St. Matthew Writing His Gospel by Carlo Dolci (photo credit: J.P. Getty Museum).Readers, I need your help with my new writing project. I’m not asking for your editing expertise. I don’t want you to finance my writing. I’m asking for something much more precious–your prayers.
Back in June I published the short ebook, Five Lessons from the Carmelite Saints That Will Change Your Life. I told you that future writing projects would depend on its success. Besides creating a PDF version, I made a Kindle and Nook version for my readers’ convenience. I was not expecting to sell more than a handful. I even joked with one reader that I would buy my kids a gumball from the proceeds.
Well, it looks like God had other plans. In June and July, I sold over 900 copies on Amazon. The ebook reached as high as #4 on Amazon’s Top Catholic Books. Since I started offering it for free at Smashwords, Amazon reduced the price to free on August 1. So, I am not making much money on it any more (it’s still selling for a small amount in some foreign countries), but over 1800 people have downloaded it for free through Amazon. That’s besides the hundreds I have given away through Contemplative Homeschool and other venues.
I am flabbergasted!
Thank you to everyone who has downloaded a copy, whether free or for $.99. Thanks again for all the reviews on blogs and Amazon. You have been a blessing to me.
Now I am writing a full-length book on one aspect of Carmelite spirituality. I hope to self-publish it both digitally and in print form some time next year.
Over the next several months, I will be looking for beta readers to do in-depth critiques, then reviewers. But right now I’m just asking for your prayers.
Writing a book while implementing my own homeschool curriculum, maintaining two blogs, and being a good wife and mother is not easy. My house is in a perpetual state of messiness. (Okay, let’s be honest, it would be anyway, because I like neatness, but I don’t like to clean.) Sometimes I get discouraged. Sometimes I wonder if this is really God’s will or I’m just catering to my desires. Other times I get writer’s block, sore muscles from too much typing, or too little sleep.
I need prayers for humility and listening to God. I need prayers for patience with myself, my children when they interrupt me, and new technology I must learn before I’m done. The devil never misses an opportunity to bring us down, especially when we are spreading the Gospel.
I will reveal more details about the book as time goes on. I don’t want you to get bored with the subject before it’s finished.
Thank you to all who will be my partners in this project, even if I never know your name. God bless you with great closeness to Him in Heaven.
Connie Rossini
Congratulations on the success of your ebook. I have a copy and enjoy it very much. My prayers are with you. If you stay centered on God and let everything else revolve around Him, I believe He will guide you and bless you with what you need. God’s peace to you.
Karen, thanks for your encouragement and prayers.
Wonderful, Connie! Yes, count on my prayers. I will pass this on to my Carmelite community, too. It is so good to see a worthy book getting read.
Cindy, I am glad I can count on you. i am finding the best use of the internet is as a prayer chain!
Hi Connie! I’m replying from Newfoundland, Canada, by the picture window of the cabin we’re renting as I the whitecaps over the Atlantic Ocean on this wet, windy, chilly morning. (I just had to tell you that!!) Of course, you are assured of my prayers for your new project. Congratulations on the success of Five Lessons from the Carmelite Saints That Will Change Your Life. The success is the Lord’s and you are his faithful messenger. Blessings on your work. I think I’ll pray for you down by the ocean 🙂
Are you trying to make me jealous? At least I was at the lake on Sunday, so I feel I’ve had a small taste of what you’re experiencing. Thanks for the prayers and enjoy the rest of your break.
Your little book is really in the Lord and He is blessing it. Just like Fr. Rick Thomas, a Jesuit working in a garbage dump in mexico says,”if God wants it, He will pay for it do all the work; if YOU want it,you will have do do all the work and pay for it yourself
I will pray, be a beta reader or what ever you need.
A publisher contacted me and iwants to take me on with her traditional publishing service. I am signing a contract in a couple of days..same thing applies to me..He is making it happen. She is a lovely, spiritual, praying woman who Lisa Hendley of CatholicMom says is honest and works hard for her authors. Cheryl ‘s interview on EXTN is coming up next week on The Journey Home. In case you are interested..Bezalel Books, Cheryl Dicklow http://www.bezalelbooks.com/
Wow, Melanie! Congratulations. Please keep us posted. I think it’s true what you said about God doing the work. When opportunities fall into your lap unlooked-for, they sometimes come straight from Heaven.
I will pray for you daily. I’m raising my three grandchildren so you’ve been a blessing in my life. Thank you. Loyd.
God bless you on raising the grandkids. What a noble work! Thanks for your prayers.
That’s wonderful news, Connie!! I’ve already been praying for you in this regard and will definitely continue. When I read your e-book I suspected it would do very well and I’m happy that you are working on a book because you have a very clear “writing voice” not often found in books on spirituality (many are confusing). Your style of writing is also uplifting and I am looking forward to reading more from you.
I know you’ve been behind me 100% and I’m grateful. I was born to be a teacher, so I think that helps my writing voice.
How wonderful that such a treasure of a book has reached such a large audience. God truly is remarkable. I’m incorporating “5 Lessons” in my homeschool curriculum this year for my 5th grader. I will be praying for you daily as you embark on this new adventure. I know from experience that just being a Godly wife and mother is a challenging, full time job. When you throw in homeschooling and writing it can be downright terrifying at times. I know that God will continue to bless and guide you so that you can continue to help spread the message of his love.
Laurie, LOL. Here I have a blog about incorporating Carmelite spirituality into your homeschool, and I write a book with the word “Lessons” in it without even thinking about teaching it to my boys! I guess it’s going into our plans for this year. Thanks for the idea and the prayers.
Hi Connie:
You can count on my prayers. I can identify with your daily struggles and concerns. If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.
Thanks, Michael. We are all in this together.