2016: A Writing and Editing Review

It's 2017! I'm excited for the new year, but I thought I'd start the blog this month with a look back on the year that was. I did a lot of editing in 2016, and some writing. I'm hoping to flip the proportions in 2017--and more on that at the end of this post.

Writing

But first, here's the work of mine that was published in 2016:

-"Expensive." This short story of mine was published at Daily Science Fiction, which makes it my first pro fiction sale. (The time I convinced my college paper to pay me ten bucks a week to write a serial satire of life on campus doesn't count.) I love the atmospheric mood of "Expensive," and I'm still pleased that I managed to fit a full story arc into such a short piece.

-"An Anonymous Source." Another fiction sale, this time for the superhero-themed issue of Havok. This piece was fun because--unlike "Expensive"--it started with an idea, not a mood. I had an idea for a very different sort of superhero story, and when I saw the call for submission for Havok's special issue, I knew I had to give the idea a chance to prove itself.

It did, and I love it. I'm actually kind of tempted to keep going with it...it's the kind of short story that feels like it might want to become a novel someday. We'll see...


I also published some non-fiction. I had two stories appear in two different Chicken Soup for the Soul volumes: my story "Right" appeared in My Very Good, My Very Bad Dog and my story "The Joy of Dirty Dishes" appeared in The Power of Gratitude. I also had the fun of writing about romance, friendship, and some very silly knights for Christ and Pop Culture in my article "Galavant: Finding Meaning in a Merry, Mocking Medieval Musical."

Finally, I got to do some enjoyable guest blogging. I particularly enjoyed participating in "The Lent Project" and "The Advent Project" again.


(I also worked on some pieces that aren't published yet, but that I'm looking forward to polishing and submitting in 2017.)

Editing:

Editing was where the bulk of my work hours went in 2016.

I did some freelancing this year, but most of my editing was for Kalos Press, where I got to help out with books like Surrounded by Evil: Saved by God, Nailed It: 365 Sarcastic Devotions for Angry or Worn-Out People, and Everywhere God: Exploring the Ordinary Places. I had the honor of representing Kalos Press at a local writing conference, and also had the chance to talk to some current students and alumni at my university about editing as a career.

I also worked on some books that aren't out yet, but that I'm really excited to see get published in 2017. (Seriously, folks, there's some great stuff coming!)

Finally, the big news is that I stepped down from my post as General Editor at Kalos Press at the end of the year. You can read the announcement from the publisher here. This decision came about as the result of a lot of thought and prayer. I knew some things were unbalanced in my life, so I spent a few weeks tracking my time (on paper, in 15-minute increments), and then took a day's retreat to pray through a new Rule of Life.

I hope to blog about that process at some point, but it's sufficient for this post to say that my mind was very clear by the end of that process of prayer, and though it was hard to resign (because I love the folks at Kalos Press, and I love the work!), I'm still happy with that decision, and I'm excited to see what's next!

What's coming next

The answer is... I'm not sure! I know what I'm going to be doing (writing, a lot--and maybe editing, a little), but I don't know what the outcome will be. Which is...par for the course, in this business. I know I want to increase my submission rate, and I'd be thrilled to be able to up my acceptance rate (though I'm actually pretty happy with my acceptance percentage--if it stays the same, I won't complain).

(By the way, for more nerdiness on acceptance/rejection percentages, and submission rates, check out this year-end wrap-up post over at Rejectomancy. Rejectomancy is such a great blog, and it totally confirms me in my geeky love of tracking my writing stats.)


But I'm grateful for this past year, for what I got to do, for all I was able to learn, and for the people I've had the joy of getting to know.

And I'm grateful for all of you who read this blog. I hope you  have a great 2017!


Peace of Christ to you,
Jessica Snell

This post contains Amazon affiliate links; if you purchase a book from this link, I receive a small percentage of the purchase price.  (See full disclosure on sidebar of my blog.)

Weekly Links!

SOME INTERESTING LINKS FOR YOUR Monday Morning--and usually I set these in the categories of faith, family, and fiction, but this week it's just faith (because that's what I found this week!)

First off, I have to link to Anne Kennedy's book "Nailed It: 365 Sarcastic Devotions for Angry or Worn-Out People." It released about a week ago, and has already been showing up places like Christianity Today.

It's so good. If you're looking for a book that will lead you through the Bible with wit, wisdom, and a wry sense of humor, this is the book you want.

