A New Season: My Job News and What it Means for My Books, My Business, and My Blog

A new season is about to begin in my life - one that might make me a bit scarcer in my usual corner of the blogosphere, and one that signals the end to Editing Through the Seasons (my freelance editing & publicity business). I'll still be around, though - just in a different capacity, which I couldn't be more excited about!

As you might have noticed through posts such as "Life Lessons from Lupines," I've been going through a season of waiting and uncertainty. Here's what I noted toward the end of that post:

I currently feel like I'm at a crossroads, where a huge dream lies just beyond my grasp, and the alternative scares me because it feels "less" and unimportant and monotonous. I'm afraid to hope - to open myself up to being badly crushed. And I'm afraid not to hope - to face new seasons of fire and waiting without knowing when they might end. I have no idea if this next step is going to be a time of glorious blooming or a time of continued preparation. Perhaps I shouldn't make those two ideas mutually exclusive, though. Because, as the last few very enjoyable lupine outings have reminded me, the number of the blooms (or lack thereof) couldn't take away the joy of the experience unless I let it.

My mom and I were unexpectedly blessed this year with the purple carpets we had so longed to see. I'm grateful for the reminder that trials that bring growth eventually bring rewards. And I'm thankful for the fact that God is merciful and loving, blessing us in all sorts of ways - even in something so "small" as a day among the lupines.

As you now know, I did end up finding a part-time job at a grocery store for about six weeks...and it was very different than my working experiences up until that point. I had a lot of new skills to learn, as it were, including finding purpose in tasks that have to be re-done every day (vs. working on a project-by-project basis). Do I regret it, though? Not one bit! The reasons for that are deserving of their own post, as this post will probably end up long enough as it is - so perhaps sometime soon I shall share a little about how God prepared me and blessed me in unexpected way through my brief time there. :)

But now I'll no longer be working part-time, as I've been offered a full-time job. It is with absolute joy and gratitude that I introduce you to my new employer:

Starting this July, I'll be the new content writer in the marketing department at Harvest House Publishers!  

I tell you, if I thought I was excited about the job when I first got the offer, I am indescribably and incandescently happy now that I've had the chance to visit Harvest House, meet my coworkers in person, and see firsthand the type of company I'll be working for...

The lobby at Harvest House

A copy of the Bible buried in their foundation - to remind everyone who works there that they're "built" on the foundation of God's word

My soon-to-be corner cubicle :)

My sweet Mom and I at the entrance

My mom and I were very kindly given the grand tour this past Monday, so we had the opportunity to see the lunch room (with such a beautiful view!), the marketing team's section (everyone was so incredibly nice and fun, and the area is open, fostering an atmosphere of cooperation and camaraderie), the warehouse (oh, you guys! It goes on forever and smells of books!), and the various other departments (yes, the editorial section is rather large!). The property and the building are simply stunning, and everyone I met made me feel welcome and at home. Interestingly enough, Harvest House's new blog is titled "Welcome Home" - and that's exactly the message I got when I arrived there. I really feel like Harvest House and its little corner of Oregon could be my new home. 

So, what does this all mean for my readers?

My Books:

As far as I know right now, I plan to continue self-publishing on the side. For certain, I've got to get Morning Glory out there to complete "The Heart's Spring" series! And I do have some other little ideas I hope to pursue. However, the majority of my focus needs to be on this new job, of course, so it might be a while between publication dates, and I'm sure my stories will continue to stay on the short side, as that's just how I roll. ;) And in all honesty, the fact that I'll be writing in this new position comforts me, so that even if I had to set aside my books, I'd still be doing something that involves the written word. :) We'll see how it all works out in time! For now, you can follow The Heart's Spring blog for any little publishing updates, and I do hope to create a new blog (which will link to that one) to encompass any new stories in different genres. 

My Business:

Editing Through the Seasons will be soon be shutting its doors. I'll probably still run blog tours for my own books and possibly some for my cover designer, but for the most part, I really feel like I need to simplify so that the majority of my focus can be on my new job. I've had an absolute blast with this business, and I know that my experiences with my clients helped prepare me for this career path. I'm so grateful for each and every author who entrusted me with editing and/or marketing their stories, and for every blogger who joined me in those marketing endeavors. You helped prepare me for this new season, and words can't express how much your support has meant to me.

My Blog:

While I do plan on cutting back a bit on some of my online endeavors, I hope to maintain Seasons of Humility. I might review less, in time (though you all know I probably won't be able to stop reviewing cold turkey, haha!), and there won't be as many blog tours and the like. But I'm sure I'll still be talking books here, and now I'll have plenty of new material for blog posts as I embark on this journey of relocating to Oregon and working for a traditional publisher. :) I hope you'll enjoy being a part of it all!

I also hope you'll consider following Harvest House on Facebook, Twitter, and/or YouTube, as well as through their Welcome Home blog. As a content writer, I'll be writing different marketing materials, from back cover copies to print/web ads and the like, and I believe I might also be involved in some of the social media aspects. :)

God is so good to guide us in His perfect timing to the places we need to be and into the passions He's placed on our hearts. When I graduated from college, I didn't have some grand plan - all I knew was that I thought I should go home, but I was scared to feel so aimless. I just had to trust that God would lead me one step at a time. And ever so slowly but sweetly, He took my hand and led me to this place: through starting my own business, to finally getting clients, to self-publishing my own books, to expanding the business to include publicity projects... Now, two years later, the direction makes perfect sense, and those times of uncertainty have blossomed into complete satisfaction and purpose. I couldn't have imagined how wonderfully, how beautifully, God would bless me with the desires of my heart. ♥ No matter what comes in the days ahead, just reaching this point has been a glorious gift.

Dear friends, may you rest in the hope and joy of knowing God has a plan for your life, and He will guide you Home in His perfect way and timing. Blessings to you all in this season!