Done. But just beginning really.

I faxed approval for the galley (inside) of the book this week.

I am so very relieved to have completed that phase.

And I can't believe this labor of love is already two years in the making.

Bittersweet.

I'm told that we should have an "author copy" in our hands within a couple of weeks to approve.

Now we work on perfecting the marketing materials with Westbow (business cards, postcards, and bookmarks).

I need to concentrate on other unfamiliar areas, too.  Like the Facebook page, creating the website, and setting up a purchasing system on that website. Doing so will allow us to maximize profits so that we can achieve one of our main goals of donating to adoption and orphan care charities in Daniel's name.

Then it's on to the most meaningful part of all.

Sharing Daniel's story. And honoring him.

Sharing God's grace. And glorifying Him.

almost there!

We are almost there.

Almost to the finish line.

So very, very close to sharing Daniel's story with you.

The cover was a bit of a hang-up for me. I never realized quite how extensive the self-publishing process is. Or how persnickety I am, for that matter.

Though the workmanship was high quality, Jimmy and I honestly felt like our cover designer did not quite "nail" the feeling (or the gist) of the book through the cover design.

Which led me into totally new territory...designing a book cover.

Three months later, I am pleased to report that the cover has been completed (thanks to the assistance of a few really good people), and I am now in final stages of editing our galley copy (a.k.a. the inside).

This means we could go to print in the next couple of months!  Hallelujah.

Do you Believe?

One of the items that I had to whip up for the Publisher was the back cover text for the book.  Sound simple?  Not for this writer.

I wanted to "open" with a couple of meaningful, thought provoking questions. The two questions that I had originally included seemed, in the words of a good friend, "almost void of God."

She was right. They were far too vague and new-age sounding. And that wasn't the way I wanted the gist of Daniel's story to appear. Because the Good Lord is one of the main characters, so to speak. But I struggled with this for weeks. The right questions just weren't popping into my head. I prayed about it. I discussed it with friends. I continued to come up empty.

During this frustrating process, a friend (and neighbor) of ours lost his father. It was (and is) a very sad time for a wonderful family in our community. Jimmy and I did not know Mr. Roegiers very well personally, but we always regarded him as a very kind and loving family man.

So, you ask, "How is this relevant??"

Well, the evening before the funeral, I sat with one of my besties, Sherril, and described the message that I was trying to properly convey. I explained my struggle for the perfect fit, and also my desire to complete this task at hand. We both felt like I was headed in the right direction but agreed that I should continue to pray and think on it.

The next day, at Mr. Roegiers funeral, the most amazing thing happened.

As Monsignor Tom walked over to the Roegiers family and bestowed his comforting words of wisdom and faith upon them, he eloquently spoke the exact same sentiments that I had been so desperately trying to put into words for the book!

The Holy Spirit gave me my questions.

Right there. In that church. At that funeral. Sherril and I looked at each other in awe and disbelief. Well, actually, in belief...belief in the Holy Spirit. We witnessed it together. And I walked away knowing exactly which two questions I needed to ask:

What happens when WE have one plan, and God has another?  
Do you still  BELIEVE?

Thank you, Mr. Roegiers. I will always remember your hand in this labor of love...

Will you please help?

And who better to help with this task than our family and friends.

Assignment:  please vote for your favorite keynote!  

What is it, you may ask? 

A "keynote" or "marketing headline" succinctly tell readers what a book is about and why they should buy it.

It feels really strange to create marketing materials for our story, but the bottom line is that our little angel can't touch people if we can't get them to read the book!  

And I know that it might be difficult to weigh in on these without actually reading the book yet, but we would love to know which one you prefer and why. And if you have a better idea to add, we welcome your thoughts and suggestions!

So...without further ado...the keynotes.  Which one would entice you to read the book?

A)  A powerful story of one family’s faith-filled journey with their adopted son, Daniel, in an inspirational walk of love and courage that will touch your heart.

B)  A true celebration of life as one family shares their inspirational and faith-filled journey of hope, love, and courage with their adopted son, Daniel.

We thank you for your time and your input:)  Oh...and if you wish to contact me privately, please email me: lisa.michelle.murphy@gmail.com

Done.

