Farewell to My Very First Publishing House

My very first title with Heartsong Presents in 1997. See below on how you can win a copy

Wow, what a heavy heart. I just received word that the house which published my very first title, Mountaintop, is closing its doors. Heartsong Presents, a division of Barbour Publishing. Another casualty to a dwindling economy and the need to downsize, and one near and dear to my heart.

Heartsong Presents was one of the few publishing houses back in the early days that took on brand new authors like me and without an agent. They had a neat little book club that put out several books a month, so they were looking for writers. I joined the club first to see what books they published and met such popular authors now as Wanda Brunstetter, Colleen Coble, Loree Lough, Kristin Billerbeck, Donita Paul, even Tracie Peterson, all who began their now highly successful publishing careers with titles published by Heartsong Presents.

I developed a story I thought might go - a story of two hikers (imagine that!) who meet in the unforgiving White Mountains of New Hampshire and who learn to lean on each other and God when the going gets rough. I submitted it and anxiously waited. I didn't hear anything for a good long time and contemplated quitting the writing business (I had very little patience back then). I talked to a good friend of mine who said - "Hey, Lauralee, did God tell you to quit?" Well, no. And a few days later, the editor of the line, Rebecca Germany, called me on the phone to discuss my book and a contract. I was ecstatic! About a year later Mountaintop was born. And so too followed many other titles with this company, including my first ever historical book line.

The editors at Heartsong Presents gave me a chance with my work and alllowed me to grow in my writing.

Now sadly they are closing their doors. But I will never forget what they have done for me and the books they published to help launch me in my writing ministry. To my editors, line editors, copy editors, marketing, everyone in Heartsong Presents, thank you for 15 great years. I will miss you very much.


**Special Giveaway!! - I only have a few special copies left of my very first release, Mountaintop. I will be giving away one copy of this book near and dear to my heart. Leave a comment and your name and e-mail to enter. For anyone who signs up to receive this blog via e-mail or by Feedblitz, I will put your name in again for 2 chances to win (be sure to let me know). One name will be picked Wed, August 17th.

Odds at winning depends on number of entries received. Void where prohibited. 

On August 15 I am blessed to have an old  Heartsong friend, Donita K Paul, now a successful fantasy author, as my special guest blogger. Don't miss visiting with her!