Monday, January 26, 2015

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO GETTING PUBLISHED







I want to tell you a little story I don't think I've told anyone yet. It's about when I when I was offered a book deal for THE STORY CATCHER.

I'd pitched my story during a Twitter pitch party and received a message from my future editor, Jessica Schmeidler. A number of emails soon followed where she expressed her interest in wanting to offer me a book contract. I was so naive to the whole publishing process back then I didn't even understand what she was offering. I had to ask her to repeat herself to make sure I had heard what I thought I was hearing. I'm sure she was probably laughing at me (in a good way) and I can't blame her. It was funny when you think about it.

Here I'd been writing for more than 40 years. Most of those years were just for me but for the past 5 years I focused all my efforts on having one of my books published and now Jessica was offering to fulfill my dream of becoming an author.

But do you know what is even funnier?

Just how much I've grown as a writer and what I'm capable of doing going forward with my career.

I never realized just the fact that one book being printed by an independent publisher would give me credibility with people in the writing community outside of my friends. Less experienced writers are now asking ME for advice and I have to laugh because it was not too long ago I was in their shoes. I can still feel what it's like to be overwhelmed with everything involved and while in no way do I consider myself an expert at this whole publishing thing, there are now people out there who do and that concept is very funny to me.

I've learned handling all aspects of marketing and promoting my book may not be beyond my ability to do and again, people are coming out of the woodwork asking my advice about things like they think I know what I'm doing which makes me laugh.

I'm also learning that my book, THE STORY CATCHER, has a special meaning to many people and I think that surprises me most of all. I was fortunate. I never had trouble reading and my son was blessed with the ability to read at a very young age. Addie's journey, however, is similar to many children today who struggle to corral those wiggly words long enough to catch their own stories. People are already beginning to tell me stories of either their own struggle with learning to read or how their children currently are struggling. THE STORY CATCHER reaches out to all generations and may end up touching more hearts than I ever imagined possible.

But you know what? My amazing editor, Jessica, knew it all along. She told me people would like the wonderful illustrations and they have. She told me people would connect with my story more than I would realize and they are.

It's funny how we writers think writing is a solitary business where we're never sure if someone will like what we write. The reality of it all is we are just creating a canvas of words where everyone knows how to use the colors but we just got to them first. And THAT'S the funniest thing of all...

*************

I hope you learned something new today and be sure to check back tomorrow for the next post in my month long celebration!






Blurb:


Addie comes from a long line of readers, or “story catchers,” as her family likes to call themselves. Every time Addie tries to catch a story on her own, though, the words play tricks on her. Addie tries everything she can think of to corral those wiggly letters, but it  will take a little faith to become the next STORY CATCHER.


Buy Links:

Amazon Kindle ¦ Paperback ¦ B&N ¦ Smashwords

 
THE STORY CATCHER FAN CLUB: Fan club membership includes:
Membership Certificate
Bi-monthly Newsletter full of mazes, puzzles, games, news and other goodies
Reading log for earning Story Catcher Award
Short story starring YOU!




Book Trailer:




 

 

6 comments:

  1. Donna, you are one of the most equally humble and phenomenally amazing people I know. I was very blessed the day your submission reached me. Not just because the book is good, but because I got to meet YOU. It's high time the rest of the world notices what a blessing we were given when you were gifted to this world. One must know how to corral those letters to read His Word, and in your little picture book, you just helped many young writers have the hope to keep going and not give up. That hope may one day turn to Faith as comfort in their ability turns to love of reading and hopefully a desire to open the Letter our Father left us all. A seed planted through a spark given by one little picture book and a character named Addie.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awwww, Jessica...this is why I like you so much. You feed my ego, small though it may be, and give me a boost of confidence when I might doubt myself. But you do have one thing wrong...I was the lucky one to meet YOU...;~)

    Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Donna, I know the feeling. Sweet story with a great message!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tracey! Thanks for the kind words. Now to add to my published collection and make 2015 the year i snag an agent...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  4. This is a great post! Your editor (in the comments above) is so right too! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Erik! Thank you for your kind words. It looks like I have at least two fans in this world...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete