Friday, July 11, 2014

Dianna T. Benson’s Journey to Publication



Dianna T. Benson

The path to publication can be a mountainous, winding road containing detours and dead ends. Author Dianna T. Benson knows this only too well. Though it appeared she’d reached her destination more than once, she was sent on her way with a new map to follow. Her story is proof that not only talent, but tenacity is important in this industry. Enjoy!
~ Dawn


Dianna T. Benson’s Journey to Publication

I started writing my first book in 1993 when my oldest child was a newborn. After completing five novels, having two more children, earning my EMS degree and working for two years as an EMT, I signed with my first agent in 2007. Six agents offered me representation that spring; it was a difficult choice between them since all six are top-notch.

In the fall of 2007, a film agent requested a screenplay of The Hidden Son after reading the book. In early 2009, just before I completed the script, the film agent suddenly retired due to health issues. I never pursued anything further with the script, and I focused back on writing novels.

Later in 2009, I received a four-book publishing contract offer, but turned it down to focus on my young family since my husband had just been diagnosed with head and neck cancer and our oldest daughter was only sixteen, our son was thirteen and our youngest daughter was only nine.

In 2011, I won the Genesis in the mystery/suspense/thriller category. In 2012, I signed with a new agent; within days I had a contract offer from B&H, a large traditional publisher. That contract was pending for thirteen weeks due to the publishing house facing difficulties (less than a year later, they permanently discontinued their fiction department). During those thirteen weeks, my agent let go of all the other interest in my writing. I considered ending my writing career before it even really began. Since EMS has always been a part time career for me (too intense for full time), I applied to Penn State to earn my Masters in psychology to become a social worker out in the field (not clinical) – Think: EMS without the medical aspects. I was accepted into the psychology program and decided to put my writing career on hold.

But…due to my Genesis win, Ellechor Publishing House, a small traditional publishing house, contacted me, requesting me to submit to them. Within days, they offered me a nine-book contract.

In March 2013, The Hidden Son released. Final Trimester is my second release.

For details on what led me to start writing that first book in 1993, read my WRITING page on my website: www.diannatbenson.com

Also….for words of encouragement for writers, view my WRITING page on my website.



Tweetables:

The path to publication can be a mountainous, winding road containing detours and dead ends, but the destination can still be reached. Click to tweet.

Dianna T. Benson’s journey to publication is proof that not only talent, but tenacity is important in the industry. Click to tweet.




Book One in the Quigley Triplets Series


Paramedic Jodi Duncan recognizes the work of a serial killer before the Myrtle Beach PD even suspects a connection between the deaths of two pregnant women. Despite the vast differences in the two cases, Jodi urges Detective Nate Quigley to think outside the box. After digging deep into the separate investigations, Nate finds no evidence to support a serial killer theory, and he warns Jodi to back off police business, which only fuels her passion for the cases.

When a third pregnant woman is murdered, Nate is named lead detective on the case and works to link the deaths in order to unmask and stop the serial murderer, a disturbed man who believes God and the devil battle inside his head to bend him according to their wills. As he fights both voices, his interest fixates on Jodi when he discovers her obsession with ending his rampage.




Dianna Torscher Benson is a 2014 Selah Award Winner, a 2011 Genesis Winner, a 2011 Genesis double Semi-Finalist, a 2010 Daphne de Maurier Finalist, and a 2007 Golden Palm Finalist. In 2012, she signed a nine-book contract with Ellechor Publishing House. She’s the author of The Hidden Son, her debut novel. Final Trimester is her second release.  

After majoring in communications and a ten-year career as a travel agent, Dianna left the travel industry to earn her EMS degree. An EMT and a Haz-Mat and FEMA Operative since 2005, she loves the adrenaline rush of responding to medical emergencies and helping people in need.

Dianna lives in North Carolina with her husband and their three children.


Her releases are available wherever books are sold. Below are the links to Final Trimester at the three largest booksellers: