Monday, May 31, 2010

Deborah Vogts' "Seeds of Summer"


We're happy to have Deborah Vogts with us today talking about her book, Seeds of Summer. To learn more about Deborah and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
Years ago, I took a Flint Hills Folklife course at Emporia State University. Along with classroom study, we took field trips into the heart of the Flint Hills and visited with old-time ranchers, schoolmarms and post-mistresses. It was such a delightful experience, especially our drives into the pastures. We would get on these back roads and drive over pasture guards into the open range. We would travel for miles without seeing another car or even an electric line—just pure, native prairie. That summer, I fell in love with the Flint Hills and it has stayed with me all this time.

For each of the seasonal books, I portray one aspect found in the Flint Hills—and I wanted to include one story about a female rancher. Also because I have three daughters who are spread out in age, I started wondering what it would be like if something happened to my husband and I, and our oldest daughter was left to care for her sisters. That’s where the plot originated for Seeds of Summer.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I met my first agent at the ACFW Nashville Conference in 2005. We hit it off at our meeting, and she gave me some tips on making my book series “bigger.” I did that and submitted my idea to her and she took me on. We shopped my Seasons of the Tallgrass series for a year and had a few bites (one of them Zondervan) but no sale. In the end, she released me, which was a real heart breaker. However, we don’t always see the big picture like God does, and six months later I signed with agent, Rachelle Gardner with WordServe Literary, and we had an offer from Zondervan three months after that in May 2008.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1 – I sold Princess House Crystal when I was in high school.
2 – I LOVE camping in the Rocky Mountains
3 – When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a concert pianist.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m currently finishing up the third book in the series, Blades of Autumn, which is the story about Clara, the owner of Clara’s Café.
(Blurb for Book #3) With a café to run and three children to raise, Clara Lambert doesn’t have time for men or loneliness, despite what her heart might tell her. When two handsome cowboys vie for her attention, one of the brothers proves to be her soul mate, but at what cost? Will it tear the brothers’ relationship apart or is blood really thicker than water?
After that, I’m hoping for another contract—on the fourth book in this series (Winters Frosty Path), or possibly another series.

5) Parting comments?
Keep smiling, stay faithful to God and to yourself, and enjoy the moments He gives you . . . Thanks so much for having me on your blog. I look forward to hearing from your readers.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I’m on Facebook, Twitter or readers may visit my Web site: http://www.deborahvogts.com/ or my Country at Heart blog: http://www.deborahvogts.blogspot.com/

31 comments:

  1. Fascinating interview - it is always interesting to see how God's plan unfolds in way that are not always as expected! Please enter me to win.

    God bless!

    janmarien(at)embarqmail(dot)com

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  2. love to win the book Thank you

    ohboystrus1@hotmail.com

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  3. Great interview! I'd love to be entered. jessica_nelson7590 at yahoo DOT com

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  4. Hi Dawn, Thanks so much for having me on your blog this week. Blessings to you and your readers. ;)

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  5. This book is on my wishlist. I'm looking forward to reading it. Hopefully sooner rather than later!

    pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  6. The books sounds like a great read! I'll blog about it if I win.

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  7. Great interview. I'd love to be entered in the giveaway

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  8. Oh, I really want to read this book, I loved Snow Melts in Spring and have heard great things about this one too. Please enter me!

    caseymh18(@)gmail(.)com

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  9. thanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel.

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  10. Great interview

    Please enter me

    I follow on facebook, also google

    mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

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  11. I really enjoyed the first book in Deborah's series and would love to win Seeds of Summer. Book three sounds terrific too!
    worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

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  12. Thank you for this interview! Please enter me to win a copy of this book!

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  13. I just added this to my wish list, and would love a chance at winning! I am a subscriber.

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

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  14. Sounds like a great read.
    csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com

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  15. What a wonderful interview and delightful book giveaway drawing!
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  16. great interview...sounds like a great read can't wait to get it.
    Thanks again,
    Heidi

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  17. Interesting interview! I'm a busy single mom of three, and haven't time for relationship. I already feel connected to Clara!
    lp (dot) lynnjdesigns (at) gmail (dot) com

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  18. oh cool sounds great!

    aimymichelle[at]gmail[dot]com

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  19. I really enjoyed your book, "Snow Melts in Spring" and would love to read "Seeds of Summer".
    Please add my name to your giveaway. Thank you!

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

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  20. What a fascinating series! Not only do I want to read "Seeds of Summer", but I am going to get the first novel of the series "Snow Melts in Spring" also as it sounds so good. Winning the "Summer" book would be fantastic. Thanks for such a wonderful interview, Deborah, and once again, thanks Dawn for bringing us another fantastic author to read.

    I love your blog, Dawn, and can't think you enough for introducing me to so many great writers that I had some how managed to miss, and making me familiar with Kindle!

    Blessings to you both -

    Beverly
    bgrider2@cox.net

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  21. Looks like an interesting read :) Plz enter me in to win.
    randomness.is.awesome@gmail.com

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  22. Looks like a good book... loved the interview... enter me please!

    walkinfaith4him(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  23. Thanks everyone for stopping by. It's great hearing from all of you!

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  24. Enjoyed your Interview Deborah and can't wait to read your books. I love books written about women striving to better themselves and take care of their family. Have on my wish list.

    Thanks for Hosting this giveaway Dawn. Pls count me in.

    misskallie 2000 at yahoo dot com

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  25. Sounds like a great story, please enter me!

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  26. Good interview and sounds like a great book.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

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  27. This series sounds so good! I would love to win the book.

    quiltyreader(at)gmail(dot)com

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  28. Would love to win!
    tiffanyniekro at hotmail dot com

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  29. Great interview. Best wishes on book 3 - and 4! Hope we get to see book 4...
    Would love to win the Seeds of Summer book.
    billsmith2003 (at) gmail (dot) com

    Bill ;-)
    Author of "Back to the Homeplace"
    http://eduscapes.com/v2a/back_to_the_homeplace.html

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  30. Great interview. The series sounds fascinating.
    Please enter me for this book giveaway.

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  31. Thanks everyone for stopping by to enter this book drawing. The winner for a signed copy of Seeds of Summer is Aimy Michelle. Congratulations!

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