Blogger: Wendy Lawton
On our blog we’ve talked about many a milestone– finding an agent and receiving “the call,” selling the manuscript to a publisher, hosting a launch party, and many other unforgettable moments. Today I want to talk about another milestone– the birthday of a book. The pub day is always a day to celebrate. It’s the day the book is actually ready to order online and the day it’s available in bookstores across the country.
I have more than one client whose books share the same April 1st birthday but I decided to follow one book, When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti. Yesterday was its official birthday. Here’s what the book is about: Becky rocks a baby that rocked her world. Sixty years earlier, with her fiancé Drew in the middle of the Korean Conflict, Ivy throws herself into her work at a nursing 
home to keep her sanity and provide for the child Drew doesn’t know is coming. Ivy cares for Anna, an elderly patient who taxes Ivy’s listening ear until the day she suspects Anna’s tall tales are not just idle ramblings. They’re Anna’s disjointed memories of a remarkable life. Finding a faint thread of hope she can’t resist tugging, Ivy records Anna’s memoir, scribbling furiously after hours to keep up with the woman’s emotion-packed grace-hemmed stories. Is Ivy’s answer buried in Anna’s past? And what connects them to Becky? Becky, Ivy, Anna–three women fight a tangled vine of deception in search of the blossoming simplicity of truth.
What to expect when you’re expecting: Cynthia’s gestation period for this new baby was no picnic. The book was written and edited in the middle of chaos, including an extensive kitchen fire, her husband Bill’s fall which netted him a broken leg, broken back, surgery and physical therapy. Cynthia, of course, became a 24/7 caregiver, relieved only by her own emergency gall bladder surgery. And those were just a few of the challenges. But here’s what Cynthia, past president of American Christian Fiction Writers, wrote on the ACFW loop this weekend. . . on the eve of the book’s birth: “Right now, I’m just hours away from a newborn novel. In 2008, my then unpublished first novel was a Genesis finalist. In 2011, that same novel–They Almost Always Come Home–was a Carol Award finalist. So it’s only appropriate to let my ACFW friends know that tomorrow’s dawn will see the birth, the official launch, of another novel–When the Morning Glory Blooms. Please join me in praying for the impact of this book. In its embryo stage, it received its first encouragement at the ACFW conference in…get this…2005! Don’t give up, dear friends. The gestation period for some novels is longer than for others.”
On the very day: On the Christian Authors Network blog yesterday, Cynthia wrote: “And today, I held it in my arms, looked into its soft face, and said, ‘It’s a book!’ So how am I spending my first day with this new baby? On my knees. The labor isn’t over, of course. Marketing, publicity, speaking related to the book, articles related to the book, author events, blog visits, the wonder of interacting with readers. I’m spreading the cover before me, laying one hand on the cover and one hand on my Bible and praying, ‘Lord, I know how these two books are connected. Please help readers see the link, too.’ I’m turning to the title page and praying for my publishing house, editor, publicist, marketing manager, sales team, publisher… I’m opening to the dedication page and praying for those for whom the book was written. I’m asking the Lord to breathe life into the pages, to touch them so that those who pick up the book sense something that can only be Him. I can’t wait to introduce this ‘baby’ to the wonderful world of my reader and writer friends!” In a phone call today Cynthia told me that her husband, Bill, set aside time to pray with her for this book.
Birthday Presents: Cynthia’s received many exciting gifts for her new baby including 4.5 stars from Romantic Times and an RT Top Pick! The endorsements were welcome gifts from Deb Raney, Tricia Goyer, Susan Meissner and several others. Plus the “baby” has received many a stellar review. (And what makes a parent happier than hearing how wonderful her baby is.)
Birthday wishes: As the candles are blown out, we’re always reminded to make a wish. In the RT Reviews Daily Blog yesterday, Cynthia talked about some of her wishes for her book: “I dreamed about her again last night. The mom who will be handedWhen the Morning Glory Blooms for Mother’s Day along with a note that says, ‘Thank you for loving me … even then.’
