About the Book
Book: Heaven and the Afterlife
Author: Kathy Carmichael
Genre: Christian Non-Fiction
Release date: October 25, 2020
*Has an angel ever brought you a message, protected you from harm, or visited you?
*Has your soul ever been transported to Heaven?
This book explores events such as these, and you will learn you are not alone. You may come to a deeper and abiding love for God and humanity. It’s likely you will no longer have as much fear relating to death or dying. Heaven, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are real.
*Thinking About Heaven: Reader Questions
*Map of Near-Heaven and parts of Heaven
*Meaningful Scripture and Quotes
*Photos relating to Kathy’s life and hospital stay
*Foreword by John Carmichael
Click HERE to get your copy!
About the Author
With a deep and abiding love of our Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who came into this world to save us, Kathy Carmichael is compelled to share her astounding spiritual experiences with others. She believes part of her mission on this Earth is to help people feel better, whether it’s through her writing or her (at times, sophomoric) sense of humor.
A USA Today bestseller and award-winning author, she lives on a canal along Florida’s west coast with her Scottish husband of over 40 years, one son, two cats, a part-time grand-dog, and a bevy of dust bunnies and seagulls.
Kathy has written primarily comedic clean/sweet romance, cozy mysteries, and non-fiction articles and workshops. She has been recognized by the American Library Association’s Booklist magazine with starred reviews in both the Mystery and Romance genres. Kathy is well-known for her fiction-writing seminars, including her short synopsis workshop.
Kathy loves hearing from readers.
More from Kathy
Many times as I sat down at my keyboard to work on this book, I have been encouraged by Holy Spirit to count my blessings.
Has anyone reminded you to count your blessings? If so, when you examine the numerous ways you’ve been blessed and begin to list the numerous blessings in your life, do you feel eternally grateful?
It’s part of our humanity that we tend to lose sight of those blessings while dealing with our day-to-day cares. Yet when we stop to think about how many good things are steadfast in our life, outside of the setbacks, gratitude washes over us.
I believe I was encouraged to look at my blessings as a means for me to overcome my obstacles. Healing from my physical ailments has been time consuming and difficult.
Yet, when I look at my blessings…
Like you, I have been blessed in a multitude of ways. Recently I have been blessed even more so. A large part of that blessing was my being allowed to remain alive and still walking God’s green Earth. An even bigger blessing was the amount of time I was granted to spend in Near-Heaven, which is a setting running immediately beside Heaven, and the glimpses I was permitted of Heaven itself.
Not everyone has such amazing opportunities, and even fewer have the chance to tell about it afterward. Please allow me to share my story with you.
Author Interview
When/how did you decide to become a writer?
I always wanted to be a writer for as long as I can recall. While in third grade I distinctly remember writing and illustrating my first “book” – in crayon. When I got older I kept putting off writing a novel because I didn’t think I was old enough, or wise enough, or dead enough to be a good author.
I stayed home with my children after they were born, but before I had children I was a very busy advertising executive and a systems analyst. When my youngest was around two years old, my husband recognized the fact that my brain wasn’t as active as it once was, and he suggested that then was the perfect time to work on becoming a writer. I had read many books about writing, and one book said that lots of people wanted to become authors, but few ever wrote an entire book. They simply didn’t persist long enough to finish. Since I’m famously stubborn, that was a war cry for me to not only start writing a book, but to finish it.
That weekend, when my husband got back into town on Friday evening, I started writing my book—no outline, no synopsis. I merely wrote. I finished it in the early hours of Sunday, without having stopped to eat or sleep. It was 78 handwritten pages front and back—and as I learned later, it was nothing but dialogue. When I found a critique group, I expanded those pages into a full-length book (by filling in things like introspection, setting, emotional reaction, body movement and so on). I went on to write several more books that were never published, but that first revised book later became my second published book (My Lady Mischief – a sweet Regency) by Avalon Books. My first published book was Chasing Charlie. Back then Avalon Books was well known as a sweet and clean publisher, so it fit my style very well. Later, Avalon Books was acquired by Amazon and it no longer exists.
Which author has most influenced your own writing?
