| FaithWriters - May 2019
News & Information for the Write Brained Christian"
Growing Christian Writers and Spreading the Gospel in over 230 Countries
Devotional & Newest Member E-books Included
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| | Love getting comments and critiques on your articles? We all do.
We are asking all members to commit to being a blessing by commenting on at least one Challenge entry per day? It just takes a few minutes, and there are some great entries to read every week.
Be a blessing today by clicking the links below and leaving at least one comment.
We also encourage you to comment on regular articles now and then. Think of the encouragement we can be if many of us commented on one article per week or even per day! Just look at the newest 200 titles and choose a few that draw your attention.
Reading the work of others and critiquing them on a regular basis, helps us grow as writers. Both parties benefit.
Thank you to all our members who do leave comments on a regular basis. You will reap what you have sown.
You Are Just One Comment Away From Being and Receiving a Great Blessing. |
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Devotionals submitted from members publish on thousands of websites worldwide!
Great Multitude Daily Bible Devotional Receive it by email or place it on your website HERE
Salted by Fire - Jennifer Woodley
‘“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”’ Mark 9:49-50 (NRSV)Our true flavor will be tested through the fire of trials. We really don’t know what lays inside each of us, what we truly believe, what we stand for or how strong our faith is, until we undergo the pressure of difficulties. Our saltiness will be gauged by the way we endure hardship and remain committed to Christ through the testing of our faith.
Fire strengthens us. Salts us. James said that our trials are working together for a greater good, seasoning us into mature Christians (James 1:2). Believers under trial must trust God to produce meaning from our mess and to shape us through our struggles. A tested faith produces the salt of endurance whose effects contribute to our maturity and effectiveness as Christ followers.
What fire are we undergoing at present that we cannot depend upon Christ to help us walk through? There is none! Jesus has also undergone suffering, just like us, and so He is able to help those who are being tested (Hebrews 2:18). In the fire of trials choose to hold fast to Him. Then we will emerge triumphant; more than conquerors. Let’s determine to allow our fiery trials to become a tool in God’s hand to unveil His glory within us.
‘Father God, keep me strong in the fiery trials of life. I depend upon you. Increase my faith to believe that whatever testing I go through, you are there to carry me into victory. Amen.’
Jennifer is an Australian freelance writer who enjoys encouraging others on their faith journey through writing and mentoring. Contact
Help us spread the good news of Jesus around the world. The FaithWriters devotional is on thousands of websites HERE , plus thousands go out by email and Twitter daily. They are also published about 90 days after FaithWriters on IDisciple HERE . Members are encouraged to submit an edited devotional for publication HERE. Submissions are a maximum of 300 words, helping you learn to write to topic and word count. You never know how your writing may inspire a brother or sister in Christ or impact a lost soul.
Watch this short video that will show you a few of the unique websites the devotional is currently on. Sites like the Church of Scotland and the Los Angeles police wives association. |
| | | Article Comment Emails Not Getting to Your Gmail?
In the past, some members have had issues receiving notification emails when their Challenge or other articles receive a comment. We just did a test of the system and placed a Gmail test address in my profile. I then posted a comment
on one of my articles. I also did this test on a Challenge article for a member who said she was not getting the emails. In both tests, the email notification of the comment did come through to the Gmail address, but in both cases it went to the junk file in Gmail. So the automatic email system
is working to Gmail but may be going to your junk.
If you have not been receiving notifications of comments on your articles, post a test comment on one of your own articles and then check the junk tab on your Gmail. Be aware, my junk tab in Gmail showed there were no junk emails until I clicked on it and found the comment notification email from FaithWriters in there. If you find any emails from FaithWriters in your junk, move them to your inbox and hopefully next
time they will not go to junk. Make sure to check your junk on a regular basis and click on the other tabs just to check. Each time move them to your inbox. There is also a tab titled "view all email" that should be checked. Sometimes Gmail divides email up into different tabs, so check all the tabs once in awhile just in case. This is something you should check if you have Hotmail or others too. |
| | Congratulations Quarterly Challenge Winners!
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| | Come Back to the Writing Challenge - We Miss You! We have relaxed the guidelines without losing site of God's purpose.
Important Change in the Writing Challenge Effective with April 4th Entries "I could write a fantasy piece with a lion and a witch and no mention of God, and yet be firmly Christian." C.S. Lewis
About a year ago, we made a change to the Challenge submission rules after some had expressed concerns about the direction of the entries. The concern was that the entries were gradually drifting further away from FaithWriters' mission to improve Christian writers and put out good Christian writing. We agreed and made the change that has been in effect for the last year. This made some happy, and some not so happy believing we were being too restrictive.
Recently, we have talked to several members who approached us with knowledge of the change. We discovered that it was not necessarily the submission guidelines that they viewed as an issue. Their concern was that the guideline that entries come from a Christian worldview was not always being upheld, especially for winning entries. All agreed, from both sides of this matter, that they want to put forth writing that honors God.
Therefore, after many discussions with members, we have decided to adjust the guidelines to more of a middle position based on these talks, while asking the judges to pay closer attention to this matter. We have asked the judges to keep in mind our desire to promote Christian authors and Christian writing. We believe it is important that especially those entries selected as winners in the Challenge should not only offer great writing, but also be from a Christian worldview. Our goal in doing this is to continue to produce great articles from a Christian worldview while encouraging more members to enter again. FaithWriters is obviously a Christian writers' website, and we trust that our members as a whole desire to honor God with their writing. In my opinion, members are writing for God and not FaithWriters.
The new submission guidelines are somewhere in the middle of where they were from the beginning of the Challenge and where they have been this last year. These new guidelines will commence in the second quarter of this year, starting April 4, 2019. We appreciate your support.
The guidelines will state:
Entries may be in any style or genre, and they do not need to be overtly Christian in message. However, they must, at minimum, come from a Christian worldview/outlook. The entry may be directed to readers in general, the Christian reader, or may be evangelistic in nature. Entries can also be simply clean, fun and humorous from a Christian point of view, Christian Soup for the Soul style, provided they fit the topic. In the case of fiction, the Christian worldview/outlook may be subtle or allegorical, but it should still offer a fairly clear Christian viewpoint. While it is not required, adding a scripture verse is always encouraged to clarify a message. Entries that are clearly outside of a Christian worldview will remain on the list, but will be not eligible for judging. Entries with offensive language or content, that are overly violent or sensual, and/or are deemed inappropriate for the Challenge and Christian readers, will be removed, even if these elements are used in the portrayal of a non-Christian character.
Go HERE for some guidance on a Christian worldview.
Thank you to all of those members who helped in this matter.
We are the body of Christ, not perfect in the flesh, but always loving each other and working together.
Blessings, Michael |
| | The Challenge WILL Improve Your Writing!
NEVER MISS THAT PERFECT CHALLENGE TOPIC AGAIN. GO HERE and sign up in the right hand column for a weekly topic email. |
| | | | The Challenge Will Improve Your Writing Dramatically!
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Calm (emotionally) (09/13/07)
TITLE: Heart Surgeon
By Debbie Roome
Their words ripped holes in my heart. Not clean, surgical incisions, but ragged wounds. Deep gouges caused by blunt force trauma.
They stood before me, my accusers. The principal a parent and a couple of members of the board. “Your behaviour in the classroom is inappropriate.”
I thought of my second graders. Of our cosy classroom, filled with life, with bursts of colour and insect displays. With lopsided, art work and stacks of picture books. I thought of the relationship I’d built with each child. The love and joy we’d shared. What was inappropriate about that? A kernel of anger ignited deep within.
“Be careful.” The Lord cautioned me, a still, quiet voice amid welling emotions.
“We’ve had reports of you touching the children.”
Well of course I touched them. The children thrived on touch, on the affirmation that it brought. A pat on the shoulder. A comforting hug after some bad news. The simple act of pushing a child on a swing. These youngsters needed, even demanded my touch. I wanted to shout at my accusers. Ask them why they were doing this.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
In spite of the quiet whispers, my emotions continued to rise. A confused mix of anger, disbelief and hurt. Confidence leaked in dribbles from my punctured heart.
“You know that prayer is no longer allowed in schools and yet you persist in bringing God into the classroom.”
At least they were right about one thing. I wove God into my lessons. A mention here, an explanation there. An appreciation of a butterfly wing, powdered with sparkly orange and dusty lemon. A study on frogs with bulgy eyes and warts sprinkled over cool skin. I prayed with the children too, but only if they asked me. Their requests were simple:
“Please pray that Daddy lets us get a puppy.”
“I need my wiggly tooth to fall out tonight.”
“Can God help me to like spinach?”
“In quietness and trust is your strength”. Another scripture filtered through my mind; a calming oil spread across indignation that bubbled within.
“We have no choice but to suspend you, pending an enquiry.”
Suspend me? Take me out of my classroom, away from the work I’m called to do? They stared at me, vindictive eyes challenging me, daring me to respond. I wanted to with all my heart. I wanted to shout and rant and rave. I wanted to argue and defend myself. To cry and beg them not to do this.
The still, small voice was soft...
Finish reading this entry and comment HERE.
Debbie has been with FaithWriters since 2006. She was born in Africa and lives in Christchurch New Zealand where she pastors a church with her husband. Read more from her HERE. |
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Support Fellow Christian Authors - Free Reads for Reviews
Read Great Christian Books for Free in Exchange for a Review
Many already have multiple five-star reviews on Amazon.
These are all free to read for you while others pay full price on Amazon. Plus you receive the bonus of helping a fellow believer and FaithWriters member. It takes reviews to sell books these days, and other members appreciate your help.
This Months Featured Free Read for Review Kingdom Horizon Ashley Nicole
Set in medieval times when Germanic tribes clashed with Rome, a chieftain who becomes a believer and his daughter, Charlana, who becomes a warrior priestess, are set against each other. But nothing is hopeless with a God who can change the human heart.
Learn how to get todays book for free HERE.
We have some great books for you to read for free!
There are several member books you can read for free in exchange for a review. Many already have multiple five-star reviews. One book is running just below five stars with over 200 reviews online, and it is listed in the top ten books of its two categories on Amazon. Another with over 40 reviews is running close to five stars and was honored as the book of the year by a major theological website. Another has over 30 reviews and is running almost five stars. Read one of these or one that has just joined the program and desperately needs reviews.
Go HERE to find other great books to read for FREE for a REVIEW.
Hurry and choose one while they are still free to read! The authors can take their books out of this program at any moment.
Have you written a book and need reviews? Learn about submitting your book to this program HERE. |
| | Do This Today!
Do You Always Keep a Copy of Your Articles? We STRONGLY recommend you do this today and occasionally in the future as you add more articles
We appreciated your patience when FaithWriters was down for over two days a few months ago, due to issues with our service provider. The issue we experienced makes this message of even more importance. We do not want you to lose your articles. Therefore, we have been pushing this for over a year and hope you have already taken advantage of it. You can download a copy of your articles in mass, with one click on the site.
We back up the site regularly but cannot give you a 100% guarantee of there safety. Things happen online as you know. Hackers are a big issue and some out there would like to take a Christian site down. If you log into the site and look in the middle left column of the My Account page under Update and Manage Your Profile/Account, you will see the following link on the website.
Click Here to Download a Copy of Your Articles in Mass
When you are logged into the site, click on that link on the website and a copy of your articles will be downloaded to your computer in a zip file. It will be fairly quick depending on your internet speed and number of articles. Save them to your computer or a thumb drive. While this should download all of your articles, sometimes a couple are missed for some unknown reason. Therefore, double check the downloaded articles by opening each one on your computer. If an important one is missed, you will need to manually copy it to your records from the site. Then going forward, make sure to keep a copy of each new article you post.
Make sure to do this today to protect your writing. Log in HERE. |
| | Platinum Member Books
Now Appear in Over 100 Site Ads
Promote your Christian book on FaithWriters, and you will help support our mission to grow Christian writers and spread the gospel in over 230 countries online. You will not find more exposure for your Christian book anywhere at this price.
