Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, my name is Laurie. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t belabor that point, but I am excited to announce that my next great-grandbaby will be named after me! I am over the moon about it.
But you want to know about my writing, don’t you? The first thing I remember writing was song lyrics about my sixth-grade English teacher. It was not a nice song. Since then I have been honing my writing skills by writing stories for my (nine) kids, drama’s for my children’s church kids, and so much more. Stacks really. I do love to see my words in print!
I have published five (almost six…) books in the He Reigns chapter book series. I like to call it the series with your child’s heart in mind. As the title suggests the books use horse fun to point kids to the One who should be in control of our lives, Jesus.
I also have a sweet baby book called Nothing to Fear based on 2 Timothy 1:17.
Some of my favorite things are kids. As suggested above, I was a Children’s Pastor. I was also a foster parent. I have six biological children (including twins) and three (of the twenty-eight we fostered) adopted children. These days I am enjoying the grands and great-grands. They call me Nana and Nana-Great.
I also love popcorn, iced tea, and italian food. And, don’t hate me, but I love opera! I heard Beverly Sills when I was a young teen and that was all she wrote. I actually like to listen to opera while I write.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention my husband Larry. My mom called us “L and L”, ha ha!! Anyway, aside from being my knight in shining armor, Larry is the chief cook here. I can cook, but he cooks for us more than 95% of the time. I am thankful and blessed!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Helping kids understand who they are and can be in Christ is a huge part of my inspiration. The life of a Christian is neither boring nor too difficult. Even a child can be a disciple.
The Horseman’s Heart will release on January 31st this year! It is book six in the He Reigns series. I wrote the first few books in the series for Vacation Bible School. We had, what I like to call, VBS Extreme! We had real live horses in the church’s backyard!
The series features four main characters. The Horseman’s Heart is Ben’s Story. He is preparing for a rodeo. I even threw a bit of a mystery in this one.
I should add that my oldest son is a huge part of my inspiration for the series. He has loved horses since the first time he saw them sometime before he was two!
A question I get asked alot is, do I have horses? The answer is my family did when I was in high school. Miss Mandy Mariah came to us with a foal, a colt named Cherokee. Dad sold Cherokee and while I did ride Mandy occasionally, it was my sister who became her person. I sometimes say: Jesus I know, horses I research.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I mentioned earlier that I like to write while listening to opera. But the writing habit that my husband hates is, every time I pause to think, I drum the keys with my fingers!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Children’s books. The first book I remember reading is The Pony Tail that Grew by Winifred Bromhall. Loved it! I read and re-read the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I like to think my books have a Little House feel in that they chronicle children’s day-to-day living. I love The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. I still love Christy by Cathrine Marshall.
What are you working on now?
I always have more than one book in the works. Of course, I have book seven of He Reigns on deck. That will be Beth’s Story. The current title is Horsing Around the World. It will have a missions theme.
I am also working on a picture book series featuring 2nd-grade Oliver.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
www.lauriesalisbury.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Connect with other authors! Get into an in-person writing group, join Facebook writer groups, and attend writer conferences.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I don’t know if this is the best advice I’ve ever heard, but this bit helps me with my focus.
“Do one thing and do it better than anyone.” ~Orville Redenbacher
What are you reading now?
Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine
What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to finish the He Reigns series this year. There will be eight chapter books in the series.
I just got some new ideas for my picture book series and Oliver that I will work on this year as well.
What is your favorite book of all time?
The Bible. It’s hundreds of stories, and one story, and vastly different writers, and writing styles that all connect!
Author Websites and Profiles
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