a book proposal …

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord
would fulfill his promises to her!
Luke 1:45 {NIV}

This is the one where I whisper to you that I’m finally pursuing what He whispered to me back in 2009.

Apart from the upcoming 31 Days of Faith e-book release, I’ve been working on another writing project … putting a book proposal together … for a real-hold-in-your-hands book!

Here’s the scoop … I saw a writing conference announced last year and was intrigued by it. But … given that I’m single mommying it right now, I wasn’t real sure how I’d pull off getting to San Diego for a conference. So I let it go and figured if it was meant to be, it’d come back around again.

And it did. But even better.

I first saw the conference announcement on Sarah Mae’s blog. That was when I put it aside. Only then, she announced it again but this time with a bonus! One commenter would win an hour of “coffee time” with Sarah Mae. I commented. And I won.

On my birthday no less!

Coincidence? No.
God? Yes.

So that’s that …

In the meantime, I felt a stronger and stronger pull to put an e-book together with my 31 days of faith series. And so I did. And spent the better part of January working on it. When it was finally finished and off to the designer for formatting, I was breathing a sigh of writing relief.

And then.

Something, somewhere, in the back of the ol’ noggin I vaguely remembered a contest for a publishing deal {offered through the writing conference}. And so I checked. And sure enough, the contest was still open, but I had only a week to put together an actual proposal and get it submitted.

YIKES! with a capital YIKES!

One week.

Items required in the proposal:

  • a two sentence snapshot of your story {‘scuse me? two sentences!?!}
  • an overview of your story and the societal need for it to be told
  • a title. and subtitle
  • competitive landscape {including title, author, publisher} on like subjects
  • how your book will differ from those gone before you
  • author background and what makes you the one to tell your story
  • benefits your book will have on readers
  • potential endorsers
  • chapter summaries
  • a full chapter

Did I mention I had exactly ONE WEEK to pull all of this together?

But I did it. With the help of an amazing and encouraging editor, I did it.

Actually, I can’t take all the credit … each time I sat at my keyboard, I asked God to join me … using my fingers as His instrument. There isn’t a single doubt in my mind that He met me just as I asked. I absolutely could not have finished on my own.

I’m not sure if I should be sharing all this … I notice other bloggers/writers suddenly announce they got a book deal! But there was no mention prior. I guess I’m the girl that announces pregnancy as soon as I see the “plus” sign! I figure if something happens, I want people to mourn with me, so why not let them in on the rejoicing part too?

And that’s where I am. Rejoice with me? Even if I don’t “win” this contest, I am forever thankful I have this proposal put together. It gave me direction, excitement, and commitment to tell my story.

Ten finalists will be announced February 15 and the winner on March 3. Oh, and did I mention the publisher sponsoring the contest?!

You may have heard of them? Tyndale House Publishers! :)

So there ya have it folks! I’ll keep you posted! And ‘member that sneak peek and promise of details? Hoping to have a set release date for you next week! And can I just tell y’all thank you? Thank you so much for the encouraging response I received via comments, emails, twitter, and facebook on the sneak peek … I was seriously blessed and encouraged! Thank you!

Stay tuned …

 

18 Comments

  1. ovid ricketson February 10, 2012 at 5:41 am

    God? very much yes….

    Reply
  2. dawn February 10, 2012 at 6:41 am

    xoxo! i love that you are inviting all to join in the ride… the more prayers the better!

    Reply
  3. Beryl February 10, 2012 at 7:02 am

    Wow again Tracie! How exciting!, I bet you will eventually get someone to publish this book, even if it isn’t this particular publisher. Good luck!

    Reply
  4. Melanie Cross February 10, 2012 at 7:54 am

    Just smiling in awe as God works through you. So glad you are sharing the ride with us!

    Reply
  5. Tiffany February 10, 2012 at 8:32 am

    so amazing Tra! You once again amaze me with all you can do!

    Reply
  6. Susan Lesperance February 10, 2012 at 8:58 am

    Tracie, congratulations…your hard work, persistence, dedication, and top notch writing skills will come together in a excellent book. Along the way and throughout the process of writing it, God will be there with you…encouraging you, giving you strength and helping you share your message to those who want and those who need it. Well done. You go girl!

    Reply
  7. Mildred Yon February 10, 2012 at 9:28 am

    God is so amazing, congratulation on your new book, what a milestone.

    Reply
  8. Trish February 10, 2012 at 9:39 am

    Wow oh Wow!! So very excited for you that I have goosebumps!! No matter what happens Tracie, you listened to the promptings of the LORD and followed through! Can’t wait to see and hear what happens next. :)

    Reply
  9. Lisa February 10, 2012 at 9:44 am

    so very proud of you!!!!

    Lisa

    Reply
  10. Jenny February 10, 2012 at 10:37 am

    about time…. ;-) can’t wait to romp into my local bookstore and buy it someday and announce to the world that i knew you before you were famous. xoxo~

    Reply
  11. stacey February 10, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    Just so proud of you. Oh, and I’d like my copy signed please.

    :) stacey

    Reply
  12. Nancy February 10, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    Happiness! You are SO getting a book deal. A-real-life-hold-it-in-your-hand-book-deal! You deserve it. You’re an amazing writer & your story will INSPIRE! Thanks for sharing your good news! It’s making me SMILE!!

    Reply
  13. heather February 10, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    Congrats on getting such a big undertaking completed and submitted in that short time-frame. Good luck!

    Reply
  14. Leslie February 10, 2012 at 4:15 pm

    I’m gonna be the first in line to get my autographed copy! :-) You know how proud I am of you for doing this!! Love you!

    Reply
  15. Km February 10, 2012 at 11:48 pm

    Yay!!!!!!! A huge hug for you! So excited to see your adventures in writing unfold!!!!! I love that you are a share at the PLUS sign kinda girl! I am a share waaaay later kinda person and it is so inspiring to see it from your shoes. Xoxoxoxo!!!!

    Reply
  16. Meredith February 11, 2012 at 9:20 am

    This is awesome! I am so excited for you!

    I don’t even know what competitive lanscape IS, so I am really glad you were able to get it all pulled together!
    Covering the whole thing in prayer, and praising Him for the opportunities that you have ALREADY been given!!

    xoxo

    Reply
  17. Mildred Yon February 12, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    Ovid,
    In hospital with pneumonia needs your prayer.
    Telephone Number 478-975-6406
    Mildred

    Reply
  18. Heather McKinstry February 12, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    GOD ROCKS! and so do YOU!

    Reply

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