Friday, October 12, 2018

Finding HOPE by the book





So the other day, this happened:



And to say we're all a little excited about it is very much an understatement.  If I can drag you away from that super fun cover mock-up for a moment (isn't it great?!?), I have answers ready for your questions. 

WHAT IS IT? 

Hope By The Book is a brand new magazine for avid readers by avid readers (as that nifty graphic would suggest haha)! With that, we're doing what's never quite been done before - creating a magazine to celebrate books (across multiple genres, fiction and nonfiction) AND the reading life for the avid reader, as well as offering smart reviews from industry professionals.

WHAT'S IN IT?

Each issue will have new articles for every reader seeking useful, fun, and inspiring content all about books and the reading life! It will be packed with top notch articles and images that feed your inner bookworm and arm you with great books to grab at the bookstore.  

WHEN DOES IT COME OUT? 

The website is live now, and the magazine will launch November 13th! eep! So excited! 

WILL IT BE ONLY CHRISTIAN BOOKS?

Hope By the Book champions inspirational books, and we exist in large part to help fill the void left in the area of professional reviews of inspirational books when RT Book Reviews and CBA's Christian Market ceased publishing. We also recognize that the definition of 'inspirational' is broad, but rest assured that, as one subscriber recently said, this is a magazine you can leave out for your kids to see and flip through. After all, HOPE is part of our mission statement - and we can't truly pursue Hope in books without keeping close to the Source of all Hope, in our lives and in our content. 

HOW DID IT START? 

Well, that's really what I'm here to talk about today. Because it started with FRIENDSHIP first and foremost. And not just one type of friendship, but rather a cornucopia (if you will) of relationships with two things in common: Jesus & books. To me, this is such a sweet picture of how the body of Christ functions, in a subset of the body with their noses in books ;) I wanted to share some of the friendships that make up this new adventure:

had to 'photoshop' Annie in there ;)
  • Friendships formed between book bloggers - a C.S. Lewis 'You too? I thought I was the only one!" type of sisterhood that spans the United States from coast to coast. This friendship circle has become one of the most meaningful of my life, even if we're rarely all in the same room. We pray for each other. We laugh with each other. We cry with each other. We call each other on our stuff. We sharpen each other's rough edges and champion each other's strengths. We love Jesus. We love books. We love Jesus books. And we love each other. When Angelia Stone (more on her in a second) asked me to form a team to get this magazine into readers' hands, these dear book sisters were the first people I asked.
  • Friendships that are brand new - Another dear friend of mine - author, agent, speaker Cynthia Ruchti - connected me with Angelia Stone, the CEO of Hope For Women Magazine. Angie has quickly become a sister-friend and she was quick to see the need for a magazine like Hope By the Book. She's held my hand through this whole launch-a-magazine process - and held my feet to the fire a few times too LOL. She's the main boss chick for both magazines, and we just instantly clicked. I'm thankful that God continues to put new friends in my life, to stretch me out of my introverted comfort zone and keep me connected to amazing overcomers!
photo by Emilie Hendryx, CFRR2017
  • Friendships within the Christian book community - I'm not naive enough to think that everyone in this industry gets along or always agrees on everything and never struggles with jealousy or hurts. But you know what? We really are stronger together, and the Christian book community is incredibly supportive of each other as a whole. As soon as the magazine was announced, it wasn't just our team's magazine anymore. It was everyone's magazine. Authors, readers, bloggers, publishers, Seekers - people have embraced Hope By The Book as their magazine. And I love it! It IS their magazine. It's OUR magazine - this community who loves Jesus and books and each other. 
And even more than I want to tell you about the magazine and how excited I am, I really want you to have this takeaway - we don't have to do this life thing alone. Not the books you write. Not the books we read & review. Not the blog posts we come up with or the magazine articles we put together. Not the everyday chaos of life, for all its ups and downs in this crazy world. Find your people and do life with them.

That's part of why we created Hope By the Book - to show readers of Christian/inspirational books that they aren't alone. There's a bunch of us out here. Book nerds who love Jesus and read past their bedtime. Who can't figure out the best way to sort their double-stacked bookshelves (by color? by title? by author? by genre? HELP!) and so they just end up triple-stacking them. Who buy candles just because they're based on their favorite books or characters. Avid readers who love books and live books and can't separate the two. 

Now it's my turn to ask you a question:

What types of articles would you like to see in future issues of Hope By the Book?