Watch this short video HERE. |
| | Another Great Way to Improve The Critique CircleFellow Members Need Your Help.
Providing comments and critiques for fellow members is of great encouragement to them. It is also the perfect way to improve your writing skill.
Tips on Giving Critiques
Critiquing the work of others requires balance. Being too nice will not help your fellow writers develop their work; being too harsh can crush a writer’s ego (particularly new writers, who tend to be shy about sharing their work). How can you achieve the right balance? Here are some tips:
Take care to point out both what works, and what doesn’t. If you’re new to critiquing, a good hint would be to point out one thing you like (a phrase, a description, an idea) for each thing that bothered you.
Whenever possible, be specific when pointing out things that you didn’t like (don’t just say “I didn’t like this part” or “I’d cut that,” say “I didn’t like this part because…” or “I’d cut that because…”).
Try to offer suggestions when you think a change is needed. Suggestions, even to the point of an offered rewording, can be very helpful; even if the suggestion isn’t exactly right for the author to use, he or she may get a good idea from it, or at least a better understanding of the point you are trying to make.
Be honest and direct, but in a polite and caring way. Holding back your feelings about a piece because you’re afraid to share your thoughts isn’t going to help anyone. Just be mindful of how you share your opinions!
We Also Need Your Article to Critique!
Members and paid editors provide the critiques in the circle. You can even submit your judged Challenge entries to the circle.
"I have a few, very few, trusted friends who will edit me with a scowl. Most people want you to feel good so they give you compliments about your writing, and these don’t help at all (except emotionally). Really, you need some grouches to edit your work." Philip Yancey in a FaithWriters interview.
This is a real chance to help others and receive some very constructive and private critiques of your writing.
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Support FaithWriters Spread of the Gospel
Fishers of Men in Over 230 Countries Together We Spread the Gospel on The Net
There is only one unforgivable sin, the sin of unbelief. Those who believe will trust God and are led to the safety of Jesus. Those who do not believe will be like those who did not enter the Ark and were lost.
The enemy is alive and rampant online with a word of unbelief. A message of hate for Christianity and Jesus. A message that is leading countless children to embrace unbelief. (Free book HERE you can review with your kids on the objective evidence for Christianity.)The number of atheist sites and organizations posting online is increasing rapidly. If you go no further in this message, at least go HERE and see for yourself the growing number of purveyors of unbelief online. Here is a short video we would like you to watch also.
Not all of us can go around the world as missionaries in person, but we can reach the world online. We can even reach many places missionaries cannot go in person. The world needs sites like FaithWriters, prepared Christian authors and as many Christian articles and books that point to Jesus as possible. The web especially needs your Bible studies, apologetic articles, calls to salvation, nonfiction and fiction articles and books leading people to Jesus. Together we attract lost people from all over the world who need Jesus along with believers who need their minds renewed and encouraged. God has given us a great opportunity to reach many people who may have never heard of Jesus. The image above marks the location of our visitors.
Numerous people from around the world have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior directly through FaithWriters. We contact every person who leaves an email address and provide them with more information. Sometimes we correspond with them several times. We even offer to place them in contact with another believer (FaithWriters member) in their country. Consider how much time people --- especially kids --- spend on the internet these days. Watch this two-minute video from Kimberly on how she found God on the internet
A few unedited emails from people who have accepted Jesus on the site.
1) This first one was from a person who hacked FaithWriters a few years ago. We feared the entire site might be lost. We prayed for our hackers and posted articles letting them know that their salvation was more important than the website. The shutdown of the site stopped and we received this message through our evangelism page. I am certain is was our hacker.
Type of prayer : first time prayer
Country : Algeria - Please leave a comment. : "I JESUS PRAY TODAY MAKE EVERYTHING BETTER I USED TO BE THIEF CRIMINAL IDENTITY SCAM BUT NOW LIFE IS BETTER UNDER JESUS CHRIST MY LORD SAVIOR."
Your work occupation : Other Religious background : Muslim
2) "Hi my name is Collin I live in Utah heber I know that we are n the last days and I want to be saved so please I need help I've been going to site to site I'm tired of going home from school a sinner I'm stressed with all my homework I cry more than ever sometimes I need Jesus." (This message was obviously from a young boy)
3) "I felt the the holyspirit lead me to you and that God's message of love drew me here."
