Did you know that the author and publisher of Gavin Goodfellow are the same person? It’s true. Candy Abbott and Fruitbearer Publishing are interchangeable. I recently wrote this article on self-publishing for a writer’s blog, and it occurred to me that you may find it interesting to learn how my writing/publishing career unfolded:
In 1983, recently filled with the Holy Spirit and learning to hear God’s voice, I settled into my morning devotions. It was like any other day until a piercing thought rocked my world. “You will write a book, and it will bless many.” I could hardly bring myself to record the sentence in my journal. When I did, the call brought with it numerous questions. “Who, me? Write a book? What would I write about? Who would want to read it? Where would I start?” One by one, the answers came. “Write about your spiritual journey; write it like a letter to your friends and family; write your experiences as they happen. I will bring helpers alongside as you progress.”
Only time would prove if this really came from God, but I believed, so I began writing. Soon, I had 300 pages which were rejected by kind publishers who wrote long letters with suggestions for improvement. Thus began my study of the craft of writing. Marlene Bagnull, founder of the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers’ Conference, took me under her wing.
Ten years from the initial call, unable to make headway with royalty publishers, I obtained a copy of Dan Poynter’s book, The Self-Publishing Manual, which guided me step-by-step. Equipped with the skills to do it myself, I contacted a local printer and soon had a book in my hand. My non-fiction book, FRUITBEARER: What Can I Do For YOU, Lord? is now in its third printing.
In 1998, the Lord nudged me to help other beginning writers. My husband caught the vision, and we established Fruitbearer Publishing to offer self-publishing services to “budding authors.” We now have a whole team of editors.
In 2001, almost comfortable in my writing/publishing role, our grandson came with the first Harry Potter book. One-third of the way through, I had a fleeting thought. Somebody needs to write a Christian book that’s just this much fun to read. Immediately, three words: “You do it.” “But Lord,” I argued. “I don’t know how to write fiction. I don’t know how to write for kids. I don’t even like fantasy . . .” The Lord reminded me that I was already doing a lot of things I didn’t know how to do because I had been obedient. And so began another learning curve which resulted in Gavin Goodfellow: The Lure of Burnt Swamp, book one of The Burnt Swamp Trilogy, which I independently published after two years of near-success with an agent.
Back in 1993, when I entered the self-publishing arena, royalty editors looked down their noses at the “poor child” who may someday get a “real publisher.” If you’re interested in how self-publishing is viewed today, visit Rachelle Gardner’s blog, http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/search/label/Self-publishing.
The bottom line is obedience, whether traditional publishing, self-publishing, or sharing your manuscript at arms’ reach. When God calls you to write, let it resonate within you until it becomes so loud that all other naysayers’ voices pale in comparison.
