Debbie Macomber facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Debbie Macomber
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Macomber at a 2016 book signing
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| Born | October 22, 1948 Yakima, Washington, U.S. |
| Occupation | Author |
| Period | 1983–present |
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Debbie Macomber is a popular American author. She writes many books, especially romance novels and stories about women's lives. She was born on October 22, 1948.
Debbie Macomber's books are so loved that six of them have been made into TV movies. Her book series called Cedar Cove even became a TV show. She has won several important awards for her writing, including the first-ever fan-voted Quill Award for romance in 2005. She also received a RITA Award and a special lifetime achievement award from the Romance Writers of America.
Debbie Macomber also helps make the TV shows based on her books. She works as an executive producer, which means she helps oversee the making of the show.
Contents
Debbie Macomber's Journey as a Writer
Starting Her Writing Career
Debbie Macomber has Dyslexia, which is a learning difference that can make reading and writing tricky. She finished high school and was determined to become a writer.
She started writing her first stories in her kitchen, using a rented typewriter. At the same time, she was raising her four children. For five years, she faced many rejections from publishers. But she didn't give up! She then tried writing for magazines as a freelancer.
Debbie Macomber went to a conference for romance writers. At this event, an editor from Harlequin, a big book publisher, reviewed one of her stories. The editor didn't like it and suggested she throw it away.
But Debbie was brave and didn't let that stop her. She spent $10 to mail the same story, called Heartsong, to another publisher, Silhouette Books. Silhouette bought her book! This was a big deal because it was the first romance novel ever reviewed by Publishers Weekly, a well-known book magazine.
Her Books and TV Shows
Her first published novel was Starlight. It was part of the Silhouette Special Edition romance series. Debbie Macomber kept writing romance novels for Silhouette and later for Harlequin.
In 1988, Harlequin asked her to write a series of connected stories. These became known as the Navy series. Soon, she was publishing two or three new books every year. By 1994, she started releasing single novels, not just series. Her first hardcover book came out in 2001.
In 2002, Debbie Macomber decided she wanted to write books that focused more on women and their friendships. Thursdays at Eight was her first book that moved away from traditional romance. It was more about everyday life and friendships.
Since 1986, Debbie Macomber has often released a special book or short story for Christmas almost every year.
Her novels focus on sharing a clear message. They don't have long, detailed descriptions. Her main characters are usually hopeful and positive. Her stories often end in a way that makes readers feel happy and optimistic. Many of her books are set in small, quiet towns. Her popular Cedar Cove series is even based on her own hometown, Port Orchard, Washington.
Because of her Christian beliefs, Debbie Macomber's books are family-friendly. They focus on heartwarming stories and relationships without including explicit details.
More than 170 million copies of her books have been printed around the world. That's a lot of books! One of her novels, This Matter of Marriage, became a made-for-TV-movie in 1998.
Six of Debbie Macomber's novels have been made into movies for the Hallmark Channel. These include Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle, Call Me Mrs. Miracle, Trading Christmas (based on her book When Christmas Comes), Mr. Miracle, Dashing Through the Snow, and A Mrs. Miracle Christmas.
Debbie Macomber also writes non-fiction books that inspire people. She has even written cookbooks and books for children. For a while, she owned a yarn store in Port Orchard, Washington, and there was a special line of knitting pattern books named after her. The yarn store, A Good Yarn Shop, closed on November 4, 2016, after being open for eight years. Debbie decided to focus on other projects.
In July 2013, the Hallmark Channel started airing its first original TV series based on her Cedar Cove book series. Debbie Macomber helped create the show and was an executive producer. The Cedar Cove TV series ran for three seasons and ended in 2015. The show received nominations for awards like the LEO awards and a Prism award.
Awards and Recognition
Debbie Macomber has won the B. Dalton Award three times. She was also the first person to win the fan-voted Quill Award for romance in 2005, for her book 44 Cranberry Point. She has received the Romantic Times Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award. She also won a Romance Writers of America RITA Award for her book The Christmas Basket.
In 2007, she even threw out the first pitch at a Seattle Mariners baseball game at Safeco Field.
Her Personal Life and Giving Back
Debbie Macomber volunteers to mentor young people. She also helps raise money for shelters that provide a safe place for women and children. She supports groups that promote reading and medical research.
She is a national board member for Warm-Up America, an organization that provides warm items to those in need. In 1997, she became an ambassador for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America national office. This group helps young people by pairing them with adult mentors.
Debbie Macomber and her husband, Wayne, raised four children. They also have grandchildren. They live in Port Orchard, Washington.
See also
- List of romantic novelists
