Dear Readers,
As we walk into December 20022, I’m looking back on the last year and feeling so thankful about all that has happened since December 2020.
This time last year, I’d soon learn that Harlequin was buying my manuscript, which would be The Cowboy’s Amish Haven. When the offer came in, I was stunned to say the least. I was also terrified. I’d been away from publishing since 2021, and now here I was, about to embark on a new career in a new genre in which I was to debut as an unproven author. I wavered for days over whether or not to accept the contract. Yes, I’d wanted one and yes, I wrote the book with the intent of selling it to a publisher. But was I ready to go back into the demanding world of rewriting, editing, more rewriting and other pressing deadlines required to get a book onto the market? I wasn’t sure. I hovered on the brink of tucking in my tail and running away. I tried to tell myself an offer would be enough, that I had proven I could see a book in Inspirational fiction. Fortunately my fabulous agent was there to hold my hand through all the doubts, and I settled on accepting the contract. Was it easy? I won’t lie. It wasn’t. There were times when I was frustrated as I wound my way through the edits. Why did I miss this detail? How did I miss adding that one? Another typo??? Grrr.
I hammered myself unmercifully, questioning my ability to write a decent sentence…
But I got through it.
Time passed and release day rolled around. It was then I got the best news of my life. Not only were great reviews starting to trickle in, but the book had made the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list! I was over the moon with joy. All the hard work, angest, doubt and fear drizzled away and I knew then I had accomplished what I’d set out to do. I’d rebooted my career! Moreover, my agent old two more books in a new series! In that time, I finished FInding Her Amish Home and am waiting on edits. I’ve also turned over the proposal for Healing the Amish Widow’s Heart (title tentative) and am waiting to hear from my editor on its status.
So 2021 was quite a year. I’ve been so blessed to find a new path as a writer, one I intend to continue walking for many years. I am thankful for the many new friends and reads I have been in contact with, along with the people who support and advise me in my career. Without them, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. And glory to God, who has watched over me, allowing me to survive my near fatal accident in August 2020. I am truly humbled.
To close, I will wish you all a joyous holiday season. As I head off to work on the copy edit for Finding Her Amish Home I can’t wait to see what the new year brings. I hope you’ll all be here to share the journey.
Sending love and light,
Pamela
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