My dream to be a published author came true. Elk Lake Publishing released the E-book version of Every Window Filled with Light on March 23, 2021. I didn’t let you know sooner because I froze in terror. The print version will release on Friday, April 2, 2021, and I’m thrilled and fearful.

As a kid, I daydreamed about becoming an author, but it wasn’t something I pursued. I wrote a few short stories for fun, but as an adult, I poured my time and energy into my children and career. Until the summer of 2011, I forgot my dream. Then, I participated in a Bible study called Jonah by Priscilla Shirer. One evening, our facilitator asked us to meditate on the question, What does God want you to do that you don’t want to do. I sat feeling smug as the others prayed. I’d already signed up for a short-term mission trip to Africa, which I hadn’t wanted to do. But as I sat in the quiet, God spoke to me. Write a book for me. My heartbeat quickened as God gave me the opening and the ending of the story. I envisioned a large two-story yellow Victorian home with every window filled with light.

God’s request filled me with panic, and the workbook page remained blank. Who was I to think I could be an author? Finally, I made a feeble attempt, but it was too hard and I turned my thoughts and efforts to preparing to go to Niger. I suppose Africa was my Ninevah. After the mission trip, all I could think about was returning to Africa. My Nigerian translators were visiting the US, in 2012 and they honored me by agreeing to be my guests. While cleaning my home in preparation for their visit, I discovered my laptop hidden under the bed covered in dust. I gulped as I remembered God asking me to write a book. With trepidation, I opened the computer and read the first few pages of the story I’d started. The writing was terrible, but the storyline tugged at my heart. I whined to God. I don’t know how to write a book.

A few days later, my work email account contained a message promoting a Christian writers’ conference. To this day, it is still the only email I’ve received at work advertising a writers’ conference. I could hardly breathe, but then I discovered it was to be held at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX, a long way from Kentucky. When I shared everything with my husband, he insisted I go to the conference even though we didn’t have the money. He reminded me we had a travel credit in our airline account because of connection problems during our first Africa trip, and so, I packed my bags.

When I attended the conference, two instructors, New York Times best-selling author Lisa Wingate and Judy Christie, changed my life when they encouraged me to finish the story. Judy asked me to commit to writing one hour a day, and she predicted I’d finish the first draft by Thanksgiving. The conference was held in October, and I thought her expectations unrealistic, but on 12/12/12, I typed The End. I’ll never forget that morning. It’s a good thing I  had no idea of the hours of work still before me.

Judy was kind enough to give me the email address of her award-winning editor Jamie Clarke Chavez. I sent the first three chapters to Jamie, and my mouth dropped open when she agreed to work with me. Today, she is someone I consider a dear friend. Writers have asked me, How did you get Jamie Chavez to work with you. She must have taken pity on me, and I cringe as I remember those first chapters. Jamie is a gift from God. “…where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.” Psalm 121 NIV

God has been faithful to provide encouragement and help along the road to publication. If there is anything good in Every Window Filled with Light, it is from Him and the people he sent to help me. I’ve surrendered my writing to Him countless times, and I’m doing it again today.

I hope you’ll read Every Window Filled with Light or give it to someone who needs an uplifting story of hope. If there’s a person you know who doesn’t know Christ and doesn’t want to listen to a witness, this is a book you can share. I believe fiction novels can be effective evangelical tools. It’s not necessary to mention my book is in the Christian genre. I hope and pray readers will be so drawn into the story they won’t realize they are being exposed to God’s salvation plan until later, as they ponder the story and their personal relationship with God.

If you want to order the book, click on this link or on the cover above.

https://www.amazon.com/Every-Window-Filled-Light-Weldon/dp/1649491697/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1616862533&sr=1-1

Anything you can do to help me spread the word about my novel is appreciated. Perhaps you might ask your public library to order a copy.  If so, cut and paste the line below and send an email with the ISBN number. ISBN 978-1-64949-170-1 (trade paperback), Every Window Filled with Light by Shelia Stovall.

I covet your Amazon and Goodreads reviews. Even a bad review helps sell books. This will help draw others to my Amazon page. If you need to know how to write an Amazon review or Goodreads review, reply to this email.

Please lift a prayer that my story will reach God’s intended audience. To God be the glory.

Hugs and appreciation,

Shelia