Aloha! Well, it’s April, and as you read this update, the question on most people’s minds is probably: when the heck is this book of Hannah’s coming out? Trust me, it’s my daily question, too.
Here’s where things stand: writing, editing, and endorsements are all finished and submitted. My cover design is planned and ready to put into action with the design team, BUT, we can’t move on until everything dealing with the text is in. I think I mentioned that before when I was waiting on endorsements, but after I submitted the endorsements (a few of which are listed at the bottom of this post), the publisher reviewed my manuscript and said that I can’t move on yet because of licensing.
Basically, whenever you quote a certain amount of song lyrics (either a percentage or more than 4 lines), you have to legally get permission to do so through a licensing company. Given that I love music and quote many songs throughout my book, that’s presented a challenge. Figuring out who owns which rights to each song was a fun task—especially when a couple of the songs are owned 50% by one company and 50% by another, so I have to pay prorated fees to each and they operate completely differently—and then getting permission has been a whole new challenge in itself. One of the companies is awesome—I got licensed back in January within 24 hours of the request. The other two major publishing companies have been frustrating to work with. The past three months have seen many unreturned emails and phone messages, and while my annoyance has built, I’ve tried to remain kind and accommodating since, in the end, I DO need these companies to agree to let me use their song lyrics. So it’s been a “Hi, could you please get on this sooner since you said it would take a few days and it’s been a few months and no one’s returning my calls or emails and I’m almost ready to fly to Tennessee to ask the song writer myself…and also I appreciate your help and think you’re great and doing a good job” kind of balance.
At this point, I’m calling or emailing every other day because, while licensing four songs for my book is not the companies’ top priority, it is mine, and I’m going to do whatever I can to help this happen. In this frustrating period of waiting, I’ve had to stop and remember to pray and ask the Lord to help me navigate all of the details and let everything fall into place. Funny how every time I have to stop and say, “Okay God, I am completely dependent on you because there’s nothing I can do,” He shows up. Often that’s meant that right after that when I call the licensing company, someone actually picks up and helps me! So, my strategy is to continue (kindly) bombarding them with communication but especially to pray and seek God’s timing and open doors as we’re SO close and yet stalled.
I’d love your prayers for these final details to fall into place—for open doors and quick processing, for the licenses to be granted, and then for the design details to wrap up smoothly. Legally, my options are to wait for the final licenses or to pull those sections altogether, which I don’t want to do because they were important to me both during my story and now. I’m sorry to be reporting on a lack of progress, but as much as it’s nagging at me and frustrating me, it’s been good to open my hands back up and realize that God has gone before me and made a way for this whole endeavor so far, so I have to remember to keep trusting Him as everything wraps up.
Thank you again for your patience, understanding, and support. I still believe in this and absolutely feel like I was supposed to do this, so thank you for backing me along the way! If you have questions—or if you know people in the music publishing industry and want to help me bombard them with kindness—please let me know! Blessings, Hannah
Praise for What in the World are You Doing With Cancer?
“This chronicle of one young woman’s battle with cancer offers a powerful reminder of the hope we have in Christ regardless of our external circumstances. Hannah offers encouragement, insight, and resources to help navigate the uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis with poise and a passion to bring glory to His name. I trust that Hannah’s message of hope and courage will inspire you and anyone you know who is walking through a season of trials.”
-Joe White, president, Kanakuk Kamps
“Hannah McGinnis faced her mortality head on when she received a diagnosis of cancer her senior year in college. This young woman’s story of courage and faith in the face of a terrifying disease is an encouragement to any of us who are coping with inexplicable loss.”
-Peggy Wehmeyer, former correspondent, ABC News
“Hannah McGinnis is the real deal. She honestly shares her journey through cancer with the strength of an athlete and the faith of a saint. Her story is not so much about her victory over the disease as it is about her trust in Jesus that is an example to any of us who face the realities of life. Follow her story with cancer. She can lead you to a deeper trust in God that will strengthen you through whatever you face today.”
-Gene Wilkes, Ph.D., senior pastor, Legacy Church, Plano, TX and author of Jesus On Leadership and An Angel in the Flame