Specs in the City

If Paris, IL, population 9,000 counts as a city, I have some specs for you that I promised on Monday's post, where I announced my publishing contract. Here is how it unfolded for me:

2001: I begin writing a column for our local newspaper titled God is Bigger. I fill it with little doses of humor and great gulps of mercy from God's heart.

After several years, people start telling me I should turn the columns into a book. I say, "NO, I shouldn't." Having published articles, poems, greeting card verses and stories since 1980, I know enough about publishing to realize that a creating and birthing a book is like building Rome. Only harder.

Spring, 2008: My son, an excellent writer himself, asks me if I've every considered turning my columns into a book. I say, "NO." He says I should give it a shot--even if it takes ten years, I'm going to be doing something during that time anyway; it may as well be this. I start to consider it.



Clella Camp

As I pray for direction, the Lord brings a friend, Clella Camp, to my mind. She has publshed a devotional book, Just Walking, with Kregel a few years before. I call her. She tells me I need to sign up for a conference, and refers me to Mike Hyatt's blog to find tips on writing a proposal

Fall, 2008: Clella gives me her proposal to use as a sample, then goes to Florida for the winter. I piece together a proposal for God is Bigger, and start a blog.

November 2008: I attend the Indy Christian Writers Conference, where I meet Lin Johnson, the director of Write to Publish Conference in Wheaton, IL. I pitch my proposal for God is Bigger, but the editor I pitch it to is not buying devotionals.

Dec 2008-May 2008: I work on God is Bigger, and at the advice of Rachelle Gardener from an elevator pitch I made on her blog, start a new book, The Secret Life of a Preacher's Wife.

June 2008: I attend Write to Publish conference with both proposals. Secret Life one sheet catches the eye of the lovely Diana Flegal of Hartline Literary, and she requests the proposals for both books.

Aug. 2008: Diana offers me representation. I flip out, cry, ask my husband if he thinks I can manage it, he says "Yes," I cry some more and promise not to neglect him. Please don't ask him if I've kept this promise. I might cry again.

Aug. 2008- Jan. 2011: Diana pitches both books to many major publishers. The answer is usually: "The writing is good, but we have no market for devos."

Jan. 2011: Diana suggests I take the best stories from both books and compile them into one, creating a book that appeals to a wider audience, and to work on widening my platform. I start on both projects.

Aug. 2011: I attend GPCWC and pitch Mirth and Worth, my new compilation book to several editors, one of whom is  Cindy Sproles of Christian Devotions Ministries. Her partner is Eddie Jones, the acquistions editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. They ask for the proposal to Mirth and Worth.

Sept. 2011: I email Diana, asking her if she's heard back from the editors we sent proposals to. She emails me back with a CONGRATULATIONS!!  letter, telling me that Eddie is going to offer me a contract, but please don't say anything until it's official.

Oct 7, 2011: I receive my contract, the day before I have a TV interview. Praise Jesus, I can go on TV and say I have a book coming out soon! The Lord is faithful and sweet.

And YOU, my dear blog friends, have helped me so much along this arduous journey. Several gave me pep talks when I was ready to throw in my tools and quit building. All of you have laughed at my silly jokes, read my posts, and encouraged my writing ability. I could not have done this without you. Thank you for believing in me.

I want the above list to encourage you not to give up on your dreams, no matter how long it's taking them to come true. My journey has been a bit longer than most, but everyone takes different turns in the road, and God will guide you in His way if you trust Him to open the right doors for you.

I believe in your dreams, too. Will you share one with me today, so I can mix my faith with yours, and help you along your journey?



With Love,