Feb
09
The news wasn’t surprising. Not at all. But it still stung.
I didn’t cry like last time. Well, not at first.
I might as well just say it. You know my book Changing Your World One Diaper at a Time? It’s going out of print. Sales had slowed too much for the publisher to justify keeping it stocked.
I know. Sad stuff. Disheartening, discouraging. It hurts.
I do know it’s not the end of the world. But I feel like I’m at a crossroads in my life/ministry/career. I can’t seem to see through the fog. Everything appeared to be going along so smoothly. One published book a year for the past four years.
And then I hit a wall. And now another wall.
I’ve always wanted to be a writer. The speaking thing was an afterthought, something I did to keep my writing alive. Now, the speaking thing is taking off (with no help from me), and the writing is at a standstill.
Part of me wants to figure it all out right this minute. Part of me wants to keep plodding mindlessly along and trust that God will reveal His plan as I go. Part of me wants to take a big, long break from all of it and come back in a few months. Or never.
I’m speaking from a very raw place right now which might not be the brightest idea, but I don’t really care. It is what it is. I am what I am.
The publisher offered to sell me the rest of the copies in their warehouse at a deep discount (just like Blushing). I hate the thought that I just got rid of all those books in my closet just to make room for another failed title. Oh well.
Anyone want some cheap books to give away to new moms?
My dear husband tried so hard this afternoon to “fix” everything. I finally asked him for just one day of being depressed and discouraged. Just one day. He said no. I got mad. Awhile later, he went on a photo walk. When he got back, he said, “How about this? I’ll give you two days to be sad.” Perfect.
See you in two days.
[...] on this topic.Powered by WP Greet Box WordPress PluginA year ago in February, I wrote a post called disheartening where I explained that my book Changing Your World One Diaper at a Time had just gone out of print [...]
Ok….so I just noticed that this post is old??? Why in the world did it pop up first when I went to your blog?? Is that strange or what? Hmmmmm………
Well, anyways, I still meant everything I said.
Marla…..I think you’re amazing. I also find it interesting that I came to your blog tonight to catch up on my Radical entries because I told you I would. A study you initiated of a book that is rocking people’s worlds…..including yours. You’re right in saying that you don’t know what to do next, but I think that’s exactly where God wants us to be so we are completely empty and ready. It’s tough and it hurts our feelings, but it is the true definition of being “empty” of ourselves so He can use us.
Be sad. Cry. Throw something. Whatever…..but then get ready for what’s next. Then go back and read the comments from people reading Radical and see how you’ve had an incredible influence already.
Love you girl. I can NOT wait to see what happens next. I, for one, am going to take advantage of this to start praying you back to Cambodia….even if for somewhat selfish reasons.
XOXO
[...] my story about Diapers (also known as Changing) going out-of-print, and pretty soon I’ll share some [...]
I have this feeling that you are going to give Gabe his two days back. You are over it.. and going to find the blessing in the midst of this and likely encourage every one of us through it.
Well Marla I’m really sorry to hear that your book is going out of print as 2 of your books have particularly impacted my life in recent years. I bought ‘Blushing’ in desperation just after I got married when I was really struggling to get used to my new life with my husband. I also specifically asked my local Christian bookshop here in Wellington, New Zealand to get ‘Expecting’ in for me when I first found out that I was pregnant. Again it made a huge difference to the way I saw my pregnancy in terms of dedicating each development milestone week by week to the Lord. So you’ve made a huge difference in my life during these huge transitional times and I’m all the way down here in New Zealand! Thank you!
Hello, Marla;
I host a community blog for nonfiction writers. I’ve been looking for a guest blogger to write about how a book goes out of print and the feelings that experience brings. Check out the blog and see if that might be something you’d be willing to do: http://aspiringwritersofnonfiction.blogspot.com/.
Be blessed,
Lynnda