It was at
our writers meeting that we had been discussing the idea of self-publishing.
One of the members had been to an event as it seems to be a popular option
these days. The book industry is changing, and as another lady pointed out, one
has to be cautious, there is a lot of red tape that goes with some of the
publishing deals these days.
Thinking
back, deciding to get ‘On Earth as it is
in Heaven’ published myself had seemed the obvious option for me as our
church had held a conference and we had volunteered to host two guests. Ours
turned out to be publishers so it was a done deal. But was it worth it, was it
the right decision? Budding writers
continued to probe.
Well it has
been quite a journey. I remember
Westminster, the young lady looking quite shocked when I told her I felt I
should give her a copy. ‘Bless you,’ she eventually replied. Well she most
certainly did, later she wrote to me, I found it so encouraging, she knew it
had been a divine encounter; it was like reading about herself! Her heart was
being stirred as she felt that she should write her story too!
I could go
on, 5 years have passed since the scary moment when I handed my book over to be
published but as I encounter different days walking along the way, fresh
pastures open up and encounters unfold. A lady from a favourite clothes shop
has become a good friend. After purchasing a copy to my surprise she wanted
more. I then had to confess my publisher is no longer able to assist, he is so
busy on his mission trips. ‘But I am sure you will be able to get some, they
seem to crop up all over the place if you look on-line!’ I laughed. ‘It is in
God’s hands now.’
My friend
looked quite thoughtful, ‘we will have to get a new publisher’ she replied. ‘I
will get the ladies from the village involved, we will start a fundraiser for
the book.’
I felt so
blessed. It seems the Lord has everything in hand. Some say self-publishing is
vanity press, but for me with God it has proved effortless. I had not felt led
to spend my time putting it out to all the big publishing houses, the chances
of them saying yes to somebody such as myself, I have to say, seemed somewhat
slim because I do not reside alongside the likes of those who these big Publishing
Houses are really interested in.
I reside
alongside the Lord. My hope is in Him, my Heavenly Father. As is His word in
Isaiah 43:19 ‘I am making a way.’
And He will for you too.
Through
having faith in Him, everyday new blessings unfold and to know that my story
has somehow helped someone along the way, well what can I say? It has given me
one of the desires of my heart.
Other inspirations can be read in ‘On Earth as it is in
Heaven’ by Julie Prentice £8.99.
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