THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE BOOK
Today is the day that I was supposed to be holding the long awaited first printed hard copy of my book The Healing in my hands. In fact several boxes of copies of the book were due to be delivered to my doorstep today – until I got the disappointing news last week that due to the Suffolk snow, there would be another week to wait. It’s a wild, wet, windy day here in North Wales, so probably a good thing that the books aren’t coming. I do have great respect for all postal workers and couriers, especially on days like this.
I’ll admit to feeling a bit flat this week, the excitement and anticipation ebbing somewhat. But when people worldwide are suffering so much loss and hardship, what is the delay of a few (hundred) books, in the bigger scheme of things? So today I am choosing to focus on the positives about this journey in publishing, and there are so, so many. A huge thing that I am becoming more and more thankful for is the people this adventure has brought into my life.
In all the best adventure stories, the hero or heroine might be crucial to the success of the mission, but not without the help of others. The Lord of the Rings would not be so magnificent a story, if Frodo did not have his Samwise, and Gandulf, and the fellowship of the ring, and the elves, dwarves, riders, trees… you get my point!
Now, I’m no hobbit, although I do have quite big feet (not hairy ones!) but like Frodo, I have realised that my adventure is not just about me, and I really can’t do to this on my own. I have those in my life like Samwise – special close friends, family, those who have known and loved me a long time, and have been so good at encouraging me, praying for me, giving me a kick when I’ve needed it, sticking with me. I have also discovered a whole new world of writer friends, through the Association of Christian Writers, History Writers and just by reaching out to other authors in the same boat as me. One of those new friends emailed me when she heard my books had been delayed and suggested a zoom call to commiserate and pray together. So lovely! These things make this adventure so much richer and are priceless to me. Wordy chats, FABCHOW, Instagram pods – if these sound like a foreign language, they would have been to me once – now they are just evidence of a growing number (not quite hoards, but almost) of people who are wanting to be involved in my journey. Add to that the wonderful people at Instant Apostle, who have made this adventure possible, my social media followers, and you precious ones who have signed up to my email newsletter! I am truly surrounded by lots of wonderful, genuinely lovely, people.
So THANK YOU – to all of you, whatever role you have taken in this adventure. Thank you for the messages, texts, zoom chats, calls, prayers, invitations to share. Thank you especially if you have believed in me enough to already pre-order a copy of the illusive book! And thank you God, who started me out on this amazing adventure and has stayed close every step of the way. I could not have got this far without you – all.
The Healing will be published by Instant Apostle on 19th March. You can pre-order your own signed copy now at http://www.joymargetts.com, and these will be available (hopefully!) from 26th February. You can also sign up to receive my newsletter, sneak previews of the story, and special offers on the website. If you enjoyed reading this blog please consider following me. Elves, dwarves, hobbits, wizards – all welcome!
Bless you, Joy