What Happens After You Sign a Book Contract? A First-Time Author's Guide to Working with a Publisher

From Edie: Cindy K. Sproles shares what happens after you sign a book contract. Learn how traditional publishing works, what to expect from editors, and how to build a strong relationship with your publisher.

What Happens After You Sign a Book Contract? A First-Time Author's Guide to Working with a Publisher

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

There are five super exciting times in a writer's life:

1. THE END - Finishing a manuscript
2. Signing with an agent
3. Landing a contract
4. Holding that book in your hand
5. Your first royalty check

It’s hard to say which of the five is the most exciting. For me, the level of thrill was equal. Just when I thought I couldn’t be happier, something else popped in. It proves that the world of writing can be a wonderful adventure filled with joy and accomplishment.

Writers Helping Writers: Why Community Matters After the Conference

From Edie: Larry Leech shares why writers need each other after a conference and learn simple ways to help, encourage, and celebrate fellow writers all year long.

Writers Helping Writers: Why Community Matters After the Conference

by Larry J. Leech, II @LarryJLeechII

Having just returned from a series of conferences, I am exhausted but riding a high for a number of reasons. At each conference, in different regions of the country, I saw the same thing over and over again—writers helping each other, encouraging each other, celebrating each other.

The Unexpected Extras God Gives Writers

From Edie: Martin Wiles helps writers discover the unexpected extras God gives beyond book sales and awards, and learn how gratitude transforms your writing journey and calling.

The Unexpected Extras God Gives Writers

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

Surveys show that the younger generation is enthralled with things the older generation (yes, I’m a “Boomer”) experienced, as well as things they wore, possessed, etc. And as a Language Arts teacher of middle schoolers, I’ve found the research to be spot on. 

I love telling stories of how things were when I was their age, and they love listening—especially if it takes up class time and might mean I forget to give them homework or don’t have time to finish the planned lesson (we’ll ignore any improper motives here and think the best of them). 

What Every Writer Does After Pressing SEND on a Manuscript

From Edie: What happens after you press SEND on your manuscript? Discover the funny, relatable emotions and real-life moments every writer experiences next.

What Every Writer Does After Pressing SEND on a Manuscript

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

Y’all are invited to join me in a little celebration today. 

I know you’re wondering, “What are we celebrating, Beth?” And you’re also probably thinking, “Where did the southern y’all come from?”

What can I say? I lived in the south for eight years. Somethings still linger.

But back to the celebration: I pushed SEND on my manuscript at the beginning of July and yes, I’m still happy dancing. It was wonderful to send off book 2 in my small-town romance series.

Why Your Writing Purpose Matters More Than Your Publishing Goals

From Edie: Discover why your writing purpose matters more than your publishing goals and how developing your God-given gift prepares you for lasting impact and success.

Why Your Writing Purpose Matters More Than Your Publishing Goals

by Lilka Raphael @Lilka_Raphael

The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” – David Viscott 

Living in Atlanta with the World Cup underway has been a vivid reminder of the discipline required to accomplish goals. This is true not only for elite athletes, but for writers as well. Sometimes we can become so obsessed with scoring our goals—an agent, publisher, or book contract—that we lose focus on why we write.

Should You Outline a Nonfiction Book? A Better Way to Plan Before You Write

From Edie: Julie Lavender helps writers decide whether to outline your nonfiction book. Learn why a strong outline can help you organize your ideas, stay focused, and write with greater confidence.

Should You Outline a Nonfiction Book? A Better Way to Plan Before You Write

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

Do you prepare to write nonfiction as an outliner or spreadsheeter?

If you’ve attended a writers’ conference recently, like Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, or a similar, amazing gathering of writers, you’ve probably heard a session or discussion on fiction writing as a “pantser” or “plotter.” If you haven’t heard these terms, here’s the gist of their meanings. A person who writes “by the seat of their pants,” letting imagination and spontaneity guide the words and chapters is called a pantser. On the other hand, a plotter plans stories before even starting the writing process. 

How Christian Writers Can Find Peace After Rejection: A Lesson from Philippians 4

From Edie: Heidi McGill helps us discover how Philippians 4 helps Christian writers find peace after rejection, overcome anxiety, and trust God with every step of the writing journey.

How Christian Writers Can Find Peace After Rejection: A Lesson from Philippians 4

by Heidi McGill @HeidiGrayMcGill

The peace that guards your heart also guards your manuscript.

The rejection email arrived on a Tuesday, which somehow made it worse. I had been refreshing my inbox for two weeks, rehearsing both outcomes, telling myself I had braced for either answer. I hadn't. I closed my laptop, walked to the kitchen, and stood there long enough for my tea to go cold. The writing life has a way of finding the soft spots and pressing on them.