My manuscript is in its final days of editing, and I feel excited for the process of birthing it to the world. I’ve spoken with numerous authors about the publishing process, about the path they’ve taken or not taken and why, about the challenges of marketing a new work.
I'm now seeking my path to publishing. I’m considering how much of the publishing process I want to engage in - designing a book cover, formatting the interior, putting together meta data for websites and submitting the book to big accounts (Amazon, B&N) as well as small independent book stores. If I don't choose to self-publish, then I must find a publisher, and once the book’s accepted by a publisher, it could be up to two years before it goes to print.
With all these pieces to consider, I could quickly move into anxiety and overwhelm; however, I’m grateful that my inner voice is screaming louder than all these thoughts swimming through my mind. My inner voice is telling me "you spent years browsing libraries and later the internet to find a true story of someone who had navigated their way to wholeness after rape—a story that could give you hope in what sometimes seemed a hopeless search." It's true. I wanted to read about those who’d been broken open and had come to discover their inner strength, their authentic voice and an understanding that our traumas are a precious part of our life experience. My book tells this story. Somehow, my ‘WHY’ feels bigger than my ‘HOW,' and I sense the pieces of the publishing process will fall into place as long as I keep my focus on the 'WHY.' This is helpful to me.
Though I’ve blogged and written poetry for the past twenty years, sharing bits and pieces of my healing journey, I knew that I wanted to put it all into a book. I couldn’t have arrived here without help—the support of my husband Tom, my editor Darlene and numerous friends who agreed to be beta readers for my drafted manuscript. Their wisdom, feedback and encouragement have been invaluable to me.
So you have an essence of what’s coming, the book’s working title is Rape, Forgiveness and Miracles: A Memoir. While the audience for this book includes survivors of sexual violence, the book will also appeal to women who are seeking to heal themselves at a deeper level than traditional psychotherapy or counseling might provide, and are open to the concepts of forgiveness and spirituality on their healing journey.
This is my heart work. I look forward to making it available to you.