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| Here I am with the cover art for A New Thing |
In late 2023, I made a list of several writing projects for 2024. Among them, “Finish A New Thing.” This was a sequel to my other small-town romances. It’s about a single mother trying to figure out what her next chapter is when she faces an empty nest—the title came from this verse, “Behold, I am doing a new thing” (Isaiah 43:19). Especially exciting is my grandson pilot was a source for the flying element in the book. I began writing this story in 2022, and it hovered around halfway finished when I made the list.
I
wrote the first draft for another project on the list before I began plugging
away on A New Thing in the Spring of 2024, but I did finish and started the
editing process. I submitted the manuscript to my then publisher in late summer
who wanted to put this book under contract but also others in the series whose
contracts had expired. Great, I thought, we’re on our way. So, we went through
the tedious process of resigning all the contracts.
Sadly,
only a couple of months later, that publisher went under, and I was back where
I started with a finished manuscript and no home for it. You can imagine how
disappointing it was after two years of work already.
What
made it especially difficult was the book was dedicated to a friend who
inspired the character of Connie. This character appears in every book in the
series. The real-life Connie now had ALS and barring a miracle, she was on a
ticking clock. I hoped to get the book out soon, so she could see it.
I
prayed, and then went through the lengthy process of putting together a proposal
and submitted to the wonderful Elk Lake Publishing who had published my book In Search of the Painted Bunting.
One of my best Christmas gifts in 2024 was receiving the contract they offered
me for A New Thing during the week of Christmas.
So,
the book was off again, and the edits were going along fine. We were down to
the final one, and as I’ve written here before, I had an accident which
fractured both wrists mid-May this year which required surgery. The final set
of edits came three days later, but there was nothing I could do with both
hands in immobilizing casts that went from my fingers to over my elbows for weeks.
So, a family member communicated my situation to the publisher, who was so
gracious about it. But still, there was more waiting to get back on track. As
soon as the casts were off, even with my splints, I managed to get those final
edits done.
Sadly,
we lost our beloved Connie in mid-August. I have been so disappointed she
didn’t get to see the book in print. But for me, she lives on in this story, through
a character inspired by her joyous and kind spirit.
So
now, we are headed to galleys, which is the last step in the process. I don’t
know all of God’s plans for this book, but it has had a winding and challenging path, so I
believe something good is ahead. I pray readers find hope and spiritual encouragement
in its pages...and maybe even a laugh.
Jesus
often used stories to communicate his message. He could have made a list of
things to do and not do. He could have written essays and read them. But no, he
often told stories. I hope to emulate Jesus in trying to communicate the gospel
truth woven through the pages of my books. There are folks who are much better
at it than I am, but I try to be faithful in using the gift God has given me.
If
there is one thing I can offer from this book’s journey, it is if we feel that
God has called us to something, we don’t give up, even in the face of
impossibility. When the first publisher went out of business, I wondered what I
would do, but I prayed, regrouped, and Elk Lake Publishing offered another contract. When
my wrists fractured, again, I wondered how I would get the edits done, but God
helped me to do it much sooner than I expected. If you’re facing a challenge
that goes on and on, pray, keep God’s calling and purpose in mind and face the
future with hope.
So,
stay tuned. Very soon, I hope to share the release of A New Thing.
Encouraging
words about A New Thing:
If you are looking for a
sweet, small-town romance with all the southern, cozy feels—A New Thing could
be the book for you! A story of second chances and forgiveness, this
heartwarming Christian fiction will invite you into the lives of unique
characters in the charming town of Worthville, touching on challenges of the
empty nest, running a business, complex family relationships, and the
possibility of romance. A delightful, encouraging read… perfect, of
course, with a glass of sweet tea!
—Laura Thomas, award-winning Christian fiction author