(It's also a book I've been involved with for just over two years now, as an editor--and actually getting to finally hold it in my hands is so delightful!)

Okay, on to the articles!

-"Why I Don't Flow with Richard Rohr": I don't think I've ever read a book review quite like this. It's bitingly funny, but I'm pretty sure the bite is there because the reviewer really, really cares about the subject at hand. And he's right in that. Which means you can enjoy the cleverness without any guilt at all.

-"The Axe of Advent":

Advent isn’t supposed to soothe us.

-"'I'm Actually a Better Follower of Jesus Than Most Christians...'": Oh, it's so nice to hear someone take this one on.

-"Children, Safety, and the Sixth Commandment": I don't agree with everything here, but the author's thought process is insightful and worth following.

-"In Which I Rejoice Over That Ohio Law": Yes, this:

...laws against theft don’t stop all theft, and laws against drunk driving don’t stop all drunk driving, and laws against murder don’t stop all murder. But because those things are wrong, and the state has a vested interest in some level of moral standards for the peace and comfort of its citizenry, it goes ahead and doesn’t allow those ways of life even though people do them. 

-"It's Time to Take Your Medicine": An account of an enlightening little exercise.

-"Is Faith Without Works Dead, or Just Sleepy?": One part of a larger conversation on the relationship of sexual ethics to salvation. It's worth following up on the whole thing, if you're interested, and besides being worthy in and of itself, this article contains the links that will let you follow up on the whole conversation.

I hope you have a great week!

Peace of Christ to you,

Jessica Snell

This post contains Amazon affiliate links; if you purchase a book from this link, I receive a small percentage of the purchase price.  (See full disclosure on sidebar of my blog.)

Weekly Links!

SOME INTERESTING LINKS FOR YOUR SUNDAY AFTERNOON, SET OUT IN MY USUAL CATEGORIES OF FAITH, FAMILY, AND FICTION.

Faith 

-"3 Awful Features of Roman Sexual Morality": Good context for your reading of the New Testament and the church fathers.

-"Martyrs: An Eloquent Death"

-Cover Reveal of "Nailed It!: 365 Sarcastic Devotionals for Angry or Worn-Out People": I have been working for Kalos Press for almost two years now, and while I've shepherded some very cool books to press during that time, in a month, the very first book that I myself acquired will be coming out, and I'm delighted to say that it's this amazing devotional work by Anne Kennedy. She revealed the cover on her blog this week, which prominently features a hand-painted icon of Jael-I KNOW! it is the very coolest--and you should all go take a look at it. 

To whet your appetite, here's a detail from the cover: Jael's bloody tent-peg:

You can see the whole thing at Anne's blog, or go to Kalos Press' Facebook page for larger images, and all the lovely little details..

Family 

-"A Parent's Life Experiences Can Alter Their Offspring's Genes"

-"How to Build a Happier Brain":

There’s a classic saying: "Neurons that fire together, wire together." What that means is that repeated patterns of mental activity build neural structure. 

Fiction 

-Odyssey Writing Workshop Podcasts: I found a lot of useful info in these podcasts on writing science fiction and fantasy.

-Reading Writers Podcast: Another recent find--and I'll admit that, for this one, I definitely enjoyed the interview episodes the most. 

-"Teaching Stuff: Vast and Cool and Unsympathetic": This is an account of a FANTASTIC editing exercise for your fiction.


I hope you have a restful Sunday, with time for worship and time for rest!

Peace of Christ to you,
Jessica Snell

I'll be at the Orange County Christian Writers' Conference

I'm excited to be representing Kalos Press at The Orange County Christian Writers' Conference!

If you're in the southern California area and interested in spending some time learning and talking with fellow writers and other publishing professionals, you can check out the conference page here.  They've got early-bird specials available through the end of February.

Here's a short blurb on what I'll be doing, from Kalos Press' blog:

Jessica is looking forward to talking to attendees about: 

-small press publishing 

-the querying process 

-working with an editor 

-publishing with Kalos Press specifically. 

She's also willing to give feedback on your query or pitch. 

The OCCWC is a great opportunity to receive mentoring, attend classes, discuss your work with publishing professionals, and meet other writers.  There are options for those who wish learn more about fiction and non-fiction at all writing levels, as well as a more economical option for those who simply want a chance to spend time in the Resource Room attending appointments with the publishing professionals. See the full menu of options here.

