Archive - December, 2010

Jak Publishing and Editing 12/18/10

December 18, 2010 in Writing with 0 Comments

This week I purchased a publishing package for “Jak” from CreateSpace, the publishing division of Amazon! It looks like it will provide exactly what I need: a quality product at a good price (both for me and for those purchasing “Jak”), plus I’ll be connected to Amazon, which will be helpful on the marketing end.

I also hired an editor this morning. This was one of my major concerns about publishing on my own. It’s one thing to write a book, it’s another to have it polished and ready for people to purchase. I’m hoping to have “Jak” ready by March! The end of the tunnel (at least this tunnel) is in sight!

Haiti 12/9/10

December 9, 2010 in Life with 0 Comments

Cole, Chase and I are planning on going to Haiti with my brother Kendal’s church over Christmas break. Kendal’s church, The Crossing, has been establishing a relationship with a Haitian church in Chauffard for the past two years. Chauffard is in the rural mountains southwest of Port-au-prince. Our group will be teaching English, rebuilding earthquake-damaged houses, doing medical work, running an afternoon Bible school and getting to know the people.

Because of the cholera outbreak, we’re bringing our own food and bottled water. It’ll be like camping.

I just heard about violence in Haiti over the presidential election fiasco; the airport is shut down. Much to pray about as we prepare to go.

Publishing Challenge 12/9/10

December 9, 2010 in Writing with 1 Comment

Well, I heard back from two of the three publishing companies I was able to submit to. The first got back to me within two days (amazing); the editor said she remembered my novel idea from two years before when I had met her at a writing conference, and that it looked like I had done good work since then. But they aren’t publishing any fantasy right now. The second editor got back to me within a week (amazing again) and wrote a glowing email; she really liked “Jak,” BUT they were already working on a fantasy project, so now was not the right time.

Even though those two turned me down, I am very encouraged. They took me seriously; they took my writing seriously. I’m still waiting to hear back from the third company. In the meantime, I submitted to two more companies, and I am exploring more publish-on-demand companies. I’m trying to keep the retail price of the book as low as possible, which is a challenge unless you print hundreds of thousands of copies…which I am not going to do. My garage isn’t big enough, nor is my wallet.

Will you pray for me right now? That God will give me wisdom as I pursue publishing. “Jak” has to get published, I know it; I just don’t know exactly how.