Good Vibes Coming Our Way?
A few updates are in order. The first book in the Ebenezer series (If I Should Die) has been through a first edit and I've begun working at a few of the changes recommended. The publishing process is a bit cumbersome, but I know the finished product will be much better for it. I am hoping that we will have it finished and published by June of this year. Some have asked me about the title "Ebenezer". A bit of a background is found in Biblical Scripture. In I Samuel we are told:
Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath Jehovah helped us. (1 Samuel 7:12 ASV)
So, you see the name 'Ebenezer' designates or means 'stone of help'. There is also a song in our hymnals called 'O Thou Fount of Every Blessing', in which it reads, 'here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I've come...'
In all three of the books in the Ebenezer series (If I Should Die is the first book in the series, but at this time there are two more written) the idea of God as our strength is carried through. I wrote the series as one novel, only to discover publishers aren't publishing novels like 'Gone With the Wind', and 'Lord of the Rings' today. Romance and Amish are hot items, and well, I'm defying all odds I suppose. This is a detective novel set in the year 1987, with good guys and bad guys, and even some females as well.
I have been in a long process writing this, and although I've enjoyed the journey, I will be glad when it is launched and on its own. The first year when I finished writing the huge tome I sent off a query letter to a publisher that I was sure was just waiting for it.
Knowing what I do now, I am amazed that she did respond. Even if it was to say they were not taking unsolicited manuscripts. They used two different Christian services that would review... And I sent off my three chapters along with the $90. The company sent me back a reply, 'good work, but you need to rewrite. And besides learn to show not tell.' I did that three times before it was finally accepted.
At sometime I joined some writer's groups, sent the rough drafts through critique groups, and after forever have ended up so close to getting it published I can smell the turpentine. Yea!
