Once upon a time, I wrote a children’s story for creative writing class.
And as week followed week and year followed year, I liked the story so well I decided to publish it as a children’s book.
But publishing a children’s book, I discovered, was no easy task. I scaled a high mountain, looking for an illustrator. At the tip top of the mountain, I found a castle with a great wooden door. I went up to the great wooden door, stood on the very tips of my tippytoes, and knocked.
The door opened slowly, iron hinges creaking. A publisher peered out.
“Will you publish my book?” I asked. The publisher’s eyes speared mine, and I glanced away from them, toward the misty trees on the next mountain. “It’s a story about my dad,” I said. “Well, sorta.”
The publisher opened the door wider. He wasn’t looking at me anymore, but at the story I held in my hands. He smiled, and his smile was friendly. “Sounds interesting,” he said. “Come in.”
***
Some of you know about my children’s story, which has been in the making for many years. It is based on a story my dad told me of when he was a little boy. At that time, he wanted more than anything to find an arrowhead, and for many days he prayed that he would. Then one day, running across the plowed field toward his dad on the tractor, he looked down, and there, lying on top of the dirt that the plow had turned up, was an arrowhead.
I thought about that arrowhead. I wondered how many years it had lain buried in the ground, wondered how many people had owned or worked that very piece of land until the arrowhead turned up at exactly the right time to answer a little boy’s prayer. I imagined a history for the arrowhead. I imagined my dad as the grandpa he now is, telling the story to one of his granddaughters.
The book, to be published with Christian Light Publications, is titled simply The Arrowhead. After a long journey and many delays, I was surprised and happy to learn that it will be coming out sooner than I had hoped. The illustrations, done by Alex Brover and Sarah Douglas, are stunning. My favorite is the Indian, pictured above.
Look for this story in November.
How exciting. I am a new follower of your blog. I love books. I am also a homeschool mom of many. A good children’s story makes me happy. Looking forward to reading your book to my children.
Welcome, Linda! I think this book is perfect for homeschoolers because it teaches some basic history while telling a story. I think your children will enjoy it.
Congratulations! Looking forward to reading it.
Great, Lucinda! A buried story come to life.
I don’t see anyplace to unsubscribe. Thank you. Nancy
I can solve that problem for you, Nancy. Sorry about the difficulty.
You are on a roll! This is exciting news!
Yaaay! That is so cool! Can’t wait to see it
Congratulations! I didn’t know anything about this one but will be watching for it.
I haven’t been talking much about this book, Romaine. For one, because I was focused on my first book, and two, because I didn’t realize it was coming out so soon. A nice surprise.
I’ve been waiting for this news ever since you first mentioned it to me several years ago. So glad that the wait is worth it. The illustration you shared is outstanding. I’m a complete sucker for historical fiction type books. I can buy them and count them an educational expense.
Gina
Thanks, Gina. Good to hear from you. I’m excited about this one, too.
Many years ago I wounded a deer while hunting with bow and arrow. I trailed the deer as long as I could but finally the blood trail stopped and I decided it was no use to keep searching. At that moment I looked down and on the ground in front of me was an arrowhead. I had many thoughts go thru my head about then. How many years had that arrowhead lay there before I came along? Was my Native American friend successful in his hunt or was he left wanting as was I? Now I could run on over to Food Lion but maybe his family went hungry that evening. There’s real scope for the imagination in an arrowhead. I’ve found many arrowheads over the years, but that one was the most special. I wlll most definitely be buying your book to give to my grandchildren!
There IS so much scope for the imagination in an arrowhead. Your story is so intriguing…it would make a great children’s story as well. My story, The Arrowhead, should come out just in time to make a great Christmas present for grandchildren. :)
How exciting!! I can’t wait to get a copy. I love your vivid and creative way with words.
Thank you!
I love the sound of this book :)
Bravo! I love your success! So exciting.