Janet Chester Bly biography …
Stuff About Janet
“I’m a city girl with a country heart. Since I don’t corral horses or mow my own lawn, I’m no womba woman. But I love to write about such gals. I followed my husband, Stephen Bly, to the country because we wanted to write books and minister to a small, village church. When I lost him, I stayed for ten years.
In the little western town of Winchester, Idaho, I managed Bly Books. And I raked lots of Ponderosa pine needles and cones as I survived the long winters, one snow blizzard at a time. Now I live down in the Lewiston river valley, closer to my three sons and their families.”
Broken Arrow Crossing 1880s false front town
About Janet Chester Bly’s former home
The Blys former home in Winchester, Idaho, including the 1880’s false front town author Stephen Bly built, has been converted to an AirBnB. It’s now available for rental reservations for families and other group events.
CHECK IT OUT HERE: BLY HOUSE at Broken Arrow Crossing OR HERE WINCHESTER LAKE LODGE WEBSITE
OR CALL (208) 924-6430
ENJOY A VIDEO TOUR OF THE BLY HOUSE HERE: BLY HOUSE VIDEO TOUR
Winchester, Idaho with elevation 4,200 feet, has a population that hovers around 350. Situated on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, the city is across the street from Winchester Lake State Park.
Ever Been To Winchester Lake State Park?
Credit: Ridinger’s of Lewiston, ID
More About Janet Chester Bly …
Janet Chester Bly received a B.S. degree in Literature & Languages and Fine & Performing Arts from Lewis-Clark State College. She has spoken at many retreats and luncheons on devotional, women’s issues, and family life themes. Janet shares about the craft of writing at writers’ conferences, classes and seminars. This award-winning author has mentored hundreds of writing students and done manuscript critique for Jerry B. Jenkins’ Christian Writer’s Guild. Judging numerous writing contests includes those for Writer’s Digest, American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Writers Guild, and My Book Therapy. She offers a manuscript critique service: https://www.blybooks.com/manuscript-critique/
“Janet Chester Bly’s editing is honest and direct. She tightens, suggests, encourages, and teaches. The manuscript she edited for me is now pitch perfect.” – Carmen Peone, young adult fiction author http://carmenpeone.com/
Janet Chester Bly’s Books
Her most recent releases include devotional Grace Spilling Over / True Stories of God’s Tender Mercies and The Trails of Reba Cahill. Her first solo adult novel series is a contemporary western mystery series with a touch of romance. Some call it CowgirlLit. Wind In The Wires, Book 1, released November 15, 2014. Set in the fictional town of Road’s End, Idaho in 1991, the year that forever changed Reba’s life. Book #2, Down Squash Blossom Road, released 2016. Book #3, Beneath a Camperdown Elm, released Spring 2019 and received the AWSA Golden Scroll Award, 2020 Best Western Novel, First Place.
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Janet authored 15 inspirational nonfiction and fiction for Bly Books. She co-authored 20 others with award-winning western author Stephen Bly. Genres cover historical and contemporary cozy mysteries. Fiction and devotionals for kids, young adults, and homeschoolers. Family life themes for moms, couples, and grandparents. Janet Chester Bly books include Words To Live By For Women, Hope Lives Here, The Heart of a Runaway, Friends Forever, The Carson City Chronicles Series, and The Hidden West Series. She contributed articles and short stories to five other books.
I’m telling you, folks, Janet Chester Bly’s thoughts and insights are just what I’ve needed during this difficult time.” – Lisa Samson, author of The Church Ladies and Songbird
Story of Janet and Three Sons Family Project
Russell, Michael, and Aaron completed the novel western author Stephen Bly began, Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot. He left one chapter, a one-page summary, and two pages of character names. They had a four-month deadline. Find stories about this family life adventure on the Bly Books blog. This book was a Selah Award Finalist. The team novel writing timeline here THE TICKING CLOCK
Her Hobbies
Over the years, she collected Old West and country artifacts for her mountain home. She loves to read a variety of genres of fiction. TV viewing includes news channels, crime solving shows, and TV mystery series of all sorts. She enjoys adventure and western movies, inspirational family life, and British dramas. She shops for clothes on sale racks with a touch of bling.
BOOKS BY JANET CHESTER BLY
Note on Amazon Links at the Bookstore: “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Fiction:
Hawaiian Computer Mystery – Making Choices, kids (8-12), 1985, Chariot Books/David C. Cook
Island Mansion Mystery – Making Choices, kids (8-12), 1994, Chariot Books/David C. Cook
Wind in the Wires, Book 1, Trails of Reba Cahill Series, 2014; Down Squash Blossom Road, Book 2, Trails of Reba Cahill Series, 2016; Beneath a Camperdown Elm, Book 3, Trails of Reba Cahill Series, 2019
Nonfiction:
Grace Spilling Over / True Stories of God’s Tender Mercies – 2020
If My Kids Drive Me Crazy, Am I A Bad Mom? – 1991, NavPress
When Your Marriage Disappoints You – 1990, NavPress
Friends Forever – 1991, Aglow Publications
Managing Your Restless Search – 1992, Victor Books
The Heart of a Runaway – 1995, Discovery House Publishers
Awakening Your Sense of Wonder – 1997, Discovery House Publishers
God Is Good All The Time – 1999, Discovery House Publishers
Hope Lives Here – 2000, Discovery House Publishers
Words To Live By For Women – 2004, Bethany House
BOOKS BY STEPHEN & JANET BLY
Fiction:
The Crystal Blake Series (6 books) – for kids (8-14), 1986, Chariot Books/David C. Cook. Book #1 Crystal’s Perilous Ride
The Hidden West Series – 1996-1997, Servant Publications: Fox Island, Copper Hill, and Columbia Falls.
The Carson City Chronicles Series – 2000, Servant Publications: Judith and the Judge, Marthellen and the Major, and Roberta and the Renegade.
Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot – 2012, Center Point/Large Print, Greenbrier Book, by Stephen Bly with Janet Chester Bly, Russell, Michael & Aaron Bly.
Nonfiction:
Questions I’d Like to Ask – youth, 1982, Moody Press
Devotions With a Difference – youth, 1982, Moody Press
How To Be a Good Mom – 1988, Moody Press
Be Your Mate’s Best Friend – 1989, Moody Press
How To Be a Good Grandparent – 1990, Moody Press
Winners & Losers – youth, 1993, Moody Press
The Power of a Godly Grandparent – 2003, Beacon Hill Press
Janet Chester Bly on Facebook Books on GoodReads … http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/269265.Janet_Chester_Bly Boards on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/janetcbly/
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Author Janet Chester Bly video about Janet “Getting the Call to Write” CALL TO WRITE VIDEO
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About Stephen Bly’s last novel, Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot
Janet Chester Bly’s Living Joyfully Free radio interview with Lisa Buffaloe … Finishing her late-husband’s novel was a family adventure. Can a committee write fiction? Janet and her three sons had the passion and four months to find out.
Interview with Scott McCausey, host of Speak Up! radio show, on the process of completing Stephen Bly’s novel, Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot:
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