How does one acknowledge all who have played an important role in bringing a book to life? And in my case, not just a book, but three series, all interconnected, woven together, a fictional world that has come to life: The Yada Yada Prayer Group (7 novels); The Yada Yada House of Hope (4 novels); and SouledOut Sisters (2 novels).
First, I need to acknowledge my women’s Bible study, going on fifteen years now, which inspired the very first Yada Yada Prayer Group novel. Sisters have come and gone over the years, but essentially we’re the same: a group of women who come together every week to study God’s Word regardless of what church we go to, challenging one another to grow, praying for each other’s heart concerns, and just being there for each other as we take this faith journey together. Thank you, my dear sisters, for turning my life upside down and rightside up!
To Joey Paul, formerly of Integrity Publishers, who first believed in my story proposal and gave me a chance to write “grown up” fiction—and to Allen Arnold of Thomas Nelson Fiction, who took over the series and came up with amazing ways to keep the stories coming in new and fresh ways. And to the talented Fiction Team at Nelson, who have shepherded these stories through editing, production, marketing, and promotion with amazing skill: Thanks for all your efforts and encouragements along the way.
To Chip McGregor, our first agent, who sat in our living room with Joey Paul, listening to the passion on our hearts as we transitioned from historical fiction for kids to contemporary adult fiction . . . and to Lee Hough, our agent with Alive Communications, who has been there for us Jacksons through thick and thin—even when he was on his own journey with brain cancer and chemo, and managed to do so with humor and faith. Lee, when you get tired of agenting, you should write!
To Breakthrough Urban Ministries in Chicago—especially to Arloa Sutter, Director, and Beverly Williams, Outreach Coordinator—who personify God’s heart toward the homeless, the poor, the struggling, the addicted, and the hungry, and showed me that each person has a story, a story that isn’t over yet because God cares.
And to my husband, Dave, who is not only my best friend, husband-for-life, lover, and spiritual companion, but a writing partner in the truest sense of the word. Whether we are working on a book together, or writing separate novels, he is there alongside me—brainstorming, reading, editing, giving feedback, encouraging, sometimes pushing me out of my comfort zone, believing in me even when I struggle to believe in myself.
With the apostle Paul, “I thank my God every time I remember [each of] you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:3–6).
Neta Jackson
Evanston, Illinois