An Aspiring Author’s Christmas Wish List

What do you want for Christmas? The question on everyone’s minds this time of year. Someone recently asked me, and my sassy spirit almost responded honestly. I want a book CONTRACT! Seriously, as an aspiring author is that too much to ask? A love may have been all Mariah Carey wanted but I want an acquisitions editor to call my agent and say those magic words. “We want to acquire this book for publication.” From here, I started to write my Christmas wish list.

An Aspiring Author’s Christmas Wish List

1. Book Contract with a Major Publisher – I mean, if you’re going to ask, may as well go big. By the way, my agent sent my book proposal out to publishers at the end of November, so prayers are appreciated. Although if you happen to be one of the editors who received my proposal, I’ll take a contract with your prayer, please.
2. Ten Thousand Followers on Social Media – Some of you have been an audience to my begging, but publishers look at these numbers to determine if you can sell books. Ten thousand followers seems to be a magic number. My high school Sunday school class students and my daughter would also appreciate this gift, so they could gain some relief from my weekly, okay daily, Instagram follower updates. Just in case you want to help, here are the links:

Instagram – @lesliedevooght

Facebook – Leslie Kirby DeVooght- Author Page

Twitter – Leslie DeVooght- Twitter

3. A Box of Assistants, including a Personal Assistant, Web Designer, Editor, Cook, Carpool driver, and Blog Writer. – I’m throwing everyone in here because we only allow our children three gifts at Christmas. We are of the opinion, if three gifts were good enough for Jesus, then it’s enough for our children. (Don’t worry. Their Grammy and Nana totally violate the rule.) Last year, our daughter devised the Box gift. She asked for a “Camp Box” which included a battery-operated fan, bandanas, a bunk hook, compact sleeping bag, and an Eno hammock. This is the definition of loophole, but when both of your parents are attorneys, we call it creativity.

As this year draws to an end, I was asked what my greatest writing accomplishment was for the year. As I responded, I became aware of how big God has blessed me. This time last year, all I hoped for was a writing coach. Well, I found her in February. Thank you God for the gift of Lindsey Brackett, but he didn’t stop with my short list. He blessed me with contest wins, two published flash fiction pieces, and signing with the Steve Laube Literary Agency, not to mention all of the wonderful friends I have made.

Yes, I’ve had several losses and setbacks this year, but I choose to focus on the blessings. For the gifts that went beyond what I desired and was not bold enough to ask for, but received anyway. God is so good.

How has God blessed you in 2017? What is your Christmas dream gift?