Comment below for a chance to win a year's subscription (4 issues) to Hope By The Book!!
Open internationally, too.
(If you don't want to wait or you want to go ahead and grab a gift for a friend, you can subscribe here - and use code BOOKISH at checkout for $4.00 off)


108 comments:

  1. It's past my bedtime y'all! Here's some hot chocolate and warm apple cider (or cold if you prefer) and cider donuts from my favorite orchard. Talk amongst yourselves until morning dawns on my side of the country :)

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  2. Great article sweet friend! ❤️

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    1. aww thanks, my friend! Thanks for being part of the HBTB team ❤️

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  3. It's morning this side of the world and it looks like it's going to be a hot one as well! Ahhh this post reminds me of a C.S. Lewis quote :Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'

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  4. Lovely post, Carrie (my amazing BFFF), about book love and friendships, and a new gorgeous, fun-sounding magazine. I just realized that I have that same red polka-dot mug that I got from Tina Radcliffe. It's getting to be hot cocoa weather here, so I should be using it soon.

    I'll have to see if I can come up with any ideas for articles for your magazine, although you and your awesome posse are much more imaginative than I am.

    Take care, sweet friend, and keep those plates spinning. :-D Throw my name in the mug for the magazine subscription!

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  5. I am in favor of connecting readers with authors and vice versa!

    So what about short fiction in the magazine? Wouldn't that be a perfect accompaniment? And The Author's Kitchen, cooking with an author (Like we do on Yankee Belle, but in the magazine so that readers learn more about authors)...

    This is such an excellent idea!!!!!

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    1. oooo those are GREAT ideas, Ruthy!!!

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    2. Ruthy always has such great ideas.

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    3. Great ideas, Ruthy! Totally agree with you, Mindy.

      Also, can we also do short fiction by reader submissions too?!!

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    4. Annie, I love the idea of short fiction from readers, too. My favorite women's magazines featured short fiction with the articles... McCalls, Redbook, Good Housekeeping... That probably makes me sound OLD but it wasn't that long ago, I swear!!! :)

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    5. Wonderful ideas, Ruthy! Annie, reader submissions would be fun to do!

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  6. This is a great idea. We need to support each other.

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    1. i thought about your Genesis Award acceptance speech a lot while i was writing this post <3

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    2. Thank you, Carrie. Personally I think Heidi had the best speech, but I'm pleased people got something out of mine. I'm still not crazy about everything that happened to me down there, but if God can use it to help someone else--or help me give a speech--I'm okay with it. Romans 8:28.

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  7. Carrie, I'm so thankful you and your lovely crew started this much needed magazine. I quickly subscribed to it, but LOL, have no clear idea if it was for 1 issue or for a year.

    I like Ruth's suggestion of a short story. Also, how about an on-going column highlighting what inspired and fueled an author to write a particular story? I'd love to volunteer for both.

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    1. those are excellent ideas!! And you can tell by the $ amount haha! If you spent around $20 then it was the annual subscription ;)

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  8. This is SO exciting!!!! Ditto Ruthy's ideas.

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  9. In this digital age, as much as I love being online I really miss flipping through magazines and catalogs. And a magazine about books? Oh my! I would love to see places that inspire stories like you showed us in this post about your home town. These are all great ideas.

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    1. What I meant was like yesterday's post about small towns. But expanded to all sorts of places that inspire the stories we love.

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    2. excellent idea! Thanks, Glynis!

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    3. Me, too. I love books... and I love articles. I love short reads!!!

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  10. This is exciting! Will the magazine be available in Christian bookstores, and in Canada? I prefer pages I can hold as opposed to digital copy. As for articles - I think it would be neat to have something on real places or accounts that inspired novels. Also a few reviews on the same book (I always find it interesting to read various opinions...usually if there's 3 or 4 that recommend the book I pick it up). Maybe some fun trivia? And of course, book giveaways. Great idea! Would love to win a subscription...(Lee-Ann B)

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    1. hi Lee-Ann! We are working on getting it in stores and it DOES ship to Canada :)

      Excellent ideas! thanks!

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  11. I am SOOOOOOOOO excited about this!!!!!!!

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    1. Don't overdo it.... She'll be gettin' the BIG HEAD.

      We must always avoid the BIG HEAD. ;)

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  12. Carrie - this is great. I can't wait to see that first issue. A short story gets my vote for what should be included, but I also love the info about authors. Kind of like the up close and personal thing. For some reason hearing about things like how many kids they have and what's their favorite food is so interesting to me, sort of beyond what book they wrote and why they wrote it, Makes them seem like a real person.

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    1. i totally agree, Cindy! Great ideas!

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    2. Oh! Like a Woman's World short story, they have both romance and mystery. My mother got that magazine when I was in high school and the ONLY thing I read in that magazine was the short romance. Tina Radcliffe writes for them tons. I don't know if you want to get into paying like $800 (I think it's essentially $1/word) and the editorial of that every month since you might not have a wide enough pool for a while of submitters worth their salt, but you could have submissions and just take ones when you find good ones.

