Contests,  Faith,  Writing

And so the story goes. . .


I haven’t been looking forward to writing this post, but I wanted to share my story with you.

Writing for publication can be a journey of highs and lows, and I’ve shared everything with you along the way. Most have been the highs, but now, it’s time for a “low.”

You may remember my novel, Violet Midnight, won a contest in which the first prize was publication.

It was an exciting time, to say the least.

When I got my book cover and then my first round of edits from the editor, it felt even more real. I mean, a book cover with my name on it, how could that not be real, right?

I even held out in revealing the cover for a while after I’d gotten it…just because I still couldn’t believe one of my novels was going to be in print!

I was quickly snapped back into reality when I got an email informing me that the publisher who was going to publish my novel closed its doors.

Yep, you read that right. The publisher closed its doors.

Violet Midnight will no longer be published.

I won’t lie, I was sad when I got the news. Surprised at first, but then sad. I’d held off on really, truly accepting the fact that I’d be published until I had gotten my cover and first round of edits.

Now, I didn’t write this to get a bunch of “oh, that’s so sad or too bad,” comments or to start a bash session against anyone. I wrote this for a couple reasons.

First reason-to share the journey with you. Not everything always goes as planned in life, whether it’s writing related or not. Heck, I hadn’t wanted to be thrust into unemployment for over four months last year. . . But I was.

I just try and take each step as it comes. I fully trust in God’s plan. He knows what’s in store for me and my life. I’m just along for the ride.

Second reason-to encourage you. Just because there is a set back in your life, whether you’re a writer, or not, don’t give up. Never give up. I didn’t. In fact, you know what the best remedy is for losing a book contract like this?

WRITE ANOTHER BOOK.

Yep. I sat down and let the creativity flow, and from it, another novel bloomed. It doesn’t have a title yet, but the lead character is named Journey, and she has some wicked-cool powers. I pounded out about 75,000 words in nine days and now it’s sitting aside for some time until I go back and flesh it out. That’s the best remedy for a sad heart!

Thanks for walking along side me on my journey to publication. Maybe some day soon more news will come my way that will make us all celebrate again. But until then, I shall write on!

19 Comments

  • KM Wilsher

    Ack! How’d I miss this post? Your super agent came out of this time period. . .not all is a loss. . .And your perserverence, strength and ability to sit for hours and pound out words is such an inspiration to us all. . .

  • Ronel

    As a good friend once told me when I had a huge disappointment…God has something even better and more fitting in mind for you…

  • katdish

    Oh Lynn! That stinks! But HUGE kudos to you for not giving up. So proud of you.

    Looking forward to seeing the new one in print. Sounds like a wonderful story.

  • Rebecca Zanetti

    Journey sounds like an amazing character and I can’t wait to read all about her! The 75k in 9 days is fantastic, as is your entire outlook. Sorry about the publisher, but I’m with you. Something truly wonderful is just around the corner for you. 🙂

  • Lynn Rush

    Jill–Thanks for your kind words. I could self publish, but that’s not something I want to do at this point. My super agent (Cari) has already sent out the manuscript to a couple other publishers. So, we’ll see what happens. 🙂

    Charlie–My sweet hubby. You’re my rock!

    LBDiamond–Thanks. If the doors will open, I will walk through. 🙂

    Kay–Journey….yeah, funny that the character of the next novel I wrote is named Journey, huh? LOL.

    Ralene–Thanks for coming along beside me during this Journey, Ralene. It’s a joy to have you here!

    Kat–Thanks, Kat. The 75k in 9 days surprised me too. We’ll see how it looks when I go back to it, though. . . LOL. We’ll see if anything is salvageable. If it is, maybe I’ll have Journey come host a week so you all can meet her.

  • kat heckenbach

    Lynn–you blow me away. Your perseverance, your faith, your ability to focus on the good in things. I’m thinking the only reason this is happening is that God has bigger and better plans down the road for you!

    And 75k in 9 days–yeah, I’m jealous, too :). Wow. You were meant to write, girl, and it’s going to happen for you!

  • Ralene

    75K in 9 days? I’m so jealous! lol… Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I just know God has great things in store for you.

  • kay shostak

    Don’t you just marvel when you see all the books out there – published? Hard to believe it really does happen, but it does. And it will for you. I’m just happy you had all that joy of winning and seeing a cover because Joy is always a good thing to have in our lives. There will be more joy and when you hold that first book, whole and complete, in your hands will be even more special because of the journey. Funny, but isn’t that a characters name somewhere???

  • lbdiamond

    So sorry to hear the disappointing news.

    Great job by focusing on God and his time. New doors will open. But I bet you already suspected that.

    😀

  • Charlie

    Always impressed with your strong faith and perseverence honey. The Lord has given you a great gift. Congrats on finishing another book!

  • Jill

    Your blog today is truly an inspiration to all of us. It reminded me of Ecclesiastes 3:1 – To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.
    God knows when it’s our time and we have to trust and believe everyday.
    Can you try and self publish Violet Midnight or try with another publisher? I don’t know too much about the publishing industry but everything I’ve read it appears to be tough to break through.
    Keep on writing girl – your time is coming!
    Jill