“The high school student hoping to graduate before her due date. She opens her backpack to find a ribbon-wrapped, morning glory-splashed novel and a note from her broken-hearted mother. ‘I’m here. Lean on me’.”
“The seventy-year-old woman who will read When the Morning Glory Blooms and embrace the grace reserved for her, the one she’s resisted because of her past.”
For a book about babies it is fitting that Cynthia closed that article with these words, “As I sat with my fingers poised over the keyboard, grace and hope showed up on the pages, changing everything with a baby’s first sweet breath. ”
How about you? What was your book’s birthday like? Did you celebrate? If you’ve not yet seen that book published what would your ideal book birthday include? Hopefully seeing just one birthday celebration will help you picture your day.
TWEETABLES:
Follow one book’s journey from a glint in the creator’s eye to a fully birthed book. Click to Tweet
Celebrate! Take time to savor your book’s birthday. Click to Tweet
Happy Birthday, Book! Click to Tweet
I impressed how this baby has been bathed in prayer. What a great example Cynthia. I’m impressed at her persistence too. What a great day for you Cynthia!
Thanks for picturing this long gestation period, it inspires me not to give up, and to keep praying–for God’s will, not mine (seems to be a theme lately). 🙂
Anne, I once wrote a short online piece about the gestation period of the Great American Writer. Sometimes it seems SO long. But there’s this lovely verse in the Bible where God says, “Shall I bring to the point of birth and not deliver?” That’s given me comfort more than once in this journey!
Anne, that was one of the reasons I used Cynthia’s book as an example– she prays for her book and the effect it will have on her readers. It might be part of the reason her books are so well received. 🙂
(must need more coffee) ***I’m*** impressed.. (oops)
Okay, I was ready to cry just from Cynthia’s quotes!
Happy Book Birthday, Cynthia!
My ideal book birthday? Our wedding anniversary. NO ONE has been more amazing and encouraging about this endeavour than my husband. When I was given the chance to go on a research trip smack in the middle of the busiest time of year for him? “Bye, honey! Take notes!”
When I sit up til midnight writing and refining “Don’t stay up too late.”
When he’s on the phone to his family? He brags me up.
June 17th. Either the day I sign with an agent/sign a contract or the book hits the world, our anniversary would be the perfect day. And I already have the dedication written.
Wouldn’t that be fun, fun, fun? A book’s birthday on your wedding anniversary? As a little sidelight, I made the first significant connection with Wendy on an Alaskan cruise when both she and her husband and I and my husband were celebrating our 35th anniversaries.
Sorry, I drifted off for a minute into the land of milky turquoise water and calving glaciers.
And connecting with my amazing agent!
I used to work for Princess cruises, finding the luggage from the Alaskan cruise passengers who either left port with only the clothes on their backs, or disembarked and their luggage went to Spain and they went to LA.
And in case any agents will will be anywhere in the Med from June 10th to the 22nd, so will I. 🙂 Maybe I should bring some one-sheets?
Yes, your agent is amazing.
I had the pleasure of connecting with your amazing agent recently. I’m so glad we got to celebrate with you here today.
Jennifer, I hope you show your sweet patron-of-the-arts (otherwise known as our spouses) your comment. You honor him.
I loved this post. I had the privilege of sharing a meal with Cynthia at last year’s ACFW. She joined a group of us and we chatted books and writing. She’s one of the most gracious women I’ve met.
I loved reading about her book birthday, and I am going to have to get my hands on that book. 🙂
For my book birthday–whenever it comes–I’d love to celebrate with friends and in a way that would point others to God. Because He is the giver of the stories I write. I would definitely celebrate with my hubby and two boys who have supported and encouraged me on this journey.
