Had just sat down at my desk a few hours prior when I got another surprise. A Westbow marketing consultant gave me a call to introduce herself. We scheduled an official telephone conference next week. She told me that Westbow’s affiliation with Thomas Nelson, and/or getting picked up by a big-name publisher, was one of the perks for going with them. We’ll discuss several marketing strategies and things they have to offer. She gave me several things to think about in preparation. God is in control. (This would be above and beyond the press release, social media page, and online book trailer that I’m getting.)

Getting exciting. Westbow’s Design team consultant called this afternoon. Went over what to expect from here on out, typically 6 weeks or so, should be exciting. Working on the initial proofs, which should be available to me in a week. He told me that with the government shut down, it may be problematic to get the Library of Congress number. However, there might be other ways to get around it. I’m proofing the hard copy of text in front of me ONE LAST TIME to verify all my changes have been made. Eight chapters in and only have found one thing, where I’d forgotten to put a parenthesis.

Great homeschool day with my sons. They know about my next book and the main character. They realize the urgency of getting it out, “Labor of Love: Gavin Lawrey and His Struggle With Mitochondrial Disease.” Encouraged me to go work on it this afternoon after we finished with school. They speak of Gavin frequently. Think it’s going to be a good one, been emotional for me. Writing it with his mother, Brandi. Can’t wait.

What a long, long day. Awakened just before Dana left the house this morning. Got so much done on the second manuscript I’m working on for a friend. My check-in lady at Westbbow Press called: there were no copyright issues so she sent it on to the Design Team. She thinks it’ll be about 200 pages when sized correctly….now it’s 125 on 8.5×11.” Seemed very impressed. We cut down my index, a lot of the terms I had were normal, she said, or alluded to. Finished AMAP work on this next book. All that with a pounding headache. Fortunately, it’s beginning to subside.

You wouldn’t know how excited I am for this week. Believe I’ll be getting my manuscript back this week from the Westbow copyeditors. . .hoping nothing wrong was found which would delay me. (Otherwise, my guess for publication would be April/May.) In the meantime, we’ll keep plugging away on my next project. It’s going to be such a good thing, too. Trying to do some in-depth research currently to to get our i’s crossed and our t’s dotted, a lot of legwork. lol

Up late researching some things last night, a little tired at church. Great message/Life Group. Dana and I drove separately – different services – so I could come home early. More research for my next book. The topic revolves around the brevity of life, how thankful we should be. Looks like it’ll take a long time to put together, but it’s going to be worth it. Very excited.

What a good day! Got so much done. Short night last night, really tired now but had to give an update. Excited my book’s about to be returned from the publishing company…btw, excellent feedback from my editor, but that’s another story in itself. In the meantime, I am becoming so, not enamored – maybe affectionate or passionate – about the next book’s subject. Mitochondrial disease is a serious, serious condition. So I researched that tonight, very saddening from the medical standpoint. Had some thoughts about another chapter, perhaps. “Labor of Love: Gavin Lawrey and his struggle with Mitochondrial Disease.” Now for a double-header Upwards flag football and triple-header soccer tomorrow. Yay.

This has been an absolutely fantastic day. A few low points came but quickly dissipated. While I’m waiting for my “Till Death” book to be returned from Westbow for the beginning stages of approval, I began working on another project. A heartfelt interview has led to a story about a dynamic family in the community. Their son, Gavin, suffers from Mitochondrial Disorder. So far, with all the information the mother has given me, we’ve completed over 50 pages of text. Mito is a grievous tragedy, and as saddened as I am by its intensity and severity, I am hopeful we can get the word out about this disease. Believe we’re titling it, “Labor of Love.”

Well, the work on my next project formally began this morning. I didn’t know two hours could pass so quickly, as I waited before a dentist appointment. I read through, researched, half of one article. That which I had asked of the co-author (subject), I found myself the victim of. I only had gotten halfway through the article, and I was consumed by my emotions. I know, shouldn’t happen being a male. But I think it’s very different this time when I did not play a role in the plot. I see and write from the outside. I believe, God- willing, we’re going to have a fantastic story! It will be inspirational and enlightening.

Great night’s sleep but short. Thankful to have heard from my editor last night, soon-to-be publisher for the next book. Up late – later than my previous post – writing more thoughts and things, proposed chapter titles, and tidbits to work with. Glad my mind finally slowed down and I could sleep at least two hours. Think we have a solid, at least tentative, outline now to follow. God is in control.