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Posts Tagged ‘Hush in the Storm’

HUSH IN THE STORM LAUNCHED TODAY

Posted in Books, tagged , , , , on August 6, 2014| 3 Comments »

In 2008 God gave me a dream – write a novel. I did, and self-published in 2012- Focused. But the desire to be recognized by a traditional publisher was the popcorn kernel wedged in my gum. Now, that is a reality – doubled! Both novels I had written, Hush in the Storm and Legitimate Lies are contracted with Prism Book Group.  Hush in the Storm debuts today. Legitimate Lies will debut in January, 2015. God is good.

Where did I find Him today? Right next to me, smiling as any daddy would when he sees his daughter receive a gift she’s wanted for so long. Thanks Abba.

hush in the storm promo.

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It’s Time

Posted in Books, tagged , , , , , on July 18, 2014| 4 Comments »

Have you ever had everything suddenly fall into place? Your heartfelt, deepest dream come true? This week, I did. And I saw God’s fingerprints all over it. It brought me to my knees in tearful gratitude.

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Six years ago I had a dream – write a novel and attract a well know publishing house.For five years the windows and doors slammed in my face.  I indy-pubbed one novel that has had mild success and six non-fiction works. But still, I was not recognized in the Christian publishing world.

Over the past year and a half, that dream has come true…twice!  At first the curtains quivered. Then a ray of light poured in with one email in response to a query- I was under contract for Hush in the Storm. Was it really happening? My dream slowly evolved into truth. My eyes began to adjust. Inch by inch, more light streamed into my dream, waking me into the fact this is a reality. Dare I believe it?

Then the editor-in-chief of Prism Book Group, the publishing house who contracted with me, read my novel and proclaimed it as “brilliant, just brilliant, and A+++.”  She asked if I had another WIP (work in progress), which I did.  I’d just finished the first draft of the next novel, Legitimate Lies. Within an hour I had my second contract and an editor assigned to me. Within two days, I had the cover already done!

Last week, I signed up for a book e-blast to advertise Hush in the Storm’s launch on August 6th.  I expected them to blast it across cyberspace in a few weeks when Hush in the Storm releases. Then I got an email that it was my “blast day.” My heart sunk. Oh, no. I’ve wasted my money. It’s too early. Three hours later, I got a surprise email from my publisher. My novel was on Amazon at a pre-order discount rate!

The curtains drew back, the sash flew open, and the sun poured in. God’s timing evident. I felt His warmth envelop me, His perfect love pat me on the back.”See,” I heard His soft whisper to my heart, “I’ve got this.”

Within two days, I have landed four book signings and my press release has been accepted by five local papers, which will reach 125,000 readers. Just like that. Ads for my signings will also appear the week they happen. Sash inched higher and higher. Fresh, fragrant air whiffed in, like the first spring day after a long winter.

ECover copy I don’t know if I will sell 50 or 50,000 copies. That is truly in God’s hands. All I know is when I finally hold it in paperback form next month,they are going to shake with joy as my lips quiver – just as when I first held my son moments after birth.

After all, a Christian novel is like a baby. You have long gestation period when you wonder how it is forming and if it will be okay. Then you get a contract and the heartbeats sound stronger and stronger. You feel small flutters, then kicks as it grows and evolves through the help of critique groups. Near the end, the labor pains of editing start. Finally, it happens – a new creation, orchestrated by God becomes a tangible, hold-in-your-hands reality.

.I trust in the fact He will use it to His glory and touch hearts with it’s message, just as He has planned. He already knows whose faith-walk it will encourage, and who will be respond to it’s message. It’s time…His time.

Thank you dearest Lord for honoring my dream. How undeserving I feel, and humbly blessed. I wonder what unstated dreams hiding in my soul You are waiting to bring to fruition next…

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A Moving Experience

Posted in Life Experiences, tagged , , , , , , , on July 11, 2014| Leave a Comment »

ID-100131553Maybe some of you who follow me on Facebook heard of my plight…

During the recent move to a new apartment, I lost my desktop computer to damage. Not only that, but my laptop and projector I use for all my talks and workshops “walked away”.  We also were without TV for two days.

With tongue firmly planted in my cheek, I’d posted before the move that I’d be out of cyberspace for a day or so – could I handle it?

God tested me on that. Big time.

I wish I could tell you my piety kicked in and I enjoyed being still and reconnecting with my Savior. I tired, really I did. But… the hush was deafening. After a few minutes, I’d jump up to find something to “do.” In fact, in those three days, I totally exhausted myself by unpacking every box, hanging the curtains and the pictures, and rearranging the knick-knacks several times.

Finally, my sweet techie son “Humpty-Dumptied” parts from my desk top and from an old one he had, and not only got me up and running in three days but re-downloaded all my flies. He also got the TV and wireless networking up and running. I praise the Lord for my son’s God-given intelligence and patience when it come to electronics.

Two things I learned:

First – I need to turn off the electronics more often and get back to quietness and meditation (listening) with my Lord. I thought I was doing a pretty good job, but He showed me differently.

Second – Whatever in our lives we feel is damaged, burned out, or missing a vital function, God as the Master techie can piece back together and make work again–sometimes with the talents of others. We just need to stay patient and prayerful in the process.

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Look More Closely

Posted in Life Experiences, tagged , , , , , , on July 1, 2014| 2 Comments »

printcover_hush copy (2)My publisher emailed the cover of my novel, Hush in the Storm, which launches August 6th. It looked perfect. With dancing fingers over my keyboard, I sent it out to my family and friends who have been so instrumental in helping this book become a reality.

My niece, who is artistic and always has a keen eye for detail, wrote back. “It would look better if the heroine on the cover didn’t have cacti growing from her shoulders.”

Whaatt????

