Exceedingly Abundantly
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (MEV)
Five months ago I was cheering on one of my writer friends who was planning to enter a writing contest called Blurb to Book through Love Inspired Books. My friend writes contemporary romance, and as she prepared to enter, I didn't contemplate entering myself because I write historical.
Three days before the deadline for the contest, I received a Facebook message from Erica, encouraging me to enter Blurb to Book in the historical division.
Have you ever had a light bulb moment? This was it for me. Here's exactly what I wrote to Erica: "I've heard about the contest, but didn't even think to enter until you sent this...now my mind is spinning with possibilities."
It suddenly dawned on me that there's more to Love Inspired than contemporary! They have a fabulous line of historical romances. Immediately, my mind began to buzz with half a dozen ideas-- until I landed on the story I was meant to write (more about my story next week!). I looked at the contest rules and set to work on my 100 word blurb and first page.
I can't explain what happened next, and I can only give God the credit, but I had an amazing sense of peace settle over me. The contest felt right. The story idea felt perfect. I didn't have to strive for the details. It all came together like a perfectly timed orchestra, and God was about to whirl me around the dance floor.
Two weeks after submitting the blurb and first page, I was told I would advance to the second round (first three chapters and full synopsis)...one month later, I was told I would advance to the third round (a 70,000-75,000 word manuscript)...and three months after that (just last Thursday), I received a call from my agent telling me I was offered my very first contract from Love Inspired Books. Twenty minutes after talking to my agent, Tina James, the Executive Editor of Love Inspired Books, called me to welcome me to the team.
Wow.
I'm still in a state of awe. The verse I shared above is bathing my heart in wonder. I'm honored and humbled to write for such an amazing publishing house. I had prayed and asked God for another publishing contract, but He went exceedingly abundantly above all I asked for or imagined--and to Him be the glory.
This celebration comes a week after Erica announced her own sale to Love Inspired Historical through the Blurb to Book contest! I couldn't be happier for my dear writing friend, and I couldn't be more thankful for the little nudge she gave me to enter.
Let's celebrate BIG!
In honor of Love Inspired Historicals, I want to give one lucky winner the entire August collection of LIH books (in e-reader form)!
LIH August CollectionI also want to give the winner a copy of the two novella collections Erica and I are in together.
The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection & The Convenient Bride Collection
from Barbour Publishers, May & July 2015That's twenty-two incredible historical romance stories!!!
Just enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win*. :) Good luck!
Gabrielle Meyer:
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Pinterest
Find me on Twitter
Find me on Amazon
Find me on Goodreads
Find me on My Website
*Due to shipping costs, only US Citizens, please. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Five months ago I was cheering on one of my writer friends who was planning to enter a writing contest called Blurb to Book through Love Inspired Books. My friend writes contemporary romance, and as she prepared to enter, I didn't contemplate entering myself because I write historical.
Three days before the deadline for the contest, I received a Facebook message from Erica, encouraging me to enter Blurb to Book in the historical division.
Have you ever had a light bulb moment? This was it for me. Here's exactly what I wrote to Erica: "I've heard about the contest, but didn't even think to enter until you sent this...now my mind is spinning with possibilities."
It suddenly dawned on me that there's more to Love Inspired than contemporary! They have a fabulous line of historical romances. Immediately, my mind began to buzz with half a dozen ideas-- until I landed on the story I was meant to write (more about my story next week!). I looked at the contest rules and set to work on my 100 word blurb and first page.
I can't explain what happened next, and I can only give God the credit, but I had an amazing sense of peace settle over me. The contest felt right. The story idea felt perfect. I didn't have to strive for the details. It all came together like a perfectly timed orchestra, and God was about to whirl me around the dance floor.
Two weeks after submitting the blurb and first page, I was told I would advance to the second round (first three chapters and full synopsis)...one month later, I was told I would advance to the third round (a 70,000-75,000 word manuscript)...and three months after that (just last Thursday), I received a call from my agent telling me I was offered my very first contract from Love Inspired Books. Twenty minutes after talking to my agent, Tina James, the Executive Editor of Love Inspired Books, called me to welcome me to the team.
Wow.
I'm still in a state of awe. The verse I shared above is bathing my heart in wonder. I'm honored and humbled to write for such an amazing publishing house. I had prayed and asked God for another publishing contract, but He went exceedingly abundantly above all I asked for or imagined--and to Him be the glory.
This celebration comes a week after Erica announced her own sale to Love Inspired Historical through the Blurb to Book contest! I couldn't be happier for my dear writing friend, and I couldn't be more thankful for the little nudge she gave me to enter.
Let's celebrate BIG!
In honor of Love Inspired Historicals, I want to give one lucky winner the entire August collection of LIH books (in e-reader form)!
LIH August CollectionI also want to give the winner a copy of the two novella collections Erica and I are in together.
The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection & The Convenient Bride Collectionfrom Barbour Publishers, May & July 2015That's twenty-two incredible historical romance stories!!!
Just enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win*. :) Good luck!
Gabrielle Meyer:
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Pinterest
Find me on Twitter
Find me on Amazon
Find me on Goodreads
Find me on My Website
*Due to shipping costs, only US Citizens, please. a Rafflecopter giveaway
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