Technology has created a wide variety of ways to reach audiences all over the world. It takes is a little thinking outside the box and you can market a self-published book in creative, affordable and impactful ways. Consider book tours! Tours are a great way to connect with your readers and technology has made them easier and more cost effective than ever!
Author Millie Stephens is taking her latest book Just Tell Them that I Love Them, on tour — a Virtual Book Tour with Outskirts Press. This will allow Millie to take her book into the far corners of the globe, all from the comfort of her own home! Keep an eye out for Millie’s book as she will be featured on several blogs over the weeks and months ahead!
Luckily for us, Millie was kind enough to answer a few questions as the tour was getting started so that we can give you a sneak peek into the mind of the creator of Just Tell Them that I Love Them.
OP: Tell us a little bit about Just Tell Them that I Love Them. What is it about?
Millie: Just Tell Them that I Love Them is a collection of reflections based substantially on scripture. It is meant to remind us of God’s love and how different it is from human love.
OP: Why did you decide to write this story?
Millie: In 2006, while attending a course at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, the professor required each student to open class with some form of devotion to welcome the spirit of God into the session. At the time, I was barely comfortable saying a public prayer, let alone conducting an inspirational opening to a group of seminary students. I admit this assignment initially felt like it needed to be a religious production, complete with music, instruments, and an “Amen” section culminating in the “Hallelujah Chorus.” I was slightly petrified. Having a few weeks before it was my turn, I sent up a quick prayer asking God what I should do. In my spirit, I heard Him say, “Just Tell Them that I Love Them.” I immediately began to write. It just flowed… clearly a message that was not my own. After reading it to the class on my assigned evening, the professor and the class were moved enough to ask for a copy, which I gladly provided. At the end of the course, the writing was filed away with other seminary papers. Years later, I stumbled across it and realized that this inspired message was meant to be shared. I printed the message on linen paper of various sizes, framed them, and gave them out at my church’s Christmas Bazaar. I, again, filed the writing away, only to find it a few years later, being reminded that it was meant to be shared. Subsequently, the writing was given as a gift to anyone I thought needed to receive a message about God’s love. Like many, a key life question for me, whether spoken or merely thought, is “What is my life’s purpose?” The consistent response that I hear in my spirit is “Just Tell Them that I Love Them.” So, I’ve written the book in deference to that consistent instruction.
OP: How did you get your book published?
Millie: With a few years of starts and stops, and after retiring from a successful career in Telecommunications, I was able to focus on the book. I was not going to use the excuse that I had to make more money in Corporate America before I could complete, what was clearly, a divine directive. After a period of research, the book was published through Outskirts Press.
OP: What types of readers would be interested in this story?
Millie: If you doubt that God loves you, this book is meant to comfort and assure you that He does. If you’ve never believed that God loves you, the hope is that you accept this simple, yet powerful truth. If you know that God loves you, the book will remind you of His love.
OP: What is special about your book?
Millie: The reflections in the book are believed to be inspired by the spirit of God. It is written in a practical, relatable voice… without judgement or condemnation. Many of the reflections are my personal musings based on a growing relationship with God. This book is special in that it will meet the reader where they are in their relationship with God… whether they only slightly acknowledge His existence, or whether they are constantly aware of His presence and activity in their lives. The book is special in that after each reflection, one will be comforted.
OP: What differentiates it from other books in the same category?
Millie: The book is different in that it is not overwhelming to a reader. The profound, yet simple message of God’s love does not need to be communicated with an over-abundance of “thees” and “thous”. The message does not need to be communicated in hundreds of pages of repetitive language. The message really is that simple, with the writing and book format reflecting that simplicity.
OP: Have you published any other books?
Millie: No
OP: Do you plan to publish more?
Millie: Absolutely! There are many stories to be told that can convey how God loves us through situations and life seasons… even when it doesn’t feel that way.
OP: Thanks for your time, Millie! We look forward to learning more about you as you visit other bloggers!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Millie Stephens is a freelance Christian writer, having attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is an Emeritus leader and Christian educator at the Salem Baptist Church of Roslyn (formerly Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown). Millie has been married to her husband, Carl, for over 40 years. They have a daughter, Treasure, who is just that… a Treasure.
For more information or to contact the author, visit https://www.outskirtspress.com/justtellthemthatilovethem
This author purchased the Virtual Book Tour marketing option, which allows self-publishing authors to connect with bloggers and harness the power of the blogosphere by taking their book on the “virtual road.” Learn more about this service by visiting your Publishing Center and reviewing the available marketing options.
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