My New Book, Wild in the Hollow
In October of 2013, I completed my book proposal and let it loose into publisher’s hands. I woke in the night, as is usual for me, and I prayed:
that it be not a beloved book if its beloved-ness were meant to tidy me or make my britches too small. […] that my book would be as good and true as any honest writer could make [it].[…] that when the character tangles with desire, I would write it. When she tangles with the God who makes her limp, I will let her mouth whisper the words of holy tongue, [that] I would never not miss home, that my homesickness would make me worse and worse of a machine-molded Christian.
I prayed to be wild.
Then a year ago, I signed with Revell, a division of Baker publishing group that feels like family, and I began to pour it out. I indeed wrestled with God and desire. I became more sick for home. And while I was writing it, life was shaping me in ways that may take decades for me to share.
I wrote in my story-letter earlier this week that when I finally saved that document for the last time, I literally said out loud, “I can die now.” Everything I had to say up to that point (especially to my children) was in that manuscript. All my poetry was right there. I finished it and felt as small as ever.
When I go back to read it now, I sink into it like a woman in a glorious flashback. I can’t change that story or the voice that blew over me as I wrote it. This was the story it was meant to be during the time it was written. If I were to tell it to you now, if I were to rewrite it, already my perspective would be different. I would be learning different lessons from it. A different detail would rise out of the scene and it would speak.
I saved the final document in November, and when I read back on the woman who wrote that book, I spill with gratitude. I can’t believe this story belongs to me. A story with a book jacket on, it is a gift that I did not make. I wrote it for you, but God gave the twists and resolves therein. He has pulled the tensions, and I can hold them in my hand, even darkest days, and be so grateful.
This, friends, is my book: Wild in the Hollow, On Chasing Desire and Finding the Broken Way Home. I love the title because it is true.
Also, I love the cover, and dear gracious, I hope you do, too.
I can’t wait to tell you more about it, but I’ll wait until August 4th gets a little closer. Just save a reading spot in your schedule for me, and thank you for sharing and cheering and being here with me.
- February 25, 2015
- 26 Comments
- 0
Cherise
February 25, 2015This is so exciting! I can hardly wait to see it in print at my bookstore.
Tsh Oxenreider
February 25, 2015Yahoo! So very happy this will be out in the world for all. XO
Leslie Lee
February 25, 2015Yes, yes, yes! I'm so looking forward to this!! Congrats on all your hard work turning into something so beautiful.
ed cyzewski
February 25, 2015Yay! Yay! Yay!
Marcy
February 25, 2015Can't wait!
Anna Cortes
February 25, 2015Amber, this is a big deal. I am proud of you! Love you.
Ann Kroeker
February 25, 2015Beautiful news!
Hannah Novak
February 25, 2015I love the cover!
MIcha Boyett
February 25, 2015The cover is beautiful! Cannot wait to hear more about it and mostly I just can't wait to read it. I'll read anything you write. Always.
Kristen Strong
February 25, 2015Everything that Micha said. :)
Just over-the-moon thrilled for you, Amber, and for all us folks who get to read your words IN A BOOK. Glory be! Congratulations, beautiful girl!
Ali
February 25, 2015Congratulations Amber on the making of a dream come true, in amongst so much busyness and life.
I love the words in this post. I love the warning to all writers (what you write now and publish now is the truth now, but it can already look so different tomorrow). And I love the book title!
This is a seriously huge achievement, and I hope it sells hugely well and brings you new twists and turns of great fun and joy in the coming months / years!
My best wishes!, Ali in the Alps
Rachel
February 25, 2015Hooray! Can't wait to read!
Debby Hudson
February 25, 2015The "broken way home". Yep, you have me with that.
Michele-Lyn Ault
February 25, 2015I am so forward to this.
Michele-Lyn Ault
February 25, 2015*looking, of course. <3 Love you, Amber.
Beth Werner Lee
February 25, 2015I LOVE the cover, Amber! I wish I could do a book review for you! Can't wait to read it, and here I've been reading every post you write for a few years, but I don't think I know your backstory. Praising God for you.
Stephanie Precourt
February 25, 2015So fabulous!!! It's beautiful. I'm so excited for you!
Steph
Emily L
February 25, 2015I can't wait to read it!
Ashley Hales
February 26, 2015So thrilled for you. Beautiful words that I can't wait to read! The title is lovely, as is the cover.
Diana Trautwein
February 26, 2015You go, girl! LOVE this whole thing - book cover/title/subtitle and this post and you and wow I can hardly wait to wrap my greedy little fingers around it this summer. YES.
Linda
February 26, 2015I know I'm gonna love it since I love everything you write. Can't wait!
Amber
March 3, 2015So excited!
Kamille@Redeeming_table
March 4, 2015Very thrilled for you Amber to share your story and more so that I may read it. Congratulations!!
Alton
January 31, 2016It's an awesome article for all the internet people;
they will get benefit from it I am sure.