getting published in 2005 (part 2)

Turning 50 soon and reflecting back on my first half-century of life. Last week I wrote about the beginning of my publishing journey.

Here’s what happened next:

On January 25, 2005, I sent a follow-up email to the manuscript coordinator at Harvest House:

Dear _______,

I just wanted to thank you again for reviewing my manuscript From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife. I'm looking forward to hearing what you thought of it. I just heard back from Christian Publishing, Inc. and they have asked me to send them three more chapters. Again, Harvest House would be my first choice.

Thanks so much!
Marla Taviano

She emailed me back right away.

Hi Marla,
 
Your proposal is at the top of my stack. I should get to it in the next day or two.
 
________ :-)

I replied immediately:

Thank you, _______ I appreciate it!

Marla

She emailed me the very next day.

Hello Marla,

I've made it through the first twenty pages of your sample chapters (laughing out loud), and I can tell that you have something very special here. I've already discussed it, briefly, with our Director of Acquisitions and Development and he is looking forward to reading it upon his return from Advance 2005 being held in Nashville, and NRB '05 in Anaheim a week later.

If you can wait until the end of February for an answer, I'll make sure that your book stays at the top of his ever-growing review stack. Also, can you send the rest of the manuscript? I'd like him to have everything that he needs in order to see all that this book has to offer.

You have a friend, Marla.

Warmly,
_____________
Manuscript Coordinator
Harvest House Publishers

OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH. Laughing out loud! Something very special here! I’ll make sure your book stays on top of his stack!

I emailed her back gleefully.

Hello friend ________, :)

Wow. Thank you so much for your kind words about my book. You can't imagine how thrilled I was when I got your e-mail.  Wow. I will definitely get you the rest of the manuscript ASAP. Do you want me to send it via e-mail, or would you like a hard copy?

I would like a few days to tweak some chapters and to make sure it's the best it can be. Would that be okay? My grandpa died on Monday night, and we are currently in the middle of viewing and funeral arrangements, so I wouldn't be able to get started on it until Monday. Could you give me a date that you would like everything sent to you by?

Thank you so, so much. Again, wow. :)

Very, very warmly,
Marla Taviano

(Don't ask me why I sometimes signed my first name and sometimes my full name lol) She wrote back right away.

Marla.... not the grandpa with the farm. I feel like I know your family a little bit now, after reading your wonderful stories about them. Please, take as much time as you need. As one writer to another, I completely understand about the need to tweak. :-) Why don't you email me the material by February 16—that's when _____ gets back from the last tradeshow. How does that sound?
 
Take care, girl. You are appreciated!
 
_________ <><

OH MY HEART. I wrote her back:

Yes, the grandpa with the farm. When I read that first sentence in your e-mail, my heart stopped. "How does she know my grandpa?" I thought. And then I kept reading. And then I started bawling. That means so much that you feel like you know my family after reading that chapter. I was asked to speak at the funeral, and I prayed that God would show me what to say. I know now. I'm going to use the excerpt from my book about the Yoder Family Softball game and "tweak" it just a little to make Grandpa the star of the story. :)

February 16th is perfect. Thank you for the extra time. I'm really thankful for you, ________. Whatever happens with my book, God has already used you to encourage my heart.

Thank you.
Marla

Stay tuned for “whatever happens with my book…”