“A dream is a wish your heart makes . . .” Oh, Disney’s Cinderella, you were so right! Several years ago, my heart had a dream . . . a dream to write a book I believed could offer the healing of God’s love to the world. As I mentioned this dream to others, I was met by a perplexing reaction: “That’s nice, honey . . . but just keep in mind that what you are doing is really writing this book for yourself and your own inner healing.” In other words, don’t set your hopes too high.
I really didn’t know how to react. Sure, writing is therapeutic, but I had a dream and wasn’t willing to settle for just a personal journal–writing experience. I believed in the message of my story and I believed in myself. So, I continued to follow my heart, wrote my manuscript, and looked for a way to get it out into the world. What a wake-up call that was!
As I tried to navigate the publishing market on my own, I soon became very discouraged. How was an inexperienced and unknown homemaker turned author going to make a dent in the impossible world of publishing?
Fortunately, I belong to a wonderful, Spirit-filled eleven-thousand-member church and turned my focus to promoting my story within the women’s ministries. I was invited to lead discussions and speak to large groups, and I was well received. The sharing and healing I witnessed in each and every one of these venues confirmed that the dream of my heart was real and worthwhile. I just wished those experiences could be replicated on a much larger scale.
Then one day I was asked to speak to—of all things—a men’s Bible study group . . . at six thirty in the morning at a popular breakfast spot. Not usually an early riser, I dragged myself out of bed and got there just in time to order a much-needed cup of coffee before the meeting started. Amazingly, my coffee sat mostly untouched because these men were fully engaged in my presentation, and before I knew it my time was up. As the men were leaving, one man stayed behind. He had listened intently, but was quiet and reserved, and showed little reaction during my presentation. Enter my veritable white knight!
This gentleman introduced himself as Frank Eakin of Eakin Films & Publishing, and I learned he also was a member of our church. Frank is the brilliance behind the 12 Years A Slave bestselling book and audiobook, featuring Louis Gossett, Jr., which was the inspiration for the winner of the 2014 Oscar for Best Picture. He told me he had come to this meeting specifically to hear me speak about my story because he felt there was a dearth of engaging content in the faith market and had heard that I offered a fresh angle. He had held back his participation in our discussion because, while intrigued by my story, he was mostly focused on measuring my authenticity—his acid test to determine whether to lend his guidance. Apparently I passed the test, because he read my manuscript and offered to take my dream forward. I could not believe my ears, or this tremendous blessing that God had just placed in my lap.
From that moment on, Frank, a recognized marketing genius in digital publishing, became my trusted advisor, mentor, and friend. He opened his amazing network to me and has guided my vision into an exciting reality. His world-class team developed one of the most beautiful and engaging author websites in the publishing market . . . and then he made the impossible happen. Lightning in a bottle! This wide-eyed homemaker from Texas flew to New York City to sit in the recording session of my first audiobook . . . to listen to the words I had authored on my laptop months earlier narrated by Today show host and household name Kathie Lee Gifford! While in New York, Kathie Lee introduced us to the When God Winks series author SQuire Rushnell and his wife, actress and comedienne Louise DuArt, who, in turn, introduced us to the woman who would become my literary agent, Jennifer Gates.
Within a month’s time, Ms. Gates informed us that major publishers were interested in publishing Come to the Garden. A whirlwind trip to New York City and Nashville ensued, resulting in a contract with Howard Books—an imprint of Simon & Schuster! Publisher Jonathan Merkh and editor Beth Adams were the perfect fit. Next, Frank assembled a fabulous coast-to-coast dream team to help promote and launch Come to the Garden—people with hearts and minds for the Kingdom, including Jessica Amato, Nicole Op Den Bosch, Coleen Barr, and Esther Bochner at Audible/Amazon—the merchandising and public relations team that took Frank’s 12 Years a Slave audiobook to number one. This dream team also includes Debra Deyan of Deyan Audio, the number one audiobook producer in the world; Lesley Burbridge of Rogers & Cowan, the premier entertainment firm in Hollywood; and Oscar-winner Louis Gossett, Jr. In Nashville, Ash Greyson of Ribbow Media Group, which manages social media for major studio films; Tracy Cole of Rogers & Cowan; and Jennifer Smith, PR for Howard Books. In Alexandria, LA, Charlotte Lyles, team support. In Austin, cover art photographer Sanjay N. Patel; graphic artist Justine Boyer of Barking Pixel; and videographers Nelson Flores and Clint Howell of ProductionFor. In Houston, Lifetime Movie Channel director Michelle Mower; screenwriter Casey Kelly; web designer Jasen Peterson; graphic designer Patricia Zapata; tour producers Wayne Wagner of Wagner Media and Jack Hattingh of Pointcloud Media; music composer Brad Sayles; audio engineer Todd Hulslander; and Gary Walston, team support.
Goodness. And this is just the beginning. . . . My dream, the wish that my heart made, could never have come this far without Frank Eakin, nor the countless family members, friends, and members of my church family at The Woodlands United Methodist Church, who have been my angels of encouragement. The faithful enthusiasm, prayers, and support—financial and advisory—have been an incredible blessing to me and to this project.
My story is a Cinderella story, and a Cinderella story would not be complete without a true love. My dear husband, Guy, has walked with me throughout this entire project and has been my faithful supporter, sounding board, critic, and encourager. What an amazing adventure we have been on together! And throughout this adventure, this li’l Texas homemaker turned author has learned a valuable lesson: Don’t give up on your dreams. When you believe in yourself, someone will believe in you.