Big Book News!

If you receive my newsletter, you’ve already heard the good news. (If you don’t, hit that subscribe button and you’ll get all my best news first!) I’m so pleased to tell you, my loyal readers,

 I signed a book contract! #writingcommunity #readingcommunity

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And not just for one book, but for two. Can you hear me shouting for joy? Next year I will have two picture books releasing with End Game Press. To say I’m thrilled is an understatement. 

If all goes as planned, a year from now my first book baby will be out in the world and I’ll be a proud mama showing him off to everyone. If the first book does well, I’ll get another contract for the third book in my little series. 

When I began this writing journey, publishing picture books was the furthest thing from my mind. I thought I would write a nonfiction Christian Living type book first, or maybe even a fiction novel. I have a first draft of a novel hidden away somewhere. 

I’m not married and I don’t have any kids. I didn’t grow up babysitting, I was the kid in my very small town. So how in the world did I decide to write picture books? Honestly, I think picture books picked me. I have loved reading pretty much my entire life and I have such fond memories of the books I read as a kid. Those first favorites stick with you forever and I want to help kids fall in love with reading the way I did. 

Maybe one day my book will become a child’s favorite and instill in them a love for reading and maybe even a desire to write their own book one day. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

Books can mean so much to a person. They are a place to escape when life is hard, a place to learn new things, a place to find comfort when life is hard, and even a place to find friends within the pages. Kids need all of those things as much as adults – maybe even more. 

It’s an incredible honor and privilege to get to write for kids. My message to them is the same as my message to adults. When life is hard, joy can be found in Jesus. When we are weak, we can find strength in Jesus. Even in the most difficult circumstances, Jesus offers us peace. Joy is found in Jesus – and in the pages of a good book! 

From my publisher, End Game Press:

Howie’s Broken Hee-Haw

Howie the donkey has a broken Hee-Haw and it makes him MAD! No matter how much he practices, he can’t get it right. When Jesus has need of his special gift, will he have the courage to use it? This new take on the story of Palm Sunday will delight children and adults alike. They will laugh through silly hee-haws, feel sad with Howie when he sees himself as a failure, and cheer him on as he helps Jesus make His way into Jerusalem. Children will learn that they aren’t broken either, but each unique in their own special way. They have great value because Jesus made them. Even though it’s a book about Palm Sunday, it’s a book that children will love all year as they relate to Howie’s story and look to him for encouragement when they are afraid or feel inferior. 

I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me and I’m so happy that you’re here to celebrate with me.

Until next time,

Josie