Writing

The Call


So, did you celebrate yesterday with the Kool and the Gang song?

Well, as promised here is the story we’re celebrating.

~~~

I started on this journey to publication May of 2008 by joining ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). I’d had this 87,000-word novel, Light of Truth, but no knowledge of what I should do as my next step.

A fellow writer suggested I join ACFW, so I did. I got connected with a fantastic critique group where I learned the art of handling critiques and rewriting. Over the next eighteen months, I wrote and wrote, attended conferences, and found some authors willing to walk me through my questions/mistakes.

Then I found RWA (The Romance Writers of America) and more specifically, the special interest FF&P group (Futuristic, Fantasy, and Paranormal). I got even more support, encouragement, and critiques.

I never really knew exactly what would happen, if anything, with my writing. Would it ever be good enough for publication? Good enough for an agent to take a risk on me? Or was I destined to just write and share it with my friends and encourage people in their writing.

I trusted God to lead the way.

Well, on Sunday January 10th, 2010, Violet Midnight won a contest & the first prize was a publishing contract-the story is HERE. Then, later that same night, I got a request for a full manuscript for Heaven’s Fire from an agent I really wanted representing my work.

Needless to say, more squealing ensued.

I mean, a contest win, then a request from a dream agent in a five-hour span?

MUCH ice cream and chocolate consumption followed as my sweet hubby and I celebrated.

So, I sent off my full to Dream Agent on Monday January 11th and then, a few hours later, my FIRST EVER book contract popped into my email box.

**Yes, I nearly fell over, yet again! I think I even found some more chocolate to eat!**

By Wednesday morning, I was finally starting to calm down a bit, but then, later in the day I got an email that shook me up all over again.

Dream Agent wanted me to call her about Heaven’s Fire.

–Gulp–

Of course I called.

Thirty minutes later, I hung up, disbelieving I’d heard Dream Agent say, “We’re interested in representing you, so think it over and let’s talk Friday.”

I must have hallucinated it. . . no other explanation.

It couldn’t happen that quickly, could it?

But then, on Friday, January 15th, it happened.

I signed on with Tribe Literary Agency. My rockstar agent is Cari Foulk.

So, thanks for celebrating this with me.

Ashley Hayes, the main character from Heaven’s Fire, demanded she get to come on the blog and tell the story, but I had to put my foot down this time. I promised her a week to host in the near future. . . so stay tuned for that.

21 Comments

  • Sandra

    Congratulations Lynn, What great news and what a way to start the new year. You rock. And you deserve it after all the hard work you’ve done.
    CONGRATULATIONS YAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!

  • Lynn Rush

    Christian–Thanks, buddy.
    Belinda–Thanks–only the beginning, indeed.
    Missy–Thanks for swinging by, I didn’t know Tin was going to post that.

    Thanks for celebrating with me, everyone. 🙂

  • Belinda

    Lynn,
    congratulations!! This is so awesome. I am thrilled for you!! Keep celebrating. This is only the beginning of fabulous things for you.

  • ChristianMiles

    HOW COOL!! I’m so excited for you, Lynn!! SO EXCITED! You’re living proof that trusting in God can get anyone through anything. Keep trusting. I can’t wait to read your book!

  • KM WILSHER

    What an inspiration you are, Lynn Rush. You have impacted my life, my faith, and my writing like a falling star hitting Earth. Success couldn’t have come to a nicer, more hardworking person.
    Rock on, write on, sister/friend!!!!

    Can’t wait to hold your books in my hand! :o)

  • Lynn Rush

    Danica–FF&P has been instrumental to me! Love that group!
    Jennifer–Thanks for the encouraging words. You’re a doll!
    Kat–Thanks. Your supportive words push me forward more often than you know!
    Lori–Really? I wish I could see you—miss you bunches, sister!
    Katie–It is a great start to the year, huh? I still can’t believe it. You can TOTALLY interview me for your blog. ANY TIME!

  • Katie

    What a fantastic start to the year!! I’m so excited for you, Lynn 🙂 And, boy–FFnP is an awesome place to be, isn’t it? My productivity shot through the roof being in those girls’ presence…LOL Congratulations again. I SO want to interview you for my blog. Talk about inspirational success stories!

  • Lori Lundquist

    🙂
    We’re in the same time zone today. I feel closer already.
    Adding my own happy dance for you! You’ve worked so hard for this! You are an inspiration. congrats and enjoy the ride!

  • danicaavet

    Lynn, this is awesome!! Congratulations! It’s stories like this that give me hope that one day I’ll get THE CALL as well.

    You’re absolutely correct. Joining organizations to help you hone your craft, and get moral, creative support, is key for every writer, I think. Since joining FF&P, I’ve found myself completing two manuscripts, and learning a lot about the industry.

    I’m so happy for you, and you have every right to happy dance yourself to exhaustion if you want 🙂

  • kat

    I heard you squealing all the way up here in Nebraska. 🙂

    Like you’re always saying — All in God’s time. This is so wonderful to witness this journey you’ve made. I feel like doing a happy dance for you!

  • Lynn Rush

    Karen–Thanks for stoppin’ by. I has been a fantastic journey, that’s for sure. Thanks for sharing it with me.
    Lynda–I’m glad it gives you hope. That’s the idea. Write on, my friend!!

  • Lynda Schab

    CONGRATS! I love reading stories like yours. Gives me a glimmer of hope that maybe-just maybe-something like that could happen to me. 🙂

    Doing the happy dance for you, Lynn!

  • Karen Collum

    Wow, wow, wow, WOW!!!! What an amazing journey you have had (and a relative quick one too, I might add). Huge congratulations to you and you are showered with blessings 🙂 May the road to holding your books in your hand be littered with roses & rainbows.