Redemption Press Blog

Your Best Writing

Spending Palm Sunday weekend at the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference celebrating their 50th Anniversary was an all time favorite time with many publishing peers and long- time friends. Add to that, a band of amazing Redemption Press authors and editors to make the memory significant.

This year I brought Redemption Press managing editor, Dori Harrell, with me to meet with conferees and review manuscripts to offer helpful feedback. As we were walking through the airport she began recounting a most recent experience with one of our authors in process, Phylis Mantelli. How they had finally turned the corner. “There was so much she was holding back on, much of it was just too painful.” The manuscript is titled UnMothered: Living with a Mom Who Couldn’t Love Me.

When Phylis disclosed, “I can’t go there, it’s too raw,” Dori’s answer pierced her heart … it was what she didn’t want to hear but she knew it was the truth. “If that is where you don’t want to go, that is how you know it’s exactly where you do need to go.”

As Phylis went back to her manuscript, what flowed out of her was raw and engaging and transparent and compelling. It’s what her readers need to hear, and it will impact those who join her on her journey of heartache and healing.

Why is this such an important piece of the publishing process? Because if we miss going deep by authentically exposing our weaknesses and struggles, we never offer the connection to others that will resonate. We miss our opportunity to speak life into the lives of our readers. Sure, we may have a book published with our name on it, but were we courageous enough to allow a professional to draw the best writing out of us in the process?

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.

Prov. 20:5

I have to tell you, I am so proud of Dori Harrell and the Redemption Press team of spirit-led coaches and editors who do this very thing with the authors we serve. If you’ve published in the past and missed this rewarding experience, we’d love to help you on your next manuscript, to find your voice, and do your best writing.

While at the Mt. Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference I was able to spend some time with Phylis and hear more about her process with the coaching and editing of her memoir. Here’s that interview…

If you are wondering if working with one of our professional coaches would help you develop the story God has given you, CLICK HERE to tell us a little more about yourself and allow us to review your manuscript to determine if we can help you on your journey!

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Meet the Publisher

I've been around Christian publishing since 1987 when I helped our ministry self-publish an important resource for Vietnam veterans and their families. That book went on to be picked up by a royalty publisher and has since sold over 250,000 copies with a million in print.

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