Today I signed a publishing contract for my first novel with Koehler Books, the fiction imprint of Morgan James Publishing, a NYC-based business publisher. Of the 5,000 manuscripts they receive yearly, they only publish about 125. Since this is my first novel, I feel humbled to be one of the chosen. I’m grateful to get in the door at a time when the publishing industry is clamping down. The other Koehler Books fiction authors I contacted as part of my research all felt the same.
The journey to this point was arduous and patience-inducing. The market tilted and changed from 2009, when I wrote this supernatural-speculative story, until today. Four years ago it wasn’t time. Now it is. But the waiting was difficult. Since starting this blog in August 2011, I have written many times about the struggle. Last summer, as I dug this manuscript out again to revise one more time, I penned this in my journal:
I Yield
“Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch” (Ps. 5:1-3 ESV).
David-like I must psalm today. I’m overwhelmed. Learning patience is difficult.
Leland Francisco via Compfight
My heart seizes within me, straining for a breakthrough. Arms weakening, I dangle over the precipice, gripping the edge, hope sliding away, fingers slipping. Despair rises.
I don’t want to fall into the black pit again. Lord, how do I hold on?
If it’s your will, dangle me. Mold me into the woman you want me to be. Do whatever it takes. You’ve done it before. Once again, you have me in the place where I can’t rely on my own strength, where I must depend on yours, where you have to do the holding. This secures me to your side.
I yield. I give you all of me to pummel or to pamper, to stretch or to relieve. Do as you will.
Create in me a clean heart, O Lord. Forgive and purify my self-reliant heart, my arrogance and impatience that prompt this lesson over and over again. Make me what you want me to be, a slave effective for your service, a child representative of your family, a daughter thriving in your kingdom.
I am weak, and you are strong. Catch me when my fingers slip. Grip my wrists when my grasp weakens. Don’t let me fall again. Show yourself strong and miraculous! Provide relief!
I trust in you. In you alone do I secure my hope. You alone can open doors, throw wide windows, provide sustenance, enliven hearts, and dry eyes. Yank me up over the precipice into your arms, into the path you have for me.
Thank you, Lord, that you always, only, and ever do what’s best for me, that you move in the most glorious way, that you work out your will on the earth. Thank you that nothing can thwart your good purposes. You reign forever, and all your acts flow from your great love for me.
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life…nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8: 37-39 NIV).
Leo Grübler via Compfight
Today, I arrive at this contract signing having been sifted and shredded. I have been humbled, and I have grown. My blog postings show my trek through despair and frustration to yielding and focusing on Christ alone and his will for my life.
And now, having brought me to the place of yieldedness, God has opened the door, and I have walked through. The contract is signed. Let the editing begin. I now face the next test—balance while editing, marketing, and publishing! Undoubtedly, I will learn much in the process.
How has the Lord taught you character through waiting?
Second image from: http://creationswap.com. Third and fourth image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I rejoice with you on this very special day I’m so very proud of you and your writing accomplishments. I’m going to print this article that you wrote so beautifully and put it on my office wall so that I might be inspired daily by your words. Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I PRAISE GOD WITH YOU!!!!!
Thank you, Debra. From one writer to another, your words are so kind and humbling. God bless you!
Hugs to you! And a big pat on your back just in case you’ve not given yourself one yet!–Debra
Thank you! That helps still my knocking knees. :
Congratulations, Melinda! I write this with tears in my eyes! God is SO WISE, SO POWERFUL, and SO LOVING! All He does is motivated by His great love! As I was reading this, all I could think was the need to share this blog, Melinda, so others could see God at work! Praise His Holy Name!
Thank you once again for sharing these struggles! Thank you so much for being so transparent so we could all see Jesus in you! May God continue to bless as you continue to yield to Him, Melinda! May your writings inspire more and do more than you ask or even imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
Love and prayers,
Aunt Jackie
It has been a rocky road, hasn’t it! God is good to refine me and to teach me to love him more. Thank you for your blessings upon me and for your help along the way. For anyone who doesn’t know, J Garrett was the independent editor on my first two novels and a significant input for my historical. Need an editor? Contact her. 🙂 This is what she does for a living.
Thank you, sweet Melinda!!!
Jackie…remember my name!!!!!
Her email is attached to her name here. Shoot her an email. You will LOVE her!
Way to go my beautiful wife. I have never seen a more patient person, a more diligent person, a more prayerful person than you. Congratulations and look forward to more success for you. You are truly blessed and a blessing.
Thank you, sweetheart, for your tireless support over these thirty-six years. I couldn’t write if you weren’t going out to bring home the bacon. 🙂
This is such a happy day! We have watched you over these last four years as you submitted over and over to God’s timing. It was also our struggle! We prayed for this day, but also acknowledged that God is in control and that since it was for His glory, not yours that He got to choose when it would happen! Praise God for this day, for this company, and for you, our brilliant first-born! Amazing Love this love of God. We know that you have “come to know and to believe the love that God has for you.” Knowing this great love, you CAN trust Him with everything, every detail.
We are are also so proud of your sisters who have helped you by being first-reader and first-class contract adviser! What a blessing to see our three daughters working together in such a loving way! We love you all!
Yes, this was definitely a family project! I couldn’t have gotten to this point without the gifts and drive you bestowed upon me through your example and the upbringing you gave me, through D’s help as my first reader and critic, and through M’s contract smarts and good negotiation advice. God is good to bless me with such a family!
I am so thrilled to be watching your journey my friend!
You captured my heart when you wrote about the joy of turning 50.
That was such an eye-opener for me and such an inspiring thought!
So glad that God crossed our paths.
Do I have your permission to drag you up for air next month?
Loved your thanks to Tim for bringing home the bacon!
Dear, dear friend, we “older” mothers must stick together! I’m glad God brought us together, too! Yes, drag me out for coffee. Let me know a day, and I’ll schedule it, so I can plan a break. I will need air, probably more than once. Another friend is “making” me go for walks. Breaks keep my brain functioning. 🙂
how soon into April will you need air?
Congrats Sister! Way to go! And Wahoo!
Thank you, Wandean! It is definitely a “Wahoo!” moment. God is good!