I hadn’t noticed that. I concentrated on the clouds, the landscape, the girl hushing.  I emailed the comment to my publisher. Within minutes, the graphic artist corrected  it. Whew!! Thank you, Lord. I marveled at her mastery in technique and  greatly appreciated her immediate response to make things right.

Where did I see God in all this? Sometimes there are little flaws which may hinder how we are perceived. Our witness may be hindered by them. They may blare out to other people and cause them not to focus on the real message we are trying to convey.

Of course we are all works in progress and perfection will only reached  through the mercy of Christ when we escape our human nature and reach Heaven. But I also believe God brings people into our lives who have a keen eye and can point out the flaws we need to correct — the ones we don’t notice but others do, like breadstick cacti growing out of a pair of shoulders.

Because it is a Christian publisher, no feathers were ruffled. Authors, editors, proofreaders, and the graphics masters have the same goal – spread the message of redemption  and grace through wholesome, yet intriguing fiction.

But, it made me ponder. Am I as gracious when someone in the Body lovingly and  tactfully points out an area in my life that could use some more work? How quick am I to go to the Master to correct it?

 

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The Manner Worthy

Posted in Books, Devotional, tagged , on February 24, 2014| 2 Comments »

MP900444553[1]     I’ve heard horror stories. I have seen residual pain in the eyes of those who came back from the battle front and told their tale…of how their novel just went through the layered editing process.

My latest baby, Hush in the Storm,  is being dissected, prodded, and critiqued by the editors with Prism Book Group. It is a worthy and necessary process. But, when my content editor emailed me and told me she hoped I had “alligator skin”, my heart crunched in my chest. All week, with fear and trembling, I have emailed my writer friends/prayer warriors to lift me, and my editor, up in prayer. After all, she stated she is doing this for the glory of God, and that is why I wrote it as well. I know her intentions are only to make it the best it can be. I hang on her words that if the publisher accepted it under contract, it must already be good.

Still… a nagging muscle tension has been building up in my shoulders and a slight fog has clouded my brain. I’ve noticed I have to concentrate on inhaling more deeply. My sleep has not been as sound. I hold my breath as I check the emails – has she found anything horrid yet? Is she wondering if this should even be published? How much will she bleed all over my manuscript with her red corrections and comment bubbles?

Then the Lord quietly pops up this verse of the day onto my Smart phone:

I therefore , a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing each other in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesian 4:1-3

I fell to my knees – thank you, Lord Jesus. Contriteness cloaked over my anxieties. God has called me to write- for Him not myself. Once again, I escape from the pride monster  who has been clenching me and chain myself instead to God’s grace, right next to this wonderful editor He has provided..

As she and I journey down this road to make my novel shine for Him, will you pray this off and on for us as well over the next month or so? 

I found God today on my cell phone. Where will He reveal Himself to you?

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In a few sentences

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , , on May 30, 2013| 5 Comments »

Julie,

Thank you for your submission. We would like to publish Hush in the Storm. I have attached our contract and W9. After you review the contract, please return it along with the W9.

 After you return the contract, you will need to have your final version of the manuscript to me within three months, then we’ll begin the edits.

Thank you,

Marcy G. Dyer

Editor, Prism Book Group

hush_womenIt’s no longer a secret- my 2nd novel is about to be born.  Thank You Lord for creating this story in me  and orchestrating all that has to yet occur for it to enter the world – in your perfect Timing.  Forgive my impatience and frustration over the past 18 months, and the doubts it would ever come to fruition. To  You be all the glory.

Read the first chapter at www.juliebcosgrove.com/hush-in-the-storm.html

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In a Blog Request

Posted in Christian, tagged , , , , on December 16, 2012| 2 Comments »

A fellow author, Anne Sanders, http://blog.annesanders.net/2012/12/works-in-progress.html has forwarded on this “Next Big Thing”. Yes, it is a blatant attempt for us autors to advertise, but then it is also to show we support each other and our goals are the same – Tell of God’s love, grace and redemptive mercy.

Hi Anne- in response to Your Next Big Thing –

which I am to then forward on to other authors (who will

journalinghopefully respond back so more of you will see what cool things God is leading them to write in order to spread His Word.) So here goes:

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:

What is your working title of your book? Hush in the Storm

Where did the idea come from for the book? My sister actually. She said, “you love to read mysteries, why don’t you write one. I didn’t think God wanted me to m bump anyone off, so I went for suspense with a hint of romance instead.

What genre does your book fall under? Contemporary Christian Suspense

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Perhaps unknowns, like me, so they can make a name for themselves.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?Jen, a young widow tossed in a storm of grief is kidnapped by a coworker named Tom, at the request of her late husband, or so Tom says.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Have a publisher “nibbling” now. Wathcing the string bob in the water – bite, please bite hard – hook, line and sinker!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? Five weeks- remember, you asked about the first draft. The second…and third…and fourth took much longer.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Vengeance Squad by Sid Frost, Deliver From Evil Trilogy- Kathi Macias, Terror by Night  by R.W. Ley  (all are  recently written Christian based novels worth reading.)

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My sister, and believe it or not, God. Really. He took it in a direction I never expected. As I wrote I kept thinking, where is this going and why are You leading me into these subplots? At the end, I knew.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Tom kidnaps Jen and fakes her death to protect her from the cartel whom he says caused her husband’s fatal car accident. As Tom and Jen dodge human traffickers, the Feds and the reporters who discover she is alive, clues surface to suggest Jen’s husband may not be so dead after all. 

Yes, I am starting the first draft to the sequel = Legitimate Lies

I am forwarding this onto these Christian authors and bloggers – so, please check out their sites as well.

Diane Gates, Joy Brooks- Prayer For Freedom, Peggy Consolver, Lynn Hobbs and R.W. Ley

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