Edie Melson is the author of numerous books, as well as a freelance writer and editor. Her blog, The Write Conversation, reaches thousands each month. She’s the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains ChristianWriters Conference and the Social Media Mentor at My Book Therapy. She’s also the Military Family Blogger at Guideposts. Com, Social Media Director for SouthernWriters Magazine and the Senior Editor for NovelRocket.com. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.
In honor of the recent celebration of nation's independence, I thought I'd share how God used a really tough time to fulfill my publishing dream!
I stared at the letter in my hand, almost unable to comprehend what I read. It was two days before Christmas, 1999. I’d been so sure God had called me to write, specifically to write Bible studies. This particular manuscript had been at the publishers over a year and, until now, I’d only received encouragement about the progress toward my first book contract.
* * *
I stared at the letter in my hand, almost unable to comprehend what I read. It was two days before Christmas, 1999. I’d been so sure God had called me to write, specifically to write Bible studies. This particular manuscript had been at the publishers over a year and, until now, I’d only received encouragement about the progress toward my first book contract.
Dear Mrs. Melson, We’re sorry but this manuscript doesn’t fit
our needs at this time. While it’s a good manuscript, you
just
don’t have the platform needed.
First came the
tears, then anger and frustration. Why had God planted this seed of hope within
me only to deny me the opportunity?
Fast forward to
Christmas 2007, the first year our family celebrated Christmas apart. Our
oldest was serving as an infantry marine in Iraq. To say it was a tough year is
almost a laughable understatement, but we made it through. God brought our son
home safe.
Now visit Veteran's Day, 2011, the launch of my book, Fighting Fear:Winning the War atHome When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle.
It’s a book that was birthed during the struggles of living with a son at war.
God orchestrated an unusual venue for the book launch. It was at a professional
hockey game, GreenvilleRoad
Warriors. This team has an annual Tribute to the Military and had
invited me to be a part of it this year.
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For a writer,
this was truly a dream come true. During the first intermission, I sat in the
darkened convention center with the other fans, while the trailer to my book
played on the huge video screens hanging above the ice. And as I was
interviewed rink side, I heard the roar of the cheering of the crowd as she
announced my son was in the audience.
Without that seed
of hope, planted so many years earlier, I’d never have been ready to write this
book. Was it worth the wait? You bet it was.
Please tell your son how grateful we are for his service, and please know how exceedingly special you are for writing this book which I'm positive is a type of bible for those faced with this trial. Thank you, Edie.
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