Jeanne, thanks for your kind words. I have to tell you something funny. Despite my joy yesterday, it was also a work day for me and I didn’t even get lunch, much less a special dinner out or anything. My husband had to run into town to pick up our taxes (swell), and I jokingly asked him to bring me a totally decadent “MUST CELEBRATE THE BOOK’S BIRTHDAY” treat of a hot fudge sundae (town is 20 miles away). He was going to do it, but realized he’d left his wallet at home. So I didn’t even have that! Now that I think about it, I ate one hot fudge sundae after another when two weeks overdue with my first human child (as opposed to the book variety). Guess I’ll go eat an apple. But the Book Birthday was glorious anyway.
Cynthia, you made me laugh. I’m sorry for the disappointment of no hot fudge sundae, but I love your attitude. 🙂 And, you’ll just have to celebrate extra the next time you’re in town. 🙂
Jeanne, I think that is important– celebrating with friends. Our friends are such a part of our writing journey, we need to include them in the fun stuff.
I loved Cynthia’s analogy of “birthing” a book to “birthing” a baby, and I’m so looking forward to reading When the Morning Glory Blooms.
My ideal birthday? My perfect scenario would include friends, family, coffee, and a chocolate fountain. AND “Mrs. Miracle.” (Those who read Debbie Macomber will understand. ;))
Thank you, Wendy, for the inspiring post and such encouraging thoughts!
Congratulations, Cynthia!
Cynthia Herron, please tell a friend about your chocolate fountain birthday wish! Someone who will remember and follow through on that for you! What a great idea!
A chocolate fountain? Put me on the invite list. 🙂
A chocolate fountain?
Honey, honey, honey.
Go BIG or go home…
A chocolate IV with a 5 gallon push of melted Dairy Milk!!
I saw Cynthia’s blog post yesterday, Wendy, and immediately hit “Print” to read it over and over as inspiration and encouragement. I am so impressed — and humbled — with her prayers over her book. I knew immediately I needed to write my own prayer list to pray over my WIP. I already spend time in prayer before each writing session, but now it just seems so shallow. No book birthday yet for me, but when it happens, it will definitely include copious amounts of prayer.
Meghan, your words blessed me. I’m stopping right now to pray for your WIP. May its impact rock your world and ours.
Thanks, Cynthia!
Meghan, you have it right. We need to commit these books long before they are published. And there is nothing shallow about your praying before writing. It’s as important as breathing life into characters.
With my own writing there were many a time I’d get the galleys and come across something and say to myself, “How interesting. I didn’t know that.” It made me laugh– I was the sole author, but I knew I had a writing partner.
I didn’t realize how that might read, Wendy. I didn’t think the actual act of praying was shallow, but what I was praying. Brief and without much thought, like “Lord, give me the right words and let those children sleep just a little bit longer.” 🙂 Valid requests, but I could go so much deeper.
Congradulations Cynthia!
I don’t have a book publish, yet, but I imagine that I would like to have it publish on August 20th since that is my birthday and that would be great present. Although any day to have a book publish would be a great present.
Right now I am thrilled when I have reports released, NASA approves the equipment based partly off of the documentation that I created with the engineers, and the equipment flies. It is even amazing when the equipment is installed and you watch the experiment being performed.
Oh, no way, Lori! You create things that fly? I can imagine all sorts of gravity-free ways to celebrate the inaugural flight of your first book. What an incredibly poignant connection. Your words make things fly. May the same be true of the words of your books.
“I can imagine all sorts of gravity-free ways to celebrate the inaugural flight of your first book.” You can? I can’t. What do you imagine?
Total weightlessness is a bit tough to pull off. But, a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon book launch, inviting a librarian to attend, filmed by the evening news crew…bribing someone at NASA to send a copy of your book into space (wait, that would be illegal, wouldn’t it?)…a book cam for when you hold the book in your hands while hang-gliding…teeny tiny little bookmarks about your book clipped to the ankles of carrier pigeons… The possibilities are endless. 🙂
Cynthia, you’re obviously a creative thinker.