I think there have been three authors who have had huge influences on my fiction writing. The first is P. G. Wodehouse (a famous comedy writer), the second is Georgette Heyer (sweet Regency historicals) and lastly, Agatha Christie (mystery). Mainly I have written romantic comedy and comedic mystery novels, so the influence is very clear.
Now that I am also writing Christian Non-fiction, I believe my writing is influenced by the above authors as well as by Holy Spirit. I sensed Holy Spirit making suggestions and giving me direction throughout the writing of Heaven and the Afterlife. It was an unusual experience that is difficult to describe. When I write fiction, yes, I do feel led in the writing of the books. But it is not in the same manner as when I wrote this book. I would start to write something, and a voice in my head (not my voice) would say, “Rethink that. You should write about XYZ now.” It was eye-opening in that I wrote the book in a way I would never have written it on my own. The book isn’t written chronologically or linearly. It was written revolving around events instead. I believe I was given amazing and blessed guidance.
Do you have a favorite or special place to write?
My husband says I have five places where I write in my house. It’s not true, well, not usually. Mostly I sit either on my screened-in porch or in my dining room (that has windows onto the screened-in porch) because both look out on the canal behind my house. It’s a salt water, tidal canal that leads to the Gulf of Mexico in less than a mile. There is a bird sanctuary right on the canal, and we often have dolphins and manatees as well as incredible birds. It’s so nice to be able to look up and see all this beauty (when I’m not so involved in my book that I can’t see anything but the screen in front of me). I sit in other places based on what or how I’m writing. For instance, I sit at the kitchen table when I’m writing longhand.
Do you prefer traditional books, ebooks, or audiobooks?
I used to prefer print books, especially trade paperbacks, but not anymore. Now that my eyes are older (sigh), I truly prefer eBooks because I can adjust the font size. Also, it allows me to carry hundreds of books wherever I go. I prefer reading on my actual Kindle, but I’ve been known to read on my iPhone when I’m standing in line at a store or stuck waiting for an appointment. I wish I could listen to audiobooks, but I find them too immersive. I’m better off with words.
Do you have a favorite Bible verse, or is there a particular Bible story that really resonates with you?
I love the 23rd Psalm and go back to it time and time again when I’m worried or feeling burdened. This line particularly helped me through various health issues.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
There is so much to learn when you’re just starting out as a writer, but my best advice is to be true to yourself and who you are, rather than chasing the hot new trend. People will say, “Oh, this is where the money is,” or “You’re more likely to sell a book if you write in that genre.” I advise you to ignore such advice.
What do you most love to read? Strongly consider writing that, whatever that might be. Genre trends come and go, but your voice, your style remains a constant. Work on improving your voice, learning all you can about writing, and ignore the temptation to follow the dictates of the market. Write to yourself as a market. If you love it, there will be many other readers who love it, too. Your goal as a writer is to write what you love and find your audience. Your goal as a Christian is to follow what you know is true and good and right, and never deviate from that. And if Holy Spirit suggests you write something, as happened to me, I strongly encourage you to do so. While I never thought I would find myself writing Christian Non-Fiction, it’s one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. It may not become an overnight success or a bestseller, but I’m so proud of being an obedient daughter and giving the book everything my skills and knowledge could provide. I want for you to have a similar experience.
Each of us have different paths and our own unique ways to spread the word. Sometimes it’s through making someone laugh during times of trouble, sometimes it’s providing an emotionally draining read to divert the reader’s attention from their own situation. And sometimes it’s testifying in person. You will know when you find the path intended for you. And don’t let anyone deter you from it. Be true to you.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 10
Texas Book-aholic, March 11
Cats in the Cradle Blog, March 11
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 12
For Him and My Family, March 13
For the Love of Literature, March 14 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, March 15
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 16
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 17
Blossoms and Blessings, March 18 (Author Interview)
Godly Book Reviews, March 18
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 19
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 20
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 21
Through the Fire Blogs, March 22 (Author Interview)
Inklings and notions, March 23
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Kathy is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/1095b/heaven-and-the-afterlife-celebration-tour-giveaway
For the Love of Literature 
This book sounds absolutely amazing!! Thank you for sharing!
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You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
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Thsi sounds like a really great read!
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It does sound interesting.
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This sounds interesting! I really enjoyed the interview.
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I always think it’s neat to hear from the author about their perspective. 🙂
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