Author Archives: Hannah McGinnis

Kickstarter Update #7: Patience Is a Virtue, Right?

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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.

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Kickstarter Update #6: I’m Sure You’ve Been Wondering

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As I’m sure you’ve noticed, it’s December, and you don’t have a copy of my book in your hands. If you haven’t noticed, please stop reading this right now and continue on your merry way. I tried to come up with some entertaining title for this post or a witty analogy for my update, but I decided against offering up some trite lighthearted excuse.

Instead, here’s why you don’t have a copy of my book in your bookcase or in a stack of stuff on your desk. I was on track to have everything finished and the book printed by November, and then a number of discouraging factors along with a few neutral delays intervened.

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Kickstarter Update #5: As Time Goes By

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Whew! It’s been a busy summer and I have a few more crazy weeks coming up, but a lot of good stuff has happened. I love that this is becoming more and more of a reality! I tend not to get my hopes up about things, so I think maybe the reality that I’m publishing a book hasn’t set in yet. It’ll be good to hold it in my hands this fall!

I’ve paid Westbow 3 of my 4 installments, and my last payment should be the first week of September! I’ve also submitted my manuscript and it’s being reviewed by Westbow as we speak. When they get it back to me soon (this week or next I think), I’ll review what notes and changes they made, I’ll add my parents’ forward and my acknowledgements to the book, and I’ll start working with the design team on the look of my book. I’ve been working on my cover design but haven’t finalized it—it’s a big deal and I don’t want to mess it up! The old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is around for a reason, so since I realize most of us do look at books based on their covers, I’m not saying “go” until I feel it’s perfect.

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Kickstarter Update #4: It’s Go Time

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First of all, I’m so sorry that it’s been few days since my goal date and I haven’t posted. I got the e-mail from Kickstarter that we’d reached the goal while I was sitting in a bridesmaid luncheon before my cousin Ali’s wedding on Saturday. Needless to say, I was pretty elated.

Once again, thank you all for your overwhelming support! I am so grateful for you and humbled by your generosity. Know that I literally could not be publishing my book without you!

I paid the publisher my first installment on Monday! 🙂 I’m so excited for this to actually be happening. Westbow set me up with my production team, and I talked to Maggie, my “Check-in-Coordinator” on Tuesday. She sent me about seven documents on where we go from here. First of all, I have to submit my manuscript. I have three more chapters that need a final-final edit, and then I need my mom to look over a couple of sections and their wording. By the end of next week I should have my manuscript submitted.

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Kickstarter Update #3: Amazed & Feeling Like Taylor Swift

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I can’t believe we’re at the goal! A couple of people have pledged to back the project, so that puts us at the target. I am so amazed–especially since it’s only May 16th!

I’ve been coaching club volleyball with Karen Wright (who also helped me with my Kickstarter video). We had a discussion recently about seeing the best or worst in people and I realized something: I see the best in people when I’m coaching them on the volleyball court, but in real life, I tend to see the worst in people. I’m way too cynical and it’s terrible, but I feel like the fact that I see the best in my volleyball players shows that there’s at least hope for me to see people like Christ sees them, full of grace and at their best.

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Kickstarter Update #2: And on the 8th Day…

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I can’t believe we’re 8 days in and almost there! I’m once again so humbled by everyone’s generosity. Thank you SO much!

I realized the other day that I never said what I’d do if I raise money over my goal.  As you might know, authors have to pay to buy their own books. Granted, there’s a discounted rate, but much of publishing is out of the author’s hands, including being able to have polished copies of their own work. Any money I raise above my goal can help me buy books to distribute to different people that my story could help (from hospitals to college health centers and beyond), and it can also help me cover editing services and things like licensing fees for instances where I quote song lyrics in my book.

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Kickstarter Update #1: We’re Halfway There

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And I’m living on a prayer. Seriously though, when I set out to write this book, I knew that God would have to provide and show me how to move forward, so I’ve been praying that all year long. I’ve never written a book before, so I’ve been living on my prayers that God would lead me. I knew He would provide somehow, but I never imagined I’d have half of my money raised with 28 days to go.

Wow. I’m so floored by yall’s generosity. Every time Kickstarter sends me an e-mail with updates, I’m amazed. I mean, I believe in my book, but I’m biased, so I’m humbled that so many others believe in it, too. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement!

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Time to Kickstart My Book!

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So, “How’s that book coming along?” you might wonder. Well, it’s almost finished! I’m done writing it and now working through final, detailed editing. April was really great for writing and editing. I’m so much better at editing on actual paper—there’s something about being able to physically cross out errors or draw arrows to move paragraphs around that makes my process go much smoother than on a computer. So, when I realized that, the book took off! Hallelujah because it’s been an arduous process.

I’ve told a lot of people about my book and how I’m going about publishing it, but here’s a little more info. Basically, very few companies will publish first-time authors. Now, if you’re like me, you think, “Hmmm, so how does someone ever get published?” and that’s a good question…and one I haven’t mastered yet. But, I’m hoping to work with WestBow Press, which is the independent division of Thomas Nelson. The only issue is that they need money up front, and for those who know me well, I’m broke. Teaching high school in Hawaii didn’t exactly allow my savings account to build up.

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Finishing Strong

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Here’s the truth that’s bombarded me lately: I suck at long-term goals.

I’m really good at setting goals three months at a time. I set new goals each year from January-March, April-June, July-September, and October-December. That’s manageable for me, and I like charting progress over time, but only a short period of time.

Long-term goals, on the other hand, are my nemesis. I start out really well and full of energy, and then, somewhere in the middle, I lose sight of my purpose, get discouraged, and want to bail out. I’ve always known this about myself, but somehow I’m still surprised amidst long-term goal situations when I start muddling through. I have a bracelet that says, “Finish Strong,” and that became my motto one summer during college. I know I need to finish strong, I tell myself to finish strong, and yet, the act of finishing strong isn’t exactly made easier by either of those.

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A Thrill of Hope in a Season of Humiliation

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I realize it’s been a ridiculous amount of time since I last posted. I could blame it on the fact that I’m in the process of writing a book while also working three part-time jobs, or I could just call it what it is: avoidance.

Confession over. Now onto bigger and better things.

I’ve been feeling lately like I’ve been in a season of humiliation. Before I go much further, let me clear up what “humiliation” means. The dictionary definition is: “the act of humbling someone, being reduced to lowliness or submission,” and it adds that “humility can be self-sought, but humiliation involves something [or someone] else.”

Okay, so what does that mean? Though we often use it to mean “embarrassment” or, in my shameful case “things that are comical for me to see and laugh at,” the word humiliation is more about being reduced to lowliness or being humbled. And, it involves either some other force or person in the process.

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