In this post: I’ve been keeping a secret from you…I’m writing a book! And I created a free printable for you, to celebrate! Woohoo!!!

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You guys! You know you are some of my favorite people ever, right?! Well, you are. And that’s why it’s been so hard to keep this secret from y’all! But now that it’s all official, I can finally share with the whole wide world! 

I’m writing a book!

Okay. I’ve written books before. eBooks. Self-published books. Which I’ve poured my heart into. But this time, I’ve signed on with a dream publisher, Bethany House. And I couldn’t be more thrilled! 

I’ve enjoyed writing for decades. I’m not a fancy writer – I pretty much write like I talk. I had a short story published in a collection of stories when I was in college. And I’ve enjoyed dabbling in self-publishing too. But going through the process with an agent and a publisher has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. 

So, how did this come about?

I’ve been jotting down book ideas for ages. Early in 2018, after some Holy Spirit prompting, I decided to finally act on one of those ideas. 

I asked questions of some of my lovely blog friends who had published books. KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms, Jamie from So Much Better with Age, Liz from Love Grows Wild, Jennifer from Clean and Scentsible and a few others. I asked them how they liked their publishers, if they used an agent, what would they do differently, etc. After getting their answers, I prayed about which direction I should go and eventually reached out to a literary agency. 

Thankfully, that agency saw something in me and even though we tweaked my original idea (which may be a second book one day?), I spent most of summer 2018 writing and finessing my book proposal. 

In the late summer of 2018, my agent sent out my proposal to her publishing contacts. And the waiting began. 

Like, I mean, waiting. 

Publishing a book with a publisher takes SO much longer than self-publishing! 

But, even though the wait felt long (and in reality actually took several months), I felt at peace with it all. I knew that this was something that God had planned for me (and you!). So, I waited.

I actually waited through several rejections in the process too. Which, I’ll admit was a little harder to be okay with. 

Finally, a week before Christmas, after several emails and conversations, my agent called to tell me that Bethany House was making an offer. I was super excited. It was the perfect Christmas gift! 

Of course, then there were contracts and snail mail and all that. But, it’s all official and I’m knee-deep in writing this beautiful book…FOR YOU!

What is the book about?

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that my first traditionally-published book will be a decorating book! 

But, my beloved friend, it’s going to be SO much more than that. 

It’s going to be a blueprint for embracing the most important place on earth – HOME! 

(Thanks to my editor for that perfect description! Love ya, girl!)

I’m so excited to finish birthing this baby, and I can’t wait to get it into your hands. 

Free Definition of Home Printable

Like I mentioned, as part of the everyday printable tour with Kristen and my blog friends, I created a free printable for you as a thank you for helping me celebrate!

If you’d like it for your house, just click on the image below to open the full-sized version and then print. I hope you enjoy it! 

Again thank you for helping me celebrate! Home Made Lovely literally would not be the same without you!