As predicted, it wasn’t my final manuscript.

Since June, I have provided two more rounds of edits to the team. They are working on the latest revisions, and I should have the (dare I say it?) final proof soon!

At the beginning of September, I received an email from my Publishing Services Associate (PSA). Attached, were both the hardcover and softcover proofs of my book. The butterflies were doing what they do best as I clicked open the first attachment. My book had a cover, and a price, and an ISBN number. The pinch confirmed it — real life.

Next came the proof of the inside copy. Seeing the 2-page layout design just increased my anticipation for the final publication. It looked more like a book and less like a Google doc. Wanting to visualize exactly what it would look like once I held it in my hands, I zoomed in to the exact print size and “flipped” through the pages. Y’all, this book is near and dear to my heart and I cannot wait to share it! Who’s excited? Are you excited? I’m excited!

Chris and I spent the next few weeks reading through it with a fine-toothed comb in hand. I was harder on that thing than my high school lit teacher would have been (although there are definitely some “to be” verbs). I compiled my list of edits and sent it off to my PSA.

I also sent her a list of questions about specifics of the layout and available fonts.

Thankfully, she affirmed all of my wonderings and even said I was able to write my own chapter titles in my handwriting! The personal touches have been some of the most fun to incorporate!

We have made it this far. The book I started (slowly) in 2013 is on the brink of publication. It seems surreal. Again, a pinch is likely the only thing that will make this feel like a reality. The publishing team is making the necessary corrections and the proof will pop into my inbox imminently.

Thanks for being on this journey with me. If you are interested in being part of the launch team, which means you would help with some word-of-mouth/social media support, send me an email at mccallamber2@gmail.com with the subject “Launch Team!”. I’ll send you an email back from the official email address of the book (psst…that means you’ll learn the title!).

It is the year 2013. I am sitting in the drudgery that is Chicago traffic on my way home from my teaching job, and I hear God telling me to write my story. Of course, for my introvert-leaning self, my immediate response was, “no thanks!” Although I have always dreamed of writing and publishing a book, it certainly wasn’t going to be an autobiography.

After reflecting on this prompt from the Holy Spirit, I came to understand that it really wasn’t my choice and it really wasn’t my story, but rather an obligation and a story that God was authoring through me. Over the last 8 years, I have learned the importance of sharing our stories so that 1. our relationships with each other can be strengthened and 2. God receives the glory for the work He is doing.

With that context, I revised my initial response and decided to start documenting my complicated and rare health history. It took me years to actually sit down and devote time to this proposed book, and even longer to be willing to ask others to read parts of it. It was a very vulnerable thing for me, and I was scared. The only thing pushing me to do it was the fact that God has done outstanding miracles in my life that I needed to share with the world. I started getting positive feedback and motivating encouragement, so I continued to write.

At this point, I have a complete manuscript and am sending query letters to potential literary agents weekly. The process of writing and editing a manuscript is daunting. The process of getting that manuscript to print is almost crippling. BUT GOD. I know He has been in the writing of this story and sharing it will only bring Him the glory He deserves, and the joy and encouragement to readers that we so desperately need in this world right now.

I thought it might be interesting to some of you to hear about my publishing adventure. If you would like to follow along, you can fill out your name and email address at the bottom of this page, and I will send you emails whenever I have an update.

Announcing my book-writing mission to you is not the only purpose for this post. I want to encourage you to take the time to try something new. It may be something you’ve always wanted to do, or something that just sounds like fun.

Stepping out of our comfort zones can seem difficult and is most certainly, by definition, uncomfortable. Do it anyway. It doesn’t have to be something life-changing. All I am suggesting is to try. According to Brain World magazine, research suggests that “regular experience of novelty is essential to a long, happy life.”

Writing and publishing a book may not be your next attempt at novelty (or maybe it is!), but it has opened my eyes to a whole new world that has always been there. Things that are new to you are cherished, honed, loved, perfected, and practiced daily by others.

Pick a new hobby, read a genre you’ve never read, listen to music you’ve never heard, explore a place you’ve never been.

Whatever you try, know that you’re not alone in your adventure. If you need help or motivation to get started, seek out the community that already exists in that realm of the internet or the local library. Experiencing new things can also be a way to meet new people, develop your brain, and ultimately, lead a happier life.

I would love to hear in the comments about the new thing you want to try!

Here’s to finding your new favorite thing!

Amber