Caren Simpson McVicker · Author · edited over 4 years ago · 2 likes

Dear Henderson House supporters,

We are entering the home stretch! The Inkshares 2020 All Genre Contest ends next weekend. Henderson House continues to stay atop the leaderboard, but other projects are working to break into the top three. I still need your support.

Ways you can help (without having to pre-order another copy, though that helps, too)

Hop back on my project page and click the NOMINATE button to nominate Henderson House for publishing, if you haven’t already.
Go to the DISCUSSION page and leave a comment for me.
Go to the READ page, read a draft chapter and click the STAR at the end of the chapter to recommend it.
Go to the REVIEW page and leave a recommendation.
SHARE this email with a friend or two or ten and ask them to check out my project.

Here is the direct link to my page:

https://www.inkshares.com/books/henderson-house

Also, to anyone who is currently reading the draft online: When the contest ends, I will remove the draft and return to having the first 3 or 4 chapters online as a preview. The complete draft will most likely disappear on February 28th, so plan your reading accordingly :)

I’m working hard on the third draft of the manuscript. It’s really coming together. Thanks to all of you for your wonderful suggestions and for opening your hearts to these characters!

The next time you hear from me, maybe, just maybe, I will have a publishing deal to announce!! I never could have come this far without your support. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Cheers,

Caren

Caren Simpson McVicker · Author · added over 4 years ago

Thanks, @Mary J Gourd for the comment and for hosting such an amazing 1st book group for Henderson House on Tuesday night!!

Mary J Gourd · Reader · edited over 4 years ago · 1 like

I finished last night! I couldn’t put it down! You are on to something here! Your characters are relateable and you paint a vivid picture of time and place! Keep up the great work!

Caren Simpson McVicker · Author · added over 4 years ago

Thanks to everyone for your feedback on two versions of Chapter One! I am starting to revise the final chapters of the novel beginning today. If you enjoy comparing chapters and commenting, be on the lookout for new material showing up around Chapter 24 :)

Reader Writer · Reader · edited over 4 years ago · 1 like

Caren, Congrats on completing your novel. I enjoyed reading both versions of Chapter 1 but prefer your original version. The beginning sentences of a book are so important to “hook” the reader and I was drawn much more quickly into the story by the characters interacting than by the descriptive sentences of the office and its machinery. Your book is character-driven and the beginning of your original chapter 1 is true to that style. You could certainly include the information from the opening of your alternative chapter 1 in your original Chapter 1 at an appropriate moment as it’s good historical background info.

Caren Simpson McVicker · Author · added over 4 years ago

As always, thank you for your feedback, Gemma!

Gemma Lury · Reader · edited over 4 years ago · 1 like

Caren, I have enjoyed reading the drafts of your chapters for Henderson House. Your "period" descriptions and phrases draw me into Bartlesville, OK and make me feel like a friend of the book’s characters. Although both the First Chapter and your Alternative First Chapter are each written well,

I prefer your original First Chapter which introduces Bessie in a way more fitting to her character. The details about her work should remain, but be woven elsewhere in the chapter. I can’t wait to read your book when it is published..

Caren Simpson McVicker · Author · added over 4 years ago · 2 likes

Dear Henderson House Supporters,

The Inkshares All Genre Contest ends in 30 days! Thanks to all of you, Henderson House is currently in first place (whoo-hoo) but a lot can happen between now and February 27th. I’m so grateful to have gotten this far and I’m asking for your help, one more time, to get across the finish line.

Would you be willing to email 2 or 3 friends and ask them to check out my Inkshares page? If everyone reached out to a couple of people, I think it might generate the engagement the book needs to stay on top. Can you think of an aunt, sister, co-worker, or cousin who might enjoy a "Spinster Romance meets 1940s Church Supper" kind of story? Social media shares are nice, but personal emails seem to be the most effective.

Here’s the link: https://www.inkshares.com/books/henderson-house

Of course, if you’re not someone who is comfortable sharing the link, no worries. Your support and encouragement to date has been stellar! If you are comfortable sharing, I would really appreciate it. Just think, in 30 days, with your help, this sweet historical fiction romance may have a real publishing deal. We are on the verge of a dream coming true. It’s so exciting!!

With love and gratitude,

Caren Simpson McVicker

Caren Simpson McVicker · Author · added over 4 years ago

Thanks so much for reading the entire draft online, Nina! And thank you for leaving a comment on my page. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book :)

Nina Leach · Reader · edited over 4 years ago · 1 like

Thank heavens you put the whole book up here! I went from Chapter 2-19 last night and just finished the final chapter tonight. Henderson House is such a fun and charming read. The pages are full of rich, evocative passages about Scripture, the natural world, and human nature. Detailed descriptions of all the book’s different settings give a true sense of how they shaped the characters. It isn’t a suspenseful book, but the ending is the warm-hearted and satisfying one I anticipated.