Tuesday, August 18, 2009

An Interview with author Joyce Magnin - WIN HER BOOK!



ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Joyce Magnin is the author of The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow. She is a mom and a grammie, and enjoys video games, needle arts, cream soda and football, but not elevators. And she is the caretaker of a neurotic parakeet who thinks she's a chicken.


THE INTERVIEW

JA: So how does it feel to have your debut novel also be part of Abingdon’s new fiction line?

JM:
I'm honored and thrilled to be included in such a cast of talented writers.


JA: The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow is about what happens in the town of Bright’s Pond when Agnes seems to receive miraculous answers to her petitions. What sparked this story in your mind?

JM: That is one question I've been dreading because I really can’t answer it. I can't pinpoint the moment when I thought, I'm going to write about a woman who apparently performs miracles. I hope that doesn't sound like a cop out but she evolved over several weeks.


JA: You also explore the relationship between Agnes and her sister Griselda, who narrates the story. What is your favorite characteristic about each of these ladies?

JM: Griselda wants everyone, especially her sister to be happy. Self-sacrifice is Griselda's word. Agnes is a skosh more difficult, maybe because I knew all along why she was praying but if I had to choose one characteristic I'd say loyalty.


JA: What do you hope people take away when they finish reading The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow?

JM: Soli Deo Gloria. To God alone the Glory. And maybe a craving for pie.


JA: What’s next for you in the writing arena?

JM: I'm working on my next novel for Abingdon—Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise. It involves a sacrifice also. But different. What's fun is that some of the people you meet in Bright's Pond will show up in Charlotte.


JA: On your website, you say you’ve had the writing bug since third grade. Was there a special person in your life who encouraged your passion to write?

JM: My third grade teacher, Mrs. Nichol. She was the one who told me I had a gift, yep, even at nine years old. And there have been other cheerleaders along the way, teachers, friends, Marlene Bagnull was hugely responsible for helping me along the way, my friend Pammy, Nancy Rue, Lisa Samson... oh boy many others. Maybe my father. Sometimes I think I got my storytelling ability from him.


JA: The current theme of my blog is The Year of Dreams. If you could realize one life-long dream right now, what would it be?

JM: You mean besides the book? I always wanted to live in Scotland and write stories in a little cottage near the water. That would be cool.


JA: Last but not least, how can people keep up with your latest publishing news?

JM: Folks can visit me on my website, joycemagnin.homestead.com, my blog, joycemagnin.blogspot.com, and on Facebook and Twitter.


ABOUT THE BOOK

The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow is the story of an unusual woman, Agnes Sparrow. No longer able or willing to leave her home, where she is cared for by her long-suffering sister Griselda, Agnes has committed her life to the one thing she can do—besides eat. Agnes Sparrow prays and when Agnes prays things happen, including major miracles of the cancer, ulcer-healing variety along with various minor miracles not the least of which is the recovery of lost objects and a prize-winning pumpkin.

The rural residents of Bright’s Pond are so enamored with Agnes they plan to have a sign erected on the interstate that reads, “Welcome to Bright’s Pond, Home of Agnes Sparrow.” This is something Agnes doesn’t want and sends Griselda to fight city hall. Griselda’s petitions are shot down and the sign plans press forward until a stranger comes to town looking for his miracle from Agnes. The truth of Agnes’s odd motivation comes out when the town reels after the murder of a beloved community member. How could Agnes allow such evil in their midst? Didn’t she know? Well, the prayers of Agnes Sparrow have more to do with Agnes than God. Agnes has been praying to atone for a sin committed when she was a child. After some tense days, the townsfolk, Griselda, and Agnes decide they all need to find their way back to the true source of the miracles--God.


WIN THE BOOK

If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow, just leave a reply to this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on August 25th. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) Good luck!

19 comments:

Katherine said...

This book looks really good. please enter me for this drawing.

kefarley89(@)gmail(.)com

Anonymous said...

The premise of this book sounds so interesting I was drawn to it immediately. I would love an opportunity to be in the drawing.

Gayla Collins
gayla.c{@}bresnan{.}net

Myra Johnson said...

I've read the book and loved it--no need to enter me in the drawing. Congratulations, Joyce! So thrilled for all the recognition your book has already garnered!

Linda said...

Sounds great! Interesting plot line. Please enter me. Thank you.
desertrose5173 at gmail.com

Pat Jeanne Davis said...

Congratulations, Joyce. I'm so happy for you and your debut novel. I enjoyed this interview.I'd love to win a copy of your novel.

patjeannedavis[at]verizon[dot]com

Cherie J said...

I like the unusual plot. Please enter me in the drawing.

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jo said...

This book sounds very unusual and very interesting. Please enter me in the drawing.

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

Debra E. Marvin said...

I can't wait to read all the Abington books, and this one sounds like a gem. Thanks Jen and Joyce for an interesting post.

Joyce I'm so with you on the Scotland thing. My dream would be to travel and spend 3 months at a time in interesting locales and Scotland is at the top of my list. Well, of course it would have to be a place with WIFI.

Congratulations on this book and all the kudos coming your way.
PS I'd love to win it 'cause I can't afford to buy them all, so please enter me
debraemarvin(at)yahoo

Kathy Carlton Willis said...

Would love to win this book--it sounds great! Congrats Joyce on your release--thanks Jen for posting the spotlight on your blog for us to read!

traveler said...

What a captivating book. The story is unique and wonderful. Thanks for the interesting interview and this great feature. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Missy Tippens said...

This sounds like such a great book! I've been looking forward to it. And I love the the titles! :)

Please enter me.

missytippens [at] aol.com

Anonymous said...

Hey commentors, sorry for not responding earlier. Busy, busy, busy. Thank you all for your kind words and I look forward to signing a copy for one of you soon. Also, I will send a copy of the Bright's Pond map so you can see where all the quirky characters live! Remember! Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. Peace!
Joyce

Anonymous said...

Joyce Magnin and I are new Facebook friends, and I think we've known each other forever! We're both friends with Author/Pulpwood Queen Kathy Patrick of Texas and Author River Jordan of Tennessee, with her being in Pennsylvania and I in Mississippi. How fun! Her book's on my "must read" list as I myself trudge toward completion of a manuscript and my own published work(s). Life -- it's good!

Linda Clare said...

Hi Jennifer,
I've read Joyce's book too but I'm excited about all the attention and buzz! I wanted to tell you that I admire how tech-savvy your blog is and I love your trailer! When I put my trailer onto my blog it's this itty-bitty square. Anyway, I'm new to CAN and new to ACFW so if I could ask you some qs on how to improve my blog, I'd be so grateful! Thanks for reviewing the Abingdon authors. I can't wait for mine. Linda Clare

Carolynn said...

Very intriguing, I would love to read the book, thanks for the chance to win!
carolynnwald[at]hotmail[dot]com

Sherry Kuhn said...

The book sounds very interesting. I really like the cover. Please enter me in the drawing.

Thanks,
Sherry K
love2stitch(at)hotmail(dot)com

Emma said...

Congratulations on the book .This book sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

windycindy said...

Many congratulation on your debut novel! I wish you many more accolades. Your story line sounds just like the kind of book I enjoy reading. Thanks for the interview because I like learning about the person behind the book!
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Jennifer AlLee said...

So great to see all of you here. The winner is... Carolynn W!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by :+}