Anyway, I get to start off my week back with some news! Finally. I've had things in the works for ages it seems, but I'm just now able to share. Thank you for your patience as I was so secretive about my upcoming books...
As many of you know, last year I was working on a book called Sleeping in Eden. I shared some brief sections of the book with you, kept you updated throughout the writing process, and told you all about my two protagonists Lucas and Meg. I'm really excited about this book, but I'm sorry to say that it will not be releasing this spring as planned. The publishing world is complicated, surprising, and sometimes unpredictable--something I'm beginning to learn more and more! At any rate, after the book was complete, my publisher and I realized we had some creative differences. Since the disparity seemed insurmountable, I was given back the rights to Sleeping in Eden, and contracted to write my third and final Julia book. It was a difficult experience at the time, but, as always, God knows what he's doing!
Through the past four years, I have been very blessed to work with such a wonderful publishing house. Tyndale has been so patient and understanding with this rookie author, and I have nothing but admiration and respect for everyone I've worked with. They made my dreams come true! I will always hold Tyndale in the highest regard, and I hope that my final Julia book is not my final book with this top-notch publisher.
As for Sleeping in Eden, I'm happy to say that this special book has found a home! Though it will not be releasing as planned, I'm thrilled to announce that Simon & Schuster has acquired the rights to Sleeping in Eden, a new book I'm working on called Far from Here, and a third, untitled book. Remember how I said that the publishing world is unpredictable? Well, as it turns out, Sleeping in Eden (even though it's a finished manuscript) will be my second S&S book. The first book is the one I'm working on now, a manuscript that will require a trip to Alaska (yup, I'm so excited!), flying lessons (but not until after the baby is born--apparently you aren't allowed in un-pressurized cabins during pregnancy), and lots of blood, sweat, and tears (but don't they all?). Wow. I'm still getting my head around it all. And I'm eager to see where this new path will take me.
Whew. What a wild ride. Thanks so much for your comments, emails, thoughts, and even prayers over the last few years (or even just weeks!). This entire experience has been the stuff of dreams, and I'm so grateful that even though there have already been bumps in the road, God has seen fit to let me continue to write. I'm sorry that I won't have a book releasing in 2010... But I hope that you'll stick with me for more of this journey! My third Julia book will come out in less than a year (tentative pub date of February 2011) from Tyndale House, and then Far From Here and Sleeping in Eden will follow soon from Simon & Schuster. Yikes. I'd better get writing... ;)
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Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI so exciting to hear you've found a home for your works.
Flying lessons? Interesting. I've done a lot of research for my own writing, but flying lessons were never a part of it. That must sound funny coming from an Air Force guy:)
Congratulations again!
That is excellent news, Nicole - so happy for you and ok, for me too, given it means I get to read more of your books :)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Congratulations, that is exicting news! How wonderful to have a publisher for your next three books, after Julia's story is complete of course. I am very intrigued to see where you take her story.
ReplyDeleteI am still blown away by how you got your first book published. Totally a God thing!
I look forward to reading your new books, even though I will have to wait a while. But I am sure they will be worth waiting for. :)
Congrats! Glad your books are finding good homes... from which to leave and find their way into our homes! =) Stan
ReplyDeleteThis is all so very exciting! Best to you with each of it.
ReplyDeleteThat's so exciting! Congratulations! I can't wait to read your next books... it's already been too long. :)
ReplyDeleteExceptional news! Congratulations on your contract with Simon & Schuster. Now you and Stephen King will be working with the same publishing house... Hmmm... Should be very interesting!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! That is exciting!! Congrats!! Also, hoping you are still planning on attending our Book Club group this Sat, March 20th @ 11 A.M.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to email you but haven't gotten anything back. Can't wait to see you there!! :) Melissa
Thanks so much for your well-wishes! I'm very excited, but this is definitely new territory for me... No more inspirational fiction. I'm now classified as women's fiction. But that doesn't mean you boys can't still read (and hopefully enjoy!) my books. ;)
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I'm definitely planning on Saturday. I wonder why your emails aren't going through???
What wonderful news! Looking forward to reading them all.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's amazing, Nicole! I was surprised to see you'd switched publishers, but I honestly think you'll do great as a women's fiction writer. This is all God, honey! He knows what He's doing. ;) I'm really excited for you. How does it feel to be switching from a Christian based publishing house to a more generalized house? If that makes sense...it may not. Lol. Do you think it will effect your writing style, what you choose to write about, or how you choose to say something in your writing? Maybe this is an awful interpretation, but I sometimes get the feeling that Christian based publishing houses are a little restricting with content. Not to say, are you going to write books where you use fifty million cuss words now. That's not what I'm asking. Sometimes, I just get the feeling that some writers with Christian houses sugar coat their style. Your books were always refreshing for me to read because you told it like it is. I just wonder if maybe that'll expand with your new publisher.
ReplyDeleteNicole,
ReplyDeleteI'm coming along for the ride and now I have the pleasure of anticipating all your new books. Yay!
ditto and ditto to the congrats...can't wait for new books. The other day I was thinking about the scene from A Moment Between that is the communion table and how he waited for her and set the table for her over and over again and she eventually came and ate with him. I want you to know that it was one of the deepest, most beautiful things I have ever read and I picture it and know it is also me and my Lord. Thank you for the words and the nudges you hide in your stories. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you! Congrats, Nicole! What fabulous news! Can't wait to read them all! That means, by the time you're finished, you'll have SEVEN books out! That's truly amazing, Nicole! Happy dancing for you. :)
ReplyDeleteLauren, your questions make perfect sense. I wondered for a long time if it would be a wise move for me to try and bridge the CBA (Christian market) and ABA ("secular" market) divide. With "The Moment Between," we kind of tried to do that... but it didn't work so well. CBA audiences didn't seem to "get" the book, and ABA audiences resented the fact that they got "tricked" into buying a Christian book. Grrr. Anyway, hopefully this will be a good fit for me. And yes, I will have some more creative freedom. Not that I intend to write smutty books, but life is messy, and now I don't have to make sure I sanitize it quite so much. Don't get me wrong, I think there's a place for both, and I'm so grateful for the chance I've had to write CBA books. It's been a blast and I wouldn't change it for anything! Now we'll see what's in store in this new endeavor...
ReplyDeleteNikolyn, you blessed me by remembering that scene. It was so powerful to me--I am humbled to know that God used it in your life. Thanks for sharing.
As for the rest of you, thanks again for your support and encouragement! You rock.