Please welcome guest writer Betsy St. Amant, fellow White Rose author and good friend, as she shares her journey to publication and beyond.
True Confessions: My Journey
Do you ever feel that you should start your personal story with a confession?
Hello, my name is Betsy St. Amant, and I’m an author. ::grin:: It feels that way sometimes, doesn’t it? Writers have it tough. Not only do we have to learn about the craft of writing and implement these never-ending rules and suggestions into our stories, but we also have to go through critiques, submissions, rejections, head-banging-against-the-desk . . . oh wait.
But you see what I mean. Not only do we go endure the creative exhaustion of pouring our souls on paper, we have to face the harsh reality of someone in the industry not liking it.
My journey to publication was just that. Pathetic attempts, learning, slightly less pathetic attempts, more learning, then submissions, embarrassment, new drafts, head-banging, resubmitting, prayer, exhaustion, defeat, and then—success. Or so I thought.
When my first contemporary romance was picked up by The Wild Rose Press, a new POD press, I thought I had arrived. I was so excited to receive an acceptance letter instead of another rejection; I dove in headfirst, expecting others to share my joy. Not entirely true. My friends and family were happy and supportive, of course, but other writers had pointy pins ready to pop my bubble. Apparently POD publishing (print on demand) wasn’t viewed with the same respect or recognition as mainstreaming publishing through the more traditional houses like Steeple Hill, Tyndale, Thomas Nelson, etc.
This was very discouraging to me but I pressed on. I published two more short story e-books with The Wild Rose Press and learned a lot from my sweet editor.
In the fall of 2007, I signed with Tamela Hancock Murray of Hartline Literary Agency and a few months later, she sold my next romance to Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Things really happened fast then. I went through the process with Steeple Hill, and ended up with two more contracts a few months after that. I’ve been a busy girl with deadlines the past year, plus a new baby, a new house, and big career changes in my family.
But I wouldn’t have it any other way, and you know what else? I wouldn’t change my beginning, either. I’m proud to say I started my writing journey at The Wild Rose Press and would recommend other authors getting their “pens” wet there, too.
My advice, from my personal journey, is to keep an open mind, pray about your career decisions, and go where God leads you—whether that be self publishing, POD publishing, e-books, print books, etc. Don’t let others around you discourage you from your dream. Do listen to the advice of respected and trusted mentors and friends, but remember that your career and writing ministry ultimately comes down to you and to God. So boldly walk through the doors He opens and don’t pay attention to the negative whispers from the hallway.
Hello, my name is Betsy St. Amant, and I’m an author—and proud of it. =)
Betsy St. Amant lives in
