A note from Mary Hawkins:
Years ago when browsing the fiction shelves of a Christian bookshop, I was delighted to find another Australian author had an adult novel published. As international authors know only too well, many religious publishers in our own countries are still unwilling to “risk” releasing Christian fiction. Eleven years ago there were far too few novels written by Australians for me to enjoy. I read Picking Up the Pieces and was blown away by this great story and was upset for her that the author of such a great novel had self-published it. It wasn’t until Omega Writers (click here) in Queensland organised a Christian writers conference four years ago that I had the privilege of meeting the delightful Paula Vince. I am thrilled she agreed to be my guest blogger today to tell us something of her journey.
Thank you for this opportunity to share here, Mary.
I have written 7 novels, mostly contemporary romance and inspirational. I believe stories are a powerful medium because of their ability to entertain and encourage in the same package. When something I’ve created to please myself has taken root and borne fruit in the minds of others too, I get very excited. My aim is always to show through the lives of my characters that God’s Word is true and that His promises are always fulfilled for everybody who takes them on face value. Fiction has the power to make its own special kind of impact which stories and instruction books often can’t.
It is a path I probably would have stepped off long ago if not for my conviction that this is my calling. When I completed my first manuscript in the mid 1990s, I was told by a gentleman from one of Australia’s well known publishing houses that writing Christian fiction is a waste of time in our country as there is no market for it. He told me, “You might as well put it in your drawer and get on with your life.”
I persevered anyway because I refused to believe his words were entirely true. As I saw Australian shops keep importing foreign Christian novels, I reasoned there must be some market for these books. If he perceived no market for local authors, it must only be because we were given no opportunity by publishers to create one. I really longed to set my stories in my own beautiful corner of the world, South Australia’s Adelaide Hills. It is an ideal place for stories with its striking seasonal contrasts; icy winters, scorching summers, brilliantly colourful autumns and glorious springs. I made up my mind to do all I could to create a market for Australian Christian fiction in my own country.
As far as I could see, self-publishing seemed to be the only available option so that is what I did for several years, with the help of an encouraging husband. Having my last three books taken on board by a publisher has been an unexpected blessing. Even Before Publishing ( click here ) is a subsidiary of Wombat Books which is run by Rochelle Manners in Brisbane, Queensland. She has a passion to promote writing by Australians and is committed to seeing it spread as far as possible.
Rochelle and I were members of the same email prayer group when she announced her stunning plans to become a traditional publisher of Christian books early in 2009. At that time I’d been wondering how I could possibly publish A Design of Gold on the heels of The Risky Way Home as my financial resources were depleted. It was vital that I should do so as the two books are linked together. I sent my manuscript straight to Even Before Publishing for consideration and it was one of the first books published in 2009.
Since then, I have had an earlier novel, Picking up the Pieces cover re-published by Even Before Publishing in 2010 and my newest novel, Best Forgotten, has just been published. As a bonus, my novels which have been published by Even Before Publishing are now available from Amazon as Kindle e-books for only $9.95, opening a door into the foreign market which would have been impossible just a few short years ago. God really does have awesome surprises along our paths if we do not give up.
Thank you so much, Paula, but you did not mention Picking Up The Pieces was a finalist last year in the CALEB awards - for details see the Omega Writers website! I am VERY much looking forward to reading this new book Best Forgotten. Isn't the cover beautiful?
Do read more about Paula and her books on her website: http://www.appleleafbooks.com/
About Picking Up The Pieces Rochelle Manners says, “Paula Vince has woven a tale that is unlike anything else and needs to be available in the market place.”
I am so glad she agrees with me and I would like to give away a print copy of Picking Up The Pieces, or if you already have this book Paula will send you a copy of Best Forgotten. To enter please leave a comment for a chance to have your name drawn by Paula as the winner! Don't forget your contact details - you just might be the winner!
