Friday, April 15, 2011

IT'S COMING!

My first book is due to make it's appearance officially on May 3rd. I'm anxiously awaiting the copies that will be delivered to my home the end of this week or the beginning of next week. It's a surreal kind of feeling to know that all these months of waiting and working will soon result in the book I worked on for so long.  Yes, I'm excited. But in truth, this isn't about MY BOOK. This is about the work of a lot of people behind the scenes helping me reach this point. I consider it OUR BOOK. It really is a team effort. God really knows how to bring a team together.

I thought I knew how much work and team effort went into the creation of a book before I received my contract. But now after experiencing the past year I know I didn't know as much as I thought I did. When Debbie Marrie acquired this book I was thrilled. I knew Mike Dellosso wrote for Charisma House and was a member of ACFW so I e-mailed him and asked all kinds of newbie-just-got-a-contract type questions. He was always patient and enthusiastic.

I asked Rachelle Gardner of  WordServe Literary to be my agent. We talked and she agreed. She was there for me when I really needed some guidance. Lori Vanden Bosch, my very patient editor, worked so hard to help me learn the ropes. And there were so many others Ann Mulchan, Anna Silva, Deb Moss, Jihan and Woodley. Then everyone who worked along with Bill Johnson to complete my cover, which I just love. Forgive me if I missed someone. I'm sure I probably did. Just leave a comment and remind me. :)

And of course there are all of the people who helped teach me through years. James Scott Bell, Colleen Coble, Deb Raney, Mae Nunn, Angie Hunt, Kathleen Morgan, Linda Windsor, Tamara Alexander, and many more. The American Christian Fiction Writers were paramount in helping me become the writer I am now and I know they will continue to help me grow. That's one of the things I love about the writing life, you never really know everything there is to know. It's fun to study the craft of writing and I look forward to learning more every year. I enjoy trying to get better and better.

And even more important than all of this are the writers who prayed for me and my family for years as we went through a very difficult time. It has not been an easy road, but then it rarely is for most of us. But through it all, God is faithful.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Secrets of the Heart, just leave a comment and I'll throw all the names in a hat and pull one out. Charisma House Media will send you a copy of our baby. Don't forget to leave an e-mail where I can reach you. You can leave comments until Sunday night the 17th at midnight. I'll announce the winner in a comment on Monday's post. I'd like to know what you love most about historical romance. And if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Gratefully,
Jillian

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to read! Love you Jillian. Valarie, mjk112233@aol.com

Rocky said...

Congratulations Jillian! Wow, it really is a team effort isn't it? But you, YOU, did the heavy lifting. :-) Sounds like a great book!
- Rocky Lewis, rockylewis@gmail.com

Mike Dellosso said...

Yay, Jill. So happy for you! Can't wait for the book to hit stores!

Story and Logic Media Group said...

I would love a chance to read your book, Julian.

Thanks for the peek inside the team work it takes to get a book published.

sharonalavy (at) gmail.com

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Val! So glad you dropped in. Helen already got it!

Rocky. Thanks so much for the kind words. There was a lot of heavy lifting.:)

Hey Mike. Like you, Secrets is in stock on Amazon! It's so exciting that we have books coming out at the same time. What fun!

Hi Sharon! So happy to see your beautiful smile here. It's all about team work!

paula said...

I love christian fiction and books that run in a series. I always want to know what happens to the characters. I can't wait to read it and pass it along to my friends and family.
Paula, paulagough@gmail.com

Heidi Chiavaroli said...

So exciting, Jill! Can't wait to read it!

Heidi Chiavaroli

Unknown said...

How Exciting Jill! Sounds like a great book. I am looking forward to reading it.

Unknown said...

How exciting, Jill! Sounds like a great book! Can't wait to read it.
Beth

Anonymous said...

It's been so much fun working with you. You are phenominal! I'm looking forward to your second book. I already bought your first book so don't draw my name

Ginny Powers

Nicole M. Miller said...

I can't wait! I'm so excited for you, Jill!