Well...

Kinda done.

I had to draw the line. Seriously.

I could edit forever. There's always another thought or a better way to say something. Jimmy believes I suffer from separation anxiety!

But I think I am finally at a point where I am ready to let it fly.

So, as of last night, the manuscript is in the good hands of Westbow Press.

Now I need to focus on the front and back cover material, which should be fun!

Blurb #2 - Pam Cope

One day last Fall, my editor (Marilyn) handed me a little clipping of a book she had discovered in the newspaper. The book was called Jantsen's Gift, and it's author is Pam Cope (with Aimee Molloy).  Marilyn thought that I should read this book since its theme seemed, in some ways, similar to mine.

I ordered Jantsen's Gift through Amazon that day and began reading as soon as I received it. This story, which is described on the cover as "A True Story of Grief, Rescue, and Grace" is that and so much more.

This incredible woman and her husband took the most devastating event of their lives--the sudden loss of their teenage son, Jantsen--and turned it into something beyond imagination. In Jantsen's memory, they created the Touch A Life Foundation, which advocates on behalf of thousands of trafficked and vulnerable children around the world.

I can't even begin to adequately share all the good that Pam and Randy Cope have done in this world through their foundation. Suffice it to say, they have saved many lives. For that reason, I would love for you to go to the website and take a look for yourself: http://www.touchalifekids.org/

And if you feel so inclined to join their mission or send a donation, that would be a blessing.

After I read Jantsen's Gift, I felt compelled to reach out to Pam about Daniel's story. She has obviously done so much to make a difference, and we would love to do the same in Daniel's memory. Pam graciously took her valuable time to speak with me on the phone for an hour or so one day. She's a lovely person, and was so ready and willing to help this newbie author (me) with our project.

So, it is with tremendous admiration that I announce my second cover blurb. We are truly grateful for Pam's generosity and kindness.

Blurb #1 - Frank McKinney

I am so honored that Mr. Frank McKinney has provided a cover blurb for Daniel's story. He is an amazing man with a wonderful story himself.  Frank is the author of "The Tap," along with 4 other international best-selling books. He is widely known for his success as a Real Estate Artist, creating and selling multi-million dollar homes that are better known as art projects.

I love the essence of his book, "The Tap," because of its religious nature. In the book, Frank reveals the most important spiritual principle that he attributes to his astronomical success. He explains how God has tapped him (and taps everyone) many times in life, answering prayers and presenting life-changing opportunities. The Tap shows you how to sensitize yourself to feel, then act on your life's great "Tap Moments," embracing the rewards and responsibilities of a blessed life.
 
And in 1998, Frank acted on the "tap" of his life by starting the Caring House Project Foundation.
Based on the belief that stability begins with a home and without the need of shelter being met, there is little hope, he created a foundation that cared for those who had no shelter. He was inspired by the Gospel of Luke, 12:48: "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more demanded of the person entrusted with more."

As of 2012, the Caring House Project Foundation has built fifteen villages in the Haitian cities of Gonaives, Port au Prince, Testasse, Ft. San Michael, Los Cacaos, Cap Haitian, Ange Village, Paroty, Terre Rouge, Fond Rouge Torbek, Chameua, Mannual, Makandal, and Mahotiere/Rampa all at no cost to the beneficiaries.

I find it intriguing that God "tapped" me to reach out to Frank McKinney shortly after Daniel had passed away, without even knowing about this book. All I really knew about him at the time was that he was an accomplished author and that he goes to our church.  I was outside in our backyard one day, and into my head pops "Contact Frank McKinney."

The Tap, indeed.

I immediately went into the house and formulated an email message to send to him. I was quite nervous since I didn't know him personally, and wasn't sure how my email would be received. Not ten minutes later, our phone rang. It was Frank McKinney. He kindly listened to Daniel's story and--without hesitation--graciously offered his endorsement to the project. He even emailed me the contact information for his publishing representative. Unfortunately, after months of correspondence, the publisher fell through, but obviously I was meant to connect with Frank for other reasons.

So...I finally, and most proudly, announce his support.  If you would like more information about Frank, his bestsellers, and his Caring House Project, please visit:  http://frank-mckinney.com