The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow by Joyce Magnin is the first of Abingdon's launch for their new fiction line. Other novels in the launch will be featured here as they release.
Joyce has this to say about her first book contract and novel:
My writing journey all started when the Martians landed. I was in third grade, totally in love with books and I wrote a story about Martians. It was
an instant hit and my teacher suggested that I might be a writer. Turns out, she was correct. It was all I ever wanted to do. Of course my journey from third grade to published author was long, circuitous, and littered with rejection letters. But when Barbara Scott at Abingdon called with the offer I knew in that same instant that as always, God's timing is perfect. I have not questioned the journey since. It all makes sense.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 prayer. When Agnes prays things happen, including major miracles of the cancer, ulcer-healing variety and 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." Agnes doesn't want a sign 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. The truth of Agnes's odd motivation comes out when the town reels after a shocking event. 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.Read Joyce's blog, The Uncommon Story, here.
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12 comments:
Brandilyn, thank you so much for doing this. It truly is an honor. But I wanted to mention that Judy Christie's book, Gone to Green has also launched this month from Abingdon~also an excellent title. Thank you again for supporting Abingdon Press Fiction. I am looking forward to hopefully meeting you at ACFW next month.
Joyce, I really enjoyed my early peek at the book, and I think others will enjoy it as well. Best wishes for the launch.
And Brandilyn, thanks so much for your support of this new line and the authors fortunate enough to be a part of it.
Thanks for supporting Joyce's book. Joyce is my BFF and writing partner and I've read Agnes's story from the very first sentence. It's fun and quirky and thought provoking. A book I will enjoy over and over again.
Thanks Richard, thanks Pammy. You guys are the best.
I've thoroughly enjoyed 'The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow'. Joyce is an excellent writer. Her book is not the 'same ole, same ole' fiction. It's a unique story of how God works in the lives of people no matter what their shape, size, or social standing.
Thank you Richard. You are a true Abingdon Pepper. Your day is coming.
Thanks, Pammy. I love you!
Rita! You are a true friend. Thank you for loving Agnes.
Thanks Brandilyn for featuring Joyce. She's a very special friend that sold out of all the books she had at the Phila Conference last week!
I remember the first day I met Joyce at the Montrose Writers conference in 2006. She was lying prone on a couch lamenting that she didn't have a publisher for Agnes!
See what the Lord did! Thank you Jesus...all in His timing, not ours!
Ooh. This certainly drew me in. I want to read it!
ooh, I like to hear that Sheila. Read away and let me know what you think. ~ Joyce
I can't wait for Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise, her 2nd novel with Abingdon.
Peggy Shearon
Better late than really late. . . Joyce creates characters so wacky you just know she has them hidden in a closet somewhere in her house because they're just too real to be not real!
Thrilled for Joyce, Agnes, and developing Charlotte. go girls, go!
Congratulations, Joyce! I loved the quirky characters and heartwarming plot of The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow. Definitely a must-read!
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