"We All Have A Story To Tell, To The Glory of God."

A Chat with Charles

“A Look Forward”

We just past that mark, the place in space where we claim that one year has ended, and another has started. I find it humorous that in a short 365 days, the infant of January 1 is seen as that bedraggled worn-out creature as the oldster passes from the scene at Midnight on December 31st!

I am sure most of us open the new year with a host of resolutions, most of which will be broken or unfulfilled before the old man crosses that imaginary line again in 362 days. But I believe there is nothing wrong about looking forward and asking: Where do I hope Scribblers Christian Writers Group will be by December 31, 2023? 

One thing is certain, 2020, 2021 and to some extent, 2022 did not turn out the way any of us could have foreseen. COVID erased much of 2020 and 2021 from being truly productive years, although just surviving seemed a victory enough. We lost our monthly in-person meetings for almost two years, but we still managed to gather every year at Christmas and celebrate that we were still here and that Scribblers Christian Writers Group continued on despite all the world threw at us.

Of course, I will always remember September 18, 2022, as that moment in time when I discovered what it meant to have a tendon snap in my left leg after a fall at the show a number of Scribblers attended. I also learned firsthand of the friendship in our group, as those authors came to my rescue and stored the display items for months, and then another Scribbler drove those items down to my home, sparing me from doing it.!

One thing I do believe, God is always about doing good, even when it feels really bad to ourselves. I look at that event and see that I had to slow down, not because I wanted to, but because there was no other choice.  

On New Year's Day this new year, I moved out of my living room and back to my office for the first time in over three months. I am slowly regaining the function of the leg and was pleased as punch that I was able to come up for the Christmas gathering in December 2022. But now three months of filing await me tomorrow and I suspect it will take me a week just to get reorganized. It is amazing how much paper I produce in this supposedly “digital” age. I am sure the trees are weeping while the paper companies are smiling about that forecast that the digital age would end the need for paper. And as an oldster, I still like holding books in my hand and reading, and I have not gotten used to Kindle or any of the other electronic versions of our books that are so prevalent in today's world. 

So what do I think will happen this year for us as a group? I have several desires for us:

I want to see us break that magic 100 books in the bookstore. (We are at 93 books from 34 authors as of December 31, 2022.) This should be an easy target for us to achieve.

The next target is harder, I would like to see us get to 50 authors with books out in circulation who are members of Scribblers. (I suspect that would push our total of books closer to 125. (Which would be wonderful as well. ) 

Then there is that even more elusive target: Cracking 100 books sold through the bookstore, okay how about 50?

2019 – 25 books sold through the bookstore

2020 – 40 books sold through the bookstore

2021 – 16 books sold through the bookstore

2022 – 23 books sold through the bookstore

2023 -?

We were on track until COVID took the wind out of our sales. 

You each can help by letting your sphere of influence know about the store.

And my last two goals-

To get five authors above 50 to confirmed purchases and positive reviews on Amazon, so we can finally see if what we have been told is true…that Amazon starts pushing your book when you get to that seemingly reasonable, but somehow elusive goal.

And finally to move Scribblers Christian Writers Group into a Non-Profit Organization with a board of directors and the knowledge that this effort is a corporate effort and that it will outlive its founder.

You have probably heard two statements about predicting the future.  

The first comes from John Lenin who penned, “Life is what happens, while you are busy making other plans.” While John and I would disagree on many philosophical points, not to mention religious beliefs, I like that sentiment as it draws us to consider each day as where Life is occurring despite what we may wish or plan. Appreciating every day of life you are given and making the best use of the day to the glory of God, is a certain way to have a much better year, regardless of your plans.  

 And then my all-time favorite, “We plan and God laughs”. Of course, it is my hope that the Lord will nod approvingly as we fulfill our desire that echoes in our motto: “We all have a story to tell, to the glory of God.”

So, I am looking forward to the rekindling of many relationships as we return to in-person meetings and as new meetings, like Marlene Buchanan’s desire to have a daytime meeting for writers in the Snellville, are contemplated and planned for. [ Please let her know if you want to be a part of that new event!]  

Of course one of my dreams, not likely to be fulfilled this year, is for one of the companies I am a part of to be sold, and for me to receive enough money to buy that RV and travel across the country helping set up Scribbler Chapters in so many of the areas where people have asked for that assistance. (It is wonderful to have dreams, and God’s Providence Never Stops Amazing Me!) 

