I was so excited, overjoyed, and humbled to be named one of The Word Guild's finalists in their annual Best New Author of the Year contest for my entry, "The Surprising Truth in Chick Flicks." There was some very positive feedback for my work -- the idea of illustrating the character of Christ by using popular film was applauded by more than one expert in the field.
I was very hopeful that I would be selected as the winner as it would mean a publishing deal for "The Surprising Truth in Chick Flicks." Getting published mattered a great deal to me because I so wanted to share how I saw Jesus with others.
During the months that I was waiting for the final decision as to who the winner would be, I was interviewed for publications, had my picture in the newspaper, and was interviewed for Christian radio. All of the publicity led to speaking opportunities. Public speaking is one of the things I enjoy doing more than anything else in the world!
I was deeply disappointed when another author was announced as the winner. Of course, I was crushed. Afterwards two of the judges told me that my book was one of their top choices. I am not sure if that made it better or worse!
However, I was blessed to be signed by a wonderful agent. Leslie H. Stobbe immediately sent out my manuscript to 10 publishers -- each of which were eager to see the book.
Over the next 8 months, I was systematically turned down by all of the publishers, all of them. I am okay with that. I am, after all, in the company of people like William Paul Young, author of The Shack, who, I heard, could not get his book published. He eventually self-published, with the help of some friends.
I checked into self-publishing, and I decided that if I really wanted to put my book into folks' hands, then I should just make it available, for free, on the web.
Thus this blog was born, this blog is my gift to the world. Posts from the beginning to August 3, 2010 are excerpts taken from the book, "The Surprising Truth in Chick Flicks."
Later I wrote, "Dragon Training for Wives" from which you will also find blog posts recapping its essence.
I hope and, more importantly, I pray that you, dear readers, would find value in these pages. I pray that you will be encouraged, challenged, and validated as you read it.
May God richly bless you always, and in all ways,
Darilyn Edmison
I was very hopeful that I would be selected as the winner as it would mean a publishing deal for "The Surprising Truth in Chick Flicks." Getting published mattered a great deal to me because I so wanted to share how I saw Jesus with others.
During the months that I was waiting for the final decision as to who the winner would be, I was interviewed for publications, had my picture in the newspaper, and was interviewed for Christian radio. All of the publicity led to speaking opportunities. Public speaking is one of the things I enjoy doing more than anything else in the world!
I was deeply disappointed when another author was announced as the winner. Of course, I was crushed. Afterwards two of the judges told me that my book was one of their top choices. I am not sure if that made it better or worse!
However, I was blessed to be signed by a wonderful agent. Leslie H. Stobbe immediately sent out my manuscript to 10 publishers -- each of which were eager to see the book.
Over the next 8 months, I was systematically turned down by all of the publishers, all of them. I am okay with that. I am, after all, in the company of people like William Paul Young, author of The Shack, who, I heard, could not get his book published. He eventually self-published, with the help of some friends.
I checked into self-publishing, and I decided that if I really wanted to put my book into folks' hands, then I should just make it available, for free, on the web.
Thus this blog was born, this blog is my gift to the world. Posts from the beginning to August 3, 2010 are excerpts taken from the book, "The Surprising Truth in Chick Flicks."
Later I wrote, "Dragon Training for Wives" from which you will also find blog posts recapping its essence.
I hope and, more importantly, I pray that you, dear readers, would find value in these pages. I pray that you will be encouraged, challenged, and validated as you read it.
May God richly bless you always, and in all ways,
Darilyn Edmison
