Between travel, the loss of two very special loved ones, and just trying to keep up with life in general, I decided that this was going to be a say-YES year to publishing. My own collection of short stories is well on its way to being complete and, via Meadowlark Books, I am working on building a bigger bookshelf for Kansas authors! I was honored to work with my very good friend, Cheryl Unruh, on her first book of poetry, Walking on Water, which was released in April.
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| Walking on Water - April 2017 meadowlark-books.com |
I have found myself returning to this post in recent days, where I wrote, among other things:
"I am convinced that writing is a profession of constantly becoming."
I guess I have long understood that I find a great deal of satisfaction in simply putting together beautiful books. That I find this process as meaningful--and perhaps even more enjoyable--when I do it for others is still catching up to me. Working as part of a team is fun, and with each Meadowlark book, new team members have added depth and richness to my experience, and Meadowlark, as a publisher, has grown.
Working so closely with writers fuels my creative fires. Dedicating time to book formatting and production seems to bring balance to my own endeavors in fiction. Each read through a book brings me closer to an author, and more appreciative of the view and perspective that person is sharing with the world through their writing.
Could I get my own work done more quickly if I didn't pursue these publishing endeavors?
In theory, yes. But my reality seems to be that I stay better focused on my own work when I surround myself with other writers up close and personal.
My short story collection is still on its way. I expect to have a proof ordered by the end of May, and I hope to be sharing it with the world by July... or so. In the meantime, there is a lot of becoming to focus on, including writing, publishing, travelling, and time with my family. I am enjoying living life on that book mountain, helping others up and down the path.
Could I get my own work done more quickly if I didn't pursue these publishing endeavors?
In theory, yes. But my reality seems to be that I stay better focused on my own work when I surround myself with other writers up close and personal.
My short story collection is still on its way. I expect to have a proof ordered by the end of May, and I hope to be sharing it with the world by July... or so. In the meantime, there is a lot of becoming to focus on, including writing, publishing, travelling, and time with my family. I am enjoying living life on that book mountain, helping others up and down the path.