I also look forward to seeing all of the new works, including hopefully two of mine, making it into the world and out of our heads! I am hoping that we will continue seeing the art shows, trade shows, and book shows reopen and expand, and see more people becoming aware that we exist as a committed group of writers. 

Finally, I think that I can say this about all of us…we value the friendships and relationships that have developed through Scribblers Christian Writers Group. We have much to rejoice over, and perhaps that 2023 man will not hobble out at the end but run gratefully passing the baton of time to the infant that is just beginning to walk as we enter 2024.  

A final saying for this month comes from a teacher from my high school days: “Count your blessings, one by one, and you will be at least 102 before you get done.” Despite all of the problems, the Lord’s blessings simply are too numerous to number and give us much to give thanks for. 

Until next month.

Grace to you all, 

Charles de Andrade 

Scribblers Christian Writers Group

"We All Have A Story To Tell, To The Glory of God" on www.scribblersweb.com (http://www.scribblersweb.com)

“The Village Corner Restaurant “  Tuesday December 20, 2022

One of our highlights every year is when we gather together to celebrate the Christmas Holiday and to reflect on the year that has passed.  Also every year we receive a special plaque commemorating another year that we have been together as a group.  This year twenty-seven individuals gathered together for the celebration.  It was a wonderful time of exchanging our white elephant gifts, and eating wonderful food.  Here are the pictures from that gathering.

Our Room At The Village Corner Restaurant In Stone Mountain, GA

Santa Mile Owens (Author and Lilburn Chapter Leader) and Mrs. Claus – Leda Owens (Illustrator)

Marlene Buchanan (Author and Snellville Chapter Leader with husband Snell and Son

Mary O’Neill (Illustrator) and brother Connor O’Neill

Bridgett Joyce-Trinity Press

Lynn Hesse (Author) and her husband

Anthony Miller (Author)

Pat (Author) and Anthony (husband) Smith

Julie (Author) and Rick (Husband-future Author) Clarke

Randi Ward (Author)

Louis Detweiler (Future Author)  and Wife

Geri Mehta (Author)

Claire Hertzler (Author)  & Husband

Luanne Scrogan (Author) and Daughter

Gordon Zhang – ESL Student OF Charles de Andrade

Charles (Author) & Gloria (Wife) de Andrade

December is always one of our best sale months, with the holidays and with some Scribblers taking advantage of our 25% coupon offer to use books as Christmas gifts.

For Amazon KDP In December we had 8 Sales.

Lynn Hesse sold 2 of her new title: “A Matter of Respect “(1 Paper Back and 1 Kindle)

Anthony Miller sold 2 paperback copies of “Dearest Doris”

Stephanie Dolce sold 1 paperback copy of “ The Ledger”

Michael Owens sold 1 paperback of “ The I Hate Vegetables Book of Poetry For Kids”

Ashley Rucker sold 1 paperback of “Cluckie’s Chicken Pox”

Charles de Andrade sold 1 paperback copy of “Eyewitness – The Risen Saints”

For Scribblers Christian Writers Group Book Store we had: 9 Sales:

Lynn Hesse (Snellvile Chapter) sold 1 of her new title: “A Matter of Respect “

Michael Elliot ( Ondrasik-Orlando Chapter) sold 1 of “ Thus Saith Hollywood” 

Linda Hope (Luda Tangle – Summerfield, FL Chapter) sold 1 of “Fo undling” 

Geri Mehta (Lilburn Chapter) Sold 1 of “Party Princess Manners”

Michael Owens (Lilburn Chapter) Sold 1 of “ The Bird Nest Real Estate Agency”

Luanne Scrogan (Snellville Chapter) sold 1 of “The Tail Tale of Krispy the Squirrel” 

Vicky Smith (Macon Chapter) sold 1 of “Bella The Butterfly Dog Goes To Work”

Pat Smith (Tucker/Norcross Chapter) sold 1 of “Snowball Investing”

Richard Waillonis (Summerfield -FL Chapter) sold 1 of “Stories For Ava” 

All royalty checks were mailed on Tuesday January 3rd.  Please do deposit the checks as soon as they are received.