I hope I see you there!
-Jessica Snell

The Golden Age for Small Publishers

Popping in to post a link: I was interviewed over at Writing Prompts about the small press I work for and here's the article that resulted: "The Golden Age for Small Publishers".

If you're a book-lover (writing them or reading them), you might enjoy learning a bit more about how small presses are working to reach their audiences with good stories. It's a good time to be alive if you're a book-lover!

Peace of Christ to you,
Jessica Snell

congrats to Rob Beames on the publication of "Cornered by Grace"!

I got to know Rob Beames when I joined Kalos Press as General Editor. Rob is the author of "Cornered by Grace" and I've truly enjoyed working with him.

Rob has a heart for God's people, and for the people who are going to become God's people. He loves the doctrine of grace, and I feel like I've learned to love the doctrine of grace more just by working with him.

His love of God's kind, free, wondrous grace to His people is manifest in this book. It was an honor to work on it with him.

Congratulations, Rob!


Peace of Christ to you,
Jessica Snell



This post contains Amazon affiliate links. (See full disclosure on sidebar of my blog.)

PCA General Assembly, 2015

At the Doulos Resources booth. Photo credit: Ed Eubanks

So here where I live, in the Los Angeles basin, you can tell you can tell how nice a neighborhood is by its trees. Trees take both water and real estate, and here in SoCal, both of those things cost. So if you're driving down a tree-lined street - lots of trees and well-kept - then you know you're in a decent neighborhood.

This marker of wealth was no help at all when I traveled to Tennessee a few weeks ago.

TN is beautifully green. The trees are like weeds, but in the best of ways: they were everywhere. It was like you could hardly hold them back from overtaking the roads and buildings. So lush and verdant. I loved it.

Why was I in Tennessee?
Doulos Resources, the parent ministry of Kalos Press, the literary imprint I work for, had a booth at the PCA General Assembly, and I got to go and help out. It was an amazing week: I got to meet people I've been working with for years (in some cases), but had not yet met in real life: fellow editors, board members, and even authors! And they were all so welcoming. It was wonderful. I got to see a part of the country I'd never been in as an adult. I even got to have shrimp and grits for the first time!  (They were delicious, btw. And it didn't hurt that they were covered in cheese, bacon, and green onions.)  I got to learn more about my job and about the people I work with. It was a great trip.

Chattanooga, TN

The first day, I had no idea what I was doing. I tried to be useful. I tried not to be obnoxiously Anglican and Californian around all these kind and courteous Southern Presbyterians. I tried to act like I was very good at promoting books. (I’m not; I’m good at editing them.)

The Assembly shut the convention hall down every night in order for everyone to gather for worship, which I thought that was very cool. And my goodness, can Presbyterians preach! Great sermons. It was so good to be with fellow Christians, worshiping the Lord together.

The second day we hosted a signing of “Rooted”. That was a blast!  And it helped me feel more comfortable about the book-promoting part of my job, because I could imitate (a little) what those two authors did. I was really more comfortable in the booth for the rest of the week, after watching them. Felt like I got the rhythm of it.

Our next big event was a signing of Margie Haack's books. Margie's latest book was the first one I got to help edit when I signed on as the General Editor of Kalos, and so meeting her in person was a real treat. I enjoyed talking with her about books and church and a million other things.

Another treat was meeting some of the board members of Doulos Resources. I was privileged to sit in on their annual meeting. During that meeting - and, honestly, during the whole assembly - I was encouraged by how sincerely the people I was with seek to serve the Lord and to be used as He would have them be used. It's really an honor and a pleasure to get to work with people like this.  And listening in on them helped me to soak up the ethos of the ministry, which I think will help me going forward as I work on book projects for Kalos.

(I also got to learn a bit about the non-book projects Doulos does, stuff like "Flock", an app for pastors, and also free resources, like their Child Protection Plan for churches.)

I have to mention two other people I got to meet: Emily Hubbard and Grant Beachy. Both Emily and Grant are contributors to the upcoming book "Not Alone", and so I've had extensive email conversations with each of them. It was lovely to finally meet them in person.

But then there was the best part of the trip: going home. I've been researching the Old West for a writing project, and it was so strange to look out of the airplane window and watch the country that used to be crossed so slowly passing underneath us so quickly. 

