My Author Anniversary--9 Years an Author!

I missed it but yesterday was my AUTHOR BIRTHDAY! On December 15, 2006 my very first book (The Spirit of Christmas) released with By Grace Publishing. Nine years an author!

When that book released, I was so pleased. I didn't care if I published anything else but of course it was all just the beginning. When that publisher went out of business, I rewrote the book and submitted it to another publisher. It was renamed All I Want for Christmas and came out in 2009. In 2011, I pulled the book and it's just been sitting on my computer ever since. I plan to do another rewrite and Indy publish it myself in the future.

In the meantime, I've written a prequel to that book, and I'm including in my newsletter this week. Have you signed up? http://eepurl.com/bgISMz

Eight Years an Author!

 

December is a special month for me as it is my author anniversary month. My first book released December 15^th, 2006. That’s right! I have been a published author for eight years now. I can’t believe it’s been that long, but all I have to do is look at my children to know it’s true. Wow what a difference eight years makes. 

 In 2006, I began writing seriously. I’d been a writer since my middle school years, but this is when I began to write daily. I wasn’t sure if it was for publication but I was inspired and in a place where I needed to write. We had just moved to North Carolina away from everyone I knew (other than my family) and I was home full-time with my boys (7 & 1 years old at the time) and I was also homeschooling the oldest (a change from teaching middle school). Writing became a catharsis for me.

Then I met a friend online, and she introduced me to her Christian small press publisher. I checked them out and noticed they were in need of some Christmas novellas. Now I had been working furiously on a massive YA WWII novel (a novel which has still not made its way to an editor’s desk and probably never will).  So on that day I decided to write a sweet Christmas novella. I wrote the 25,000-word story in about six days. After a bit of editing, I sent it on to the publisher. Within a month, I had my very first contract. Boy was I excited! And that’s what started this whole publishing venture that I have now been enjoying for eight years. It has been quite a ride and I still feel as if I were just beginning.

That first book was called The Spirit of Christmas. My rights on the book reverted back to me in 2008. In 2009, I rewrote it, added 10,000 words and sold it to another publisher. This time I called it All I Want for Christmas. The rights reverted back to me again in 2012. I plan to do another rewrite on it and release it myself at some point. I’ve even written a free prequel to go with it. Don’t be surprised if you hear about a Christmas book coming out in the coming year.

Happy New Year Readers!

Cindy

My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Look It Happened Again

The economy is in a downward spiral and no one is exempt. Companies are closing their doors all over and authors are feeling the crunch as more and more small presses fold to the bigger guys.

I’ll have to add my name to the roster of authors who’ve lost a publishing home for their creations. Two of my publishers, By Grace Publishing and their sister imprint, Moonlit Romance, will close their doors come December 31^st. That means I’ll have four orphans on my hands looking for a new home.

When I heard this news a couple months ago, I was stunned, maybe thrown a little bit off balance, but not completely crushed. I understand the reason our owner and publisher made this decision and I wish her well. In the New Year, I’ll get paid whatever I’ve earned and have the rights to these stories returned to me. It’s all good.

I’ve had other author friends surprised by my positive reaction. In truth, I wouldn’t call myself a glass-is-half-full kind of person. I’m a realist and actually looking forward to sprucing up these titles and shopping them around until I find them a suitable new showcase. I’m sure another reason I’m not devastated is that I have several other books and short stories with another publisher with a couple more to come out next year. It helps not to have placed all my eggs in the same basket.

By Grace Publishing is the place I got my start in the publishing game. They gave me a chance and from that first book I’ve been able to launch a career. I’m thankful for their faith in me and the experience I gained with them. One of the books that will be going out of print at the end of the year is my very first published book, The Spirit of Christmas. I absolutely love this book, and I even read it myself every Christmas. Of course, I’m not biased or anything. ;) Even the reviewer, Krista, here at Coffee Time Romance loved it. Here’s what she had to say:

“This story gets 4 cups because it enthralls you to the end. The characters in this story are very believable for the simple fact that many people have lost their Christmas spirit. The Nick Pringles of this world still cling to the joy Christmas can bring. Ms. Green is a fabulous writer who can write a heartfelt story. She takes you on an emotion filled ride of ups and downs, yet through it all there is hope. Her way with words leaves you wanting more and fulfills. The little tricks Kathryn came up with to try to figure out who her Secret Santa is had me laughing. I laughed often during the book because the friendship that Kathryn and Nick share is really wonderful. The feelings that Kathryn and Nick have came across as very genuine. This book could be read any time, but it is a good Christmas story to remind you to enjoy giving.”

I still get chills reading that review. And it is reading things like this which bolsters my spirit to keep writing, to keep surging forward and to never give up on the dream. I know there are many authors out there who have also lost homes for their books. Never give up. You worked so hard to get where you are today. Persevere and you will see your words available to the eager readers out there. So keep writing. Your next one just might be that New York Times Best Seller.

If you would like to read an excerpt from The Spirit of Christmas or any of my other soon to be homeless books, please stop by my website.

I'll be spotlighting this title along with a whole bookshelf of great holiday romances the week of December 8th.