Remember, your work alerting your sphere of influence about the existence of our book store is the single largest contributor to the sales of our books.  Now that the holiday period is past, remember that any holiday (like Valentines Day!) is a great opportunity to give something that last longer than chocolate! (And is likely better for your loved one as well!  And if you must…give both chocolate and a book!)

Finally, commit to parring up with one of the authors to buy their book on Amazon as they buy yours. Leave honest reviews and help us get all of the authors to 50 confirmed purchase reviews on Amazon.

Lynn Hesse’s New Book “A Matter Of Respect”  Book Launch

Selling books at the Snellville Performing Arts Holiday Festival last December, 03, 2022.

(L-R)

Marlene Ratledge Buchanan, Kathy Nichols, and Lori Duff

Ashley Rucker – Part of ZOOM Chapter – Her Book “Cluckie’s Chicken Pox” is recognized in a local Newspaper.

Article In Our Town Highlights Scribblers Christian Writers Group

Scribblers Christian Writers Club helps writers tell their stories and readers find great reads

By Tana Poncsak

Are you a reader looking for some great books or a writer looking for a great writing community and resources to help get your works published? Either way – Scribblers Christian Writers Club may be a place for you.

Charles de Andrade started the community in 2015 when he and two other writers got together to swap ideas about writing and publishing. The other two writers have since moved on from the group, but de Andrade has not only stayed the course, but he also continues to lead the community that now has 32 published authors with about 95 published titles as of December 2022, and overall, around 50 committed members. Another 250 people have signed up for the community’s newsletter. 

“It was amazing how many Christian writers there were either thinking about being published or had been published and needed a group of folks of like minds to talk,” he said.

For de Andrade, he said the community is a ministry. 

“It’s a nonprofit, but it’s where I pore my spare time,” he said.  “It’s neat to give a place where Christian authors have a voice.”

While some, including de Andrade, are overtly Christian writers, he said the rule is you don’t have to be an overtly Christian writer to join the community. You just can’t be anti-Christian. 

Over time, Scribblers has evolved from being a place where authors could just talk with group of other writers to a community that also offers several resources such as editors, narrators, illustrators and more to help both novice and professional writers on their publishing journey. And there are other benefits too – like attending events as a group to split the cost making events such as book festivals more cost effective for the individuals.

For readers there’s an online bookstore offering many titles in different genres from children’s books, historical books, and more. 

de Andrade said one the group’s biggest challenge is spreading the word about community and making people aware of the selection of books they have to offer on the Scribbler’s website.

“It’s turned into a real group of folks that help one another get their works published,” de Andrade said. “And we have an amazing collection of genres, especially if people are looking for children’s books and historical books, some with local relevance. We also have crime and murder mysteries. It’s such a broad base of different types of writing.” 

For writers today, de Andrade said the barrier to entry in the publishing is lowest it’s been. 

“If you have a story to tell, you can get it out there and at a relatively low investment,” he said. 

But with the ease of publishing comes the challenge of marketing. 

“Marketing is the most difficult part of being a writer,” de Andrade said. “It’s time consuming and can be costly. Everyone would like to take your money, so you have to be very careful with what you do.”

His advice is to figure out what you can afford and make sure you don’t put your book out there until it’s ready. 

Tying all the pieces together to help writers get their books out is an important part of what Scribblers is all about, and de Andrade said it’s a great encouragement to see the works that are coming from the community of authors. 

“God’s providence never ceases to amaze me,” he said. “Our motto is – We all have a story to tell for the glory of God. I’ve suddenly realized that every human being that I’ve met, if you really get to know them, they have a story they can tell. Some have decided to write those stories down. So for me, it’s just a joy to see people telling their stories.”

Scribblers has grown and now has several chapters that meet in and around the Atlanta area, and chapters in Macon, Florida, and a virtual chapter as well. de Andrade, who now lives in Florida, still leads most chapter meetings visiting Georgia on a frequent basis. 

If you would like to learn more about the community of writers, monthly meetings times, or would like to visit their online bookstore, visit the Scribblers Christian Writers Club at https://www.scribblersweb.com/ for more information.

