The last time I blogged I mentioned a “top secret writing project that I’d been working on.” I’m back this week to tell you about that now-not-so-secret project.
Are you familiar with the term “epistolary”?
I wasn’t, until I attended a writer’s conference and heard Daisy Hutton, Fiction Publisher at Thomas Nelson, use the term. It sounded so intelligent and literary and biblical that I’ve since added it to my vocabulary.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, epistolary means, “written in the form of a series of letters.” What’s more, “Epistolary was formed from the noun epistle, which refers to a composition written in the form of a letter to a particular person or group. In its original sense, epistle refers to one of the 21 letters found in the New Testament.”
One of the first epistolary fiction novels I can remember reading was Daddy Long Legs. Anyone else remember that one?
More recently, I read The Josephine Bonaparte Collection, a series of exquisite historical novels. I’d call these books “epistolary plus” since they’re not written strictly through letters. In this case, the author details Josephine’s life through diary entries.
I blazed through the print edition of the outstanding The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, but I’ve heard it’s fantastic as an audio book. All those delicious British accents!
I read Dear Mr. Knightley, Christian fiction author Catherine Reay’s Carol Award winning debut novel.
I thoroughly enjoy the occasional novel written in this format. Such a refreshing change of pace!
When I was brainstorming my Bradford Sisters Romance series, I was inspired to kick the series off with an “epistolary plus” prequel novella. I was excited to tell Garner Bradford’s story and I was excited to tell it through journal entries, letters, and phone conversations. However, after my deadlines were set for the three full length novels in the series, I doubted whether I’d have time to write the novella.
I’m a slow writer at the best of times and a mother of three. I have the business aspects of writing to deal with, a house to clean, grocery shopping to do, laundry to wrestle, and dinners to cook. Also, I take a month-long break from writing every summer to recharge and enjoy traveling with my family. I didn’t want to give that up.
Then last July, a pocket of time opened. Two weeks. I had two weeks before I needed to get started on the rewrites of True to You.
I decided to use those two weeks to begin my epistolary novella. When those two weeks were up, I set the novella aside, unsure whether I’d have a chance to pick it back up again.
Over Thanksgiving break, I read through the portion of the novella I’d written and decided that . . . yes. I was invested enough in the novella to try my best to complete it. I set it aside again. Then I took it back out on December 26th, during Christmas vacation. I titled it Then Came You and finished writing the remainder of the story during the last part of December and the first part of January.
We can do what we make time to do, ladies. Amen?!
Since Then Came You wasn’t contacted by Bethany House, I knew that if the novella was going to be published then I was going to have to publish it myself. Yikes.
My former editor at Bethany House, Charlene Patterson, now works freelance. I hired her to read the manuscript and give me revision suggestions. Here’s a screen shot excerpt of my email to her…
Here’s a screen shot excerpt of her email back to me…
After that, “Operation Publish a Novella” was a go. I had a lot to learn about indie-publishing a piece of fiction electronically and in print, then making it available at multiple online retailers. It was daunting at times. Frustrating at others.
However, it was also exciting and empowering to see something I’d written through to publication. I loved collaborating with Charlene and with Jenny Zemanek of Seedlings Design Studio, the Cover Designer I hired. All in all, I’m very glad I did it.
Didn’t Jenny do a great job? I could stare at this cover for hours if not for the aforementioned deadlines, kids, laundry, etc.
Then Came You released this past Tuesday! It’s FREE for e-download and $5.99 in print. For links to the online bookstores that carry Then Came You click here or click the cover above.
Which epistolary novels or novellas have you read and enjoyed?
Becky Wade
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I’m so glad you finished writing this novella – it is excellent! Telling the story through the journal, letters, and phone calls works really well. And the story had some surprising twists! I am looking forward to your May release! I remember reading one other epistolary young adult novel several years ago, which was also well done, but I can’t remember the title or author.
Thank you, Elizabeth!
Hi Becky, this looks great! I downloaded my copy, and I’m excited about the new series! Great job!
Thanks so much, Carrie. It’s always great to see you here at Inspired by Life… and Fiction. 🙂
What a fun idea, Becky. And yes, the cover is awesome and matches your others so well. I hope it helps boost your Bradford Series sales!
Thanks, Karen!