When we reached Los Angeles, the city was completely invisible under the marine layer. The fog lapped the mountains and looked for all the world like a misty ocean bounded only by the San Bernardinos. So many people hidden. So much we cannot see.

But then I disembarked, found the right exit, and finally saw the one person I wanted to: Adam, waiting for me at the end of it, tall and smiling. So good. So very good.


Peace of Christ to you,
Jessica Snell

"Finding Livelihood", by Nancy Nordenson

So, this isn't a proper book review, at all, because I'm much too close to this one.

This is a book I had the privilege of working on as an editor, and I love it:



I even had the privilege of getting to help write the back cover blurb, and so I'm going to stick that here, in lieu of a proper book review:

A Book About Work
for Grown-Ups

When we were young, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Those answers were our childhood dreams. The reality of adulthood is that what we are and do now is what we became.  

Finding Livelihood is a book about work for grown-ups. It’s about not just the work we thought we wanted but about the work we found and the work that found us. It’s also about the work we have lost.

At once a shrewd challenge of Buechner’s assertion that “the place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet” and also a lyrical journey to the place where labor and love meet, Finding Livelihood explores the tensions between the planned life and the given, between desire and need, between aspirations and limits.

Through story, collage, and juxtaposition, Finding Livelihood invites you to consider work in its many facets. Who gets to decide if our work is “good”? How do we deal with forces and routines that leave us longing for escape? How do questions about money and meaning change when you are holding a pink slip in your hand? How are we transformed when our current work becomes part of a spiritual journey that encompasses all of life? 

Drawing from thinkers as diverse as St. Aquinas, Josef Pieper, and Simone Weil, Nordenson affirms the doctrine of imago Dei and brings it into the real world of work: a world full of brokenness and hope, of dead-end jobs and live-saving interventions, of daily bread and transcendent meaning. In the midst of it all, we find our livelihood. 

I feel too involved in this one to say much more about it, but I couldn't let the release date pass without saying something about it.   :)  So, maybe poke around the book website a bit - or the other book website - and see if it's something that might speak to you.


And, finally, I wanted to end this by saying, Happy release day, dear Nancy!  It's been nothing but a pleasure to work with you.

Peace of Christ to you,
Jessica Snell



This post contains Amazon affiliate links; if you purchase a book from this link, I receive a small percentage of the purchase price.  (See full disclosure on sidebar of my blog.)

7 Quick Takes

1. I started Jennifer Fulwiler's (our host's) book, "Something Other Than God" one night, and finished it the next. It is so good. (Review forthcoming.)

2. Kalos Press is still looking for submissions on miscarriage and infertility. The deadline is June 1. I encourage you take a look at the call for submissions, and maybe pass it on, if you know someone who would be a good contributer!

3. My daughter has taken to reading my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook as if it were a novel. This has resulted, in the last few day, in made-from-scratch devil's food cake (with fudge frosting) and homemade blueberry muffins, appearing in my kitchen, as if by magic.

So yes, dear child, I will keep buying you cocoa and butter and sugar. You bake away, you brilliant girl, you.

4. (Seriously, it's fun to watch my eldest adopt a hobby so whole-heartedly. I delight in her delight.)

5. So, here's a question for you: what's your favorite part of U.S. History? I admit to being an Anglophile, and overdosing on British history, but it's time for me to learn a bit more about my own country's past. Where should I start? What stories and settings from the United States really capture your imagination? I'd love to know.

6.  Today I had the rare experience of my cat actually coming to me, and wanting to be scratched and petted and snuggled.

He's the sort of cranky beast that thanks you for your pains by biting you when he's had enough loving - purring all the while of course. He's a bit of a psychopath, but we keep him around because he's so terribly pretty. And he kills bugs. (I admire that in a cat.)

Anyone else have a cranky pet?

(I have to say: my dog makes up for our cat's crankiness. Our dog only wants us to LOVE HER, PLEASE LOVE HER, SHE ONLY WANTS US TO LOVE HER AND WALK HER AND FEED HER AND SCRITCH HER OH, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!!

But that' s dog for you, right?)

7. Is it terrible that I really, really want to watch this?




More Quick Takes can be found here, at Conversion Diary.

Peace of Christ to you,
Jessica Snell


This post contains Amazon affiliate links. (See full disclosure on sidebar of my blog.)