A Secret I’ve Been Keeping for 7 Months
Do you remember when I went to Salt Lake City in January, spoke at Alt Summit, hung out with my friends Arianne, Nish and Laura, met Jessica Alba and came home feeling inspired?
I also did something that I didn’t tell you about.
I had a book idea.
Much of my winter nights and weekends were spent signing with an agent, writing a proposal and sample chapters and filming a video to introduce the concept.
My spring was filled with meetings and conference calls from publishers around the country. It was surreal.
In July I signed a two-book deal with Revell, a fantastic publisher out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
I can’t believe it.
I have always told people Matthew was the author of the family and I would never write a book.
But God has a funny way of surprising us, doesn’t He?
I’ve been so overwhelmed and humbled already by this process because I never thought I would be here. Yet, once God laid the vision for this book on my heart, I had such a burning inside of me to write it, I couldn’t stop.
The process has been incredibly fast, and I believe that is because this is something much bigger than myself.
So what is the book? The idea was birthed as response to the question I get asked the most often – how do you do it all?
Which is an illusion because I do not do it all. That said, in the book I will share my journey of seeking balance, time management tips and the importance of making time for what you love.
But that’s not all.
This book won’t just be my story. It will be your story.
In a few weeks I will be publishing a survey to learn about what your life is like and how you make (or don’t make!) time for yourself and the things that you love. I hope you will participate and spread the word to your friends.
Because you are going to make this book deep, relevant and meaningful. I am just the girl God has called to write the message.
Thank you for joining me in this journey. This book is only possible because of you, and I am so grateful for the opportunity. It is not one that I take lightly. I pray that my story and the stories of women like you will inspire us all.
Oh yay! Congrats!!!!! That’s amazing! I of course will participate! I got your back JT!!!!!
Congratulations! This is so exciting!
Very exciting!! Looking forward to seeing it come to life!! Congratulations!
That’s so awesome! Congratulations!
Woohoo!!! Embarking on a new adventure in writing, God has a great plan for your book. I have benefited greatly from ideas and tips you have on your blog. I just know that your book will be a hit!
Can’t wait to see the book! Q: is the book for a certain category of women, like moms, wives, etc?
This is so exciting! Looking forward to reading more. 🙂
Yay! How amazing! I cannot wait to get a copy!
Congrats!!! What an exciting time for you!
SO! THRILLED!
I MIGHT HAVE TO WRITE THIS ENTIRE COMMENTS IN CAPS (WHICH IS ANATHEMA TO ME UNDER TYPICAL CONDITIONS. THIS IS NO TYPICAL CONDITION, THOUGH!)
Glad you can finally let this pretty kitty out of the bag–can’t wait to get my hands on this! xo
The concept of your book excited me at AH Inspired and I found your advice about “doing it all” so helpful during the rountable! I can’t wait to see your book come to life! Congratulations!
Oh I’m so excited for you! I know we have not actually ever met, but I connect with your story in so many ways and am so glad that God gave you a vision to share it through this book. Praying blessings over the process, joy in the writing & peace in the result. Between your wonderful agent, Revell, and your family…it can only be a smashing success 🙂
BIG Mazel! So exciting!! I can’t wait to read and share it with all my friends!
Good for you! Congratulations!
Yay!! Can’t wait to hear more about it! You Rock!!
Congrats! Can’t wait to read it! The main reason I’ve read your blog for years is because I feel that I can relate to you as a working mom. I read a handful of other blogs too, but it seems that all of those are by stay-at-home moms or work-at-home moms. I find a lot of encouragement and inspiration from your blog posts. It helps to know I’m not alone in trying to balance it all – work, home, kids, hubby, family, etc.
Congratulations, Jessica!! I can’t wait to read it! 🙂
So excited for you! Can’t wait to hear as this journey progresses!
Congrats!! This is so perfect for you. I love your blog for this very reason … you seem to do a good job of balancing everything in your life and we have much of the same interests and I am a working mother with 3 littles. Can’t wait to read!!
This is SO exciting. So happy for you!
So exciting, I can’t wait to hear more details about it later!
How exciting ! Can’t wait to participate in the survey and even more… to read the book ! I think I really need it !
Congratulations!! That is exciting news!
Congratulations to you! What an exciting time. 🙂 I will be looking forward to hearing more about this new adventure.
What exciting news! I’m looking forward to hearing more!
How exciting!! Looking forward to it! Congratulations!!!
Huge congratulations! Thrilled for you 🙂
Baby, I’m so proud of you. Experiencing this journey with you brings me so much joy. I can’t wait to see all that God has in store for this book, your story, and those who engage it with you. I love you.
Matthew
Yay, you! And yay, us! 🙂 … Eager to see what God does with your words. Revell is a great publisher, and they snagged a winning book idea, by a wonderful woman; YOU! Praying for you as you put this book together.
~ Jennifer Dukes Lee (met you briefly when Deidra R. and I drove over to Des Moines to support and encourage Ann at Women of Faith…)
Heart fireworks happpppyyyyyyy!!!!
Congrats!!!!!!
I remember so clearly the day Matthew introduced us. I immediately knew we would be friends. 🙂 And now, all these years later I get to work hard for you promoting your very first book!!!! So excited for this next stage. Cannot wait to see what lies ahead!
It is such a thrill. Thankful for you and the Revell team.
A huge congrats to you!! Sounds wonderful. I wish you ease in the flowing of words…..
The first thing that popped into my head was “How in the WORLD does she have time to write a book? She already does everything else!” 🙂
Looking forward to this for real! Congrats!
I don’t dust. Or vacuum. 🙂
That makesme feel better. Just kidding. (a little) 😉
This is so exciting! Congratulations!
Jessica, I’m so happy for you. You’ve worked hard and you deserve it…but this is not the pinnacle! It’s just the beginning.
Awesome!! Will buy it for sure!!
I’m so happy and excited for you!
WOW, congratulations…this is exciting news!!! Just started following your blog early this year and I am thankful because you’ve giving me, AND so many of your followers some awesome tips already so with that said, I REALLY look forward to reading your book!!!
Hurry up already, we need this book so badly!!!
so excited for you, jessica – congrats! 🙂
That is awesome!! I am so excited for you and I can’t wait to see your book!
Congratulations!!! Looking forward to reading it.
Congratulations Jessica! So happy for you. I can’t wait to read it.
super excited for this book. LIVING IT right now 🙂
Congratulations, Jess!! That’s wonderful! Can’t wait to read your story =)
So excited for you! I know it’ll be great and I can’t wait to read it!
Congratulations! Can’t wait to hear more about it!
Congrats!!! I can’t wait to hear more about it and to eventually read it. I honestly do not know how you find the time to do so much…. 🙂
Such a very proud mom I am of you sweetheart ~~ So excited for you I could just bust !!! I love to just sit back and watch my girls soar !! xoxo
Congratulations! Your blog is one of my favorites and I often wonder how you do everything. I cannot wait to read your book!
Sounds like a lovely book, Jessica. Congratulations! When we follow the Lord, we never know where the adventure will take us.
So excited for you! My heart just feels so full of joy for you and I’m sure this will such a wonderfully blessed adventure. Hugs.