4) "I want Jesus to be the number one in my life."
5) "I'm saved from sin and I've rededicated my life to HIM who owns me. I'm now free from lies, exam malpractice etc. Pray for me to believe that indeed "It is finished "
6) "I accepted Jesus as Lord and Need A Bible." (We sent Roger a Bible.)
7) "I have accepted Jesus and prayer not continue to commit sin any more." Matthew
8) Recently had a deputy police chief from a major city accept Jesus on the site. He is responsible for over 1,500 officers and staff and could be a big influence for Jesus. Please pray for J. Ramar.
9) "Jesus is my Lord and Savior, please save us from witchcraft, sorcery, divination, polygamy, immorality, astral projection, pride, all sin iniquity fathers, false religion, false gods, show me your way, give me purity, holiness, give me Jesus true, save me from work of devil, and evil spirit, kingdom of darkness be destroyed, give me holiness, save us from Satan and his work, premature death, I need to serve Jesus, thank You Jesus, Amen." Anna S.
For quite some time now, FaithWriters has been experiencing increasing expenses and declining income. The vast majority (99%) of our members are free, even though our membership is only pennies per day. Our main ongoing expenses come from administering the Challenge, other tools that help writers improve and site maintenance. We have increasing regular expenses and heftier one time expenses like converting our large site to a mobile responsive site. We always seem to have some type of technical issue cropping up that needs to be corrected too.
We need your help by upgrading! Go Gold at $5.95 or Platinum at $10.95 per month and help support the spread of the gospel and the growth of Christian writers on FaithWriters. As followers of Jesus, we are making a difference by publishing the truth of Jesus. Men and women from over 230 countries (View Countries Here) are drawn to the FaithWriters by the various articles on the end of our virtual fishing pole. Often our visitors are from closed countries to the message of Christ and they have no other way to learn about Jesus. They are able to learn from our evangelism site and the sister-sites to which we have provided links, including sites with in-depth information in their native language.
You can also upgrade and designate it as a payment to sponsor new writers. We have many people from around the world who do not have the funds to upgrade. In some countries, even if they do have the funds, no payment processor will handle online payments due to online corruption in their country.
Upgrade or sponsor a person HERE. Just click on Gold or Platinum. As a current member you just need to do the PayPal portion. You do not need to do a new profile. When we see your PayPal come through, we will credit your account. If you wish to sponsor a member, email us after you do the PayPal and tell us your payment was for this purpose. We need to keep telling people about Jesus! Will you help us?
We wish you many blessings in Christ and thank you for your support! Michael & Bea Edwards and everyone at FaithWriters
In supporting FaithWriters you gain access to more tools to improve your writing, foster the growth of new Christian writers and spread the gospel in over 230 countries online. All for pennies per day.
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| | We Always Respond to Emails
If you do not receive a timely response to an email, we did not receive your email, or you did not receive our reply. We are constantly battling overwhelming amounts of spam and sometimes emails we should receive end up in our spam by accident.
You should check your spam and make sure that writer-support@faithwriters.com,
bea@faithwriters.com and michael@faithwriters.com are on your email providers approved list.
If you have tried more than once and did not receive a reply, click on a contact link at the bottom of most FaithWriters pages and send us a message telling us of the issue. We will try and email you from another email provider.
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Don't Skimp on the Editing Hire a FaithWriters Approved Editor Today!
Noel Mitaxa is an Aussie storyteller and one of several editors offering editing services. He has syndicated his weekly Good News column in Australian secular newspapers for over twenty years; a syndication that's recently expanded into Australia's armed services and to the USA and the UK.
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| | This Months FaithWriters Great Reads Selection
We have some excellent writers and many topics to choose from at FaithWriters. Bless your fellow members by reading one or more of their books. Just imagine how you would feel if they did the same for you. Many of these books have multiple five-star reviews on Amazon.
