From Contest Diva to Published Author

with guest Angie Dicken.

It seems like yesterday that I was invited to be a Contest Diva here in Seekerville. And after a year, I am thrilled to complete the circle from Contest Diva to Published Author!

What a wonderful, busy, and dream-filled year! After I won the LIH contract for the Matchmakers contest, I received a call from my fabulous agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, that Becky Germany from Barbour wanted one of my stories for the My Heart Belongs series! It’s been a wild ride of balancing two books throughout the publishing process, scheming future stories ahead, and also just loving the new venture as published author. As I’ve been contemplating what to share today, I can’t help but think of all I’ve learned. I’d love to share with you my top five takeaways during this dream journey so far.

Leanna's Choice

1. The Christian writing community is stellar. I have been a little puppy dog, trying to figure out how to get off this cushy, cloud nine and take the necessary steps to launching well into the great wide publishing world. If it weren’t for my  agent and all the authors out there—the women and men I’ve met at ACFW for the most part—I would be yapping my sorrows and finding a nice dark corner to shiver and shake. Wow. My writing friends who’ve gone ahead of me are ever-willing to help, give advice, and even give a shout out to my successes. The ladies at Love Inspired ROCK at supporting each other, and the gals that also write for the My Heart Belongs series have been so patient with me as I constantly ask questions and pick their brains about marketing. I am also blessed by my Alley Cat sisters, over at the The Writers Alley, who put up with all my questions, concerns, self-doubt bouts. I just can’t imagine doing this without the support of the Christian writing community. What a testament to the body of Christ, what a confirmation that a community-centered on Him is life-giving indeed!

2. There are readers out there, and they are AMAZING. After I took some of the advice from my author friends, I formed a Street Team. I CAN NOT BELIEVE HOW SUPPORTIVE THESE GALS ARE! Wowsers. I had no idea what a blessing it would be to connect to readers after becoming a published author. I was scared to death at first. All sorts of images rolled through my mind about the unsatisfied reader and how angry they’d be at any flaw that my stories might have (note: my husband continues to urge me to write horror because my imagination concocts frightful doom way too often). On the contrary, I’ve discovered that there are some avid readers who just spread JOY to other readers and their befriended authors. I mean, I’m a reader. And I didn’t realize that there was this vibrant community of readers connecting with authors until I stepped into my first pair of authorly shoes this year. The lovely ladies I’ve encountered so far have reminded me that counting my blessings is better than holding back in fear. I am so so excited to keep conversing with readers and hearing their own words of wisdom.

3.     All those rejections before, counted for something.

Just as I mentioned my life lesson in my post back in June as a Contest Diva, I’ll say it again: Contests aren’t just about winning. And I’ll add, Rejection isn’t just about losing.

I’ve been sending my stuff to agents and editors since 2010. Most of them have been very dedicated to communication. And until recent months, they all said the same thing: You are not ready.

At first, it stung—like, gnashing of teeth, crying into my half-eaten Cadbury Caramello with a box of Kleenex nearby. But now, looking back, the only way I made it to the Seekerville title of “Contest Diva” last year, and then to the big win as an LIH Matchmakers winner of a publishing contract, was because of those rejections that I had crumpled up and tossed aside, only to flatten them out after the misery subsided and try and learn from them.

Try harder.

Be different.

And LEARN.

Thankfully, ACFW teaches lots and lots of good stuff—and offers lots and lots of chances to transform the not-so-ready writing.

4. The process counts. I used to poo-poo the idea that it takes about a year for a book to go from contract to shelves. Why in the world should it take that long? But, after working with amazing editors like Emily Rodmell, and Becky Germany, I realize ALL that it takes to make a book shine! Every step of the way, I felt like parts of my stories’ rough edges were sloughed off, and I’d catch glimpses of refinement shining through. I just love the process now. I love editing. Did I just type that? And, if I hadn’t gone through all those rejections before, I doubt my heart would be able to handle the process. From changing titles, to cutting my used-to-be-signature fluffy writing, I’ve discovered the need for every step of my pre-published path to make way for the journey of publishing ahead.

5. Most of all, God’s timing is perfect. If I could sum up anything about my year of Contest Diva to Published author, it is this. From the tiny assurances: My LIH book went from a January release to a September release—the same month of the historic Land Run; and the release month of my November novel coming out 100 years after my grandfather’s birth at a place very near to the book’s setting. To the bigger assurances:  All that I’ve learned culminates in a peace that yes, I can do this, and yes, I am as ready as I’ll ever be if I let God guide me. It’s really His journey through me, after all. And I am so excited to be along for the ride.

Do you have any other things to add to this list from your own journey or your future step into publication? For all you readers out there, what has been your favorite encounter with an author? Authors, what has been your favorite encounter with a reader?

Leave a comment today for an opportunity to take home Angie's debut release from Love Inspired- winner's choice, print or ebook. Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.

"To join Angie's Facebook Launch Party on Sept. 12th, go to her Facebook page here."

The Outlaw's Second Chance

Renegade on the Run 

When Cort Stanton and Aubrey Huxley try to claim the same land in the Oklahoma Land Run, Cort offers a deal—one that could help him keep his freedom. After taking the blame for his brother's crime, Cort needs to lie low, so he gives Aubrey the land for her horse ranch…if she'll hire him. Now he just has to avoid growing too close to the gorgeous seamstress, who can never know his secret. 

Aubrey refuses to depend on any man, even one as handsome and kind as Cort. Yet, as they work together to make her dream a reality, it's impossible to imagine life on the prairie without him. And though Aubrey knows Cort has secrets that stand between them, she can't help but wish she could stake a claim on his heart.

Angie Dicken credits her love of story to reading British literature during life as a military kid in Cambridgeshire, England. Now living in the U.S., she's an ACFW member, a blog contributor to the Writer's Alley, a baseball mom, and a self-proclaimed foodie. Two of her historical romance novels comprise her Fall 2017 debut: The Outlaw’s Second Chance, in September, and My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah, in November. She also writes historical and contemporary fiction. You can connect with her 
on social media and learn about upcoming releases at www.angiedicken.com.