I Signed a Book Contract! Here’s My Journey (So Far):

LaDelle and Jubilant. That’s the name of my historical fiction novel set in Tuskegee, Alabama in the 1930s, and I am thrilled to announce that I recently signed a contract for my book with Elk Lake Publishing! 

To borrow from the Beatles, the journey I’ve been on to get this story traditionally published has been a “long and winding road.” So long and winding that I often felt I could use some sort of literary Dramamine. On other days a nap seemed called for because the journey was wearing me out. As I wrote and submitted my story, I’d pray for the Lord’s guidance and a posture of surrender to what he wanted to do with my project (if anything) because these things were essential to me. And then there were days when my husband would simply say, “It’s gonna happen, Cath,” and I’d believe him, tweak things, and put my story out there. Again. 

Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word. Or a nap. 

My story morphed over the years like I never imagined it would when I set out to write it back in 2006. It began as an exciting labor of love. I wanted to write a story for my two bi-racial adopted sons that featured George Washington Carver. This godly, accomplished man, born into slavery, intrigued and inspired me, and I was determined to share my enthusiasm for him in a way that would stick in their minds and hearts. My manuscript was originally called Sincerely, Jubilant and was written for a middle-grade audience. My hair was brown back then.

Things changed, and the road got longer and windier. I experienced potholes, annoying detours, and a lack of directional signage showing me the way. Yet, the scenery was pleasant. I enjoyed the writing. I loved spending time with George, LaDelle, Jubilant, and the others. That was the beautiful part of the journey. 

Over the years, as I wrote and rewrote my manuscript, I’d receive feedback from publishers and literary agents once in a while. Let me just say receiving feedback is no small thing. It’s more common to hear nothing at all–no letter of rejection, only crickets because publishing houses and agents are flooded with so many manuscripts and queries most have stopped responding unless yours is the needle in the haystack they’re looking for. So, I’m grateful for every email I received. Even “thanks but no thanks” felt strangely comforting. “At least they read my query,” I’d tell myself.

At times, however, the comments and advice I received were contradictory, which left me exasperated. So, I’d put my manuscript aside for months, even a year, at a time. Still, somehow I knew I was supposed to keep going with this project.

Later, taking to heart some advice I received, I plunged back into my manuscript and began rewriting it for adults (by this time, my two younger sons were adults). I began to further develop my female protagonist, LaDelle. Doing this gave me fresh fuel and enthusiasm for the story and added depth and thousands of more words, leaving me with an acceptable length for a historical fiction novel for adults. I felt at peace with my book like never before.

God then provided me with an agent, Don Pape.

Writing and submitting and waiting is a lonely game, so I was grateful to have an experienced team captain at last. For six months, Don was faithful to submit my story. Feedback from publishers began to come in with a consistent theme: “Your author is Caucasian. Her characters are Black.” Well, they weren’t wrong. Don said, “Let’s keep trying.” 

Then, one day I discovered Elk Lake in an author’s post on LinkedIn. I asked Don if he would submit LaDelle and Jubilant to this Christian small/medium press, and, before I knew it, my “baby” found a home. We were accepted! We had arrived at our destination.

It’s good to be home.

I hope when it’s time–when LaDelle and Jubilant is hot off the press in a year or so–you will pick yourself up a copy and read it. I pray it delights you and that George, and the fictional characters in my story will stick in your mind and heart in the best kind of way.

My journey isn’t over, of course. Elk Lake will assign me an editor soon, and together we will enter into that journey of making the book as polished as possible. And then will come the long and winding road of marketing it.

I’d better take a nap.

But first, let me say, I couldn’t be more grateful for where God has me and what’s ahead. Thank you for joining me on this journey. It means a lot.

What dream or endeavor are you pursuing? Be steadfast in the journey, friend. Keep going. Keep trying!