Sunday, September 2, 2012

“Journey’s Beginning” Gets Published!

Love the cover!

Ah, how sweet the reward the longer one waits for it!  After 13 years, "Journey's Beginning", a piece I wrote about my experience at the beginning of membership classes at Trinity United Methodist Church, has been chosen for publication in Chicken Soup for the Soul: finding my faith.

Written at the very beginning of my faith journey, this is a very personal piece for me.  And often, like faith that takes you by surprise, the publication of this piece did as well.  I submitted this in both poem and short story format to a number of places over the years with no success.  Then, earlier this year on April 9th, I received an email that “Journey’s Beginning” had made it to the final selection round for ChickenSoup for the Soul: finding my faith. Was it still available and was I interested in having it move forward in the selection process?  I sent off my very affirmative reply immediately and so began THE WAIT.

I didn’t tell a soul other than Steven and Abram that my piece was being reviewed for the final cut.  Then, July 17th, (98 days later, but who’s counting?) another email.  I’d made it and would be a part of the book.  OH JOY!  My first publication in book form! 

Scared that it might fall through, I still didn’t tell anyone.  Then, I got an email from Chicken Soup for the Soul in early August, again congratulating me, welcoming me to “the family and team” and sharing encouragement and tips on how to promote the book and my part in it.  THAT made it really sink in and feel real.  I wasn’t dreaming this – it wasn’t going to fall through – it was really happening!

And so, next month on October 16th, the publication release date, my piece of the collected stories will be out there, potentially in 40 languages and 100 countries.  OH JOY!

Here’s a small excerpt:

…There are twenty-one of us in the
membership class.  At my turn I
answer the questions on the board. 
"My name is Amy Morgan. 
I have lived here all my life. 
I was married in this church and our
son was baptized here."

My throat closes up now.  My eyes fill
with tears.  I don't understand why.
I sit staring at the next question. 
I don't know how much time passes as
I silently read it over and over. 

How have you come to be a Christian?
This room, full of people who have given their
religious histories brimming with family memories
 and traditions, positive and negative experiences, all wait. 

I have nothing to offer them….

The release announcement on Chicken Soup for the Soul’s website reads:  “Everyone's faith story is different. People of all faiths share their personal experiences in this inspiring collection of amazing stories about the number of ways people discover, or rediscover, their faith — whether it's Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu or any other religion. These inspirational and powerful stories will touch the hearts and souls of readers.”

I’m proud, excited and humbled to be a part of this book.  I can’t wait to read the other contributing pieces and to see how my piece weaves into the larger whole.  I didn’t know at my journey’s beginning that it would lead to this destination, but I’m grateful it has.

Stats:
  • Expected Release: Oct. 16, 2012
  • Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul; Original edition (October 16, 2012)
  • Seller: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales, Inc.
  • Formats:  Paperback 400 Pages,E-book
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1935096958
  • ISBN-13: 978-1935096955

22 comments:

  1. Congratulations Amy ... I am Very Excited for you :)

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  2. That is awesome! Congratulations!

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    1. Thank you ladies for stopping to read and the well wishes!

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  3. I couldn't be more thrilled!!! I just can't wait to read it!Congratulations!!

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    1. Thank you Amy - please, please, please ...I would LOVE to see your submission in a future copy in the Autism anthology!

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    2. So would I!

      For now and always, I'll be happy to live vicariously through you!

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  4. Congratulations, Amy! This is good news indeed!

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  5. Congrats Amy!!! I will get a copy and read it. Looks like a great Christmas presant too!!

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  6. Amy, we shared a toast over this, but I congratulate you again. What a wonderful feeling this must be. I can't wait to get a copy now so I can have a piece of your wonderful writing in actual print form! (Hey, can I get an autographed copy ?) I am so happy for you, my friend, and may this be the start of many more!

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    1. It was wonderful, my writing friend, to share this with you. And of course you can get an autograhed copy (she says blushing :))

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  7. Oh. My. Gosh. YAY! So cool! Pat yourself on your back, from me! :)

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    1. Consider it done ~ thanks for the encouragement!

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    1. Thanks Sandra - can't wait for you to be able to read the whole piece!

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  9. That is absolutely amazing!! Congratulations Amy!!

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Kathy - I don't' think it will seem real until I hold the book in my hands. :)

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  10. Wow! What an accomplishment! Congrats, Amy!

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  11. Can't wait to get my signed copy! Congrats, Amy. So proud of you!

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    1. Thank you Mari - means so much coming from you! :)

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