 |
| Marianne Evans |
Take
a peek at one of my treasured writing mementos. What you see here is my ‘First
Sale’ box, given to me by my local Romance Writers of America Chapter. Greater
Detroit RWA has a wonderful tradition of awarding crystal boxes to those who
cross the threshold from ‘pre-published’ to ‘published.’ It gave me quite a
start to reflect on the date.
July
26, 1996.
An
entire tidal wave of evolution has occurred in the industry since that long-ago
day—a paradigm shift to which the world of publishing continues to adjust. Back
then, publication avenues were incredibly limited. There were, perhaps, five
‘big’ publishers, with a variety of genres under their far-reaching umbrellas. Authors
scrambled to claim a set number of publication spots that came and went in
monthly rotations. Worse yet, in many cases, it took up to a year for an author
to hear word on a submission and multi-submissions were not accepted. Imagine
the crushing blow of waiting and hoping for that length of time with all your
“eggs” in one basket, only to receive the dreaded rejection letter and somehow
find the temerity to continue.
Well,
been there and done that, friends. Too many times to count. To this day, great
writers, great stories, fail to hit the relentlessly narrow requirements of
winning entrée to large, traditional publishing houses. But the big publishers
did not, and will not, have the final say.
So,
where’s my dose of Monday encouragement? Right here: Enter authors on a
mission. Enter—a revolution.
E-readers
and E-books came alive during my writing tenure, changing the landscape of
book-buying, and reading, forever. Once regarded by writers and publishers
alike as nothing more than a joke, self-publishing transformed into a
formidable force with increasing reach, impact, and importance. Why? Because authors
took their craft, and their dreams, seriously. They refused to die. They
created the stories of their heart, then pursued good editing and production
value. Those efforts have taken publishing even further by storm and opened
avenues for an increasing population of talented authors.
I’ve
loved watching the way publishing parameters have expanded. More great stories,
and great authors, are finding a voice in the new world of publishing.
Reflecting on my 20-plus years in the industry makes me realize how blessed we
are as the result.
So, ignore
the shifts and shimmies under your feet and keep your eyes on the prize. Share a
story from your heart that flows from head to page and into a world of
publishing that is more welcoming than at any other point in history. The
options are limitless.
CLICK TO TWEET!
CLICK TO TWEET!
~~~~~
Every saint has a past…and every sinner has a future.
Country music
bad boy Chase Bradington is on the comeback trail. Fresh from rehab for alcohol
addiction, and transformed by the power of Christ, Chase is battling to
rediscover the music he loves and a career he nearly ruined. Then he meets up
and comer, Pyper Brock, and instantly sparks ignite.
Pyper knows
of Chase’s reputation, so despite a rampant attraction to the handsome and
talented icon, she soundly dismisses his romantic overtures. Decades ago, her
father, in a drunken rage, tossed her and her mother onto the streets. No way
will Pyper make the mistake of falling for a man whose done battle with the
bottle.
What happens
when Chase’s quest to win Pyper’s love breaks down chains of resentment and
eases the long-buried wounds of her childhood? And what happens when Pyper’s father
shows up in Nashville, clean, sober and seeking a chance to apologize?
Can Pyper
follow a pathway to peace when it comes to her father? Can she fully trust
Chase? Above all, can a sin damaged past be released in favor of forgiveness?
~~~~~
Marianne
Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is
to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He
prompts her to create. Readers laude her work as “Riveting,”
“Realistic and true to heart,” “Compelling.”
Her Christian fiction debut,
Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence
Award. Her follow-up novel, Forgiveness, earned Christian Small Publisher Book
of the Year honors as did her book Hearts Communion. She is also a two-time
recipient of the Selah Award for her books Then & Now and Finding
Home.
Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and
an active member of Romance Writers of America, most notably the Greater
Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. You can connect with Marianne
at www.marianneevans.com.
