Towards the end of 2011 a crazy idea buried itself in my mind, this idea that I wanted to write a devotional book about my favorite Psalm, Psalm 119. I sought the advice of others and soon discovered the pathway to publication was to write shorter articles or devotionals for periodicals. In the end I found out that rather than a means to an end, writing for publication as a freelance writer was far more fulfilling than I had imagined. I took some writing courses, went to writer’s conferences, and read just about every book I could get my hands on about writing for publication. Of course, the hardest part was following through with the advice I would read. One thing was certain, there would be a lot of rejection, I read. But surely not in my case, I would be the exception! Well, that was not the case at all. For every published article you see here, there were five others that were rejected. But I continued to pursue this passion anyways; since submitting my first article for publication at the beginning of 2012, I have been published nearly fifty times between online and print publications. I never would have imagined that would be the result at the end of my first year and a half as a freelance writer. What a tremendous blessing!
Along with getting used to the constant rejection was also the getting used to the painfully SLOW process of the publishing industry. The very first article I ever wrote and submitted to a print publication (A Trucker’s Kid) was accepted and published nearly TWO YEARS after I submitted it. Truthfully, I had forgotten about it when I received my acceptance letter.
The third thing I quickly learned, writing for the Christian market is not exactly a well paying field. But, it’s something I believe in, and the rewards of helping others spiritually is of much greater value than a paycheck. So I continue to do it. Yes, I still dream big about writing books, but for now, God has called me elsewhere. I am also privileged to now be working as an editor/team writer for an upcoming book release for a friend of mine. Editing has turned into an obsession for me! I love it!
I want to encourage you, if writing is a dream of yours, to follow the advice you hear and read about concerning the publishing industry–it is true, and the odds are against your experience being an exception. Start small, with the non-paying online markets and devotional print publications, get your own website going (it’s not as hard as it seems), and work your way up from there. And don’t assume your manuscript has been rejected unless you get a response saying so. It could take a year or more to get a response! Maybe today writing is just a dream for you, but you never know, maybe this time next year you’ll be looking back saying, “Wow, God! I never would have guessed!” Keep dreaming big, your God is a BIG God, one who deals in unexpected blessings. Pray for a heart to believe and eyes to see…
PRINT PUBLICATIONS:
16. Broken Cisterns
Publishing in Light from the Word (Wesleyan Publishing House), September 2014
15. Reflective DNA
Publishing in Light from the Word (Wesleyan Publishing House), September 2014
14. Dirty Lenses
Publishing in Light from the Word (Wesleyan Publishing House), September 2014
13. Out of Control
Publishing in Light from the Word (Wesleyan Publishing House), September 2014
12. Stretched to Fly
Publishing in Light from the Word (Wesleyan Publishing House), September 2014
11. When in Doubt
Publishing in Light from the Word (Wesleyan Publishing House), September 2014
10. Carefully Chosen
Publishing in Light from the Word (Wesleyan Publishing House), September 2014
9. Memory Stones
Publishing in The Secret Place (Judson Press), Spring 2014 Issue
8. Five Signs of a Divided Heart
Publishing in Evangel (Light and Life Communications), Spring 2014
7. Festering Wounds
Published in The Vision (Word Aflame Publications), January 19, 2014 Issue
6. A Trucker’s Kid
Publishing in Highway News (Transport for Christ International), December 2013 Issue
5. Food, Faith, and Forgiveness (Re-print)
Published in Evangel (Light and Life Communications), November 17, 2013 Issue
4. Discouragement
Published in Evangel (Light and Life Publications), November 24, 2013 Issue
3. The Lens of Love
Published in Evangel (Light and Life Communications), November 10, 2013 Issue
2. Tangled
Published in The Vision (Word Aflame Publications), October 27th, 2013 Issue
1. Encouragement
Published in The Secret Place (Judson Press), Summer 2013 Issue
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ONLINE PUBLICATIONS:
33. The Fruit of the Spirit Diet
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, August 2013
32. How To Live When Depression Lingers
Published on I Love Devotionals, June 2013
Published on SERVANT Sisters, June 2013
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, June 2013
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, May 2013
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, April 2013
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, April 2013
26. When Joshua Met Jesus…and More
Published on Encourage 365
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, March 2013
Published with Mustard Seed Ministries, March 2013
Published on Encourage 365, February 2013
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, February 2013
Published on SERVANT Sisters, February 2013
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, February 2013
19. New Year Resolution Recipes
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, January 2013
18. Are You Living on the Edge?
Published on SERVANT Sisters, January 2013
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, January 2013
16. Edible Ministries: How Food Paves the Path to Forgiveness and Faith
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, December 2012
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, December 2012
14. Spiritual Reboot: Four Ways Fasting Benefits your Body and Spirit
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, November 2012
13. Six Signs of a Spiritually Divided Heart
Published on Encourage 365, October 2012
12. What Does it Mean to be a “Healthy” Christian?
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, October 2012
Published on SERVANT Sisters, October 2012
Published on SERVANT Sisters, October 2012
Published on SERVANT Sisters, October 2012
8. Nourishing Pathways to Health (part 2)
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, September 2012
7. Dealing With Discouragement
Published on Encourage 365, September 2012
Published on SERVANT Sisters, September 2012
Published on SERVANT Sisters, September 2012
4. Nourishing Pathways to Health
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, August 2012
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, July 2012
Published with Mustard Seed Ministries, July 2012
1. Why We Do What We Do and How We Can Stop Doing It: Over-Indulgence
Published in The Christian Online Magazine, June 2012
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Books/Studies:
The Word Six Lessons from Psalm 119 (free eBook download)
The Word: Six Lessons from Psalm 119 print copy on Amazon
Published by CreateSpace, November 2012
Read Amazon reviews HERE
Rebecca, I wrote a short book 6 months ago. Would you help me spread it around? I will leave two links for you (or maybe you have a better idea how to promote it). Thanks.
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-Guide-Christian-Living-ebook/dp/B00KKTTB7E/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415666778&sr=1-1&keywords=joe+quatrone+jr
Blog – http://joequatronejr.com/2014/11/11/back-to-the-basics-a-guide-for-christian-living-is-marked-down-this-month
I’m not sure of a better way to promote it other than social media. That’s basically what I did. I’ll definitely share your book on my social media sites once I’m back to my computer. 🙂 When I have time I’ll put a link to the book on my website .
Rebecca, I may be out of place asking you this question, but I have written a children’s book. The first person I got to help me edit it and get it published tried to steal it. The reason I wrote the book was to show my grand children the Jesus I love. I have been having a very hard time getting any one to look at it and those that have love it, but can’t help me. God gave me this story and when I was writing it I was in Spirit. Here is the big question how does a no body like me get something published? James PS If want to trash this comment it is ok. God Bless
Email me your email address and we’ll chat! babyaarup@hotmail.com