This is a shameless plug. I’ve always believed if I checked the mailbox faithfully rain or shine, one day it would reward me with wonderful things. Two of those arrived this week. First: (here’s the plug) This book compiled by James Stuart Bell with a forward by Gary Chapman and (drum roll, please) a story by Kathy Nickerson! Yep. This is my very first publication credit from a royalty publisher. BethanyHouse. (I’m the last story in the book, which I like. I’m a back-page kinda girl.)
Now, I’m not actually getting royalties, mind you. But, underneath the book you can see the second thing that came in the mail: the honorarium for writing the story. I’m pretty jazzed about this whole thing. If you look for this book on Amazon.com, you can actually go inside to the table of contents and find my name. I know this because I did it.
The tricky thing is this: The book is written for married couples about being married, and my particular story is, well, very married. Tasteful, but rather personal. So I’m not really broadcasting to the world that I wrote it. Okay, I guess I am. But you guys are a very trustworthy cross-section of the world. When I first started writing it, I used a pen name so as not to embaress anyone. Specifically my husband, who plays a starring role in the story. And our children, who probably want to think they were divinely created and sent to our doorstep on the evening breeze like little Who-babies.
Eventually, I decided to go with my real name, because I am really grateful to God for our great marriage, and I do like to talk about it. (And, as the editor pointed out, our children do know where they came from.) Unfortunately, I failed to change Wendell’s name. So, if you happen to read the story someday and wonder why I was swimming with a guy named Allen. Now you know.
It’s so my husband won’t be embarrassed.
CONGRATS!!!!
You have always been one of my favorite story tellers. My fondest memories of you was recording and audio book when I lived in KV. We were in the basement of Travelers and would have to stop recording when someone would flush a toilet upstairs. You said it kept us humble.
So excited that your voice is being heard!
Jason
Simply wonderful.
That’s great Kathy!
Thanks folks. And Jason, I totally remember those days! I’m pretty sure I’m still in them 🙂
Hahahahaha!! “It’s so my husband won’t be embarrassed.” LOVE that. Like it won’t embarrass him that you wrote an ess-ee-ex story about a guy named Allen! I’m laughing so hard right now. I think I can’t wait to read this story. Or maybe just open the book and look at it and smile proudly. 🙂
I know, Seren. I’m cracking myself up, too.
Thats wonderful Kathy… I always loved hearing your stories… Congrats !!
WOOP, WOOP!! Congratulations, Im so excited for you!! Super funny about the name thing! (=
Awesome
How exciting! Congratulations!
AAAAAAHHHHHHHH! So excited for you! That’s awesome!
Yay!! I’m so thrilled for you! Can’t wait to read about Allen 🙂
Hooray, hooray, hooray! At first I was going to write and just be so excited about your story being published, but when I got to the end that was hardly still in my mind. Talk about laughing out loud! Now I must buy the book, for two reasons. One, of course, because your leaving Wendell’s name as Allen is so awesome :), and two, because you have always had the best romance and marriage advice in the world, and I want to hear it! So congratulations on your story! And thanks for posting this “shameless plug” and “broadcasting it to the world” – it was great for multiple reasons! 🙂
I appreciate all the support! Ruth, you are a gem!
Check it out – a check! You and Allen, I mean Wendell, will have to do something special together to celebrate. Maybe take a swim? 🙂 Just kidding. Congrats on your book and the strong marriage behind it.
Ha! Thanks for the congrats.And thanks for all your editorial advice back in the day. You helped teach me the craft.