FAQ
Q. What inspired you to write Christian children's stories? (Top)
A. I have to give God the credit for any inspiration. The circumstance varies depending on the story. Sometimes I write what comes to me in the wee hours of the morning, and at times I’ve been in prayer or worshiping God. Occasionally I've had an entire story, complete with illustrations, come to me. Usually I'm inspired to write phrases or to sketch, and later I'm inspired do something with it. Then I pray and set about working through the project. Once I wrote a story in a timed writing exercise (10 minutes).
Penny Pink Takes a Bath came to me while I was watching my very young grandkids in the bubble bath. I’ve always taken the responsibility to share God’s plan of salvation with my kids and my grandkids very seriously. They all loved playing outdoors and getting dirty! So I thought a bubble bath would be a great way to get them to come in from play, get them clean, and to enjoy some valuable teaching time. They loved splashing around and giggling while getting clean. One day when they were muddier than usual, it occurred to me how much like little pigs they were – we all are! So I started telling the story, Penny Pink Takes a Bath. They loved it! And so did I. I told it over and over for several years. My grandkids said I should make it into a book and illustrate it - so I did!
Q. How do I get a book? (Top)
A. Books are available on Hearts Won online Bookstore or in-person at a book reading or event.
I'm currently considering other online sales methods and physical bookstores. I'll definitely make any updates available on this website.
Q. Is your book available on Amazon? (Top)
A. Not at this time.
Q. Do you have an eBook? Kindle version? (Top)
A. No, not at this time.
Q. Do you give quantity discounts? (Top)
A. Definitely. If you would like to purchase a quantity of books to share with others (e.g., baby dedication, children's ministry, other outreach), or if your MOPs group, Homeschool, or other group, or even Bible study group wants to place a combined order to get a discount, just send a request via the Contact Us form.
Q. Are purchases and donations tax deductible? (Top)
A. Purchases and donations are NOT tax deductible at this time.
Q. What types of ministries and organizations do you support and how? (Top)
A. Ministries regularly supported by Hearts Won are listed on the Ministry page. A portion of book proceeds will be used to spread the good news about God's plan of salvation by donating books, funds, and/or supplies to ministries and organizations that help children in our country and around the world.
While a portion from each book adds up, you can make a difference in even more lives by purchasing one or more books to send to a specific area. Choose "SEND PENNY PINK TO..." (beside the country's flag or ministry icon) from the Hearts Won online Bookstore, and share the good news of God's plan of salvation with children around the world. We'll take care of getting the book(s) to the designated ministry.
If you have suggestions about book drives or donations for other worthwhile children's ministries, submit a suggestion via the Contact Us form.
Q. Do you read to groups? (Top)
A. I love reading to groups! I'm located near Charlotte, NC and will travel to nearby states. I also travel occasionally to Washington, D.C., and to Kentucky. To request a reading, send a note via the Contact Us form - even if your are outside those areas. (I do not post my schedule.)
Q. Who prints your books? (Top)
They did a marvelous job! They were so professional and helpful and easy to work with. I highly recommend them for all types of printing.
Q. Do you have other children's books? (Top)
A. I have written about a dozen other stories that I haven't yet illustrated. And I have bits-and-pieces, ideas, and sketches for maybe three dozen more (including four children's book series and a number of stand-alone stories). I'm not sure how many I will get around to completing and publishing in my lifetime! But, I'll trust God for that and believe the books He wants published will be completed in His timing.
Q. Do you write more than children's books? (Top)
A. I do have several other book ideas. I am in the very early stages of a contemporary Christian/ inspirational women’s fiction idea and have thoughts for a non-fiction, inspirational book.
Q. What is your background? What type of training do you have? (Top)
A. All my training and experience has been quite technical but my passion has always been to write and illustrate children's books. (I've never even had an art class beyond grade school!) So, I give all the credit to God for giving me the desire and gift to write and illustrate children's books. As a mother and grandmother, I spent many years helping out with children's ministries, school, Sunday school, and VBS. In 2010 I decided I could wait no longer and started making my passion a real priority. In late 2016, with God's help, I finally got to see my first book in print!
Q. Do you have any tips for someone who wants to write and/or illustrate a children's book? (Top)
A. Yes, PRAY! As I embarked on my journey, I read lots of books on the topic and went to writing conferences. I joined writer groups and spoke with editors, agents, publishers, published authors and illustrators, and mentors. I looked into traditional publishing and self-publishing (by both traditional and smaller independent groups). And while I got a lot of good information, I didn't find exactly the answers I was looking for. I decided to take the good information, disregard what didn't apply, and pray. That's when I found direction and the real source of strength to carry on. Everyone has gifts and talents necessary to carry out the calling God has for them individually. So, there's no real formula to follow, except what you discover through prayer. I would recommend starting with prayer and then setting out to learn all you can. Keep praying and trusting God will guide you through the process. God is faithful. And, if you have a specific question you would like to ask me, you can submit it via the Contact Us form.
Q. Is pennypink.com your website? (Top)
A. NO! That URL was not available at the time I started the book, and while it has been for sale since then, it was pretty expensive. But www.pennypinktakesabath.com is! I do hope to publish other books and I certainly can't have a URL and website for every book. Hearts Won is the name of my business. So I decided to have URLs for heartswon.com, aliciabroaddus.com, and pennypinktakesabath.com. All URLs point to this website.
Updated 2019-02-01
Copyright Alicia Broaddus 2012-2019, All rights reserved.
