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14 January 2016

Introducing Anita Mae Draper with a giveaway

Please welcome Anita Mae Draper to my blog today. Anita Mae has a new novel out 15 Jan. Thanks Anita Mae for joining us today.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I was born in a logging camp in the Canadian province of Ontario, served 20 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, and now live in Saskatchewan on the Canadian prairies.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?
My first favourite book was the Little Golden Book, The Pokey Little Puppy. Something in the story about a naughty puppy touched my heart and stayed my favourite for years. (Jenny here we had them here too and I use to love buying them with my pocket money)

3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and write?
When I was a teenager, I read a story about crossing the American West in a Conestoga wagon. That story inspired me to write about the Old West – a genre that’s still my favourite reading fodder.

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?
Laura Ingalls Wilder and Lucy Maud Montgomery were my role models. They showed me that it was possible for a female writer to become a well-known author, regardless of age or location.

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
When I was fourteen years old and wrote my first story.

6. How did you go about becoming an author?
I had put my writing career on hold until after the kids were older, and then when I started writing again, I realized I had much to learn about today’s market. I joined the eHarlequin community website where new writers can intermingle with established authors and learn technique. My next step was to join the American Christian Fiction Writers and attend a professional writing conference. Those two steps exposed me to the publishing industry and allowed me to gain an agent, and eventually my first sale.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?
A librarian or professional researcher.

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?
I enjoy photography, genealogy and travel, and love it when I can combine all three in one trip.

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?
When I need to unwind and refresh my soul, my favourite place to visit is an old gravel pit where I go to dig in the dirt and look for agates, fossils, and petrified wood. I get to clear my mind in a quiet place while satisfying my need to hunt for treasure.

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?

First, I would enjoy sharing a meal with Debbie Macomber, whom I met at ACFW 2009 Denver where she inspired me to make impossible goals, write them down, and watch them come true. Second, I would enjoy sharing a meal with Margaret Atwood so I could discuss her LongPen invention. Third, I would choose my cousin, Glo, who moved to England as a kid and I haven’t seen her since. Facebook is nice, but nothing beats face-to-face contact.

You can find Anita Mae on line at:


Discover four heroines in historical Austin, TX, as they find love--Jane Austen style. Volume 1 includes:

If I Loved You Less by Gina Welborn, based on Emma
A prideful matchmaker examines her own heart when her protégé falls for the wrong suitor.

Refinements by Anita Mae Draper, based on Sense and Sensibility
A misguided academy graduate spends the summer falling in love . . . twice.

One Word from You by Susanne Dietze, based on Pride and Prejudice
A down-on-her-luck journalist finds the story of her dreams, but her prejudice may cost her true love . . . and her career.

Alarmingly Charming by Debra E. Marvin, based on Northanger Abbey
A timid gothic dime-novel enthusiast tries to solve the mystery of a haunted cemetery and, even more shocking, why two equally charming suitors compete for her attentions.
Romantic Refinements in The Austen in Austin Collection - Release day - Jan 15! Available for Pre-Order Now

Refinements by Anita Mae Draper, based on Sense and Sensibility 
A misguided academy graduate spends the summer falling in love . . . twice. 

Romantic Refinements - Individual novella - Release Day - Jan 15! Available for Pre-Order Now






Anita Mae Draper is retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and lives on the prairie of southeast Saskatchewan, Canada with her hubby of 30 plus years and their youngest of 4 kids. She writes historical romance set in Canada and the United States.

Anita Mae has had 2 stories published in Guideposts Books A Cup of Christmas Cheer series. Volume 1 Tales of Faith and Family, Oct 2013, contains the Edwardian tale, Riding on a Christmas Wish, whereas Here We Come A-Wassailing, found in Volume 4 Heartwarming Tales of Christmas Present,  Oct 2014, contains a contemporary tale set in Divide County, North Dakota. 


Giveaway

Anita Mae has offered on person who comments on this post the chance to win a kindle copy of this book.  You need to make a comment more than just enter me or sounds good enter me. The giveaway is open to all who comment including members of this blog. The winner will be announced on this blog next Thursday Jan 21st. 

13 comments:

Debra E. Marvin said...

First here, maybe? to congratulation Anita on seeing Romantic Refinements in print, and to give her kudos for steering our Austen plots toward a western setting!

love and hugs to you!

thanks Jenny!

Anita Mae Draper said...

Thanks, Deb. I really like that you took up the challenge and stepped out of your box to write Alarmingly Charming, based on Northanger Abbey, in a western setting. There's nothing like a mystery involving a haunted cemetery to perk up a book. Good one! :)

Ausjenny said...

Thanks for dropping by Debra, I like the idea of the western setting also.

DeAnna Julie Dodson said...

I love that Laura Ingalls Wilder is one of your literary heroines. I love her.

Congratulations on your story! :D

Ausjenny said...

DeAnna I too loved Laura Ingles Wilder.

PurlingPenny said...

I'm always interested to find a new to me Canadian author!..... even more interesting when she's originally from Ontario, born in a logging camp! My husband was a logger at one time. Thanks Jenny for the introduction!

Ausjenny said...

That's so cool Penny Good luck on the drawing.

Anita Mae Draper said...

Thanks, DeAnna. Thanks for taking time out of your busy writing schedule to visit me here. :)

Anita Mae Draper said...

Really, PurlingPenny? And you like knitting, too, I assume? Wait... I'll go check your blogger profile...

Too funny...yes, you love knitting and oh... you're bringing back memories of me as a 5 yr old with pneumonia all by myself in the Manitouwadge hospital with my dad working out of Camp 5 and mom unable to drive down to see me. I was there a week and mostly remember drinking apple juice, and being chased back to my room by the nurses whenever I ventured into the hallway. Wow. What a memory!

Thanks so much for visiting me here. I hope we talk again soon. :)

Susanne Dietze said...

What a wonderful interview! Congratulations to Anita Mae, and thanks to Jenny. I loved learning more about Anita Mae!

Ausjenny said...

Thanks Susanne and look forward to reading your novella in this book also.

Anita Mae Draper said...

Thanks, Susie. And here I thought you knew everything about me. Surprised ya, huh?

Jenny asked some good questions. :D

Ausjenny said...

Congrats to Penny on winning this book. I have been in contact with Penny. Thanks again Anita for being on my blog.

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