My new short story, "The Runner's Quilt," was inspired by a quilt I made with a dear friend and former soccer teammate before she moved away from Wisconsin. Part One appears in the March/April 2012 issue of Quiltmaker magazine, available now online, on newsstands, in quilt shops, and elsewhere. Part Two will appear in the May/June 2012 issue. I hope you'll look for them!
In a few short weeks, my nineteenth Elm Creek Quilts novel, Sonoma Rose, will be published. I couldn't be more delighted to share this exciting historical adventure with you!
Sonoma Rose picks up at the climax of The Quilter's Homecoming (2007), when Rosa Diaz Barclay flees from her abusive husband with her four children and her childhood sweetheart, Lars Jorgensen. On the run from her husband, his mob associates, and the federal agents investigating his crimes, Rosa and Lars make their way north—first to San Francisco where they seek medical care for two of the children, who suffer from a mysterious ailment that has already claimed the lives of four of their brothers and sisters, and then on to Sonoma County, where they find work and sanctuary at an idyllic vineyard and winery struggling to stay afloat despite the contraints of Prohibition.
As longtime fans know, my Elm Creek Quilts pins have become so popular that I've decided to create a new pin for each new novel. The pin for Sonoma Rose features two original quilt blocks of my own design, Sonoma Rose and Arboles Valley Star.
You can receive a limited edition Sonoma Rose pin of your very own if you come see me on my book tour from February 21-March 3, 2012. I'll be visiting several of my favorite shops and libraries across the country and will give away a pin with each copy of Sonoma Rose you have me sign at that store, while supplies last. For book tour locations, dates, and times, please see the Events page on my website. You can also find a list of events on my Facebook fan site by clicking on the "Events" link in the left sidebar.
Can't make it one of my events? The wonderful booksellers at the Next Chapter Bookshop in Mequon, Wisconsin are ready to help. If you pre-order Sonoma Rose from the Next Chapter Bookshop website, they will include a Sonoma Rose pin with your book when they ship it to you. I will autograph the books when I visit the store on February 27, 2012, so all orders need to be placed before then. If you would like your book to be personalized, please be sure to indicate the name of the person to whom the book should be addressed.
Quantities are limited, so make your plans to attend one of my book tour events or place your order with the Next Chapter Bookshop soon.
Thanks, and Happy Reading!
Jennifer
The holidays are swiftly approaching, and many of us are making our lists and checking them twice as we plan to buy gifts for family and friends. As a longtime supporter of independent bookstores and quilt shops, I encourage Elm Creek Readers to support small, locally-owned businesses in their own communities by "shopping small" on Small Business Saturday—November 26, 2011.
Why is it so important to shop small? Well, when you purchase something from a locally-owned shop, your dollars stay within your community. You help pay your neighbors' salaries and contribute to local taxes, an important source of revenue for services that benefit us all. You help preserve the unique character of the small town downtown, and you usually enjoy better customer service along the way!
To encourage you to support independent bookstores and quilt shops on Small Business Saturday, I'm offering my highly coveted, limited edition Elm Creek Quilts pins to you if you purchase my newest novel and/or pattern book as a holiday gift for that special reader or quilter in your life—or for yourself!
Here's how to participate:
1. Purchase THE WEDDING QUILT or TRADITIONS FROM ELM CREEK QUILTS from an independent bookstore or quilt shop on Saturday, November 26, 2011. Don't know of an independent bookstore in your area? You can find stores near you on the IndieBound website. Prefer to shop online? You can do that through the IndieBound website too!
2. Send me a copy of your dated receipt as proof of purchase. If you shop online, simply forward your email receipt to me at web@elmcreek.net. If you shop at a bricks-and-mortar store, you can scan in and email your receipt, or you can send it (or a photocopy) to me at Elm Creek Quilts, P. O. Box 620824, Middleton, WI 53562. The receipt must include the date of purchase.
3. You will receive a Wedding Quilt pin for each copy of THE WEDDING QUILT and one Elm Creek Quilts pin for each copy of TRADITIONS FROM ELM CREEK QUILTS, as well as one autographed bookplate per book. Please remember to include your postal address when you submit your receipt so I know where to send your pins and bookplates.
4. Offer is good only for books purchased on Small Business Saturday (November 26, 2011) from an independent bookstore or quilt shop. Not sure whether your favorite store qualifies as an independent? If it's a member of IndieBound, it does. If you're still not sure, write to me first and check! (Please provide the full name of the store and its address.)
5. Offer is good only while supplies last. These are limited edition pins, so please don't wait until the last minute to submit your proof of purchase. I would hate for you to be disappointed.
6. Purchases must be made on Saturday, November 26, 2011 and all receipts must be submitted by December 20, 2011 to qualify. I'll send out the pins and bookplates as soon as I receive your proof of purchase. Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery, longer if you live outside the USA.
7. Offer is void where prohibited. (I don't know where or why this offer might be prohibited, but that sounds important so I thought I should include it.)
8. You don't have to live near that independent bookstore or quilt shop for it to count. You don't even have to live in the US! I'm happy to send pins and bookplates overseas to Elm Creek Readers who are willing to support small businesses in the US. As long as the United States Postal Service can deliver packages to your country, you can join in the fun!
Thanks for thinking of small businesses and their employees this holiday season, and thanks for being an Elm Creek Reader!
Jennifer
Yesterday the Utah Standard-Examiner ran a nice feature on The Wedding Quilt in anticipation of my visit to Bountiful later this week.
Congratulations to the winner of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 4 giveway!
Michelle B — November 9, 2011 8:08:55 AM CST
Please email me your postal address so the generous folks at Quiltmaker can send you your copy of this fabulous new issue.
Thanks to all who participated!
