Big Announcement!

Hello friends, fellow bloggers, and blog lurkers!  I'm excited to give you a sneak peak at something God is doing...well, there isn't really anything to peak at yet - except a plan.

Many of you know that I began to write a book about seven years ago. It is a non-fiction book for moms about a plan God gave me for spending time with him as a mom, when traditional methods just didn't work any more.

In 2007, I submitted it to MOPS, International, as it seemed the most logical fit for a publisher. But they weren't interested in a book on my topic at the time. After that, life got really hard, and I honestly just didn't know what to do with my book anymore. I'm glad, because since that time God has re-written it about four times. He has deepened the message and given me so much new information.

This year, my manuscript was a finalist in the Women of Faith writing contest (in the top 30 of about 700 entries).  Even though I didn't win, I was so encouraged and revived in my passion about this topic.

Still, though, I've felt a little lost about how to get it to moms. The experts all say that you need to build your own platform and market yourself...which feels virtually impossible while working full time and raising a family.

I recently listened to an amazing interview between Michael Hyatt and Seth Godin. Michael asked Seth what his number one advice would be to aspiring authors, and Seth said, "Give your first book away." At first that punched me in the gut. After all it is a huge chunk of my life...and I'd be lying to say that I hadn't always hoped it would produce enough income for me to enter the writing world full time and fully focused.  However, as I listened to Seth explain the changes in the publishing world, his message really began to resonate inside me.

I've said over and over, "This is God's book." Yes, I'd like to write more full time. But when I remove the piece about needing to make any money off this project, I feel a huge release. I've been so frustrated because I know moms need the information that is sitting on my shelf, and I've been lost as to how to get it to them.

SO...here we go!  I'm in the process of editing again to make sure it is really, really ready (since I don't have a professional editor sitting at a publishing company doing it for me). I will then be taking the steps to put the book in e-book and PDF form as a free download until God says otherwise.

It will first be released by another website as their exclusive offering, then offered on its own website shortly after. The launching will begin in about 6-8 weeks.

In the meantime, I'm putting a shout out there to those of you who can pray and help. I have some huge needs that I'm asking God to provide for here. I have no budget at all to do all of this. I'm already giving it away, and already working full time to pay necessary family expenses. God has blessed me in my job the last several years to turn me into a fairly tech-savvy girl who can pretty much build the site and make an e-book...but there are things that I can't do. Maybe you can? or know someone who would want to be a part of this?  I need either donated help or donations to hire help. :)

1. Graphic artist/web designer - I have Adobe PSE9 and limited skills using it. I *can* get by, but I need input. I'm not an artist. I have some ideas in mind but it is quite a bit beyond me.
2. Photography - I'm also decent in this department...but not at taking pictures of myself. lol. I could use some professional shots.
3. Digital video camera - I just need one. I have a very talented, skilled son at taping and editing, but we don't have any equipment. I will start with my webcam as necessary, but I'm asking God for something more versatile. 
4. Blog Link ups - I would love to have a massive blog release on the day the book goes live on its own site. If you have a blog and would like to be a part of helping me launch the book on the day it releases, would you fill out this form?
5. Social Media Following - The more followers, the merrier when it comes to getting the word out there. You can follow my author page on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, and follow me here to get the latest news! 

Thank you so much for praying, encouraging, helping, and cheering this project on!