I read “Then Came You” the day it came out and saw there was a little preview in the back. I told myself, “don’t do it…don’t read it – because it’s only going to make the next 2 months more painful while you wait…” Oh, but after the FABULOUS prequel I just jumped right in and now, indeed, I am in agony waiting for “True To You” to release. I really loved the format of “Then Came You” and am SO grateful you were able to get it done! I must say your humor continues to be one of my favorite things about your writing. In this case, it was Margaret that really caused a few belly laughs (sometimes awkward – did she say that? – laughs) All in all, your writing is powerful, delightful and definitely sprinkled with amazing humor. 🙂
Crissy! Your words have brightened my day. Thank you for the encouragement!
I’m laughing about the struggle you mention between the temptation to read the sample chapters of True to You and the sense that you really shouldn’t read them because True to You is still a ways off. Ha! Some readers gobble up sneak peek sample chapters and some avoid them entirely. It sounds like you’re caught somewhere in the middle.
I love writing humor into my novels. Margaret is SO MUCH FUN to write. You’ll see more of her in the Bradford Sisters novels. 🙂
I found this novella refreshing in its different form. I couldn’t put it down. I think the title is just perfect and the cover…well, the cover…I’m married, not dead!
I haven’t read the three chapters of True to You for the reason given above, but I am so looking forward to reading about that woman in the gorgeous blue dress – the middle child!!!
This style was a new one for me. I may have to check out Katherine Reay’s book while I wait for May!
“the cover…well, the cover…I’m married, not dead!” LOL!!!
Exactly.
I recommend Katherine Reay’s book! It’s wonderful. As are the other novels mentioned in my post. Happy reading!
I loved your inspiring pursuit to publish this novella. And I liked the “we can do what we make time to do” phrase you used. True words to live by.
It’s so true, isn’t it?! It applies to so many aspects of our live. There are things we want to do — pursue a dream, get in shape, travel, etc etc — but unless we carve out the time to *make those things happen* they just… won’t.
I’m so excited to read this. The last epistolary book I read was called Run by Jenn Faulk and L N Cronk. It was about a young man falsely accused of murder and contacted the victim’s sister or friend (can’t remember) to help him. They communicated through letters mostly. It was a romantic/suspense.
And of course, I loved Dear Mr. Knightley.
I haven’t heard of Run! I’m glad to learn of it. Thanks, Dana. 🙂
The book looks gorgeous, Becky! You’ve inspired me to try to publish my own novella project. It seemed so daunting but if you can do it with your busy life maybe I can too. Thanks.
You absolutely can do it, Lynn. A one-step-at-a-time, slow and steady approach will get you there. So many writer friends who were more familiar with indie publishing than I was helped me figure it out. I’d be glad to do the same for you.
“Epistolary”. I love learning new words!
Can I quickly ask a question to see if I have the concept right? I understand that Epistolary has to do with epistles/letters.
Would the following be classed in that category? “The Diary Of Anne Frank”? She wasn’t writing to anybody in particular.
Oh, and I’ll have to get into reading those books you’ve written! What fun!
Great question, Trish! I’m guessing that The Diary of Anne Frank could be called epistolary non-fiction. Or a memoir told through diary entries.
I love Daddy Long Legs, and just read Dear Mr Knightly recently. Last night I read Then Came You and loved it too! Great job!
Thanks, Margaret!
It is so empowering to read how THEN CAME YOU came to be. And that you made the time to write it, something I’m terrible at doing. Can’t wait to read it, I have it downloaded! 🙂
I definitely felt like the Little Engine that Could during some phases of the writing and publishing of Then Came You. “I think I can… I think I can…” 🙂
I enjoy reading letters that are cleverly inserted into a narrative, so I look forward to reading this one, probably next week! I have read both the “Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” and “Dear Mr. Knightley”. Pepper Basham also included a series of letters in “The Thorn Keeper” which added such an intimate touch.
Looking forward to this new series! Bravo for taking the time and effort to introduce your readers in a creative way!
I still smile fondly when I think of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.” I’m not a fan of that title. Too hard to remember and say! But I am a BIG fan of that book. So charming. And though the romance wasn’t central to the story, I immensely enjoyed that aspect.
