Birthing your Book...

[Marilynn Griffith]

Where are you with your book? Getting started? Stuck in the middle? At the end and ready to edit? Looking for an agent? Getting ready to self-publish? Is your book already out and you're looking for the next step? Chime in here!

[Tracy Moody-Williams]

Hello my sistah,
I pray you are having a great week, Yes I am looking for an agent,and an editor as I explained to you Sunday my first book was self published and it has done quite well, but I want to have the book edited and re-printed due to some errors. I want to put out the type of work that represents my Father. Also, I would like to try another route oppose to self publishing this time, any suggestions? Thanks again for this wonderful site, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Love ya!!!!!!!!!

[Christine Pembleton]

I am in the process of writing my book, and I am loving the creative process. Who needs to eat when you can write? LOL. My goal is to be finished a draft by November 30, 2008 and then go through the editing process. There are at least 8 chapters and I am finished 1.5, so I should get off line and keep writing. Thanks for the discussion post.

[Marilynn Griffith]

Tracy Moody-Williams said:

Hello my sistah,
I pray you are having a great week, Yes I am looking for an agent,and an editor as I explained to you Sunday my first book was self published and it has done quite well, but I want to have the book edited and re-printed due to some errors. I want to put out the type of work that represents my Father. Also, I would like to try another route oppose to self publishing this time, any suggestions? Thanks again for this wonderful site, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Tracy,

It was great talking to you on Sunday. I think that having the book edited again and re-released will be a great step. As for agents for personal stories, this can be a hard sell but anything is possible. Testimony books are usually best as back of the room sales tools for speakers as people hear your testimony and then want to read it and share with others what God has done in your life. I would say continue to build your fundamental skills through smaller assignments also like articles, devotionals, poems, etc. As we all get settled in, people will share writing opportunities and you should also check out the Christian Writers Market by Sally Stuart as well as the Writer's Market. Both come out each year and are very helpful. I hope that helps. I know others will chime in with even more info.
marilynn

Love ya!!!!!!!!!

[Marilynn Griffith]

Christine, congrats on giving yourself a timetable and working toward your goal. Keep us posted on your progress and be good to yourself. You'll get it done!

Christine Pembleton said:

I am in the process of writing my book, and I am loving the creative process. Who needs to eat when you can write? LOL. My goal is to be finished a draft by November 30, 2008 and then go through the editing process. There are at least 8 chapters and I am finished 1.5, so I should get off line and keep writing. Thanks for the discussion post.

[Marilynn Griffith]

Theresa,
This has happened to me before as well. Sometimes there is something the Lord has to impart before the work can go forth. Maybe you can do some blogging or marketing writing for your organization just to keep the juices flowing. It'll be back on you before you know it. :)

Theresa Harvard Johnson said:

I'm on my sixth book. Five are instructional and one is a collection of poetry and spoken word. I'm kind of stuck right now with the current book I'm working on entitled, Scribal Warfare. I was in a flow, and then it just stopped. So, I'm waiting on the Lord to begin speaking again. Every since I started writing it, I've experienced some changes in my prayer life. I really believe there is something the Lord is trying to teach me or show me before I can take it to the next level. I was hoping to have it finished by the end of November and off to the editor, and then the printer. Yes, I will be self-publishing again.... I really, really, really ... want to finish this one before the year ends...

[Theunice Oliver]

I have finished my first draft of my first book. I'm editing now, and very excited about my work. I love the characters and their complicated lives. I don't have any experience finding an agent or submitting my manuscript so I've just been looking over the internet and going to book stores looking at the publishing company on the books that look similar to what I write. This was all I had to go on. I should have taken up writing when I was a child, like I should have but I let fear get in the way, but I say no more. Good or bad I'm pushing my way past any fear or anxious feelings I may have and pressing towards the mark of my writing calling.

[gigiDie]

My book is in it first trimester where I am started to write the ideas and they began to take shape into what it will be. I read mostly nonfiction so it would be difficult for me to write fiction but not impossible. So the first three months are filling the characters that will fill the different slots in the book. I know I can develop a book around a character that is real .

[Marilynn Griffith]

I pray that all is going well in your first trimester. We'll be here praying as you bring it to birth. Fiction or nonfiction are both wonderful. Just do what the Lord puts in your hand. He'll take it from there. blessings, marilyn

gigiDie said:

My book is in it first trimester where I am started to write the ideas and they began to take shape into what it will be. I read mostly nonfiction so it would be difficult for me to write fiction but not impossible. So the first three months are filling the characters that will fill the different slots in the book. I know I can develop a book around a character that is real .

[Princess Carroll Ayo Durodola]

I am seeking out publishers or an agent. I have two children's books self-published and sold by me whenever I do storytelling, but now the Spirit has been pouring children's stories out of me. They are being published on www.Ezraweb.com by Ezra Publications. Now I want to gather some more, as the stories keep pouring, and sell them individually or as a collection to a publisher.

Princess Carroll Ayo Durodola

[Louisa A Dobbins]

I believe I am to respond to a particular situation about what is happening on this website under Birthing your book. I am excited about it all! Especially when I read about the different processes it takes to get to the finish line (I smile). Today my husband and I saw the cover of our first book. We are enthralled with the color purple and gold. I am still working on getting the kinks out of my brain on this computer, please bear with me. There is another network I am affilated with which has an introduction that needs lots of editing on, www.authorsden.com. If you have an opportunity see the unedited page
before I remove it. It is under short stories, named the "THE POWER OF TRUTH" . I thank God it has been a blessing to so many others, that it's popularity inspired us to publish a book. It is written to honor God, give Him praise and do the things He requires of us (Matthew 6:33). I love you my Sistahs. "Bloom where you are planted and share the wealth of a smile"

[Marilynn Griffith]

Louisa,
Congrats to you and your husband on publishing your first book!

Louisa A Dobbins said:

I believe I am to respond to a particular situation about what is happening on this website under Birthing your book. I am excited about it all! Especially when I read about the different processes it takes to get to the finish line (I smile). Today my husband and I saw the cover of our first book. We are enthralled with the color purple and gold. I am still working on getting the kinks out of my brain on this computer, please bear with me. There is another network I am affilated with which has an introduction that needs lots of editing on, www.authorsden.com. If you have an opportunity see the unedited page
before I remove it. It is under short stories, named the "THE POWER OF TRUTH" . I thank God it has been a blessing to so many others, that it's popularity inspired us to publish a book. It is written to honor God, give Him praise and do the things He requires of us (Matthew 6:33). I love you my Sistahs. "Bloom where you are planted and share the wealth of a smile"

[Linda Beed]

I am working on Continued Business the second in the Covenant Series. Juggling this with a Sunday school curriculum and home renovations is a bit of a challenge. Prioriizing is the key to meeting both deadlines.

Linda!