Early this year, my publisher called me with exciting news. She had submitted my book, Rendersella, to the company she uses to publish our books as Large-print, Library-bound copies. And they had accepted my story!
It was a dream I didn’t even know to have. I knew books were published in that format. And I knew other authors had their stories published that way. But I had never considered my stories big enough to earn such a privilege. After all, who am I?
Well, the book released in this format back in May, but my publisher didn’t get with me until last week to pass me my copies. You guys! It’s a bit surreal. My book. Just as pretty as it’s always been. And yet, different too. I fully admit to giving a little squeal when I first held it.
Growing up, dreaming of becoming an author, I didn’t know enough to know what to expect really. I knew I had stories in my head. I knew I loved telling them. But beyond that? Just having a story published was a dream come true.
Fast-forward nine years later and I’ve learned a ton. I have almost 19 stories published. Many more in my head. And I now know about marketing and newsletters and ads and social media posts and book signings. It hasn’t all been easy, but I still feel like I’m living the dream. And every time something else comes my way … like having a book published in a new format … the dream only gets better.
That’s not to say there aren’t hard parts. Cramming in time in my busy schedule to hammer out the words is often difficult. We’re in a busy season with a middle-schooler and a fourth grader. We’re both involved at church in several different ministries. I have three other jobs. And then I throw in gardening or a sewing project or something else. But you know what? I am also aware that we all make time for what is important to us. And writing these stories is important to me.
So, if I get more books published, I’m happy. If more of them are published as Library-bound Large Print, I’m extra happy. If I get a few as audio books, yay. It’s all icing on the cake. And I praise God for all of it.
What’s something good that has happened in your life you didn’t even know to wish for?