I hadn’t realized that Pepper incorporated letters into The Thorn Keeper. Thanks for mentioning that, Rebecca!
Downloaded my copy. Sounds like a fun read. Thanks!
You’re very welcome, Jen!
Becky, I have downloaded my copy, but may wait to read it until I have book one in hand. Does the first book take up where this novella leaves off? I’m still looking forward to reading this novella very much. 🙂
You mentioned indie publishing. I thought you indie published The Proposal. It was surprising to me to learn that this is your first indie project. Either way you are giving us some fantastic reading material.
The first book takes place after the novella. But it doesn’t “take up where the novella leaves off” per se. I’m trying to be vague so I don’t give anything away. 🙂
You raise a great point about The Proposal. I did indie-publish that, too. But that case was very different for a few reasons…. 1) The Proposal is very short. So I didn’t hire an editor or a formatter. I handled those aspects myself, thanks to the help of friends and colleagues. 2) I only put The Proposal up at one online bookstore. 3) I didn’t make it available in print.
Indie publishing The Proposal was a walk in the park compared to Then Came You. Ha!
Just downloaded Then Came You and look forward to reading it. Love the cover also.
Letters From Skye by Jessica Brockmole is a fantastic epistolary book – WWI and WWII, U.S., Scotland, and England.
I loved Daddy Long Legs, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Dear Mr. Knightley, and now your latest! But I really think I would love whatever you wrote, as I have so enjoyed everything so far. The sneak peak looks to be another wonderful journey; I, too, was torn between trying to wait or reading it, but I couldn’t stop. This was a great introduction to your new series – thanks for writing it!
Thank you, Linda!
Betty, I hope you enjoy Then Came You! Thanks for telling me about Letters from Skye. I love British Isles settings.
I did read Daddy Long Legs, but I’d like to read it again. That was a good sixty five years ago. I must say I don’t remember it. I downloaded Then Came You.on the sixth but I have other things I am reading right now.
A big ‘to be read’ pile of books is a good problem to have, isn’t it? 🙂 Garner will wait his turn patiently.
I’ve already downloaded Then Came You. I haven’t read it yet but hope to get to it sometime soon. Meanwhile, there is that gorgeous cover to look at. LOL It definitely grabs my interest for some reason. It was fun learning about epistolary books. Thanks for your post and for sharing your time and talents! Your books are amazing. I’m looking forward to reading more of them.
“there is that gorgeous cover to look at. LOL It definitely grabs my interest for some reason.” Mine too! The guy’s handsomeness is eye-catching, but I think it’s more than that. The colors. The lighting. The backdrop. The fact that he’s looking straight out from the cover. It’s compelling — the way he almost seems to be looking right at you.
Well, I ordered it TWICE, Becky. Forgot I was signed into Ken’s account and accidentally ordered one for his Kindle, then got my own copy. 🙂 I LOVE epistolary novels and have always thought I’d love to write one, since I seem to be able to write thousands of words in e-mail while I struggle to get one thousand in a novel! 😉
“I LOVE epistolary novels and have always thought I’d love to write one, since I seem to be able to write thousands of words in e-mail while I struggle to get one thousand in a novel!” Ha!! Maybe writing an epistolary will be your cup of tea then, Deb. It was fun, and different, and a good creative challenge for me. It was easier in some ways, because it really was like writing an email or a letter and almost all the details that we usually have to incorporate in order to build the world of a scene were unnecessary. In was harder in other ways… For example, the romance was harder because nothing was happening ‘live’. It was all relayed after the fact.
Thanks for downloading it TWICE! 🙂
Thank you for this sweet gift! I am excited to read another of your books. This cover is intriguing, I want to get to know this man. Luckily, I am just finishing a book, and this will be fun.
You’re very welcome, Susan!
First, I had to look up epistolary!! Kind of knew what it meant but yes, a new word. I was just thinking about this the other day. Since our daughter is in Japan, I’m keeping all of our correspondence so I can read them all over again when I get lonely. We have some interesting e-mails and messages. I’m on one e-mail loop that could tell the story of all the women on there simply by reading the posts. Can’t wait to read this, Becky!
I just finished it today. Can’t wait to read the girls’ books. Really nice job!
Thank you for the novella. Looking forward to reading it, since I am new to your books.