When I emailed Defender Publishing to update my email address, I received a very different reply. The automated response said the person I emailed no longer worked for the company. This was anything but good news because he was the man who had my manuscript, the man who assured me of the publisher's interest, and the man who gave me hope when everyone else around me at the ACFW struggled. Now, he was gone. What had happened to my manuscript?
I quickly emailed another person whom I had met at the conference, thankfully. She also replied - this time a person and not a machine.
She apologized. When the man left, the company had neglected to research the manuscripts he left behind. No, mine hadn't been read. As a matter of fact, Defender Publishers no longer accepted manuscripts for 2025-26.
I was out.
But the nice lady in the email strongly recommended that I self publish through Amazon KDP, and even provided instructions on how to use Amazon. She did not know that I already considered Amazon KDP as my alternative. I had nothing to lose.
Without a second thought (maybe for three seconds), I set up an account and proceeded to publish The Prodigal - badly. I think I made every mistake known to man. When I sent for a proof copy (I'm really glad I did), I was horrified. HINT: Next time, use Amazon's template. I hurridly cancelled publication. That edition is still hanging out there unpublished in the Amazon universe. It will never be published, and I wish I knew how to remove it altogether.
The second edition came out nearly perfect, except for some typos, which I learned to correct. So The Prodigal is now available, and I am not going back to correct it again. Good writers, like good painters, need to know when to quit. The work is done, and available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. Have at it and enjoy.
Now, on to the next novel, already in progress.
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