Well we don’t get to pick the day of publication but it would be fun. The publishing team think long and hard about the best time for the book to come out.
We just need to be ready to go– with celebration and with marketing.
What a wonderful journey– made complete and meaningful by the hearts behind it! I’ve not met Cynthia, but every time I encounter or see her online, her comments make me smile. Such a heart for her Lord, and — as you demonstrated in this post, for her readers and fellow-writers, as well. What an inspiring example! Thank you, Wendy and Cynthia.
Amanda, you just made ME smile. I pray our paths cross soon.
Each journey is unique. It’s good for us to think about all the steps in the journey. I’m guessing a good many of our blog community will one day be walking this journey.
Hmmm…this is something I’ve thought about, as the title of my novel doesn’t lend itself to sounding like summer reading.
Congratulations for Cynthia, I’ll read some reviews later but the summary so far sounds quite good!
Larry, I wasn’t able to have a launch party this time. Not yet, anyway. But I don’t think it’s any too soon to start imagining something spectacular that not only relates to your book but creates a memory for you. Whether it’s your first or your fiftieth, every “birth” is unique.
Indeed! The launch party / baby shower is part of the fun! 🙂
It’d be nice to have a launch party or publishing date during the summer for my novel, but as I said previously, when I think about the title, I’m not sure if folks would be inclined to read it during the summer.
Hope your launch party, when you have it, is fun!
Cynthia’s right. As you’re writing your book, the perfect celebration may come to you.
And it’s important to celebrate! G. K. Chesterton said it best for me: “The modern world has far too little understanding of the art of keeping young. Its notion of progress has been to pile one thing on top of another, without caring if each thing was crushed in turn, People forgot that the human soul can enjoy a thing most when there is time to think about it and be thankful for it. And by crowding things together they lost the sense of surprise; and surprise is the secret of joy.”
I love this: “The human soul can enjoy a thing most when there is time to think about it and be thankful for it.” That’s why we need to celebrate these milestones! It’ll keep us young and keep us from getting jaded.
I agree, Wendy! ‘Tis the people who make the party, not the weather. If the launch party for my novel isn’t in the summer, that just gives an excuse for everyone to have a fun snowball fight. 😉
And I agree also with reflecting on the joy of the novel and the accomplishments achieved along the way to publication. (And having any excuse to throw a good party!) 🙂
I love Cynthia’s reminder that our stories are linked with the One who is urging and equipping us to spread His good news. A privilege indeed.
What did you do for your book birthdays Wendy?
Excellent question, Jenni. I’d like to know, too. Wendy’s creativity must have had her celebrating in charming settings and memorable ways.
I have done different things with each book. I’m one for mementos so on one or two books I bought a treasure to remind me. (Like an antique Kewpie holding a book for my collection.)
When I wrote Almost Home, in which a bundle of lily bulbs made its way across the ocean on the Mayflower, I gave gifts of lily bulbs to the sales people and to readers. I received sweet letters from some of my young recipients who still see those lilies blooming.
I have to admit with the last few books I neglected celebrating because I was just too busy. (Maybe one of the reasons my word for 2013 has been “savor.” I need to relearn this.)
I do the same, Wendy. I have some kind of momento for each book. When my mom died, I inherited a little stuffed dog, the kind that is small and snuggly. The dog looked like the one I wrote into “Maybe Us” in Cedar Creek Seasons. I even take him to author events at times. He’s no trouble at all. 🙂 I have a carved canoe about the size of a keychain and canoe earrings to celebrate They Almost Always Come Home. I was given a beautiful framed photo of Door County cherries frozen in place by an ice storm. That reminds me of “The Heart’s Harbor” in A Door County Christmas. The antique doll buggy above is one of my reminders, and prayer reminders, for When the Morning Glory Blooms. We have the books, of course, but there’s something about those sweet little reminders that are like the “never forget” stones in the Old Testament.
