How My Book-in-a-Drawer Got Published
After a long break from social media, I was browsing through FaceBook posts when I heard a private message ping. I cringed a little. The FB messages I’ve received are too often trolls. Sighing, I opened it and read:
“Hi, are you the Dana McNeely who wrote RAIN? And if so, have you sold it yet?”
I thought – huh. My mouth probably dropped open. A stranger was asking about my book-in-the drawer, RAIN.
I’d finished RAIN quite a few years back. It had done well in a few contests, received interest from a couple agents, but ultimately every response was “No, thanks.” I loved the story of a mysterious prophet, a desperate youth, and a relentless queen, set during the time of Israel’s great drought, but it seemed no one wanted to read it.
I had kept writing, but switched to cozy mystery stories. One was published and I thought, “Maybe that’s where my writing should go.” Then I got the message from Angela Ruth Strong, a Christian author I’d never met.
We very seldom have the opportunity in life to know how God works behind the scenes, but in this case, I got a glimpse. I want to share that with you, so I’ll let Angela pick up the story from here.
Do you believe?
by Angela Ruth Strong
Five years ago, I judged a writing contest for unpublished writers. There were two entries that stood out. One was written by Joanna Politano, who I’m sure you’ve heard of if you are an Avid Reader of Christian Fiction or if you cheered on the finalists for the Christy Awards last week. Her writing is like velvet – smooth and rich.
I ended up sitting next to Joanna at the Oregon Christian Writer’s Conference awards ceremony back in 2014. She won and she also received an offer of representation from an agent there. It’s been a joy watching her career take off.
The other entry that stood out to me was for a biblical fiction manuscript titled RAIN. It’s the story of Elijah, as told by the boy he brought back to life. It starts out when the boy’s mom is a prophetess at a pagan temple and the kid is about to be sacrificed to a false god. It had the feel of a fantasy novel, which I don’t normally enjoy, but because it really happened in our world, it intrigued me.
Fast forward to 2019. My life was in a dry season, and I felt I needed some refreshment, which reminded me of the manuscript Rain. I figured it had been snatched up the way Joanna’s had been, and I began looking for it on Amazon. It wasn’t there. Maybe the title had been changed.
I emailed the coordinators for OCW and asked them if they could find out who the author was for me. Now, normally they don’t do this, but I think they were intrigued, as well. Emails went back and forth. Award-winning biblical author Mesu Andrews even got involved.
Finally I had a name. Dana McNeely. I messaged her to find out whatever happened to RAIN.
Surprisingly, nothing had happened. Multiple agents and editors told her that people weren’t buying biblical fiction. So she’d shelved it and hadn’t been writing for a while.
I wasn’t okay with this. Not only did I want to read the whole book, but I wanted others to be able to, as well. I suggested she submit to my publisher. Then I wrote to my editor and raved about Rain as excitedly as if it were my own novel.
Meanwhile, I read the story of Elijah in the Bible for myself and found so many spiritual lessons that were exactly what I needed. I wrote about it in Charisma, and you can read it here.
Then Dana and I both waited. Whenever I’d talk to my editor, I’d ask, “So…what do you think of Rain?” And she’d vaguely mention a committee meeting coming up or another biblical fiction manuscript she was considering. At least Rain was still in the running.
Finally I got the message from Dana. Mountain Brook Ink offered her a two-book contract!!! I rejoiced.
How did I just happen to look up this book five years after reading the first chapter? How did I just happen to have a connection with a publisher willing to take a risk on biblical fiction?
I’ll tell you how. God is always working behind the scenes where we can’t see.
Dana did all she could do. She researched and wrote and submitted. She was told what I’ve heard about my books before when there is nobody left to pitch. “The book is dead.” Then God did what God does and brought it back to life.
For this reason, I want to encourage you to continue crawling through your desert. Rest when you need to and let God provide in unexpected ways. But keep believing.
RAIN IS COMING!!!
Dana, again. I’ll just say in closing that I’m still overcome by gratitude. Mountain Brook Ink is a wonderful publishing house, and they’ve made me feel like family! God’s fingerprints are all over this story. When I’d given up on RAIN, God brought a downpour of blessing. What a wonderful God! And He is never late!
Inspired by the Bible story of Elijah raising the widow’s son from the dead, author Dana McNeely wondered what became of the boy. She began research for her novel, “Rain,” which tells the story of the three-and-a-half-year drought from his perspective. No stranger to drought, Dana lives in an Arizona oasis with her hubby the constant gardener, two good dogs, an antisocial cat, and migrating butterflies.
In 2021 RAIN became a finalist in The Christy Award (use the registered mark) and was also a finalist in the 2022 ACFW Carol Award® and was also a finalist in the 2022 ACFW Carol Award.
WHIRLWIND, the second novel in the “Whispers on the Wind” series, tells the story of a king’s downfall and a love that transcends war.
Sign up for Dana’s newsletter HERE to get book updates, garden exploits, butterfly effusions, and writerly fiascos.
Dona, love this story of another resurrection, a book this time. I am so excited to read it. I love Biblical fiction and especially the Old Testament. Any book Mesu Andrew’s recommends is a book inwant to read. May our dear Yahweh continue to bless you with stories so you can bless us.
Thank you, Rebecca. It truly feels like a resurrection, and I thank God for working behind the scenes to make it happen. If you’ve signed up for newsletters, I’ll update you on the book’s progress to publication. 🙂
Wow!! I love our life giving Father and His perfect timing along with His divine moments.
I’d love to read and review your book if you are looking to add to your launch team.
Hi there, Diana!
I’d love to have you read and review my book. If you are interested in joining my upcoming lunch team, for now make sure you are a newsletter subscriber. That will get you a free novella immediately, and will give you the earliest opportunity to sign up for the launch team! Thanks for being willing to help promote RAIN. Warmly, Dana
I already knew some of this story since I acquired the book and will be doing the edit, but I loved hearing the full story behind the story. God is indeed good, and we at Mountain Brook Ink are blessed to have Rain and you!
Miralee
Thanks, Miralee. I’m so happy to be making this journey with the wonderful team at Mountain Brook Ink! Dana
I’m so happy for you. I am an unpublished author. I have submitted the first of a two book writing but the typical no respond. Maybe, just maybe it will be remembered and published later.
Frank, thank you so much. I will pray for you that you won’t be discouraged. My journey with RAIN was much longer than the blog post may sound. RAIN did well in several contests, but I often got mixed responses from judges. I submitted it to several agents and publishers, got some considerations and kind suggestions, and some “not for us” form mails. I did finally give up and decide that maybe, someday I’d self-publish – which I think is a fine option for some, but too much for me to handle.
What I wish I would have done, is write a second, third, fourth book while I was waiting. That’s what I recommend for you! Blessings on your work, my friend.
So glad for your miracle. Enjoy knowing God wanted this book published. We need stories like this during these difficult times in the world. There are so many great writers out there, I wish more of them (us) could flood the market.
Thank you so much. 🙂
[…] The publication of RAIN was such an unexpected blessing. I had decided not to pursue publication any longer and perhaps even stop writing. Then I received a text message from a stranger. If you haven’t heard that story, you can read about it here. […]
[…] I don’t think it was the same day, but very shortly thereafter I received a text message from a stranger. “Hello. Are you the Dana McNeely who wrote RAIN, and if so, have you sold it yet?” This mysterious stranger, Angela Ruth Strong, turned out to be my Fairy Bookmother. Angela is a multi-published author who judged RAIN in a 2016 contest and remembered it when her publisher mentioned she was looking for biblical fiction. You can read more about how God said “Not quite yet” to my quitting and worked to bring RAIN to publication here. […]