In this issue, I celebrate a book anniversary, talk about writing from your values, and interview author Anna Daugherty.

On September 2, The Remainders marks its fourth anniversary! If you haven't read this powerful story about a homeless son and troubled father, get your copy now on Amazon and other booksellers.

My publisher, Black Rose Writing, posted The Remainders on NetGalley earlier this month. So far, it has gotten good feedback on the cover. 

If you're a librarian, book reviewer, or influencer on NetGalley, you can request a copy of The Remainders, but only until September 29. Hurry and request your copy, and be sure to post a review on Amazon or where you buy or talk about books. Reviews help, and I greatly appreciate them.

We are in the thick of election season in the United States. Writers often ask themselves, "Should I speak up about my political views, especially in an election as contentious as this one? Dare I risk losing readers or alienating the people I work with?" I answer this question and share a bit of my views in a recent TikTok video.

It's also important that we write from our values. This provides us with the passion to persist through the writing and publication process, and it offers us tools to connect with our audience. We can also leave our readers with something more from the experience of reading our books.

Writing from our values can be frightening. It makes us subject to criticism. You might not feel safe expressing your views. But if you can find the courage to talk about what matters to you, you will find people who will listen and support you. The courage you show in speaking up will give others the willingness to share their stories. And you might make a difference in people's lives.

Anna Daugherty is an example of an author who writes from her values. She is an award-winning author based in Texas. She studied journalism at the University of Texas and spent several years working as a freelance journalist before rediscovering a love for fiction. Anna now writes Christian novels about women with grit and grace. Her Grace Church series has been an Amazon bestseller and has won the PenCraft Award and the Next Generation Indie Book Award.

She lives in the hill country with her husband and three young daughters. When she isn’t writing or chasing a toddler, she can usually be found enjoying the outdoors—preferably with a book in hand.

Her newest book, Reaching for Grace, comes out August 29. You can get your copy from Amazon and wherever books are sold. I interviewed Anna about her writing experience and the inspiration for her books.

Who helped you the most in starting your writing career?

I can go all the way back for this question! I grew up homeschooled, thus my first English teacher was also the same woman reading wonderful bedtime stories every night—my mother. She shared such a love for stories and writing, and it built a strong foundation for my writing career.

As for my actual career, I would still keep my answer personal. It’s hard to point to any one professor, editor, or mentor who helped the most, but I do know that I wouldn’t be writing if it weren’t for my husband, who has been cheering me on from the earliest days as a journalist through becoming a novelist.

Which author had the biggest influence on your writing?

For a long time, Christian fiction seemed a subpar genre, filled with saintly characters and unrelatable stories. But when I discovered authors like Patti Callahan Henry, Becky Wade, and Lisa Wingate, I saw what Christian fiction could be. I began devouring books from several similar authors, loving the plots that didn’t shy away from heavier issues, yet were clean and offered a Biblical worldview. Those three authors were the ones that kickstarted me on my current career.

Reaching for Grace is the second book of your Grace Church Book Series that started with Outside of Grace. When you started writing these books, did you plan on creating a series from the beginning? And how have your plans for the series changed as you wrote the books?

I wasn’t planning on writing a series, however when I wrote Outside of Grace, it was actually the second novel I wrote and it was connected to the first, so I should have seen it coming. It kept growing from there. Once the universe was built, it was so fun to explore the lives and stories of other characters, and to throw familiar faces into new situations. (I should note though, each book can be read as a stand-alone novel.)

When I decided to expand the series, I initially came up with potential ideas for six books, but two of them were too different from the others, so I ended up tossing those. I’m planning to finish with four books in the series and then I’ll have to move on to something else. I’ll miss my Grace Church world though. I don’t look forward to having to start all over!

What is your inspiration for the characters and places in your books?

I have a mug that says, “Be careful, or you’ll end up in my novel.” And honestly, it’s not far from the truth. I’m guilty of taking inspiration from all the people around me. I love watching people and noticing little quirks or idiosyncrasies. If something particularly catches my attention, I tend to play around with the idea of it on a character—how might that personality play out on someone from a different culture or socioeconomic class? (And I’ll admit I have stolen a line or two directly from my husband—with his permission, of course.)

As for the location, the fictional town of Ridley Bay is largely inspired by Corpus Christi and Port Aransas. My husband and I got married in Port Aransas and the Texas coast has always held a special place in my heart.

What role does faith have in your writing?

Whether they’re writing religious fiction or not, I think every author’s beliefs play a role in their writing. Our worldviews regarding people and purpose will come through in any story, whether we intend it or not. We can’t help it—we are our own voices, even as we don the hats of a dozen different characters.

As someone who is writing Christian fiction, I am very careful about the way I approach various topics, and often spend quite a bit of time researching, reading the Bible, and talking to others about any given topic. Even so, not all Christians will agree on all things and I know I may upset someone. I have heard that I am “too preachy” for some readers and “too worldly” for others. In the end, I have to accept that not every book is for every person, and trust that my voice is out there for a reason and it will be right for someone. 

What are you currently writing?

I’ve just signed the contract for my third book, Before Grace! It’s mostly written, though I’m still tweaking a few things. After that, I’ll be working on writing the fourth (and likely final) book in the Grace Church series.

Where can readers learn more about you?

I have a monthly blog and reader’s club available at annadwrites.com. I’m also on Facebook and Instagram as @annadwrites.

In my recent interview with Joseph D'Urso for his Rough Writer channel, I talk about my experiences with indie publishing, getting my books into local bookstores, and writing character-driven stories. See my interview on YouTube.

On the Authors Answer site, I talk about how I use playlists, the supposed difference between "authors" and "writers," my love for baseball, and what brings me joy as an author. Read my interview here.

And in case you missed it, check out my interview with Rayanne Thorn Krueger about The Remainders, why I chose to be a writer, my thoughts about the future of writing and much more on the Real Words podcast.  

If you are an author who wants to be interviewed, send me an email to admin@matthewarnoldstern.com with the following information:

• Your name.
• A brief bio (100 words or less).
• Your books.
• What you would like to talk about in your interview.

By supporting each other, we can all grow!

I have several author events coming this fall, just in time for the holiday book buying season! Look for details in upcoming issues of this newsletter.

I hope you have enjoyed this newsletter. If you have any comments and suggestions, feel free to email me at admin@matthewarnoldstern.com. 

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I'll be in touch again next month with more news and content.