About the Book

Book: Preach It, Grace A Girl’s Testimony of Faith (Dream Pony Book 5)

Author: Susan Count

Genre: Middle-Grade

Release date: February, 2024

Sharing a pony worked perfectly, until it didn’t.

The pony share Grace worked out with her elderly neighbor was ideal—she thought. Mr. Harvey bought the buckskin gelding’s food and Grace fed him. The pony was important to both of them so it made no sense when the elderly man sent him away. And why won’t he tell her where?

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I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions.

Author Interview

• What was your process to align your book with your target audience?

To make sure the voice is appropriate for the age, I do a lot of reading the manuscript out loud. It is also read out loud by my critique group to reveal awkward sentences and to assure child-like dialog.

What was the most challenging part of writing your book?

Since I can only compose or edit in complete quiet and solicitude, the most challenging part of writing is not being interrupted.

• What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book?

I like the entire process, but I love taking it through critique group because lots of educated eyes on the manuscript make it better.

• How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing?

Hopefully, seamlessly. I strive to weave into a story Biblical values without drawing too much attention to that fact. Subtle works better for me than a club. Still, I’ve gotten comments that the books sound too religious, which grieves me because it is exactly those families where I’d like to reach the children. It is difficult to achieve the right balance. One thing I take care not to do is make the main character too goody-goody. She must be real, and my goal is for the story to reveal her values.

• Are any of your characters based off of yourself or those close to you?

There has been only one character named after someone I know. My granddaughter, Selah, inspired my first series – Dream Horse Adventures.

• Was your writing process spontaneous as it came to you or very planned and organized? Why?

I am both a planner and a pantser. Once I figure out who my character is and what she wants more than anything, I make post-it-notes for plot points. Every writing session, I read some of what I wrote previously and, with my sights set on the goal, craft one obstacle after another. If the progress gets sluggish, I’ll set a modest, daily word count goal. It’s a wonderful thing to be walking in God’s gifting.

• Do you have a favorite time of day you are most productive in your writing?

I’m most productive about mid-morning after I finish taking care of the horses. But anytime the house is quiet and empty, you will find me working on a story.

• Why did you pick this genre for your book?

I took what I wrote to my Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators critique group. Many of the members are traditionally published authors and all have been studying the craft of writing. This group easily identified that the voice of the novel was middle-grade. I didn’t pick it — it’s my natural voice.

I wrote horse books because they were what hooked me as a young reader and I love horses.

• How many books do you personally own?

I saved all the books from children’s youth and passed them on to my grandchildren. I keep a library of writing craft and marketing books. Otherwise, books that come in are generally regifted.

• What is your next big goal as an author?

Completely depends upon if the Lord lays a story on my heart. I have one more in the Dream Pony Series to publish this fall. Feeling like it will be the last in that series. This is the first time in eleven years that I don’t have another story in the plotting stage. At this point, waiting on him.

About the Author

Susan Count is a Kingdom Scribe who has published nine books in two equestrian series. As a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Texas Association of Authors, she takes studying the craft of writing seriously. Revision is her super-power.

Susan is a life-long equestrian and owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse that is kind hearted enough to take her on long, forested trail rides. She says the only thing more fun than riding might be writing horse adventure stories and she invites you to saddle up and ride along.

Read an Excerpt

Saturday started early for Grace’s family. Serve Out Saturday was the church’s biggest outreach event all year, and everyone who could turned out to help. Grace manned the church’s front-door sign-in desk. After everyone got their work assignments, she ran with her clipboard for the van headed to the retirement home. When they arrived, many residents were already gathered.
She lined up with six other girls, and they sang the gospel songs the residents requested. She searched their faces until she found Mr. Harvey in the last row. Giving him a quick wave, she sang directly to him.

He didn’t sing along like many of the residents, but he stayed for the program. That counted as a victory. Did he recognize her? She couldn’t tell.

She stepped to the microphone. “Hello. I’m Grace. That means blessings from God.”

She grinned at the residents, and they smiled back at her. “Horses are my favorite thing, and they’re also blessings from God. If you’ve ever seen a horse, then you know they are magnificent, mighty creatures.”

Grace held a booklet high, then pointed with it to the residents. “This explains how we can know the God that blesses us. And how we can go to heaven to be with him someday. It says he sent his Son, Jesus, to teach us about eternal life.”

She placed her hands over the open Bible on the podium. “No matter how hard we try, we can’t be perfect, but because of Jesus, we are forgiven for all the things we do wrong. He suffered and died on the cross, was buried, then raised to life on the third day.” She looked into Mr. Harvey’s eyes. “He loves us that much.”

As she closed the Bible, she softened her voice. “Pray to your heavenly Father—ask him to help you believe in Jesus.”