REFLECTIONS of 2011

2011

REFLECTIONS

As I look back on the year 2011, I can only say that I am truly humbled by the journey the Lord has taken me on...

It was only in 2007 that the Holy Spirit gave me the inspiration and words to write my first three children's books (Frog on a Log, Baby Beetle & the Sun, and My Forgivefullness). By 2009, three more books were completed (Nitti Gritti Smitty, Vinny Vain Liked to Complain, and Mr. Pitt & Lickety's Split). 

It wasn't until 2011 that the Holy Spirit prompted me to publish my manuscripts through digital media (Amazon) and it has been a whirlwind of an experience ever since! In the short time of just a little over 5 months, I have learned so much about the publishing world that I never knew before. This journey has really opened my eyes and life to a world of creativity and imagination.  I have met some truly wonderful people in the book industry and have opened myself up to a world that I never knew before.

And as far as my books...

Out of the six books I had written, four of the books were published as eBooks and placed for sale on Amazon. Well I am happy to report that the four books have been doing well in their short publishing life. Collectively, I have sold close to 400 books and the number continues to rise. One of my books rose as high in rank to the #4 slot on Amazon!! Yay!!!! ("Heaven is For Real," published by Thomas Nelson and, "The Beginner's Bible" published by HarperCollins, took the #1-3 slots respectively. And a book by Max Lucado was ranked in the #5 slot). To say that one of my titles was right behind those popular books, and close in rank to one of Max Lucado's books, is truly a gift from God! I can only hope and pray that the momentum continues.

My goals for 2012: Write more books (I have started three more books, but they have yet to be completed). Publish the remaining two titles that were written in 2007 that I have yet to publish as eBooks. And turn all my digital eBooks into hardcover/paperback form.

I would like to say thank you to all who have made this journey fun, exciting, inspirational, and possible! Special 'shout-outs' to Editor Jennifer Moody for perfecting the words and style of my books and to illustrator Jeffrey Duckworth for all of the cover designs. And a special thank you to my husband, kids, family, and friends for their ongoing and endless support! Even if I had not sold one book, my experiences and meeting so many new and exciting people have been worth any struggles I have encountered while on this journey. Now that 2011 is almost a thing of the past, here's to another year of new beginnings, new challenges, new successes, and meeting more creative and inspirational people! I pray the same for you!!

And of course, thanks be to God for directing my steps and making all of this possible! Looking forward to what He has in store for me in the New Year!

HAVE A VERY MERRY AND BLESSED 

NEW YEAR!   

In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps, Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

God Bless!

T Denise Clary

Year 2011

It is now 2011 and I have caught you up to where I am at in the present day of things. I decided to self publish instead of taking the "traditional" publishing route. More control, more royalties! Of course I may change my mind about my decision later, but for right now I feel I am moving in the right direction.

Side note: I did attempt to obtain an agent, but after sending my manuscript to one particular agency in New York and NEVER hearing from them. I decided, the heck with that!!!!  An author spends so much time developing their manuscript...writing, re-writing, editing, more editing. Then spending a GREAT deal of time putting together a synopsis, query letters, etc etc, and to NOT hear anything from the agency you spent so much time in researching and reviewing and getting to know them (of course not personally but after you have spent so much time researching their company, you feel like you know them personally!!). I was not only frustrated, but incredibly ANNOYED at their lack of response--even a "BUZZ" off would have been something better than nothing. At least some acknowledgment would mean that they at least received the material, may not have looked at it, but at least they received it. However, when you don't hear ANYTHING from ANYBODY, that pretty much tells you what???

NADA, ZILCH, NOTHING!!!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All that time and effort and nothing...

I have received rejection letters before and even experienced the "No response means NO" policy. So why did this particular agencies response (or LACK THEREOF) annoy me so much? Because nowhere in their submission policy did they mention they were utilizing the "No response means No" method. In fact, there policy specifically stated that if an author didn't hear from them within 2 weeks, to send an inquiring email to XXXXX.  Which I did, but no response! SIGH. I don't mind the "no response means no" policy, as long as it is clearly stated in the agency policy.

So, I decided that route was NOT for me. I wasn't going to waste any more time on people that weren't interested in me or my material. So I decided to self-publish!