My Journey to Publication

My 1st ACFW National Conference
in Saint Louis, Missouri
September 2011


At my first ACFW national conference (2011) in Saint Louis, MO with Tari Faris and Crystal L. Barnes (seated above), and Casey Herringshaw (standing below)... some of my fellow aspiring author friends who also became 2012 Genesis Semi-Finalists. 
 


This is the conference in which I met my agent, Joyce Hart. I signed the contract the first week of November 2011.
 
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The ACFW Great Lakes Chapter Conference in Jackson, Michigan
November 2011

I met Jody Hedlund, author of some of my favorite books: The Preacher's Bride, The Doctor's Lady, Unending Devotion and A Noble Groom.


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ACFW Great Lakes Chapter Meeting
in Jackson, Michigan
April 2012
 
I finally got a chance to meet my super, most wonderful Critique Partner, Susan Tuttle who also eventually signed with Hartline Literary!!!!!

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Lunch at Buca di Beppo's
Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana
July 2012

With fellow historical author friends, Sarah Ladd (whose debut novel, The Heiress of Winterwood, is part of the Thomas Nelson spring 2013 line-up!) and Kristy Cambron (who is also signed with my agent, Joyce Hart).
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My 2nd ACFW National Conference in Dallas, Texas - September 2012

My agent, Joyce Hart, treated us to wonderful Mexican dinner the Wednesday before the 2012 ACFW Conference in Dallas, Texas.


Carol Moncado, me and one of my favorite author-bloggers (Hero Fiction Features), Nancy Kimball, who was also one of the Genesis Finalists in the historical fiction category!

My crit-partner, Joanna Davidson, Carol Moncado, my fellow Hartliner, Kristy Cambron, and my crit-partner and fellow Hartliner, Susan Tuttle waiting for the Saturday night Award Ceremony/Gala to begin.



With Brandy Vallance, who won First Place in 2012 Genesis Contest Contest (Historical Romance). I can't wait to read her books!


 April, 2013. Sarah Ladd's Book Launch Party! ~ With Kristy Cambron, Sarah Ladd, (me) and my friend Liz Coulston.

June, 2013. Second Annual Indiana Author's Lunch at Buca Di Beppo's downtown Indy ~  with (my agency-mate) Kristy Cambron, Sarah Ladd, (me), my friend Liz Coulston and Joanna Davidson (one of my two critique partners).

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My 3rd ACFW National Conference
in Indianapolis, IN - September 2013


Susan Tuttle became my first crit-partner in early 2012.


For some crazy reason Julie Lessman knows that I'm alive. :)
Sarah Ladd and I had a chance to catch up at the Genre Dinner Friday night. It is so good to talk writing with someone who comes at it with such similar plot ideas and character-love.
 
Joanna Davidson, Susan Tuttle and Rebecca Jepson... three of the four members of WMAA. And no, we cannot tell you what those letters stand for. 

I was able to save two seats near the front at the Awards Gala since I was up for the Genesis Award in the Romantic Suspense category.  




Here is a picture of my name card at the table, the order of events (with my name listed!) for the gala and a screen shot of the big screens at the front of the gala when they were giving out the Genesis Awards.



Gretchen Engle and I met on the ACFW scribes loop back in 2011 when we were both submitting our first WIPS... back before we met up with our one-on-one crit-partners. 
Joanna Davidson, Kristy Cambron and Michelle Massaro with me at the gala.
Vanessa Morton and I also met on the ACFW scribes loop back in 2011 when we were both submitting our first WIPS... back before we met up with our one-on-one crit-partners.  

Joanna Davidson and I showing off our little bitty baby-bumps. :)

 
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December 2013, signing my first book contract--a three book deal with Whitaker House!





 




2 comments:

  1. I love these pics! It's like talking a walk back through the last 3 years. Love you, girl! ; )

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  2. Ahhh! How fun! I loved scrolling through these pics--what an awesome publishing journey you've been on. Thanks for sharing! :)

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