And the answer is...?

I know that all two of you that read my blog are waiting with excitement to hear the answer to my publishing woes.

Barbour Publishing has been incredibly kind and complimentary, but is not ready to make me an offer at this time. However, they are NOT ruling it out all together. More on that later in the summer.

I have however decided to self publish Through My Tears (provided my co-author agrees).

I will keep all of you posted (both of you) as I know more.

Thanks for sticking around...and waiting.

He is not here...

He is risen!

Grateful that because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we all have the hope of forgiveness and salvation.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have ever lasting life. 
For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world may have life.
John 3:16-17

A bit of news

Uh yeah, I am encouraged. Here is the email response I received this week from Paul. No, I am not counting on this (desperately hoping yes) but I wanted to share the encouragement! 

 

Hi, Becki—

Please accept my apologies for being so long in responding to your proposal…2013 has started just like 2012 ended, and that’s busily!

At this point, I don’t have a definitive word on your proposal, but wanted to pass along some observations and ideas:

1)      The two sample chapters are well written and compelling…I did find tears coming to my eyes as I read parts. My reaction might be stronger because I’ve met you and know some of the other players in the drama…but you’ve certainly done a good job of committing a very difficult story to paper.
2)      The forgiveness angle is a good one for a story like this…I think that, no matter how compelling the crime story is, what will make the book speak to readers is the redemptive takeaway. And I truly appreciate all that I know of your family’s reaction, both immediately and long term, to your loss.
3)      From the first time you and I first spoke here at Barbour, I’ve struggled to see this as a traditional “Barbour book”—since so much of what we do is not author-driven, and often on the lighter devotional/inspirational side, it’s been hard to see our publishing house doing your story justice. Often, when we’ve tried to break away from our lighter, mass-appeal approach, we just haven’t succeeded. However…
4)      …having said that, I wonder if there might be a way to tie your manuscript into some other projects that we have high hopes for. I hesitate to go into detail at this point, and possibly create hopes that  could be disappointed later…but I will say I see a little more chance for success at this time than when we talked a few years back.

All that to say, Becki, I’d like to talk more with our publishing team, to see what, if anything, we might be able to do with your story. It’s certainly a powerful story, both in the event itself and your reaction to that.

We should be meeting with our team in the next week or so, and I’ll try to follow up soon afterwards. But please feel free to check in with any questions or comments until then.

Thank you, and God bless!

Paul

Progress...sort of

I sent out the query letter and proposal on Monday of this week. At about 11:30 a.m.

Yesterday (Tuesday) at about 4:15 p.m. I received a response. Not a no, but not a yes either. However, I am encouraged nonetheless.

Here is the response:

Hi, Becki—

Just a quick note to acknowledge your message…thanks for sending this my way. We’re in a bit of a scramble right now, catching up on some overdue planning for the next list, so please allow me a little time to digest this new proposal.

This is a tough genre for Barbour—the personal story that teaches a life lesson in long form—but I want to give your material a careful and fair consideration.

I’ll be in touch, but please feel free to check in if you have any questions or comments along the way.

Thank you!

Paul

 So, I will plan my next WIP and update and add to the devotional that I wrote to go along with Through My Tears.

Then above all else I must trust that God has it all under control. He knows best. And I must desire His will above everything else.

That is hard.

All prayers are STILL appreciated!

Gearing up

Today I began the arduous duty of updating my book proposal. Since the school shootings in Connecticut, my heart has been wrenched. I so wish I had something that could comfort those parents. I understand their pain (to a point) and wish I could share my experience with them to help them have hope.

So, I begin sending queries and proposals...and pray.



We have settled into our new home very nicely. We love it. Below you can see the server/windowseat in my kitchen.
 

 We certainly downsized and I am still getting rid of things. I made yet another trip to Goodwill to drop off more "stuff" like blankets, table runners, pictures and so on. Hopefully this week and part of next I will get back down to the basement and do some more organizing. Jeff is going to build more shelves, and remodel a counter/cupboard for my scrapbook stuff. It will be splendid to have a place to actually work on stuff and not have to clean it up so we can eat supper there. I usually work on the dining room table. (See photo below of dining room)



 Here is a photo of the kitchen, I have done a lot more to it since this was taken.



Jeff spent much of the weekend in the garage organizing it to his liking. He enjoyed the warmer temperatures we experienced and that spurred him on.

So, I will post more photos soon, but for now you'll just have to be satisfied with these.

I had opportunity to go out with my bestie and a couple of other girlfriends last week. Had so much fun laughing and shopping. I love it when I get to do that. Girl time is great.

So, I am just spending time playing here on my blog when I need to finish my proposal...See you soon.

2013

Wishing all of you a Happy and healthy 2013!

Merry CHRISTmas

As I finish preparing for Christmas and all of the festivities before and after, I am reminded that there is only ONE reason for this celebration and that is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

These past many days have brought with them many changes to our world, and to our lives personally.

On December 9th Jeff's dad, Jim Reiser passed away at the age of 86. Jeff had the opportunity to go to Michigan and visit with him during his last good hours. It was good for both of them and Jeff felt God urging the visit. It had been many years since Jeff has seen his father because of Jim moving to Northern Michigan. So glad he made the effort as it was rewarded. We will be having a private memorial service to celebrate his life this coming week.

Everyone in this nation was affected by the horrible death of the 26 people in Newtown Connecticut. My heart hurt so badly for those children, and their parents as well as the adults that died protecting those babies. The only consolation I am able to find in my heart is that I know those children are safe in the arms of God. I tend to forget that evil is so rampant in this world. I get busy with "life" that I don't think about how tragedy occurs daily. Yes, our family was struck with this twelve and a half years ago with the abduction and murder of our daughter, Liz.

I guess I close myself off from things to help hold grief at bay. It's so difficult knowing that my life will never be the same as it was. I miss Liz so much. I miss her giggle. I miss her perfume. I miss her excitement about life. I miss her hugs. I am looking forward to seeing her again in Heaven.

I grieve for those parents that lost children. My heart hurts for them. I wish as most of us do that there was something I could do to help them. I wish my book was published so I could share our story and perhaps it could help someone deal with their loss.

OK. I am done being melancholy.

I need to focus on the blessings that we do have. Our family, our new home and the love of good friends.

I have children coming home in the next two days so I must close this post for now. Merry, Merry Christmas.

I pray that you all have a Christ filled Christmas, and a healthy and Happy New Year.