“Congratulations! … Now that you have approved all three files (front cover, back cover, and interior text), your files will be finalized for the printer.”

Those were the words in my inbox this morning … which means — my novella, Heaven Shining Through, is another step closer to reality. I thought this would be a good time to reveal the final front and back cover.

It appears my real work is about to begin — marketing the book. Xulon Press is handling some of the marketing, like contacting national outlets and online distribution. I expect the book will be available through me (by mail or at book signings), the Xulon website and Amazon. I know they will also be pitching the book to other national and Christian retailers. More to come on that as we finalize the plan.

My job is to market the book locally, making contact with interested venues. I am meeting tomorrow with a Chamber representative to set up a book launch here in Dover-Foxcroft, ME. In addition, I have been spending the past few weeks finding other potential outlets here and in New York and New Jersey. So it becomes a scheduling matter as I attempt to maximize exposure for the book outside my comfort zone of friends and family.I can truly see myself saying at some point, “What day is it? Where am I?”

So I have to come up with a local venue, a promotional plan, promote it, find someone to introduce me … and breathe, breathe, breathe.

In addition to the launch, I would like to make a number of book presentations to the libraries in Dover-Foxcroft, Seneca County, NY, and Paterson and Totowa, NJ. That’s going to take coordination!

I’m happy with the way it has all come together, and I hope the reading public enjoys the book. I did float the galley proofs to a few people for their initial reactions. Here are some of the excerpts…

I like it … This is definitely looking for a Christian audience who likes to read a story with the highlights of a life more or less “well lived”. I thought it was refreshing, especially because the main character was mainly focused on her life at a time when women were less encouraged in that respect. And then, she appreciated the relationship she had enjoyed with her husband, and ultimately her mother. And I like the title. — Cathy

So many tears! … You have a way with words and telling a story. — Jennifer

It’s a good story.  I found the characters engrossing and was eager to keep reading to see what happened next through each chapter. — Matt

Enjoyed the read. Great novella. — Erin

Full reviews will be shared as they become available.

As a take a deep inhaling breath, let’s see where this chapter leads us.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo daVinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein. — H. Jackson Brown