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| Athena Dean Holtz |
I met Athena Dean Holtz some years ago
through the Northwest Christian Writer’s Association (she’s currently the
president.) I love the story she shares today, but let me tell you, this is
only a small part of her amazing journey. I have so much respect for this
woman. To learn more, please check out her memoir, Full
Circle: Coming Home to the Faithfulness of God. ~ Dawn
Divine Appointments Bring
Fruitful Ministry Opportunities
Entering the world of publishing as a neophyte back in 1986
while serving in the ministry to Vietnam veterans and their wives, I learned
the power of the written word and how lives can be changed forever.
Many small groups scattered across the country, gatherings of
vets sharing their struggles and pain, praying for one another. We felt called
to give them spiritual solutions to their Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder rather
than leaving them with the VA’s answers – take meds and learn to cope!
Rejection letters filled our mail box. We weren’t famous, the
ministry wasn’t huge, and Vietnam veterans weren’t considered a great audience.
Finally, an acquaintance who worked for a denomination’s publications division
offered a response that seemed do-able.
“I’ll do a rewrite of the manuscript, have a cover designed,
format the text, apply for an ISBN number, and have 10,000 copies printed for a
buck a piece!”
God had orchestrated this “divine appointment” but we had no
idea where the money would come from! We prayed and trusted Him for the
provision for the vision He’d planted in our hearts. Just a week later a Korean
vet walked into the Point Man Ministries offices in Woodinville and wrote out a
check for the entire project. Just like that.
In just 2 years, we sold 8,000 copies of “Nam Vet: Making
Peace with Your Past” giving away the other 2,000 at events across the country.
In 1988, we were interviewed on the 700 Club about an upcoming Veteran’s
Conference the ministry was hosting in Virginia.
One of the guests was impressed by the sales and offered to
act as an agent and pitch the book to a traditional publisher. At the National
Religious Broadcasters Convention, he met with Larry Libby, Senior Editor for
Multnomah Publishers. Larry quickly offered a contract and Multnomah sold
40,000 copies over the next eight years. Many vets were saved and healed
through the words in that book.
That success story started me on a journey that has been an
amazing story of God’s grace. We started the first professional custom
publishing company in the industry and I pioneered the independent publishing
movement in the Christian market over the next few decades. I was the first
custom publisher invited to serve on faculty of some of the most credible
Christian writers’ conferences across the country because we were passionate
about excellence and telling authors the truth about whether their books were really
ready for publication or not. We required editing and proofreading and prided
ourselves on producing books that didn’t look “self-published!” That successful
20-year-old company was a God idea that got hijacked by the enemy, but God was
faithful to restore all that was stolen and birth Redemption Press in January
of 2014.
My 30-year adventure in publishing encountered many twists and
turns, including a modern-day Cinderella story which has now been shared in my
memoir, “Full
Circle: Coming Home to the Faithfulness of God,” (Redemption Press, 2017).
In the
aftermath of spiritual abuse and toxic leadership, one woman’s shattered life
is restored by the faithfulness of God. Athena’s driving desire for affirmation
and attention pulled her away from her family, husband, and children into what
she thought would bring happiness. Deceived by Scientology, forays into
mysticism, and twelve years in a restrictive and legalistic cult, she lost
everything: her marriage, relationships, home, business, money, and reputation.
This is the candid and inspirational story of how her eyes were opened, how God
restored what had been lost, and gave her the desires of her heart, including a
new love.
Athena Dean Holtz
has been at the forefront of Christian custom publishing for the last 28 years.
The co-founder of WinePress Publishing, she now leads Redemption Press. Author
of three previous books, and a highly-rated personal blog, she serves as president
of the Northwest Christian Writers Association, is a president’s club member of
the Christian Women in Media Association, and a member of Advanced Writer &
Speaker Association. She serves as host and interviewer on Always Faithful
Radio, AM 630 KCIS, Seattle. Married to Ross Holtz, pastor of The Summit,
Athena enjoys her grandchildren and time spent sailing. The couple makes their
home in Enumclaw, Wash. www.athenadeanholtz.com
