Fabulous Feature- Heather Gilbert

Today we welcome author:

Heather Gilbert

A commenter will win a copy of
Heather's eBook:
Miranda Warning

Scroll down to see how.
*International readers invited to enter

Mary here. I'm so happy Heather is here today. She has such an encouraging story. One that reminds us of an important truth. I don't want to steal her thunder so without further ado...here is what Heather said when I asked her: how has God led you on your writing journey. This will surely inspire you: 

When God Points Where You Don't Want to Go

I began to pursue my writing dreams about eight years ago. I went about it the regular way—I wrote a book, landed an agent, waited to see if publishers wanted it...

Then it was rejected.

I got another agent. We submitted a book. It was rejected. Then I got another agent...I was beginning to see a pattern here, and it was a downright depressing one.

Believe me, I spent hours second-guessing myself—had I written the wrong things? I was so sure these were the stories God wanted me to tell.

I stayed up many a tear-drenched night, asking God why He hadn't made my dreams of publication come true. But God seemed to remain silent.

Finally, years into this process, I began to see glimmers of light. Hints at a direction I should take—and it wasn't the fast and smooth road to being a bestseller. It didn't look like the path most of my writer friends were taking.

But God began to make it shockingly clear: it was the right path for me. I could do it, even though I knew it meant taking on even more responsibility.

The route for me was independent (indie) publishing—otherwise known as self-publishing. But with indie publishing, I knew I would be responsible for everything—asking for endorsements, developing cover art, getting edits, formatting the book, uploading it to vendors...not to mention marketing the book, both before and after publication.

And yet God reassured me that yes, this was the way I needed to go. He surrounded me with friends and family who encouraged me in this choice. They believed I could do it, with God's help.

Fast forward to 2016, three years after publishing my first novel, God's Daughter. Nowadays I spend a lot of time thanking the Lord that He put me on this path. Now my Viking historical novel is available to Viking-era aficionados everywhere, and it has become an Amazon Norse bestseller. I have two Appalachian mysteries out and more books to come in that series. I wrote the Indie Publishing Handbook to encourage other authors who are contemplating the indie path. And I have many other projects in the works.

I can't describe those years spent waiting, wishing God would allow my book to be picked up by a traditional publisher. It was like being trapped, chained to my email, hoping for the word that someone else (besides my agents) believed in my books enough to publish them.

Now, I feel a freedom that people are reading my books—people they might not have reached otherwise. Is it still hard? Yes, there are many times the income doesn't seem to justify the amount of time I put into things. But I am confident that as long as God shows me the way, I'm going to walk in it.

Although it might be difficult to take those blind leaps of obedience—often involving sacrifice of some kind—we can truly believe that God will work all things out for good for those who love Him. It might not look exactly like what we pictured, but we can trust it will reach the greatest number of people for the greatest good if we are following His leading.

I hope these words have encouraged you today!

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HEATHER DAY GILBERT writes novels that capture life in all its messy, bittersweet, hope-filled glory. Born and raised in the West Virginia mountains, generational story-telling runs in her blood. Heather is a graduate of Bob Jones University and is married to her college sweetheart. Having recently returned to her roots, she and her husband are raising their three children in the same home in which Heather grew up. Heather is represented by Rebeca Seitz and Jonathan Clements of SON Studios in FL.

Heather's Viking historical novel, God's Daughter, is an Amazon Norse bestseller. She is also the author of  Miranda Warning and Trial by Twelve, Books One and Two in the bestselling A Murder in the Mountains mystery series. She has also written the Indie Publishing Handbook: Four Key Elements for the Self-Publisher.

Heather loves to connect with readers. 
You can find her at her:

  

Website | Facebook
Twitter | Email

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Child of the Appalachian Mountains, Tess Spencer has experienced more than her share of heartache. The Glock-wielding, knife-carrying housewife knows how to survive whatever life throws at her.

But when an anonymous warning note shows up in her best friend Miranda’s mailbox—a note written in a dead woman’s handwriting—Tess quickly discovers that ghosts are alive and well in Buckneck, West Virginia. Hot on a cold trail, she must use limited clues and her keen insight into human nature to unmask the killer...or the next victim might be Tess herself.

Tinged with the supernatural and overshadowed by the mountains' lush, protective presence, this twisting psychological mystery is the first in A Murder in the Mountains series.

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Enter the contest to win a copy of 
Heather Gilbert's eBook:

Miranda Warning
International readers invited to enter!

Here is how:

1. Leave a comment (and email address)

2. AND sign up to receive my newsletter -in the right column

    (subscribers to Mary Vee's newsletter will receive a special gift)

    AND/OR sign up to receive posts by email if you aren't already

Thank you, Heather, for joining us this weekend!

We enjoy chatting with you, Reader, and look forward to reading your comments and questions. Or at least your hi, hello, or hey.

Thanks for stopping by!

Don't forget to comment!