How do I sum up 14 years as a published author and almost 15 books later?
I’m going to write a three-part series entitled “What it’s like to be a published author” to help me remember where I got my start, my journey as a traditionally published author, and discovering self-publishing in the hopes of inspiring others to never give up on their dream of becoming a published author.
To start, I have to go back to my breakthrough role as the Music Columnist at Good News, Etc. newspaper in 2002 with Rick and College Monroe.
I was their office girl. I worked very part-part time while attending community college and living at my parent’s house.
They knew I had just taken a History of Rock & Roll class and their writer had just quit.
They asked, “Do you want to interview Switchfoot” and that was it.
Each month, a new local musician. Each month a new interview and my name “in print.”
Highlight: Jeremy Camp came to my house to be interviewed.
I started my first blog in 2004 entitled More Words Than Webster. I poured my heart out year after year by sharing my journals, devotional posts, and gut-wrenching hopes and dreams.
I almost didn’t finish college.
I enrolled in Biola University and their Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership degree to finish while working full time.
I hit a breaking point with my anxiety and decided it was best to start medication. When I wanted to quit, Vickie Bridges, who was my life coach at the time said, “I think Biola University is going to help you with your writing.”
She was right.
During my second class, the professor pulled up my blog in front of everyone and said, “You should publish these.”
Shortly thereafter, I met Marcia Ramsland, Organizing Pro, who mentored me. She branded me as the Devotional Diva.
Within MONTHS of the launch of my new website and newly minted trademark, I was discovered on Twitter by my literary agent, Rebekah (now) Benham with Credo Communications, (her roommate, actually), and editor, Rebekah Guzman (now Von Lintel), who became my first publisher (NavPress).
They took my hundreds of devotionals, which became a 105,000-word manuscript—my first published book, Faithbook of Jesus in 2010.
Highlight: I got to travel to Colorado Springs to tour their campus and stay in a castle!
Join me for Part 2, coming soon, to read more about my journey as a traditionally published author.