That’s me right there.
Published.
On the shelf.
In Barnes and
Noble.
My piece, “Journey’s Beginning”, one of the stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul, finding my faith.
Two days before the official release date of October 16th.
...let me catch my breath….
Okay, I’m good now. My
first thought? I wish my parents were alive to see this. Not counting marrying a man they came to
adore and providing them with a grandson they loved beyond belief, I know this writing
achievement would’ve been one of their proudest moments of me. I know many will say “they know” or “they’re
watching over you” and I appreciate that.
For this though, I’d love to see the smile in their eyes, get that big
bear hug from dad, and get a card from mom, wishing me “heartiest congratulations.”
My second thought? Wow,
that’s me! Right there on the shelf at Barnes & Noble!
I remember Steven being the first to point out a couple
months ago that someday we’d be in a store and there, on a display, would be the
book. It was so wonderful to have him
with me at B&N, sharing that moment; reminding me to walk slowly and take
in the “ambiance” of where we were…that I had a published piece HERE. He is,
without a doubt, my biggest supporter, most steadfast fan and diligent
proofreader.
Writing for me is a solitary pursuit. Sharing the publication process and being “in
the limelight” has been anything but. The
first big share was with Paul Robinson, the pastor of Trinity Church at the
time I wrote “Journey’s Beginning”. Paul
ran the membership class I wrote about that directed my faith journey. I’ve been fortunate to call him a friend ever
since and it was a great joy to give him an advance copy of the book the day
they arrived on my doorstep.
Messages of congratulations from friends and family have
been nothing short of amazing and I’m so appreciative of their support and
encouragement. Not only has it been a
learning experience, but it’s been both a pleasure and great fun to share the
announcement of “Journey’s Beginning” being accepted, the arrival of the advance
copies and now the sighting of it in a REAL BOOK STORE. Whew!
 |
| I will NEVER toss that Simon & Schuster box! |
The advance copies arrived about two weeks ago and I love
what I’ve read so far. I read a half
dozen or so stories at a sitting. It
would have been easy to read the book in the first day or two, but I’m giving
each story its due, just as I hope other readers will with mine. Each one carries a very personal message from
the author and when I finish the book, I plan to contact as many of the other
contributors as I can, based on the bio information provided in the back of the
book. Yes, the stories were picked on
their individual merit, but also with purpose to reflect a cohesive message of
hope and renewal.
For as excited as I am, I do realize the book’s not mine.
It’s an anthology, made possible by 100 other contributors as well as
authors Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, co-founders of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and
Susan M. Heim, author and editor of numerous publications, many of them part of
the Chicken Soup for the Soul
series.
I’m honored to be a part of the book and to be in their
company. Happy reading!
