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...
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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.
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:
