It takes a village to raise a child, or so we are told. This week, having released twin book-babies into the world, I can confidently assert that the same is true when birthing books. It certainly takes a village to get them from conception to delivery…

It was almost a year ago that I felt God was leading me to take the idea of writing a book about the wilderness, to pull it out of my metaphorical TBW (to-be-written) pile, and to write it even while still experiencing a wilderness season of my own. I had conceived the spark of a divine idea. However, many people conceive book-ideas that never make it full term, and I can honestly say that over the past year if it were not for the love, support, advice, experience and hands-on help of my own village, I don’t think my two books would have made it to publication.

For a start there was my small group of writer-friends from the Kingdom Story Writers who when I bounced the idea off them didn’t respond with horror or laughter, but fully endorsed it, believed I could do it, and helped launch me on my journey. As I began writing they periodically checked in with encouragement, in particular when it came to Lent and I felt God was leading me to write a chapter a day. I really needed the accountability that came from sharing my goals with a group of supportive friends, to keep me on track. Every writer needs a squad of cheerleaders when trying to write a book. (If you don’t have one, I recommend joining a writing group, in person or online). Thus conception and the first trimester were complete.
Joy M, Joy V, Alex, Natasha, Jo… thank you.

Then once my first and second drafts were done, I reached out to my squad of beta-readers (some of whom came from the first group of cheerleaders). These are my friendly critics: experienced writers who know what they are talking about but have the grace to suggest improvements in a constructive way. Without knowing they had all cast their expert eyes over my book, I doubt I would have had the confidence to send it to those I hoped would endorse it – greatly respected Christian leaders. When they were all happy to give endorsements it was a real boost!. This felt like my second trimester when I started to ‘show’ and let others see what had been growing.
Again: Joy M, Joy V, Alex, and Natasha; Jenny, Chris, and Cath; Steve, Anne and Laurence… thank you.

Next came my lovely cover designer, line editor, proof-reader and formatter, all in one glorious human being. I handed my manuscript over to the excellent Liz Carter, secure in the knowledge that hers were very safe hands for it to be in. Being able to trust the publishing professionals you are working with is a blessing that cannot be taken for granted. I’ve heard some horrifying stories that have resulted in botched or unfinished books, and I am so grateful that God pointed me in Liz’s direction for my first book, so I have never needed to go elsewhere since. Once Liz had finished, I was at the finish line – third trimester complete, it was time for delivery.
Liz, you rock. Thank you x

And that brings us to this week. If you’ll pardon my stretching the metaphor further, I had been nesting like crazy – working intently to prepare the world for my babies’ arrival, with daily scheduled promos all over Social Media. It was intense, exhausting, and emotionally draining to the point where a set-back with my print-run felt utterly devastating. At that point I am most grateful for my lovely, beautiful village who rallied around: my friends who prayed for me, reached out and encouraged me, and in some cases put themselves out to offer very practical help, in order to get me to – and through – delivery.
All the aforementioned villagers, plus Mike, Mum, Aimee, Thelma, the Warrior Mums, our family prayer support group, the Kingdom Story Writers and Association of Christian Writers, and every person on social media who has liked, shared, commented, pre-ordered, and in any other way cheered me on… thank you. You all made a very real difference.

So this evening I am resting. Delivery complete, I have twin book-babies newly arrived in the world. And it took a whole village of people to get them here safely.