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  13. I echo everyone else's thoughts, Carrie. This couldn't have come at a better time. I subscribed and can't wait for that first issue! I love the idea of cooking with authors or articles on what makes us tick. I'm looking forward to immersing myself in this new community!

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    1. i'm so loving this 'cooking with authors' idea - what fun! Thanks for your excitement & support, Tracey <3

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  14. This is a great idea. I love Ruthies idea.

    My brother had a fit when I asked if he could bring the bookcases I had stored at his house. He wanted to know where I would put them. When I said I could fit 3 of them in my tiny bedroom. His comment, "I've never heard of anyone having a bookcase in their bedroom." I am sure I am not the only one with bookcases in every room of the house except the bathroom

    Have a great day and weekend.

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    1. Bookcases in the bathroom are a thing, Wilani. My Grandma had one. She once had a male guest spend so long in the bathroom she knocked on the door to ask if he was ok. "Just reading," he replied.

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    2. um hello. Tell your brother that I have two bookcases in my bedroom. And several more in my living room. And my office. And even my dining room. LOL.

      These are the kinds of things we'll talk about in our magazine too - the things that only other bookworms will understand ;)

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    3. Goodness! Tell your brother, I had bookcases (short and tall) filling every nook and cranny the moment I got my own bedroom growing up. (though unfortunately, my Darcy wouldn't agree to it once we got married, but I was able to get a skinny tall one in there!)

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    4. Oh, what do brothers know???? Silly boy!!!

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    5. My goodness, a bookshelf in the bedroom seems like a perfect idea.

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    6. Bookshelves in the bedroom? *Raises hand. Guilty as charged but unrepentant! :) Not only do I have bookshelves in my bedroom, I encouraged my children to do the same, and all our bookshelves are OVERFLOWING! :)

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    7. Um, why would there not be bookcases in a bedroom? He needs to meet more bookish people evidently. :)

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    8. I have the cutest little antique bookcase in my bedroom! It's not very tall, but it fits perfectly in a nook there.

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  15. Love, love this! I love the idea of book reviews and other book news.
    I also would enjoy articles that allow us to get to know our favorite authors better, which could include something they have found inspiring, or inspiration behind a particular book.

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    1. we're definitely featuring authors! :) Thanks, Rosalyn for your excitement!!

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  16. I'm so very excited about this magazine!! I've already subscribed and really look forward to it!

    I can't think of anything right now that I'd like to see included. It sounds like you've hit all the fun things!! But if I do think of something, I know where to find you. ;)

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    1. haha yes you do ;) Thanks, dear Missy!

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    2. cant wait to check this out!!

      I'd like to see articles on tips for starting a blog or writing career. Probably too late this year, but it would be great to see a Christmas card swap or pen pal set up. A way to not only slow down for a moment, but to reach out to another as a reminder they are not alone.

      And the best quote on a church sign kind if thing. So many are amazing, funny, and perfect for the moment, so much so that everyone should see it!

      Best of luck to ya'll!!!

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  17. I've heard a couple people are having trouble commenting. If you can't get your comment to go through, you can message me your thoughts at https://www.facebook.com/hopebythebook/ to still be in the running for a free subscription :)

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  18. Woohoo cannot wait to see the first edition!

    For December there should be an article for what to buy different types of readers 🙂

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  19. Carrie, I am so excited about this. I've already got my subscription on order and I can't wait for it arrive next month. Woot, woot!

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  20. YAY YAY YAY!! What more can I say but that I LOVE THIS!! I'm so excited for Hope by the Book and ditto on all the friendships built through the love of Jesus and love of reading. Thank you, my friend. I love me in that photo! Y'all know I'm camera shy. LOL. *wink wink.

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  21. Crissy Yoder ShamionOctober 12, 2018 at 1:40 PM

    Absolutely love the magazine coming out! Nothing better then a paper magazine or paperback book in this digital age.

    so excited! I would love to see stories from readers, helpful hints, possibly a prayer page.
    Crissy

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  22. I think out would be great to have an article to give tips and ideas to bloggers/ reviewers of books. Maybe even a section in each issue to spot light a different blogger.

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    1. thanks, Rachel! We're focusing more on 'readers' than on bloggers specifically but reviewing tips are not out of the question - everybody can benefit from that :)

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  23. This looks like such a fun magazine. The only problem may be how we're going to be able to afford all the books mentioned in the magazine after you tell us how great they are! ;-) Thanks so much for the reminder that we're not alone in this.

