If you personally know me, you know how hard it is for me to be quiet. I talk. A lot. So keeping a personal secret since September 8th has just about eaten me alive. But now, today, I can finally do some shouting!
September 8th was like any other day. I got up and had my God time. I taught school. I came home, cooked dinner, and sat down to pork chops. Ordinary pork chops. And stuffing. My phone, which is never on the table, was on the table. When it rang, I glanced at it, then I picked it up and stared at it. The caller ID said it was my amazing agent, Sandra Bishop, but my thumb wouldn’t hit the button to answer. I’d just talked to her a few days before, so if she was calling again so soon, it was either very, very good news or very, very bad news.
Hm.
The conversation wouldn’t make sense on paper, but it essentially boils down to her laughing at me while I repeatedly (as in, possibly a Guinness World Record number of times) said, “You’re kidding.” Because, honestly, some part of me thought she was. Not that Sandra would ever play that kind of trick on anybody, but because it just couldn’t possibly be true that Steeple Hill had made on offer on the military suspense I toiled over last summer. But they had. And last Friday, I talked to my editor Emily for the second time. The first time we met was a year ago, when I pitched the novel to her at ACFW Conference in Indianapolis. She asked to see more of the book. I was floored.
God has a sense of humor. That meeting with Emily happened during the Sunday meetings at ACFW. Know what today is? The Sunday of ACFW Conference. Know what I did today?
I signed my contract!!! Steeple Hill will be publishing my novel in early 2013! So, in the tradition of authors everywhere, this is my obligatory “here’s me signing my contract” blog post.
So yes… To God be all of the glory, because I’m going to assure you in every way possible, he lined everything up to get this thing published. And you know that poem “Footprints,” about God carrying you? Oh, my friends, you have no idea how many times He had to pick me up and carry me. Life was insane, and yet God got this book done. He sent some amazing people to take my hand through this one, and I’ll be thanking them all later. For now, it’s all about Him and what He’s allowed, in ways I never dreamed He’d allow it…
Congrats!!! I am so happy for you. I remember all the way back when we first met, your talk of writing. I am so glad it finally happened.
Keep us posted dear.
Girl… There’s so much I could say to that. LOL
Congrats! Well deserved!
Thanks, hon! Missed seeing you this year!
Oh Jodie, how thrilling!
We are all so proud of you!! Can’t wait to see the book one day and tell the person next to me, “I sat next to her at a conference years ago.”
Enjoy the glow.
Thanks, Leslie! Yep, we really had a good conversation that day. I was glad to sit next to you and glad to still see you around! Trying to get back there this year. We will see…
You’re incredible! I’ll be first in line to purchase your book in Columbus! Promise me you’ll sign it. So happy for you! Glory to God!
I’ll have to come down there and visit y’all… Thanks, Meredith!
Yes! PLEASE come visit!! 🙂
I’m so excited for you! Congrats 100 times over and praise God for His amazing timing and His humor! Great news!!
Thanks, girl! And your tweet made my day!
Yayayayayayayayayayayayayayayayay!!!!!!!!!
Minions rock!
Jodie, I’m so happy for you! That timing is so like our God. Love how He does that. Steeple Hill! So exciting! Looking forward to reading it.
Thank you, Beth! You make me smile… 🙂 and you give me somebody to talk NASCAR with… Even better.
Congratulations Jodie! From one Jodie to another! I’m so happy for you.
Blessings,
Jodie Wolfe
Congratulations! What a wonderful accomplishment! I hope you celebrated!
Congratulations, Jodie! That’s awesome news! In retrospect, God’s timing is always absolutely perfect, isn’t it?
Thank you, Carol!!!! I love how His timing works. He’s done that to me many, many times. It always makes me smile, like He’s reminding me that He loves me and it’s all about Him.