my first book contract (part 3)

My journey as a published author began 20 (TWENTY) years ago. Well, it actually began well before that, but that’s when I got my first book contract.

I’ve written about it here: Part 1 and Part 2.

If you’re enjoying this series, I’m so glad, but truth be told, I’m writing it mostly for me. Not everything in my almost-50 years of life is a joy to look back on, but this particular season is.

So, it was the end of January 2005. My new friend at a real publishing house had given me until February 16 to send in my full manuscript of my amazing book about marriage that wrote before I turned 30 lol.

On January 27, the day of my grandpa’s viewing, she wrote me an email telling me that she had started writing a book herself, stopped for a very personal reason, then reading my words inspired her to start writing again. Then she said this:

All that to say, Marla, you have an amazing gift of communication. The way you craft your sentences, and the words you choose... truly. I read about fifteen hundred proposals a year, and yours is a breath of fresh air. You have raw talent that can't be taught. Never change that beautiful transparency—truth and accessibility are two things that take guts to practice as an author. But you're a gutsy girl. And, oh, how it shows.

Not gonna lie. That kind of knocked the wind out of me (in a good way). Breath of fresh air. Raw talent that can’t be taught. Beautiful transparency. Truth and accessibility. And my favorite—gutsy. BE STILL MY HEART.

That paragraph right there is why I’m going back and looking at stuff from my past. Yes, there’s some pain (a lot of pain), but there’s so much magic. And this is magic. Words that someone wrote to me 20 years ago that I totally forgot about but that mean so much to me all these years later, because they’re exactly what/who I still want to be. Have always wanted to be.

I wrote back:

I am still in shock over the fact that Harvest House publishers may want to publish my book. Your affirming comments are just beyond anything I could imagine... It doesn't seem real. And I feel so humbled. Why would God give me this kind of talent? I don't deserve it. Well, hello. Isn't that the point of God being God and us being us? Undeserved riches.

Bless her (my) heart. (see my poems about taking all the credit/blame myself these days lol)

On February 23, I heard back from the other publisher who was looking at my manuscript. Here’s what they thought of my book:

Marla,

Thank you for allowing us to consider From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife for publication. Unfortunately, the publishing committee has decided against publishing it at this time. While you have some good insights and good Scripture application, the committee felt the book was too "wordy" and focused on your own marital relationship too much.

We do trust, however, that God will continue to direct your path as you seek a publisher.

___________ /Editor
Christian Publications, Inc.
Faithful Biblical Publishing Since 1883

I’m sure I was probably sad/mad/hurt about this at the time, but now it just makes me laugh. My book was TOO WORDY, and I talked about my own marriage too much. Bwahaha. Where’s the lie?? Comedy gold.

I licked my wounds and waited for Harvest House to respond, which they did exactly two weeks later…