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    1. LOL well ... yes ... that's a slight potential problem ;)

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  24. Maybe some sort of bookish trivia quiz or crossword puzzle.

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    1. I am a crossword ADDICT! I would so be up for a crossword in the magazine! :)

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    2. Or a word search. Search for the book titles mentioned in the magazine?

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  25. Just dropping in to say Hi and Congratulations! This is so wonderful. And I'm so happy for you guys! Looking forward to seeing how this progresses!
    Cheers,
    Sue

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    1. thanks so much, Sue - i hope you're finally feeling better!!

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  26. This sounds like it will be a wonderful magazine. Please put me in the drawing. I like all the ideas mentioned already. It would be fun to see stories about the real places that are the setting of some books or the towns that are the inspiration for the setting. For example, I believe Jan Karon's hometown in North Carolina is the basis for Mitford.

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  27. YAY! I LOVE this post! Love! Love! Love!

    I am so excited about this magazine, it's ridiculous. I subscribed the day subscriptions opened, I think! :)

    So many great ideas for articles and features. You're going to have a lot of fun implementing some of these!

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  28. This is such great news! I love the idea of short stories. Also, I like little puzzles & things. A crossword is a great idea or a word search of titles of books by a particular author. Get some of those titles out there for people to see. Maybe feature a different author in each edition (for the word search or something else).

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  29. I'd love to see articles that help the avid reader know how to encourage and support authors.

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  30. I am excited about this magazine! I love to learn more about the authors and maybe even deleted scenes from their books. That is ALWAYS fun!!! Word searches sounds like a great idea as someone else mentioned...of course, book related!

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    1. i hadn't thought of deleted scenes - love that idea!!

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  31. Oh my goodness! This sounds absolutely fabulous! I'm definitely going to have to subscribe. And how wonderful that you and others have put the time and energy into something that will benefit so many.

    I'd love to see something written about the difference between inspirational and clean fiction. Or clean fiction from a Christian world view. I've been hearing more about that and would love to know more background and the pros and cons of such. :)

    And thanks for the chance to get a subscription! Wow! That's awesome!

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  32. I jus love this! It's like Christmas morning... I'm THAT excited. :) I can't wait to read all the comments above to see what people are looking for in this magazine.

    Congratulations on the soon-to-be launch! :)

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  33. I'm totally excited about this magazine, Carrie. Can't wait until royalty week to subscribe. Praying it's a success!

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  34. Chiming in late, Carrie, but adding my congratulations and happy dance to the others! Subscribed and cannot wait to receive my first issue!

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  35. Congratulations. I am excited to see the first issur!

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  36. Love this post! So excited for you, dear Carrie!

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  37. I'd like to learn the behind the scene things that brought the book together. Character interviews, pictures of settings and the what if moment that evolved into the story.
    I want to know how to get on the staff. I'm not only an author but a book nerd.
    Cindy Ervin Huff

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  38. I'm so excited about Hope By the Book! I'd love to see articles about authors' research trips, writing spots, reading spots, book clubs, seasonal recommendations, authors' writing journeys, How to get the most out of GoodReads, sharing books as a way to share faith and encouragement with friends. Blessings to you and your team, Carrie!

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  39. This is a wonderful idea, Carrie. Congratulations on this magazine. I'll be eagerly awaiting the premier issue. I particularly like Ruthy's idea of including short stories and also the other comments on what content to include.

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  40. I love it all; book reviews, upcoming releases, author spotlights, bookish merchandise . . . but since I am primarily a reader and a reviewer, I would certainly love tips on reviewing and since I also facilitate a book club, a "What's Your Club Reading?" blurb every once in awhile. And if you ever want to include info on children's books, I read a lot of them.

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  41. This sounds really great. I'm wondering if books by Christian authors will be showcased/discussed if they are writing in a genre such as fantasy & science fiction. C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Madeleine L'Engle for example wrote in these genres, and even though their works were not considered inspirational genre, they infused their writing with Christianity via symbolism, characters who represented God/Jesus, etc. I'm interested to know about modern writers who are Christians writing in these genres (Veronica Roth for example).

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  42. Just subscribed! So excited!!! Congrats, ladies!

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  43. Congratulations, Carrie! I’m so excited to see this magazine launch. It is much needed and will be much loved. Having just visited Orchard House in Concord, where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women, I’d love to see articles about authors homes and/or writing spaces—and articles about book settings (I’m thinking some of the locations of Julie Klassen’s English novels, or the lighthouses that inspired some of Jody Hedlund’s books, etc.).

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  44. I really cannot wait for this magazine! I'm so excited!

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