Thursday, May 25, 2017

The Joy of Multi-Author Anthologies by Terri Weldon

I recently had the privilege of writing The Matchmakers anthology with Jean C. Gordon and Lisa Belcastro. I had wanted to be involved in a multi-author project for quite some time, and let me tell you it was a blast. 

The three of us first began working on the project when a small press sent out a call for multi-author anthologies. Jean C. Gordon had the idea of basing the books around a dating service for Christians. The dating service would be run by an elderly couple, Libby and Blake, introduced in Jean’s novella. Eventually the idea evolved into a honeymoon travel company set in the Berkshires, but the elderly grandmother still had plans on playing matchmaker for her three single granddaughters. 

It was a fun idea and in no time at all we each had developed a plan for a novella. Unfortunately our writing schedules didn’t allow us to submit the proposal. Still, we wanted to write the books so we decided to indie publish the anthology. 

Writing an anthology based around a single core idea with two other authors proved to be fun. Libby and Blake appeared in all three novellas so descriptions, personality, and tone had to stay consistent. Also, there were times the heroine and hero of one novella popped up in another. I remember Jean asking me questions about what my heroine’s kitchen looked like and how it was decorated as well as needing a description of my hero. 

Jean’s heroine appeared in Lisa’s story along with Libby. And I built the relationship between my hero and Libby based on events in Jean’s book. Whew! Sounds like it would be tough, but with a little teamwork everything flowed smoothly. 

We had so much fun writing The Matchmakers that we plan on doing another anthology together in time for a Valentine’s Day release. I can’t wait!

How about you? Have you ever written a multi-author anthology? Does it sound like something you might pursue in the future? Leave a comment and let me know.

Ellie Alexander is in love. And the only thing sweeter would be if Libby, Natalie, and Stephanie, her three unmarried, unattached granddaughters, could find the same happiness. Maybe with a little help from her and her beau Blake Parker . . .

A Match Made in Williamstown by Lady of Love Inspired Romance Jean C. Gordon — Libby Schuyler has avoided dating since her break-up with college-sweetheart Jack Parker. Out of nowhere, Jack shows up claiming Ellie is swindling his grandfather, Blake, through a travel agency partnership they’ve formed. Libby and Jack team up to protect their grandparents and get to the bottom of Ellie and Blake’s business and romantic relationship. While Libby and Jack fight their reignited attraction, Ellie and Blake conspire to bring the two together.

A Match Made in Sheffield by Terri Weldon— Natalie Benton bounced from one foster home to another until she landed on Ellie Alexander’s doorstep. Natalie’s vagabond childhood caused her to yearn for a secure life, which led to Natalie’s five-year plan: complete her law degree, marry the perfect man, become a partner at Montgomery, Haynes, and Preston, and produce one child. Getting arrested wasn’t in Natalie’s plan. Needing a public defender wasn’t in her plan. Falling for Grady Hunter, her public defender, definitely wasn’t in her plan. Can Grady convince Natalie there is more to life than her five-year plan? Is Ellie the only one who sees a future for Natalie and Grady?

A Match Made in Freedom by Lisa Belcastro — Stephanie Gould loves life on Martha’s Vineyard . . . until she runs into Kay and Tim, her former business partner and her ex-fiancĂ©, who just returned from their honeymoon. Surprised by the heartache she thought was gone, Stephanie heads to the Berkshires to visit family and friends. Arriving in Stockbridge, Stephanie meets Captain Henry Lewis. Little does Stephanie know, her grandmother has already met Henry, and Ellie thinks Henry is perfect. Stephanie has no interest in dating, Henry included. If only Henry didn’t turn up everywhere Stephanie goes. When he walks up beside her at the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stephanie can’t deny her attraction, but she’ll do her best to fight it.

Buy Links
Amazon Kindle & Print: http://amzn.to/2pb4HuK 
Nook, iBooks & Kobo: https://www.books2read.com/u/3neJnB
Barnes & Noble Print: http://bit.ly/2qbmqEtMatchmakers  

Terri Weldon is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and shopping for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has two adorable Westies – Crosby and Nolly Grace. She is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Terri is the award winning author of The Christmas Bride Wore Boots.

Readers can connect with Terri: Website: www.TerriWeldon.com or