What's New with Cec Murphey and Friends
I (Wayne Holmes), am writing this on behalf of my friend Cec Murphey. In case you have not heard the sad news, Cec’s house burned down on Tuesday, February 27. Cec, Shirley, and their daughter are okay, but Cec’s son-in-law died in the fire. A fund has been established to help with incidentals. If you would like to contribute, mark the check in the memo line with “for Cecil Murphey” and send to Deidre Knight, The Knight Agency, 577 South Main Street, Madison, GA 30650. Cards and letters may be sent to: Cec and Shirley Murphey, c/o Stan Cottrell, 4619 West Hampton Drive, Tucker, GA 30084. Additional information has been posted at the following site: http://writehisanswer.com/colorado/additions_&_news.htm. In the meantime, inquiries should be directed to: deidre.knight@knightagency or jancoates@suddenlink.net.
This e-mail also came in: “We do have an unusual request, and are hoping that some of you might be able to help. Having written more than 100 books, some of Cec’s earlier titles are out of print and he owned very limited copies, which were destroyed in the fire. Would you put out the word to your group that I’m looking to collect his older titles, early devotions, etc. at my office to give him? If anyone has some of these titles, I’d love to receive them on Cec’s behalf at [Deidre Knight’s address, same as above].
On Thursday, March 8, I will teach for the Dayton Christian Scribes. The topic will be "Common Writing Mistakes and How to Correct Them." I’m working on a major book project that I don’t expect to complete for several months.
I’m still active with Toastmasters and plan to present a speech at the next meeting. That leaves one to go to achieve my first Advanced Toastmaster Award.
There’s no better way to chase away the winter chills than keeping busy! I had a delightful time last month in Minnesota doing pre-Valentine’s Day events at the Northwestern Bookstores and Barnes & Noble with several of my author friends: Susan Larson, Jill Elizabeth Nelson, Sharon Hinck, Susan May Warren, Mary Connealy and Judy Baer. We had a great time greeting readers and I had the opportunity to demonstrate how to make a bouquet of chocolate covered strawberries.
I just returned from a trip to Birmingham, Alabama where I keynoted a women’s retreat for CrossBridge Church of Christ. It was a delightful two days held at a Victorian Inn in nearby Anniston. I enjoyed sunny 70 degree weather while my husband weathered almost 12 inches of snow back home. After all, someone had to do it.
In March, my speaking engagements are close to home in Nebraska. I’ll be speaking in Omaha, Belleview and Fremont before heading down to Branson, MO and Mount Hermon, CA for writer’s retreats. I’ll return just in time to see Crime & Clutter, the second book in my Friday Afternoon Club Mystery series hit the shelves at the beginning of April.
I'll sell and sign copies of Speak To My Heart and Nothing But the Right Thing on March 1 at VCU Medical Center during the hospital's semi-annual book fair. On Saturday, March 3 from 11 a.m. to noon I'll be hosting the inaugural meeting of the American Christian Fiction Writers' Richmond affiliate at the Richmond Public Library's Main Branch. On March 10 I'll discuss my novel, Speak To My Heart, with members of the Rivers Bend Book Club in Chester, Va. On Sunday, March 18, I'll participate in a Women's History Month book discussion and signing with best-selling author Patricia Haley from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Randallstown Public Library in Randallstown, MD.
March is full of wonderful opportunities for me to give back to readers and new writers. I'm pleased to announce the release of Lightning and Lace, the final book in the Texas Legacy Series. For those of you who have followed the series, this book is Bonnie's story. Watch for a contest on my website.
March 8-10, I will be in Dallas speaking at the Baptist Church Library Convention. I'm so excited to be a part of this wonderful program. Anytime I can mix books and librarians together, I will be a part of a wonderful adventure. I wonder if they will have coffee and chocolate.
On Saturday, March 24, I will be speaking at The Foundry Church, 8350 Jones Road, Houston. Shannon Perry, Christian recording artist, will be leading Praise and Worship that morning. For your reservations, call 1-713-937-9388 ext. 106.
The end of the month will find me on a plane to San Jose, California for the annual Mt. Hermon Christian Writer's Convention. This is my retreat time when I can be a kid and head to "camp" for five days of jeans and sweatshirts, getting close to God, learning about my craft, and meeting up with old friends among the redwoods of California.
Cyndy is pictured here at a multi-author event in Minneapolis, MN. Front row from left: Susan Larson, Jill Elizabeth Nelson, Sharon Hinck and Susan May Warren. Back row: Mary Connealy, Cyndy Salzmann and Judy Baer.
Stacy Adams
Cec Murphey with Rhonda Fleming (star of 40 movies) and husband Darol Carlson