“Savor” — What a sensational word.
Thank you, Wendy, for sharing Cynthia’s journey with us.
Congratulations Cynthia! You deserve it after all you went through during your “gestation period.” Many blessings on you, your family, your readers and the book.
How disappointing about your hot fudge sundae! Although an apple is a very healthy thought, I hope you indulge in a decadent sundae at some point soon. 🙂
Christine, can I tell the guy who checks my cholesterol that you said it was okay for me to have a hot fudge sundae this once? Yeah, right. Once.
On the serious side, though, it’s so easy for a book’s birthday to come and go in the melee of ordinary life. But it is NO SMALL THING to have a book birth to celebrate. Wendy often nudges me not to forget to “savor.”
Today, it’s by reliving yesterday’s joy with all you wonderful blog community people!
Cynthia,
Feel free to tell him I’ve given you my absolution. Besides, ice cream doesn’t raise cholesterol, does it? Not really. And chocolate is good for you. There’s scientific proof! 😉
Between Jennifers’ Canadian chocolates (and cheesecake), hot fudge sundaes, and everyones’ favorites, I should never, ever read this blog when I’m hungry. 🙂
May I add one more thing before I get kicked off the team for being too chatty?
We writers spend a lot of time in desperation prayers regarding our writing. “Oh, God! Send me an agent! Oh, Lord, please, please, please let this manuscript catch the eye of an editor! Oh, God, I’m only three pages into my story and it’s boring ME! Help!”
I imagine the Author of our faith must find it refreshing when we remember to thank Him for the privilege of writing and pray because we’re so happy and He’s the first one we want to tell.
Cynthia, that just made me cry. Beautiful words!
“remember to thank Him for the privilege of writing and pray because we’re so happy” Oh yes. I’ve formed the habit of not only praying in the wee hours for the work ahead, but thanking Him for the work of the day, however big or small, if the words came like a flood or a trickle (or a squeezed turnip’s blood) as I turn out the light at night. Any day when writing work gets done is a blessing to be articulated in thanks.
Beautiful thought — He’s the first one we want to tell. I’m going to post that so I see it every day. Thank you, Cynthia.
What a wonderful story. Congratulations, Cynthia. I’m so glad you persevered despite the challenges you faced.
Many blessings.
Thank you, Cheryl. It…was…impossible. But that’s what makes us all the more grateful when God proves nothing is impossible to Him.
That’s one of the reasons I’m glad Cynthia let me use her book as my example. Perseverance was an important element in her success.
Such wonderful encouragement, thank you. I’m so glad to be introduced to your writing Cynthia! Congratulations on your book’s birthday. I think I will just be so thankful to have a book birthday someday. I will just thank God and pray that the words offer hope. You inspire me to keep going.
Lisa, so many times over the years, I’ve been encouraged by a whisper in my heart that says, “If you will press through, I will bless you.” Now, I wonder where that Voice came from. 🙂
This is SO adorable and congrats to Cynthia! I needed a good feel-good read to bring along on a trip this weekend so I’m downloading it now.
I have a book birthday coming up next week… quadruplets in fact! I am getting a bit overwhelmed by the process and I appreciate the reminder that it’s also a celebration!
Erin, watch my face, honey. Hee, hee, hee, whoo. Hee, hee, hee, whoo. There ya go. Quadruplets. I saw their faces. Sweet!
Any mom of quadruplets will tell you the biggest challenge is to give each of them they attention they deserve. I can’t imagine having four books come out simultaneously but if anyone can do it. . .
So proud to see fellow CAN author and the ‘birth’ of the baby. LOL I know how you feel, it is so much like sending a child out into the world. Now go, little up, grow and do what you were created to do. Blessings Cynthia.
That’s right, Christine. Each book is a big part of us. As we look back at a writing career we see in that book some of our history and the things we struggled with as we wrote those books.
Of the authors I’ve followed over the years I love pairing their books with their biographies and seeing the two journeys– book and life– go hand in hand.
