Introducing Scrivenings Press!

By Guest Shannon Vannatter




Back before I was published, I longed for an author to help me know what I was doing wrong. I joined a couple of local writing groups, but none of the other members were published either. I did learn some things from the groups since there were members who’d been writing longer than I had.

After a few years, I joined a national group and signed up for a mentor in conjunction with attending my first national conference. I thought she’d help me write. It turned out, she was just a friendly face, so I wouldn’t feel overwhelmed at my first HUGE conference. I was overwhelmed anyway and spent the first evening crying on my husband’s shoulder because I was certain everyone there was published or at least knew more than I did about writing.

Through my years of attending every conference, writers group meeting, and workshop I could, I approached countless authors who didn’t have time to help me. I got paid chapter critiques from multi-published authors and entered countless contests with published author judges who gave feedback. I vowed that when I got published, I’d make time to help unpublished writers. It took me 9 1/2 years of writing, reading craft books on writing, submitting to publishers, and getting over 200 rejections, before I finally got acontract. Working with editors taught me a busload of lessons.

I quickly learned why those authors didn’t have time to help me. But in the last several years, I’ve stuck to my vow. I’ve taught for free and done critiques when I have time for my local writing group, taught classes to middle school, high school, and college students, taught classes at conferences in several different states, judged unpublished contests where I’ve given feedback, and done paid critiques at several conferences. When I critique, I try to be very thorough, helpful, and encouraging. My goal is to help writers improve their stories and give them the tools they need to catch the eye of an editor.

Several times, I’ve thought I’d enjoy being an editor. But traditional publishers pretty much expect you to have a college degree. Even when you’ve learned from four different editors through sixteen published books. Once kindergarten was over, I hated school. From the time I learned that one day I’d graduate and wouldn’t have to go anymore, that was my goal. Once I finished high school, if someone had offered to pay me to attend college, I wouldn’t have.
And then Scrivenings Press happened. I met Linda Fulkerson back in 2008 or so at a writer’s group meeting. A year later, she asked if I wanted to go to the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Minneapolis. At that fateful conference in 2009, I pitched to an editor and ended up getting my first contract. Since then, we’ve been travel buddies and roomies at dozens of conferences and retreats. We’ve taught classes, plotted books, and shared life experiences. And had lots of pie. When either of is achieve something writer related, we meet for pie.

As different as day and night, Linda is an ex-marine, I’m an ex-hairdresser. I’m technology challenged, she’s a computer geek. I love to write, Linda loves to plot. She’s great with graphics and photography, I’m better with words. She knows her way around business and contracts, my eyes glaze over about such things. She’s an ex-newspaper editor and has written nonfiction, I’d rather make stuff up.

In May, she called to tell me that Kathy and Jerry Cretsinger, the owners of Mantle Rock Publishing, a small press, wanted to retire and sell their business. Linda wanted to buy it. But she needed a partner, someone with skills opposite of hers. I was the first person she thought of since I’ve done so much critiquing and contest judging. Honored, I thought it sounded fun. After discussing it with my husband and God, I accepted. Since then, I’ve taken an online course and am now a certified content editor.

In May, we traveled to the Cretsinger’s home, signed the papers, and spent three days learning the ropes. I spent the rest of May and most of June taking my class and wrapping up my writing commitments. It’s been great timing, since I just finished a contract with Love Inspired for a three-book series. I had time to send my agent a new proposal and by the time I hear back about that, if it sells, I’ll have gotten caught up on my editing commitments.

Scrivenings Press officially launched July 1st. We bought most of Mantle Rock’s back list along with several already contracted books, but we’re open for submissions. I’m currently editing the third manuscript on my schedule. I’ll serve as acquisitions/content editor and author development while Linda will take care of copy editing, book covers, contracts, and the business stuff I consider un-fun. Our skill sets complement each other and we make a great team.

We plan to host a writing contest that will begin August 15th. The grand prize will be a contract for publication. Watch for details at: https://scriveningspress.com/

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Shannon will be giving away a print copy of the Love Inspired Western Collection, Counting on the Cowboy / Her Texas Cowboy (U.S. and international included). Please let us know in the comments if you'd like to be entered.

Bios:

Linda Fulkerson is the owner of DLF Digital Services LLC (founded in 2013) and has nearly 20 years of experience in digital marketing. She comes from a newspaper background and has been a copyeditor, sportswriter, and online editor. Linda has been an indie publisher for several years and is the author of two novels and several nonfiction books. Her role in the new company will be business management, graphic designer, and line editor.

Shannon Vannatter is an award-winning, traditionally multi-published author. She is known for giving thorough manuscript critiques at conferences and is highly sought-after. Throughout Shannon’s writing career, she has worked with multiple editors, publishing companies, and agents. Her role in the new company will be acquisitions/content editor and author career development. She is currently undergoing the process of becoming a credentialed editor through the Christian PEN Institute. Both Linda and Shannon will work with authors on marketing their books.

Counting on the Cowboy by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

Texas cowboy Brock McBride knows better than to fall for a city girl. She’ll leave and break his heart—just like his ex-fiancée did. But his job at Chasing Eden Dude Ranch requires working alongside Dallas wedding planner Devree Malone. And despite fierce resistance, he’s falling hard. Yet with Devree’s business back in the city, can he convince her she’s found her home…with him?

 

Her Texas Cowboy by Jill Lynn

When Rachel Maddox returns to her hometown of Fredericksburg, Texas, avoiding her ex is much easier said than done. Still nursing the broken heart Rachel caused years earlier, rancher Hunter McDermott figures he can be cordial for the brief time she’s in town—maybe they can even be friends. But how do you forge just a friendship with someone you’ve always pictured as your bride?

 

Get your copy now!

Counting on the Cowboy & Her Texas Cowboy Western Collection - ChristianBook

 

Counting on the Cowboy & Her Texas Cowboy Western Collection - Amazon