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Recently Added Books as Described by the Author
Devotionals
Beyond Religion - Four Hundred Kingdom of Heaven Perspectives
W. Anne Vega
Your Price: $4.99
A. Soul continued her adventure into the promise land with exuberant delight and unlimited expectation. Her new companion, Joy Grace, was full of surprises, wisdom, and lots of questions that challenged her old way of thinking. Because of this, A. Soul learned to have her pen and paper ready to write the, “What If?” Kingdom of Heaven Perspectives (KPs) Joy Grace shared.
A. Soul received each question with an open mind, eager and ready to learn everything about Kingdom life. She approached every “What If” as if entering a diamond mine, to search out every treasure each word contained. Then with the wisdom Joy Grace provided, she connected each discovery as essential links in a chain. This expanded her perspective to see a constant theme of God’s relentless, consuming love, and His desire for intimate relationship for those whom He created, in His image and in His likeness.
from Amazon.com!
Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com
Fiction
Beyond Religion, Nevertheless
W. Anne Vega
Your Price: $4.99
Journey into the nevertheless realm where the inconceivable becomes the conceivable, the unseen becomes the seen, and the impossible becomes the possible. There you will meet three individuals, sharing the same name, who illustrated the "nevertheless" difference that ushered in their breakthroughs.
from Amazon.com!
Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com
Beyond Religion - INDESCRIBABLE
W. Anne Vega
Your Price: $4.99
In the infinite realm of NOW there lived a Father, His only Son and their Spirit, named Breath. The three were inseparable.
At some point in NOW, the Father, His Son and Breath had a special meeting. Before the meeting began, the Son eagerly said, “Father, I know what this is all about. It’s what we’ve been planning, isn’t it? I’ve been fervently waiting for your Word.”
The Father replied, “Son, you know everything about me. Do you know why I delayed this meeting?”
“Yes, Father,” the son answered solemnly. “We’ve never been separated and this could require us to be separated. I know how difficult this will be, but I’m ready. I want what you want more than anything, regardless the cost. It’s what we’ve always wanted.”
from Amazon.com!
Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com
Beyond Religion - INCOMPREHENSIBLE
W. Anne Vega
Your Price: $4.99
Undaunted by the Police Chief’s comments, Perry made the most remarkable statement that still resonates in my soul, “You focus on facts. I focus on truth.” (Perry Mason, The Case of the Heartbroken Bride). It was then Joy Grace, that the light bulb went on. I now understand why God put Perry Mason’s name on my radar.”
With Joy Grace’s eyes wide with wonder, she said, “That is a remarkable story, I can’t wait to hear more. How did it end?”
Looking up in the distance, A. Soul pensively replied, “While I know God’s message was for and about His Bride, it was specifically focused on the truth of His Bride, not the facts. It’s so easy for us to get lost in facts, which are important, but we can’t forget that facts are not always what they appear to be. Truth will always be truth and will always prevail over facts.”
“A. Soul, you’re reflecting the mind of Christ,” said Joy Grace as silver, gold, sapphire, ruby and emerald tones emanated from her breath as she spoke. “Truth is the language of the Kingdom of Heaven. And God gave us the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, “who leads us into all truth.” (John 16:12). Among other things, He was sent to teach us Heaven’s language and show us Heaven’s lenses through which we are seen; which is God’s truth and not our facts. It’s incredible.”
from Amazon.com!
Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com
Beyond Religion - Through Weak Eyes
W. Anne Vega
Your Price: $4.99
Scorned and rejected by man, God chose this woman with ‘weak eyes’ to lay an eternal foundation of endurance, strength, patience, perseverance, love and victory, to build a nation.
Forced into a loveless marriage by her father, and living under the shadow of a domineering, beautiful sister, she battles through rejection, worthlessness, and despair to become a matriarch of an enduring tribe of people.
This incredible redemptive, love story unfolds in an extraordinary mother’s history. When, at the birth of her fourth son, she declared, “...“THIS TIME I WILL PRAISE ADONAI.” Therefore, she named him JUDAH, meaning ‘Praise’.” (Genesis 29:31-35)
from Amazon.com!
Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com
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| | | | Thanks for your Membership and Support!
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