Summerfield/Orlando Florida Chapters - Third Monday of each month at 6:00 PM

Meet at Charles de Andrade home – 9741 SE 174th Place Road, Summerfield, FL, 34491 772-584-1578  

January 16, 2023 , February 20, 2023, March 20,2023

Macon, GA Chapter – Third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM 

Meet at Fountain of Juice- 4123 Forsyth Rd, Macon, GA 31210  (478) 755-5000 

(Charles de Andrade is chapter leader – 772-584-1578)

January 17, 2023 , February 21, 2023, March 21, 2023

Lilburn, GA Chapter – Third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM 

Meet at Five Forks Library -2780 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30044-5865 770-978-5600  (Mike Owens is chapter leader – 225-315-0851)

January 17, 2023 , February 21, 2023, March 21, 2023

Snellville, GA Chapter – Third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM

Meet at Main Street Restaurant, 1142 Athens Hwy Ste 115, Grayson, GA 30017 (770) 985-9985  (Marlene Buchanan is chapter leader -470-451-7921) 

January 18,2023, February 16,2023, March 16, 2023

Virtual ZOOM Chapter – Last Monday of each month at 6:00 PM

Meet at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86306717298

(Charles de Andrade is chapter leader – 772-584-1578)

January 30, 2023,  February 27, 2023, March 27, 2023

Marlene is hoping to start a daytime Scribblers Christian Writers Group in Snellville in February.  Please contact Marlene at: "Marlene Buchanan" msratwrites@gmail.com  if you are interested in attending a daytime meeting of Scribblers Christian Writers Group.  This is especially interesting for authors who have difficulty driving in the evenings when it gets dark.

Marlene recommends this conference for your consideration:

Subject: SAGA conference Winston-Salem March 10-12

Click the button below to know more.

As many of you know Donna Barron is the author of “The Man Who Carved Stone Mountain” which is biography of her father who was the chief stone carver for the monument at Stone Mountain (the worlds largest exposed granite rock.)   The mountain served to provide the steps to the Lincoln memorial in Washington DC – a mere scratch on this massive piece of granite,  and has served a memorial to the Civil War.  It has become a memorial involved in controversy as some attempt to erase any memory of the past.  Donna will be presenting the story of her father’s work related to the carving of the monument.

Here are Donna’s  events for the upcoming months:

• January 11th @ 7:00 p.m. - Premiere and Panel Discussion of the Video  "Monument - The Untold Story of Stone Mountain"
• January 14th @12:00 p.m. - Presentation/Book Signing for Lee - Jackson Banquet , Oxford Memorial Center, Oxford, FL
• February 1st @ 6:30 p.m. - Presentation/Book Signing at the Stone Mountain Library, St. Mtn., GA
• February 4th & 5th (All Day) - Vendor & Speaker at the Dalton Civil War Show, Dalton Convention Ctr., Dalton, GA
• February 11th @ 1-4 p.m.- Book Signing at Liberty Bookstore in Lawrenceville, GA
• February 21st @ 6:30 p.m. -Presentation/Book Signing American Legion, Jefferson, GA
• February 24-26 (All Day) - Vendor at Battle of Aiken Living History & Reenactment, Aiken, SC

Below are a few photos from Donna’s  Dec. 20th Presentation in Matthews, NC for SCV Camp Edbert A Ross

Notes From Julie Clarke – Member of the Borcross/Tucker Chapter

Julie will be presenting and selling her books: 

Pauline D'Alvigny Campbell - Civil War Nurse & In_Bird_and_Song_-_God_Speaks

at these upcoming events.  If you are in the area, stop by an support her efforts! 



Sat & Sun February 4th & 5th - Chickamauga Civil War Show in Dalton, GA (http://www.mkshows.com/)

Saturday February 11th (Tentative - Book Signing 1pm to 3pm) - Liberty Book Store in Lawrenceville, GA  (https://www.facebook.com/Libertybookslawrenceville)

Sat & Sun February 25th & 26th - Living History Festival-Battle of Aiken in SC (https://battleofaiken.com/)

March 18th - Book on display at Women's retreat in Winder, GA  (https://www.hoschtonunitedmethodist.org)

Do you have a topic you would like to cover in the Newsletter? Do you have a book you will be releasing soon? Do you have an event you would like to report on? Please send your contributions to Charles de Andrade at scribblersweb@earthlink.net by the 20th of the month to be considered for the next newsletter.  

If you'd like to be removed from receiving the newsletter, please reply to this e-mail with "Remove" in the subject line, and we will remove you from the list to receive future newsletters.

"We All Have A Story To Tell,

To The Glory of God."