20 years ago (how??)

reflecting back on my publishing journey

I turn 50 in 134 days. I’m excited about it. I’m also doing a lot (lot lot) of writing in the days leading up to my Halloween birthday. I started the #1000wordsofsummer challenge on 5/31, and after the official two weeks, I decided to turn it into a 100-day challenge instead.

If I counted right, day 100 coincides with the 5-year anniversary of the ex taking off (haven’t seen him since) so that’s kind of wild. Anyhoo.

One of the things I’m working on each day is a little book of true stories plucked from my almost-50 years of life on this planet. Yesterday a memory popped into my head, which led me to some email archives, which reminded me of my publishing journey…

that somehow began TWENTY FREAKING YEARS AGO.

I signed a contract for my first traditionally-published book in 2005, and it came out in 2006.

So now I kind of want to make a bold goal to get a traditional book contract in 2025. I don’t know. We’ll see. Things have changed so much. I’ll write more about that some other time. Right now I want to take a trip down memory lane to how this all got started.

Writer’s Edge. I’m not sure how I first heard of this service that claims to “match quality Christian manuscripts with major Christian publishers.” But I had an idea for a book about marriage, and sometime at the end of 2004, I sent a synopsis (and maybe a chapter or two) + $79 (I think) and prayed for God’s favor.

If I remember correctly, it’s either pass/fail. If they think you’ve got potential, your book synopsis and contact info goes in a monthly report that’s sent to the acquisitions people at a bunch of Christian publishers. If they don’t think you have potential, sorry about your luck. I had “potential,” they told me.

And then you wait.

On January 6, 2005, at 1:24pm, I got this email:

Marla,

After reading about your manuscript in The Writer's Edge, Christian Publications would like to take a further look at your manuscript, From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife. Please see the attached guidelines on what we would like you to submit. You may send it via e-mail or regular mail.

(name)
The Editorial Department

Christian Publications, Inc.
Faithful Biblical Publishing Since 1883

Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh.

At 1:54pm, I got another email:

Dear Marla:

After reading your proposal posted in The Writer's Edge report, we would like to have a look at the synopsis or chapter outline, and two or three of your strongest chapters. If this work is still available, please send hardcopy to the following address: _____

IMPORTANT: Please write "Requested Material" on the outside of the package. This will flag me to separate it from the numerous unsolicited manuscripts that arrive daily.

Or, if you prefer, you may Email it to: ______

Although occasionally we ask to see manuscripts posted on a MS review service website, it's rare that we actually acquire a project this way. Please understand that although your proposal has intrigued us, we may not be able to publish it. When this happens, we try to give a reason as to its rejection or to suggest another publisher who might be more appropriate.

Thank you for your patience.

Warmly,
(name)
Manuscript Coordinator
Harvest House Publishers

It's rare that we actually acquire a project this way, they said. Please understand that although your proposal has intrigued us, we may not be able to publish it, they said.

I didn’t care. I was so freaking excited. I got everything together and emailed both publishers back. I was so happy to tell Harvest House that “Christian Publications is also looking at my manuscript” and Christian Publications that “Harvest House is also looking at my manuscript.” In other words, you might want to snatch me up, because I’m in high demand. (those were the only two emails I ever got about my book lol)

And then I waited some more.

To be continued…