New York Times best-selling author, latest, Starting Now
(2013)
Over 170 million books in print
Recipient of the “readers’ choice” Quill Award for Romance Fiction
Honored with a RITA® in 2005
Multiple winner of both the Holt Medallion & the B. Dalton Award
Recipient of the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award (2010)
World Vision’s International spokesperson for Knit for Kids
GUEST BIO
Author Debbie Macomber Shares Her Triumph Over Dyslexia
The 700 Club
CBN.com – STORIES TO TELL
Growing up, Debbie did not know she had dyslexia. In fact, she didn’t realize she was dyslexic until her children were diagnosed with the learning disability years later. “I assumed I was dumb,” shares Debbie. She struggled in school and did not learn to read until she was in the fifth grade, but Debbie never gave up her dream of one day becoming published. “Often times when we have a disability in one area we are often compensated in another area by a talent – for me it was storytelling,” shares Debbie. “I wanted to become a writer because I had stories to tell.”
She started writing at the age of thirteen, but for fear someone would laugh or tell her she would never be published Debbie put her dream on hold. Then an unfortunate event propelled her forward – the death of her cousin. Debbie decided to be more proactive after his death about making her dream a reality. She told her husband she really wanted to write books. Debbie rented a typewriter and started her first book at age 30 as a young mother of four. After five years she sold her first book, Heartsong, to Silhouette Books. The book became the first category romance ever to be reviewed by Publishers Weekly. Debbie was soon featured in Newsweek and demand for her books quickly exceeded her wildest dreams. With over 170 million copies of her books in print today, Debbie is a regular on the bestseller lists. Three of her novels have scored the #1 slot on the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly lists the first week of sale.
Debbie’s faith became real to her in 1972 when a neighbor invited her to a Bible study fellowship at a protestant church. She started reading the Bible and soon developed a relationship with the Lord. As an author, Debbie says, “It is possible to let your light shine for God.” She keeps her novels clean while telling a story to her readers that is relevant, entertaining, and realistic. Debbie is known for her heartwarming tales about small-town life, home and family, enduring friendships and women who knit. She infuses her faith into her work without “preaching” to her readers.
STARTING NOW
Her latest book, Starting Now, is a new book in her “Blossom Street” series which centers on a knitting store called A Good Yarn Shop. The story is about a high powered attorney (Libby Morgan) who loses her job and must create a new life for herself. Libby discovers her love of knitting at the yarn store when she finds she has extra time on her hands. It is also at the shop that Libby begins to find the inspiration to do something radically different with her life. She is then offered her old job back and forced to choose between what matters most in life.
Debbie says she is very passionate about writing and knitting so she decided to incorporate knitting into her Blossom Street series. She began knitting when she was ten years old. She says, “Knitting helped to improve my concentration skills, math skills, and self-worth.” Debbie actually owns a yarn store in Port Orchard, Washington. The store, A Good Yarn, was named after Debbie’s first “knitting book” in her Blossom Street series.
Debbie encourages her readers to knit for charity. She is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity a volunteer program that allows those who knit to create warm clothes for kids.
CEDAR COVE
The Hallmark Channel will premiere a two-hour original movie based on Debbie’s series “Cedar Cove” starring Andie MacDowell this summer. The movie is the launch for Hallmark’s first scripted TV series, also titled “Cedar Cove” and based on Debbie’s novels which is scheduled to begin this summer and run for 12 episodes.
Debbie’s hometown celebrated their first-ever five-day Cedar Cove Days festival in August of 2009, welcoming readers from 42 states and seven foreign countries to the town that inspired the series.
The Hallmark Channel broadcast the following movies based on Debbie’s novels: Mrs. Miracle (2009), Call Me Mrs. Miracle (2010), and Trading Christmas (2011).
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