Meet Some of the Authors on October 29th, 2023.

       Meet Joan Aubele here and in person on 10-29-23 at our third Authors’ Sunday event.

For those of you who don’t know about our authors’ event, Julie McKeon, who runs the New Bern Farmers’ Market, 421 S. Front Street, asked me to organize it in January 2022 because it seemed a shame to only have the building open on Saturdays and occasionally other days of the week. We held the first event last November of 2022, the second in April of 2023, and now we will be open from 1 to 4 on October 29^th, 2023.

We will have coupons from Blackbeard’s Triple Play Restaurant, 415 S. Front Street for a discount on a meal. Collect the coupon when you buy any book at our event.

We will also have Sipping Sunshine (lemonade and tea) truck and The Burger Bus from Swansboro parked in our lot.

          We will also have coupons from Next Chapter Books & Art, 321 S. Front Street, New Bern, NC if you stop at 10 authors’ tables and have the author initial the coupon. No need to buy a book, but do at least look at them.

Inside the building, we will have places for you to sit, munch, sip, and read. Plus, several authors will read from their books.  

Please plan on bringing the whole family to meet many of our 38 authors. We will have several children’s book authors, ranging from those who write for the very young to those who write for young adults.

If you like to read mysteries, we’ll have plenty of those–some of which are a bit on the spicy side. Look for authors who write whatever comes into their heads from Fantasy to Pirates, or authors who wish to help you better yourselves. If you want to learn some history, we’ll have that covered, as well as those who want to further their understanding of the Christian Bible. And of course, we’ll have horse stories because how can you not?

Hi Joan, thanks for all your help putting this event together.

Were you born in the New Bern area?

No, actually, I was born and raised in Chicago. After sixty-one years of residing in the Midwest, my husband and I decided to pull our long-standing roots and move to the quant sailing community of Oriental, North Carolina.

    I am married to my high school sweetheart and even though it’s been forty-five years since we said, “I do,” we’ve never gotten out of the honeymoon stage. We’ve raised three daughters, and to date, have six grandchildren. 

1. Do your stories come from your life? Or do they come from the people you’ve seen along the way? Or do they come from events that you’ve witnessed or been a part of? My first memoir, “The Dance,” is primarily my story of the miracles I am blessed with.

Whereas “Hearts Ablaze” is a combination of my own, in addition to others’ blessings that I’ve witnessed or had the pleasure of being a part of.

• From what I’ve read or learned about writers tend to either plot their stories in outline form (an outliner) and others have ideas that seem to smack them upside their heads and lead them down paths (a pantser.) I expect most of us are a bit of both, but I’ve heard a number of writers say that their characters frequently take over the plotline. How would you characterize yourself? I begin with an outline, but as either late-night thoughts or upon waking, random thoughts smack me upside the head.  I quickly jot them down on Post-it notes so as not to forget them! I truly believe the Holy Spirit is whispering, “Hey, don’t forget this part!”

• Tell us a bit about your published books. I understand your second one is now live and spreading its warmth. What compelled you to write spiritual books? Who is in your target audience?  

Glad you asked-–here’s“The Dance” synopsis:  Four months after giving birth to her third child, a twenty-nine-year-old woman is given a death sentence by her doctor. Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, she’s told to make funeral arrangements and say goodbye to her family.

 She has always relied on her religious beliefs but becomes the unsuspecting recipient of what can only be described as miracles.

Twenty-five years in the making, Joan, or Joanie, as she is known to friends and family, humbly shares her triumphant story as an inspiration to all. This lovely, Deluxe 2nd Edition of her best-selling memoir, “The Dance – A Story of Love, Faith, and Survival,” includes a new Forward, a heartfelt message from Joan’s oncologist, and a special preview of her next book, “Hearts Ablaze.”

 “Hearts Ablaze” synopsis:  To Joan’s pleasant surprise, her memoir, “The Dance” reaches Amazon’s Number One Hot New Release spot within four days of publication. Joan’s true and moving testimony of miracles and the power of prayer have created ripples as far as France, Egypt, South Africa, and Bangladesh.

Julie, her local librarian, amongst many others, urges Joan to write a follow-up book. “You need to share the effects of that best-selling book, and all it’s created.” And so, ladies and gentlemen, “ Hearts Ablaze – The Ripples We Create” is born.

This compilation of short stories from pivotal life happenings that Joan has witnessed in her travels is sure to inspire. Hearts Ablaze truly demonstrates how God is forever placing people in our path to ultimately fulfill His master plan. As you immerse into each story, you’ll quickly realize that you are in fact already creating ripples.

Quite simply I write to inspire folks to live their best life and to create those ripples!

5. Do you publish your books yourself? Why? If you go through a Trade Publisher, whom do you use? And why? Do you use an outside editor before you submit your books for publishing? I, for instance, send my work to a woman who has taught me a great deal and improved my writing immeasurably. I have self-published both books as well. I believe the stories found within the pages are extraordinary enough, so I didn’t want to see the stories altered in any way. Naturally, I had both books edited, and since “|The Dance” was my first baby, I also had several beta readers from my local library writer’s group take a look at it.

6. What are you working on now? Sarah, I’m strictly in the process of marketing these books now, but the random thoughts are already popping into my mind for a third memoir!

7. What do you do when you’re not writing your stories? Do you have any hobbies?

 If I’m not exploring our new surroundings, I’m either bicycle riding around town, chilling on our dock, or sailing with my husband, Crazy Carl.

In addition, I keep ”The Official Oriental and Surrounding Area Newbie’s Group that I formed last year, afloat.

8. Feel free to add any comments that I have not covered here. I look forward to seeing you on the 29^th. Sarah

Several years ago, my oldest daughter treated me to a weekend inspirational, Christian women’s conference. I was truly inspired and dream of someday being one of those speakers, to help make a difference in people’s lives. Although spending time with my family remains my number one priority, I am now fulfilling my dream of becoming one of those speakers.

I’m proud to be a Diocese Approved Speaker and bring my amazing story to life in many Churches, Hospitals, Libraries, cancer support groups, MOPS organizations, Relay for Life events, etc.

I’m truly addicted to participating in book-signing events and conducting presentations. I LOVE that personal connection – we begin as strangers, and part as friends!

Sarah, thank you so much for this awesome opportunity – see ya on 29^th!