I thank God that I get to be someone who receives these types of questions! Truly all glory goes to Him for blessing me with the opportunity to write and create with the help of a publisher.
I self-published two books and a journal before I ever received a publishing deal. After self-publishing those three titles, I had a strong desire to get published, but had no clue how to make that happen. I prayed that if this desire was in alignment with God’s will, that He would make a way. About a year or so later, I received an email from my publisher who heard about me through someone I had networked with when I was still self-publishing. By God’s grace, it was the right fit—truly an answer to prayer!
If you’re seeking advice on reaching out to publishers and submitting book proposals. I have never had either experience before, so I don’t have specific advice on that. But I do have some general advice:
Be in God’s Word and prayer. — God has unique plans for you. Whatever your desires and goals may be, continually seek Jesus through His Word and prayer and surrender to His will. If you are hoping to write biblical content, pray about that and learn how to study and interpret the Bible accurately. This book (affiliate link) is a great starting point and I recommend getting a hard copy so you can make notes and reference it easily. And of course, ask God to prepare you and give you wisdom if He is leading you to reach out to publishers with your ideas.
Continue creating and connecting. — If you love to write, wisely and prayerfully write! Journal, compose thoughtful Instagram captions, start a blog, self-publish, etc. Ask God to show you how and where He wants to use your gifts and to guide you in that creative journey. And connect with others about your writing desires! You never know how God could use a friend from church, co-worker, or some other connection. God has used these seemingly random connections time and again in my life to accomplish His purposes.
Be patient and trust. — In my experience, God’s timing is rarely our timing, but it’s always better. Isaiah 55:8 comes to mind, as well as Proverbs 3:5-6. God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours. And, He commands us to trust in Him completely and to not lean on our own understanding. For example, I was approached by another publisher before I met my current publisher. It was clearly not the right fit, but it was still hard to walk away from that opportunity, not knowing if I would receive another one. Wait on God for the right opportunity. I am so glad I did!
I hope that’s helpful! If you would like to hear more of my story and receive more detailed advice from one creative to another, I encourage you to listen here. Blessings to you in your own writing endeavors! I am excited for you!