Author Interview ~ Wayne Holmes

Wayne Holmes is the compiler of five books including, The Heart of a Teacher, Whispering in God’s Ear, and The Embrace of a Father. He is a popular speaker and teacher at writer’s conferences and is a member of Toastmasters, Int. He lives near Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife Linda.










What new book or project would you like to tell us about?


My latest book, The Embrace of a Father, was released in April, 2006, and I’m pleased with its reception. Like my previous titles, this is a collection of stories that reflect the nature of our heavenly Father. The stories are heartwarming and full of emotion. One reviewer wrote, “Don't bother trying not to cry.”

Tell us about your publishing journey. How long had you been writing before you got a contract? How did you find out and what went through your mind?

I have a file filled with rejection letters that remind me of the rocky publishing road I’ve trod. I had a perfect record of, “No thanks, not for us,” until Bethany House offered to buy The Heart of a Father. A close friend suggested I give up, and I almost did. I had been sending out articles, book proposals, and even finished manuscripts for eight years. Since I knew the subject matter well, I even wrote an article on rejection. It, too, “didn’t meet our needs.”

At the 2000 Write to Publish conference I pitched the idea for a collection of stories about fathers to Steve Laube. He loved the idea and by the end of the summer I received a call from him to talk over the details of a book contract. I was excited, but I also felt grateful. After hearing “no” for so long, finally someone was willing to give me a chance. After the call, I closed my eyes and offered a two word prayer, “Thank you.”

Why a compilation instead of just writing the book yourself?

When a door opens, you walk through it. That’s my philosophy. I tried to market a book of my own writing for several years. No one wanted to buy it, but one house was interested enough to ask for the proposal. They rejected the book, but my friend, Bob Hostetler, instructed me to develop a new idea and send them a query letter right away.

When the Chicken Soup books came out I fell in love with the idea of having a collection of short, inspiring stories. I wondered why there wasn’t one about dads and how they reflect God’s image. So, I decided to pitch this concept. They rejected it (my perfect record was still intact) but eventually it sold to Bethany House.

How did you choose the stories to be included in your compilation?

I chose the stories primarily on how I react to them emotionally. Did the story make me laugh, cry, or want to shout for joy? Quality of writing was also a determining factor. A good writer can take an average story and make it sing. A poor writer can take a great story and make it boring. Sometimes I worked with an author to improve their writing skills. But, I tried to avoid heavy editing whenever possible.

My advice for those submitting to compilations would be to follow the guidelines (how often have we heard that?) and send the best quality writing you can. Occasionally I received a submission from someone who wanted to know if the story was something I might be interested in. If so, they would be happy to clean it up. Polish your work before you submit it. If it’s worth writing, it’s worth writing well.

Do you go after certain authors to include or do you put out a "cattle call" so to speak?

Both. When I’m accepting submissions I send out a “call for stories” and everyone is permitted to submit. Of course, I hope that some of the writers I have published in the past will submit something because I’m familiar with the quality of their work. But I also use stories from highly successful authors and I search their books looking for vignettes that will fit the slant. Once I find a strong story, I secure permission to reprint from their publisher.

How are the authors paid for a compilation? Do they receive a flat fee for the story or do they receive a portion of the royalties?

I offer my contributors a flat fee, a complimentary copy of the book, and the opportunity to purchase additional copies at a reduced rate. Some of my contributors buy cases of books and make a nice profit by selling them at speaking engagements or through their church and friends. I don’t know of anyone that pays a portion of the royalties. That would be complicated.

Does the author retain the copyright to their individual story? Could they publish it again in another compilation like an article?

This varies a little depending on the compiler and the publisher. I have asked my publishers to allow the authors to retain the rights to their story and they agreed. WaterBrook asked for a one-year exclusivity for the stories but after one year the rights belong to the authors. In fact, two of the stories from The Heart of a Father were reprinted in James Dobson’s book, A Father, A Hero.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve heard?

When you write, lock up the editor. Get your words out and don’t worry about the quality. That comes later. You can’t edit your writing if you don’t have anything to work with. So, set aside that nasty editor voice and just write the story. Once it’s out there, open the door and let the editor do his job. Good writing requires hours of rewriting.

What’s the worst piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?

“Just give up.” For years I tried to get published. No luck. A close friend saw my struggle and frustration, and, thinking I’d be happier without the disappointment of rejection, suggested I quit. She suggested that my self-worth wasn’t dependent on success as a published author. In a way, the advice wasn’t all that bad, and it was well intentioned. I appreciated the advice and the love in which it was given, and then I ignored it. I’m glad I did. I’m also glad I married that woman. (smile)

Do you have any parting words of advice?

Improve the quality of your writing and you will lower the number of your rejections. My goal for 2005 was to improve the quality of my writing. My goal for 2006 is to improve the quality of my writing. My goal for 2007 will be to—you guessed it—improve the quality of my writing. Join a writers’ group, attend conferences, form a critique group, and read books on the craft of writing.