It’s a sobering thing to choose a topic on which to write. Sometimes we live it, then write about it. Sometimes we write about it, then live it. Sometimes we live it during the writing process. It’s harder that way, but richer. Like right now. There’s a stubborn little winter-weary mouse scooting across my family room floor. Mice and I do not get along well. Our goals are at odds with one another. But I’m taking notes. I think he’s part of the writing journey for my next book proposal. I named him “Deceased,” but he didn’t catch the humor in that.
What a fantastic story! So much I didn’t know. Congratulations, Cynthia!
Thank you, Jamie. Little secret: Wonderhubby took me for that frozen custard hot fudge sundae tonight!
Wow! I love Cynthia’s heart and her prayers for her novels. What a beautiful concept. I will need to keep these things in mind as my book birthday approaches. Thanks for sharing!
Karen, do you have any special plans already? Anything that ties in with your book topic/theme/setting/cover colors?
I hope Donnie’s middle grade novel’s birthday coincides with my birthday:
July 4th, 2004.
WoW! What a tail-waggin’ day that would be.
Hey! Free Kibble & Bits for all my friends!
I never told you folks my full name: Yankee Doodle Dandy.
Dear Yankee, it sounds as if you are a wonderful companion for your human–Donnie. Do you show up in Donnie’s novels? Will you show up at his book signings?
Hi Cynthia, To answer your questions. Yes and yes.
I will show up for his book signings but I don’t do autographs for obvious reasons – unless I’m getting paid in doggie dollars.
I am in every novel Donnie has written. Of course he has only written one, but I’m sure, when he writes book two in his series, A Boy and His Creature, I will have a major part. He was going to call his book: A Dude and His Dog but then I got squeezed out by that creature of his. Oh well, the creature is kinda cute and we do get along famously.
End Note: Whenever I plug Donnie’s book, I get extra kibble at dinner time.
I suspect I’d be a weeping mess at my “book birthday party.” Perhaps I should include a disclaimer on the invites. “Please note: the mother of the book expresses gratitude and joy mainly by bawling her makeup off.”
Shauna, that made me laugh out loud! Clever. I wish I could tell you there were no tears in writing. But that’s so not true. They pretty much dot the journal of the whole journey. Empathy for our characters. Empathy for our readers. And those crystalline tears of gratitude.
What a beautiful story–in more ways than one! Brought tears to my eyes. The Lord bless you and your “baby,” Cynthia–I look forward to hearing what He does now after the “birth day.” Thanks for sharing this with us, Wendy!
Wouldn’t it be fun to pop back in here a year from now to give an update, Kiersti? The baby’s one-year pictures?
What a beautiful testimony of faithfulness in the midst of trials! Cynthia, you are a great encouragement to me. 2005!
Offering up your work in worship and thanksgiving is a wonderful example to remember exactly why we write and who the glory is for.
God bless you!
And thank you, Wendy for sharing this amazing story of perseverance in birthing a book!
I look forward to my novel birthday and would love a summer date for the summer story.
July 23 would make my heart sing!
I have a team of intercessors praying for God’s will and timing.
Such a wise idea, Kathy–to have intercessors praying with you about your writing. I believe my own writing path took a decided upswing when I invited a handful of trusted, caring friends to become a team of people to whom I could turn for prayer specifically for my writing. That reminds me. I owe them an update!
Updates are so helpful. And I agree, My writing took a turn too. God has yet to reveal where he is taking me. I so rejoice with you, Cynthia! Those of us actively waiting, share your joy. 🙂
And Wendy, I love your baby buggy photograph!
Congratulations, Cynthia! And Happy Birthday to When The Morning Glory Blooms. Your test was great, and your testimony even greater. God is so faithful and good, and I know He’ll bless this book and speak to so many readers, and be glorified.
Thanks for the encouragement, Lori, and for joining me in prayer.