WELCOME AUTHOR JANET SKETCHLEY

WELCOME AUTHOR JANET SKETCHLEY
6/18/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene

Title of book: Heaven's Prey

Author: Janet Sketchley

Publisher: Choose NOW Publishing

Genre: Christian suspense

Series or stand alone: Redemption's Edge Book 1

Target age: adult

I’M EXCITED TO WELCOME AUTHOR JANET SKETCHLEY, WHO SHARES HER WRITING JOURNEY TO PUBLICATION OF HER FIRST NOVEL.

JANET IS OFFERING WINNER’S CHOICE OF A PRINT OR EBOOK GIVEAWAY OF HER BOOK, HEAVEN’S PREY. CHECK BELOW TO SEE HOW TO ENTER TO WIN.

For my 40th birthday, I whispered two pleas to God: salvation for a friend, and a novel contract for the story I'd worked on so long.

The birthday came and went. My friend died. I don't know if she let down her barriers to God in her final hours, but He gave me peace about her and I hope that means "yes". The novel? No bites from publishers.

I kept learning, attending conferences, and improving my manuscript. Comments became more positive. The story was short-listed for two different prizes that could have led to publication, but it won neither.

I put it aside. Wrote another novel. Went back to the first one again, determined to do my best for these characters.

Somewhere along the line, I decided if I couldn't have any other positive result for all this work, I'd at least have cake. My earliest notes for the first story are dated March 1994, so each March we have a cake to celebrate my imaginary friends' birthday. It's a bit of a perk for my family, too, for putting up with my tendency to write more than I clean.

By now my agent had submitted both manuscripts to every likely spot without success. Unknown author... Canadian even, with mostly Canadian settings... publishers tightening their focus and adjusting to the market changes... no wonder the prospects weren't good.

Really, what happens with our writing is up to God. I've surrendered it to Him many times, especially when my hopes and dreams start to take on idol status and need putting in place. I've also learned a huge amount about writing and about life through this first manuscript in its many incarnations, and if that's all God intended it for, that would still be time well spent.

I've never felt called to write fiction, I just know I'm happiest when I do. Every time I wanted to quit, God nudged me back at it. When I laid down the dream, it cowered and whimpered and cried, but it wouldn't die.

I spent my 50th birthday with family and friends, and I don't remember asking God for anything. Around that time, I heard of a new publishing company. I answered their call for submissions and settled in to wait for another rejection. Instead, the next month I signed a contract with Choose NOW Publishing for that first manuscript... the one whose characters sparked in my mind over 19 years earlier.

That was almost a year ago now. Heaven's Prey released in November 2013, and the sequel goes to the editor this summer. My publisher has closed its fiction line, so the next thing I'll be learning is indie publishing—there's always something new!

LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN A COPY OF HEAVEN’S PREY BETWEEN NOW AND WEDNESDAY, JULY 2ND AT MIDNIGHT MST. DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE YOUR CONTACT EMAIL SO YOU CAN BE NOTIFIED IF YOU WIN!

Janet Sketchley's debut novel, Heaven's Prey, is a story of suspense and redemption. You'll find her Christian living articles and book reviews on her website, plus a true-life story in the award-winning anthology, A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider. Janet lives and writes in east-coast Canada.

Connect with Janet at her website and on Facebook

Comments

Janet Sketchley From Nova Scotia At 7/14/2014 8:43:54 AM

I missed a lot of good conversation here! Thank you to everyone who stopped by. I love Edith's suggestion to pray for our readers! I'm sorry I wasn't here to chat. June was hectic and my reminder note clearly vanished. :(

Patti Shene From Colorado At 6/30/2014 1:57:01 PM

Oh, yes, Edith, we are so quick to give it to God then say, ""um, I really need to worry about this a little more!"" I'm great at that! Thanks for stopping by.

Edith Edwards From coast of North Carolina At 6/27/2014 2:51:32 PM

Carole, loved hearing about your writing. Know what you mean about turning it over to God. I do that everyday--then snatch it back. I'm impatient, so I've always used indie presses. One thing I've learned is to pray for people who buy my books. Then I feel purposeful with my work.

Patti Shene From Colorado At 6/22/2014 11:08:05 PM

Hi Carole! So glad you stopped by.

Carole Brown From Ohio At 6/22/2014 1:23:51 PM

I've only met Janet online (and she hosted me w/my debut novel-The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman-several months ago. She was a delightful host and so happy to see her book in print. Would love a chance to win it! Thanks [email protected]

Patti Shene From Colorado At 6/20/2014 10:09:59 PM

Thank you for stopping by, Mary.

Mary Hosmar From Ontario At 6/20/2014 8:57:58 PM

I enjoyed Heaven's Prey immensely. I also met Janet it this year's Write Canada. But I never knew the story behind the book. Thanks for sharing, Janet.

Patti Shene From Colorado At 6/20/2014 7:51:38 PM

Thank you for stopping by, Elaine. Glad you enjoyed Janet's book. Her story is an encouragement to me as well.

Elaine Stock From NY At 6/20/2014 7:32:54 PM

Janet, you've put several things into perspective for me! I'm so glad you didn't give up belief in your story and trust in Him because Heaven's Prey is one of the best books I've read. Patti, thanks for hosting Janet.

Patti Shene From Colorado At 6/19/2014 10:49:07 PM

Janice & Laura, thank you so much for stopping by to congratulate and encourage Janet.

Laura Miedema From Truro, Nova Scotia At 6/19/2014 7:46:56 PM

I first met Janet at a Canadian Christian conference called Write! Canada. She introduced me to other Christian writers in our local area. We are thankful for her gentle and witty spirit, and excited for what God is doing through her life. May God bless your writing even more!

Janice Dick From Saskatchewan Canada At 6/19/2014 6:07:13 PM

God's timing seldom matches ours. So many examples. I'm glad you followed your heart and the nudges and kept at it. We are all better for it! Blessings to you.