spoiler: she got a book deal!

(back in 2005, not right now dang it)

Aug 07, 2025

It’s the FINAL installment of the story of my first published book (FINALLY).

Here are Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.

At the end of Part 4, I was taking a deep breath and calling K, the manuscript coordinator at Harvest House who had some news for me. I reeeeeeally hoped it was good news.

(sadly, I don’t remember the phone call AT ALL, but I did write in my journal later that night)

March 31, 2005 (10:10pm)

Accepted. My book has been accepted by Harvest House Publishers. I am floored. I simply cannot believe it. God, I am unworthy. I can never thank You or praise You enough. Never. This is unfathomable. I had no idea where I was going to go next if this fell through.

But YOU did it. YOU did it. YOU wrote this book. I am flabbergasted.

PRAISE YOUR NAME!

God, I humbly bow before You now and ask that this book bring honor and glory to Your name throughout this whole process. I am in complete awe of You.

Complete, unadulterated awe.

I need to get moving on my next book.

August 6, 2025 (5:33pm)

WHAT THE UNADULTERATED FUCK? (God did not in fact write my book)

(y’all, I have 62 journals full of proof of the kind of ALL-IN self-flagellating Christian I used to be)

April 1, 2005:

I'm just not really sure how to thank you. I know that words are supposed to be my forte, but they're failing me at the moment. Thank you. You have no idea what an encouragement and inspiration you have been to me over these last two months. Thank you for believing in me and for your wonderful comments on my writing. You said that it was a breath of fresh air, but your compliments were equally as refreshing—if not more so! I'm looking forward to hearing how I need to chop/tame/change/delete/enhance my manuscript. I can't believe it's going to be a book next year!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Forever in your debt,

Marla

April 1, 2005:

Marla, you are so very welcome. It was my privilege to have a hand in your first book publication. I'm expecting big things from you in the future. You have a gift of transparent communication, and I know many women will not only appreciate your work, but will be significantly blessed by it.

So thrilled you're a part of the Harvest House family.

K________ XX

A year later, I was holding that book in my hands. Then I had another book published the following year. Then the next year and the next year after that.