A Note on Publishing

I've taken a step backwards in hopes to take a bigger step forward.

I turned in my revised manuscript to the editor around the first week of May, which meant I knew I had to wait a couple months to hear back from him. In the meantime, I was feeling unsure if this was the right publishing company to go with. Covenant Communications is mostly LDS literature which limits the audience, and my book is not LDS-based. But I didn't want to become overly confident and think I could do better. I was just excited that any editor wanted to look at my first attempt. However, recently, my Writer's Groups informed me they think my manuscript deserves a publishing company that will broaden my audience - especially since Covenant Communications only publishes in Seagull Book and Desert Book store. Other people I spoke with also agreed. So, I decided to follow my heart and retract my manuscript from the editor. Part of me thinks it's risky to get picky...that maybe I should be pickier with a future project. But there is a message in my book that I believe can be appreciated by a lot of people and I don't want to limit myself. Just because this is my first attempt doesn't mean I can't make it a little bigger.

So, in not wanting to waste any more of the editor's time (or mine, since courtesy in the publishing business means not submitting elsewhere until I hear back from them) I contacted the editor and explained my publishing goals. He replied that he completely understood the want for a broader audience. He also liked my other idea...

I have been thinking a lot (as I always am) about Ty's story from pre-conception, to death, to our experience in overcoming this adversity of losing him. There are some unique elements about his story, some of which I have not yet shared in detail on the blog, but which I happily share with others in person because I feel close to Ty when I speak of him. An almost tangible spirit surrounds me, and others seem to feel it too, whether it is through reading about it or kindly listening. Over this last month, I have felt compelled to write it all down in sequence, which I have yet to do. I don't know if this is too presumptuous but I've been feeling like our experience and the way Dan and I continue to work through our loss may be able to help others who are struggling.

I realize I've written most of it along the way on my blog - how grief can be overcome through the atonement and service and friendships and family... how much of what we've learned can be applied to other trials...

I haven't figured it out yet, but somehow I want to organize what I have written on my blog with scripture and ensign articles, and especially some specific general conference talks.

If anyone has suggestions on how else I could do this to be most beneficial, or any thoughts you have, that would be helpful. I'm excited to work on this when I get back to Vegas. At times I know it will be difficult to address some of this, but it will be worthwhile to complete. I hope.