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| Dawn Kinzer |
At the end of the day, Thanksgiving 2015, we left the family
gathering—my husband, my daughter, my son-in-law, and my twenty-month-old
grandson—and headed for the hospital. What a better way to celebrate the
holiday than to give thanks for a new life brought into the world.
No—not my daughter this time! Ana’s friend had become a new
mother, and our close friends had become first-time grandparents that morning.
We called ahead, not wanting to intrude on anyone needing rest, but were told
they wanted us there.
As the new parents expressed concerns about their
roles and being bombarded with advice from well-meaning friends and family
members, Ana and Shawn looked at them and offered these wise words. “Do what
feels right for you and your baby.”
As months passed, I heard several times how much those
simple words still meant to the new parents. By accepting the freedom to make
their own choices—instead of trying to follow a variety of opinions on how to
raise their child—they were saved from going crazy.
What has this to do with writing?
It’s important—valuable—to glean what we can from those who
have more experience. We can learn from their mistakes and gain helpful
knowledge. But, at the end of the day, we still need to do what feels right for
us.
There was a time when I thought I would never self-publish.
You know the saying. Never say never. So, here I am, going down the indie path
with a debut novel. Sarah’s Smile,
the first book in The Daughters of Riverton series, is being released on
October 14.
How did I get here?
I sought traditional publishing for years, and some publishers and agents seemed interested. Requests for manuscripts were
made, but rejections followed.
A respected agent lost my manuscript and asked me to send it again—twice—over the course
of a year. Then she dropped communication. I felt so
discouraged. I’m a “doer,” and I’m also kind of a control freak, so the thought
of leaving my publication hopes in the hands of other people felt unsettling. At the same time,
indie publishing was becoming a reputable avenue.
Then two years ago, my husband and I started talking about
self-publishing. What would that look like? What would it take to become an
indie author? I was already freelance editing, so I had experience in running a
small business. But to pay people to edit, proofread, and design covers? Spend
money with no guarantee that we’d break even?
I knew without a doubt it was the path I was to take after
my husband and I prayed about the decision and he felt complete peace about
moving forward. At first I was shocked. He’s always so careful about budgets
and making sure money is well-spent. But his confidence gave me what I needed
to jump in. We agreed we had to view indie-publishing as something more than
possible income—we had to embrace it as a ministry—a calling.
Some may choose traditional publishing. Some may choose
indie-publishing. Others may want to live in both worlds as a hybrid. Regardless, there are decisions to make in terms of platform,
marketing, website formats, blogs, social media, etc. etc. etc.
So, whatever you choose . . . do what feels right for you.
In
1902, Sarah McCall is waiting to leave for the mission field when the man she
once loved steps back into her life. Abandoned as a child by her mother and
gambler father, she strives to overcome a tarnished history she didn’t create
and a heartbreak she can’t forget.
Peter
Caswell returns to his Wisconsin hometown a pastor, dedicated to his
four-year-old daughter and new congregation. But no matter how hard he tries to
move on with his life, he can’t forgive himself for his wife’s death.
When
Sarah learns that Peter is returning to Riverton, the letter giving her
departure date for Africa can’t come soon enough for her. They were best
friends—she loved him and supported his dreams—but he married another and broke
her heart. Although ten years have passed since he left Riverton, Peter hopes
Sarah still cares enough to give him a second chance. But a charming newcomer
pursues her affections—and Sarah’s childhood nemesis manipulates her way into
Peter’s life. Will Sarah and Peter find their way to forgiveness and each
other, or will past mistakes make a life together impossible?
BOOK
CLUB MEMBERS: You’ll find 20+ questions included for
discussion and reflection.
Releases October 14 on Amazon in paperback and e-book. E-book available for pre-order now.
Dawn Kinzer has
been published in the Christian Fiction
Online Magazine, the Backyard Friends
magazine, The One Year Life Verse
Devotional, and A Joyful Heart:
Experiencing the Light of His Love, and featured on the radio ministry, The Heartbeat of the Home. Sarah’s Smile is the first book in her
Daughters of Riverton series.
A mom and grandmother, she lives with her husband in the
beautiful Pacific Northwest. Favorite
things include dark chocolate, cinnamon, popcorn, strong coffee, good wine, the
mountains, family time, and Masterpiece
Theatre.
Find out more about Dawn and her books by visiting:
