Rene Gutteridge is the author of several novels including Ghost Writer, the Boo Series, and the Occupational Hazard novels. She is a published playwright with a decade of experience in writing, directing, and publishing church comdey sketches, but what really amazes me it that she does all this while raising her two children.

Rene’s story of how she broke into the business is amazing and encouraging.

“Not too many years ago I found myself pregnant with my first child, maintaining a drama ministry at my church, and trying to get a handle on the tremendous passion I had inside of me to write. I was seven months pregnant. I was tired of getting all the rejection letters. I was so confused, because I had this passion that I was certain was from God. Yet nothing was happening. Absolutely nothing. Or I would get really close only to fail. I was unsure, anyway, how I was going to balance all the writing time with a new baby.

It was a cold February night, around 3 a.m., when I rose from an already restless sleep. I got down on my knees in the middle of the living room, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. And I said, “I can’t do it any more, Lord. I can’t keep going to the mailbox everyday with my hopes up that there will be a positive letter from a publisher. I can’t keep writing things that nobody will ever see. I’m done. I’m finished with it. If you want me to be a writer, then it’s in Your hands. I know You can make it happen, but I can’t.” I rose, and went to bed…”

To read the rest of her story go to her interview here.

It’s Christmastime in Skary, Indiana, but the holiday season has been hijacked by maverick director Lois Stepaphanopolis as she attempts to bring her horror-ific vision of A Christmas Carol to life. But the holly-decked path from page to stage is a thorny one, as Lois attempts to rally her skeptical cast, including new father Wolfe Boone, and then she learns that her reluctant marketing director, Alfred Tennison, is truly a Christmas Scrooge.

Alfred’s grassroots marketing plan proves more than successful as the buzz builds that Skary should anticipate an overflowing audience for their opening night– but a crucial miscommunication leaves the visiting theatergoers expecting of a very different Christmas production. As chaos ensues, can the actors pull off an improv miracle — and can the Skary community convince their own Scrooge to embrace the true meaning of Christmas?

I will be giving away two copies of Boo Humbug. Just leave your name and fill in your email. If you’re a winner and don’t respond to my email in a week, I will be picking another winner. So go ahead and comment!

Or you can get a jump of your Christmas shopping and buy it online here

or here. 

Other posts on Rene and her books!

Interview with Rene

Snitch Review

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