Fabulous Friday Feature: Krista Phillips

Today I welcome my kindred friend, authoress, funny, techy smart, willing to help, loving mom: Krista.  

Enter to win a copy of Krista's new book, Sandwich with a Side of Romance

I met Krista as a writing partner for the Writers Alley. We have prayed together, written posts, encouraged and blessed each other through an online friendship. AND I AM ROOMING WITH HER AT THE ACFW CONFERENCE!  eeeeeeeeeeee! I asked Krista to share with us the blessings to publication

Bubbling about Publishing

Bubbling Over!

Mary asked me to "bubble" about my publishing experience.

So I'm going to try to reach back into the past and pull out my teenage-bubbly-girl hat and like, totally, tell you about how radically cool and awesome publishing is.

Or something like that!

Preparation Bubbles

Like a sandwich, all publishing journeys need a little prep time. Some will be a year, some will be twenty years.

Mine was bubblin' four years from when I first started seriously writing to the time that wicked awesome contract was in my hands.

While the prep time can be grueling at time, I wouldn't change a thing about it. I met a bunch of great writers who I plan to have as friends for life. I've grown as a writer and grown in my faith as I've faced rejections, discouragement, and those blessed rays of hope that God brings at just the right time.

Bubble Lesson: Embrace the Journey!

Down-to-Business Bubbles

In 2011, my writing career went from elusive dream to EEEEEE worthy possibility! An editor approached me, asking to see my stuff. I sent her a proposal and sample chapters of my book, A Sandwich Romance. A few months later, she asked for a full. A few more months later, she called, offering a contract. Two days later, I secured an agent, Rachelle Gardner.

It was a pinch-me year!

But... it was a hard year too. My daughter was in the hospital, dying of heart failure while waiting for a heart transplant. She received the life-giving gift on April 9th, 2011. She had a bunch more ups and downs, including another heart surgery when her new heart was failing.

That ended "bubbly" too. She's now doing FABULOUS with her new heart and toddling all around my HOUSE, not the hospital.

Bubble Lesson: Hold on for the Ride!

Releasing Bubbles

AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My book is OUT!

EEEEEE!

Is that bubbly enough?

Effective September 1st, 2012, my debut novel, Sandwich, with a Side of Romance officially released! Pinch me or blow bubbles in my face or something!

I won't lie. As FUN and AWESOME as it has been, it's been stressful at times too. But I'm so in awe of my VERY big God who has orchestrated my publishing journey and brought me JOY through times of pain and frustration.

So really, I'm bubbling over with Jesus' love even more than I am about publishing epicness.

Bubble Lesson: It's all about JESUS!

If you, like, wanna, read my book, or something, you know, you can always, like go to a bookstore and get it or go to amazon or  Barnes and Noble if you wanna. But you don't have to. It'd be, like, totally sweet if you did though.

Oh, and I also blog at www.kristaphillips.com  so it'd be super cool to see you over there on the downlow...?

(and with that, I'm now returning to my 31-year-old person!)

Thank you Krista for this bubbly response. The road to publication can be wild

God has given all us some bubbly moments to encourage us 

or help us see the lighter side of life.

What bubbly experience have you had...it can be about anything.

I'll start. One of many bubbly experiences: I was the first one in my family, including my parents, to graduate from college. They were very proud. 

To enter to win a copy of Krista's new book, Sandwich With a Side of Romance, leave a comment and sign up to become a follower. Please leave your email address. USA residents only. Winners chosen by Random.org

Winner will be announced on Monday's post.