Nicole

nicolemillerbooks[at]gmail[dot]com

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Paula,
So fun to see you here. I'm glad you like reading series. Me too.:)

Hey Heidi. We haven't talked forever. Maybe that's because we're both busy writing. :)

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Beth. Thanks for entering.

Ginny my friend. You bought it already? Thanks kiddo!

Thanks Nicole. Your such a sweetie.

Jamie Adams said...

Congratulations on your book. You must be so excited! I love to read historical fiction and look forward to adding your book to my collection.
Jamie
adamsfammys@yahoo.com

Susanne Dietze said...

Congratulations! I am thrilled for you, and I can't wait to hold your book in my hands.

Reading about all of those who helped with this project was encouraging. Thanks!

srdietze at sbcglobal dot net

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Jamie,
Thanks for the congrats! I am excited. I love the idea of being a part of someone's collection. I'm thrilled that you love historicals.

Hey Susie!
So glad you're here. And it does take so many to bring a book into readers hands. An amazing process.

GinnyAiken said...

Congratulations, Jill! And you have every reason to be proud--what a gorgeous cover. Please don't draw my name. I want to BUY a copy ;-) Just wanted to stop by and celebrate God's goodness with you.

Jeannie Campbell, LMFT said...

my favorite thing about historicals is escaping to a different time period altogether. i open a book and i'm living in 1860. i also like to pick up little tidbits of interest, like the usage of herbs for healing, things like that.

i'm so excited for your new release! i hope and pray for many more of these!

jeannie
the character therapist
charactertherapist (at) hotmail (dot) com

Jillian Kent said...

Ginny, you are too good to me. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful cover. And the inside has some special surprises too, besides the story. :) Thanks Ginny!

Jeannie. The best character therapist in town! You know I love escaping into the past and looking for those character motivations. I think it's time I visit your website again soon. Thanks for dropping by Jeannie and for your help.

dtopliff said...

Very nice blog & I love the teamwork expressed here. Will look forward to rdg. your book, whether I win a copy, or track down once it reaches my public library. Blessings!

AngBreidenbach said...

Excited for you, Jill.
Angie

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this chance, Jill. I love trying new authors!

Cara Putman said...

Jillian, SO excited for you. Relish every moment of that first book release!

Anonymous said...

I think what I love most about a historical is that I almost always learn something I didn't know. I love the cover by the way. Please enter me. kimberlyj503(at)gmail(dot)com

Jillian Kent said...

dtopliff,
So glad you like the blog. A real variety of authors here. Thanks for the kind words.

Hi Angie,
It's a special time.

Hi Karin,
I'm glad you are one of those folks brave enough to try new authors. Not everyone will do that.

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Cara!
I still remember when you got your first contract at ACFW. So glad you stopped by. Thanks!

Hi Kimberly,
So glad you like the cover. And isn't it fun that even though it's fiction you can still learn intersting facts? Just love it. Glad you popped in.

BG Lashbrooks said...

Writing and releasing a novel is a huge team effort. I've learned that recently myself.

I also have an historical being released on May 3rd.

I love historicals because history is not just about facts and figures, but about the people making that history. I want to know how they lived and felt.

I can't wait to read your book, and congrats on the release!

bglashbrooks@yahoo.com

Jillian Kent said...

HI BG,
Congratulations on Olivia's Journey releasing May 3rd. What is it about May 3rd? Seems like many novels are releasing on that date this year.
I like what you said about, "history is not just about facts and figures, but about the people making that history."

Thanks for coming by. Drop in often. Jill

fudge4ever said...

Hi Jillian,
just discovered this website. Looks good! Lots of good writing advice and ideas.
write now at shaw dot ca

Katie Marie said...

Certainly enter me to win this wonderful book! It looks great!!

~ Katy
agirlslegacy(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ann Lee Miller said...

Thanks for the chance to win! Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Everyone,
The drawing was this morning and dtopliff won. Thanks to everyone who participated.
There will be more drawings for books on this blog in the future so stay tuned.