Just when you thought America suffered with a supply and demand problem. Containers stacked in L.A. and shelves empty? Not in East Texas! Announcing Book Bananza 2021!

Book Bananza: We're Bananas about Books! CathyKrafve.com
Beautiful, easy, practical, and, shhh, even educational gifts! All signed by the author!

Potpourri, Tyler Texas

Tuesday, November 30th

4:00-7:00p.m.

More about our amazing authors at the end of today’s blog. 

One-stop-shopping!

An evening out with friends! Your Christmas can be Fun and DONE! 

Don’t forget to take supper home from Potpourri. You can even call ahead! (903) 592-4171

cathykrafve.com/writing-friends-popup-seminars/(opens in a new tab)

By the way, a BIG congrats to Potpourri for 40 years of fabulous local food and fun! We’re so proud to have you as a partner in our Book Bananza!

Writing Friends PopUp Seminars
December 2 & 3, 6:00-9:00 PM
South Spring Church
Tyler Texas 

Don’t Miss Our Writing Friends Pop-Up Seminar

Do you have ZERO words on paper, but you feel God’s leading?

Maybe you’re almost there. Are the 5,000 plus words you put on paper making you crazy?

Do you wonder, What’s next?

Well, right after the Book Bananza, we’re hosting an event to get your pen pumping and key board hopping! Our Writing Friends PopUp Seminar is perfect for YOU!

Find Out More Here 

Sign Up Here (But don’t hesitate too long, space is limited because we WANT small, intimate workshops!) Plus, a big thanks to our friends at South Spring Church for hosting our Writing Friends PopUp Seminar!

A Lot Because We Love YOU!

We packed a lot in today’s blog. Our goal is to be serving, not selling. Please pray we break even in these events. Dave Krafve and Shane Butler will thank for that prayer and pray with you I’m sure!

Book Bananza:

Because we’re bananas about books!

In bringing together all these great people (you and our writing friends) our goal is to glorify God and make Him known in a culture that is really hurting. As a reader, perhaps as a wrier, too, you have an important role. Please pray, spread the word, and invite your friends to come join us together!

Naturally, if we can serve you in ANY way, please just let us know. Plus, keep reading for more about our Book Bananza authors.

🙂

Cathy

We LOVE to hear from YOU

Which unexpected book changed your life most? What message is in your heart to put out there? How is God leading You to honor Him in some imagination-stretching way?

May we pray together?

Dear good Father, we are your kiddos whom You love. We turn to You now to please help us honor You in ways that stretch our imaginations. Teach us to follow closely behind You, honoring You as we love others. Give us words to comfort a nation in distress. Teach us to love justice and mercy. Help us be faithful with the words You give us. Surround us with people who teach us to live truthfully. Bless us now because it is Your heart’s desire. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

❤️ 🍌 📚 Meet these Amazing Authors ❤️ 🍌 📚

at our Book Bananza 

(And don’t miss our Writing Friends PopUp Seminar where many of these authors will be on hand to take questions and offer tips!)

Brian Brandt

Author and Business Leader Brian Brandt

The Ambassador’s Journey and Blind Spots

Brian Brandt tells stories that engage the audience, connect them with lifetime applications for years to come, and make a positive impact. Leading one of the country’s foremost training and strategic planning companies, he helps shape some of the largest and fastest growing companies in the world, as well as non-profits that are producing profound outcomes.

Brian has been married for over 20 years and has three children. When not engaging in leadership development, he enjoys one-on-one time with his wife and kids, traveling, beach trips with his family, a challenging workout schedule, and reading a good thriller.

Authors Candace Hudson and her son, Simeon.

Candace Hudson and Simeon Hudson

Harry and His Big Nose

Mother-son duo, Candace and Simeon, created Harry and His Big Nose to encourage our children and to teach them that they are wonderfully made despite other’s interpretation of their flaws. 

Candace is also a poet, who recites poems frequently in churches and conferences. She also offers a series of poem collections books.

Author and Civic Leader Tony Johnson

Tony Johnson

Me and My Boys: My Mentoring Experience

Tony Johnson is a proven civic leader, with credits too numerous to name here, including serving as Chamber of Commerce President and School Board President the SAME year! In his book, Me and My Boys, he myth busts our fears about mentoring. With eloquence and tenderness, he tells the personal story of how his life was changed when he took on the challenge of being there for a couple of high school boys. 

Author and Grandmother Renee Goodwin

Renee Tyer Goodwin

GG Life Lesson Storybook Series ®

Renee Goodwin, award-winning author of GG Life Lesson Storybook Series ®, featuring GG Cleans House – Learning TeamworkGG Meets Her Match  – Becoming Forever Friends, and GG Takes Action – Practicing Health Safety, GG Asks, “Is Jesus In Your Class?” – Seek, Know, Guide, Inspire has an undying passion for education. With her books she hopes to share her endless enthusiasm for learning.

”Your education belongs to YOU to encourage YOU to become that special YOU to share with others,” she says.

Renee enjoys cooking, dabbling in arts and crafts, horseback riding, and playing the guitar. She is always delighted to volunteer for school and community events. You can read more about the author, GG and friends on the author’s website, ggstorybooks.com

Speaker and Author BJ Garrett

B.J. Garrett

B. J. Garrett is a speaker and award-winning author. She holds an associate of divinity degree from the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary, and she has served in church ministries as a youth director, singles director, missions director, and women’s ministry team leader. BJ previously served as the executive director for the Christ-centered Abortion Recovery & Education and now is the Lead Acquisitions Associate at Redemption Press. She and her husband, Jay, live in Texas and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren. To book BJ for your next event, visit www.bjgarrett.com

Unwanted No More

Author April Coker

April Coker

The Keeper and Keeper II:  The Storm

April Coker enjoyed making up and writing stories, as a child raised in East Texas. But it wasn’t until she checked out “Harriet the Spy” from her school library that she decided to become a writer. 

In 2010 she wrote and published “Night Keeper,” a romantic suspense novel inspired by her husband’s career as a night time zookeeper. A few years later, April rewrote and republished her novel as a Christian romantic suspense novel titled “The Keeper,” followed by “Keeper II: The Storm.”

Now retired, April lives with her Boston terrier named Stella and enjoys visits from her children and grandchildren. Sadly, she lost her husband of 41 years earlier this year and is adjusting to this new chapter in her life. She also enjoys camping, traveling, and thrift shopping, and is currently working on “Keeper III: Blackout.” Learn more here: www.AprilNunnCoker.com

Paula Quinn smiles as she ponders the questions God asks us!

Paula Patton Quinn

Questions God Asks Us

Paula Quinn grew up in Tyler, Texas, graduated from UT Austin and moved to Dallas, Texas to teach high school English. She completed a Master’s degree in counseling psychology at SMU and worked at a psychiatric hospital in Kansas City. Paula taught psychology as an adjunct professor at SMU and eventually represented juveniles at the Dallas Public Defender’s office. 

For Paula, Bible study led by scholars, personal study, informal study groups in homes, the practice of lectio divina, and spiritual direction developed into a passion, exhibited clearly in her writing. 

She and her husband of 43+ years, Michael, are parents to 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren.

Award-winning Author, Speaker, Teacher Martha Hook

Martha B. Hook

The Springdale Series, (The Christian Writers and Writers Digest Award Winners)

Award-winning author Martha B. Hook is a speaker, teacher, and lay counselor. She is mother of 3 daughters, grandmother to 12, and great grandmother to 1 little grandson so far. Martha, author of eight books, including 4 novels lives in Tyler, Texas. She just added a puppy to the family. Her books are available from Xulon Press, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Potpourri.

Author and Literacy Advocate Betty Rose

Betty Smith Rose

Can I have a Monkey?

Betty Rose is the Program Coordinator for the K-16 Literacy Center, on campus at UT Tyler. She also creates Children’s Picture Book. Her first book, Can I have a Monkey?, is popular with parents and children alike. An easy-to-read book with 15 sight words, It makes a great baby shower gift!

Betty speaks at conferences on topics such as sorrow, divorce, job changes, and life events. She emphasizes children will not be able to read scriptures if they don’t first learn their ABC’s.

She enjoys meeting with young moms, providing resources and encouraging them through the Born to Read program at UT Tyler.

Her next book releases in 2022, with 9 more copyrighted children’s picture books to follow. 

Betty and her husband Bill, live in Flint, Texas with their dogs Zoey and Cloey. They have three daughters, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. 

To book Betty at your next event or order Can I have a Monkey?, please email Betty at IWillLearnToRead@gmail.com. If you would like to know more about the Born to Read program at UT Tyler, please email Betty at brose@uttyler.edu or www.borntoreaduttyler.com

Gina Butler, author of What About Her?
Co-Host of Book Bananza

Gina Butler

What About Her? A Study of Biblical Women

Gina R. J. Butler as loved Jesus, books, stories, and writing as long as she can remember. Her goal in this life is to honor Christ and not skip dessert. She lives in Bullard, Texas, with her husband, Shane, enjoying gorgeous sunsets and the laughter of grandkids running around the farm. Find more here: https://www.grjbministries.com/

Fireside Talk Radio's Cathy Krafve with her two books
Co-Host of Book Bananza

Cathy Primer Krafve

The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversations  and Marriage Conversations: From Co-existing to Cherished

Queen of Fun and Coffee Cup Philosopher Cathy Krafve puts a snappy spin on deeply spiritual truths. Host of Fireside Talk Radio and author of books about communication, Cathy understands life is about companionship and community. 

Contact Cathy:   https://cathykrafve.com/contact-cathy-krafve/

Sign up for FREE interviews, blogs, and podcasts: https://cathykrafve.com/

Truth with a Texas twang spoken here!  

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Cathy Krafve, host of Fireside Talk Radio and author of The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversations and Marriage Conversation: From Coexisting to Cherished. We welcome your stories, ideas, and questions at CathyKrafve.com. Truth with a Texas Twang!