I started a wonderful trend with Ane Mulligan’s interview, and it’s continuing with Sandra Ardoin’s story–having guests on “How I First Published” just as their first published books are releasing! I love Sandra’s story–and I’m loving reading The Yuletide Angel, too. I’m almost finished with it! Enjoy her story–and her lovely Christmas novella, when you’ve finished.
What was your first published novel?
Actually, my just-released Christmas novella, The Yuletide Angel, is my first experience with publishing a project longer than a short story. My past credits consist of a variety of short pieces, including a children’s short story in a collection called Family Ties: Thirteen Short Stories. It released through Pauline Books and Media in 2010 and is still available. My most recent short story, “Ellie’s Escape,” appeared in Splickety Prime Magazine’s June 2014 issue.
Was it a traditional publishing contract or did you go indie?
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas published my novella through their new historical imprint, Heritage Beacon. I have friends who have gone indie, but for me, I liked the idea of going the traditional route first.
How did that come about?
I originally wrote the novella with the intention of sending it to another small publisher, but my agent wanted to send it to LPC, too. Within four days the editor requested the full and two days later I received a contract.
How did this make you feel? Has it been as good as you expected, or a letdown, or exhausting, for example?
Honestly, it’s all of the above. It’s been wonderful to see God working behind the scenes while my journey to novel publication has been up and down over the past five years. I was elated to receive a contract so soon and learn they wanted to release it this year. It was thrilling to receive endorsements from well-known, multi-published authors. The release of The Yuletide Angel is a definite up!
Tell us what’s happened with your writing journey since.
After jumping off Cloud Nine, I got back to work on a proposal for a follow-up novel to The Yuletide Angel. A Reluctant Melody (working title) has been contracted by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and will release in January 2016. It’s my debut, novel-length story!
Sandra Ardoin is a multi-published author of short fiction who writes inspirational historical romance. Her Christmas novella The Yuletide Angel is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She’s the married mother of a young adult and lives in North Carolina.
Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Sign up for her newsletter.
About The Yuletide Angel:
It’s Christmastime in 1890s Meadowmead, and someone is venturing out at night to leave packages at the homes of the needy. Dubbed The Yuletide Angel, no one knows the identity of this mysterious benefactor.
No one, except Hugh Barnes, a confirmed bachelor who finds himself drawn to the outwardly shy but inwardly bold Violet Madison, a young woman who risks her safety to help others.
When Violet confesses her fear of eviction from her childhood home, Hugh longs to rescue her. His good intentions are thwarted, however, when Hugh’s estranged brother shows up in town … and in Violet’s company.
But Violet faces an even bigger threat. A phantom figure lurks in the shadows, prepared to clip the wings of The Yuletide Angel.