespoons of Parmesan Cheese. __Cook, basting artichokes, for 8 minutes. __Cook pasta until al dente. Drain. __Toss pasta with remaining 2 Tablespoons Butter. 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, and 1 Tablespoon Parmesan Cheese. __Pour sauce over pasta, mix well, and serve.
Serves 4.
ENJOY!
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"And you shall know the truth, and
the truth shall make you free."
(John 8: 32)
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MaryAnn writes fiction from a small town in New Jersey where neighbors still make time to chat, kids still lick lollipops, and old married couples still hold hands. A Jersey girl at heart, MaryAnn is a big fan of Jersey diners, Jersey tomatoes, and the Jersey shore.
You can learn more about MaryAnn and her fiction at maryanndiorio.com.
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